It s time to reintroduce some structure into your wardrobe – hopefully life will follow suit
11 April 2021 • 5:00am
Go-to blazers: Wool-mix check, £395, The Fold; Tweed, £419, Sandro; Satin twill, £275, Me+Em; Cotton-linen blend, £120, Boden
The other day I wore a jacket. Normally this would be unremarkable. Pre-lockdown I wore a blazer most days. But for the past 12 months they’ve been missing in action from my life, not least because there wasn’t a lot of action generally.
There has been plenty of work, though: sitting at a desk, looking at a screen; sitting on the sofa, looking at a screen… None of it seemed particularly compatible with a jacket. I’ve worn smart cardigans, smart jumpers, colourful blouses galore. But tailoring hasn’t really featured.
How to nail the new cult of casual – by someone who can t
Why is casual the hardest dress code to crack?
Lauren Bravo s style reality
vs casual dream
Credit: Noor and Zee
We’ve all been forced to confront certain truths about ourselves over the past year or so. Here is mine: I can’t dress casually.
I am nonchalant-intolerant. I suck at sartorial ease. In jeans and an oversized shirt I will forever have the vibe of a physics teacher on a school field trip, trying to be ‘one of the guys’. It’s a painful affliction, but if speaking out can raise awareness and help other sufferers feel less alone, it’ll be a start.
Unpredictable weather calls for a cover up that s ready for all temperatures. An in-between jacket will provide coverage for light spring days without causing you to overheat, but won t be bulky so that it can be layered underneath a rain coat for overcast days. Our fashion editors have chosen their favourites to buy now.
Blazing a trail A blazer for me is the perfect trans-seasonal jacket. I go for a more boxy fit (it suits both jumpers and shirts the best) and this burnt-orange colour will pep up casual jeans and a T-shirt with minimal effort – ideal for when we start heading back into the office, as my smarter clothing seems a little daunting after months of WFH.
Every Easter Weekend style dilemma solved
What to wear for every imaginable scenario this weekend, from outdoor roast dinners to day trips to the beach
Your Easter bank holiday looks require some consideration
Credit: & Other Stories
The bank holiday weekend traditionally poses a host of sartorial dilemmas as the weather is always unpredictable. Now we’re in the first stages of lockdown easing, it only adds to the fashion dilemmas.
The majority of establishments are still closed until the next lifting of restrictions, so any social meetings over the long weekend must take place outdoors - that includes your family Easter lunch. So we’ll need to be warm (given the sudden drop in temperature after the warmer weather we got used to this week), chic and spring-ready…
10 of the best denim jeans for midlife men (that won t embarrass the grandkids)
Ill-chosen denim can send the wrong messages as we head towards midlife, so it s important to choose the right cut and style
Experiment with different washes and fabrics this spring and summer
They say you can learn a lot about a man by his shoes, but I believe the cut of his jeans paints a more accurate picture. Ill-chosen denim can send the wrong messages as we head towards midlife.
So if you find a style and fit that won’t embarrass the grandkids, stick with it. You can always experiment with different washes and fabrics.