On the menswear frontier, countless intriguing independent brands are springing up across town, and offering one convincing co-ordinated outfit this spring: the chore jacket and pleated slack combo.
Wax London, Asket and Che Studios are all well worth a visit. Batch London has a signature chore-trouser outfit you can try in their 9-11 Short’s Gardens flagship (you’ll have to wait four to eight weeks for the outfit to be made) while Ronning offers a range of good, “everyday uniform” pieces at its Soho outpost. To finish? Add a great logo T-shirt (the latest Matisse collaboration at Uniqlo works well), and a splash of prep with a fashionable boat shoe (yes, that sounds oxymoronic; trust me, it is not this season).
Chore jackets
They have fast become the smart casual staple of well dressed gents across town, and couldn’t work better as the weather picks up.
John Lewis, Canvas Chore Jacket, Gothic Olive
Buy now, £89
MOSS, Khaki Wool Linen Shacket
Buy now, £129
Wax London, Whiting Black And Ecru Yard Check Overshirt
Buy now, £150
Asket, The Overshirt in olive
Buy now, £160
Che Studios, Cruz embroidered lightweight cotton jacket
Buy now, £200
Pleat front slacks
Smart trousers dressed down are very much the look du jour — make a note of these burgeoning, London labels making good tailored trousers for men.
M&S, Tapered Fit Twin Pleat Stretch Chinos in mole
Buy now, £25
Batch London, Men’s Mocha Cotton Trousers
Buy now, £145
Ronning, Pleated City Pant in Stone
Buy now, £165
Folk, Wide Fit Trouser Sage Overdyed Stripe
Buy now, £175
Studio Nicholson, Pull Pant in darkest navy
Buy now, £395
T-shirts
Give it some personality with a smart, statement t-shirt — a bold print, stripe or striking colour does well to uplift a pair of brown or navy slacks.
Uniqlo, Henri Matisse UT graphic T-shirt
Buy now, £19.90
Jacquemus, Soalheiro embroidered printed cotton-jersey T-shirt
Buy now, £94
Boat shoes
The preppy trend is rife as ever, and one of easiest ways to give off American sophomore is a new pair of deck shoes.
Massimo Dutti, Brown leather deck shoes
Buy now, £139
Polo Ralph Lauren, Merton Leather Boat Shoe
Buy now, £179
