Hello my lovely people!! Sure, spring may not have quite sprung yet. But if the bounty of Easter eggs currently lining the supermarket shelves is anything to go by, it soon will – and so begins another season of brands churning out new pieces and trends, lobbying for your attention and hard-earned cash.But here’s a thought: why not give faddy fashions a miss this SS16 and refresh your wardrobe with some timeless basics instead?
Whether you’re a slave to the latest drops from your favourite retailers, or you already adopt a more pared-back and reserved approach to style, there’s a lot to be said for equipping yourself with an arsenal of next level basics.
Not only do quality staples provide a solid foundation on which you can build your daily looks, integrating classic, versatile pieces into your wardrobe will allow you to effortlessly pull together outfits for any occasion that arises.
Take a look at the five must haves we think every man should consider adding to their collection this season, below:
- The Sky Blue Oxford Shirt
The ubiquitous Oxford shirt forms the cornerstone of a man’s smart and casual wardrobe. In a slim-cut, it’s a style with adaptability at its core, and one that looks just as sharp under a blazer for a day at the office as it does on its own with jeans for a night out. Although white is the default option for many, sky blue is arguably just as versatile and particularly appropriate for the warmer months – try pairing with slim chinos and a linen blazer for a smart Riviera-inspired ensemble.
- The Striped Suit
Showcased in several SS16 collections from some of menswear’s biggest names, the striped blazer is straight in at number one on our list. While checked tailoring continues to make its presence felt, both on the runways and the streets, this season the pattern takes a back seat to stripes, which come in all forms, from horizontal pinstripes to thick, block-coloured variations.Guaranteed to give your tailoring collection a summer-ready lift, a striped blazer will serve you well for a slew of different occasions, from formal garden parties to sun holidays abroad.
- The Printed T-Shirt
Whether worn on its own as a statement piece or layered underneath a lightweight jumper or blazer, the printed t-shirt is back in all new guises for SS16, offering a sure-fire way to breathe life (and colour) into your warm-weather wardrobe.
- Pastel Basics
Over the past few years, pastel colours have been making the slow and steady transition from ultra-feminine to unconventionally masculine, helped along most recently by some of Indian tailoring’s most significant brands.
- Trainers
Clean, timeless and fuss-free, white trainers are set to be spring/summer 2015’s key footwear style.Less brash and much smarter than the technicolour designs that have been favoured in recent seasons, white trainers will slot seamlessly into an array of smart, casual and smart-casual looks.
- Printed Outerwear
Roberto Cavalli was one designer who wholeheartedly backed the printed bomber. His SS collection included a wide variety of styles, including a blue and white version with an Aztec-style pattern emanating from the centre of the chest outwards, along with a blue/purple fade effect patterned bomber, which gave the garment a textural feel.
- DB Dandy
Gents, forget the simple two-button suit jacket – right now, it’s all about the double-breasted blazer.No longer just the reserve of Gordon Gekko wannabes, this powerful cut has shaken off its power dressing banker associations to become a modern option that makes an effortless statement.So if you want to stand out in a sharp and sophisticated way this season, take a look at my favourite DB suit on the current market.
