When the weather’s still frosty, it can be tempting to stick to your wool overcoat and jeans combo and put off updating your warm-weather wardrobe until the clocks go forward. However, if you can shrug off the seasonal sadness, now is the optimal time to stock up for the spring and summer months. To get ahead of the curve rather than be left scraping the bottom of the sartorial barrel, it’s worth noting that the rails are already bursting with new collections and must-buy pieces. Take your teacher’s advice – the early bird really does catch the worm. Helpfully, Style.com’s latest edit is full of essential wardrobe staples from some of the industry’s most respected names, as well as an eclectic mix of up-and-coming brands to add some seasoning to your rotation. Here are our top picks for keeping you looking on-point throughout SS17.
Marni Button-Down Hooded Twill Jacket
One of the most common (and most unforgivable) clothing crimes is wearing a coat that would see you through an Arctic expedition when – in reality – it’s pretty balmy outside. To avoid looking like you’re off to shack up in a moose carcass with Bear Grylls, swap your winter warmer for something more seasonally appropriate. Prepare for everything from April showers to Glastonbury mud with this cotton twill jacket from Italian label Marni. Lightweight enough that you won’t break a sweat if the temperature rises, but hooded and lined for practicality in unsettled climes, lightweight parkas are set to be a key trend this season – combine with slim chinos or denim to make for some seriously stylish off-duty dressing. Priced £690. Click to buy.
Paul Smith Check Carlo Barbera Wool Blazer
Tailoring has long been the place where subtlety reigned supreme. Yes, a suit is the cornerstone of almost every grown man’s wardrobe, and yes, we love a sleek navy or sharp grey two-piece. But to add some interest to your sartorial selection, a checked blazer is a more casual, effortlessly cooler alternative. Ticking off key trends faster than you can say ‘checkmate’, this sleek jacket from Paul Smith has been crafted in Italy using premium wool sourced from the renowned Carlo Barbera mill. The pink highlights nod to the rose-coloured hue we’ve seen everywhere for this season, while still being subtle enough that you’ll be able to wear it for years to come. Priced £745. Click to buy.
Rachel James Zirkel Waterproof Hoodie
The sportswear trend shows no sign of getting benched, so stay in the fast lane this summer. Bomber jackets are still a key silhouette, but those tired of dressing like a T-Bird can drop the Danny Zuko impression for a more relaxed, retro track top in a modern colourway. This hoodie from emerging designer Rachel James has a bomber-style hem and cuffs, but, thanks to some clever technology, is made from only two pieces of fabric, lending the drapey style a modern edge. It’s not just for show either – the waterproof material and roomy body make it a practical addition to any workout wardrobe as well as a casual roster. Priced £400. Click to buy.
Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Hooded Sweater
When investing in cashmere, it’s worth checking out the company’s credentials. Good cashmere will last decades; bad cashmere will be in the bin by next winter. Johnstons of Elgin has been making quality cashmere goods for around 220-years but has continued to foray into more modern shapes, meaning you get the best of both worlds. This classic cashmere hooded sweater is the ultimate luxury athleisure piece. Equally at home lying on the sofa as it is layered under an unstructured blazer with jeans for a smart-casual look, it’s the equivalent of a grown man’s comfort blanket. Just don’t slobber on it. Priced £275. Click to buy.
Christopher Kane Wool Tailored Cuffed Trousers
Athletic styles have become ubiquitous in almost all high street and high-end collections. Therefore choice of fabric and colour is vital to avoid being a copy of every other bloke on the planet. Mixing high and low fashion has become every designer’s go-to this season, and these Christopher Kane trousers are one of the most wearable ways to tap the trend. Sitting at the crossroads of lazy and luxurious, they have a Savile Row feel with a South Beach silhouette. Cut from pure wool and featuring traditional tailoring details but with a cuffed bottom, they’ll set you apart from the crowd. Priced £445. Click to buy.
Filling Pieces Low Top Ghost Perforated Pink
Trainers are one of the most accessible ways to buy into trends. That said, get it wrong and it can be an expensive mistake to make. Choosing to shift away from mainstream footwear labels usually offers up more minimalist styles that have a greater chance of working with an existing wardrobe. Amsterdam-based Filling Pieces has quickly established itself as a cult label in this area. These on-trend nude trainers – crafted in premium leather and suede – are a cooler alternative to the sneakers that’ll be on everyone else’s feet. Plus, you won’t have to queue up at 5am to get them. Priced £220. Click to buy.
Zoë Jordan Franklin Knit
Knitwear should make up a decent portion of your wardrobe budget, as spending here can elevate an otherwise basic outfit to luxury status. Though, it’s precisely this knowledge that means we often end up with duplicates of the same jumper we’ve been wearing since the age of 17. If you’re drowning in a sea of navy crew necks, it might be time to trade up. Since being shortlisted for the British Fashion Council’s Fashion Fund in 2012, Zoë Jordan has created some of the most desirable knitwear on the market, and this Franklin jumper is a SS17 must-have. Ticking off the camouflage trend without the obvious shades of green and brown, it’ll make a seamless (and non-boring) addition to your wardrobe. Priced £270. Click to buy.
Mismo M/S Shoppers
We’re currently in a logo renaissance. After a few calm years of brands paring back on splashy motifs, they’re back with a vengeance. This shopper from Danish label Mismo is the perfect antidote to the showy bags on offer this season. Minimalist without being boring, its simple shape hides functionality – there are inside pockets and removable and adjustable straps, so it’ll pull its weight for work and play. Plus, it’s in this season’s must-have shade of green, making yet another a great case for picking it up. Priced £200. Click to buy.
L.G.R TraNsvaal Gold Green G15
Sunglasses trends can be tricky to buy into, as what frame suits depends so much on face shape. However, for those fortunate to be able to (we’re looking at you square-faced people), this season it’s time to channel your inner John Lennon with a pair of round lenses. These glasses from eyewear brand L.G.R come in classic gold shade but are a subtle way to pick up on the green trend too, thanks to their tinted lenses. Handcrafted in Italy and ultra-lightweight, they might be practical, but their cool slant on an old-school style makes them a contemporary classic. Shine on. Priced £196. Click to buy.
Paul Smith Leather ‘Simmons’ Loafers With Charms
Summer outfits need summer shoes. It sounds basic, but an often-repeated mistake is to ditch the socks and wear winter brogues when the weather heats up. In reality, subbing chunky ice-proof soles for a slimmer silhouette is the ideal move to make. Paul Smith’s loafers have all the hallmarks of a solid winter shoe – premium calf leather, hand-stitching, moccasin toes – but the neater, orange colour-flash sole and sleeker shape mean that when you ditch the socks in these, it won’t look like you just forgot. Priced £375. Click to buy.