Ridley Gilet: £98 crewclothing.co.uk

I’m joking, of course – all past negativity surrounding the humble gilet has long since disappeared, or at least temporarily been forgotten. Unless you’re planning on wearing your gilet with a baseball cap – in which case the gilet is the least of your problems – then you’re guaranteed to look right on trend. This item of clothing is relatively unique in that it fuses both fashion and practicality – something which I rarely encourage. However, if you are keen to keep warm (and seeing as it’s nearing winter, the chances are that you will be), then it’s all in the padding. When it comes to warmth, wearing a down-filled gilet is not dissimilar to wrapping a feather duvet around your torso – an enjoyable prospect on an icy winter’s day, I’m sure you’ll agree. Whilst gilet colour should always be considered in relation to the items worn beneath it, it is worth remembering that red is a key colour this season – and if you can manage not to look like you are wearing a lifejacket, this is undoubtedly option which is will look right on trend.

Left to right: Criminal Damage Chipper Gillet Stone Cream: £50 mainlinemenswear.co.uk; Penfield Green Tweed Leather Yoke Stapleton Gilet: £215 my-wardrobe.com

If you want to make absolutely sure that everyone knows you are wearing this season’s gilet, and not simply something you dug out of the loft from years gone by, then opt for one with distinctive yoke detailing, which can be essential in creating a look which is effortlessly up-to-date. For those with a penchant for pockets, the gilet is something of a godsend; like I said, practical. Lastly, this item also provides the perfect platform to exploit some of this season’s trendiest looks without, y’know, overdoing it. If you’re keen to try tweed, for example, but want to simply create an air of farmer-chic rather than looking like you might genuinely own livestock, then the gilet is a good way to incorporate just a touch of this trend into your overall look.

Founded in Germany, where they are the second best-known brand in the country after Volkswagen, Zalando are going from strength to strength and becoming very successful in a host of European countries. Their success could be attributed to their amazing range of shoes on offer, including many local brands.

Take for example, the footwear brand S.Oliver. It’s a brand I’d personally never heard of before but one that I’ll remember. The very on-trend ankle boot below only retails for £60 with Free Delivery. A bargain!

Although their primary focus might be on footwear, Zalando also offer a good range of men’s clothing items. From brands you’ll recognise, such as Levi’s and Diesel, to their own unique ‘Zalando Collection’, this online outlet offers an excellent selection of basic menswear items, as well as a superb premium range.

Zalando are now taking off in the UK, helped by some very amusing TV (example here). The reason I think they’ll go down a storm is that they not only promote a wide range of UK brands like H By Hudson, but they expose us to European brands we’d never likely come across. Oh, and the fact they offer free delivery and free returns!

Left to right: D&G Charcoal Tweed Shawl Collar Coat: £635 my-wardrobe.com; Scotch & Soda Herringbone Jacket Blazer With Inner: £219 stand-out.net

The tweed jacket is, once again, the most popular way to wear this material, and probably always will be. Tweed is stylish yet durable, if not entirely water-proof, making it a fabric which is often best-suited to outerwear. Contrary to popular belief, almost anyone can wear the wear a tweed jacket, no matter what their stance on fox hunting or similarities to iconic detective, Sherlock Holmes. This season, there’s a good range of options when it comes to wearing tweed – from lightweight blazer styles to heavier overcoat types. The key is to add layers, in order to give this look a more modern and slightly preppy feel.

Left to right: Penfield Millwood Green Tweed Trousers: £80 Urban Outfitters; Penfield Idelwood Back Pack in Green Penfield Tweed: £65 mainlinemenswear.co.uk

Whilst the jacket might be the most traditional way to wear your tweed, it is far from the only option this season. Tweed trousers, for example, have long since graduated from being solely the preserve of university lecturers and Time Lords alike, and look suitably on-trend worn with brogues and buttoned-up penny collar shirts. However, if you’re tempted to venture away from the more subtle herringbone twill weaves, then tweed accessories are probably your safest bet. From large weekend holdalls to smaller satchel styles, tweed is a superb choice when it comes to bags this season. With its gentlemanly connotations, a tweed bag also has the advantage of ensuring that you can gallantly offer to carry any luggage, without having to compromise on style. And they say chivalry is dead…

Left to right: Grenson Tan Fred Commando Brogues: £199 Urban Outfitters; Loake Black High Polish 290 Chelsea Boots: £140 my-wardrobe.com

If the last time you wore boots it was with the full intention of getting them caked in mud, then you may need to slightly readjust your style philosophy. In other words, step away from the Hunter’s wellies – there are a great range of boots around this year, none of which are of the rubber variety. One of the most stylish boot adaptations of timeless classic is surely the commando brogue boot. A step up in smartness from the military boot, the commando brogue offer a more modern slant on this traditional style – and the perfect way to make sure that your basic jeans-and-jumper combo is right on trend.

If you’re looking for a slightly slicker option, then the Chelsea boot is the most obvious answer this coming season. Another classic style of shoe, the Chelsea boot is ideal for incorporating a touch of vintage style into almost any outfit, and looks great worn with slim-cut or straight-leg jeans. Alternatively, team with winter work-wear to prove you’re still cool, even when you’re office-bound and deadline dependant.

Left to right: Mens Caterpillar Hogan Boots: £125 Schuh; Clarks Originals Desert Boot Burgundy Suede: £79.99 Office

If you’re not exactly Made In Chelsea, then there are a number of less formal, but no less stylish, boot options available. Somewhere towards the other end of the boot-scale, for example, is the biker boot. If you’ve become somewhat accustomed to tucking your jeans into your boots, then worry not – it’s a look that’s almost certainly here to stay, albeit one which I cannot entirely condone. If you’re looking for that ever-elusive blend of comfort and style, then the biker boot might just be the perfect solution. Motorcycle preferred, but not technically essential.

Of course, the real shoe to be seen in over the coming season is the desert boot. Clarks may have designed the originals, but this style has undergone something of a resurgence of late. Brands such as Pretty Green are currently paving the way for a revival in mod-inspired style, with the retro desert boot at its heart, and are offering numerous variations on this classic shoe. If you’re not brave enough to jump on the burgundy bandwagon when it comes to clothes this season, then opt for pair in coloured suede – just make sure you get your money’s worth out of them before the snow shows up…

Left to right: Cheap Monday Drax Roll Neck Knit: £90 Urban Outfitters; Demise Funnel: £75 AllSaints

No longer is the roll neck confined to the likes of thespians and other such artistes, so don’t feel the need to carry around a bottle of red wine and start referring to everything as being ‘fabulous’. You can breathe a sigh of relief (literally – stop tensing) and rest assured that this season’s roll necks aren’t half as tight as their retro counterparts. This time around, it’s important to remember that loose-fitting roll necks are ok – good, even! Think less Tom Jones, more Simon and Garfunkel, and opt for a slightly baggy blended knit in neutral colours for a slouchy, laid-back look.

Of course, this isn’t the most formal way to work this trend, but there are other options. If baggy sweaters aren’t really your thing, roll neck or not, then opt for a lightweight fabric, such as a fine wool or even cashmere. Team with a blazer jacket to create a more structured look, and bring out the sharper side to this trend.

Left to right: Cadet Nightmarl (Blue) Heavy Cable Funnel Neck: £82.50 Firetrap; Inis Meain Cream Undyed Super Soft Aran Roll Neck: £239 my-wardrobe.com

Due to its somewhat pretentious connotations, I’m tempted to simply say you should avoid black roll necks at all costs. The roll neck is, of course, another good opportunity to work bright block colours into what can be an otherwise dreary Autumn wardrobe. However, those of you who can recall the mauve button-up roll neck ensemble worn by Ashley Cole not so many moons ago will know that this, too, can have disastrous results. Black is undoubtedly a much safer choice, but unless you’re intentionally paying homage to the late Steve Jobs, steer clear of skinny or ribbed styles. Instead, look for a roll neck with incorporates a chunky cable knit to ensure that your choice is right on trend.

Of course, trend over-kill is never a good look, but if you’re still not convinced on the roll neck front, then why not throw in another key Autumn/Winter style for good measure. The popularity of the cream Aran jumper is set to stick around for (at least) another year, and looks great worn as a roll neck this season. Alternatively, choose a roll neck with a traditional Fair Isle pattern across the chest or shoulder to tap into another key trend. Avoid anything which looks like it’s strangling you and you’ll be fine.

Fashion Crime 1: Short-sleeved shirt and tie

Perhaps the most frequent offender of the summer months is the short-sleeved shirt and tie combo. Each item on its own is unlikely to cause offence, but unless you’re being forced into some sort of unfortunate uniform, this pairing is simply unacceptable. It’s illogical, for a start, and it certainly is not the perfect solution to staying cool on a busy train while retaining a look of formality.

The Solution:

Really, a long sleeved shirt and classic tie is the only way to make sure you look sharp in a suit, so make sure you choose cotton options if you need to stay cool. If you really cannot brave wearing full-length sleeves and a tie, then opt for a classic shirt with a buttoned-up penny collar instead. Just as smart, and right on trend. Otherwise, my only suggestion is to keep an eye on the boss to see when it has been officially deemed too hot for tie-wearing, and make the most of those casual Fridays…

Fashion Crime 2: Trainers with a suit

Now to those of you wearing trainers…with a suit. This might seem ok because, you know, you have a perfectly good pair of work shoes in your bag, or under your desk, but trainers are just more comfortable. Or, worse still, you might be under the illusion that pairing your pinstripe suit with a pair of Converse’s is actually quite a good look. If you’ve just mumbled something to yourself about it being ‘more practical’, then it may already be too late for you.

The Solution:

Invest in a good, comfortable pair of smart shoes – and then, for goodness sake, wear them. If black seems too formal, then tone it down with a brown vintage-inspired pair. Patent material is certainly smart, but can easily come across as old-fashioned of not worn in a modern style. If you keen to keep it casual, then there are plenty of ‘worn-leather’ options around at the moment, which tent to be more comfortable too. You can’t go wrong with a classic pair of brogues, which can be easily switched for loafers during the summer months. On the other hand, there are a number of smart trainer styles available at the moment, which are certainly preferable to a scruffy pair of old Reebok’s and can be easily matched to the colour of your suit.

Fashion Crime 3: Ill-fitting suits

Considering the number of people who will happily use the irritating phrase, “all over it like a cheap suit”, you’d think more would know what a cheap suit looked like. Evidently not. That said, if your suit doesn’t fit properly then it will never ever look good, no matter how expensive it is.

The Solution:

You can have your suit professionally fitted and altered, which is probably the best way to guarantee a perfect fit. Otherwise, just look in a mirror? A suit which is too tight is just as bad one which is baggy , and it’s usually a good idea to get a second opinion from someone other than the shop assistant. Most suit retailers will offer a range of different styles, such as those specifically designed for athletic builds, so find the one which is best suited to your body shape. Don’t, for example, squeeze yourself into a skinny suit if you’re, um, not.

Fashion Crime 4: Rucksacks

An alarming number of rucksacks seem to have crawled onto the backs of otherwise well-dressed individuals of late. It might be a gym kit, but the best way to make people wonder if you work out is not by having an ever-present sports bag.

The Solution:

Short of a Tesco carrier bag, almost anything is preferable to this mismatched combination. If you don’t fancy surrendering your sense of ‘boyish charm’ to a briefcase, but would rather avoid looking like you’ve taken style tips from Boris Johnson, then opt for a stylish messenger bag instead. These bags are also the perfect alternative to the generic laptop bag, whilst leather options will always look smart and stylish. If satchel style just ain’t your bag, so to speak, then keep it sporty with a retro duffle gym bag, which will still look a little less like you’ve brought your P.E. kit to work.

Fashion Crime 5: Pink Trousers

Lastly, I’d like to address a new and worrying trend which appears to be taking over the nation’s commuters: pink trousers. There’s been more than a few fashion faux pas which have taken place in the name of ‘metrosexuality’ over the last few years – some of you may even have the candyfloss-coloured pink shirt still lurking at the back of your wardrobe to prove it.

The Solution:

While the Sloane Ranger style might be making something of a comeback, it’s probably best to nip this particular fashion disaster in the bud. Anyone planning to sit on public transport should already be aware that pastel-coloured pants are never going to be a good idea. Even if you don’t need to wear a suit on a daily basis, black or blue tends to be a far safer option. If you really can’t resist proving your manliness with a pair of coloured trousers, then either go for darker shades, such as burgundy, or else team your pastel pants with a polo shirt and catch the next train to Chelsea.

Left to right: Dr. Denim Grey Rib Crew Knit; £75 Urban Outfitters; Vargan Crew: £125 AllSaints

First up, it’s the Crew Neck jumper. If the word ‘knitwear’ fills you with dread and the thought of home-made creations, complete with novelty pattern and embarrassing name-label, then think again. Jumpers don’t get much more manly than these military-inspired creations, and with last season’s most popular trend spilling into the cooler months, rounded crew neck styles are the neckline of choice. These jumpers should be worn loosely – more ‘action man’ and less, say,  aspiring artiste.

This is closely related to the second C of knitwear: Cable Knits. Forget delicate designs or skinny ribbed hems, chunky knits are back and looking cosier than ever. The classic Aran jumper is making a welcome return, and the bulkier the better. If you want to give your cable knits a truly British edge, then take a look at some of the retro styles available over at Barbour this season. Alternatively, look out for Nordic style cable designs – the Scandinavians know a thing or two about keeping warm in style.

Left to right: Paul Smith Knitted Jumper: £58.50: mainlinemenswear.co.uk; A.P.C. Navy Virgin Wool Preppy Cardigan: £170 my-wardrobe.com

The third C of knitwear, then, has got to be Cream. If you don’t fancy getting entirely lost amidst a sea of neutral shades and earthy tones this coming season, then cream is a key colour to have in your wardrobe. Keep cream knitwear looking clean-cut to avoid woolly sheep comparisons, and be prepared for the inevitable ‘fluff issues’ which are more than likely to arise. Armed with roll of sticky tape, team your cream-coloured knitwear with black and navy items for a look which promises to be right on trend.

The final C of knitwear is, of course, the beloved Cardigan - keeping indie kids from shivering in their skinny jeans and vintage t-shirts since time began, probably. If you absolutely have to wear a cardigan – and after all, what else are you going to pair with that Morrissey t-shirt? – then keep it preppy, and go for varsity-style lettering or retro front pockets. That’s right, the jock-inspired look is making a comeback, so ditch last season’s horn-rimmed glasses, and best keep any notions you might have regarding ‘geek chic’ to yourself.

There are two fashion buzzwords you’re sure to hear doing the rounds at the moment: ‘vintage’ and ‘neutral’. Throw either into conversation with fellow fashion-minded folk this Autumn/Winter and you’ll more or less sound like you know what you’re talking about. Better yet, take a look at the new arrivals over at Firetrap for a chance to practice what you preach. That’s right – the vintage look no longer requires hours of traipsing around trendy backstreets, drinking green tea and buying clothes that smell of mothballs. Designers have well and truly cottoned on to the fact that the trend for vintage is here to stay, and kindly provided a number of ‘vintage-inspired’ creations, which smell just lovely.

Left to Right: Cctv Bonewhite (White) Men’s Graphic T-Shirt: £30 Firetrap;  Dogma Burnt Olive (Green) Men’s Check Shirt: £65 Firetrap

Don’t worry, you won’t be wearing a paisley shirts and flared trousers any time soon – unless of course you want to, in which case, go right ahead. The rest of the fashion world will be keeping their vintage styles basic this season – that means clean-cut shapes and neutral tones. Start with a graphic t-shirt which ticks both these boxes, and you can’t go too far wrong.

Graphic tees are the perfect statement piece – they’ll do all your fashion-thinking for you. Remember how, back in the day, you might have been able to get away with wearing a t-shirt which depicted a certain band or musician, thus informing the world of your musical preferences, as well as giving a general idea of the ‘image’ you were going for? Same thing. Only much cooler. You might not be able to instantly let people know that you saw Megadeth play live back in 1992, but that’s probably a good thing.

Left to Right: Landfall Black (Black) Men’s Military Overcoat: £180 Firetrap;  Drake Sand (Yellow) Men’s Classic Chino: £62.50 Firetrap; Galaxed2 Black (Black)Men’s Long Sleeve Jumper: £57.50 Firetrap

Check shirts and chinos are still a key style combo, but steer clear of primary colours and, for the love of God, please resist the urge to ‘mix it up’ with a pair of fluorescent trainers. Instead, opt for understated military boots or a military jacket – although, unless you actually happen to be representing Queen and country, you probably won’t want to be wearing both. Replace last Autumn’s indie-kid cardigan with a classic crew-neck jumper, and you’re good to go.

Of course, there’s a huge choice available when it comes to summer footwear – as long as you give those military boots a few months of rest, you’ll probably be ok. However, canvas shoes are certainly one of the comfier options, not to mention the perfect way to, uh, avoid the dreaded sweaty-feet situation.

Left to Right: Black Slip-On Espadrilles: £7 Urban Outfitters; Pretty Green Cord Slip On Champagne Cord: £54.99 Office Shoes

Last year, anybody who was anybody was wearing espadrilles – after all, if you’ve slathered yourself in big name labels, then what better way is there to say ‘Don’t worry, I’m really quite down to earth, and a total hipster at heart!’ Nevertheless, they are probably the comfiest shoes you will ever find, and investing in a classic pair will see you through more or less anything that the summer might throw at you.

If that doesn’t sound very rock ‘n’ roll, then check out the range of canvas shoes on offer at Pretty Green: the label founded by Oasis, I mean, Beady Eye frontman, Liam Gallagher. Team with a parka jacket, skinny jeans and sunglasses, obviously.

Left to Right: Fred Perry Kingston Stampdown Stripe Shoes in Red Canvas: £40 mainlinemenswear.co.uk; Mens Toms University Classics Shoes: £37 Schuh

It is also important to remember that there’s nothing which says your canvas shoes have to be beige – although if you don’t purposely avoid this season’s earthy tones, there’s a good chance that this is what you’ll end up with. But, if you’d rather keep it colourful, then check out the selection of canvas shoes offered by sports names, such as Fred Perry and Lacoste.

Lastly, whilst most people don’t seem to find footwear too confusing, there does seem to be certain sector of society who struggle – namely, university students. Come summer, students begin to think it is acceptable to team flip-flops with absolutely everything. This is just not the case. Honestly, what are they teaching them in those places? If you really can’t fight the academic urge, then opt for a pair of Toms University Classics instead. Not only do they look MUCH better teamed with jeans and a hockey-team hoodie, but Toms donate a pair of new shoes to a child in need every time they sell a pair. So you can still feel smug about your shoes, even after you’ve chucked a pint of snakebite over them.

Fortunately, there is an alternative, and it comes in the form of the denim jacket. Yes, once again this light-weight, midway option has made a welcome return to both the catwalk and the high street. It’s officially the jacket of choice for Doctor Who – well, Matt Smith, anyway. When he’s not seen sporting tweed and a TARDIS, Matt Smith has been spotted wearing an acid wash denim jacket, teamed with classic eighties wayfarer sunglasses – insert you own time-travel joke here…

Left to right: Paul Smith Western Denim Jacket in Blue: £216 mainlinemenswear.co.uk; Bitching & Junkfood Overdyed Denim Jacket: £90 Urban Outfitters

But if the Doctor isn’t exactly your idea of a fashion icon, or if you’re a little wary since the fashion faux-pas of your Tom Baker-inspired scarf phase, then you might want to consider that the denim jacket is also favoured by The Kills’ guitarist, Jamie Hince. Mr. Kate Moss frequently opts for a vintage style denim jacket with a fleece collar, which we can only assume has been approved by the catwalk queen herself, and thus become officially the trendiest item anyone can have in their wardrobe.

If you caught last season’s denim shirt trend, then you’re in luck. Wear your shirt open over a retro t-shirt with rolled up sleeves for a denim-jacket style effect. If you’re feeling brave, or auditioning to be part of a boy-band, then go for ‘double-denim’ and team your jacket with your jeans. Otherwise stick to wearing your denim jacket with coloured chinos or rolled up shorts – barbeque apron optional.

Left to right: Rodeo Shirt: £49.99 Superdry;Religion Blue Denim Jacket: £89 stand-out.net

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