How is your abroadrobe looking?
Forgive the portmanteau, but nothing better sums up the laid-back and easy style we will be channelling this spring. Nothing too stiff-collared or buttoned up (unless you’re off to a wedding or the polo).
No, what we’re talking about is the stuff that’s suitable for spending time in your hometown as well as a city break in the sun. Looks that are smart enough for a Skype call with a client and cool enough for a drink in town with friends.
To put some of the season’s standout pieces through their paces, we headed to balmy Rio de Janeiro, where the temperature seldom drops below 20°C – perfect testing ground for spring’s washed-out colours, loose-fitting silhouettes, lightweight tailoring and exotic statement prints. First on our list is the oversized trend.
Exaggerated proportions might seem daunting, but you’ll be encountering many more voluminous items in the seasons ahead
Form-hugging fashions have long been the prevailing trend in menswear, but for fans of a more roomy fit, happy news is on the horizon. Large-shouldered jackets, long-fit tees, voluminous cardigans, and all things ‘anti-fit’ from Balenciaga and Dries Van Noten are the sharpest way to give your wardrobe a relaxed reboot.
Exaggerated proportions might seem daunting, but you’ll be encountering many more voluminous items in the seasons ahead.
Incorporate this trend into your repertoire without feeling intimidated by picking up an oversized summer sweater, or, if you’re feeling braver, pair a slouchy blazer with slim-fit, washed denim jeans. It’s all about a thrift-shop sense of mismatched nonchalance (but with expert tailoring and premium fabrics).
Still not convinced? One of the easiest ways to pull off this look off is pictured above – use the oversized shirt as a top layer in a casual outfit over a simple T-shirt and contrast with a pair of slim, fitted trousers so you don’t end up looking bigger than you’d want to.
