5 Key Menswear Picks For AW12

Introduction

A complete seasonal overhaul, in short, is often the result of a frost-induced panic and lack of preparation. Many men have still not completely embraced the concept of a timeless capsule wardrobe, but for those that have, the ‘out with the old’ culture isn’t always necessary. With the addition of just a few key seasonal essentials, we can create fresh looks using our already established wardrobes.

Today’s advisory, while it may appear as my personal wish list for the coming months, is an illustration of how adding a few carefully selected pieces to your collection will revitalise and revamp tired looks.

As the new season begins to establish itself on both the weather and our looks, here is a rundown of my top 5 picks for the AW12 season, which everyone can incorporate into their wardrobe without having to do a total style renovation.

1. A Chunky Roll Neck

Kicking off today’s proceedings is somewhat of a FashionBeans favourite – the chunky roll neck jumper. The roll neck has made a real comeback as of late and after putting down its roots last year, the look is set to come to fruition this time around.

The chunky knit will always keep you warm, whether utilised on its own or under a piece of outerwear for the days when the frost is really biting. Worn alone, a roll neck can work as a statement piece due to its tactile nature and sheer weight. It also doubles up as a great layering option, especially when incorporated into looks focusing on an après-ski aesthetic.

How To Wear

Hopefully you won’t need to be busting out the blockbuster coats or parkas just yet. However, pairing this essential simply with on-point denim, boots and boot socks – rolling up/tucking in your trousers for brief glimpse of sock – begins to really spell out your style credentials.

If you are unfortunate enough to be experiencing a particularly cold snap, a duffle coat adheres to the rugged nature of the look and is a perfect choice to layer over the top.

• Ami Ribbed Merino Wool-blend Sweater
• Allsaints Frith Cigarette Jeans
• Denim Wool Boot Socks
• Converse All Star Major Mills Leather Boots

Men’s Chunky Roll Necks

• Edwin Beige Battalion Cable Roll Neck Sweater
• Sns Herning Old Green Fisherman Knit
• Cable Roll Neck Jumper
• Levis Vintage Cable Knit Roll Neck
• Reiss Specky Flecked Roll Neck Jumper Navy
• Slowear Zanone Wool And Yak-blend Rollneck Sweater

2. Something in Camouflage Print

Designed to help you blend in, ironically camo print is more likely to help you standout and make a statement this season. Camouflage has been a contentious issue over the past few months – you either love it or hate – but the fact remains that it will certainly be sticking around for seasons to come, as more and more retailers begin to pick it up.

With the trend not entirely in full swing, now is a great time to get on board and get ahead of the game. Incorporating the print through subtle details (shoes, pocket squares, ties or even trouser and cuff turn-ups) is an inventive way of working the trend without being too full on.

On the other hand, a bold pair of camo chinos is surprisingly easy to work with and look great when paired alongside the basics up top. Alternatively, channel some of the ‘Woost’ and work camo into your tailoring – blazers in the print have been propping up rather regularly as of late and keep the look sharp yet casual.

How to Wear

As mentioned above, camouflage chinos can be deceptively easy to wear and work as a real statement. Just remember to tone everything else down and treat camouflage as a colour as well as a print.

A white shirt, navy double-breasted blazer and brown Chelsea boots fitted around the chinos creates a great individual look and is a rather sophisticated take on the trend.

• Our Legacy 1950’s Oxford White Shirt
• Surrey Navy Double Breasted Slim Fit Jacket
• Topman Camouflage Skinny Chinos
• Paul Smith Shoes Chocolate Leather Otter Chelsea Boots

Camo Print Picks

• Comme Des GarÇons Shirt Black Camo Knit Cardigan
• Allsaints Ica Crew Jumper
• Topman Khaki Camo Skinny Blazer
• Beams Plus Camouflage-print Tapered Cotton Trousers
• Mr Bathing Ape Abc Green Camo Print Silk Scarf
• Allsaints Buckley Brogue

3. A Sweatshirt

The broadest of our essentials, the humble sweatshirt is another classic that has made a comeback within recent seasons and is now cemented firmly in our wardrobes. Worn under a causal-orientated blazer, over a shirt or louchely with chinos – the simple sweatshirt is versatile, comfortable and here to stay; can you afford not to invest?

How to Wear

The sweatshirt is an easy go-to for the days when you really don’t feel like putting in the effort, yet still want to look respectable – dressing down but still dressing well.

A sweatshirt paired with chinos, simple sneakers and peacoat is a fail safe casual look that ticks the no effort required box but ensures you’re still on the right side of the sartorially inclined.

• Paul Smith Jeans Zebra Crew Neck Sweatshirt
• Allsaints Petrov Pea Coat
• Reiss Maine 2 Brushed Twill Trousers Blue
• Rick Owens High Top Suede Sneakers

Men’s Sweatshirts

• American Apparel Piqué Raglan Pullover
• Asos Sweatshirt With Raglan Sleeves
• Reiss Bruno Crew Sweat Bitter
• Nn.07 Lenny Loopback Cotton-jersey Sweatshirt
• Allsaints Midgard Crew
• Norse Projects Grey Norse Stein Sweat Shirt

4. Coloured Trousers

Colour has observably played a key part in menswear for a number of seasons now and this change has been reflected collection after collection, in both the high street and high fashion circles. A topic of a recent article of mine; coloured trousers are great for injecting vibrancy and showing some personality within your cold weather outfits.

Coloured trousers are a particularly potent autumn/winter weapon. Avoid the traditional seasonal shift in attitude by ignoring the temptation to allow darker, more muted hues reign supreme September through March. Introducing a block of colour alongside the monochrome creates a striking statement that will bring something different to the average winter look.

How to Wear

Rose coloured chinos present a bold choice to wear without being too brash. Alongside a denim shirt and neutral cable knit, the pairing brings a presence of masculinity to the pink while the tassel loafers complete the look with a little class.

Depending on the weather, you may want to add some socks rather than going barefoot, in which case something neutral such as navy would help keep things low key while also tying the top half to the bottom, figuratively speaking of course.

• Hentsch Man Lightweight Brushed-denim Shirt
• Topman Oat Elbow Patch Cable Knit Jumper
• Reiss Chaplin Classic Chinos Rose
• River Island Hendrix Tassel Loafers

Coloured Trousers

• Topman Plum Stretch Skinny Chinos
• Allsaints Pipe Chino
• J.crew Stanton Slim-fit Cotton-twill Trousers
• Reiss Senator Slim Fit Casual Trousers Green
• Burgundy Slim Fit Chino
• Cheap Monday Chinos

5. A Blockbuster Coat

Whether it’s fur, colour, print or just sheer stature, a blockbuster coat should be a priority on your list of items to aquire for autumn/winter. Already covered by Ben Jones in his AW12 trend preview series, the blockbuster coat is a worthwhile investment as your big statement piece for the season.

How to Wear

Shearling collars have been incorporated onto many outerwear styles for AW12 and not only do they help to keep you warm, they also add a little extra character and texture to your coat. Rich, burgundy toned outerwear looks sharp and sophisticated against black – with boots and jeans all too happy to oblige. A dark grey roll neck finishes off the theme of metropolitan sophistication and keeps the look on-trend while exuding an element of timelessness.

• Balenciaga Zigzag Seam Roll-neck Jumper 132156
• Carven Contrast-collar Wool-blend Coat
• Topman Black Vintage Slim Jeans
• Asos Chelsea Boots In Leather

Men’s Blockbuster Coats

• Vintage Renewal Double Breast Sheepskin Car Coat
• Reiss Gene Belted Wrap Coat Midnight
• Allsaints Mens Keaton Jacket
• Allsaints Kotova Pea Coat
• Julien David Co. Ltd. Cmf 123 Blue Coat – Uk Exclusive
• Loyal Steven Star Coat 133611

Conclusion

Whatever tops your own essentials list this season, it’s important to appreciate the foundations you have already laid across countless shopping trips and online dalliances. Look to your wardrobe and assess what you can add, not just what you can take away, and you’ll be ready to embrace seasonal change year after year.

• Will you be investing in any of the top five?
• Is there any you particularly love or loathe?
• What would be in your personal top five?

Let us know in the comments below…