For most of us, buying into top-tier menswear trends would inevitably mean, at best, nudging the red for the best part of a month or, at worst, re-mortgaging your flat. Neither’s ideal, really. Thankfully, nowadays you don’t have to. With high street retailers replicating even the most high-end styles as soon as they hit the runway, looking on-trend has never been easier, with more affordably priced wares available at a smartphone tap.
1. Mango: Checked Trousers + Trainers
Trust a Spanish brand to know lightweight layering like the back of its hand. Here, Barcelona-born Mango nails at least three AW15 trends (head-to-toe tonal, checked trousers and trousers with trainers) in a single look that’s far from flash-in-the-pan. Wear it on winter’s more merciful weekends or roll it out to trump the competition come casual Friday.
2. River Island: The Shearling Jacket
Sick to the teeth of hearing about shearling? Us too. But that’s mostly because we can’t afford a lot of it. Thankfully, River Island’s come to the rescue with this faux fur-collared Harrington jacket. A menswear mainstay since the birth of the Baracuta G9, River Island’s shearling-inspired take brings the timeless silhouette
3. Reiss : The Shirt-And-Tie Replacement
While it’s true a roll neck isn’t the easiest thing in menswear to pull off (that’s a sweatshirt, probably), it’s definitely not the most difficult either (that’s patent leather Cuban heels, most likely). Regardless, the best way to wear it is as
4. New Look: Military
It seems disingenuous to dub the military’s influence on menswear a fleeting trend when the lion’s share of your cold-weather wardrobe is made up of pieces originally designed for the frontline. So we won’t. Military pieces – like New Look’s khaki faux fur trim hooded parka and black leather lace-up boots – aren’t just for AW15, they’re forever. And this is exactly how you should be deploying them: an elements-deflecting parka layered over a classic winter-ready knit and teamed with distressed denim is a fail-safe look for when you’re on leave. From work, that is.
5. J.Crew: Off-Duty Workwear
Maybe it’s the sub-zero temperatures, or maybe it’s the prevailing darkness, but there’s something about winter that makes us want to go about our daily business in what’s effectively a duvet. Sweats, warm socks, thermals… you get the picture. But dressing like you’ve pulled a sickie on a school day (unfortunately) isn’t acceptable. So, look to J.Crew’s super-casual but perfectly smart and season-appropriate ensemble instead. Chock full of comfy textures, including wool (overshirt), corduroy (trousers) and fleece (zip-up), it’s ideal for those days you’d rather be holed up in bed.
6. Farrell At Primark: The Pea Coat
The brainchild of Robbie Williams and Peter Jones CBE, budget menswear line Farrell might not have the pedigree of a Savile Row tailoring label, but its AW15 offering still looks sharp. No, Farrell’s £50 pea coat – smartly styled here with a textured knit, denim and leather boots – probably won’t last you a lifetime, but it’ll look the part until you can afford that Saint Laurent original. And that’s definitely worth something.
7. Zara : The Camel Coat
Now that it’s basically December you’ll be wise to the fact that a wool overcoat is nothing less than ‘the one’ for winter. Solidly constructed, insulating and impeccably stylish, it’s a menswear classic that instantly takes your go-to cold-weather looks from subpar to superior. And camel is king. Grey and black overcoats are timeless, sure, but it’s the camel coat-wearing man whose got the confidence to stand out from the rest.
8. House Of Fraser: Athleisure
OK, so a look made up of two several-hundred-pound pieces of Hugo Boss outerwear isn’t exactly everyone’s definition of ‘affordable’. But while you might not have the spare funds to throw at something as spendy as this sleek outfit, it’s still worth mining for AW15 style inspiration. Monochrome? Check. Athleisure? In spades. Outerwear layering? You betcha. If Boss is out of your budget’s bounds, then try Uniqlo for some (by all accounts) more affordable alternatives; the Japanese retailer’s Ultra Light Down vests and jackets can be effortlessly combined to tackle sub-zero temperatures.
9. Charles Tyrwhitt: Layered Tailoring
Contemporary layering’s not just for casualwear. Putting a modern spin on a classic sharkskin suit, this look from Jermyn St. label Charles Tyrwhitt is nothing short of a masterclass in mix-and-match tailoring. Adding in a contrast piece, like the grey morning suit waistcoat in this outfit, instantly injects a run-of-the-mill tailored ensemble with an additional point of interest. Try this to breathe some new life into your formalwear, or switch the waistcoat out for a gilet for a no-fail up-down look.
10. John Lewis: The Party Go-To
A suit or tux fits the bill for most festive party dress codes, but a velvet jacket will blow your competition right out of the water. With a style in the right colour (John Lewis’ midnight blue option, pictured here, is a classic) and a form-flattering cut, velvet is surprisingly easy to wear – and more versatile than a full suit since you can style it with several different pairs of smart trousers. Just be careful with the sherry.
Final Word
Nailing this season’s hottest looks needn’t mean booking a personal shopper. Hit the high street for the latest trends at less than exorbitant prices. What’s your favourite outfit above and why? Will you be adding any to your repertoire this winter? Let us know in the comments section.