Navigating your way through cold-weather fashion for the office can be a daunting task.
Avoiding the sterile army of pressed shirt, tie and trousered commuters, and feeling comfortable in evolving environments at your desk, heading to a boardroom conference or meeting up with a client, means you need to be clever with your attire if you want to look dapper without relinquishing your sense of style.
While some offices stick rigidly to business formal, dress codes and shirt collars have loosened over the last few decades. Where once, jeans or a t-shirt would earn you side-eye from a manager, it’s now the uniform for millions on the 9 to 5. But while your office may be on the more casual end of the scale, finding the happy medium that is smart-casual is still a bewildering equation for many.
Plus, with busy schedules and the playground of London to explore, the ensemble you put on in the morning may not be for the office alone. There’s meeting up with friends, heading to dinner or the theatre, or the obligatory post-work drinks in town where you don’t want to look out of place in a Charles Tyrwhitt shirt.
Finding that middleground between ‘formal city boy’ and ‘laid back office slouch’; the smart-casual look is refined, tailored and says you’ve made an effort.
Sure, we need to look presentable and there’s no room for scruffy t-shirts or baggy jeans (save those for the weekend uniform), so follow my tried-and-tested formula of an interchangeable mix of refined pieces with relaxed and layerable options for the ultimate stylish and sophisticated autumnal wardrobe - and there’s not a pair of shiny Clarks shoes in sight.
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AllSaints Bastille trench coat
Rare is the man who doesn’t look sharp in a classic trench. AllSaints is cut to a regular fit with cotton and polyamide for durability and strength that holds its shape, whatever the elements throw at it. The 100 per cent organic cotton lining cloaks you while feelig breathable, while the military details exude power.
Buy now £147.20, AllSaints
Soft Goat Turtleneck
Everyone needs a turtleneck top in their wardrobe for those cold mornings when a cold, dark journey to the office lies ahead. Take it from me: arming yourself with a coffee and a 100 per cent cashmere soft yet chunky knit sweater as you battle through the rush hour madness is the only way.
Available in greige (a mix of grey and beige), olive, navy or if you’re feeling bold - a light honey – this delightful top from Swedish brand Soft Goat works well with linen trousers or chinos – tucked in with a belt and finished off with a pair of loafers so not only will you arrive into the office suitably warmed up but you’ll also look the most stylish man in the office.
Buy now £475.00, Soft Goat
Percival Casa Martini knitted polo
Full disclosure: I’ve got a soft spot for polos. They blend the lines between informal t-shirts and collared shirts nicely.
Hackney label Percival’s ethos of ‘subverting the classics’ and adding a twist to traditional menswear pieces with elevated contemporary fits and clever (and rather witty) detailing stands them out from the crowd. The brand’s Casa Martini knitted polo has quickly become my go-to thanks to its ribbed collar, placket and cuff with a demure three-button opening.
Available in espresso brown, navy or forest green, I pair this with dark jeans or chinos and, if I need to smarten up a little more, a linen suit for a nice colour pop underneath the jacket.
Buy now £139.00, Percival
Paul Smith cotton ‘Signature Stripe’ Crew Neck Knitted Sweater
I’ve been obsessed with the Signature Stripe since its launch in the 70s when Paul Smith started his journey into fashion. Synonymous with the brand, it represents the hallmark of creativity and character we have come to expect from each season’s offerings.
Made from organically grown cotton, this regular fit rib-knit soft crew neck sweater pairs seamlessly with dark chinos or jeans, offering a real statement piece that is bound to tick the dress code box of any office you find yourself in.
Buy now £500.00, Paul Smith
AllSaints Slatten long sleeve polo jumper
The latest addition to their iconic Ramskull collection, London’s own label AllSaints has dropped a long-sleeve regular-fit polo jumper in time for the chillier months.
It’s made with a responsible wool blend fabric for a snug, soft fit. With a two-button polo collar, external seams across the shoulder, ribbed sleeve trims and their signature ramskull motif embroidered on the chest, it pairs seamlessly with trousers or jeans for a smart yet stylish look.
Available in dusky green, cloudy white or black.
Buy now £109.00, AllSaints
Axel Arigato Dylan Shirt
Best worn untucked over a pair of cargo trousers or dark denim jeans, this short sleeved, cotton shirt from Axel Arigato looks like you’ve made just the right amount of effort.
The beige colour works well with brown chinos or cargos, and it also layers nicely over a wool blend or linen jacket for smarter moments. It’s a regular fit with wide sleeves, making for comfortable wear. The chest pocket features the Arigato logo embroidered along the base, with looped hand-stitching at the hem for that considered finish. Also available in black.
Buy now £170.00, Axel Arigato
Toast cotton canvas breasted jacket
This handsome canvas jacket from Welsh brand Toast offers a quick level up for when you need to sharpen up for a meeting. Available in slate blue or balsam green, it pairs seamlessly with dark jeans or chinos and a plain tee, or the matching trousers.
Double-breasted and made from a sturdy cotton with a relaxed fit down to the lower hip and with its horn buttons and large patch pockets, it channels confidence.
Buy now £285.00, Toast
Vuori Coronado shirt jacket
This super soft shirt jacket from Californian brand Vuori uses a four-way stretch knit made from recycled materials that is as cozy and comfortable as it is flexible for when you’re on the move around the office. The pumice tone pairs with a white tee and dark chinos or jeans as the ultimate versatile staple top, but it also comes in slate blue, salt and black heather, so you can mix it up. The brushed interior, matching closure buttons, double chest pockets and smart collar complete the look.
Buy now £150.00, Vuori
Ron Dorff Knitted Sports T-Shirt
Layered with a jacket or shirt, a classic tee shirt holds its own as a versatile staple. Minimal graphics, maximum finishing is the answer to pulling one off in the office. I opted for this retro looking tee from Ron Dorff as it channels the brands sporty sensibilities and structured fit. Made with a knitted finish 100 per cent cotton and available in military green and navy, it features contrasting white ribbed trims at the collar, hem and cuffs and the iconic double lacquered Ron Dorff eyelets on the waist line. Simple yet smart.
Buy now £130.00, Ron Dorff
Percival Grounds relaxed trousers
Designed with a wider leg for a more relaxed yet smart look in the office, these oak Herringbone weave breathable wool blend trousers from Percival epitomise smart casual. Paired with their matching Herringbone jacket and a white tee for those client meetings, or with a wool polo shirt for a more casual look, they’re a versatile staple. The ribbed waist and front stitched hem offer comfort for those hours spent at your desk, whilst equally retaining their relaxed shape when you’re on the go. The cheeky little Percival label above the reverse pocket exudes the personality of the brand.
Buy now £129.00, Percival
Paul Smith Stone two-tone cotton twill chinos
A good pair of chinos should be in every man’s officewear rotation, and Paul Smith does some of the best: exemplary tailoring, exquisite detailing and those iconic colourways.
The stone stretch-cotton twill and blue two-tone finish create a clever heathered effect, while the mismatched rear pockets provide that PS signature twist we all adore. Add in the Herringbone-twill pocket bags and blue PS Paul Smith label just beneath the belt line and you’re good to go. Pair with a simple tee and a dark trucker jacket for a more casual look or with an informal shirt.
Buy now £210.00, Paul Smith
Vuori Vintage Jean Classic
As much as I love jeans, finding the perfect fit remains elusive - until now. With a vintage denim feel and just enough stretch to feel comfortable all day, Vuori’s take on jeans are my new number one.
Smart, comfortable and available in three shades, they pair beautifully with a smart shirt or polo and loafers for an elevated ensemble.
Buy now £205.00, Vuori
Axel Arigato Atlas sneaker
Swedish brand Axel Arigato are famous for designing well-crafted footwear with a minimal Scandi aesthetic. These off-white premium leather upper sneakers with a chunky rubber sole and dark blue pull tab effortlessly complement any outfit, from jeans to chinos, or shirt to polos. The flat cotton laces and logo stamp in metallic gold on the back and outer edge along the eyelet seam finish add to the stylish yet relaxed look. Comfort and durability are assured, and the graphic, textural sole gives it that certain edge.
Buy now £230.00, Axel Arigato
Adidas Japan shoes
An iconic shoe from 1964 reimagined with a modern twist – the regular fit Japan Shoe from Adidas now incorporates their double-stitched T-toe that improves durability for everyday office life, as does the leather upper with pony hair finish for style with a soft, luxurious touch. The rubber outsole and inner textile lining ensure a comfy fit throughout the day – from home to the office and back. Available in six colourways, the dark brown outer with trace brown labelling with preloved blue laces and, of course, the iconic three stripes of Adidas adorning the outer and inner sides for that timeless look that fits in with any environment without appearing too laid back.
Buy now £100.00, Adidas
Troubadour Apex Backpack 4.0
Laptop? Check. Mug of coffee? Check. Random paraphernalia needed for everyday life? Check.
You’re all set to head to the office with this award-winning commuter bag from Troubadour. Sustainably made with fabric spun from plastic bottles, waterproof zippers and eco-friendly lining, you’ll feel assured that your headphones, laptop and lunchbox will stay dry as a bone inside. There are plenty of pockets for organisation, including a CrashPad Cocoon sleeve to cushion your laptop as you battle the Underground. Wide padded straps make it comfortable to wear, and lockable zippers and pockets makes it feel almost like a portable office drawer - with style. Available in green smoke, black, basalt blue, bronze red and ink blue.
Buy now £249.00, Troubadour
Verdict
Nothing beats a statement coat as you stride into the office, so the AllSaints Bastille trench coat was the ultimate winner for me. An instant favourite that fills you with confidence and empowerment as you stroll in. Another top choice is the Casa Martini knitted polo by London brand Percival.
Simple, smart, and versatile, you can pair it with almost anything for that ultimate smart casual office look.
