The family holidays and the festival season is over, the only trace of it being a wedge of halloumi-based fat sitting sleepily around your midriff. But that’s okay! It’s nearly the end of summer, and we can finally go back to wearing clothes that don’t necessitate the holding in of stomachs and shaving of legs – fuck yeah. This time of year is my personal favourite, primarily because wedding season is also being put to bed and I can put my dresses away in dark boxes where they belong and start to passionately make it up to my long-neglected trousers, baggy jeans, cosy sweaters and shirts. As soon as the drizzle begins and I reach the point where I just can’t use that darker foundation anymore, I begin my bi-annual transformation into wearing 90% menswear.
Workwear jackets, stiff Levi’s, every type of Uniqlo sock, soft grey long-sleeved jerseys, a crisp white men’s shirt, some brogues…Each year autumn gently taps me on the shoulder, gestures at my Primark flip flops and ditzy polkadot beachwear and says bitchily, 'I think it’s time they went in the bin, don’t you?' As well as bringing weather that necessitates layers and perfect autumnal jackets, it is also the time stores and designers share with us their exciting new collections.
With that in mind, here are a few of the best items coming into men’s stores near you in the coming weeks and months.
Acne - Charles check night blue/setter, £1050
People talk about 'car coats' as if you’re going to breeze out of your office to find your boyfriend parked sexily in double-yellows in a drop-down Porsche. Realistically, the car coat you or I will wear will be packed in the back of a Cinquecento on the way to a shit festival. Regardless, you need a cosy coat that will look excellent slung over your shoulders like Lady Di doing her Christmas shopping, with big manly pockets to put your baccy/wallet/keys/Carmex in. This one from ACNE is ideal. If you have a grand to spare.
Margaret Howell Autumn Winter 2015
Sometimes I just go on this site to pretend to myself I’m someone that I’m not. That someone is lounging, surrounded by hounds, by a roaring fire waiting patiently for my rugged, red-cheeked lover to return from the bakery. Known primarily for her shirts, Margaret and her team do menswear like no one else, creating cosy but elegant clothing that is a wonderful cross between school uniform and Jeremy Irons. Their Autumn Winter collection is a sumptuous treasure trove of tweeds and corduroys, and just look at the pockets on this navy woollen jacket.
Carhartt socks, HUH store, £10
When you’re at the till buying these white foot gloves you may be imagining waking up hungover and trotting saucily downstairs to chug milk from the carton wearing naught but a big T-shirt. And sure, that may happen. What’s more likely though is that you’ll get to laundry day and find you are left with only these, put them on, shove them uncomfortably into your tight brogues and get on with your day hoping no one thinks you are a pervert. Either way you need these in your drawer, just because.
Topman Merino Wool jumper, £38
Topman dropped their tacky Bruce Lee t-shirts and Superdry rip-offs long ago, and now the store actually provides far more comfortable attire than the bits of string passing for playsuits on sale downstairs. This handy garm would look ace underneath some dungarees, or would be perfect for a nice meal with the parents.
Black leather loafers, Present, £220
I don’t know about you, but I like my footwear to resemble an early-noughties drug dealer as much s possible. These fit the bill perfectly. They’re available in women’s sizes (just), are waterproof, have a special gold bit on the front, and would look fantastic with some rolled up black jeans. Nice!
Paul Smith Cufflinks, Liberty, £80
Nothing says 'fuck you, I’ll do what I want' more than buying ridiculously expensive cufflinks in Liberty. The sales person may ask you 'And are these for a special someone?' referring to a man. But no, they’re for you. Imagine putting on a crisp white shirt and getting these bad boys tucked neatly into the sleeves. You’ll look well arty. And they’re about ten grand less than an art degree, so if anything you’re saving money by getting them.
Good Measure, M-21 Shirley Crabtree Crew Neck Sweatshirt, £100
THE SWEATER TO END ALL SWEATERS. These guys have perfected the sweater game to a T and this one is the cosiest, thickest, most wonderful jumper you will ever own. Softer than a lamb’s underbelly, snugglier than a duvet on the sofa, this will get you through hungover days at the office, chilly walks in the park, trips to the cornershop and the trendiest of parties and is a bonafide pal for life.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.