Spring Outfit #2

Spring Blackout

Now crucial to this look is subverting expectations. That’s why we are using a dark wintery colour but using items more associated with Spring and Summer creating an interesting contrast. This outfit never fails to look sharp and stylish.

Base Layers

Black Cuban Collar Shirt – A simple black shirt. However one that is trending hard right now. Black shirts are enjoying something of a renaissance right now with many of Hollywood’s most fashionable stars opting for them. Similarly Cuban Collar shirts have been trending hard for a few years now. Combine the two for an effortless smart casual top to wear as part of this tonal outfit.

Black Pleated Cropped Trousers – Another style from yesteryear that is trending hard is the pleated trouser. Giving a classy mid-century air to the outfit this trousers are also great for spring and summer due to the extra room they provide. Keep your style with a slight taper and a crop in order to keep things modern however. Opt for a lighter fabric such as Cotten to keep this trouser spring ready and it will add an interesting new element to this monochromatic outfit. Leaning into the tonal yet not as it may seem nature of this outfit.

Outer Layer

Leather biker jacket – Now to give this outfit some rock and roll edge. Nothing is better for that than a leather biker jacket. It adds an air of Parisian nonchalance To proceedings and is just damn cool. Not to mention it’s one of the most iconic pieces in the of menswear which is never a bad thing. In this look it also adds more texture and interest which is always needed when dressing tonally.

Footwear

Minimalist White Sneakers – Now to add a vibrancy to the outfit opt for minimalist white kicks. It is spring after all. Not only does this stark contrast between black and white make you stand out but it also looks a million bucks. A small flash of white goes a long way to making the whole outfit pop. Not only this but it also stops the look from making it seem as though you are melting. Get a luxurious pair and they will add an expensive sheen to the outfit and certain brands act as a *wink wink* to those in the know.

Accessories

Black Woven Belt – Again this is to help mix up the texture. It gives the look a more laidback and casual vibe whilst also making it appear more summery.

Style Moves

Shirt Tuck – When wearing pleated trousers shirts should normally be tucked in. This streamlines the silhouette whilst also prevents it from looking like too much of a throwback. Giving it a perfect blend of retro and trending. After all of its good enough for Virgil Abloh it’s good enough for us.

Sockless – Wear no-show socks to expose some ‘mankle’ and give the look a summery vibe. This exposure of skin goes a long way to making the outfit seem sharp and contemporary as well as letting you lean into that Spring/Summer fun.

Winter Outfit #4

Base Layers

Pleated Cropped Wide Leg Trousers – Now trousers such as these are trending hard at the moment. This is one hell of a way to sidestep the crowds of chinos and Jeans wearers and add a unique element to the outfit. Trousers such as these also sit higher on the waist elongating your legs and creating a flattering silhouette to every body type. These are just as versatile as your favourite pair of jeans, they just add a high fashion slant to your outfit.

Cuban Collar Shirt – Continue to lean into the mid century feel of the outfit with a Cuban Collar shirt. Either a plain or printed example will keep the retro feel of the outfit whilst also leaning hard on current trends. The printed shirt also adds a vibrancy to the ensemble and gives things a splash of colour. If your bold enough I would always go printed with the shirt as part of this outfit. It modernises the ensemble whilst giving just enough of a retro feel. A look favoured by the fashionable 50 years ago that endures to this day.

Mid Layer

Overshirt – Now this is winter after all and whilst nodding to summer is all well and good we do need to get practical. A navy coloured overshirt will help ground the potential vibrancy of the printed shirt. Even if the shirt is a plain colour this will still add some texture. The overshirt also provides the opportunity to show some serious layering skills providing an extra element of interest and extreme versatility.

Top Layer

Leather Biker Jacket – Keep walking the line between mid-century and modern with a leather biker jacket. The whole point of this outfit is to modernise the classic and nothing symbolises that more than a leather biker jacket. Having been in style since the 70s this is an item that personifies timeless. Furthermore the combination of this and a printed shirt will also bring a rock and roll style to the outfit and keeps things from getting too formal.

Accessories

Black Woven Belt – This adds texture to your waist which is even more important when you wear high waisted trousers. This texture just creates further interest to an already multidimensional outfit.

Footwear

Luxury High Tops – Now any high tops look excellent with a pair of cropped trousers but a luxurious pair in something like suede will just take this outfit to another level. The suede would bring a new texture to the look and just gives off a luxurious and stylish vibe. Suede needs to be protected of course but it is worth it because nothing quite matches suede for luxury. When paired with the cropped trousers these statement shoes are allowed to be on full show and elevate the outfit.

Style Move

Tuck – With high waisted trousers it is normally better to tuck whatever top you are wearing into the trousers. This keeps the outfit looking timeless and streamlines it. Tucking your shirt also keeps the outfit looking sharp. It also helps you keep a sophisticated style that helps set you apart from the crowd. After all this is a move favoured by the likes of Virgil Abloh and who can argue with him?

What to Wear to a Club #2

Picking up from where the previous post left off here is a slightly more formal outfit to suit clubs with a more sophisticated dress code.

Outfit 2

Navy pinstripe trousers – Now Pinstripes have a dual effect. They make the look even more formal as well as adding an extra layer of interest to the outfit and breaking up the monochrome with an interesting pattern.

Grandad collar shirt – Now the lack of a collar on this shirt prevents the outfit from straying too far into formality- this is a night club after all and nobody wants to be the guy wearing a suit in a nightclub. The grandad collar on the shirt also lends the outfit a Parisian je ne sais quois which is never a bad thing. The shirt also leans into the ‘Peaky Blinders’ trend that is hot right now. Hitting timeless and trendy with a single item now that’s the way forward.

Black Chelsea Boots – Now If your club allows trainers then I would always recommend wearing some. They provide greater freedom and breathability. However not every club does so when in doubt reach for the black Chelsea boots. Effortlessly balancing along the smart and casual divide this is the shoe you should always reach for when unsure of dress codes. The as well as being a smart casual master the Chelsea boot lends a rock vibe to the outfit and when your trying to maximise your style comparisons to rock gods are never bad.

Burgundy Blousen – Now brighten things up slightly with a burgundy colour blousen. It contrasts nicely with the navy hues of the rest of the outfit and brightens up the whole ensemble. Keeping it to a muted burgundy also steers into the evening wear vibes of the rest of the outfit. It’s an elegant way to add colour to the outfit.

10 Student Fashion Essentials

Backpack – Now every student has a fair amount of things to carry. Whether that is notebooks and pens of laptops and macs a student needs something they can depend on to carry the essentials. Ideally there would also be room for books, chargers, headphones and even in some cases additional layers in case it gets colder than expected. On top of all of this a backpack also needs to be stylish. Whether it has a simple minimalist silhouette or a workwear vintage aesthetic a backpack is one of the most stylish accessories you can get. Practical too. I personally have a preference for a more vintage style backpack a la Herschel Supply company. I feel it gives outfits a timeless vintage appeal. Get one in a versatile colour and prepare for it to elevate any casual outfit.

Slim Black Jeans – Black Jeans are the perfect base for innumerable outfits. They are so versatile. Black jeans are the perfect base to wear with anything and can even be the backdrop for experimentation with colours and logo mania. By pairing such things with black jeans it prevents the colour from getting too much as the jeans help bring the outfit back down to earth. A pair of slim black jeans also have a definitive rock and roll vibe and Parisian Air.

Chelsea Boots – Simply a smart casual necessity. Chelsea Boots can go with everything and strike the perfect balance between formal and casual. They smarten a casual outfit whilst bringing casual vibes to formal outfits. They strike the perfect balance between formal and rock and roll. They suit a variety of colours however my preference is for sand suede or classic black leather. As a student this is probably the most formal shoe you actually need. It’s just a bonus it comes with such cool factor.

Minimal White trainers -…Speaking If versatile shoes that just ooze cool the white minimal trainer is something that everyone should have in their wardrobe. They just look great with everything. This is a student necessity as you can match them with almost anything and it will look good. That kind of versatility is essential when you have to do your own washing.. invest in a good pair and prepare for them to show your serious style chops.

Navy Chinos – This list is all about versatile items that can be elevated with clever little touches and interesting combinations. Navy Chinos are no different. As long as the cut of the chinos is great they are an incredibly stylish trouser to wear and look great with a variety of outfits. The chinos can elevate anything you pair them with and never fail to make the look more sophisticated and preppy.

Sweatshirt – Sometimes you just need something you can throw on before your 9am lecture. And seeing as you are on this blog you must be interested in making that item as stylish as possible. Enter the sweatshirt. This item is perfect to throw over any pair of chinos or jeans. A hooded version can indulge in logomania and bring a streetwear aesthetic to the outfit. Alternatively an ordinary sweatshirt in navy or grey looks incredibly preppy especially when paired with other traditionally preppy pieces such as chinos. No matter which you version prefer this is the perfect item to keep you warm and looking stylish no matter the time.

Denim Trucker Jacket – As a student it’s likely that your go to jacket will go through a lot. To put up with this it needs to be durable which makes denim the perfect candidate. Dodge flash in the pan trends by opting for a dark indigo colour. This will look surprisingly formal but the workwear nature of the denim will keep things balanced. The perfect denim jacket would look as at home with some light wash jeans and a tee as with more formal navy Chinos and shirt. This makes a denim trucker the perfect versatile jacket for a student. To make things even better it can be layered under an overcoat or trenchcoat in the winter for an interesting layering combo.

Raincoat – Now especially in the UK the weather isn’t exactly predictable and in Scotland it tends to rain..a lot. Therefore you need something that keeps you dry as well as stylish. A couple of the best coats for the job would be a retro inspired raincoat in a bright colour such as red or yellow or a classic trench coat. Either is very stylish, it just depends on your personal preference. The retro raincoat would add a splash of colour whereas the trenchcoat is just so iconic and adds a relaxed yet timeless elegance to the overall look.

Shirts – Everyone needs some good shirts even as a student time will come for a shirt , whether that be a nice meal out or a job interview. When the time comes make sure you stamp your own identity and style on it. Oxford button-down shirts are infallible and can go with anything. Go for a simple colour such as White or blue and it will seamlessly slot into your wardrobe and go with nearly anything. If you want to bring something more unique to the table opt for a grandad collar. This will add a Parisian Air to the outfit as it is one of the key building blocks of French style. However the rest of the outfit will need to add formality as the grandad collar is more casual than its button-down counterpart.

Colour-Block Tees – One of the most basic wardrobe essentials there is. However if the fit and material is right they can also be one of the most stylish. A simple white Tee tucked into some navy Chinos is a basic outfit but also looks incredible so long as the fit is perfect. A good T-shirt is the base of many a great outfit so find ones that fit great and get them in as many colours as you fancy. A couple of simple moves that can elevate your standard Tee include the tuck and the sleeve roll. Tucking the tee into the trousers streamlines the casual silhouette as well as providing separation between the top and bottom halves of the body which flatters most body shapes. Overall it gives the outfit a more continental feel. Similarly a sleeve roll means that the sleeves can be the exact length you want. It also emphasises the biceps flattering and making them appear bigger. This style hack also gives the outfit a retro feel as the sleeve roll was first used by people such as Marlon Brando and James Dean.