Bank statements, police statements, damage limitation statements; the consensus on statements is that they’re no good thing. However, statement looks – when approached with the right amount of chutzpah – can fast-track you from middle of the road to menswear maestro.
We know, we know, ‘statement pieces’ often create the kind of outfits that lead to well-meaning celebrities ending up being mercilessly mocked in the web’s comment sections or immortalised via memes.
But fear not, because we’ve tapped the advice of some of the fashion industry’s most clued-up so you can reap the rewards of dressing daringly with minimal chance of online annihilation. Wardrobe crisis averted.
White Trousers
Stating the obvious: white trousers may as well be physically moulded from Marmite because of their ability to polarise opinion. Everyone has something to say about white legwear, and more often than not they aren’t fans. But there are ways to keep the haters at bay.
“Ensure your white trousers are cut slim and not too long at the hem, so showing a bit of ankle,” says Reiss head of menswear design, Alex Field. If those ankles are as white as the trousers, it’s advisable to slap a small amount of tan on them, or you risk looking like you’re wearing sports socks.
While tonal outfits in shades of black, navy and even beige are a solid choice, when it comes to white Field suggests breaking up the look to avoid any sailor jibes. “Style the trousers with something that isn’t white. Preferably a knit in a neutral colour or navy for a classic, nautical look.”
Floral Shirt
We love the minimal, painfully tasteful Nordic menswear movement as much as the next pseudo-Scandinavian dresser, but (dare we say it) sometimes it gets a bit, well, boring. What’s the antithesis to boring? A floral shirt, of course.
“Remember, this look is more Bloomsbury boffin than it is Honolulu hottie, so if a floral shirt screams Hawaiian luau, step away slowly,” says style writer Miriam Bouteba. “Go for micro or painted florals while also making sure that the shirt’s base colour is dark and short sleeves are rolled slightly to minimise any whiff of novelty.”
Styling-wise, opt for smart chinos or tailored trousers and wear the shirt buttoned up or open over a plain T-shirt. For a next-level move, try tucking the shirt in for a sleek finish.
Pastel Blazer
Despite what many think, your surname doesn’t have to be Gatsby for you to be able to pull off a pastel blazer. Already one of the season’s key fashion trends, frankly they’re a no-brainer.
“A pastel blazer may seem a daring choice, but it’s a versatile and easy way to dress for spring/summer,” says stylist Ozzy Shah, who has dressed the likes of Olly Murs and Jim Chapman.
As softly stylish as they are, pastel blazers tend to scream try-hard, so keep things simple. Shah’s go-to combinations include “a crisp white shirt for the day and a black roll neck in the evening”. But they can also be deployed as part of a smart separates look (either contrasting or tonal); casually over a T-shirt, or used to soften a more rugged denim or chambray button-down. No matter which option you choose, swerve the cliché boat shoes in favour of loafers or clean sneakers. Pastel perfected.
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