Since the Corona has taken over the world with each community implementing their own rules and restrictions. I think it’s about time I talk about the stuffy, outdated rules of menswear. Those dictating what you can wear and when and with what, are fast-growing. Where our father’s wardrobes were governed by dress codes explicit and implied, now anarchy rules. It’s well-dressed anarchy, but anarchy nonetheless.

Formal threads now accompanied by streetwear, trainers sprout in offices, and whether or not a piece is considered appropriate is now as malleable as what it sits alongside. So, in the spirit of rebellion (or to use the technical term: casual-formal dressing), I have put together five creative ways to style out the rest of the season, by combining formal and casual styles.

Hoodie and Overcoat

A true high-low menswear staple should be versatile enough to take its wearer from Friday morning to Saturday night. A prime example of a piece that fits the bill effortlessly, the overcoat cuts just as fine a figure over a suit as it does when used to pep up athletic apparel.

Team it with a grey or black hoodie, smart trousers, and a trusty pair of pure white sneakers. If you want to hit the high-low sweet spot, opt for a slim-fit, single-breasted coat, which is ideal for dressing all the way down with jeans but still smart enough to top a formal look.

Trainers and Suit

Once an unthinkable combination, now a menswear stable. In recent years sporty footwear has made it off the track to establish itself as the perfect running mate to tailoring. However, wearing suits with trainers is not as simple as heading to work in your gym shoes. The key is to spend a little more on the footwear.

As well as looking for sneakers that are built as well as your brogues (or are at least minimal enough to appear so), ensure the whole outfit meets in the middle by relaxing your tailoring with slimmer fits and swapping out a shirt and tie for a sweatshirt or roll neck.

TurtleNeck and Jeans

The turtleneck’s return to glory a few years back was as unexpected as the resurrection of cargo trousers, bum bags and just about everything from the seventies. But it’s hard to imagine life without it now. Make no doubts about it, this multi-tasking neck-coverer is an inherently dressed-up piece, particularly in a fine-gauge weight and when cut from premium materials such as merino wool, making it the ideal candidate for dressing up a pair of jeans.

It’s a somewhat tricky look and isn’t for everybody, it’s important to make sure that the cut of your denim is either slim or straight to swerve any dad-dressing, Steve Jobs vibes. No offense to Steve.

Jeans and Overcoat

There’s a valid point in the thinking that no man looks bad in a good overcoat, which (aside from its insulating abilities) is what makes it such an essential part of any wardrobe. Despite being invented for layering over a suit (hence the name over-coat), its appeal hasn’t wavered as dress codes have relaxed. Take advantage of the casual lean of jeans by using them to add balance to an Oxford shirt or knitwear, before footing the look with a pair of smart Chelsea boots.

A coat that’s fitted, but not figure-hugging, echoes the ease of your lower half. It seems smart from a distance, but will definitely have your buddies wishing they put on the more comfortable options I mentioned above themselves.

Joggers and Tailoring

As tailoring relaxes from Mad Men straitjackets, a blazer and joggers make for a solid separates combination that proves comfort isn’t mutually exclusive from style. It sounds crazy on paper, but styled right with minimal accessories and the correct footwear, this comfy look is a winner.

It’s a match that lives or dies on fit; slim below, tapering to a cuffed ankle, but roomier and unstructured up top. Avoid splitting yourself fully in half by dressing down the blazer further with a lightweight knit or sporty track top.

Nomatter which one of these you choose you will end up dressing nice and comfy at the same time. No need to think about it too much, next time you choose your outfit for a chilly day out have these 5 outfit combinations in mind. I guarantee you will not lose anything by trying them out.

You will make the decision about what suits you best, however, I’m sure one of them will be spot on. Don’t forget that when you dress, you dress for yourself and how your style, body-type and mood guide you to. Needless to say that we all have a creative uniqueness inside us waiting to be used for our day to day style.

I hope I gave you some creatives ways to combine your winter outfits this year and maybe even use them for your daily outings. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you just wanna talk about what I mentioned in this Blog Post, I’ll be happy to go over everything.