Men’s Style Tips: Surviving the seasonal shifts
Knowing how to dress during the transitional period between seasons can be tricky. When that first heatwave hits it is easy to over-excitedly banish all your cooler layers to the attic. The inevitable reality is that you will find yourself cursing your optimism when thermometers drop again – probably later that same day.
The key to making a successful wardrobe shift from one season to the next comes down to layering, and the king of layering is the overshirt. With more polish than a hoodie, more substance than a shirt and less weight than an overcoat or bomber, an overshirt is one of the most versatile items a man can own. So how do you wear it?
1. Play it your way
The beauty of the overshirt is that it can be worn on its own or – as the name suggests – over a t-shirt on warm spring days, as well as under a light coat when there is a chill in the air. Flexibility is the name of the game.
2. Smarten Up
While you’ll find many overshirts that are a nod to the classic padded lumberjack shirt, there are plenty of examples that are suited to life outside the timber yard. A darker shade, buttoned up and paired with crisp, well-fitting chinos (deep burgundy are a smart alternative to the usual beige) brown monk strap shoes is polished and effortlessly cool. We like this dark blue heavyweight cotton drill overshirt from Grove & Co. Pair with Grey Marl for extra style points.
3. Dress up the dress down
You can’t go wrong with an overshirt / t-shirt combination. For a refined take on dressed down layering, try a grandad collar shirt. This stylish collarless design is easy-to-wear and transcends casual and formal dress codes, giving the classic shirt a subtle update. L’Estrange London do a nice one in navy chambray that looks great with jeans, trainers and some punchy socks in midnight blue.
