From the sporty tracksuit top to a chunky knit cardigan – here’s our guide to this season’s most convenient style.

In recent times, we have seen the humble zip make the transition from decidedly functional fastening to standout feature – and we couldn’t be happier. From tracksuit tops by Gucci and Burberry, to zip-pocket biker jeans by Balmain, zips have been taking centre stage and adding style and substance to many an item of menswear in the past few seasons.

The zip-based trend that has really caught our eye is the sport-influenced zip-up top, which pleasingly treads that hazy line between smart and casual. They are both useful for dressing down a more formal look, and for saving our shivering hands from faffing about with buttons and toggles in the winter weather. However, worn without consideration, they can make you look a bit like an incompetent teenager. To help you avoid such connotations, we have put together the following guide, showing you how to master the track-top trend – along with two other ways to wear zips this season. Scroll down to find out more, and ensure you look sharp, never scruffy.

Each season, there are a few standout pieces that encapsulate a trend, and this Prada tracksuit top is one such item. With all the familiar trappings of the athletic apparel from which it takes its cue (funnel neck, zip pockets, racing stripes), this track-top also manages to look incredibly slick, with its restrained palette and smooth tech-jersey fabric. Wear yours, well, whenever you feel like it – it’s versatile enough to work with tailoring as well as more casual styles – but for a truly classic look, nothing beats a plain white tee. Try this slim-fit one from Maison Margiela.

We’re sure you’ve probably noticed, but it’s pretty cold out. And consequently, outfits tend to get a bit sloppy around this time of year, as there is a tendency to forgo style for warmth and comfort. You can have the best of both worlds, however, as proved by this cosy Gant Rugger cardigan, which combines a chunky cotton knit with the brand’s signature Ivy-League feel. Wear it zipped up to the top (you don’t want to catch a chill, after all) with a pair of cuffed blue jeans for a laidback look – this pair from Brunello Cucinelli is just the thing.

If you’re slightly more restrained in your style preferences, you might feel more at home in a half-zip sweater. This Maison Margiela piece is for the more practical, traditional man, and will look just as good at the weekend as it will under a suit jacket for work. The rugged leather elbow patches have their roots in WWI uniforms, and you can play up the military feel by pairing it with this crisp army-green poplin shirt from Italian tailoring expert Boglioli.