Distressed, weathered and beaten up clothes are back in style. Here we give a lesson in styling yours successfully, so you don’t just look a bit of a mess.

From that perfect leather jacket you found in a thrift shop to the beloved sweatshirt that has seen better days, every man has those trusty items of clothing that he refuses to part ways with. Tattered. Weathered. Lived-in. Whatever you like to call them, this season it’s officially acceptable for your well-loved clothes to make a regular appearance in your day-to-day wardrobe. And it is also acceptable, and indeed encouraged – no matter how counterintuitive it might seem – for you to invest in full-price designer items whose distressed qualities give the appearance of years of adventure-filled wear. Not confined to just one item of clothing, there are a number of ways you can wear this trend. Denim should be ripped, jackets should be scuffed and sweaters should be slightly unravelling – all but destroyed, in other words. There is, however, a fine line between the weathered and the downright dishevelled. Here are a few tips to ensure you remain on the right side of it – and some easy ways to invest in the trend.

There are few items as masculine, cool or iconic as the leather jacket. This particular one, from Saint Laurent, is a stylish way to add a hit of instant attitude to an outfit. It’s finished with some light distressing for a rugged, lived-in feel, and like all good things it will only get better with age. If you find dressing in head-to-toe black a little severe, soften the look with Saint Laurent’s slashed-knee blue denim jeans.

The denim shirt has been given a new lease of life for AW16. Think: patchwork, embellishment and serious distressing, which is great news for men who like their denim beaten up and with a vintage feel but don’t have the energy to wear it in themselves. Feeling bold? Givenchy is known for its rather edgy aesthetic, and this statement shirt is a case in point, with its faded finish and bullet hole “destroy effect”. Finish things off with a pair of plain, classic trousers, so as not to compete with the shirt’s design – we suggest NN07’s navy drawstring woven pair.

Looking for a more subtle way to wear “worn-in” clothing? Crafted from specially sourced vintage fabrics in the UK, By Walid’s distressed cashmere-blend sweater feels decidedly rugged, yet also nicely understated. Wear it over a contrasting colour to highlight its intricate texture, and pair it with a classic overcoat – such as Wooyoungmi’s – which will bring a bit of sophistication (and extra warmth) to the proceedings.