It may be the transitional season, but it’s time to draw a line.

We’re getting into what is known in the clothing industry as “the transitional season”. This refers to the weather, and what we’re supposed to wear in that liminal space when T-shirts and sandals won’t do, but when it’s not quite time for goose-down puffer jackets and galoshes. It’s a pleasant time, clothing-wise – because we don’t have to worry so much about keeping cool or staying warm, we can address less practical things that have no bearing on our body temperature. Such as stripes. We mention this because stripes have seemingly sprung up on a wealth of stuff that’s landed on MR PORTER this week, and they’re particularly notable in style – bold, in high-contrast colours, they’re plastered across everything from sneakers and sleeves, to places you’re more used to seeing them, such as sweaters.

Gucci’s trademark red and green stripes are stamp-printed directly onto the Italian brand’s iconic Rhyton sneakers (which sit on the more palatable end of the ugly sneaker trend, and are what you might expect if Balenciaga’s iconic Triple S sneakers and a pair of Common Projects had a lovechild). Stripes also peek out from beneath a Balenciaga denim shirt with pink and green sleeves, lending the item a vintage vibe (plus mother of pearl buttons for a bit of stealthy sophistication). See also Givenchy’s black, white, and red-all-over striped long-sleeve polo for something that nods towards streetwear, or A.P.C.’s white blue and navy Breton-style merino wool sweater, which is just the ticket for a late summer/early autumn weekend. This stripy lot makes enough of a statement that you’re safest pairing them with plainer things to avoid any sartorial discord – black trousers and white T-shirts will work particularly well in keeping everything clean and harmonious. So, there you have it – well-defined stripes for ill-defined times.