THE JOURNAL

Photograph courtesy of Theory
Looking for an easy life? We have a theory on how to achieve it – the stretchy blazer, seat-wicking trousers and comfy mélange sweat shorts you need to make things go a bit smoother.
New York-based brand Theory may have a somewhat head-scratching name – hinting at its almost forensic attention to detail and penchant for technical innovation – but you certainly don’t need a PhD in menswear to enjoy its impeccably stylish output. Focusing on wardrobe basics – from tailoring to sweats – in simple, versatile shades, but delivering them with a wealth of design tweaks that optimise comfort, utility and wearability, the brand has an appealing, ultra-sleek aesthetic that will go down just as well in the office as it will at the weekend. In fact, it’s one of those brands that your wardrobe should be full of, especially if you’re the type of person that, at the end of the day, enjoys the easy life. Scroll down for three ways that Theory can de-stress your daily dressing:
When you want to be smart but comfortable
This neat, single-breasted blazer in a deep blue colour is a perfectly viable option for both smart and smart-casual situations. Yet, thanks to its stretchy cotton-blend fabric, it won’t feel as structured and stuffy as a traditional tailored jacket. Pair it with a white shirt, such as this classic-cut piece in breathable linen, and look clean and sharp even after you’ve just tumbled off the Subway.
When you want to head out after work
Theory’s new Neoteric trousers are made in a special technical fabric that offers the wearer a range of benefits. First off, it’s lightweight and extremely comfortable. Secondly, it retains its shape, avoiding that wrinkly 4.00pm sag that can affect many lesser trousers. And thirdly – and this is the rather cunning bit – while Neoteric trousers are water-resistant on the outside, protecting you from the elements, they’re moisture-wicking on the inside, which means they absorb any excess dampness (yes, from sweat), moving it away from the skin. The result is a pair of legs as cool and dry as they come. What’s more, these insanely high-spec trousers are also rather easy to mix and match with other pieces, thanks to their slim cut, navy colour and simple, classic design. Here, we’ve picked a short-sleeved linen shirt in a complementary lighter shade of blue, but they would work equally well with a grey tailored jacket and striped T-shirt, or a fine-knit sweater and bomber jacket.
When you want to just relax
Behind every great man is a pair of closed doors, and behind that pair of closed doors is a supremely comfortable pair of sweat shorts that he can laze about in at the weekend. This particular example from Theory comes in a pleasing mélange (that is, mixed colour) cotton jersey and slim, low-slung style that is slightly more elegant than your average pair. In fact, they’re such sleek sweat that you may even decide to take them out of doors, in which case we would suggest you wear them with this airy linen sweater made in a slub fabric (with a similar speckled effect), which should prove a perfect textural complement.