The trans-seasonal pieces to help you dress for the unpredictable weather.

The weather in Britain at this time of year can present a troubling sartorial gamble. Often too warm to keep wearing your favourite winter jacket, but too cold to take it off and bear your arms in a T-shirt – a few minor shifts in cloud coverage can leave you carrying around a cumbersome coat all day, or shivering your way to work. Short of staying indoors until the summer sun has got its proverbial hat firmly on, how can you solve this clothing conundrum? The answer is: the overshirt. It is officially time to embrace this handy hybrid. Thicker than a humble Oxford shirt, but less bulky than a jacket, it is the ideal tool with which to tackle that awkward period between spring and summer. Here are three of our favourite overshirts new to MR PORTER, and how to wear them.

With its thick construction, four utility pockets, and natural indigo dye, this overshirt by Blue Blue Japan is tailor-made for fans of workwear, hence why we thought you – rugged, city-dwelling outdoorsman that you are – might like to wear it with a pair of Red Wing Shoes. The shirt is designed to fade over time, which will give it character. Given all the hands-on, masculine activities you’ll be doing (grabbing a coffee, walking to the pub), you’ll make your mark on it in no time. Throw it on over a T-shirt until the mercury rises.

Once you have got your head around the brand name (Takahiromiyashita Thesoloist. is a bit of a mouthful), get to grips with the design of this overshirt, which is clearly influenced by designer Mr Takahiro Miyashita’s interest in music – and, more specifically, Mr Kurt Cobain. It’s a little more complicated than the throw-on grungy plaid the late singer would have worn, but you can see the reference point. With cut-outs on the underarm, elbow and collar, and an asymmetric seam at the front, it’s a shirt for the fashion-forward man, but can be pared back with some slim-fit black jeans.

The breeziest overshirt in our line-up, this cotton-twill, sage-green piece by Scandinavian brand Norse Projects is well-suited to warmer weather. However, should it need a little help in the insulation department, it will slip comfortably under a coat – or you can comfortably slip a plain T-shirt underneath, such as this one from Eidos. Given its lightweight design and fitted feel, this overshirt is also the smartest piece in our edit, so feel free to dress it up with some wool trousers.

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