January is a gloomy month in many ways. But when it comes to style, it’s one of the most exciting times of the year – and certainly the biggest month in menswear. Forget the time of renewal, new year, new you and all that. Not only does it mark the beginning of awards season, it also sees the world’s best-dressed men gather in the fashion capitals to peruse the latest designer collections. For us, January means plenty of sartorial inspiration for the weeks to come – from Pharrell Williams’ casual getup to Timothée Chalamet revisited suit, here’s who we’re taking notes from this month.

We’re sure The Brutalist deserves to clean up this awards season. And we had every intention of sitting through all three hours and 35 minutes, plus interval, of a film about – sigh – postwar architecture. But, as true denizens of this age of limited attention spans, we got distracted. By the angular structure of Adrien Brody’s lapels, for one. In keeping with the theme of the movie he was in London to promote, this outfit features a utilitarian palette and distinctive yet minimal construction that brings the materials used to the fore. Bold, uncompromising and oversized (the outfit that is, not the film).

In an era of side hustles, where multi-hyphenated job titles are commonplace, model/songwriter/architect still manages to pack a punch on a business card. And if you wanted to dress like someone who could walk the runway for Balenciaga, co-pen a tune with Blood Orange and carve a sculpture out of the ground as the centrepiece of their own Los Angeles art show (as Fai Khadra has done), this might just be it. Multidisciplinary artists have enough to consider without messing about with colours, after all. Only it turns out you can make quite a statement with one shade of black, especially in the form of a deconstructed zip-up suit.

Is it a sweater? Is it a blazer? Is it a knitted jacket? Whatever you want to call it, it’s certain that it ticks all the boxes for Stefon Diggs. The Houston Texans’ wide receiver has really found what works for him lately – and that’s a slightly cropped silhouette up top that frames his build nicely over some high-waisted pleated trousers. The burnt orange piece in question is decorated with trompe l’oeil braces, which together with the peeking crisp white collar elevate the whole fit.

In truth, our favourite accessory of Timothée Chalamet’s whirlwind tour for the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown so far has been the Lime bike he commandeered for the London premiere. But since we’re here to talk about clothes, let’s focus instead on the natty line of neckwear he’s also championed since working with his new stylist, Taylor McNeill. It might not offer the pop of other scarves he’s sported, but this snood donned in Rome deserves praise for enlivening his tonal outfit as well as, we assume, keeping his neck warm. Deft touches like this and the gleaming white shirt don’t just stop the piquant brown from becoming just a bit too much, they also keep that notorious colpa d’aria at bay.

If you ever wondered how far layering can go, look to none other than Pharrell Williams, who proved you can wear a jacket, over a jacket (or at least a Sacai x Carhartt collab posing as two jackets), over a… jacket at Paris Fashion Week. Flared jeans, running shoes and a luxe, croc-leather bomber worn as a mid layer are the other components of a great look; an everyday cap and a casually carried, uber-exclusive mini bag make it one of this month’s best.

One of the most effective ways to really hit the nail on the head with a tailoring look, today, is to opt for a spezzato suit – particularly if at the skilled hands of SAINT LAURENT’s Anthony Vaccarello. Thai artist and dancer Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul, known as Ten, opted for subtle colours that beckon spring – a muted palette of ivory, khaki and pale pink that’s powerful without being glaring, leaving ample space to the deliberate play on layering and proportions.

In certain circles – OK, the MR PORTER office – Troye Sivan is as regarded for his way with clothes as his music career. “I don’t think I’m a loud dresser,” he reasoned with us when we caught up with him a few years ago. And while there are those who might dispute such a claim, this look worn during Milan fashion week makes a strong case. Or rather it says the loud parts quietly, and certainly very tastefully. Pared back, buttoned up and tucked in, his getup manages to be sensibly smart without being stiff or severe.