Why dressing for 2018 isn’t just about belt bags and ugly sneakers.

Streetwear? Everywhere. From ugly sneakers to printed hoodies, the cultural clout that street brands now command can be seen in everything from Mr Virgil Abloh’s appointment as head of menswear at Louis Vuitton to the rise of Off-White-touting K-Pop stars in the West. Nothing seems immune to the streetwear sinkhole – even venerated Americana brand Ralph Lauren has collaborated with skate label Palace. But what if you’re just not really into the whole thing? Socks and slides might not be your thing, but shunning them can feel as though you’ve abandoned yourself to a quagmire of antiquated menswear when everyone else sails into the distance on an Ambush surfboard. We’re not going to pretend the fervour for streetwear is going to dissipate anytime soon, because it isn’t. But despite what you may have heard, there are ways to curate a modern look without ever having to befriend a belt bag. Here are three of them…

Oversized tailoring was big in the 1980s and 1990s in response to office dress codes becoming more casual. It was then usurped by Mr Hedi Slimane when the designer heralded in a new age of skinny suits when he took over Dior Homme in 2000. Recently, though, fashion’s pendulum has begun its swing back to larger silhouettes. Big shoulders! Baggy trousers! Hefty tailoring is popping up in recent collections from Neil Barrett and Balenciaga, but it takes a bit of styling know-how to pull off well. Wear an oversized blazer over a T-shirt rather than a shirt (it should look intentional, and not as though you’re wearing an ill-fitting suit), and pair it with some wide-leg trousers to cut an up-to-date figure.

If you’ve seen the wave of tassel-covered jackets around at the moment, you’ve Mr Craig Green to thank for that. The designer makes menswear that might easily be described as ostentatious, but it is thoroughly contemporary and the thing to wear if you’re the kind of chap who likes to make a statement with his clothes. Which brings us to a new kind of maximalism that’s hit menswear recently. From brightly printed sweaters to statement tote bags and shearling outerwear, the message here is, uninhibitedly, go for it. Wallflowers need not apply.

Workwear is easy to love. It is the practical, comfortable, and reliable side of menswear, and there’s a new wave of it at the moment that’s particularly stylish. Lots of pockets and boxy shapes in utilitarian fabrics are the order of the day, and we think this guy rocks it particularly well. Go for an all-neutral look (chore jackets and chinos are a safe go-to), try layering a stripy shirt underneath, and finish it all off with a pair of Vans or Common Projects to keep things fresh. Also: sunglasses. Never compulsory, but inevitably cool – especially when they’re from Garrett Leight California Optical.

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