A day and night in the life of the Berluti man (and his wardrobe).

What does your nine-to-five look like? Well, for starters, it probably doesn’t begin at 9.00am and end at 5.00pm any more. Just like office dress codes, the basic concept of the working day has been radically reshuffled over the last decade or so. Paradoxically, a looser timetable hasn’t made dressing any easier. Quite the opposite, in fact. It was certainly simpler when the standard uniform consisted of a suit, shirt and tie. Nowadays your day-to-day wardrobe needs to be smart, sophisticated and, above all, adaptable. To that end, we’ve enlisted esteemed Parisian house Berluti to put together something special: a capsule collection exclusive to MR PORTER that offers a wide range of pieces that will work just as well for casual daywear as they will for evening, and all those other frustrating moments in between. And to accompany the clothes, there’s a whole host of footwear and accessories to equip yourself with. Your new sartorial schedule is a scroll away.

Getting ready in the morning should be an effortless affair. Which is why menswear tends to follow rudimentary formula, and a T-shirt is an integral part of the programme. With good reason – it’s easy to wear. You throw one on and go. Rarely, however, would you describe one as “refined”. Yet in Berluti’s capable hands, it becomes something more than a wardrobe “basic”. OK, this example isn’t technically a tee – it’s a short-sleeved sweater rendered in fine virgin wool – but it’s every bit as effortless and infinitely more polished.

A similar principle applies to the sweatpant part of this wardrobe equation – an item that’s undergone a significant reassessment ever since the word “athleisure” entered the vernacular. This pair is much smarter than most and spun with cashmere, which ensures they’re as comfortable as they are considered. And the pièce de résistance? The trucker jacket, a style more traditionally made from stonewashed denim. Not this one, though. While the component parts of it remain unaltered – the metal buttons and rivets, exposed stitching and the four-pocket placement – this suede iteration is undeniably grown-up and more sophisticated than its denim brethren.

As the structure of the working day has loosened, the concept of a power lunch has changed. Gone are the days of two-bottle lunches. You’re more likely to catch up with a client over a quick coffee than peruse a menu. The dress code for such meet-and-greets can be bewildering. Add to that the fact that winter is approaching and you can find yourself in a bit of a sartorial muddle. You certainly still need to make an effort, but a suit is often overkill. Enter this corduroy, cashmere sweater and shearling combo. The contrasts in texture and tone, two of Berluti’s real strengths, are what elevate this ensemble above your standard smart-casual fare into something altogether more sophisticated.

No matter how much dress codes fluctuate, some things never change. In the corporate world, a suit will always mean business. And while there’s not much leeway when it comes to the main event – in this case, a sharply-tailored black suit – you do have some choice when it comes to the things worn with it. As the above example demonstrates, a crew-neck sweater in lieu of a shirt is perfectly appropriate. And there’s really no need to lug around a bulky briefcase if you’re dashing between meetings; this streamlined leather portfolio can accommodate a slim laptop or tablet. As for how to ground the whole ensemble? Berluti’s signature Alessandro Oxfords are a wise choice. Named for the house’s founder, they’ve hardly altered – technically and aesthetically speaking – since Mr Berluti cobbled his first pair back in 1895. Like we said, some things never change.

If you’re anything like us, your day doesn’t end with your last meeting. Whether it’s dinner, a date or other formal affair in the diary, after-dark dressing requires some effort. A classic black tuxedo will never fall out of favour, but experimentation is readily encouraged these days, particularly now the nebulous “black tie optional” has become a popular dress code directive. Which is why we’re recommending a brown alternative – both the overcoat and velvet tuxedo above come in an especially rich chocolate shade that will mark you out in a sea of similarly-dressed men. Happily, there’s no need to bring a change of shoes – the aforementioned Alessandro pair are a perfect choice.

Shop the entire exclusive Berluti X MR PORTER collection here