Outfit Inspiration: Transitional Season Smart-Casual

Introduction

As winter finally relents and we prepare ourselves for spring, the awkward in-between period continues to make our lives difficult. With the temperature and weather fluctuating by the hour, never mind the day, making the right sartorial choices is by no means straightforward and the British climate can quickly catch you out.
Yet with a bit of know-how and some key pieces at your disposal, the transitional season offers you the chance to really showcase your styling acumen by utilising creative layering techniques and a blend of seasonal essentials/trends to produce stylish and practical looks on a daily basis…

‘Unseasonal’ Fabric Pairings

Blurring the lines between your cold- and warm-weather wardrobes and pairing fabrics of opposite ilk can solve many transitional problems in an instant.
This technique does require some careful management though. It’s not a case of pairing the lightest linen you can find with the toughest tweed and being done with it. Extreme juxtapositions can jar and often make it look as though you just grabbed the nearest clothing you could find before rushing out of the house.
Instead, look to take a subtler approach by way of fabric blends. For example, cotton-linen construction remains lightweight and breathable but is sturdier in its appearance than pure linen (less wrinkles) and therefore pairs well with wool or cord, which will help to bolster your attire against inclement weather.

More luxurious blends that combine two or more of wool, cashmere, silk and linen are, of course, ideal but these often come at a higher price point and are not suitable for those on a budget.
In terms of wardrobe staples that all men should own, leather and denim transition particularly well through the seasons and complement both heavy and light fabrics – making them solid options for the winter-spring period.

Transitional Season Lookbook Inspiration

The lookbook below shows how to expertly pair heavyweight materials with breathable fabrics to produce looks that can adjust instantly to the current climate.
For example, take note of how rugged leather is balanced by delicate cotton tees, raw indigo denim is offset by linen-blend blazers and luxe suede bombers are combined with lightweight shorts/chinos without jarring or compromising the overall aesthetic: