April showers mean that it’s time to belt up
EARLY spring can introduce a bit of a style conundrum for men. It’s too warm for a bulky overcoat, but if you revert to your suit jacket and a brolly you’ll feel the pinch on a windy day or in the evenings. An extra layer is still needed, but one that’s adaptable, lightweight and able to stave off those April showers.
The solution is a lightweight mackintosh, and no gent’s wardrobe is complete without one. This year it’s all about the belted coat, whether in the classic trench format, or any number of subtle variations on the theme. That belt gives the wearer a much more elegant profile than a straight mac, and adds a level of recherché sophistication, even (or perhaps especially) with single-breasted coats.
One key for Spring is not to go with anything that’s too long – it’s not for keeping driving winter wind and rain off the legs, after all. Short and trim means it can easily be adapted for casual use too – you’ll look a good deal more dashing than the next chap out for a weekend stroll.
1 Livingstone trench coat by Hackett, £350. www.hackett.com
2 Lightweight trench by Jaeger, £225. www.jaeger.co.uk
3 Stone coated mac by Dunhill, £450 www.dunhill.com
4 Men’s coat by Fabric at Republic, £39.99 www.republic.co.uk
5 Men’s trench coat by CH Carolina Herrera (price on application) www.carolinaherrera.com
6 Trench coat by Paul Smith, £219 www.paulsmith.com
7 Montgom Pashion coat by Ted Baker, £325 www.tedbaker.com