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Dressing to weather the storm of trend-led fashion is our modus operandi here at Ape. Classic style is where it’s at if you want to keep retrospective cringing to a minimum, but to ignore trends entirely would be doing yourself and your wardrobe a disservice.
Trends are what keep menswear ticking. Without them, there would be no ‘classic style’. Even seemingly timeless pieces like Derby shoes, Oxford shirts and straight-leg jeans were trends at some point in time, it’s just that they were ones that had the power to stick around.
With this in mind, we think it’s vital to keep an eye on what’s trending if you want to keep your personal style from growing stale. We’re not saying you should dress head-to-toe in the latest must-have pieces, but adding one or two into an otherwise conservative rotation will help to keep your outfits fresh and relevant.
As we head into winter once again, here’s how to update your wardrobe.
Anime Villain Overcoats
Big, flowing, lengthy and dramatic. These are perhaps the best words to describe the anime villain-esque overcoats that are currently taking the menswear world by storm.
Oversized tailored outerwear is having a real moment, but it’s a trend we feel pretty safe hopping aboard – these coats are really nothing new and will still look great 10, 20 or even 30 years down the line.
Plus, they go with everything, so get Googling wool overcoats, belted trenches and macs from the likes of Wax London, AMI, Burberry and COS.
Colour-Pop Beanies
Bold-coloured beanies are popping up in all the coolest lookbooks from all the hottest brands, and it’s a look anyone can get involved in.
The beauty is its simplicity – you don’t have to be a daring dresser to wear it, but it can instantly bring an otherwise unadventurous outfit up to date while giving it a jolt of character.
We like royal blue, safety orange and primary red. Try wearing them with neutral, beige-toned outfits for maximum contrast.
Grungecore
A return to the grungy looks of the nineties has been creeping back in for a while, with the increasing popularity of dishevelled pieces like ripped straight-leg jeans, vintage band tees, flannels and mohair cardigans.
We love it as a casual aesthetic, and even if you don’t want to go full Cobain, you can still borrow elements of the look to add to your personal style. Think swapping the blazer out for a flannel chore coat, or switching the loafers and cropped pants for a pair of Converse and some vintage 501s.
Classic Tailoring
Tailoring is back, which, as you can imagine, we’re quite happy about. We’re seeing a return to sharp lines, form-flattering cuts and quality fabrics, and as we head into the winter it’s a good time to mix in some textured materials, dark colours and maybe the odd double-breasted jacket.
If you were on the fence about investing in a new suit, now is the time.
Mo’ Mohair
Mohair is the winter trend that won’t die. Not that we mind. We’ve grown fond of furry jumpers over the last five years or so, and it feels increasingly like they may be here to stay. That’s not to say that these knits have lost their edgy, cool-guy energy yet – they’re still very much on trend.
So why not mix some mohair into your winter looks and use the texture to add additional depth to your wardrobe? Check out the likes of Beams Plus, Aimé Leon Dore, Missoni and Needles.
Embroidered Outerwear
Intricate, cutesy embroidery is becoming more and more common, thanks in no small part to brands like Bode and Story MFG. It’s not for everyone, but it can be a cool way to bring some colour and playfulness into your winter outfits without relying too heavily on brash colours or overly trendy silhouettes.
We think it works really well on workwear-inspired pieces like overshirts and chore jackets. In fact, there’s a rather beautiful one in Aimé Leon Dore’s latest collection if you have that sort of money to spend.
Ametora
Ametora is the Japanese term for traditional American style, particularly from the mid-century period. Think flannels, denim jackets, jeans, blanket coats, boots and beyond.
In other words, all stuff that’s trending hard right now. It’s a great trend to jump into because it’s comprised entirely of classic pieces. Just be careful not to wind up looking like a cosplay cowboy.
Cropped Jackets With High-Waisted Pants
Outfits feeling stale? Maybe it’s time to mix up your proportions. We’re seeing a lot of stylish dressers – particularly the Gen Z crowd – working with off-balance proportions between their tops and bottoms.
This most commonly manifests in cropped outerwear and high-waisted pants, which elongate the legs, creating a balance of ⅓ up top and ⅔ on the lower half.
It’s a great way to instantly change up your look, although admittedly it may take some getting used to.
House Shoes
Not exactly breaking news at this point, but house shoes are still very much on trend. Particularly Birkenstock’s Boston clogs.
Given their rampant popularity, you’ll have to act fast if you want a pair, as the key colourways have sold out in winter for the last two years running. Wear them with thick socks, sweatpants and a fleece, and enjoy those long, cold nights in style.
Relaxed-Fit Denim
If you haven’t already, please, please – for the love of god – ditch the skinny jeans. They’re beyond out of fashion at this point, and the best antidote is some relaxed-fit denim.
If you need to wean yourself off thigh-crushing legwear more gently, you could go for a nice straight-leg option instead. Not only are they more comfortable, but they’re also easier to balance, less likely to date embarrassingly, and completely age-appropriate whether you’re 18 or 80.
