What Men Should Wear – According To Women

"With men and clothes, there are a few hard nos for me. Colour doesn’t feature often – perhaps a statement hoodie here or a bright pair of trainers there – but for the most part, my ideal male aesthetic is James Perse in summer, Officine Generale in winter. Anything too tight is a no-go – spray-on skinny jeans are the ultimate turn-off – and anything that looks like it would have a place in the Love Island villa must be avoided: think muscle-baring polo shirts, sliders, brash designer logos, ripped jeans and – shudder – any form of rucksack, unless it’s slick, black and totally necessary.

It’s not all negative – guys can look great in knitwear, a chunky cardi especially – and slim-fit cashmere. Black jeans are good, as are box fresh, plimsole-style trainers, relaxed shirts and a well-placed silver ring or friendship-style bracelet. Men look especially good in a high/low outfit – a slub white tee with a double-breasted blazer, a pair of joggers with a cool weekend shirt, a Crombie coat with an oversized hoodie – and a flash of ankle is always sexy. Men should approach leather jackets with caution, but every man should own a really good navy blazer."

"Good menswear is all about simplicity. Clean lines, a simple colour palette and a few key pieces that can work on rotation. To me there is nothing better than a man in cashmere. You can't beat a navy round neck jumper with a plain white tee poking out at the top, teamed with dark grey, slim fit denim and fresh white trainers. That glimpse of the tee with the shoes gives a nod to the ‘sandwich’ dressing rule and makes the overall look feel polished and pulled together.

"A recent revelation to me has been the wool gilet. If you don't want or need a heavy coat, these offer a versatile extra layer and work just as well with a crisp shirt and chelsea boots as they do with a chunky knit and trainers.

"Stick to neutrals, avoid anything too tight and be wary of a polo-neck. Very few men can carry them off."
 

"Autumn is the season to inject a little more character into your look. Start your wardrobe foundations with a core set of basics – it's hard to go wrong with a colour palette of navy, black and grey. Opt for a pair of dark jeans (Acne max are a great fit), classic navy tailored trousers (Ami is always a winner) and a selection of simple crew neck tees (Sunspel or Arket depending on your budget). Then, use layers to add some extra interest.  A chunky Aran knit, a micro check blazer or a houndstooth overcoat make for classic and effortless additions.

"Try to make knits the focal point to your outfit rather than a layer over a shirt, stay away from v-necks and instead, opt for a classic crew, polo knits or a modern cardigan (A Day’s March have some great styles). For a more casual approach, go for flannel overshirts and waffle Henleys. 

"Men should look stylish but not like they have tried too hard, so dress down a blazer and style up your sneakers – and remember, shoes can make or break an outfit."

"Dressing well isn’t difficult to get right, but it’s easy to slip into bad habits. A couple of wrong moves when it comes to the fit of your clothes and a poor shoe choice, can make all the difference between a well-dressed man and one who is not. My biggest piece of advice would be to consider the sizing in everything that you wear – too tight and you’ll look like an extra from The Only Way Is Essex, too baggy and you’ll look like you simply don’t care about your appearance. If you find it difficult to buy clothes that fit properly, then make it your business to befriend your local tailor. As you would when you buy a suit, tailoring your clothes is just as important as buying them, so invest time in making sure your trousers are the right length and your blazer doesn’t drown you.

"When it comes to shoes, there are a couple of things to avoid: anything with a square toe and for the love of God, those trainer/loafer hybrids. Instead, opt for a classic pointed brogue for work and for off-duty, either a desert or lace up brogue boot, plus a pair of clean white trainers. These things alone should stand you in good stead, but a good set of white t-shirts are also a must – slim fitting, bright white and nothing that’s lost its shape. If that means buying a new set every year, do it. Finally, for me, there’s nothing sexier than a man in a great coat – ideally wool, double breasted in either navy or black. It has the power to completely transform your look."

"Slim-fitting trousers are the basis for getting everything else right. Anything with a wide leg belongs in the bin. Then it's well made tailored shirts for work – always cufflinks not buttoned cuffs, and never buttoned collars. If it's an off-duty shirt, avoid pockets and short sleeves. A wool or waffled polo shirt looks good with jeans when you want a collar but avoid pique polo shirts unless you're playing sport.

"Crew neck knitwear in neutral colours is key and then a few versatile blazers. Navy is a must, then some kind of modern tweed or herringbone – plus, a modern gent looks good in a velvet jacket, too. For weekend days a plain hoodie will fare you well. On the shoe front, you get what you pay for. Loafers, chelsea boots and simple trainers are all money well spent. Above all, avoid the trends and focus on cut and quality."