More and more, dress codes are becoming a thing of the past. They are not by any means extinct, of course - there is a certain expectation of smartness for a wedding guest, some jobs still demand a suit and there are always restaurants - the last bastions of formal dinner attire - who will provide you with a jacket should you fail to turn up in your own. But the concept of clothing or a uniform being solely worn for isolated occasions or even at certain times of year, has become increasingly blurred.
Case in point, the inexorable rise of outdoor wear for men. Following on from the longstanding trend of gym wear being worn to brunch without so much as a Classpass free trial, outdoor gear sees fashion team up with function to transform practical styles more usually reserved for scaling cliff faces and trudging uncertain terrain into a bona fide menswear statement.
This cold season’s outerwear trends (much like those of the previous year) are taking their cues from the great outdoors, leading with technical fabrics and practical pieces more suited to a countryside ramble than a city stroll to the corner shop. Weather-ready waterproofs are now commonplace on the underground and, right now, with the season’s plethora of utility details, it’s possible to clad your entire wardrobe in full-blown Edmund Hillary attire - no rope or harness required.
So, whether you’re making your escape to the country for a weekend in the sticks, or are simply planning an expedition to the local pub, you could do worse than a glance in Superdry’s direction, whose 2019 collection of coats and jackets are geared up for an al fresco adventure.
Here we highlight the easiest way to wear the outdoor trend with jackets from Superdry that marry form and function in harmonious style, without the added pressure to perform.