Fashion Brief
With evenings drawing in and summer winding down into autumn, dressing down – AKA weekend-wear – has never been more varied. To help guide you through Saturday and Sunday, my smorgasbord of style has something for everyone, whatever your age, profession and approach to those hallowed days off.
1. The short-sleeved shirt
As one reader told me last week, “short-sleeved shirts cause your arms to stick to the desk at work”, so if you have an office job, this is one for the weekends. White always looks good but if you’re feeling carefree try a Hawaiian shirt, the brighter and more colourful the better. Find your inspiration in one of Hollywood’s classic shirts, such as Leonardo DiCaprio’s blue Japanese-print top from Romeo + Juliet.
I like: short-sleeved shirt, £190, by Acne.
2. The linen suit
If you really can’t cope without a suit, try a light linen combo for that Man-from-Del-Monte look. As another commenter said, “No linen tropical suit? Good grief, what school did you go to?” Truly, it’s a classy look for long evenings under the setting sun.
I like: linen trousers, £80, by John Lewis.
3. The double chain
Keep your jewellery covered up during the week, but after that it’s time to undo your shirt and show off any chains you might have: see Daniel Sturridge’s fashionable footballer look on Instagram. You could also take inspiration from rapper 2 Chainz and always wear two chains; anymore than that and you’ll appear ostentatious.
I like: gold chain, £36.99, from Argos.
4. The fedora
Someone who read last week’s piece expressed a preference for hats in “the style (black felt) favoured by Nigerian leader Goodluck Jonathan”, and indeed his trademark fedora is very dashing. Best worn with a matching black shirt and a smile.
I like: fedora, £89.95, by Christys’.
5. The casual look
Specifically the casual look, historically favoured by football fans, of designer sportswear worn very smartly. Try a zipped-up tracksuit and classic Adidas trainers – as seen on the London catwalks for Christopher Shannon’s autumn/winter 14 show – or just a smart Lacoste polo buttoned to the top.
I like: gazelle trainers, £65, by Adidas.
6. The very casual look
Arsène Wenger caused quite a stir on Rio’s Copacabana beach this summer, showing off his beach football skills and lounging in a navy Nike T-shirt and matching shorts. This is dressing down at its lazy, laid-back best, and certainly makes a change from his tailored suits and infamous caterpillar coat, which now has its own meme.
I like: England shorts, £25, by Nike.
7. The skater look
Skateboarding is very popular at the moment – Vans have just opened the House of Vans skatepark in London’s Old Vic Tunnels – and while we’re not suggesting you should start jumping down staircases, you can certainly enjoy some of its clobber. Try a graphic Palace T-shirt, or a Supreme 5-panel hat to keep the sun out of your eyes.
I like: parrot polo, £70, by Palace.
8. The grunge look
Ripped baggy jeans, old T-shirts and oversized plaid shirts. There’s no need to spend thousands at the Saint Laurent boutique, or to rip up your own perfectly nice jeans – just dig out those old, tatty items at the bottom of your wardrobe. Grunge is sloppy and actually very practical for painting and decorating, or even gardening.
I like: jeans, from your local charity shop.
9. The Dude look
If you like a very, very lazy weekend – and don’t have anything important or responsible to do – try dressing down like Jeff Bridges’ Dude from The Big Lebowski, with a dressing gown, baggy cardigan and pyjama bottoms. It’s OK if you’re only leaving the house to buy some milk.
I like: dressing gown, £27.50, by MS.
10. The gender-neutral look
This certainly isn’t a look for everyone – and it really is for the weekends, not the workplace – but if you’re interested in sharing wardrobes, your icon should be Kanye West who has pulled off the Givenchy leather kilt as well as the wide-open Céline shirt with aplomb. No male rapper has every worn eye-wateringly expensive high-end womenswear better, and that’s the truth.
I like: skirt, £795, by JW Anderson.
