There’s an old joke about the Australian way of dressing for cold weather: How can you tell it’s winter in Australia? The blokes wear a beanie with their shorts and thongs. Stereotypical maybe, but it does point to the fact that when it gets cold some of us go into denial that the seasons have in fact changed.
So, in case you missed it, summer’s running out of steam and the days and nights are getting cooler. Throwing on your old faithful shorts and a tee isn’t going to cut it, so it’s time for a wardrobe update. We let Men’s Health Style Editor Jeff Lack loose on The Iconic to find his new season’s essentials to take him everywhere he needs to be, from the track to training and everywhere in between.
Suit yourself
If you’re heading to the track for the autumn racing carnival, invest in a well-cut suit and you’ll look and feel like a winner. The races are a great occasion to dress up, so as a rule of thumb, if a suit feels too dressy for work then it’s probably perfect for the races. Guys with broad shoulders like Jeff should look for a cut that fits well across your back. If you’re also broad across the chest, try a suit with a decent lapel width to keep everything in proportion.
If you’re looking for a suit that doubles up and ticks both the special occasion and work boxes, remember you can always dress up a more classic suit with a fancy pocket square, vest and tie, then tone it down for the office. Work with the new season colour trends in navy and grey and you won’t go wrong.
Friday on my mind
Depending on your workplace, casual Friday can mean super casual or a suit but no tie. Try a relaxed but smart combination that can take you from your desk to drinks without the superman cubicle-change on the way out. For Jeff, a modern, straight cut polo or a collared shirt over a tee with chinos and a leather loafer or trainer ticks most boxes.
Weekend warrior
There will always be a time and place for our favourite ancient trackies. But looking good and feeling good doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive. Elastic-waisted streetwear pants are every bit as comfy as your old favourites but look the business. Throw on a signature sports cap to hide your weekend hair, a fresh pair of kicks and you’re sorted.
Keep the autumn breezes at bay with soft-zip jackets and new hoodies in cool camo prints you can throw on over a crisp white cotton tee – think earthy, utility colours that go together with ease, like forest green and tan. Soft chinos and canvas or leather trainers finish the look.
Stay on track
As Jeff knows, winter is the perfect time to take your workout outdoors as the cooler air actually helps you to go harder for longer. If you get yourself the right workout gear for those early morning sessions, you’ll never look back. The new lightweight wicking fabrics help manage sweat and keep your core temperature where you want it.
So, get online and get shopping for all your autumn and winter essentials at The Iconic. They make it easy to get the right fit with a useful sizing tool that helps you with everything from length to fit. And remember, if it’s not quite right, they make it super simple to exchange or return items.
