Core colours
When space is at a premium, there are a couple ways in which you can still have plenty of outfit combinations for your next trip without the fear of excess baggage.
Outfit pictured above: ARMAND FEATHER DOUBLE CASHMERE COAT [gifted] by JOSEPH, CALICO SHIRT by STUDIO NICHOLSON, LAMBSWOOL CREW NECK JUMPER [gifted] by SUNSPEL, WIDE-LEG COTTON TROUSERS [gifted] by RAEY and ORIGINAL ACHILLES by COMMON PROJECTS
Photography by MATTHEW SPADE
This month’s trip to Copenhagen presented me with two situations. The first being that it was a chance to get the cogs turning again when it came to taking photos. The other being that I had limited clothes to do it in. Three full days worth of clothes in a carry-on case is a moderate task, especially for winter. So get comfortable with the clothes you see in these photos because you’re going to see them another couple of times yet.
Read any guide on how to pack for a few days away with limited space and the two takeaways are: stick to a core colour palette and try to bring with you items that span over multiple situations. The first of these thankfully comes quite easy to me as navy and grey are the mainstays in my wardrobe. They go hand in hand and allowed me to interchange pretty much everything I packed, but if you’re a loud prints and bold colour man, some tough decisions need to be made pre-trip.
One case meant one coat. I decided on my JOSEPH cashmere coat from last spring which I now realise might have been an error in judgement on the weather front when Mat said as we landed “oh you’ve went with an unlined coat… interesting.” I might have thought about coat colour over thickness in this area and has me thinking about a thicker grey coat for next winter. Layer number two is the newest item I have added to my wardrobe and it’s a Studio Nicholson shirt in navy which I purchased just before Christmas. Last year I remember trying a similar one from Folk but it did not fit correctly so I’m glad I have managed to find a replacement. The camp collar and long sleeve combo really works for me and I think will work all year depending on what it is paired with.
I often wax lyrical about Sunspel t-shirts and quite rightly so. They are fantastic. But now I own a knitwear piece from the brand that can equally share the high pedestal I put the brand on. Made from lambswool it is: soft, lightweight and warm. Three big ticks. The clincher for me with this particular knit though is the low mock neck finish which substitutes in for a collar on a shirt and provides a smart nod when needed. Veering this fit away from smart though are my RAEY cotton trousers which are definitely the biggest trousers I own. Who knew that plumbers and handymen had the right idea all this time with their bellowing legwear. I remember trying these on in the changing room and thinking yes, these bang and still to this day I think they still “bang”.
Common Projects get more airtime on my blog and Instagram then anything else, so rather than talk more about how they are the best trainer out there, I’ll focus on my bag and gloves. Rhanders were a brand I was made aware of by my friend Simon and they definitely hold an air of luxury with them. Lined with a wool-blend, it’ll be some time before I find myself looking for another pair. The black leather gloves went rather well with this tote from Weekday that must be two years old now. I could claim for menswear points here with this panache styling, but to be truthful it was a pleasing coincidence.
This was my first outfit out in Copenhagen and so there was no fear of outfit repeating on day one, that became more apparent on our last day. I’ll be sharing my other two outfits on here soon to show how by swapping a couple of items here and there it provides you with more options then you might think.jbicon
Could 2023 be the ultimate year of sustainability for fashion? Probably not, but there are some positive things happening if you look for them.