‘We need to up our workwear game’

The designer, who launched his eponymous menswear label two decades ago, is known for his sustainable approach and ‘casual, not careless’ philosophy

A man’s sense of style changes as he grows older. I know mine certainly has, and what I value now are clothes that make me feel good. I focus on fabrication more, and on ease and comfort. I don’t think that has to be at the expense of style; one of my goals at the moment is to convince men to switch things up in terms of what they wear to work. The formal wardrobe has changed massively over the last two years, and it’s no longer about the traditional suit, so it’s about finding a meeting point between what’s smart and what’s comfortable.

We mix our lifestyles so much more now, and guys today might be in an office, in a pop-up workspace, going to the gym during the day, going to dinner. Men are way more active than they were 20 years ago, and need a wardrobe that reflects that. I don’t mean a tracksuit per se, but a more utilitarian take on sports style and functional clothing.

For example, let’s start with the shoes. The trainer has evolved to become a really smart item in a man’s wardrobe, likewise I think the loafer’s a fantastic option for spring; it’s lightweight but a little formal, and there’s an ease to it.

Every man should have a line-up of decent shirts as well – and think beyond the traditional starched white varieties. More relaxed versions are great, in soft organic cottons, perhaps with button-down or grandad collars. A lot of us are still working via Zoom at least some of the time; they’re an instant way to look pulled-together on camera, but they don’t have to be the traditional garden variety.

I also recommend corduroy trousers over jeans; there are really elegant varieties now that aren’t the old-fashioned cord trousers of old. Drawstring trousers can also be part of a smarter wardrobe now. And invest in good quality white T-shirts; one with a heavy thread count in soft cotton will work with absolutely everything.

Men have always been considered about provenance – how this shirt is made, how these shoes are crafted – but I’d love to see that expand and grow. We should show via our consumer habits that transparency of supply chains and impact on the environment are important. Clothing should be built to last, nothing should be throwaway.