BRANDS / SARTOIALEE SELECTS / SPRING-SUMMER TAILORING

Here comes the sun

Photographs: William Osborne

Sartorialee’s play on texture and colour manifests a newfangled spring look

Blazer: Marks & Spencer Sartorial; Shirt: TM Lewin; Tie: John Lewis & Co; Sweater: Zara; Pocket square: Farah

I can barely wait for British summertime to officially begin. It’s a great excuse to re-inject a pop of colour back in to my wardrobe after months of chunky knits and overcoats. Admittedly the clocks go forward an hour on the last Sunday of March and summer still seems some way off. It still does, as I write, mid-May. It’s a changeable time of year weather-wise, one hot day lulling us all in to a false sense of security to finally close the lid on our winter wardrobes, quickly followed by a cold blast the next, so it’s good to be prepared for those cooler occasions when the sun’s obscured by the clouds. This outfit bridges the gap between the two, comprised mainly of iconic British brands which I am proud to advocate.

Believe it or not the inspiration for this ensemble came from the subtle burnt orange and turquoise check residing in the weave of the blazer – from Marks & Spencer’s Sartorial range, so I made them key tones. While there are contrasting patterns and textures going on, the same tones are carried through in the vintage foulard tie from John Lewis & Co and paisley wool pocket square from Farah.

The London slim fit shirt from TM Lewin’s SS15 collection adds a contemporary twist, its light blue mélange fabric, deceptively chambray-like from a distance, with a subtle texture and curved cutaway collar ensure you will always look polished in or out of the office. 

A good technique to help break up textures and patterns is the simple addition of a solid colour, such as this lightweight deep v-neck jumper also in burnt orange from Zara (the exception to what is a British-inspired outfit) – a layer that can easily be dispensed with as the mercury rises.

The curved spread collar mélange cuts quite a dash even without a tie

LINKS: Shirt: TM Lewin London slim fit light blue mélange cutaway collar shirt, £39.95, tmlewin.co.uk Tie: John Lewis & Co, Italian silk foulard pattern, £37.00, johnlewis.co.uk  Pocket square: Farah, £25, farah.co.uk