Much as we at Octer enjoy the sun, summer holidays and the fancy-free style that comes with it – vibrant aloha shirts, toe-exposing shoes, thigh-skimming lengths, and not a jacket in sight– there is something to be said for the cosiness and withdrawal that awaits thereafter. In the sunshine, there’s an expectation for clothing to be raucous, and skin clean shaven and exposed, as we awkwardly attempt to manage the heat and look vaguely respectable whilst doing so. So, by the time autumn rolls in, we’re secretly pleased that we can breathe a sigh of relief and relax a little, snuggling up to the season ahead.
Now, you’ve certainly all heard of comfort food for autumn, but what about comfort dressing? The perfect combination of slouch and style, we see it as the fashion equivalent of a eating a hearty stew at home with the heating cranked up. And, as you can imagine, this season is the perfect time for it.
So what goes into dressing in a way that offers maximum comfort but doesn’t permit the inclusion of your duvet? It’s all about investing in shapes that don’t confine or restrict the body in touchy-feely fabrics that you simply want to live in. Colours that are subdued but satisfying, and styling combinations that are simple but effective so you don’t have to waste a minute needlessly wondering what to wear on increasingly-darker mornings. They need to be warm enough to deal with the bite that’s now hanging in the air, but light enough to handle the sudden peaks in temperatures that you so often experience at this time of year. It should still be stylish but, above all, it should feel utterly effortless.
Cool, simple and well-executed pieces are something that AllSaints do very well, which is why they’re our menswear go-to right now. Particular highlights already include an oversized red and black stripe wool-blend jumper and the tapered Hayward sweatpants which only need a pair of converse or a leather sneaker to make the ultimate autumn day uniform.
Here we highlight the essential comfort clothes we’ll be adding to our wardrobes asap. They’re all a bit cool and casual but made in such a way - whether it’s the quality of fabric or the consideration in the cut - that makes them feel instantly elevated and luxe.