This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
Sometimes I find myself looking at the menswear section of online fashion brands as I know it is something that my husband does not do. He is still a street walker/window shopper and that is only when he literally has worn out something and needs a replacement.
Of all the members of my family he is the most eco-friendly as he buys so little. He is a regular at the shoe repairers and his re-cycling involves giving it to our children as they love a baggy sweater (even with additional holes) as part of their loungewear.
So it is often I who say I have found this great jacket/jumper/pair of shoes online and I know he would like them. Of course he always says he does not need them and so inevitably it is my bank card that is called upon!
Marks and Spencer menswear in store is man-friendly, easy to browse, friendly staff and a great range on offer. However the men’s section is nearly always upstairs, often at the back of the store so it involves a concerted effort to get my Other Half there.
Online shopping is the answer as I order it and he can try it on at his leisure. We have recently had a real clear out of his wardrobe sent a few old cashmere favourites to Turtle Doves for recycling, made a couple of his favourite trousers into summer shorts using our new local Turkish tailors.
However there is room for some additions and it is often to Marks and Spencer menswear online that I start my hunt.
My OH loves some colour in his wardrobe and this Long-sleeve polo in green is a great start. This is a masculine version of the mint green colour that I have seen creeping in to Spring collections for women.
For £29.50, machine washable and tumble dry it is a great purchase – practical and smart.
A casual spring Quilted Jacket with Stormwear™ in navy for £79 caught my eye. It is water- repellent which is a necessity in our climate and yet does not carry the exorbitant price tag of other outerwear brands.
I think my OH is no longer a bomber jacket wearer but this longer length is a good alternative.
I know that cycling has taken off and is now the male-dominated pastime of choice. However I am not sure I can quite embrace the men-in-lycra look. For those of slightly advanced years this t-shirt may not be as ergonomically speedy but it is more sartorially elegant. Maybe OH can don it at the weekend to give the impression that he is one of the cycling fraternity!
At £17.50 it is a good price and makes for a fun talking point.
These casual leather Chelsea boots, also available in brown, again are a good transitional item before our men reach for their summer sandals (please no – I haven’t recovered from David Cameron’s choice of summer footwear). At £69 they are great value for money.
For days that call for lightweight layering, this cotton twill overshirt is the ideal piece. Cut in a timeless fit. Added details such as front flap pockets and elbow patches give a utility vibe. For me it is all about the choice of colours – not just uniform navy. Many men have to wear black, grey, navy all week at work so they need some colour at the weekend.
At £35 and a choice of 5 colours it is a versatile piece as can be worn on its own or open over a tee-shirt.
For some everyday pure cotton v-necks then have a look at this range in 12 colours at £19.50. Great for layering under a jacket as well as just wearing over a tee-shirt when the summer arrives.
And if you want to get ahead then have a look at these Chino shorts in 14 colours with some stretch in the fabric. I bought these last year for OH and he said they were so comfortable and a much better fit than some designer ones he has that were 10 times the price (bought on an unregulated, by me, moment at an airport.)
At £15 I think I may pop a couple of pairs in my online basket.
To complete the summer holiday look these longer line cargo swim shorts give a little extra coverage. Chuck out all those budgie-smugglers or those shorts that just do not keep everything in check and get your man a pair of these.
Be advised these will sell out fast as I discovered last summer when I waited until a fortnight before our holiday. When I saw them this season, and for £25, I persuaded my husband that longer swim-shorts were this season’s trend.
If I have any criticism of Marks and Spencer menswear it is that there is too many slim-fit or tailored clothes. Also all the models are young which doesn’t help when shopping for an older man. However the clothes are great quality, budget-friendly and there is enough of a choice to keep my OH happy.
To view the Spring menswear at Marks and Spencer click HERE
For more A&G fashion posts click HERE.