Across the great divide as city boys flirt with rugged country looks

THE blurring between town and country is a dominant theme in men’s dressing, offering interesting options for dressing down your smart wear or dressing up your casual wear, reflecting the increasingly less structured way in which modern men live their lives

Julian Fuller, head of menswear at Debenhams, says: “I have a couple of favourite trends this season. The first we called ‘Escape’... Imagine city boys leaving the city for the country and really looking the part, tweed blazers, chunky cable knits and brogues.

“The look can even be as simple as quilted hunting jackets or wax-cotton car coats worn over a heritage weave suit. It’s a real feast of British-ness.”

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These are looks that men of all ages can put together, layering wool and tweed suiting with outerwear that traditionally used to be seen only in the county.

In the olden days, such cross-dressing might well have been viewed as a fashion no-no on a ridiculous scale, but today it’s a contemporary take on classic clothes and accessories from both urban and rural environments.

Meanwhile, there’s also a strong retro theme to much of men’s fashion, tying in with a rugged, country look.

Julian Fuller says: “The other trend I love is called ‘Telemark’, after the 1965 Kirk Douglas movie ... Fairisle knits, from jumpers to bobble hats and scarves teamed with down-filled jackets and gilets.

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“A really strong opinionated trend, but for me the look is really pulled together with accessories, twisted marl rib socks, military boots and the essential rucksack.”

Must-haves for men this autumn from Debenhams include classic key pieces, but worn with a contemporary twist, to update the look for modern men, says Julian.

“I’d take wardrobe essentials like button-down Oxford shirts and chinos and mix them with one statement piece – a Mantaray Fairisle jumper or the St George Toggle shawl neck. That way you don’t look like you’re trying too hard. Simply turn up the chinos a couple of times, slip on some walking boots, and you’re ready to go. For the brave add a colour flash with some rib socks.”

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