That desperate crying you can hear? Oh, that's the nation's primary school kids collectively coming to terms with the fact that school once again becomes a reality next week, and not a distant concept. You might be forgiven for emitting your own groan or quiet sob of acceptance, but let's face it, summer is only as good as it is because it only comes round once a year. So back to work it is! At least you don't have to wear short shorts and a cap, or be humiliated playing conkers in the playground, but we digress... September is actually a great month in terms of style: coming back to the office after the long lay off, combined with the drop in temperature, gives us a chance to rethink and reassess our wardrobes for the autumn and winter ahead.
Mansfield Jacket |
Conduit Classic Shirt |
Solovair x Oliver Spencer Brown |
Well thankfully, the task at hand doesn't require any drastic changes. In fact, we'd recommend going back to the basics in terms of office kit. Linen shirts and suiting can be thanked for the honourable service and packed away, making space for cotton and wool iterations respectively. The bright, vibrant, fun-loving tones of the summer can also be given their marching orders, while more muted autumnal tones take the high ground, notwithstanding a few splashes of brightness in the form of autumnal yellow, burnt orange, plum and forest green.
Talbot Roll Neck Jumper |
Drawstring Trousers |
Paraboot Michael |
WIth the office calling, so too then the suit, which means multiple iterations of Oliver Spencer's Solms jacket in organic cotton. It's relaxed tailoring at its best, and perfect for the transition into autumn when temperatures can fluctuate. Combined with our perennial pleated, drawstring and judo trousers, you can wear them matching or split them up as in the Italian method of 'spezzato'. For us, this season is also all about textures, and there's few better than corduroy to add a tactile touch to a suit. The wales of this brilliant fabric give it a more dimensional look than wool, taking off the formal edge of the tailored shape, as seen on Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate.
Solms Jacket Deakin |
Solms Jacket Deakin |
Solms Jacket Deakin |
If the suit isn't required, your back-to-work wardrobe opens up significantly, giving you the option of lightweight blousons, bombers, and textural knits. You can opt for a collegiate-inspired preppy look with one of this season's key cardigans, or go for a more casual sporty aesthetic with a zip-through jersey that can easily be layered beneath a blazer to mash-up genres.
New York Special |
Brook Shirt Warland |
New York Special Shirt |
One of the key categories for back to work is shirts, naturally. For some workplaces, the classic white or pale blue spread collar will be statutory uniform, but if you are afforded more flexibility in your choice of shirt, then this season's options at Oliver Spencer offer plenty of tonal richness and fabric diversity, highlighted by styles such as our New York Special Elmsley Green, cut from a unique Japanese cotton, or the brushed organic cotton of the Brook Shirt Warland in Green Multi, all of which pair seamlessly with our relaxed tailored jackets. Or if you want to drop it down a notch, wear them with a cardigan or beneath a crew neck sweater for a preppy look.
Buffalo Jacket |
Pleated Trousers |
Buffalo Jacket |
Similarly with footwear, if you're office doesn't demand a classic pair of Oxfords, then a pair of Paraboot's classic Michael Derby shoes helps smooth over the uniformity of a suit, while our collaboration with Solovair on a collection of Monkey boots works a treat with more laid back separates. The best thing about a back-to-work ensemble like this is that each element can easily be incorporated into your casual weekend wardrobe, too. Timeless silhouettes reimagined in contemporary ways afford you that versatility. That's what we do at Oliver Spencer.
Shop New Arrivals