INSPIRATION AND ADVICE

HOW WE DO TEXTURE

By Lakeisha Goedluck, 16 February 2018

Thanks to the likes of Prada and Astrid Andersen, the AW17 runways saw dadcore have its day. From velour tracksuits to corduroy cuts, mismatched 70s-flavoured styling was fully on the sartorial agenda. For SS18, the temptation to play around with textures is still present – and here’s how the guys at ASOS HQ are dressing in various fabrics with finesse this season.

Big on borg

As we’re midway through February, the sun’s finally out but it’s still seriously cold outside. To both keep warm and tick the tactile threads box, opt for a transitional layer made from borg – a synthetic sheepskin-style material that’s become a cult cover-up over the last few years.

Go for an all-over borg fleece like our culture writer Sam to nail that not-quite-spring aesthetic. Choose one in a moss-green shade and pair it with slate-grey trews for an understated ensemble. Finish with pink kicks to contrast the rest off your ’fit and signal that you’re ready for some real sunshine.

Velour vibes

Although rocking velour was ubiquitous during the 70s, nowadays it's considered a bold move. To give your wardrobe a retro edge, try experimenting with the ultra-soft fabric. Here, artworker Nawal masters two trends at once by going for a striped velour half-zip in fluorescent colours.

He channels skater style by pairing his top with a short-sleeved denim shirt. The stitching adds some extra flavour to his already eye-catching top half, so if you’re keen to emulate his look, keep your bottom half basic – black trews and matching creps should do the trick.

Colourful corduroy

When it comes to the most hyped fabrics of the moment, corduroy is way up there. A go-to textile during the 70s, wide-leg trousers and jackets made of the stuff have been seen on street stylers everywhere in recent months. To make the AW17 favourite appropriate for spring, go for a transitional jacket.

Senior editor Matt wears a back-print mustard-yellow bomber jacket from skate brand Diamond Supply Co. and pairs it with camel-coloured work pants and a graphic-print sweatshirt for a relaxed, vintage feel. To round off a look like this, rep clean white kicks to not detract from your standout outerwear.

Popping padding

After years of viewing sleeveless steez with suspicion, the menswear sphere has finally begun to appreciate the gilet as the stellar bit of kit it is. If you’re ready to incorporate the piece into your sartorial arsenal, choose a padded one to get on the texture hype (bonus: it'll also add extra warmth during this crossover period).

Pictures: ASOS

Junior Looped editor Nic also jumps on the bright-colour trend by opting for one in a vibrant orange hue. Follow in his footsteps and team yours with subdued cuts – a pale-coloured long-sleeved top, slim-fit light-washed jeans and minimal kicks are a sensible shout.