UPGRADE YOUR WARDROBE WITH THESE UTILITY STAPLES

Barbour Icons Durham hooded jacket in navy, £279.00

You can’t get more classic British utility than a waxed-cotton jacket, and no waxed jacket is more iconic than Barbour’s. The Durham was introduced in 1969 for all kinds of outdoor pursuits, like fishing, hiking and birdwatching. Today’s version is a bit lighter (perfect for spring!), but it’s just as lightweight and weatherproof as the original. Don’t confine it to the countryside – it deserves just as much of a showing on city streets.

Dickies canvas carpenter trousers in washed light tan, £75.00
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Carpenter trousers are cut loose for ease of movement – as a rule, carpenters are more likely to make desks than spend all day sitting at them. They’re also made from sturdy fabric like denim or corduroy and have plenty of pockets for your smaller tools. Dickies makes the OG carpenter trousers. They're made from tan canvas that's especially sturdy. How do you know they’re true carpenter trousers? There’ll be a fabric loop, usually on the left leg, which was for hanging your hammer, but becomes a nice style detail for everyday wear.

Levi's the denim trucker jacket in tonal stripe, £100
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There’s a denim workwear jacket for everyone. Chore jackets are cut loose and have plenty of useful pockets. Mechanics jackets are cut closer and look especially slick thanks to their pointed collars and minimal zip fastenings. And then you have the classic trucker jacket, and Levi’s is the granddaddy of denim trucker jackets. This micro-striped style is a riff on the brand’s classic Mark III.

Carhartt WIP double knee shorts in mid wash, £100
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C’mon now, what would utility clothing be without Carhartt? The brand’s WIP offshoot marries its workwear originals with modern shapes and fabrics, and these shorts are a perfect example. They’re double-layered at the knees and reinforced with rivets for durability, while the tool pockets fit the workwear brief. They’re cut from stonewashed denim that will develop a personalised patina the more you wear them.

Topman baggy fit twill cargo in camo print, £55
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It’s a delicious irony that camouflage print, once intended to blend in with your surroundings, is now guaranteed to make your utility ‘fit stand out. This beloved print is a great way to break up block colours, and the earth-toned colours really complement denim and other neutrals. Wear these Topman trousers with a regular-fit tee and chunky retro trainers.