As we come into spring semester, it is time for the men of Cardiff to ditch the sliders and tracksuit. We all know how easy it can be to simply chuck on the nearest thing that seems clean to head to your 9am lectures, but spring semester is the perfect time to step up your style. No longer being burdened by the never ending rain, a whole plethora of new options become available when you don’t just have to stick on the trusty raincoat.
The fit is truly the most important factor of your clothes – no need to go crazy or be super adventurous. The key is to nail the way the clothes fit you. Swap tapered or skinny jeans for vintage Levi’s, True Religion or baggy jeans. If you’re feeling like a change, try a slightly shorter fit of a t-shirt – the hem hitting your waistband instead of the typical longer fit. It shows a subtle hint of style in the simplest of outfits, and can show off any cool vintage belts that normally get covered. Coming into spring and summer, you can never go wrong with a linen shirt or linen trousers. With it being rugby season, look for vintage rugby shirts, with brands like Barbour and Ralph Lauren offering classy and slightly more stylish options, whether they’re new or if you opt for a vintage one for a more retro look. These can easily be found in charity shops or on Vinted for those on a budget and are perfect to wear to the Six Nations or the pub!
Following the release of TV Series ‘Love Story’, JFK Junior’s 90s looks are absolutely taking over social media with his classic, timeless style with a bit of a fun twist. This is the perfect place to take inspiration from, with a tirade of photos circulating Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok you’ll have no trouble finding examples of him flitting around the streets on a bike or strolling with his equally stylish wife. Think Kangol hats, backwards caps, neutral colour pallets and business casual made cool. If his style seems too formal for uni, you can draw inspiration in a re-modelled way, taking aspects such as buttoned shirts, or sweater vests but wearing them casually with jeans and some cool shoes or boots. If you’re looking to transition towards a more mature, post-grad ready style, this is a great shout.
After conducting some thorough research (asking my six female housemates), we concluded some sure winners for a man to wear in Cathays. The investigation results created a helpful source for male students that equally benefits the girls! We decided that you can never go wrong with an all-black outfit, a full linen look in summer, or a cool pair of carpenter jeans. A comfy but casual and easy look to incorporate is plain white t-shirt layered with a chunky knitted jumper or some dark raw denim jeans instead of the typical light wash Zara jeans will do wonders. For a more chilled look, go for some Canterbury track trousers paired with Birkenstock Bostons and a hoodie – some good brands you might want to consider include Scuffers, Akimbo or TwoJeys.
Accessories are an easy way to elevate the basics that already exist in your wardrobe if you’re looking for an easy fix. A watch, a chunky silver ring or a simple necklace and a cool belt can really elevate your outfit easily, and can be found in many places, 33MM is one of my favourite brands for both jewellery and clothes. Jackets are a great way to transform a simple t-shirt and jeans look into a cool street style fit. Consider a vintage Carhartt work jacket, which can be easily found in one of Cardiff’s many amazing vintage shops, or brands like Ronning, Illicit Bloc offer great unique alternatives. Switching up your shoe options are always a fun way to make a change and there’s so many good options out there. If you’re looking for a practical, outdoorsy shoe, Salomons are a great choice. For a more casual look, you could opt for some Onitsuka Tigers, or the classic Sambas.
Words by Millie Jack
Image credited to Alexis Presa via Unsplash. Image license found here.
