Written by Menswear Style in New Collections on the 28th September 2017

The Idle Man has truly gone from strength to strength. Actually, in the past 3 months alone the brand has grown to 2.5m monthly users, launched a US specific website, created a dedicated grooming section in partnership with BEAST grooming, and they’ve expanded an already flourishing own label offering to include 450 lines for AW17. Building on an impressive list of brands including Carhartt WIP, Converse and The North Face, The Idle Man’s own label development now places it firmly as the centrepiece in the online store. Found exclusively at The Idle Man, the collection is raising eyebrows across the menswear scene.

The AW17 Collection 

According to The Idle Mans blog, The Manual, for Autumn/Winter 2017 the brand is taking advantage of the way in which the rigidity of fashion is diminishing. Their latest lookbook emphasises the breakdown between smart and casual, demonstrating how clothes should be worn. With more contemporary looks consisting of loafers with joggers and overcoats with cross-body bags, as well as those classic looks you’d expect to find at this time of year. As the weather takes a turn, autumn is all about layering. Here they focused upon how layering can bring another dimension to your outfit, as well as keep you sufficiently warm during the cooler months. Layering has become a major trend on the catwalk and this has seeped down into everyday wear, which is easily achievable. A denim jacket, when combined with a lightweight shirt and T-shirt, will be light enough to achieve the look without getting too stuffy.

Their Autumn/Winter 2017 lookbook displays how you no longer have to choose between either smart or casual. Menswear has evolved dramatically in the past few years and its barriers have been completely broken down. Here they reflect upon this and show you that a pair of cuffed joggers you may have once upon a time thought only to be acceptable in the gym or at home, can now be paired with a pair of formal shoes or an overcoat which you would expect to be worn over a suit. This blend of smart and casual is something that has been seen across the board at some of the major catwalk shows, with the likes of Burberry getting in on the action, and we doubt it is going anywhere anytime soon.

A hoodie has become a staple for when the weather takes a turn for the cooler, and nothing is more on trend than one that is heavy on texture. A borg hoodie will fly past your normal go-to and take your look to another level, adding an extra dimension. Fleece has made a comeback in recent years and is no longer just something your dad would wear to stand at the side of the pitch on a Sunday morning. Instead, thanks to brands like Supreme and Palace, fleece has been elevated as a streetwear favourite. Again, nail the smart-casual look by juxtaposing borg with a structured overcoat.

Over the past year the cross-body bag has made a miraculous return. While at one time its reputation somewhat dwindled, with it being related to gangs and street crime, the bag is now a menswear staple. For Autumn/Winter 2017 it became one of the major trending accessories from Paris to Milan, with the likes of Louis Vuitton and Prada making them essential items to any wardrobe. Here The Idle Man show you how to wear one over the coming months, again pronouncing the connotations of old as dumbfounded. Team a cross body bag with quite literally any item to give it that streetwear touch and easily dress down formal classics like pinstripe trousers.

For Autumn/Winter 2017, menswear has gone further than it ever has before. Those rigid boundaries that have defined how a man should dress, most particularly with regards to formal and informal dressing, have been completely dismissed. Now men can combine elements of the two with ease, and this lookbook reflects this. Whether you wear an overcoat and joggers, or a cross body bag with an Oxford shirt, we're sure this is how you'll want to be dressing this season.

With a recent grooming partnership with BEAST grooming The Idle Man is growing rapidly. We consult their Manual and take a look at the new AW17 collection.