January is the perfect month to get back to basics. With each new year commences myriad ideals at how we all plan to live better — whether that’s eating healthy, quiet evenings spent at home or switching off digitally to spend more time on analogue hobbies.
Rarely does the wardrobe enter into such resolutions, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. For the new year is an opportune time to pare back our possessions and invest in some sartorial building blocks that will see you through the coming year and beyond. From smart white T-shirts to a relaxed pair of cream chinos or a casual brushed cotton shirt, having a core edit of staples will make getting dressed easier every day.
At Trunk, we’ve worked hard to perfect the fits of our essentials range to elevate the simplest items in your closet into premium pieces; our slim-cut York T-shirt is crafted with trimmed seams and a neat neckline that ensures it sits flat underneath blazers, while our Oldbury jacket is unlined to give it a relaxed feel that still looks crisp in a sturdy cotton-twill.
And our fabrics are as considered as our fits. We use only the finest cotton for our Trunk collection to ensure the pieces you love to wear will only get better with each wash. Crafted entirely in Europe, our Trunk edit of wardrobe staples includes everything you need to see you through from work to weekend — from office shirts in hues of powder blue to our new Trunk cotton-corduroy trousers that can be dressed up or down for maximum versatility. And with cotton’s naturally breathable fabrication, these staples will seamlessly transition into spring when the warmer weather arrives.
We’ve rounded up your ultimate capsule wardrobe for the coming year — or decade. You’ll wonder how you ever got dressed without them.
The ultimate T-shirt
A well-fitting, short-sleeved T-shirt is the backbone of any wardrobe — and we’d go as far to say that our in-house version is the perfect T-shirt. Crafted from a soft mid-weight cotton, our Trunk York T-shirt has a streamlined silhouette — which makes it suitable to wear under both blazers and shirts as an extra under-layer — and is designed to hit the hip in a flattering length, so it’s ideal worn over jeans and chinos or tucked into high-waisted trousers. Available in versatile hues of white, grey and navy.
The smart-casual shirt
Invest in a shirt that can take you from work to weekend — and our Trunk Seymour shirt is just the ticket. In a mid-blue chambray with a slightly textured weave, this lightweight shirt has a semi-spread collar and a slightly relaxed fit. It’s neat enough to be worn with trousers and a tie yet relaxed enough to wear with jeans and casual chinos; take it on vacation, too, to wear with cotton shorts for summer nights spent in bars by the beach.
The work shirt
A work shirt should be two things — smart and comfortable. And our Trunk Oxford shirt is exactly that. Cut to the same silhouette as our Seymour chambray version, our Oxford button-up is crafted from a classic cotton cloth which is crisp, cool and breathable. Single-button cuffs offer a sportier take on the traditional office shirt, and the gently relaxed cut means it’s perfect to layer underneath crew neck sweaters on cooler days, too.
The everyday blazer
Want a jacket that will take you from smart-casual business lunch to weekends in the country? The Trunk Oldbury jacket looks sharp whether it’s paired with lightweight trousers or jeans. Featuring a half belted back that gives a slightly tailored fit and patch pockets that offer a safari feel, this casual blazer is crafted from a mid-weight twill which is durable and easy to care for. Its two internal pockets are ideally sized to fit a passport — be sure to pack it on your next business trip for that unexpected client dinner.
The corduroy trouser
Every man’s wardrobe should contain a pair of corduroy trousers — the texture smartens up casual looks and looks just as good paired with a seasonal knit in cooler temperatures as a spring T-shirt. Taking their silhouette from a pair of 1960s denim jeans, our Trunk Duke corduroy trousers are new to Trunk for this season and are a smart alternative to a chino. With jean-finished hems that give them a contemporary feel, these trousers are crafted from a cotton-corduroy with added stretch for extra comfort.
Shop the entire Trunk collection here