More than a shirt, but not quite a coat and a style hero for spring 2018.

At MR PORTER HQ in London we’ve spent the best part of our week bravely weathering a storm – dubbed by the tabloids as “The Beast from the East” – that has blanketed our city in a Dickensian frost. Trains have stopped, schools have closed, and our continental neighbours think we’re the Aunt Sally of Europe for our histrionic reaction to a bit of snow. Even worse though, the bad weather caught us by surprise in the wardrobe department, and we’ve been freezing all week. As such, we’ve resolved to be much more sensible when spring finally arrives later this month, and we think we’ve found the perfect thing for the transitional weather: the overshirt. Incorporating the warmth and durability of a coat with the tailored sharpness of a shirt, an overshirt is a springtime marvel. We’ve picked three out below that we hope will save you from any unexpected weather in the coming months, beastly or otherwise.

It must be the yellow, but there’s something about this camp-collar cotton-nylon overshirt from Freemans Sporting Club that reminds us of those classic fisherman’s raincoats. And while we wouldn’t recommend it when aboard a North Sea trawler, it has been made from Teflon-coated cotton and nylon blend, making it particularly appropriate for inclement weather and springtime showers. Layer it over this black T-shirt from Stockholm-based brand Acne Studios, made from substantial cotton jersey for a bit of extra warmth, plus a good contrast of colour. You’re welcome, skipper.

This army-green ripstop-cotton jacket from Pop Trading Company is durable, comfortable, and it’s inspired by skate culture. In other words, that makes it the perfect mashup of workwear and streetwear. Wear it over a sweater or T-shirt, plus these Aries selvedge denim jeans – note the unusual rope belt, a detail which adds a point of difference perfect for a dressed-down look.

The Lost Explorer, founded by Mr David de Rothschild, makes organic and sustainable clothing that strikes the rare balance between outdoorsy utilitarianism and cosmopolitan style. This rain-print camouflage number comes is a contemporary take on a safari-style overshirt, and its boxy fit will look great paired with these white wide-legged trousers from Studio Nicholson. They’re admittedly less safari appropriate, but we think they’ll look rather natty in the concrete jungle.

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