In an age of agile working, loosening dress codes and the dominance of sportswear, it can be hard to get a handle on what “smart” clothing even is any more. Once, it was a suit and tie, worn with handmade leather shoes and a nice dress watch. Maybe a pocket square, if you really wanted to push the boat out. Now sweatpants can be smart, sneakers can be smart, there’s even workout gear designed to take you from the bench-press to the boardroom. But true smartness still resides where it always has: in care and attention to detail. In elegant lines, luxurious materials, fine finishing and the timeworn craftsmanship that goes into making a simple piece a thing of beauty. And if it’s smartness you want, you need to start with your shoes.

We’re creatures of habit. Once we find something that works, we stick with it. And that’s usually the right approach. But there are a few things worth updating from time to time. A refresh in the bag department, for instance, will easily elevate your look and take the guesswork out of styling. What’s more, an investment bag can be considered something of an heirloom. In fact, it may get even better with age – meaning that it can become that cherished piece you rely on over and over again. So, get one of each of these in the bag and you’ll be set for any occasion.

SS25 will go down in style history as the season the blazer truly came into its own. Once defined as a brightly coloured sports jacket worn on balmy summer evenings by members of cricket and rowing clubs, the modern blazer has evolved into the ultimate wardrobe essential. Whether you lean towards classic shades of grey or black and style your blazer with other tailored pieces for a broken suit (look to the spring collections from Dries Van Noten and Gucci) or dress it down with denim for ease (Saman Amel is the brand to watch), the blazer is the most versatile piece of spring tailoring. Without further ado, here are the five best ways to style yours.

Daylight hours may be getting longer, but the time for knitwear is still very much with us. And if, in the not-too-distant past, woollens had a reputation for being stuffy and old-fashioned, that is thankfully no longer the case. Knitwear? Knit everywhere is more like it these days. The right piece can transform an outfit, adding colour or texture, serving as a welcome extra layer and even making a statement in its own right. More importantly, even when it looks cool, it will keep you warm.

In an age of agile working, loosening dress codes and the dominance of sportswear, it can be hard to get a handle on what “smart” clothing even is any more. Once, it was a suit and tie, worn with handmade leather shoes and a nice dress watch. Maybe a pocket square, if you really wanted to push the boat out. Now sweatpants can be smart, sneakers can be smart, there’s even workout gear designed to take you from the bench-press to the boardroom. But true smartness still resides where it always has: in care and attention to detail. In elegant lines, luxurious materials, fine finishing and the timeworn craftsmanship that goes into making a simple piece a thing of beauty. And if it’s smartness you want, you need to start with your shoes.

We’re creatures of habit. Once we find something that works, we stick with it. And that’s usually the right approach. But there are a few things worth updating from time to time. A refresh in the bag department, for instance, will easily elevate your look and take the guesswork out of styling. What’s more, an investment bag can be considered something of an heirloom. In fact, it may get even better with age – meaning that it can become that cherished piece you rely on over and over again. So, get one of each of these in the bag and you’ll be set for any occasion.