header image: jacob elordi in custom bode jacket
words: aggy kazlauskas
it's time to kick boredom to the curb
in the big year of ’26 – where pantone’s colour of the year is apparently… ‘cloud dancer’ (thankfully, no) – the #sadbeige aesthetic is desperately clinging for dear life. in fact, talking about it in the first place is probably helping it inch closer towards its short-lived comeback, from neutral tones and minimalistic furniture infiltrating every social media user’s interiors to the rise of greige. sounds dull, doesn’t it? even normcore, recognised for its unpretentious, average-looking clothing, gets a pass here – at least it has a strong, occasionally charming sense of identity.
yet there is hope – a sentiment that ourculture magazine shares, too. from the intergenerational yearning for y2k to the revival of 2016’s rose-tinted filter, even if it’s done somewhat facetiously, a cohort of today’s microtrends lead the charge against boredom. there is a good reason zara larsson’s ‘symphony’ dolphin meme went viral, after all.
and while none of us might be able to snag that jacob elordi jacket for ourselves, the below pieces certainly do a great job at kicking dullness to the curb.
by parra
Freak Scene Reversible Track Top
in true practical fashion, this playful jacket will quickly become your go to for a last-minute double act. when – or rather if – the swirling print ever turns into the culprit behind your fit’s dissonance, just flip it inside out for a sleek pop of maroon.
£179.00, endclothing.com
wax london
Park – Bright Blue Tonal Applique Jacket
featuring a boxy fit perfect for all-day wear (short kings, don this one with your favourite high-wasted trousers to look taller), the wax park jacket is the duotone layer every fella needs in their wardrobe.
£265.00, waxlondon.com
scrt
Drifter Cuban Shirt
drawing life from german filmmaker Wim Wenders’s ’84 drama film paris, texas, this image print shirt is an absolute must-have in every cinephile’s collection.
£140.00, scrt.onl
white stuff
Hayle SS Abstract Print Shirt
the stunning print is the main attraction here, bringing just enough of a weathered look to make this shirt seem like a robust piece you’ve proudly worn for years.
£45.00, whitestuff.com
arket
Oversized Oxford Shirt
arket is often recognised for its minimalist, modern-day designs – however, this checkered longsleeve steals the show as one of the swedish brand’s most fun offerings.
£75.00, arket.com
Carhartt WIP
Carhartt WIP x Nicholas Daley Modular Jacket
every person should own at least a single carhartt jacket in their lifetime; it’s a robust essential that’ll last you for years – and this divine piece of outerwear, which nods to its designer nicholas daley’s jamaican and scottish heritage, might just be the best investment you’ll ever make.
£300.00, carhartt-wip.com
oas
Eldovado Viscose Shirt
a true relaxed fit for summer heat by the pier (hey londoners, brighton’s only an hour away). fortunately for you, there’s also a pair of matching swim shorts you can treat yourself to.
£130.00, oascompany.com
animal
Cove Men’s Flannel Shirt
this flannel does exactly what it says on the tin – despite its pretty ordinary look, it’s a versatile midweight layer that’ll see you through the brisk, post-10pm pub garden escapades with mates. pair it with a deep pleat trouser to tap into your inner eclectic grandpa.
£49.99, animal.co.uk
kotn
Ramzy Knit Shirt
florals for spring might sound like a cliché (thanks a lot miranda priestly, thanks a lot) but this knit, which draws inspo from 1950s button-down polos, is the perfect middle ground of habitual and joyful.
£65.00, kotn.com
