Cobalt blue and orange - putting sizzle into spring and summer

I've mentioned cobalt blue and orange before - but separately. Both have been seen more frequently over the last year or two. But how about putting the two colours together?

Deji George

Orange and bright blue work well together, as can be seen from the pocket square above from the interesting new brand, Deji George (about whom more here) . At opposite ends of the colour wheel, hot and cool, they positively crackle and pop when next to each other. Here's a selection to put sizzle into your spring and summer.

If you have any favourite orange/cobalt blue in your wardrobe or collection, let me know - I'm happy to do a follow-up post. Hmm... how about a bright blue blazer with orange chinos?

Hackett

Lyle & Scott

British Boxers - OK, they're worn underneath, but why not go the whole hog?

Jigsaw

Marks & Spencer

PinCollarShirts.co.uk

Marks & Spencer

Lyle & Scott

PinCollarShirts.co.uk

London Sock Co

Deji George pocket squares

Hackett lightweight mac

PinCollarShirts.co.uk

Marks & Spencer

Jigsaw Menswear

Lyle & Scott

London Sock Co

Jigsaw - SS14

If you'll indulge me in the cold depths of winter, I'd like to show you a few items from the spring/summer 2014 collection of a brand which I haven't explored here before - Jigsaw Menswear.

Jigsaw colours for SS14 menswear

With classic but modern looks, fabrics and cuts and a very original feel to it, Jigsaw should be tried by the man who wants something different but not extreme, whether he's young or a grey fox. In the image below I enjoy my first look at Jigsaw menswear.

Blues and Shoes (shoes made in England by Sanders)

The colours are quite remarkable, as shown by the jacket I'm holding above. The variety of shades of blue, from indigo to pale slate, with splashes of colour set off by muted creams, greys and putty hues, give the collection an impressive cohesion. Textures and small multiple patterns add interest. As designer Frances Walker showed me each piece I decided that I had found a brand that I could happily buy into - one of the aims of my hunt for style as an older man.

Below are a few favourite pieces from Jigsaw's spring/summer collection for 2014. I hope to show you more when the weather has warmed a little - the collection is in Jigsaw Menswear shops, so have a look.

The current Jigsaw-Online collection can be found here - there's some very attractive chunky knitwear.

Chunky knitwear at Jigsaw for Men

Continuing my chunky knitwear theme, Jigsaw relaunched their menswear range this year and, with winter's icy grip tightening, I was interested to see what they have to offer.

Middle age brings the worry that cable-knit woollens go with slippers and a nice cup of tea in front of a warm fire - and are therefore best left to the young who can pull these things off. This is rubbish. Like jeans, warm woollies are not the preserve of the young and the older man has every right to confidently reclaim what is rightly his. Just make sure they fit (not too baggy; not too skinny) and don't wear them with your slippers; they go better with jeans or cords and country brogues.

It's good to see traditional knitwear patterns being used and adapted to make attractive and wearable garments. My favourite is the patchwork cable roll neck in the first image. The long-overdue return of the polo-neck (or turtleneck if you're US) is very welcome. See Jigsaw-Online.