Menswear Outfit Builds
Did you know that when Maze first opened in 1985, it was a stand-alone menswear store? We handpick each item from our partner brands to blend seamlessly with one another, curating a menswear collection that offers effortless options for many styles.
Written by Jenny Garcia.
Photography by Tayla Nebesky for Maze.
There’s a clean relaxed elegance to Maze menswear, pleasing in its simplicity. The neutral colour palette allows pieces from each of the Maze partner brands to mix seamlessly with one another, creating outfits that blend so well, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d been designed by one brand.
It’s not all a happy coincidence of course. It takes time and skill to buy from multiple designers to build an in-house collection like this, but that’s why Maze has stood the test of time for over three decades, they make it all look and feel so effortless. That’s exactly how it felt to style the SS22 menswear collection back in early March, effortless.
It’s not all safe easy neutrals though, there’s always a few curve balls for those that like to add a jaunty print, a colour pop, a sporty dynamic or more formal aesthetic. It’s these sartorial twists that are often key to a man’s wardrobe. Having less choice than women when it comes to individual items of clothing, in general not opting for skirts and dresses, a fun print or bit of dopamine dressing with a bright hue, helps keep things fresh, but more than this, these elements allow the wearer to express their personality through their outfit choice.
Building blocks and a capsule wardrobe are just as key to men as they are to women. Usually formed of a good casual style blazer and/or sporty jacket, jeans, a track trouser, plain/stripe tees, motif and plain sweats, casual and formal shirts. It’s not rocket science, but it’s remarkably easy to get it wrong. Menswear is all about the cut, the details, colours and finish off the garments, things that Maze and their partner brands know a lot about.
A French style chore jacket, created in the early 20th Century, is always a good place to start. They work equally with shorts or trousers and can be dressed up or down by layering over a sweat or tee, a naturally crumpled linen or more formal crisp cotton shirt. The Folk Assembly jacket at the more casual end in natural or bright navy, the Universal Works Baker jacket in navy or stone twill at the more informal end of formal and Oliver Spencer’s Cowboy Jacket that sits suitably relaxed somewhere in the middle.
The Cowboy, made from 100% linen, is sustainable and cool. Keep it simple with the Norse Projects Aros Heavy Chinos in dark navy, Universal Works Road Shirt and Novesta Star Master Trainers. For that sporty take, try the Norse Projects Falun Shorts and Fyn Jacket in deep sea green with Sunray’s Laniakea Sweat in orchid, a harmonious and considered colour palette. Keeping with the sporty vibe, I highly recommend the Rains Woven Shorts and Jacket co-ord, perfect with the Tropical Pink T-Shirt from Folk, Norse Sport Cap and trainers. A clean modern pared back look, perfect for a city break, parkland walk or BBQ with friends.
Returning momentarily to the French inspiration, I’m punting (sorry) for some nautical stripes from Folk's Classic T-Shirt, combine this with the rich texture with the Oliver Spencer’s Tabley Polo. Wear with your favourite chinos and the Truro Jacket, when the nights are still a little chilly.
Finally, at that more formal end of formal, the Universal Works London Jacket and Military Chino in stone twill, partnered with the Oyster Paul Shirt from Hartford or Folk Seoul Shirt in light orange, depending on how bold you want to go, will make a fine impression on date night, a country wedding, or day at the races.
Now the outfits are sorted, did someone say something about a BBQ, City break, wedding or date night, let’s go (we’ll park the parkland walks for now, lockdown has exhausted that side of us)!