While the utilitarian trend in menswear has its roots in the designs of working-class uniforms, with their unadorned, practical approach to design, the style continues to evolve.
Today, the hot new trend is the mixing of formal wear with sportswear. While many designers have been championing the suit-and-sneakers combo as a mix of casual and formal, the new utilitarian look shakes things up by incorporating a sporty trainer jacket that can be worn with dress shirts and ties as an alternative to blazers or formal jackets. The look is created with simple, monochromatic ensembles, as exemplified by menswear specialist Z Zegna’s blue trainer jacket, matched with a light blue shirt, dark blue tie and pants, all from their Fall-Winter 2012 collection. Easily translated into high-street brands such as Topman and Zara, it adds a touch of dashing sportiness to modern man’s work wear.