The business of style 3 professionals, 3 on-point looks

Today’s working landscape has changed. While anyone over 50 might remember a time before cell phones, when everyone wore a suit and casual Friday’s were the thing of fiction, things are now altogether more flexible. There are fewer rules, and the ones we have are being endlessly bent or completely dismantled (trainers with a tuxedo, anyone?)

This new way of working brings with it a raft of dressing challenges. After all, you don’t want to be the guy in a two-piece when everyone else is racing around in jeans and slogan T-shirts. To that end, we’ve pulled together an outfit cheat sheet by a man with the sartorial know-how - Trunk’s Mats Klingberg - for three different types of working man, designed to serve as a reference point for anyone who may need a helping hand.

Men in this camp can work in a number of professions, but the unifying rule is they don’t spend more than a week in the same city. When your work takes you on and off airplanes and in and out of cabs, comfort and versatility in your wardrobe take on a whole new importance. “You should basically be able to reach in to your wardrobe blindfolded and pick out a jacket, a shirt and a pair of trousers and they will match,” says Klingberg. “This will make dressing and packing so much easier and you’ll get more use out of everything.” So, staple knitwear, jackets and lightweight trousers in brown, grey, black are a great start.

If you’re in London, Berlin or Australia, chances are you know at least 13 people who work in graphic design. Are they in suits? No, we didn’t think so. Still, it’s no excuse to let style slide. Sub-30, you can get away with printed T-shirts and light denim, but head north of that number and you’re better off opting on the smarter side. Think Steve Jobs and you’re on the right track. Klingberg says, “Keep it as simple as possible, so that you can put most of your efforts on living life and getting the job done.” That means a loosely tailored jacket, chinos or slim trousers, block-colour knitwear and brown leather or suede loafers.

The 2018 CEO is as likely to be that nerdy 20-year-old in jeans and an old sweater as he is to be suited and booted. We would suggest, however, opting for a slightly smarter rendition of the look than Mark Zuckerberg. For a modern twist that still means business, mix-and-match your jackets and trousers; alternatively, you can always rely on the classic navy or charcoal wool-mix suit. Klingberg advises, “Have things tailored to fit if needed, and you’ll go a long way. We all come in different shapes and forms, so alterations can make a big difference to how something fits, which in turn can make a big difference to how you look and feel. This is not about being vain; it’s about being smart.” We couldn’t agree more.