Orange: how to style menswear's most underrated trend

Christopher Raeburn autumn/winter 2018 (Rex)

The onset of autumn typically calls for more sombre tones but this year, the future is bright – in fact, it’s dressed in orange.

We’ve had everything from millennial pink to Gen Z yellow but it’s this fruity hue, in a multitude of varying shades, that’s dominating the menswear scene right now.

A colour one typically associates with the Nineties rave scene, traffic cones and “Hot Mugshot Guy” Jeremy Meeks, it’s no wonder most of us choose to shun orange from our sartorial radars.

But, if you want to look like you’ve got your finger firmly on the fashion pulse, you’re going to need to join the hype for the high-vis hue.

For autumn/winter, a whole host of designers made a case for bold jolts of orange but nowhere was this more prevalent than at Christopher Raeburn.

Here, a collection inspired by maritime distress saw everything from recycled immersion suits and neoprene jackets swathed in the colour, while knits came emblazoned with tangerine prints featuring albatrosses and krakens.

Elsewhere, the safety theme continued with creatives across the board incorporating elements from high-vis workwear into their designs.

Barbour Fell Jacket, £199, End Clothing

At Calvin Klein, this meant reflective flight suits in fluro orange worn with rubber boots, while Burberry layered classic black trenches with highlighter pen orange utility coats.

When it comes to bridging the gap between runway trend and everyday wear, our advice is to keep your look simple.

Jordan Zoom Tenacity 88, £69, End Clothing

While bright orange boiler suits and high-vis jackets might bode well on the catwalk, rarely do they translate as optimistically IRL; unless, of course, you do actually need to wear them for work.

Instead, we suggest using the hue as an accent to tonal outfits made up of complementary shades – which, in the world of colour means shades that are opposites on the colour wheel – like black or navy.

MK1 Aluminium 40mm Fabric Watch, £74.99, Timex

Orange speaks for itself so the rest of your outfit doesn’t need too many other elements. Simply sneak in a flash of tasteful tangerine on a stripy T-shirt, a cool pair of trainers, a watch or even socks, and you’ll tackle the line between stylish and garish expertly.

If you feel brave enough to take on something more statement though, investing in a piece of outwear will prove a bold move.

Vagn Classic Crew, £90, Norse Projects

In this instance, opt for something casual such as a parka or corduroy jacket in autumn-ready shades including burned orange or amber and wear with tailored trousers, boots and a chunky knit.

The Workers Club, Melange Cotton and Nylon-Blend Socks, £22, Mr Porter

Ribbed Knitted Scarf, £75, Reiss