CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

As the first signs of spring approach and the season officially turns on March 20th, the shift in weather brings with it the perfect excuse for a wardrobe refresh. Heavier winter layers begin to give way to lighter fabrics, brighter tones and effortless styling — a seasonal transition that feels both energising and practical. With its latest Spring Fashion Style Guide, TK Maxx offers a straightforward approach to building a wardrobe that balances style, versatility and value.

Spring dressing, at its core, is about adaptability. The key lies in selecting pieces that move easily between work, weekends and social occasions without feeling overly formal or too relaxed. When it comes to tops, a small collection of reliable staples can do most of the heavy lifting. Crisp white T-shirts, oversized shirts and breathable linen pieces provide the kind of versatility that works across multiple settings, delivering comfort while maintaining a polished appearance.

The same philosophy applies to workwear during the warmer months. Breathable and lightweight materials become essential, allowing for professional looks that remain comfortable throughout the day. A solid foundation might start with well-cut trousers or chinos, paired with an airy shirt that keeps things fresh and relaxed. Layering still plays an important role too. A lightweight blazer or soft cardigan adds refinement while offering warmth for cooler mornings, while a classic trench coat is a practical addition when spring showers inevitably appear.

Footwear should strike a similar balance between practicality and polish. Loafers and ankle boots offer a refined edge suitable for meetings and office environments, while smarter trainers provide a contemporary option that remains commute-friendly without sacrificing style.

Colour also plays a subtle but important role. Neutral tones act as the backbone of a spring wardrobe, while small injections of brighter accents and minimalist accessories can lift an outfit without overwhelming it. The result is a look that blends timeless pieces with a hint of seasonal energy.

Ultimately, spring style is about flexibility. Lightweight jackets, crisp shirts and well-cut trousers form the backbone of a wardrobe that adapts easily to shifting temperatures. When cooler moments return, blazers, denim jackets and soft cardigans can be layered in effortlessly without disrupting the overall look.

For the lower half, classic staples continue to do the work. Chinos, jeans and tailored shorts offer easy rotation depending on the day’s forecast. Each brings its own styling opportunities too — chinos paired with Chelsea boots create a clean, refined silhouette, jeans matched with loafers deliver a modern classic combination, while trainers work naturally with tailored shorts for a more relaxed spring aesthetic.

With thoughtful layering, breathable fabrics and versatile staples, refreshing your wardrobe for the season doesn’t need to be complicated. With a little inspiration and a sharp eye for value, TK Maxx makes stepping into spring style both simple and accessible.

There’s something reassuring about a menswear brand that understands the balance between heritage and modernity. Irish outerwear specialist Jack Murphy Clothing has long operated in that sweet spot where practicality meets understated style, and for Spring/Summer 2026 the Dublin-based label sharpens its focus on the modern Irish man – one who values craftsmanship, longevity and clothing that works as hard as he does.

Designed by Michael Murphy, son of the brand’s founder, the new collection leans into the emotional relationship men increasingly have with their wardrobes. These are not throwaway seasonal pieces. Instead, they are investment garments built around the principles of slow fashion, ethical choices and timeless construction. Whether navigating urban life or the unpredictable weather of the Irish countryside, the collection is designed for men who want reliability without sacrificing style.

At the heart of the season sits tweed – a fabric that has defined Irish menswear for generations but continues to evolve. Jack Murphy’s approach remains rooted in traditional tailoring, with tweed trousers cut to pair effortlessly with the brand’s signature blazers, waistcoats and long coats. The result is a quietly confident silhouette that feels both contemporary and enduring, capturing the kind of relaxed elegance that Irish tailoring does best.

Of course, no Jack Murphy collection would be complete without waxed outerwear. One of the brand’s most recognisable signatures returns this season in refined form with the Ciaran Jacket, a contemporary reinterpretation of an original 1980s Jack Murphy design. Crafted from premium Scottish waxed cotton and finished with the traditional contrasting corduroy collar, it arrives in Hunter Green, Navy and Rustic Brown – colours that feel purposefully grounded in the landscapes that inspired them. It’s the sort of jacket that works just as well on a city commute as it does on a blustery walk along the Atlantic coast.

Layering plays a central role in the new collection, reflecting both changing menswear habits and the realities of Irish weather. The new quilted outerwear line introduces two key pieces designed with versatility in mind. The Conor Gilet offers lightweight warmth without bulk, while the Ronan Quilted Jacket provides a refined yet practical outer layer that integrates seamlessly with the brand’s tweed jackets and wool coats. Worn beneath heavier outerwear or on their own during milder days, both pieces embody the brand’s commitment to style that works in real life.

Across the collection, there is a clear sense of thoughtful design. Soft seasonal tweeds sit comfortably alongside cleverly engineered outerwear, creating a wardrobe that feels adaptable rather than trend driven. The garments are designed to be worn together, layered and relied upon – a practical approach that reflects the rhythm of Irish life.

Still a Dublin-based, family-owned business and now operated by the third generation of the Murphy family, the brand continues to draw inspiration from the rugged landscapes and shifting weather of Ireland. Each garment carries Jack Murphy’s signature as a mark of authenticity, a quiet assurance that the craftsmanship and standards behind the name remain firmly intact.

For Spring/Summer 2026, Jack Murphy doesn’t attempt to reinvent menswear. Instead, it does something far more compelling: it refines what it already does exceptionally well. Heritage fabrics, functional outerwear and classic tailoring combine to create a collection that feels purposeful, durable and effortlessly masculine – clothing designed not just to be worn this season, but for many seasons to come.

As remote work settles into long-term reality for an estimated 13 million adults across Great Britain, our daily routines have shifted dramatically. Commutes are shorter (bed to desk), tailoring has relaxed (elasticated waistbands reign supreme), and somewhere along the way, footwear has quietly exited the chat.

Experts at A Fine Pair Of Shoes are now sounding a gentle but necessary alarm: working from home may be playing havoc with our feet.

A recent study found that 34% of people spend most of their indoor time barefoot or in socks, while just 11% wear supportive footwear at home. In other words, millions are clocking in daily without giving their feet the structural support they’d normally receive from proper shoes. The result? Fatigue, fallen arches, and the kind of low-level back and knee discomfort that creeps up gradually — then refuses to leave.

Julian Nelson, founder and shoe expert at A Fine Pair Of Shoes, believes it’s time we gave our feet the same consideration as our office chairs and laptop stands.

“Working from home has completely changed the way people use their feet,” he explains. “Many remote workers spend long hours barefoot or in unsupportive slippers, which can lead to foot fatigue, arches collapsing, or even back and knee discomfort. The good news is that small changes make a big difference.”

Here’s where to start:

1. Wear Supportive Footwear — Even Indoors

Walking barefoot all day might feel liberating, but your arches may disagree. Opt for supportive slippers or shoes with proper cushioning and arch support to reduce strain on feet, ankles and lower back.

2. Fix Your Set-Up

Keep your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest. An adjustable chair helps distribute weight evenly and prevents unnecessary pressure through the arches.

3. Stretch It Out

Point and flex your toes. Rotate your ankles. Roll your feet over a massage ball. Small movements improve circulation and prevent stiffness — particularly after long stretches at your desk.

4. Sit. Stand. Repeat.

If you have a standing desk, alternate positions throughout the day. Variety reduces prolonged pressure on specific areas of the foot and encourages better overall blood flow.

5. Roll Away Tension

A tennis or massage ball underfoot for a few minutes can ease tightness and revive tired muscles.

6. Moisturise and Monitor

Dry, cracked skin isn’t just cosmetic — it can lead to discomfort and infection. Keep feet hydrated and check regularly for developing issues.

7. Mind Your Socks

Avoid tight elastic bands that restrict circulation. Breathable, well-fitted socks make more difference than you think.

Nelson’s overarching message is simple: healthy feet start with the right fit, proper support and awareness of daily habits. While remote work may have relaxed the rules, biology hasn’t changed. Your feet still carry you — even if it’s only from the kitchen to the home office.

And if you wouldn’t run a marathon barefoot, perhaps don’t run a working week that way either.

Images by

How Soon Ngu

Nathana Rebouças

Nicolas Solerieu

Tommy Texter

Danie Franco

While headlines are dominated by billion-dollar acquisitions and Gen-Z shopping habits, the real story sits behind the scenes — in the infrastructure quietly powering the second-hand economy.

A Fleek, founded in London in 2021, has diverted more than 9 million garments from landfill since 2022. Not through marketing spin or consumer-facing hype, but by solving resale’s least glamorous — and most critical — problem: sourcing at scale.

Building the Engine Room of Resale

Before Fleek, wholesale vintage and second-hand sourcing was fragmented, largely offline, and difficult to scale. The brand rebuilt that system into a global digital marketplace, now connecting:

• 10,000+ resellers
• 1,000+ verified suppliers
• Across 70 countries

It’s infrastructure, not trend-chasing. And that distinction matters.

Accepted into Y Combinator’s W22 batch, Fleek has since raised $20.4 million, positioning itself as backbone supply-chain tech at a time when the global second-hand apparel market is forecast to hit $350 billion by 2028.

The Data Tells the Story

Demand isn’t speculative. It’s measurable.

2025 vs 2024 Brand Order Growth

Menswear & Unisex

• Ralph Lauren +73%
• Tommy Hilfiger +86%
• Patagonia +70%
• Nike +67%
• Harley-Davidson +90%
• Montbell +100%

Womenswear

• Coach & Guess bags +85%
• Lululemon +80%
• Victoria’s Secret +86%

This isn’t random vintage rummaging. It’s structured demand across heritage, sportswear, luxury and outdoor categories. Resale has moved from side hustle to scalable business model.

The recent news that eBay is acquiring Depop for approximately $1.2 billion signals something decisive: second-hand fashion is now mainstream commercial infrastructure.

With Depop generating roughly $1 billion in annual merchandise sales and attracting millions of predominantly under-34 buyers, recommerce is no longer counterculture — it’s capitalised.

But platforms like eBay and Depop focus on the consumer-facing marketplace. Fleek powers what sits beneath that layer — the supply chain enabling thousands of independent resellers, vintage curators and micro-businesses to source sustainably, scale professionally and maximise turnover.

Circular Is Now Structural

Fleek’s impact speaks to a wider shift:

• 9M+ garments diverted from landfill
• Thousands of independent sellers building full-time income
• Professionalised global sourcing networks
• Proof that circular fashion isn’t niche — it’s infrastructure

At a moment when major players are investing billions to capture resale demand, the quieter opportunity sits with the systems enabling that growth.

Resale isn’t a trend cycle. It’s a structural realignment of fashion’s supply chain.

And the brands building the engine room may prove just as valuable as the platforms owning the shop window.

There are brands that flirt with the outdoors, and then there are brands that build their entire language around it. Flower Mountain has always belonged to the latter camp. For Spring/Summer 2026, the label refines its dialect rather than rewriting it — a confident, considered evolution that feels less like a seasonal drop and more like a statement of intent.

Founded in 2015 by Keisuke Ota of Tokyo and Yang Chao of Beijing, Flower Mountain has spent a decade exploring the intersection of Japanese sensibility and Italian technical craft. Mountain culture, urban energy, and meticulous fabrication sit side by side. SS26 feels like the most resolved expression of that vision yet.

At the centre of the collection remains the brand’s hero: Yamano 3. A cross-seasonal stalwart and recognisable icon, it returns reworked rather than reinvented. Vintage-washed canvas softens its edge. Denim lends it depth. Floral jacquards and geometric embroidery introduce texture without excess. The result is artisanal but contemporary — rugged yet composed. It’s the sort of trainer that looks as comfortable on a gravel trail as it does paired with relaxed tailoring in the city.

The supporting cast sharpens the narrative. Yamabushi — inspired by Japan’s mountain ascetics — leans into its raw, functional spirit. Ropes of varying thickness wrap the upper in a net-like embrace, extending toward the sole and heel. It feels purposeful, almost ritualistic. Durable materials and minimal detailing strip away noise, leaving behind something elemental.

Wave, by contrast, moves differently. Where Yamabushi is grounded, Wave is fluid. A softly curved sole mirrors the rhythm of the ocean, while layered uppers in mesh, canvas and denim add lightness. It’s dynamic without being aggressive — a lifestyle silhouette that doesn’t sacrifice credibility for comfort.

Performance, however, remains integral to Flower Mountain’s DNA. Iwano and Iwano 2 continue to anchor the more technical end of the spectrum. Updated combinations of suede, nylon and ripstop meet engineered soles designed for grip, stability and impact absorption. These aren’t fashion hikers masquerading as outdoor gear; they’re functional tools rendered with aesthetic intelligence.

Materiality across the collection tells its own story. Printed and clean canvas, embroidered denim, multicolour chevron raffia, technical mesh and multi-stripe geometric embroidery demonstrate a level of craft that feels intentional rather than decorative. Experimentation is evident, but so is discipline. Every detail has a purpose.

The sandal offering extends the narrative into high summer. NAZCA 2, NIWA and NEW NAZCA balance comfort, movement and design in a way that feels aligned with the brand’s outdoor ethos. They’re built for heat and horizon lines — adaptable, contemporary, and unafraid of terrain.

Marking ten years in the game, Flower Mountain also introduces an anniversary capsule that revisits archival favourites — Mustard Walnut, Pampas, Yamano, Iwano and Yamabushi — through a sharper, more mature lens. Special finishes and a palette drawn from natural landscapes underline the brand’s evolution. It’s less nostalgia, more recalibration.

What makes Flower Mountain relevant in 2026 isn’t simply aesthetic. It’s the coherence of its world. Japanese heritage informs the colour stories and fabrics. Italian craftsmanship ensures technical precision. Urban influence keeps everything grounded in modern life. The collection doesn’t shout. It climbs.

A decade in, Flower Mountain feels assured of its footing. And if SS26 proves anything, it’s that the most compelling outdoor brands aren’t chasing the summit — they’re building the path upward, step by deliberate step.