INSPIRATION AND ADVICE

HERE'S HOW WE'RE STYLING UTILITY PIECES THIS SEASON

By Lizzie Griffin, 23 September 2024

Utility dressing will always be famous, but now we're bringing the trend into the new season, injecting some workwear-meets-90s-streetwear elements into our looks. With Timberland boots and functional 'fits all over the AW24 men's shows, it's no wonder utility details are having a moment. So, if you're into top-tier brands like Dickies, Carhartt WIP and Champion, or just fancy adding practical pieces into your autumn rotation, then this one's for you. Take some tips on how we're wearing utility this season.

Utility trend - Dickies jacket, denim jeans and brown shoes | ASOS Style Feed

DENIM DRESSING

Whether it’s a new take on the denim tuxedo or styling loose-fit jeans, best believe we’re going to find a way to weave denim into our wardrobes. Here we layered a Dickies jacket over a denim shirt (a utility-wardrobe hero piece), paired it with some wide-leg jeans and completed the 'fit with trending-but-controversial boat shoes (yes, they're sooo back) and a cap.

GET THE LOOK:

Dickies oakport coach jacket in cream, £70
Reclaimed Vintage unisex western shacket in clean indigo co-ord, £35.99
Reclaimed Vintage straight leg western jean in clean indigo co-ord, £35.99
Timberland authentics 3 eye classic boat shoes in brown full grain leather, £175
New Era script branded 9twenty cap in red, £25 (similar)

Utility trend - champion top and cords | ASOS Style Feed

SPORTSWEAR BRANDING

There's a whole load of ways to style sportswear tees, and *spoiler* it’s not just with jeans. Choose one with bold blue or red pops, then to incorporate those AW24 vibes, team it with brown-corduroy trousers and add gold jewellery. If there was ever a look to encourage you to treat yourself to a pair of moccasins like the Clarks Wallabees, let this be it. Suede is going double platinum with the fashion set this season.

GET THE LOOK:
Champion Rochester back print ringer t-shirt in off white and royal blue, £26
Carhartt WIP floyde relaxed fit cord trousers in brown, £110
Clarks Wallabes EVO BT in dark sand, £110
Lost Souls snake engraved pendant necklace in 18k gold plated, £14

Utility trend - Acid-wash jeans, hoodie, leather jacket | ASOS Style Feed

RETRO WASHES

Something about these tinted jeans has us gravitating towards them. Is it the effortless casual-cool aesthetic? The super-relaxed fit? Or maybe it’s the versatility of what you can wear it with? Whatever it is, we're convinced. We like to team ours with cold-weather essentials AKA a contrasting clean-look hoodie, a faux-leather jacket and a beanie.

GET THE LOOK:

ASOS DESIGN real leather oversized distressed coach jacket in brown, £140
Jack & Jones Premium oversized heavy weight hoodie in light grey marl, £40
ASOS DESIGN super baggy jeans in tinted brown wash, £35
Timberland premium 6 inch boots in wheat tan nubuck, £190

Utility trend - jacket, denim jeans and Timberlands | ASOS Style Feed

Utility trend - Dickies cap | ASOS Style Feed

WORKWEAR DETAILS

Thanks to Louis Vuitton's Creative Director, Pharrell Williams, bringing back the Timberland boots for AW24, there’s never been a better time to invest in a pair. Once a 90s fave worn by hip-hop legends like Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac, it seems the boot has major staying power. We love how the utility trend highlights brands with a serious legacy, case in point: Dickies, which started as a supplier of durable workwear staples in 1922 and today has evolved into a streetwear icon.

GET THE LOOK:

ASOS DESIGN oversized harrington jacket in tan, £50
ADPT oversized brushed cotton shirt in beige, £30
Reclaimed Vintage straight leg western jean in clean indigo co-ord, £35.99
Dickies seasonal central logo cap with contrast stitching in brown, £30
Timberland premium 6 inch boots in wheat tan nubuck, £190

Utility trend - knitwear, jeans and a crossbody bag | ASOS Style Feed

Pictures: ASOS

NEUTRAL KNITWEAR

Autumn dressing = cosy knits, so why not update your wardrobe with new boxy-fit jumpers in a shade of brown. Use your knit as a base and bring in the utility feels by adding tonal cargos (the more pockets the better), a brown shoe, a crossbody bag and your favourite cap.

GET THE LOOK:

ASOS DESIGN super oversized boxy fit fluffy knitted jumper in brown marl, £30
Carhartt WIP midland double knee trousers in off white, £120
ASOS DESIGN bowler cross body bag with contrast stitch in navy denim, £17
47 Brand Boston red Sox contrast crown cap in navy, £30
Timberland authentics 3 eye classic boat shoes in brown full grain leather, £175