The herald of the new Spring/Summer season means a fresh start in choosing clothes that both look and feel good. Sure, there are a lot of menswear collections out there that look the part and would be sure to get you noticed in a crowd, but surely there is something to be said for putting a priority on comfort too. With American Eagle Outfitters, there doesn’t seem to be this compromise; great looking staples and statements with enough softness and enough stretch to actually be wearable for days on end. Just try and put it all through the washing machine at least a couple of times before autumn rolls in…
To showcase their SS17 collection, I decided to test drive some of their pieces in three different locations. Worn in all day and, providing I didn’t spill any red sauces on the outfits, then modelled for a photoshoot, it was great to properly test the durability and fit on some of their key pieces this season.
First up, this Tropical Print Short Sleeve Shirt paired with White Extreme Flex Classic Shorts and Suede Lo-Top Shoes. While I don’t typically find myself wandering through fields of yellow, a long weekend in Devon presented the perfect backdrop to make the blue and white really standout. The American Eagle Extreme Flex Shorts are unbelievably accommodating when it comes to movement and fit, yet the high-quality fabric means they don’t lose their shape at all through wear-and-tear. A slightly off-white colour means the shine won’t be affected too much by daily activity, but they will still make any colour on your top half really pop. Speaking of top half, the Tropical Print Short Sleeve Shirt is going to be visiting a lot of beaches this year; the slim fit cut and well-tailored sleeves making it the perfect item for transitioning from day to night. The shark cutouts are fun enough to be a conversation starter, yet discreet enough that you won’t look like a marine conservationist in uniform. The Suede Lo-Tops are an absolute steal and the brown colour makes them feel smarter than your average white pair of sneakers. As the sun was actually shining fairly intensely, I also wore a pair of Brown Tinted Aviators to complete the look. Katie wears an Off the Shoulder Fit and Flare Dress along with a pair of Front Strap Block Heels in Black.
Next, the high summer look. Keeping the colour palette clean, I styled a White Flex Crew T-Shirt with a pair of Light Blue Extreme Flex Classic Shorts, all set against the whitewashed backdrop of a Moroccan beach scene. I actually owned a pair of light blue-coloured shorts a few years ago that unfortunately disappeared into the oblivion, so to pick up a well-fitted pair like this from American Eagle has definitely filled that gap. Especially when worn with one of the softest tees I have ever owned; the cotton being a little on the thicker side, which means a better fit and a more skin-friendly feel. Katie wears a Mint Cutout Front Midi Dress along with the Front Strap Block Heels in Black.
The third and fourth looks bring me to more familiar territory: a long weekend at home. For both looks, a pair of American Eagle White Skinny Jeans keeps things comfortable. I am a huge fan of white jeans in general, but it can be quite hard to find something different to style up my looks. Luckily, these have slightly distressed, but not ripped, knees; adding a great little touch without looking too casual. Look one, along with a cheesy smile towards Katie, sees this paired with a Navy Long Sleeve Poplin Shirt (similar tagged), with rolled up sleeves for those relaxed weekend moments. The slim fit of the shirt means a tapered waist, and navy is always a great colour to make a shirt look smart. Katie wears a Hi-Neck Swing Vest with a pair of Pure Gold Jeggings with a slightly distressed look.
Look two, and arguably a little more casual and excited about a rare glimpse of 20-degree London sunshine, includes this American Eagle Short Sleeve Poplin Shirt with palm tree print. While the palm trees add a touch of tropical to proceedings, I still love the tailored fit of this shirt; the tapered waist and sleeves ensuring a snug fit and sharp look. Katie wears a Strappy Back Vest with a pair of Champagne Denim X Tomgirl Jeans and Chalk Perforated Sneakers for that all-white look.
If you’re quick, American Eagle currently have the most ridiculous sale on where you can get the majority of their collection with 25-50% off the original sale price! If that isn’t quite enough, then use the code BEN20 for another 20% off and you will be investing a lot into your SS17 wardrobe with very little outlay. Shop the collection here.
