The conversation goes back and forth: can sneakers be worn with everything? Take this as your green light. Trainers are an easy way to lend a casual finish to more formal pieces for a pulled-together-yet-nonchalant attitude. A simple silhouette – nothing too flashy – like Common Projects’ Achilles or Zegna’s Triple Stitch epitomises the smart-casual balance. Trousers should be classically tailored with a subtle crop to keep edges clean. Continuing the message, a white T-shirt under the matching blazer will feel modern and effortless.

Smart enough to tackle formal dress codes but with all the laid-back appeal of a slip-on slide, loafers can do it all – especially if they’re a more timeless look like Church’s, Santoni and Tod’s. Thanks to their summery (read: sock-free) potential, instinct may tell you to pair them with cropped suit trousers or shorts, but you also can’t go wrong with something relaxed and wider in the leg. Call it tailoring for the man at leisure. Take the mood further by swapping your blazer for knitwear or an open shirt.

The utility associations surrounding boots could lend them more as a footnote to jeans or cargos than tailoring, but brands like Magnanni, Brunello Cucinelli and TOM FORD buck convention with refined pairs that partner seamlessly with formalwear. Just make sure you choose something in a contrasting colour to the boot so there’s definition between shoes and trousers. As a final flourish, turn up the cuffs once or twice to showcase your footwear’s taller profile.