Mango's New Essentials Collection Nails the Fundamentals

Crack the foundational elements of your wardrobe, and you'll often find there's a knock-on effect. A pair of flattering, well-proportioned trousers can instantly smarten up an otherwise ordinary T-shirt and cardigan combo, just as a trusty denim jacket can lend a tougher edge to just about any look. Meanwhile, the jury is still out on whether actual sorcery is involved in the making of certain trench coats, which make you feel instantly put together even when worn with jeans and trainers.

If your wardrobe is lacking in such lynchpins, it's high time you paid a visit to Mango. The Barcelona-based brand has just dropped its latest essentials collection, and it's an exercise in simple done well.

Mango

Mango says each piece is “made to move, made to live, made to last”, transcending seasons and trends to earn their place in your wardrobe for years to come. The focus is firmly on quality and construction, but its simplicity is far from basic.

There's a contemporary, European feel to the collection, with softly tailored jackets, worn-in denim and workwear-inspired shirts. The palette is neutral – lots of tasteful shades of brown, beige, navy and ecru – allowing for endless, interchangeable styling options.

Mango

Among the standouts is a single-breasted trench coat that falls perfectly, just above the knee. The trench may be the outerwear piece du jour, but a good coat is for life, not just a trend cycle, and this one will certainly last the distance.

Another faultless outerwear piece is a navy cotton bomber jacket, which we’d wear as a mid-layer underneath a heavier wool overcoat in winter, and with washed-out denim and a hoody in transitional weather.

Mango

There's an athletic edge to a zip-through jumper with raglan sleeves, the type you could throw on with chinos for a weekend walk, or over the tonally-similar shirt also on offer. In a particularly clever touch, there are lots of complementary tones used throughout the collection, creating a more dynamic look when layered together.

Really, you could create an entire capsule wardrobe here. Or, study what you already have, and use Mango's essentials to fill in the gaps. Either way, elevating your everyday attire just got a whole lot easier.