Fashion’s shift towards the streets in recent years is understandably concerning for any man who’s spent half a decade cultivating a solid tailoring rotation. But just because it’s now perfectly acceptable to look like you’ve just left a rave or the gym pretty much any hour of the day doesn’t mean those double-monks and three-pieces need to be sent into storage.

High-low dressing is the art of combining formal and casual clothing in a way that strips the former of its stuffiness, and the latter of its off-duty appearance.

However, striking the right balance is tough. For every Justin Timberlake, accessorising a perfectly cut two-button suit with white leather sneakers, there’s an Ed Sheeran, looking like he turned up late to a family wedding and had to wear his dad’s spare suit with the Air Jordans he wore on the train. Sorry, Ed.

Avoid making the same mistake by following our guidelines, which will ensure your style’s more up-down than down and out.

1. Suits & T-Shirts

There’s a reason this is the uniform of most fashion designers; it lets you show off both your wardrobe nous and the fact that you don’t have a boss demanding you follow a buttoned-up dress code. Opting for timeless, neutral tailoring is advisable here and will win the benefit of the doubt if you don’t quite nail the fit or colour matching.

Monochrome should be the first step on the collarless road – a grey suit and white T-shirt is a tough thing to mess up – but as your confidence grows, start experimenting with colours and patterns such as a Breton stripe.

It’s best to keep the eye-catching stuff to the base layer (i.e. the T-shirt), as there’s less of it on display, and stick to classic crew necks over anything that plunges towards your navel.

(Related: How To Find The Perfect T-Shirt)

For an advanced look, try a longline version for a smarter take on reverse layering, or tuck the T-shirt into your trousers for a clean finish.