The charge sheet for the printed shirt is substantial. For years this menswear misdeed has stood accused of being too loud, too obnoxious and too attention seeking. But this season, fortune favours the bold.

Pick the right shirt and wear it with the right companions and you’ll be giving even the biggest style icons a run for their money. Get it wrong with one erroneous decision, however, and you fast-track your look to 10 on the cringeometer.

To save you the potentially devastating consequences of being ‘that guy’ in the comedy clobber, here are five idiot-proof ways to nail wearing a printed shirt every single time, and where to find the best styles this season.

With Dark Denim

If you take no advice other than this, we’ll be satisfied. A printed shirt worn with denim can go well, or it can go horribly wrong. If your idea of a good weekend look is throwing on a pair of shapeless selvedge jeans and a checked ‘going out shirt’ you’re on the wrong path, son.

“Printed shirts are integral to the autumn/winter wardrobe, with muted tones and dark, intricate patterns making them appropriate for the colder months,” says Alice McColm, a stylist at the River Island Style Studio, who believes that getting dark, moody prints to work for you is all about keeping things unfussy. “Let the print take centre stage. Pair your shirt with dark denim and a biker jacket for classic rock ‘n’ roll style that feels understated.”

Cracking this combo has everything to do with fit as well as print. Opting for a cut that sits miles from the body is an unforgivable style sin. In almost all instances we’d recommend a slim-fit and long sleeves. Sidestep the obvious motifs too and instead consider vertical stripes, muted florals or a tonal pattern.

With Light Denim

We’re fully aware that wearing light denim with a printed shirt sounds a bit mid-2000s smart-casual dad. And on paper, it is. In practice though, it’s entirely possible to wear the heck out of it so it’s more David Gandy street style than Jeremy Clarkson street-side.