Editor's Picks: 3 looks from the Sale

With hundreds of items to choose from in The Rake's sale, our Digital Editor Ryan Thompson has done some of the heavy lifting for you by handpicking some of his favourite pieces to create three different contemporary looks using some of the world's finest sartorial brands.

Separate Simplicity
Wearing separates is a fantastic way to tick the smart box without reverting to the uniformity of a two-piece suit, but it's not always quite as easy as throwing on a pair of trousers and blazer and hoping for the best. I always prefer to wear a darker blazer with lighter trousers, which has the effect of elongating the torso and making you appear taller. Kit Blake's grey wool houndstooth pleated slacks and De Petrillo's windowpane jacket are an excellent match. With them both being subdued colours, I'd break up the palette with a stronger hue of shoe, namely Stefano Bemer's cinnamon monk straps.

Fabric Focus
For a more casual spin on tailoring, you needn't deviate too far from classic silhouettes, but rather think about mixing up fabrics instead. G. Inglese's linen long-sleeve polo is proof that the fabric isn't just for summer. The brick red dye works perfectly in linen and the polo style drops the smartness down a notch or two. Rubinacci's Manny trousers are the denominator in the smart-casual equation while Barbanera's brown suede Chelsea boots finish the look off with a touch of rock'n'roll. A neutral bomber jacket will dress the look down, while a navy blazer will elevate it.

Any Colour As Long As It's Black
As Burberry's creative director Riccardo Tisci said, “Black is always elegant. It is the most complete colour in the whole world, made of all the colours in the palette." I couldn't agree more. If in doubt, a monochrome look is at once modern, sleek, smart and confident. It also takes out the stress of getting dressed! For a modern take on masculine style, pair Barbanera's Japanese selvedge jeans with Grenfell's multi-textural biker jacket for a sharp look. The icing on the monochrome cake are Doucal's black Chelsea boots, the rubber soles of which give the look a contemporary casual finish.