April 24, 2014
Classic Revolution: British Styles for Spring
Matthew Wexler READ TIME: 8 MIN.
From James Bond's well-tailored suits to the equally tailored undies that clutch the well-toned body of footballer-turned-model David Beckham, there is nothing quite as tantalizing as a British gentleman. But menswear across the pond has undergone a transformation as of late.
While the bespoke styles of Savile Row continue to wow men of a certain generation (and means), a new crop of British designers and reimagined familiar ones are making their mark on the streets of London and beyond.
Gibson London
A contemporary collection that evokes the classic traditions of fine British tailoring, Gibson London's spring/summer 2014 designs take a walk on the lighter side, stepping away from heavy winter tweeds and, instead, rely on a softer palette of cream, periwinkle, blush and ochre to convey a weekend in the country that you won't soon forget.
gibsonlondon.com
Paul Smith
He started at age 16 in a menial job at the local clothing warehouse in Nottingham. Today, Paul Smith's exquisite clothing that offers a bit of the unexpected is available in 66 countries worldwide and 17 stores throughout England. This season's collection reflects the acid tones of the 1970s with a touch of sophistication and sporty nuance, including detailed embroidery, contrasting fabrics and gold-plated zips.
Cro’Jack
It doesn't get more quintessentially British than a "cross jack," the company's namesake described by co-founder Dean Batty as "a piece of nautical technology, invented in 1530 during the reign of Elizabeth I. [It] was installed on the mizzenmast of certain ships for more dynamic control, speed and contributed to bringing in a lot of our country's wealth, prosperity and growth."
All fabrics are designed and milled in England with garment construction based in the heart of the Midlands. Cro'Jack's signature spring piece is the "Gunner" - a felted wool jacket featuring moleskin lining and made from a fabric containing more than 30 colors for a rich, complex hue.
Burberry Prorsum
Burberry has come a long way since its founding by 21-year-old dressmaker Thomas Burberry in 1856. Launched as a men's brand, the classic tan and red plaid has penetrated every aspect of the fashion industry through the decades, with outerwear at its core. The spring/summer Prorsum collection embraces stripes and dots and offers a bold primary color palette, while luxe materials such as textured raw silk, bonded nappa leather and cashmere deliver the high attention to detail synonymous with the brand.
Next page for New Look, Christopher Shannon and where to buy.
New Look
Head due west from London toward the southwestern tip of England and you'll discover the tiny town of Taunton-the home of New Look's first retail store more than 40 years ago. There are now more than 1,500 stores globally, offering an accessible array of fashions that includes this season's collection of well-tailored suits and jungle-inspired sportswear for the guy on the go.
Christopher Shannon
It's not just the Beatles that have come out of Liverpool. Enter Christopher Shannon, who burst onto the menswear scene after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2008. His unapologetic spring/summer collection combines cobalt blue, mint green and tangerine in a variety of post-modern materials along with unexpected floral prints that soften the hipster silhouettes.
Where to Buy
Savile Row - the home of bespoke British tailoring.
savilerowbespoke.com
Seven Dials - Convent Garden's hidden shopping village.
sevendials.co.uk
Oxford Street - featuring more than 300 shops in the heart of London.
oxfordstreet.co.uk
BOXPARK - The world's first pop-up mall, located in East London.
boxpark.co.uk
Trafford Centre - Be one of the 35 million annual visitors to this indoor mall in Manchester.
intu.co.uk
RopeWalks/Bold Street - Liverpool's bohemian center, packed with independent retailers.
ropewalksliverpool.com
Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.
