SPOKE London’s first suit is built for summer

Almost, but not quite ‘bespoke’ — that’s where the brand name comes from. And SPOKE London has always stayed true to that trimly cut, made-to-measure-adjacent ethos. Think flawless fits at reasonable prices. Think choice, quality, total convenience. And think a whole lot more of that, given the Richmond-based brand has now launched its first suit — just in time for summer.

And the Linen Jack and Linen Sharps pairing is the two-piece, warm weather-beating bundle that SPOKE customers have been clamouring for. Built for the demands of dress codes — and perfect for the sweltering season bookended by April showers and Indian summers — it’s a suit refined enough for the races or the registry office, but one that’ll look just as slick kicking back in a baking beer garden.

But many of the brand’s best ideas have been informed by its customers. Since SPOKE was founded in 2013, the company has been fine-tuning its fits across trousers, chinos and jeans by listening to feedback from fans. When, many years ago, Gentleman’s Journal sat down with SPOKE CEO Ben Farren, he told us that “we bring a mildly obsessive, nerdy quality to our product development — but the goal has always been to deliver on fit.”

The brand’s new jacket, in particular, upholds that promise. Above the waist, SPOKE has previously applied its unique approach of ‘almost-bespoke’ to merino hoodies, knitted polos and button-down Oxford shirts. But a suit jacket is a first. Cut from a fine linen-cotton-elastane blend, the Linen Jack has the texture and breathability of lightweight linen, the resilience of cotton and a touch of that all-important, crease-resistant stretch. Plus, it’s available in a staggering 42 different sizes — more than five times the industry standard.

And every traditional tailoring touch is accounted for. Notched lapels? Got ‘em. Handy chest pocket? Perfect for stashing your summer-ready sunglasses. And are those real button cuffs? You’d better believe it.

The soft, unstructured look also makes the jacket an ideal choice for soaring temperatures, travel days and anything else the mid-year months might throw your way. And, designed as it is with minimal padding and canvas, the Linen Jack remains the most featherweight of formalwear.

The same can be said of the Linen Sharps, which take SPOKE’s flagship trouser silhouette and strip it back to an even breezier, scorch-ready weight. They’re cut from airy 5½ oz cotton (think the weight of your favourite bookshop tote), which is 25% lighter than the brand’s standard Sharps — the ever-refined style the brand first walked out a decade ago, in 2016.

These new heat-beating strides are available in ‘Original’ or ‘Tapered’ fits, and feature simple welt pockets and belt loops. It’s a classic design — and one that pairs handsomely with the Linen Jack. But we shouldn’t be surprised by SPOKE’s sharp-thinking. After all, the brand has been top of the trouser game for years; its three-dimensional size range accounts for waist, thigh and length measurements independently, which means literally hundreds of fit combinations.

It’s the closest thing to tailoring, then, without the tailor. Or, just like that brand name promises, it’s “almost bespoke.” And now, with a sharp suit in the mix, SPOKE edges even closer to a complete, well-fitting wardrobe.

Want to learn more about SPOKE London’s range? Check out the collection here…

Become a Gentleman’s Journal member. Find out more here.