10 brands every gentleman needs to know
The world of fashion can very definitely be a bit of a minefield for gentlemen – even if you are the most sartorially sophisticated man on the planet. There are a plethora of brands out there and it can sometimes be hard to know which one is the best fit for you. The trick is to experiment; to work out which brand you can afford, which one has the best fit for you and your body shape, and whose clothes you genuinely like wearing. We’ve rounded up 10 brands that every gentleman should – and needs to – know about. Sit back and take your pick, gentlemen.
Thom Browne is – in our humble opinion – one of the best brands in the world. His designs are classic and timeless yet also achingly sophisticated and cool; the perfect fit for a metropolitan gentleman. Each classic item comes with an edge, be it a seemingly (though not at all) out-of-place stripe on the sleeve or a tab in the brands associated colours on the back of a pair of brogues. Wearing Thom Browne is going to make you stand out from the crowd – in the best way possible – and give you serious style credentials.
Ami is the brand that every dapper young gentleman should know. The French brand is making waves in the fashion scene and creates effortless and wearable (all the while staying incredibly stylish) clothes. We recommend heading here for outerwear and knitwear – jumpers are beautifully made, affordable and their jackets will have everyone double taking on the street.
Slowear is actually the name of one Italian group with 4 separate and specialist labels, who have done an impeccable job of creating some of the best modern Italian tailoring on the market, and Incotex (their trouser brand) are one that we find ourselves returning to time and time again. If you’re in the market for a pair of trousers, jacket or waistcoat to fit perfectly, have a modern edge but will also separate you from the other gentlemen in the room, Incotex is for you.
Kilgour is a classic tailor with incredible heritage dating all the way back to 1880. The brand creates some of the slickest items on the market and if you aspire to have a constant air of gentlemanly sophistication surrounding you, this is the brand for you. Kilgour is an investment; the clothes don’t come cheap but are timeless enough to last a lifetime. Pick wisely and you will have a piece that you will cherish for life.
If you’re a gentleman who knows a thing or two about fashion, it probably won’t surprise you that we’ve included James Perse in this selection. The brand is undoubtedly one of the best on the market for basic, classic clothes, and one that we can assure you that you’ll find yourself returning to time and time again. Originally from Los Angeles, you can rely on this brand to provide you with some casual classics that will last you for years.
Brioni is one of the most luxurious and sophisticated brands in the world, and one that we return to time and time again for classic pieces. With Italian heritage and a reputation as one of the finest Italian outfitters a gentleman can buy, you’d be making a mistake by not investing in Brioni.
Lanvin is one of those brands that we find hard to sum up in a couple of sentences. Everything about the brand, in our opinion, is perfect. It’s timeless, chic, effortless, subtle and edgy (in the best way) all at the same time. Their jackets are perfection and their shoes some of the coolest on the market. Again, Lanvin is definitely an aspirational brand and you should carefully consider the pieces that you’re going to invest in before you jump the gun – but rest assured that once you own something by Lanvin, you’re going to treasure it forever.
This incredible New York brand may have only recently made the move to London, but we’ve been Rag & Bone converts for a while now. Why? The brand are one of the most sought after and well respected contemporary brands in the fashion world and make – quite literally – the best jeans in the world. Their cool basics never fail to impress us, and this is a brand that every gentleman needs to get familiar with – now.
Most gentleman with even the slightest interest in fashion will know Richard James, one of the best contemporary English tailors with a serious penchant for designing everything from an affordable but incredibly slick suit to covetable bags and fantastic socks. You can’t go wrong with Richard James and, if you are in the market for a suit that’s going last you a lifetime, we’d recommend the personal tailoring service offered in the Savile Row store.
The only specialist basics brand that we feel potentially rivals James Perse in the style stakes is Sunspel. Sunspel – which was the first to introduce boxer shorts into England in the 1940s – creates impeccable and wearable basic items such as T-shirts, tracksuits and underwear fit for the a casual, contemporary gentleman.
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