Yes it’s freezing outside and the nights don’t seem to be getting any shorter. Ahhh that can only mean one thing, it’s has to be the start of Spring in the retailer’s calendar. So to celebrate this stylish solstice we’ve crossed many a dangerous road, past countless unhelpful shop assistants and fought our way through many a ferocious PR to seek the wise counsel of a select number of the most creative minds behind some of the leading, and not to mention favourite, style brands to answer the question of, “What is your must have piece of the season ?”
‘It is a lightweight and soft spring coat in easy volume, and features understated artwork inspired by late minimal artist Jan Schoonhoven’s amazing work. The artwork is not printed on the fabric but woven in a jacquard weave and from a little distance just looks like a texture but up close is made up of tactile and hand drawn lines.’
Martin Andersson, Head of Menswear Design at COS
‘My absolute fave is the beige mac – it epitomises Whistles men for me, in that it is functional, modern, the fabric and make are of the highest quality, and it will last forever and get even better with age..’
Jane Shepherdon, CEO WHISTLES.
‘My favourite piece from SS16 is the taped khaki bomber. It’s a hero piece of the collection and is a perfect update of a classic shape for the emerging streetwear military trend.’
James Lawrence, ASOS Head of Menswear Design
“My favourite piece from Spring 16 is the Heritage trench coat in stone colour. I Love the idea of a classic icon updated with innovative fabric and details. The fabric is a blend of cotton and metal giving the surface a unique texture and character”
Michael Anderson, Vice President, Men’s Product and Design, Banana Republic
‘I love the Topman Design all over print revere shirt as it sums up the whole collection in one piece. The patches represent the spirit and ethos of the northern soul scene which was our starting point for the whole collection with a bit of a punk element thrown in for good measure.’
Gordon Richardson, Creative Director, TOPMAN.
“This season, Jigsaw menswear is all about style rather than trend-driven with texture and fabric interest giving our collection a real point of difference. Marled and tonal colour variation appropriate to the fabric gives the collection more light and shade. My hero piece for the season is our double-breasted, unlined jacquard suit in indigo. Crafted and tailored in Portugal, it is cut on our popular ‘Bloomsbury’ block but is lightly structured with artist’s linen canvas under the collar.”
Frances Walker, Design Director, Jigsaw Menswear
With the weather as it currently is every wardrobe must have jumpers, jackets and coats. The warmer the better and the more stylish the better! It’s getting that balance right which is the most important bit.