Damien Paul, Head of Menswear, MATCHESFASHION.COM
“There's a more bohemian attitude coming through, this season, and London-based label By Walid has some of the most wearable interpretations we've seen. This silk shirt will make a great layering piece for spring”.
Left - By Walid - Silk Shirt - £558
“Gucci has been totally reinvigorated over the last couple of seasons and their accessories are particularly covetable. These heavy-duty sandals feel modern but masculine”.
Below - Gucci - Double-strap Leather Sandals - £410
“Fraying, distressing and raw edges tapped in the grungier mood we saw at the shows. Damir Doma does it best”.
Left - Damir Doma - Raw-edged Top - £315
“This was Alexander Wang's last and best collection for Balenciaga - and the last opportunity to invest in his dynamic, athletic vision for the brand. This zipper-accented bomber was the standout”.
Left -Balenciaga - Zip-detail Bomber Jacket - £655
“Orley has fast become one of my favourite brands in New York. They're primarily known for their knitwear (which I'd seriously advise you to check out) - but these sneakers were pretty hard to ignore”.
Below - Orley - Paisley Suede Sneakers - £235
Simon Spiteri, Buyer, MRPORTER.COM
"The Gucci horse bit loafer is going to have a huge revivial, it’s such a classic. I especially like this version that harks back to a style not seen from Gucci since the 1960s. A great example of company looking to its archives for inspiration”.
Left - Gucci - Horsebit Leather Loafers - £455
“Thom Browne collections just get better and better, preppy with a modern twist, this cardigan is so versatile. The style suggests casual but the quality suggests luxury”.
Left - Thom Browne - Striped Merino Wool Cardigan - £720
"A bonafide classic, if you haven’t got a slim oxford button down shirt in your wardrobe you need one, it’s an indispensable component in any man’s wardrobe. Be sure to wear unbuttoned, with everything from denim to pressed trousers”.
Above - AMI - Slim-Fit Button-Down Collar Oxford Shirt - £110
"The rise of bracelets in menswear show no sign of abating. Made in the reservations around Santé-Fe, this bracelet harks back to traditional silver and turquoise craft of the Navajo and is a nice pop of a colour for the summer months ahead”.
Left - Peyote Bird - Pilar Lovato Sterling Silver Turquoise Heishi Bracelet - £215
"Every guy needs a fine watch, my view is that you don’t have to shout about it with an obvious model. Zenith invented the chronograph and it’s still the most precise on the market. It oozes quality and is to be worn with your bracelet of course”.
Left - Zenith - El Primero 36,000 VPH Stainless Steel & Alligator Watch - £5900
Thom Scherdel, Buyer for THE IDLE MAN
“One of my favourite pieces from our AW debut collection, the Deco Jacquard repeat ends up being quite trippy if you keep staring at it, but is still understated and classy“.
Left - The Idle Man - Deco Jacquard Knitted Jumper - £28
“The quest for the ultimate Biker Jacket is often long and arduous, but as with most things you are looking for they tend to be right in front of you. Established too long ago, it was made famous by Marlon Brando in the 50’s, and then adopted and adored by the punks in the 70s and 80s. The Perfecto has stood the test of time and is the quite simply THE Biker Jacket to own“.
Left - Schott NYC - Perfecto Biker Jacket - £350
“How to make a Classic Herschel Black Backpack better? Add a 3M patch to the back and give it 3M reflective taped seams obviously. We just wanted to make a slightly more functional backpack for all the commuters out there, reducing the size slightly, as to not p*ss people off on the tube and making it a bit more road ready for those 2 wheeled warriors on the morning Tour de London“.
Left - Herschel X The Idle Man - Heritage Mid-Volume Backpack - £55
“There were a few raised eyebrows when this landed on the site, its our most expensive piece to date, but what a jacket this is. With a Fill Power of 700 Goose Down it’s the most you can pack in to ensure insulation and comfort. It's mountain ready, of course, but I went for it because it’s a just an amazing colour way. White is going to be a massive colour for the coming seasons and this is the perfect foray into it. You’ve already got a black coat…”.
Left - The North Face - Kazoo Mountain Jacket - £475
“We are pleased to welcome the Wood Wood crew onto our site for AW, maintaining their street etiquette, but referencing the 70s in just the right way they have some amazing dual inspired products. This classic logo knit is made up fine Merino Wool and a touch on Nylon to give it a unique handle. It's black on the front and white on the back…”.
Left - Wood Wood - Yale Sweater - £110
Damien Paul, Head of Menswear at MATCHESFASHION.COM
"A techy, functional coat is near the top of the list of pieces I'm after for the new season - the best collections all had a utilitarian feeling to them. This nylon parka buy Raey is a favourite, and would look brilliant layered over heavy-duty knitwear."
Left - Raey - Hooded Nylon Parka - £450
"Everyone on the team here is excited about Longjourney, one of the most interesting new brands we've seen. They are based in Los Angeles, where they transform vintage denim and military surplus into new, unique garments. This is a label to watch."
Left - Longjourney - Patchworked Denim Shirt - £535
"The Parisian footwear brand Adieu has branched into sneakers for AW15, and they perfectly capture the minimal, no-nonsense aesthetic of the season. I'll be wearing them with rolled-up denim."
Left - Adieu - Leather Low-Top Trainers - £278
"There's a retro feeling coming back into menswear, and this cardigan has a "70's-by-way-of-the-90's" attitude which feels totally right for now. Though, thankfully, it's rendered in an ultra-soft merino instead of the scratchy fibres of most vintage knitwear…"
Left - Orley - Dexter Chevron Striped Cardigan - £475
"Under the stewardship of J.W. Anderson, Loewe has become one of the most exciting brand revivals around. Their luxurious yet offbeat clothing is covetable enough, but I'm obsessing over the bags - this structural suede backpack is just unsual enough to be irresistible."
Left - Loewe - Anton Suede Backpack - £1795
David Morris, Buyer, MRPORTER
"Common Projects white leather sneakers have gained cult status thanks to their minimalist design and superior construction. I like to pair them with rolled-up selvedge denim jeans and a lightweight knit for a clean understated look”.
Left - Common Projects - Original Achilles Leather Sneakers - £265
"The 'Tony' jacket from Acne Studios is a super luxurious, minimal take on American sportswear. It comes in a beautifully constructed lightweight wool and cashmere-blend. It’s a hand-finished piece and the drawstring hem is a nice touch, it allows you to adjust the fit with ease".
Right - Acne Studios - Tony Wool & Cashmere-Blend Coach Jacket - £650
"I love a crepe sole. These can be styled just as easily with your favourite black jeans and button down shirt as they can be with a suit for more formal occasions. These are on my ‘to get’ list. Crafted in England from fine pebbled leather, these wingtip shoes boast superior construction with their signature pull tabs, comfortable leather linings and those trusty gum soles".
Left - Thom Browne - Pebbled Leather Brogues - £830
"A versatile staple and worthy addition to your casual roster. An easy layering piece - I like to throw it on over a plain white or Breton stripe tee".
Right - Margaret Howell - Ribbed-Collar Cotton-Flannel Shirt - £345
"An extensive grooming kit that comes complete with face cleanser, hydrating cream, shaving serum, spray-on moisturiser and lip cream. Everything you need to freshen up tired skin in the morning or after a long day at the office".
Left - Aesop - MR PORTER Dapper Gentleman Grooming Kit - £110
Mark Macdonald, Senior Buyer, End Clothing
“‘Cut & Sew’ on a timeless garment form Japan’s premier retailer.”
Left - Beams Plus – Patchwork M-65 Jacket - £475
“With more than a subtle nod to a certain Mr Smith these are my number one summer sneakers.”
Below - Common Projects - Achilles Retro Low - £275
“Technical flower power that can be worn layered under your summer raincoat or its own with a classic white Tee.”
Left - Nanamica - Ground Jacket - £285
"Our Legacy deliver truly unique shirting season on season. This can be worn and washed repeatedly to see the chambray fade over time."
Below - Our Legacy - 1950s Button Down Shirt - £139
"Paris meets 60’s Psychedelica in an everyday easy to wear stripe number from Comme Shirt."
Left - Comme des Garçons SHIRT - Long Sleeve Printed Insert Border Tee - £119