Cards on the table. The first time we saw this our immediate thought was ‘finally, something to wear at the Carlton Banks Wine mixer’. Whether or not Nigel Cabourn intended this to be a classic piece of 90s Bel-Air prepwear has yet to be revealed, either way it works very nicely.

100% cotton, Made in Japan, it features a hidden button down collar. Nigel Cabourn does quietly cool touches like a pro and we appreciate it. The Front placket steers this away from the traditional Oxford a little and we’re told that each shirt will have an individual stripe pattern depending on where scissor hit cloth. All that is needed is some pastel sweater action to throw over your shoulders. Delightful. Hit Superdenim for yours.

Follow us as we step through the doors of MHL’s first London store, located on Old Nichol Street and yet another addition to the Redchurch street massive. Margaret Howell has always kept the utilitarian label on a relatively low exposure level. As with the mainline, fiercely protecting the brand has created a continuous buzz and sense of exclusivity, both of which have kept her legion of loyal followers faithful to this British fashion institution. The space is very much in line with MHL and Margaret Howell stores worldwide. As you’d expect light, wood, simple fixtures and a sense of space are the preferred look.

Placing the clothing at the centre of attention, there’s very little to distract from what MHL does best – creating the kind of gear you’d happily fill your wardrobe with and wear for the rest of your days. The Spring/Summer 2012 collection had just dropped when we paid a visit, even more reason to take the tour.

Photography – Ross Trevail

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The quills over at Interview Magazine have delivered a short but informative piece on eclectic Belgian designer Dries Van Noten and his Spring 2012 collection. Van Noten explains why he thrives on limitations, why David Bowie is a great muse and what it means to grow witch hazel in winter.

The article also paints an exciting picture of the new collection: “… the juxtapositions between imagination and practicality abound: technical sportswear fabrics like paper-thin nylon are paired with elegant, slender leather belts or a silk jumpsuit; shorts are placed over pants in a subtle reference to the functionality of a fly-fisherman’s uniform; and a bright yellow raincoat is decorated with black adhesive bonding on the outside instead of its interior.” We’ll keep our eyes peeled for more looks.

Photography by Matthew Brookes

More looks in our gallery…

Alright, L.L. Bean, we’re listening. While we might have made fun of your knit slipper socks in the past when we saw them on neighbors, dads and uncles, we always wanted a pair of our own. We’ve also been pretty open about our desire for one of your hand crank radios, but with your new L.L. Bean Signature collection for spring, we’re adding a few more ticks to the mail-order form.

You see, the Bean has enlisted the talent of Creative Director Alex Carleton—formerly a senior designer with the company before leaving to focus on his own line, Rogues Gallery. A lot of this stuff is too conservative for our tastes, but there are definitely a handful of pieces ready for rotation (a couple of nice shawl collared warm things, an interesting henley tee, a bitchin’ chambray short-sleeved button up, a bright red button-up, and some striking cammo pants that would be fun as hell to camp in).

Ultimately this is a clean assortment with strong continuity, which makes good sense given Carleton’s thoughts on the matter: “These pieces are rooted in classic American sportswear, and can be interpreted in many ways. There are great basics, plus unique items that work in a broad range of closets. So I think it’s for people who lead versatile lifestyles. It’s not just town, it’s not just country. It can be both.”

More looks in our gallery…

Steven Alan starts off New York Fashion Week 2012 with his Autumn/Winter 2012 presentation of garments for the boys and girls. Lounging New York casual is the feeling we (always) get from Mr. Alan. Always a strong mix looks that work just about everywhere (we like to say for the everyman), the collection also features a wide selection of complimentary footwear that runs from kicks to proper shoes. Spend some time exploring one of the more friendly designers out there.

Now updated with more detailed images.

More looks in our gallery…

The Dehen 1920 line from Portland, OR is a fourth generation family business focused in on the classic varsity and ivy league sportswear of decades past. Re-launched for Autumn 2011, the Dehen line showcases their latest collection of well built jackets and crews – all featuring the same details and stitch work found on their vintage garments. The Japanese, of course, helped bring the Dehen name back onto the playing field. We hope to see them around for some time. Many more looks from the Autumn 2012 Dehen collection in our gallery.

Photography: Selectism.com

More looks in our gallery…

Bear with us on this one. We know that for many of you, slapping a shiny gold tone metal plate onto a perfectly good pair of Marc Jacobs oxford shoes is the kind of shoe sacrilege that makes you want to throw your George Cleverleys at the screen. In many ways it is wrong. The strongest case being that yes, these are indeed a perfectly good pair of oxfords. In fact, they are a great pair, sitting on the right side of slim and substantial whilst keeping detail (heel aside) to a minimum.

The fact is though, sometimes you feel like putting snobbery aside. We stare at endless pairs of shoes, good, bad and ugly, in order to bring you the latest. Whilst our hearts skip a little when we see those bespoke classics, in all their rigid, conformist beauty – we can’t help but fall for the sheer defiance and bloody mindedness of this slightly silly shoe.

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Junya Watanabe Man offers this Bandana Print scarf, legitimately allowing you to wear this pattern once again. Yeah, we’re talking to you, guy who spent his teens with one tied around his forehead in an ill-judged homage to Axl Rose. Behind you is that other guy. The one who attempted the neckerchief then realised his neck/head proportions meant he looked more like a stewardess. This substantial alternative is 100% wool and will work with just about anything; work garms, weekend garms, indoors-wear, thanks to the understated shade of blue and subtle paisley pattern. Goodhood has them.

The boot Gods must have been listening. Delivering a pair of Navy Russell Moccasin Bird Shooters unto us is the universes way of telling us that everything is going to be ok and that we are being watched over by kindly footwear spirit animals. So distracting are these shoes that writing this is becoming difficult, they’re up there aren’t they? Just leering at us.

Being a product of Russell Moccasin’s fair hand expect these to not only be incredibly attractive but look after your feet with their comfort and durability credentials (they have been in business since 1898 after all). This colourway has us a little hysterical, in a mid-90s front row at a Jodeci concert kind of way.  Silver and Gold has them.

Longtime favourites Kapital make the slow march out of Japan and into more accessible retail spaces. Something most definitely to be cheerful about. Londoners will be pleased to hear it is gracing the shelves of indigo and wood emporium Anthem who we featured back in September. On the other side of the pond, Hickorees finds itself on that select list of stockists and have chosen superbly with their first drop. We picked out this tote mainly because it embodies everything the brand excels at.

Taking antique Sashiko fabric, consisting of thin layers of quilted and worn cloth, and turning it into a simple modern tote is something very few labels could do with such skill. As traditional Japanese Boro (a sister technique) begins to creep its way into fashion vocabulary, this will become one of those items that may look a little freakshow at first but will no doubt find itself replicated by less knowledgeable parties. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery after all. Find it at Hickorees if it hasn’t already flown out.

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