These are the style lessons we’ve learnt from Chester Barrie’s AW18 collection
We round up the five autumnal style moves from the British brand’s lookbook, and the best garments with which to make them
Words: Jonathan Wells
A modern Savile Row brand, Chester Barrie are among our top style inspirations. How rare it is to find a company with the dedication to quality and attention to detail of a heritage tailor, while all the same imbuing their collections with a contemporary edge.
"Chester Barrie are among our top style inspirations..."
The brand’s latest offering, the AW18 collection, is no different. Using the best materials – the cloths they use are from the leading British and Italian mills – and ateliers that care about the products they make, they have crafted some enduring looks that we’re keen to reproduce. So, using Chester Barrie’s existing collections — as well as a smattering of this latest range — here’s how you can…
Layer up your formalwear
It may be far from our mind as the sun still blazes in the sky, but soon we’ll all be reaching into our wardrobe for layer upon layer to fight the autumn cold. Just be sure that, when you do, it doesn’t turn into a mismatched mishmash of jacket over jumper over t-shirt.
Instead, grab a shirt and tie, add a cardigan or waistcoat and top it off with a tailored jacket. That way you’ll be both snug and stylish.
Use every kind of scarf and silk
Following on from the above, there’s no better accessory to warm yourself with than a scarf. But the scarf’s applications don’t end there.
They may be a fashionable garnish to the snappiest of get-ups, but add a lighter silk scarf to your formalwear and it’ll distance you from every other suit in the office. The same goes for scarves’ silky stablemates — the oft-overlooked pocket square.
In autumn, opt for a more textured tie
Knits are best in autumn. Be they jumpers or cardigans or thick, woolly socks, your outfit should be at least 50 per cent woven and warm. Your tie is no exception.
Knitted ties add texture and interest to an outfit, and nowhere does them better than Chester Barrie. Just look at how they ground these flawlessly-cut suits — ready for the boardroom, but without bold and ostentatious shine of silk.
Bow ties aren't just for black tie
If you want to push things even further than knitted, why not experiment with a bow tie this autumn? We know that the last time — or the only time — you likely wear a bow tie is at black tie events, but don’t tie your bow to your tuxedo.
Instead, mix up the colour and try it on your normal suit. It looks especially good, as Chester Barrie can attest, with a double-breasted jacket.
Get autumn on a roll with some high-necked knitwear
Over the past few years, we’ve seen a real roll-neck renaissance. An alternative piece of formalwear, these garments can negate the need for your shirt, tie and waistcoat in one fell, finely-knit swoop.
And, with just your suit to match it to, the number of colour combinations suddenly opens up — giving you the chance to be the boldest in the boardroom.
Still making the most of summer? Here are the best sunglasses to buy, and which suit your face shape…
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