Style -- 2 days ago
7 pieces that fly the flag for understated luxury
Elevate your wears with these items that straddle the line between high-design and refined looks
Words: Josh Lee
Fashion’s perpetually revolving door can often be a tasking thing with which to keep up, and the mosh pit of colours, fads, textures and trends frequently warps the idea of what good design is and isn’t. The usual mantra at Gentleman’s Journal is to simplify things by sticking to the classics that work throughout the years – not just because there’s an aesthetic benefit, as such pieces can mix and match almost seamlessly with other items, but also because buying well and buying once is easier on both the wallet and the planet. Below, we outline a handful of items we feel will instantly elevate a man’s wardrobe and be returned to for decades to come. After all, if it ain’t broke…
Hemingsworth, Sirocco Windbreaker Jacket
We’ve been longtime admirers of this piece of outerwear, as it hits all the right spots – its use of Tactel twill minimises creasing when travelling; there’s also the perfectly rich navy palette to consider; and, of course, the clean, elegant design goes with most ensembles (for the biggest impact, we wear it with a Uniform Standard T-Shirt and some straight-cut Kit Blake trousers).
Turnbull & Asser, White Linen Shirt
Synonymous with outfitting 007, Turnbull & Asser is an icon of British style and is one of the most feted shirtmakers in the world, and a fine example of its premium craftsmanship is this linen piece, which feels featherweight and lustrous on the skin, offering much-needed ventilation during warm summer months – a luxury that’s hard to put a price on.
Aurélien, City Loafer
Since at least the last century, suede has been coveted by menswear enthusiasts – the GJ team among them – for its supple feel and the fact it imbues a ‘fit with a lovely dose of texture. Aurélien is known for its heavy use of the material, and its loafer is an elevated take on the classic model, with elasticated inserts, which make for a fuss-free slip-on experience, and boot-like upper.
Deakin and Francis, Sterling Silver Black & White Enamel Cufflinks
Once you’ve loaded up on a haul of Turnbull & Asser button-ups, turbocharge your threads – specifically your cuffs – even higher with a luxe accessory. We often lean back on Deakin and Francis in this department, and, of all the goods on offer, perhaps the one that best straddles the line between subtlety and opulence is this set of cufflinks, which are crafted from sterling silver and feature a handsome black-and-white enamelling.
Charles Laurie, The Weekender
Travelling, no doubt, is one of the world’s greatest pleasures, and beautifully created items that supplement the experience are worthy investments – not only due to the fact that they’ll cart all your on-the-go goods, but also because staring at them will instantly plug you into a sense of wanderlust. Charles Laurie’s holdall is, as the name suggests, made with enough room for a weekend’s-worth of items, and the nubuck from which it’s made has been sanded and buffed down to give it a perfectly saturated matte finish. Though we highly discourage you to use it, the inner laptop compartment is there just in case you need to fire off some emails during your time away from the desk.
Vertex, MP45 Arctic Watch
Timepieces can often be brash bits of construction, where the functions and materials showcased bulk out the wrist and attract attention for the wrong reasons. The Vertex ‘MP45’ – a modern-day take on the Mono-Pusher timing watch that was commissioned during WWII – goes the opposite way, with a pared-down brushed-steel asymmetric case, a simple-looking black-and-white dial, and a timeless black leather strap.
Bennett Winch, Black Triple Watch Roll
Because you need something equally as elegant to store the Vertex in, of course.
Want to dial up the brightness? The ANOMALY Evolution Edition 2 adds a burst of summer-ready colour to the wrist…
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