Monday 15 March 2010

Embracing the great outdoors

Last Wednesday I excitedly penned a post covering the launch of the Joe Casely-Hayford for John Lewis collection. After obsessing about this collaboration ever since I first heard the news late last year I was all too eager to see the thirty piece capsule collection hanging on the rails of John Lewis' flagship store on Oxford Street. Recognised for his innovation and ability to produce definitive future classics, Casely-Hayford's range celebrates the best of British sartorialism through a series of unique collaborations with some of the UK's leading heritage companies. As I excitedly dashed from rail to rail my only problem was deciding which pieces to get and I have to confess that I actually had to leave the store for a few hours before returning with my hard earned cash and my mind made up. Shoe fiend that I am, the Pukk leather brogues made by Cheaney have captured my imagination and my feet are crying out for a pair but alas these are not currently available. So, I invested my money in the wax cotton navy blazer...

A closer look at the Joe Casely-Hayford for John Lewis wax cotton blazer...

Exclusively designed by Joe Casely-Hayford and made by Barbour, this jacket is something special. I've not owned a Barbour jacket since I was ten. However, I can still remember the smell of that wax cotton and oil mix filling my childhood hallway and whenever I catch a whiff of my new purchase, the memories came flooding back. Dog walking, my inability to climb even the most accommodating tress and sitting in pub after pub watching my parents drink and smoke as I sipped my panda pop and played on the fruit machines. Oh happy days! You might have noticed that Barbour have enjoyed something of a resurgence in recent years. You are as likely to see a trendy London Fields lothario sporting one as you are an archetypal Sloane Ranger and I for one am pleased that the brand is becoming more widely worn and appreciated. Barbour wax cotton has long been the the quintessential fabric of a stylish outdoor life. A genuine original woven from 100% long staple cotton treated with their secret formula of oils and wax. It is quite simply one of the toughest and most durable fabrics available. I can recall a BBC documentary where a farmer abused his Barbour jacket with the sole intent of demonstrating how touch the fabric was. The jacket barely had a scratch on it even though it had been littered with a few shotgun rounds, run over and dragged throughout the countryside. In fact, many people believe that they improve with age. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not much of a Great Outdoors type of guy but as I was escaping London for a quiet weekend by the Kent coast I had the perfect opportunity to give my latest investment a try...
Wax cotton navy blazer worn with white club collar shirt from Bespoken, olive jumper by Maison Martin Margiela and purple Uniqlo jeans.

Barbour clothing has been made in the north east of England and just over the borders of Scotland since 1894. If there's one feature that distinguishes Barbour jackets more than any other, it is their almost legendary durability. Barbour is a true functional classic. With a worldwide reputation as the one of the finest British country casual brands it has long been a staple of the more discerning clothing aficionados on the terraces and Sloane rangers alike. I've admired the brand for some time but not until now has one of its products appealed to my own personal taste. This blazer combines the tough outerwear that we all know and expect from Barbour with a British tailoring tradition to create a whole new silhouette.
Wax cotton navy blazer worn with white club collar shirt from Bespoken, olive green jumper from Maison Martin Margiela, purple jeans from Uniqlo and Kudu brogued boots from Lodger.

Throughout the entire thirty piece capsule collection, Joe Casely-Hayford has offered a new take on classic designs and breathed fresh life in to a selection of my favourite British heritage brands. However, it is no more obvious or successful than this wax cotton navy blazer. After a few test wears by the seaside I could not be happier with my purchase. Now, I just need to save a few pennies for those Pukk leather brogues...

11 comments:

Tom Jennings said...

Steve, you obviously possess a more svelte figure than I, as that jacket didn't fit me at all when I tried it on last week! I will have to stick with my trusty Chelsea Sport Quilt, it seems. Great to see JL championing British brands like Barbour, Smedley and Cheaney with this promising collaboration, though. It's ALL about those heritage brands.

Style Salvage Steve said...

The Gear Monkey: Oh no, sorry to hear that! It does possess a slim cut. I think my figure has become somewhat more svelte in recent weeks and I will use this jacket to measure any weight gain, ha! What is more exciting is that this capsule collection is only the beginning, it will only grow over the next few seasons and I cannot wait to see who they work with next.

Matthew Spade said...

looking very gentry indeed Mr S.

it looks and fits great doesn't it, i bet your as pleased as punch.

J said...

Great buy. I've had my Barbour for years and it has aged wonderfully. I'm sure you'll be wearing yours in years to come too

Krishna said...

I love Barbour! A Barbour jacket is to be cherished and loved - it gets better with age. I am so glad JCH has launched this tie-up with John Lewis.

Really love the way you've teamed the jacket with purple jeans - rather autumnal but very classy. All you need now is a pair of wellies ;)

http://algernonmoncrieff.blogspot.com/

A.Richard Allen said...

V understated; it lets the other pieces shine. Where's the jumper/ tank top from? Love the ochre/ olive with the maroon.

Style Salvage Steve said...

Mat: Thank you and yes I am as pleased as punch. Finally a Barbour jacket that fits just how I want it to fit. Thank goodness for Joe!
J: Thanks. It will be cherished and I can't wait to see it age much better than me.
Krishna: Ha, not sure you'll be seeing me in wellies anytime soon! I like the city life too much. I adore Autumnal hues, I wish I could dress for Autumn all year round.
A. Richard Allen: Thanks and apologies, I missed out the jumper on my outfit rundown. It is by Maison Martin Margiela and has leather elbow patches. I love it so!

joy said...

I like your style because it is typically understated but with color. I had a Scottish friend in grade school who had a Barbour sweater and a Barbour jecket. haha I always thought it was so sophisticated.

Amy Douglas said...

I used to own a Barbour jacket too! I love them I still steal my mum's every now and again.
This outfit is great, purple is such a rich colour teamed with the boots gives a real countryside chic feel!

Style Salvage Steve said...

Joy: I could never forget the smell of my primary school Barbour jacket and I too saw myself as the epitome of sophistication (or insert the equivalent thoughts of a ten year old) while wearing it.
Amy Douglas: I fully endorse the theft of your mum's Barbour. Thanks for your kind words on the outfit!

LBD said...

This is a great outfit, Steve.

I love the olive with the maroon and the navy blazer combo with the white shirt peeking out

very nice blazer. great colour. :)

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