An insider guide to Caruso’s AW20 outerwear
It’s not too much to demand that our wardrobes work harder than us – here’s how Caruso’s autumn/winter collection is a winner
‘Keys, phone, wallet... mask, hand sanitiser,’ so goes the new pat-down routine when leaving the house these days. Enter, Caruso’s timeless M-65-style field jacket, with four heavy-duty, press-stud patch pockets that mean your ever-growing list of essentials can be stashed away in style, without adding unsightly bulk to elegant tailoring. It’s no coincidence that the pockets also happen to be the ideal size and shape for, say, a pair of vintage spectacles, a Fallon cigar case, an Hermès diary or a S.T. Dupont pen – all of which have been found in the most rakish of pockets (find out more in our pocket guides).
Despite being cut in a weighty wool composition, Caruso’s skillful design means a concealed zip and windbreaker placket plus an adjustable waist keeps the silhouette clean and structured. Its boxy fit also means you can level up your layering: we like adding sporty touches such as a cashmere hoodie, or making it work a little harder over a chunky roll neck. The same goes for Caruso’s new-season overcoat, one of the season’s strongest contenders in a versatile shade of khaki-brown. Minimal on detailing, with double-stitched seams and oversized patch pockets, it balances structure with the fluidity of movement that this Italian house has long since held the monopoly on. A removable belt allows for various styling options – we’ll be wearing it open in autumn over a half-lined herringbone blazer, and layered up over the house’s knitwear after the clocks change.
This season, The Rake has also hand-picked several separates, such as those from Caruso’s Aida line. In Italy, the name Aida means ‘happy’, a fitting eponym for a collection we’re both pleased to offer and wear. If you’ve been working from home, the navy pleated wool trousers with side adjusters make for a smart switch-up to the daily denim we all pretend we haven’t adopted, and the matching blazer makes a persuasive case for dressing up again after months of leisurewear. Worn as a suit beneath a powerful overcoat feels positively uplifting, but the real strength in these items is their mix-and-match approach: there are few items they won’t complement, and due to their subtle design, even fewer they’ll outshine. By taking their softly-softly approach in a new direction that fits into our increasingly casual lifestyles, Caruso’s latest collection for The Rake excels in leaving room for interpretation and individuality. Shop the Caruso collection here.
