But there’s more – so much more –than bespoke
tailoringto the house’scontribution to the
sartorial canon:especially since 2011,whenthe opening ofits haberdashery on
Clifford Streetbroadenedthe brand’s repertoirein such a way thata series of purchases in June has become a regular calendar slot for sartorialists who know how
to dress for summer.Indeed, the proprietor Anda Rowland’s father, Tiny Rowland,
seta highbenchmark for hersummer stylesmarts,which to
this day arecomplemented bythe impeccable
tastesofAudieCharles: one of London
menswear’s most lauded creative forces.
A new range of summer-apt apparel has just become available hereon The Rake Online,not leastthese short-sleeved,
knitted linenHenley shirtsin ‘sky’, navy and ‘ocean’ hues.Made in Italy,theircollarless, two-buttonneckscombine with thedelicate feel of the fabric to make the
shirts feel to the wearer as summery as they look to the observer.
Once the evening draws in,yourgo-to option may shift tothesepocketed, long-sleevedlinen sweaters in‘sky’, ‘ocean’or
white, which aremadewitha lightweight,breathablefabric; or, on
chillier evenings,perhapsopt forthiswide-striped sweater,which layers beautifully with an unstructured suit
jacket,as do the brand’s cable knit sweaters in blue,cream, navy or‘sky’.
Abolder statement might be made withalinen safari overshirt,should you choose the vibrant ‘brick’or yellowhues. Made fromheavy Irishlinenand furnished withfour
useful patch pockets, side slits and buttoned cuffs,they’realso available incream, blue, khakiand teal.Whatever your option from the waist
up, on a chillier night you can’t go wrong layering it with this linen work jacket in tobacco.
Of course, while thehomo sapientorso makes itsentrance at
human eye level,style – summer style included – famouslyworksfrom the ground up.And,the best way todraw
thesartorialdial a couple of notches further
towards informal than your Tod’s, Corthay or Berlutiloafers do is with a pair of
well-chosen espadrilles.The pairs here ingrey, navy or ‘rust’ are cut from super-supple suede, with an inset gum sole,and are comfortable–
arguablythefootwear equivalentofyour favouriteNeapolitancoat -with just a
soupcon ofruggednessafter extended
wear.
Moving upwards towards the torso again, these double-pleated white cotton trousers in navy, white, green, ‘sand’,
‘brick’ or ‘latte’ can all be part of an eye-catching ensemble with other garments featured here. Meanwhile, anyone who’s watched early Bond movies has latched on to the importance of elegantly
cutsummershorts.Theones here – in ‘floral
print pink’,‘pineapple print blue’ or‘pineapple
print orange’ -feature an elastic waist band with drawstring front,as well asside slit pockets and a back patch pocket
withVelcrofastening.Mostimportantly – much like Fred Astaire’ssoft-tailored ‘English
drape’ suits –theymove in a manner
whichcomplementsthe mover of the
wearer.
Not that we’re suggesting dance displays around the pools of St Tropez this
summer…
