As the mercury drops, it’s time to rethink your wardrobe. While the onset of the cooler months signals shorter days and chillier nights — and with the southern hemisphere bracing for a particularly icy winter — the time is ripe for sartorial experimentation. The key to making a sharp winter style statement? Layering.
Strategic layering allows you to create a plethora of looks with a few well-crafted core staples. When it comes to nailing cold weather dressing, who better to turn to than our northern hemisphere counterparts? Brooks Brothers has spent over two centuries perfecting the art of layering, with the American outfitter synonymous with preppy yet effortless style.
With the heritage brand having experienced something of a second coming under new creative director — and venerable menswear icon — Michael Bastian, the latest Brooks Brothers collection lets craftsmanship and fabrication take centre stage. And, it delivers a masterclass in layering to boot.
Epitomising the appeal of the ‘new’ Brooks Brothers, the Friday shirt offers a relaxed take on the brand’s signature oxford shirt. Cut from cotton poplin, the versatile style has a relaxed feel — an apt fit for the new era of workwear — while still being polished enough to wear styled under a blazer to cocktail events. The versatile piece comes in traditional checks, stripes, and gingham, as well as a more funky iteration that combines multiple patterns and shades (pictured here).
Spanning menswear and womenswear, the autumn/winter collection approaches the brand’s heritage through a contemporary lens; reinvigorating staples for the modern era while retaining the luxurious fabrics and quality craftsmanship Brooks Brothers is known for. Laden with neutral hues that are both easy-to-wear and easy-to-pair, the colour palette also features thoughtful pops of colour which ensure visual interest.
The classic rugby shirt is something of a menswear icon. Transcending its origins on the field, the rugged staple is constructed from heavy cotton, making it the ideal winter layering piece. Here, it adds a sense of relaxed insouciance to a classic oxford shirt, while a quilted jacket keeps things cosy.
On the womenswear front, luxurious knitwear and a contemporary spin on classic tailoring reign supreme. When styled with a tennis sweater, a pleated skirt becomes instantly fresh and decidedly unstuffy, while retaining the right amount of gravitas for business formal occasions. Meanwhile, patterned shirting adds interest to smart casual occasions; elevated with a suit set or pared-back with textured materials like herringbone or corduroy.
A healthy dose of prep never goes astray, with the Wool Striped School Blazer imbuing any outfit with all-American collegiate style. A valuable tool in any style arsenal, use it to elevate a laidback outfit of jeans and a t-shirt to smart casual status, or lean into the garment’s origins by pairing it with tailored trousers.
A sophisticated winter wardrobe is built on a foundation of well-made, versatile staples. Designed to be mixed and matched (as well as provide a basis for expression and experimentation), the modern takes on tried-and-true styles put forward by Brooks Brothers are set to be the workhorses in your sartorial arsenal for years to come.
Words by Henry Blake
