The New Navy
The vast majority of guys have a navy suit of some description in their wardrobes, but it's typically going to be a worsted wool style that can sometimes look a little too business-like for spring and summer. That's where lightweight fabrics such as cotton and linen really come into their own.
"A great example is Oli's Sampson suit, which is kind of like a seersucker and cut from a beautiful organic cotton, says Charlie. "It's got a really nice silky feel, and is completely unstructured, which gives it a natural drape. The fabric is so soft that I wouldn't style it with a crisp cotton poplin shirt, but rather something with an equally soft texture, maybe a heavy cotton tee or a knitted polo with a soft roll in the collar, something like that. As for shoes, I'm really into the English loafer which has a bit more of a chunkier sole than European styles, while the Derby is just a great multi-season shoe. The smooth black leather Solovair shape would work really well in elevating the navy Sampson suit that little bit, whereas I really like the idea of the dark green suede Derbies for a pop of understated colour. I probably would have shied away from something like this a few years ago, but now I'm much more drawn to it. We're at this point where trainers and smart shoes have become sort of interchangeable, so you can totally switch up your looks."
From Navy To Neutrals
If the navy suit is the ever-dependable workhorse of the menswear wardrobe, then where on the colour palette do you venture to if you want to make more of a statement?
"I mean there was lots of discussion last year about neutral tones such as beige being the de facto palette of luxury," explains Charlie. "From a practical point of view, these kinds of colours are a really nice canvas. One fabric that is great with neutral tones is linen. Yes, it can wrinkle a bit, but that's part of the charm. Oli's Mansfield linen suit is a case in point - the peak lapel gives it a smart finish and the double vent makes for a nice natural drape. You can play about with other neutral tones or pastels if you want a pop of colour. I like the idea of keeping it neutral with a tonal short-sleeve shirt or a knitted polo, and then opting for brown derbies or loafers for example.
"I would probably be more likely to pair the Mansfield jacket with a tie than the Solms jacket because it has that slightly more structured lapel, so it's a great option for summer weddings. One week you could wear it with a white shirt and a beautiful blue knitted tie for a bit of a statement. The next, you could wear it with a textured short-sleeve shirt or a camp collar style and look like our man in Havana. But I think the idea that ties are the thing that makes you look smart is just not the case anymore. It's about fit, it's about the kind of combination of colours that you're choosing, it's about how you carry it all off."
