Lockdown has lifted and we're thrilled to have been able to open our stores once again. This week we dropped in on Koji Samuels, our Store Manager in Soho to find out what he's been up to. Needless to say, he has been busy welcoming back customers and making sure their shopping experience is as safe and enjoyable as possible.
It might feel strange shopping in Soho without the crowds but get the sole attention of our staff to help you make the perfect purchase - what's not to like? With summer beginning to pick up some steam, it's a good time to check out our seasonal sale because we have some amazing offers right now. This collection has also been our most ecological yet, thanks to an abundance of lightweight linen (flax farming, from which linen is derived, is extremely water-efficient compared to cotton), organic cotton, and recycled cotton.
With all that said, here's Koji with the lowdown on some of his favourite seasonal pieces:
"Lightweight shirts play a key part in my summer wardrobe as they are so versatile and easy to wear. I'm loving the Eton collar in Kildale indigo rinse as it's such an eye-catching deep blue hue. The cloth is also very soft. Go for the Eton Collar is you're looking for a bit of variance among your standard collars. The Clerkenwell tab shirt in forest green is my favourite out of the SS20 shirts if only because of the rich colour (and it's a break away from all the navy and black in my wardrobe). I also really like the Clerkenwell tab collar in Thorndon blue - it's a navy plaid and can be worn open or closed depending on how casual you want your look. If you haven't embraced the grandad collar yet, you're missing out! One for my casual collection is the Marwood rust version. I tend to prefer dressing on the more casual side, so for me, a grandad collar shirt in this great colour allows me to sharpen up a bit without having to resort to a classic spread collar. Finally, summer in the UK can be unpredictable, so a good lightweight overshirt is good to have in your arsenal. The Eltham shirt in Eden black is one of my staples - easy layering over a white tee.
"Next up are knits and loungewear, the latter of which has become much more of an integral part of my wardrobe since lockdown. The Blenheim crew neck jumper in Pergola red is one of those really versatile pieces. A light, soft knit with a subtle stripe. The 100% extrafine wool makes it warm on a cool evening without the risk of overheating. For a more casual look, our House sweat Harris indigo blue sweatshirt is a stunning colour and easy for round the house or a quick trip to the shops. Or you can check out the Swanfield henley in ecru - another laidback piece with curved hems and a very soft, almost waffle-like fabric. This was a hot item before lockdown!
"For jackets, I love the Cowboy in Evering teal (it's the one I'm wearing above). Like most guys, I’m always on the hunt for a great jacket; this one is perfect for summer and a superb colour picked out by Oli in a midweight linen. The cut works on most shapes, too. If I was to go to any summer evening dinner parties requiring a jacket, the Brookes in Evering sand would be the one! A peaked lapel gives it a touch of formality and the sand tone is great for matching with other pastel hues. An in-between style would be the Buckland, which is our take on a coach-style jacket. The Hesketh fabric is a nice navy check and really holds its own.
"And finally, the legs! I really enjoy wearing a pleated trouser. Oli has designed a great cut that is loose in the thigh with a slight tapering from the knee down. The Cannock navy is a very versatile fabric to wear up or down, too. A relaxed cut I like to wear in the weekend is the judo pant in Evering navy, and linen as a fabric speaks for itself in the summer. For dressed-down weekends, I like my shorts casual, and the Weston style in Wellesley navy and oatmeal are exactly that. Perfect for lounging about in the park."