the same garment is entirely another. I won’t
rain on your parade entirely, though, as
there are in fact plenty of lively patterned
sweaters available for Spring/Summer and
they’ll ping with as much new-season pep
as anything Styles might have popped on his
brave little back. Thom Browne, for instance,
has done a wonderful line in soft-hued
sweaters finished with quaint jacquard
intarsia seaside scenes for SS20. Worn with
a pair of slim-cut bleached jeans and a white
Oxford shirt, they’ll look as preppy as they
do perky. Prada – a perennial favourite for
jazzy, cross-seasonal knits – has produced an
excellent range of crocheted, candy-coloured
vests for SS20 that will look as bold wornI really loved that jumper Harry Styles wore
a little while ago – that sleeveless one with
the sheep on it. Can I ask, though, is that
something real people can wear? I fear I
might look silly doing it. Also, are there
other, more affordable bright spring
jumpers that will look as good and not
destroy my bank balance?
Samir, LowestoftDear Samir, I know of which jumper you
speak. It’s from Lanvin, it’s painfully cool
and I can see why you’d want to emulate
the look yourself. The thing is, Samir, Harry
Styles in a sheep-pattenered navy-blue
sweater vest is one thing, a real person inalone as they will chic over a classic white
tee. Gucci, of course, has endless candy-
coloured sweaters, all of which will give you
a hit of Styles’ style without overdoing it,
while Lanvin, the Parisian brand from which
Styles sourced his original sweater vest, is
the place to go if you want to copy the look
precisely. Whichever way you go, however,
remember to keep the rest of your outfit as
simple as possible. This is the real world
you’re dressing for, after all.Where can I find the best jeans? I want
some simple, slim-cut, stonewashed jeans
with a taper, not too long (can’t bear rolling
them up) and not too short (I don’t want
to look like a wally). Are there any you’d
recommend? It would be good to have a
few price points to choose from. I’m not
made of money (but I’m not poor either).
Bamber, SilfordHi Bamber, very glad to hear you’re not poor.
In terms of jeans, I myself have spent many
years searching for the perfect pair and
though I’m still yet to find “the one”, there
have been a number of contenders with
which I’ve been impressed. The first, at the
lowest end of the budgetary pool, is Levi’s
classic 511. Cut on the tighter side and
available in a wide range of shades (the
deep-black ones are my personal favourites),
the 511s are excellent worn with hiking boots
and wash incredibly well. I’ve had mine for a
decade or so and short of requiring a small
patch in the crotch (I wear my jeans hard)
they’ve lasted the test of time. The second
pair I’d recommend are from Gap. Part of the
American brand’s 1969 Premium Collection,
the selvedge jeans are perfectly cut (not too
loose and not too tight) and look excellent
worn with high-top trainers (leopard-print
ones from Dior, preferably). The final pair
I would unequivocally recommend are from
Los Angeles-based denim brand Frame. The
L’Homme Slim Jaden shape is slightly more
expensive than the others I’ve mentioned,
at just north of £150, but well worth it. One
final piece of advice? For an extra-edgy look,
cut the hems off your jeans so that they just
kiss the tongue of your boots – the resulting
straggly strands will lend your ensemble an
edge I’m sure you’ll appreciate.What’s the one piece of style advice you’d
give your younger self and why?
Rod, Arundel
Never ever cut the hems off the bottom
of your jeans, because you’ll look like a
try-hard. (Only joking, Bamber.)By Teo van den BroekeStyle ShrinkSEND YOUR MENSWEAR-RELATED STYLE QUESTIONS
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