EsquireUK-June2018

(C. Jardin) #1
Irreverence is quite rare in fashion.
Recently, and perhaps more than ever,
there is irony and homage and pastiche,
but not much leviy. And understandably
so; if you spent £2,000 on an anorak
featuring the logo of a courier company,
and someone in the street asked you to
deliver a parcel, you probably wouldn’t
see the funny side. Enter what we’re
terming “the new prep”, a way of dressing
that puts scruiness and impertinence
to the fore. It’s equal parts square-jawed
collegiate, Californian surf bum, Eighties
tennis hero, nerd at the prom, Hooray
Henry and south London skate rat.
Clearly, it’s a broad spectrum, but
like the coolest people, the best trends are
hard to define. Key components are bright
or pastel colours in blocks or panels,
a loose (but not oversized) silhouete and
the subtle subversion of garb normally
reserved for stufy, moneyed ypes; rugby
jerseys, buton-down oxford shirts and
cricket jumpers, for example.
You need the correct trainers — Vans
slip-ons, Converse One Stars and Adidas
Originals. Alternatively, go for horse-bit

School’s in > Enough with all the serious-


faced fashion, it’s time for something fresh


— ‘new prep’. By Charlie Teasdale


Red/blue/white coton
rugby jersey, £185, by
Tommy Hilfiger Collection

Black leather horse-bit
loafers, £455, by Gucci
@ Mr Porter

he Beach
Boys in Oslo,
Norway, 1982


Frank Ocean at
the 2013 Grammy
Awards, Los
Angeles, California

Green/white coton-nylon
bomber jacket, £520,
by Polo Ralph Lauren

Of-white/orange coton-
mix baseball socks, £18,
by You Must Create

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