The coast, finally, is clear. After month-after-month of lockdown-after-lockdown, Britain appears to be reopening for sun-soaked, summery business. The clouds have parted, the restrictions have lifted — and we’ve been given our long-awaited chance to enjoy a Great British summer.
And there’s nowhere better than Salcombe; the charming, soothing resort town sitting prettily on Devon’s south coast. Last month, Gentleman’s Journal packed up and headed down to the beach with some of this season’s latest styles — to enjoy a fashion-forward, old fashioned British seaside break.
DJ wears FRESCOBOL CARIOCA SHIRT, £160, frescobolcarioca.com; CHOPARD L.U.C XPS, £14,400, chopard.com
Harry wears SIRPLUS SHIRT, £110, sirplus. co.uk: CONNOLLY TROUSERS, £280, connollyengland.com; CHOPARD ALPINE EAGLE LARGE, £11,200, chopard.com; Adam wears SIRPLUS SHIRT, £110, sirplus.co.uk; MR P. SWIM SHORTS, £65, mrporter.com
But it wasn’t all about the best of British. Among the styles we packed into our suitcases were the South American-inspired designs of Frescobol Carioca; with fine linens and gently patterned swim shorts bringing a touch of the Copacabana to the English riviera.
Harry wears LEVI’S JEANS, £100, levi.com; DEREK ROSE LINEN SHIRT, £165, derek-rose.com; OLIVER SPENCER JUMPER, £159, oliverspencer. co.uk; CHOPARD L.U.C XPS, £14,400, chopard.com; DJ wears CONNOLLY JUMPER, £350, connollyengland.com; POLO RALPH LAUREN CAP, £35, ralphlauren.co.uk; ORLEBAR BROWN SHORTS, £175, orlebarbrown.com; CHOPARD L.U.C TIME TRAVELER ONE, £21,100, chopard.com
We also made sure to pack practically — which, in Britain, means some thicker layers for any overcast intervals or interludes. And, from reliable Levi’s jeans to knitwear from British artisans Oliver Spencer and Connolly, we had every inch of our summer wardrobes all wrapped up.
Adam wears OLIVER SPENCER TOP, £129, oliverspencer.co.uk; INCOTEX TROUSERS, £275, slowear.com
And then there’s the nautical influences. Maritime styling looks to be a tremendously popular trend this year — with light blues and off-whites coming together to fly the flag for simple, understated summer dressing.
Picture 1: DJ wears GANT JUMPER, £175, gant.co.uk; GANT TROUSERS, £125, gant.co.uk; FRESCOBOL CARIOCA SHIRT, £160, frescobolcarioca.co.uk. Picture 2: DJ wears SIRPLUS SHIRT, £95, sirplus.co.uk; MR P. TROUSERS, £175, mrporter.com.
The vintage, academic look is also having something of a resurgence. After several years out of favour, large logos and bold, statement stripes are back in force — with preppy powerhouses Ralph Lauren and Gant leading the sporting charge.
Adam wears NEW & LINGWOOD JACKET, £695, newandlingwood.com; SIRPLUS SHIRT, £95, sirplus.co.uk; MR P. TROUSERS, £175, mrporter.com; MONC X OLIVER SPENCER SUNGLASSES, £210, monclondon.com; DJ wears GANT RUGBY SHIRT, £125, gant.co.uk; AGNES B TROUSERS, £235, agnesb.co.uk; MONC X OLIVER SPENCER SUNGLASSES, £210, monclondon.com
And then there are those bold, signature pieces that tie everything together. Pieces like this extraordinary New & Lingwood boating jacket. Combining the aforementioned nautical influences with preppy style — and then throwing in some bright, British colours for good measure — it’s the epitome of 2021 English summer dressing.
Picture 1: Harry wears SIRPLUS SHIRT, £110, sirplus.co.uk; CONNOLLY TROUSERS, £280, connollyengland.com. Picture 2: DJ wears SIRPLUS SHIRT, £95, sirplus.co.uk; MR P. TROUSERS, £175, mrporter.com
Another brand with British quality and values all buttoned up is Sir Plus. This simple striped shirt from the sustainable brand is a less loud option than the boating jacket above — quieter on the eyes, but still influenced by salt-sprayed maritime stripes.
Picture 1: Adam wears CONNOLLY JUMPER, £350, connollyengland.com. Picture 2: DJ wears ORLEBAR BROWN TROUSERS, £175, orlebarbrown.com; FRESCOBOL CARIOCA SHIRT, £175, frescobolcarioca.com. Picture 3: Harry wears ORLEBAR BROWN POLO SHIRT, £295, orlebarbrown.com; ANDERSON’S BELT, £90, matchesfashion.com. Picture 4: Adam wears HEMINGSWORTH SWEATSHIRT, £99, hemingsworth.com; GANT SHORTS, £70, gant.co.uk.
But it’s not all about stripes and patterns. Big, block colours are also enjoying their time in the vivid, vibrant sun. Just look to this sunshine-yellow polo shirt from Orlebar Brown — or the British brand’s equally bright orange trousers — to see how one colour, worn correctly, can define your whole summery ensemble.
Adam wears HEMINGSWORTH SWEATSHIRT, £99, hemingsworth.com; GANT SHORTS, £70, gant.co.uk
Continuing our voyage into seafaring style — while acknowledging Britain’s cool coastal breezes — we’ve also discovered a range of sweatshirts from Hemingsworth. Most are block, pastel colours. But our favourite? This softly-spun striped option, created in the iconic Breton style.
Adam wears SIRPLUS SHIRT, £95, sirplus.co.uk; OLIVER SPENCER JACKET, £359, oliverspencer.co.uk; MR P. SHORTS, £75, mrporter.com
And then come the shorts. Every man needs a pair of honest, reliable shorts to see him (and his lower legs) through summer. We’ve tried and tested the best; from Gant to Orlebar Brown — and the simple Mr. P design seen above.
Picture 1: DJ wears GANT RUGBY SHIRT, £125, gant.co.uk; MONC X OLIVER SPENCER SUNGLASSES, £210, monclondon.com; Adam wears SIRPLUS SHIRT, £95, sirplus.co.uk; MR P. TROUSERS, £175, mrporter.com; MONC X OLIVER SPENCER SUNGLASSES, £210, monclondon.com. Picture 2: Harry wears DEREK ROSE LINEN SHIRT, £165, derek-rose.com; SUNGLASSES model’s own
Finally; sunglasses. No summer wardrobe is complete without a pair of fantastically dependable frames. And, whether they’re classically styled, a contemporary design or the same pair you’ve been wearing for years, it pays to invest in the most versatile, timeless sunnies you can find.
This feature was taken from the Summer 2021 issue of Gentleman’s Journal. Subscribe here. Special thanks to Sergio Alvarez for grooming, using Murad Skincare and Authentic Beauty Concept products.
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