Three Ways To Wear Givenchy

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Three Ways To Wear Givenchy

Words by Mr Adam Welch

30 May 2016

How to work Mr Riccardo Tisci’s label – as worn by Messrs Kanye West and Victor Cruz – into your wardrobe, with three key pieces.

Mr Riccardo Tisci’s spectacular efforts over his more-than-a-decade tenure at Givenchy have made him one of the driving forces in contemporary menswear. His ability to mix the luxurious with the street smart has seen him define a singular aesthetic in his men’s collections, which are full of oversized silhouettes, statement prints and cuts inspired by urban street style. Given that Mr Tisci has so many celebrity advocates, including Messrs Kanye West and Victor Cruz, you’re likely to have seen many of his designs plastered over the news. However, that doesn’t mean it’s always clear how you’re supposed to wear them as a mere mortal. In fact, when a designer’s vision is this strong and adventurous, it can sometimes be tricky deciding how exactly it fits with your own. Which is where the following guide comes in. Scroll down to discover how to work three new pieces from Givenchy into your everyday wardrobe (and not look like you’re about to stumble out of the Grammys afterparty).

Since Mr Tisci’s Rottweiler sweatshirt became the most blogged-about item of AW11, such pieces have been a core element of every collection. This variation, however, featuring patch appliqués of graphic patterns, flowers and a distressed US flag, is a slightly more subtle take on the look, and refers to a key trend (patches) that’s imminent for AW16. In short, it’s both a keeper and a looker, and will look great with a pair of plain olive-coloured chinos, as both nod very slightly towards traditions of military dress.

For his AW15 collection, Mr Tisci made the decision to snatch pinstripes out of the clutches of financiers and satanic CEOs and rework them for the casual wardrobe, offering shirts, T-shirts and sweaters in the traditional suit pattern. This shirt represents the next step forward in that line of thinking, featuring a blown-up pinstripe pattern and contrasting pocket in normal-width pinstripe. Throw it on when dressing for a casual but festive occasion, and keep the rest of your outfit (including a pair of Y-3 sneakers) monochrome – it will bring out its graphic qualities.

This zipped bomber in stiff, tactile neoprene is something of an investment piece that you will keep from season to season and want to wear all the time. The good news, then, is that it will go with most things, thanks to its simple colour palette. But if you want to play to its powerful striped cuffs, we suggest wearing it with another piece with graphic panels, such as this light cotton polo from Burberry.