THE JOURNAL
Right now at MR PORTER, we’re celebrating all things Italian with Al Fresco!, the second chapter in our epic Summer Stories campaign. Along with a tribute to Italy’s world-famous food and culture, we’re also focusing on its peerless contributions to warm-weather dressing by bringing together some of the country’s finest designers to present a showcase of impeccable summer style.
We could hardly leave out Zegna, could we? The brand is a byword for Italian excellence, its network of fabric mills and factories in Trivero providing the raw materials for the creative vision of Mr Alessandro Sartori, who took the helm in 2016 and is credited with bringing a more fluid, relaxed style to the house while maintaining its sartorial DNA.
There’s arguably no such thing as “quintessentially Italian” when it comes to style; Italy is far too diverse a country for that. If you ask us, though, Zegna comes pretty close. With that in mind, we asked Sartori and his team to provide us with a few pieces for our Al Fresco! campaign – the sort of clothes you might wear for a leisurely lunch looking out over the sea. We’re delighted to share a few of them with you now. Keep on scrolling to see more.
01.
The Triple Stitch Espadrillas
Zegna’s Triple Stitch shoes take on a new form here with a woven jute sole inspired by traditional Catalonian espadrilles. It’s a fresh, summer-ready iteration of what was already one of our favourite sneakers, and a great example of the brand’s ability to fuse different styles and influences.
02.
The upmarket tote bag
It’s in every man’s interest to own a good tote bag – and, no, the one that you got for free at the local greengrocer doesn’t count. Cut from a sturdy yet lightweight cotton canvas and detailed with smooth calfskin leather trim, Zegna’s Cabas bag is a rather more elevated choice, and one that’s sure to carry you through summer in style.
03.
The printed shirt
Zegna’s take on the short-sleeved shirt is a typically tasteful affair, its abstract print and soft tones of peach and off-white ensuring that it doesn’t stray too far into dreaded “jazzy shirt” territory. It’s the perfect partner for other pale neutrals. We’ve styled it here with a pair of Zegna’s pleated summer chinos.
04.
The laid-back linen trousers
A fine illustration of Sartori-era Zegna’s more relaxed approach to tailoring. These pleated summer trousers are cut in a generous fit from a breezy, lightweight linen fabric and fitted with a drawstring waistband – all the better for dealing with the after-effects of a three-course lunch.
05.
The linen shorts
Yes, the fabric and the construction of these linen shorts are of the impeccable standard we’d expect of Zegna. But it’s the finer details – the safari-style patch pockets on the rear, the neatly cuffed hems, the drawstring waistband – that we’re really sold on. In a versatile neutral shade, they’re a smart addition to your summer wardrobe.
06.
The ultimate polo
True luxury is about taking things to the next level, something Zegna achieves here with what might be one of the loveliest polo shirts we’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s woven from a dusty-pink cotton blend with a touch of cashmere and has a soft, spongy texture not unlike towelling fabric, but altogether more refined. This is one that you have to feel to believe.