THE JOURNAL
We ought to begin this with a sincere apology. We are very sorry to everyone who is currently experiencing a heatwave – sleeping in a starfish position and dabbing their wrists with damp flannels every five minutes. We apologise to you all for even mentioning the concept of cashmere, or whispering the word sweater, lest it increase your internal temperature a fraction of a degree. But we are going to anyway. Sorry not sorry, etc. Because fashion waits for no man.
Climate and season aside, we really are rather excited to welcome the new AW22 Loro Piana collection onto MR PORTER – regardless of whether or not we can actually put it on right this second. (Indeed, here in London, we certainly can’t.) But that won’t stop us buying it, because we don’t see it sticking around for long. And, such is the unstoppable nature of time, it’ll be September before you can say “pass the ice bucket”. See it as a long-term investment.
With that in mind, here are some of our favourite pieces below – and the reasons we like them.
01.
The vintage-style half-zip cashmere sweater
Listen, we’re not asking for the sunshine to stop anytime soon. Or at all, ideally. But, when a brisk breeze does start to set in, we’ve set our sights on a certain sweater. Knitted in Italy from an oh-so soft two-tone cashmere, this Roadster half-zip sweater, which counts as part of Loro Piana’s vintage automobile inspired collection of the same name, is perfect for the transition between seasons.
02.
The sporty cashmere sweater
Offset with contrasting stripes at the cuffs, hem and neckline, this teal-green cashmere sweater has a sporty vibe that’s perfect for summer. It won’t look out of place next to a patch of grass, even if you’re just watching the action on the screen.
03.
The rugged Storm System jacket
Loro Piana might not be the most obvious port of call for those on the hunt for hard-wearing outdoorsy gear, but this season the legacy label is here to remind you it’s more than its signature cashmere knitwear. Take this deceivingly handsome camel-hued anorak. Under the surface, it incorporates not one but two rather genius features: the brand’s patented Storm System, to shield wearers from the elements, and WindWish technology, which pairs waterproof, coated microfibre with a delightfully soft virgin wool.
04.
The slim-fit cotton-blend trousers
It’s tricky to imagine a piece of clothing that can be simultaneously casual and sophisticated, but these trousers achieve just this. Breezy, light but subtly smart – these are ideal for that tricky period in between summer and autumn.
05.
The suede bomber jacket
If you’re anything like us, you’re thinking ahead and already planning for the yearly end-of-summer style refresh – dressing for the trans-seasonal months can come with serious challenges, after all. The Kent bomber jacket, however, is here to make the whole process that bit easier (and further proof that the house is one of the world’s very best textile innovators).
06.
The cashmere bomber jacket
The original MA-1 bomber jacket was introduced in the 1950s to meet the needs of pilots in the jet age. It was lightweight and functional, employing then high-tech synthetic materials. But, notably, not the finest cashmere known to humankind, which is what elevates Loro Piana’s take on the menswear classic to a new astral plane.
07.
The padded shell gilet
A gilet is surely one of the most useful – and underrated – items in a man’s wardrobe, such are its advantages in unpredictable weather. Designed for whatever the elements throw at you, the Tilman is made from stretchy shell and has a light layer of insulating padding, so whether you’re popping to the corner shop for milk or weathering a storm on one of your many yachts (it is Loro Piana, after all), this will have you covered.
08.
The cotton-piqué polo shirt
T-shirts can sometimes feel a little dispensable – an afterthought to be thrown on under something else. Investing in a Loro Piana polo shirt inverts this attitude. It turns what is ostensibly a casual piece into the star of the show. Which is a good thing when the weather is as warm as it is.