THE JOURNAL
We must “stan”, as the youth say, a brand that turns out ultra-wearable, wardrobe-building staples season after season. Club Monaco has been doing this very thing for more than 30 years, and has just about perfected the formula. Like the gatekeepers of the Coca-Cola recipe, they’re unlikely to share their secrets any time soon, but if we had to guess we would say that it goes something like this: take a perfectly cut tee and render it in several soft colours and patterns, pair it with chinos and trousers that fit just so, and then pile on the non-bulky layers for warmth and style. Voilà, your capsule wardrobe is sorted.
This season – much as it did last season, and the one before that – Club Monaco delivers timeless, elevated essentials that you’ll be wearing for years to come. It’s the same tees and trousers you’ve come to know and love, in modern fits and accompanied by of-the-moment detailing, plus some extras you might not have known you needed. And it’s all in time for that sudden shift from to autumn to winter. You know what we’re talking about: one moment you’re perspiring in a T-shirt and shorts, the next you’re pulling moth balls off your wool sweaters and wondering why you didn’t bother to dry clean your coat last February.
“Club Monaco delivers timeless, elevated essentials that you’ll be wearing for years to come”
What we like about this collection is how seamless it makes the seasonal transition. With lofty knits and mellow neutrals, it’s not a wintry slap in the face – a dive straight into blacks and navies after a summer of colour and fun. No, this is a more gentle slide into November. There are dark hues aplenty in the denim, shirting and tees, but jackets, sweatshirts and sweaters are uplifting and light – a breath of cool, clean air in the form of pastels and neutrals.
These are pieces we think you’ll be wearing over (and over) again. Take, for example, the degrade hoodie, which shifts from sky blue to sea-foam green in an elegant, urban take on the tie-dye trend. This sweatshirt is a fresh, less hippie-dippy version of the comfy, cosy leisurewear we all got so used to in the last 18 months. And it is stylish enough to wear – as we’ve done here – with khaki trousers, not only with the matching sweatpants.
The brand’s creamy, waffle-knit sweater is also a winner in our book as it works nicely on its own (or over a tee), but is also a contrasting companion to darker plaid button-downs and modern cargo trousers. A crew-neck sweater layered over a button-down shirt adds a contemporary touch to an everyday outfit and is a great styling tip for those more accustomed to wearing a V-neck.
Club Monaco knows that the transition between seasons is easiest if you stock up on light layers. If you have several of such things hanging on hooks – ideally near the door – you’ll never be caught out when the weather changes on a whim. The lightweight bomber jacket is a perfect example, offering added protection from the elements without weighing you down. It also happens to dress up jeans just a bit, adding casual polish for, say, a date (you can also lend it to your companion if they get cold).
So what’s the secret Club Monaco formula? Ultimately it all comes back to wearability. If every piece in your closet functions as a stylish addition to any outfit, is comfortable and fits exactly the way you want it to, then all of the stress of getting dressed disappears and you can count on looking good, whatever you’re wearing. Does that sound good to you? Join the club.