THE JOURNAL
When it comes to suits, Richard James is the original revolutionary. Landing on Savile Row in 1992, the upstart tailor spearheaded what is now known as The New Bespoke Movement. At a time when the shops on London’s iconic street were starting to feel old-fashioned, Richard James’s renegade approach of eccentric colours and youthful tailoring – plus the unheard-of decision at the time to open on a Saturday – brought a new relevance to the street and steered it into the 21st century.
Now a stalwart of the establishment, the tailor’s suits have been worn by prime ministers and viscounts and it counts the actor Mr Daniel Craig, the singer Sir Elton John and the former footballer Mr David Beckham among its high-profile customers. At a time when tailoring is no longer a non-negotiable part of a man’s wardrobe, Richard James has ensured its success by making classic clothing that nonetheless feels cool, contemporary and fun to wear. Or, to put it another way, Richard James does sophistication without the stuffiness.
The brand’s summer 2023 collection has just landed on MR PORTER. Standout pieces include a caramel-coloured, unstructured linen blazer worn with striped slacks, thrown over a honeycomb knitted polo shirt that looks as though it could have been plucked from the set of The Talented Mr Ripley, or the white and sky-blue suits that feel suavely insouciant in a Miami Vice kind of way.
“Richard James has ensured its success by making classic clothing that nonetheless feels cool, contemporary and fun to wear”
The whole collection was inspired by 1980s Miami when pastel-coloured Cadillacs cruised along Ocean Drive. Now you can channel that same sense of stylish confidence. Richard James’ summer tailoring is all about stylish basics that will effortlessly smarten up a warm-weather wardrobe as the temperature rises.
The collection also includes an eminently wearable selection of tapered chinos, roomy drawstring shorts, cardigans and chunky ribbed sweaters ideal for chilly evenings, as well as an excellent, assuredly expensive-looking suede jacket in olive green that will make for what we in the menswear world call the perfect trans-seasonal wardrobe staple. This is a collection of smart-minded clothing that will ensure you look polished for many summers to come.
For now, though, it is time to decide what on earth to wear this year. Whether you find yourself donning a white linen suit in Magic City or simply want to keep your cool at a summer wedding, consider this your head start on bringing some modern Savile Row sensibility to your wardrobe and being the best dressed man in the room wherever you go.