THE JOURNAL

History is important to Stone Island, and we’re not just talking about the 1990s “Madchester” scene (although who could – or would want to – forget that?). On a tour of the company headquarters in Ravarino, Italy, Mr Carlo Rivetti reveals that the building houses a unique archive of more than 40,000 garments that continue to provide hints of inspiration, right down to a specific pocket from 1985. The brand’s extensive collection even includes the first ever colour card, which is pinned to the wall next to a bunch of product testing boards that the CEO describes as looking like a game of Battleships. Yet, while the past remains a prominent part of each new season’s story, research and textile innovation ensures that each one has roots firmly planted in the future. Here are 12 of our favourite pieces from the latest collection that (in some cases quite literally) reflect the label’s considered approach to design.
01.
The corduroy overshirt

Fabrics that throw us back to the 1970s are never a bad thing in our books, especially when they’re as warm and cosy as wide-waled corduroy. Made from substantial cotton, the versatile oaty shade of this overshirt means that choosing what to wear it with couldn’t be easier. That said, if you are stuck, simply follow Mr Penn Badgley’s lead in The Journal and leave it unbuttoned over a classic tee and tailored trousers.
02.
The reflective bucket hat

Hands up if you were surprised to see a bucket hat make this list? No, we didn’t think so. This isn’t your average bucket hat, however. Decorated with the brand’s Rain Camo print that’s reflective when hit by light, it’s made from abrasion-resistant fabric composed of mechanically spun nylon that’s steamed during the spinning process. The resin coating on the inside adds wind and water resistance, too.
03.
The garment-dyed tee

Stone Island is the first to admit that its strength lies in fabric treatment. In fact, much like a group of artists who revel in mixing paints to create unique palettes, the team at the brand’s experimental colour laboratory have developed more than 60,000 different dye recipes over the years. This T-shirt is cut from naturally stretchy cotton-jersey in an army-green tone that’s perhaps the most fitting match to the military origins and inspiration behind the compass logo.
04.
The reusable bottle

Let’s get a little serious for a moment. When it comes to the future of our planet, we know by now that small actions (taken collectively) can lead to positive change – swapping single-use plastic bottles in favour of something reusable is one of those key steps. Fillable with hot or cold drinks, this logo-engraved flask is a customised version of the 24Bottles CLIMA BOTTLE that’s produced with zero emissions. It’s made from 18/8 food grade stainless steel and has a thermo-sensitive exterior, so it niftily changes colour according to temperature.
05.
The considered hoodie

While we’re chewing the fat around environmental matters, have you heard about The Seaqual Initiative? The collaborative community is flighting plastic pollution by working with waste management and recycling industries. Getting in on the action, Stone Island’s fleece-back hoodie is made from organic cotton and Seaqual Yarn, which is blended with upcycled marine plastic and post-consumer polyester. It’s also neatly embroidered with the brand’s small star motif at the chest.
06.
The printed cargo trousers

Ever fancied matching your trousers to your bucket hat? Now’s your chance. This pigment printed cargo pair is cut from the same Rain Camo fabric as the floppy-brimmed accessory in our edit. The fit is loose and relaxed, while the placement of the pockets is nicely off-kilter. Wear them with an oversized sweatshirt and sneakers.
07.
The ribbed balaclava

Cold weather will be no match for this ribbed balaclava. Knitted from pure wool, it’s detailed with an overstitched shell visor for both coverage and longevity. Trust us, along with your quilted coat and leather gloves, it’ll quickly become the thing you can’t be without on icy days.
08.
The crinkled gilet

Don’t worry, you don’t need to dig out your travel steamer for this one. The intentionally crinkled finish of this gilet’s fabric is all down to the weatherproof resin coating. In a nutshell, the treatment causes the colour to penetrate unevenly into the material, which creates crease-like lines. Each quilted layer is pumped with down for maximum insulation and the nylon has a tight weave for durability.
09.
The half-knit sweater

Even if you’re more of a summer person (and let’s face it, who isn’t?), there’s something so undeniably satisfying about pulling on a chunky sweater when cooler days land. Thickly ribbed, this half-zip design is spun from wool, which will last even longer if you wash it by hand and as infrequently as you can get away with. The brand’s iconic logo badge punctuates one sleeve, making it even more timeless.
10.
The tapered sweatpants

The cotton used to make these sweatpants has been brushed to make it feel extra soft and cosy – a detail that really delivers on the “ooh” factor when you’re lounging or travelling in comfort. This pair is cut slim and tapered, so you could try going for a size up if you prefer baggier or oversized fits.
11.
The padded parka

The devil is in the detail when it comes to the making of this parka. Cut from satin that’s silky and slightly translucent, it’s padded with feathers that have been specifically treated to withstand the garment dying process. Plus, a special agent (no, sadly not The Matrix kind) is added to the dye recipe to create an anti-drop effect.
12.
The forever jacket

Looking to invest in a jacket that you’ll wear for years to come? Smart move. This reversible piece is just the ticket. Designed with both insulation and style in mind, it’s made from long-lasting manually sprayed shearling and is padded with PrimaLoft that’s blended with recycled fibres. The cherry on top is that the logo badge is detachable, so it’ll never be hidden no matter what side you wear it on.