Available for a few weeks now, it's time to take a look at the latest collaboration between heritage brand Sunspel and heritage musician Paul Weller.
Paul Weller for Sunspel seems such an obvious pairing you do wonder why it took until 2021 for it to happen. Both famed for a Modernist approach, both taking style cues and influence from the Preppy undertones of the Ivy League look. It's a match.
For Winter 2022 both are back together to deliver a range of stone cold classics that could be worthy additions to your wardrobe.
The looks are defined by the usual words you'd expect to see tripping off the tongue, stylish, classy, timeless, classic, quality and so on. Sunspel are a brand who sit at the high end when it comes to clothing, relying on the best fabrics and materials in their ranges, looking for the best construction of their items. These are investment items, designed to last many years and seasons, not fast fashion trashed inside 12 months.
This new collection has some well known Weller items in it, the trimmed Henley is one Paul has been seen in many times, and one which he created in a previous collaboration with Fred Perry. Still looks fantastic, the new sage colourway standing out in the range.
The new Merino Tank Top, another stalwart piece for Weller. Always one to buck any so called fashions or fashion police, always happy to stride it out in whatever he likes. These pieces work well with their crew neck design, offering a smart alternative to wear over something simple like a plain t-shirt for going out. Pair up with some Selvedge and some smart footwear, bossed it.
The Mac returns, milled out of Italy using a compact cotton to give a level of waterproofing against the elements, lighter in weight to allow for layering possibilities. Kept single breasted, for that time-proof look
Rounding off the range with the collegiate looks of the Sweatshirt and zip-through Cardigan, both making no attempt to hide their sporting style endeavours with classic styled sleeve hoops giving them a look to stand out
Detailing has been kept high throughout, pearl or horn buttons, YKK zippers, etc. Sunspel are renowned for their use of high quality materials and fabrics, so you can bet the cotton will be fantastic and the Merino sitting at the top level.
We all know Paul Weller has done a lot of different collaborations over the years, taking in Ben Sherman, Fred Perry and Pretty Green. Most recently he's worked with John Simons in London. For me, this latest range is very reminiscent of the excellent Real Stars Are Rare brand Paul co-created with Phil Bickley some years back, they tapped so well into the same Ivy League look utilising great materials with classic designs. You can see so much from that existing in this collection. You can catch Phil's carefully curated high quality clothing ranges at his store Tonic based on Portobello Road in London.
I've put my money where my mouth is and picked up the Tank Top. It's a little pricier than I'd ideally want to pay for an item like that, but having taken receipt of it today I couldn't be happier with it. It's Sunspel, that was enough to swing it for me.
I always worry with Merino knits that they can sometimes be too light a gauge, this has a good feel to it, a bit more substantial than a great many others. It's a divisive look, even my own wife loves to hit out with the odd Grandad jibe when I wear that style. Comfortable and practical, and nice enough to smarten up when needed. For someone like me who doesn't like wearing shirts it hits the mark. And the quality is undoubted. How do I tell my wife I need to pick it up in another colour now...?
Anything missing, I'd say quite a few things could be added. It would be nice to get some Winter accessories in the range. I doubt we'd see Weller control his locks under a hat, but for us mere mortals a nice Merino Beanie would have been cool, as would the age old favourite of some scarf options.
Loads of opportunities here......some denim, chinos like the last range, some more t-shirts, trainers now that Weller doesn't mind sporting them as much, etc. The world is your oyster. Maybe a collection 3 could introduce some of those items.....
Hope you enjoyed the read, as always please do reach out with opinions, comments, news, etc.
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Peace&Love&Mercy, paisleysubmarine