Polka Dots & Houndstooth
Taking garments and accessories out of their original context is one of the things that inspires me the most when it comes to menswear. This is something I’m constantly looking out for in new collections or simply by observing stylish individuals on the street. As menswear “rules” bend more and more, so do the limits of creativity and mixing and matching.
Bowties are no longer the epitome of formality nor limited to tuxedos…as a matter of fact, this is precisely one of the pieces I love dressing down with a relaxed candy striped oxford shirt and a pair of worn out jeans. A cashmere cardigan with contrasting houndstooth elbow patches and a reversible gillet add the final details to a casual, put together weekend attire…
Details: reversible gillet by Zara, houndstooth elbow patched cardigan by Annapurna 5+1, candy stripe oxford button down by Our Legacy, jeans by Levi’s (511), polka dot bowtie by Add On, cashmere scarf by Burberry, vintage braided leather belt and watch by Daniel Wellington.
Source: beyondfabric
An elbow patched sweater under a vest is a though one to beat…
Source: four-pins.com
This is one of my all time outerwear favourites: the Pea Vest. Reminiscent of the iconic peacoat with the double breasted closure and wide lapel, and throwing in the mix a puffed vest model it’s been one of the most heavily rotated pieces on my wardrobe as of lately. A perfect match for the houndstooth elbow patches on the cardigan.
Wool pea vest by Tonello, cashmere houndstooth elbow patched cardigan by Annapurna 5+1, striped dress shirt by Paul Smith, selvedge denim by Our Legacy, tasseled loafers by Lottusse and watch by Rolex.
Styling and model: Miguel Vieira
Photography: Rita Lino
Elbow patches
As I’ve stressed several times before, one of the most interesting aspects of a look resides in the small details. Carefully mixing and blending them is a recipe for a perfect outfit, one that easily stands out in a crowd.
A great way to tweak an already great piece is adding elbow patches. Coming in a variety of colors, patterns and materials, they’re an easy and affordable way to add sophistication and visual interest to your attire. Although the blazer is probably the most common garment when it comes to this add on, you should broaden your horizons as to the full potential of these patches: sweaters, long sleeves, topcoats or cardigans all account for great alternatives.
Also, don’t be afraid to lively things up a bit by adding bold colors and textures, that’s what will add the extra flare you’re looking for. Going for different fabrics such as tweed or leather instead of being limited to the usual suede patches, is something to consider. Just bear in mind that if you opt for leather patches your items will only be washable through dry cleaning. The though part about the process is finding the right patches, applying them will be an easy and inexpensive task for your tailor or seamstress. If you want to take the easy route, just look for items which originally come with them. With their recent burst in popularity, you should have no problem finding a few suitable options.
One of the pieces I purchased a while ago is this heather grey v-neck wool/cashmere sweater by Annapurna 5+1. Besides the outstanding blended fabric, with a soft touch and slim fit, what really drew me to it were the houndstooth elbow patches. This look combines several interesting aspects: besides the layering, I love the contrast of the lighter tones of the shirt, sweater and plimsoles with the black jeans, and how the shades of green in the houndstooth perfectly complement the ones in the vest.
Charcoal heavy wool blazer by Rice, Green Eskdale vest by Barbour, heather grey v-neck cashmere/wool sweater by Annapurna 5+1, white dress shirt by Paul Smith, black slim fit jeans by H&M, white plimsoles (Musa trainer) by Paul Smith, glasses by Prada, camel scarf by Burberry and watch by Rolex.
