Thanks to last year’s Royal Wedding and this year’s Diamond Jubilee, men have shown an unprecedented interest in Great British style in 2012. But what exactly embodies ‘Great British style’? For many men, this term invokes vivid images of the 1960s, and the clothes worn by people like Mick Jagger, Michael Caine and Terrence Stamp. But today’s sense of Great British men’s style is more strongly associated with David Beckham, Alexander McQueen and Benedict Cumberbatch. So how exactly do you go about achieving this inspiring look?
The best way to interpret Great British style is to have a few different looks that interpret this theme at your disposal: such as a casual outfit, a formal one and a variety of accessories and outdoors wear. For a casual outfit, take your cue from modern British musical icon Alex Turner. Turner, the Arctic Monkeys frontman, usually sports a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a leather jacket. It sounds ordinary, but it’s an extraordinarily versatile outfit as it can be dressed up with brogues or dressed down with trainers. So it’s the perfect casual get-up for the 21st century British man.
For formalwear, take your cue from a more classic look. British tailoring has been the toast of the fashion world for centuries, and there’s no better way to embody this sense of Great British style than in a suit. Today’s British suits offer range as well: the Prince of Wales suit, for instance, is typified by its sleek grey appearance, fitted trousers and single breasted jacket. It’s a particularly good style for men of universal shapes and sizes, and is commonly worn by actor and style icon, Benedict Cumberbatch.
However, if you’re looking for a more modern twist to the suit, plump for an Oxford jacket with chinos and a bow-tie – the kind of formal outfit you’re likely to see British urban music stars Labrinth and Tinie Tempah in.
Britain’s famously rainy weather means that, naturally, one of the stand-out features of our fashion industry is our outerwear. If you can only afford one new wardrobe item that is exemplary of Great British style, make it the trench coat. This iconic raincoat is popularly thought to have been invented by Burberry, but British design house Aquascutum also claims ownership. The traditional trench coat is characterised by its sturdy, waterproof gabardine exterior and is usually beige in colour. But it’s not the only famous outwear garment in British women’s and men's fashion. Barbour jackets are another iconic item of Great British style and its classic quilted jacket has seen a huge revival in the last year.
Jesse Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.