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October 29, 2018

Lookbook // Layers for Lads

Our favourite brands are the ones that display a consistent aesthetic across smart and casual creations, and that’s everything that Aquascutum stands for. Drenching their club check across everything from sweats to overcoats, the layering possibilities are endless.

A forgotten son of Italian couture, Paul & Shark offer something that most casual clothing creators can’t compete with, consistency. From quality to an intrinsically sporting colour palette, you know what you’re getting from the yachting brand.

As ever its game set colour match with the athleisure offerings of Lacoste, with a polo or crew knit to pair against any autumnal aesthetic courtesy of the ever-present French fabricators.

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July 5, 2018

A History of Wimbledon Style

Other than high octane singles matches, players breaking rackets and crowds causing them and the thousands of strawberries and cream sold to punters there’s one singular thing you can rely on. Style. From its rebirth in the open era, and even a selection of champions prior, there have been a plethora of notable style moments highlighted by the staple Wimbledon white wardrobe, so here are our top picks!

René Lacoste

The father of the Alligator, René Lacoste was more than just a brand founder. An avid inventor (with a number of patents for inventions from fashion to golf to tennis) Lacoste was responsible for the initial creation of the polo shirt, revolutionising tennis forever. Winning Wimbledon in 1925 and 1928, he did it in his own preppy style as seen below, usually in his own stylish creations. As the Lacoste legacy lives on we still see René’s signature crocodile stamped on the brand with their staple style polos and sport influenced apparel.

Fred Perry

A multi-time champion, the last British winner before Andy Murray’s ascension, creator of the laurel wreath and universally stylish individual. Fred Perry accomplished a lot in his time as a tennis pro and managed to surpass that legacy with the creation of the Fred Perry clothing brand. Seen below in his sweater vest and chinos, it’s a style that sees itself in the spotlight again and again. Introducing his initial creation, the Fred Perry Laurel Wreath polo in 1952 (the logo borrowed from Wimbledon) Fred Perry created a sporting legacy on top of his prior accomplishments and birthed a plethora of subcultural movements. Still outfitting sportsmen and women amongst others, their collections are still made to the stylish standard of their creator.

Rod Laver

One of the original stars of adidas tennis and one of the initial adopters of a signature adidas shoe, Laver was no nonsense on the court reflecting in his clean-cut style. Draped in all white Fred Perry, it was the premium apparel that represented his premium game granting him one of the initial signature adidas tennis styles of the decade. With the introduction and reissue of more adidas tennis styles, most recently the Continental 80 amongst others, it won’t be long till more Rod Lavers.

Stan Smith

Instantly recognisable in this modern day as the endorsee of adidas’s signature tennis style, Stan Smith carved a history as a winner and a stylish one at that with his signature slick back and stache. The adidas stan smith still retains dominance to this day and age with its collaborations, the most high profile being the Raf Simons collection that it has become a staple of. Don’t forget about his skate history either, revolutionary.

Arthur Ashe

Making history is all the better when you look as good as Arthur Ashe. Becoming the first black grand slam champion in tennis history, Ashe decided to rile up compatriot Jimmy Connors with his Davis Cup issued USA jacket, one that Connors would have had if he’d accepted the invitation to represent his country in the country vs country tournament (and that he was labelled ‘unpatriotic’ for). Ashe’s style provided a benchmark for future designs from a number of American brands, namely the style of Polo Ralph Lauren who took lend of the sporting red, white and blue.

Bjorn Borg

The Legendary Swede, a man who rattled off an undefeated 4 years at Wimbledon, rocking the best in pinstriped and checked polos by the way of Fila and becoming the king of track jackets too. He might be most famous style wise for his signature Diadora shoe, and his fashion line as Bjorn Borg, but his quintessentially 70s style is an inspiration for us all, and brands such as Aquascutum with their mix of sport and vintage style.

John Mcenroe

The man who knocked Bjorn Borg off his mount, and took his place as tennis’ style king. Mcenroe’s effortless style was on display through his full career, his minimal colour blocking via Sergio Tacchini offering a fitting uniform for his first championship. The segmented blocking finds itself commonplace with heralded brands nower days, especially favourites like AMI

Pete Sampras & Andre Agassi

Nike’s signature athletes and both Wimbledon champions across the 90s, the pairing of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi meant in the final of the 99 Wimbledon, showing the best in 90s style. Sampras decked in the classic white polo, lateral stripes included. Although he might have lost in this instance, Agassi takes the trophy for style with his earring and necklace combo, plus a lethal quarter zip polo. Agassi has had some moments in style with his signature Nikes and fake mullet and meth period, eclectic guy.

Roger Federer

Skipping most of this century so far wasn’t hard, to be honest. Tennis style just isn’t the same anymore, or revolutionary. Nike, late to the game with tennis and adopters of the all whites in the 90s, took the model of the signature sporting athlete from their work with Michael Jordan, using the same model for their (till recently) deal with all-time great Roger Federer. To celebrate his record-equalling 7th Wimbledon title, Nike decked their flagship tennis star with a retro-inspired quarter zip jumper and attire, ushering in a retro-inspired phase for the swoosh.

June 27, 2018

5 Best Minimal Footwear Styles For Every Budget

Want a clean crisp minimal shoe to pair with any outfit? We’re breaking down the best minimal white tennis and athletic styles for any look for every budget.

Under £50 – Novesta Star Master Trainers

A boost in popularity by the way of a heralded CDG collaboration has seen Novesta become a contemporary choice at a budget price point. Easy to pair with any outfit and a serious competitor for Converse and Van’s low top dominance. Novesta’s footwear is produced in Slovakia to honour their rich European heritage and constructed using a high-pressure machine to bond the natural rubber sole to the canvas upper, in keeping with the company’s anti-chemical and glue stance. We’d recommend a dress down casual look either a pairing with a statement t-shirt, jean and sock, similar to our Edwin ED 55 Jeans & Norse Project striped numbers in form of the Niels T-Shirt and Bjarki Sports Socks.

Under £100 – Adidas Continental 80

The Kanye approved Continental 80 is a sure-fire bet for everyone’s favourite dress down shoe come 2018 year end. With it’s obvious influence to the Calabasas Powerphase, the Continental 80 takes on more of a classic tennis styling with it’s supple tumbled leather and lateral two-tone stripes. Pulling out all the stops this year with original and unique reissues, this release from adidas is a perfect sports luxe accompaniment to the combo of a Champion sweatshirt and Ralph Lauren Flat Shorts

Under £150 – adidas BW Army Trainer

With a number of reissued iterations under their belt, adidas has put a minimalist stamp on their original 70s army trainer design with a budget-priced alternative to the Marigela Replica. Debuting a premium model close in construction to the high fashion alternative, the BW army comes equipped with an all leather constructed upper and soft vachetta leather lining for a luxurious touch topped off with the choice of premium cotton or rawhide leather laces. Pair this premium pair with the Folk Painter’s Jacket and Norse Project Aros Black for a mix of contemporary and heritage stylings.

Under £200 – Grenson Sneaker 1

When comes to minimal styles shoe stylings, the classic white tennis shoe is a wardrobe staple the world around. Presenting their first offering in the ‘sneaker’ world is Grenson, using their shoemaking expertise to create one of cleanest designs of the moment, basing their Sneaker 1 creation on the timeless design of the 70s tennis shoe. Dial in the tennis vibes with a full Aquascutum kit in their token club check design. Aquascutum Check Shorts, Aquascutum Polo Shirt and Aquascutum Abbott Club Check Cap

Over £200 – Margiela Replica Sneakers

Weighing in at a heavy £329 is the legendary Margiela Replica sneaker, adapting the classic German Army trainer into a high fashion behemoth. The quality in the construction is the Margiela ethos with no stone untouched in it’s design. Pair these ‘GAT’s with the perfect luxury athletic look in the form of the exquisite Maison Margiela’s Sweat Jacket and Trousers.

November 10, 2017

Outfit: Patagonia x Edwin x Red Wings x Aquascutum x Canada Goose x Barbour

As the weather takes a bitter turn, it’s time to wrap up warm and this weeks outfit grid will do just that with pieces from Patagonia, Edwin, Red Wing Shoes, Aquascutum, Canada Goose and Barbour. Lets dig a little deeper into this wonderfully warm outfit.

Starting off with Patagonia, we have picked the Snap-T pullover in a distinctive navy and red. A true outdoor icon, made from recycled polyester Synchilla fleece this pullover will keep you warm while the soft material will keep you comfy, ideal for layering in the cooler months.

To go over that fleece and keep the chilly wind out, we have chosen another piece from Patagonia, the Hi Loft Down hooded jacket in navy. Delivering comfort and warmth, making it that ideal choice for the cold up-coming winter days. Made with advanced global traceable down the outer is covered in a recycled polyester ripstop shell, with a full zip fastening and two zip-up pockets.

Sticking with the navy theme, Edwin provide the pants of the outfit with their 55 chinos. Based on the fit of Edwin’s most popular ED-55 jeans, these chinos come in a relaxed, tapered fit. Crafted from compact cotton twill with angled side pockets, a coin pocket within the left pocket, and two flat rear pockets. Finished with tan herringbone waistband lining and a black leather logo waist patch.

Now to really wrap you up warm, we have picked a few accessories to go with it, an Aquascutum Lambswool Check scarf, a Canada Goose logo pom hat made from super soft merino wool and to keep your hands warm Barbour providing some black leather gloves.

On feet, we had to go with the durable Red Wings and in this case the Red Wing Moc Toe Boots 6″ 8138, these boots that are handmade provide excellent durability and traction in the winter months. Made with a premium Briar Oil Slick leather and a lightweight outsole, you’ll be sure footed this winter.

March 23, 2017

Aquascutum Brand Guide

Founded in 1851 as high-quality men’s tailor in London’s Mayfair, owner John Emary successfully invented and patented the first waterproof textile. Naming his invention Aquascutum, from the Latin words for ‘water shield’, the name was subsequently adopted by his brand, and a fashion legend was born.

From the Trenches to the Terraces…

As one of the longest running and most iconic British fashion houses, Aquascutum hold claim to the invention of the trench coat: the classic staple outerwear piece first worn by officers in the British army and later adopted by everyone from mods in the 1960s to members of the Royal Family, and stars of Hollywood’s golden era like Cary Grant and Humphrey Bogart. Today it still stands up as a practical, stylish investment, working just as well with a suit as it does with jeans and a knit. The Aquascutum club check, with its sophisticated colourway of navy, brown and beige, was first used as in the lining material for these trench coats. It has since become an icon in its own right, synonymous with casual British style, the scarf in particular being seen everywhere from the city to the terraces. Unfortunately, like with rival brand Burberry, the latter connection was cause for controversy moving forward into the 21^st century as, for many, the brand became synonymous with the violent and disruptive aspects of terrace culture.

…to the Troubled Times

Like many classic British brands, Aquascutum is no longer technically British owned. Family owned until 1990, the company was purchased by the Japanese company Renown, then Jaeger in 2009, before being bought by its current owners, Chinese retail group YGM Trading in 2012. But its reputation as a quality, luxurious menswear house has never faltered, and the last few years have seen resurgence in interest for the brand as part of the wave of 80s and 90s nostalgia. They even collaborated with skateboard firebrands Supreme for a capsule collection in 2016, crossing the boundaries between heritage and streetwear, and have been putting their classic club check pattern back to the forefront after its decade-long relative absence.

The club check is central to Aquascutum’s collection, appearing in a number of guises, from the lining of the timeless trench coat to shirts with the pattern throughout, accessories like umbrellas, scarves and hats, even detailed onto casual staples like hoodies, t-shirts and polos. All are crafted from high quality fabrics with quintessentially British cuts and attention to detail, representing the brand’s tailoring background and heritage.

Shop the Aquascutum Clothing range at Aphrodite1994.