What we’ve Missed and What we’ll Wear

Name: Khabi Mirza

Insta: @khabism

Place:

Florence. While it certainly ranks as one of Lockdown’s less tragic casualties, the cancellation of this summer’s menswear exhibition Pitti Uomo was missed by many.

After 18 years of bi-annual jaunts to Florence there was a Pitti-shaped hole in my June diary this year.

The Florentine backdrop lends a staggeringly beautiful canvas to proceedings and the seemingly countless top-drawer Tuscan eateries combines to set a seductive culinary note for three nights of sumptuously slow and late suppers; but the main pull for me each season is the opportunity to catch-up with old friends – some of whom I only see in Firenze.

Outfit:

Being Pitti Uomo, it’s always appropriate to anchor your outfits with a dose of tailoring, as here with this loosely woven linen and silk jacket from Scotch & Soda’s sadly shelved Italian-made sartorial sub-brand, Atelier Scotch. I usually elect to casualise my looks by adding a pair of well-loved jeans like these old-faithfuls from RRL, and by adding lightweight layers, here with a US Army Vietnam Jungle Jacket, which also serves to inject a pattern-clash point of difference. Accessories include a plaid silk tie and modal Mughal-patterned scarf both by Drakes and battered suede Gucci loafs.

Name: Daniel Peters

Insta: @danielptrs

Place:

The place I miss the most is the Royal Oak pub on Columbia Road. Not just for the booze and banter, but because I’ve had some of the best times with the best people no matter what time of day. It’s slightly off of the beaten track, and always full to the brim, but the vibe is always just right. 

Outfit:

Piecing together a few of my favourite things for a British summertime…A YSC black Everyday Crombie Coat, white cropped chinos, Jack Purcell’s and a simple grey marl t-shirt from Arket to finish it off.

Name: Luke Martin

Insta: @lukerodmartin

Place:

Italy, Lake Garda and Tuscany. My fiancé and I plan to get married in Lake Garda having previously been on an Italian road trip a few years back and actually had a couple of trips planned this year – although that all changed due to COVID. Super peaceful and requires a comfortable, yet stylish look.

Outfit:

Wide leg trousers, Camp collar shirt & Loafers.

Image Credit: www.scottfrasercollection.com
Image Credit: www.basicrights.com

Name: Sergio Pedro

Insta: @sergiopedro__

Place:

Prior to lockdown my girlfriend and I would try to go to the cinema at least once a week or head to Box Park Shoreditch. First we’d go to Tortilla to grab some burritos or tacos and few drinks. At evening we would then go the our local cinema. We’d then grab 2 Tango Ice Blasts and Popcorns.

Outfit:

I’d usually wear something cozy, probably trousers or jeans and a bomber jacket. I usually wear a cap. I may have a backpack or a tote bag depending on the outfit. The reason why I usually carry a bag is so I can have all my essentials such as my laptop, phone charger and wallet.

Image Credit: www.johnlewis.com
Image Credit: www.allsaints.com

Name: JD Coulter

Insta: @buchanancoulter

Place:

With us all emerging, something reminiscent of our prehistoric ancestors, precariously stepping out of their caves after the retreat of the Ice sheets, we stumble upon a brave new world, ours to shape, mould and make the best of.

On the other side of what has been a tremendous challenge for us all, I have been reinvigorated to focus on the things that actually matter most to me. Family, community and craft. 

I want to read fairy tales with my daughters. 

I want to sit and dream up ideas, slowly over some filter coffee alongside the sunrise.

I want to support people, their business, their passions.

I want to be contemplative in what I purchase, asking ‘what will this purchase bring to my life?’ 

Not endlessly requiring ‘more’ but rather meaning. 

Outfit:

All of that waffle to say simply, I find ‘la joie de vivre’ in the little things… With the changing of the seasons down here, the soft scratch of the merino wool roll neck on my throat, the cool breeze on my freshly shaved face, the endless green of the countryside, the old friendly hug of a well worn boot and of course the thick creamy pint of black stuff by the crackle of a warm fire.

Name: Dachi

Insta: @rugged_frills

Place:

A place I can’t wait to get back to is Florence. I want to drink fifteen doppio espressos, people watch and dine on that Tuscan grub. I’m also itching to dig for vintage goodies, which Florence is ideal for. 

Outfit:

I’ll probably wear a pair of my Tender Co (type 133) trousers, my Type II Dawson Denim Jacket, a white tee, some obnoxious tie dye socks and my trusty German army trainers. I hope this will all happen sooner rather than later – but till then, I’ll be peacocking and prancing safely at home. 

Name: Kevis Manzi

Insta: @kevismanzi

Place:

During quarantine the parks and forests were closed. I often hike with my children. For me it’s very important for them to be close to nature so that they learn to respect it. Near the house we have a very large forest with magnificent hundred-year-old trees and sometimes we even see deer. It’s so peaceful.

Outfit:

I will wear a yellow oxford shirt with a pair of well-worn olive green French M47 army trousers along with a pattered vest. For my shoes, I’ll wear a pair of Converse 70s in navy. I’ll finish the outfit off with a news boy cap.

Name: Mathieu

Insta: @thedenimmind 

Place:

The place I’d like to visit is called Hakusan shrine. It was a small temple near my house when I was living in Japan. Everyday I would walk through it to go to work, or whilst shopping. A nice, quiet and peaceful place. Not really the kind of place you can find in book guide, but that is what makes it different and cool to me. 

Outfit:

Floral patterns and light tones

 

Name: Brit Bones

Insta: @incaseofbrit

Place:

I miss city adventures where I can look at old buildings and find new streets I’ve never found before.

Outfit:

I love my new denim patch jacket I’ve got in lockdown and haven’t had a chance to wear yet. Trainers are the best guys for the job because I can walk all day in them… I’m really into blues and beige/creams at the moment.

Name: John Jarrett

Insta: @_johnjarrett

Place:

If it wasn’t for Corona we’d be in Tokyo, Japan in that 30 degree heat! Asakusa on a weekend is food galore! First things first, some Melon Pan from Kagetsudo, then sitting cross-legged at Sometaro; a traditional Japanese restaurant for okonomiyaki and a Strong matcha ice cream from SaWaWa whilst walking through Senso-Ji Temple. Makes for a perfect afternoon!

Outfit:

I’d wear All Japanese denim, or at least all indigo! Got a pair of tapered Levi’s Made & Crafted jeans and a funky patchwork kimono from BlueBlueJapan, a Signature wide-brim trilby (we have a nice one from our collab with Tom Smarte) and a pair of worn-in DM’s 1461s.

Name: Gianluca

Insta: @granpasso89

Place:

The first place that I would love to visit after lockdown is undoubtedly my grandma’s house in the lovely countryside near Rome. I’m particularly linked to this place because it is where I grew up and where my passion for history was born. It is a green oasis of relaxation and has amazing food. It’s a really well connected place too – I have the opportunity to reach Rome in just 20 minutes, the most beautiful city in the world :). I’d also like to visit the super cool vintage depot in Naples owned by my mate Daniele – Military Goods. So I’m going to book a ticket!

Outfit:

As we’re talking about the countryside the key words are: Easy & Comfy. But of course, always vintage: White tee, Hunting vest, US Army HBT pants & Converse

Name: Ahmed

Insta: @r_med

Place:

I’m really looking forward to being out and about once this lockdown is finally lifted. One of the places I miss the most is probably the Museums and Galleries, V&A and Tate Modern to be precise.

Outfit:

Once things are back to normal you can be sure I’ll be dressing to impress on the first day out. One of my favourite pieces is my Levi’s Vintage 1960’s style knitted shirt. This knit is inspired by the Jamaican rockers who travelled to the US in the 1950s and 1960s in search of the latest music and fashion to take back to Kingston. It’s a piece that has a story and that’s probably why I love it so much! And it’s also got two shades of green that stand out brilliantly. I’d finish this look off with some black jeans, a white or black tee and a black pair of shoes (most likely a high pair of Converse). The knit wear is the staple piece in this outfit so everything around it can be minimal. Less is more I always say.

Name: Kelly Harrington

Insta: @kellouhar

Place:

I have missed so many places! I love going to Galleries & Exhibitions in London so this will probably be one of my first trips out post Covid. Some of my favourite galleries are The Royal Academy of Arts & The Tate Modern, both of which I have yearly memberships for. I also love the newly renovated Howard Gallery on the Southbank and really miss the brutalist building backdrops around that area. I also love flea market shopping on Fridays at Portobello Market. You’ll often find me here, hunting for vintage clothing. I also really miss Coal drops yard, the cute cafes, restaurants & shops are really unique. One place I can’t wait to visit in Coal drops is Lina Stores. I’ve been dreaming of this amazing pasta restaurant the whole of lockdown! Outside of the U.K I’ve been dreaming of Tokyo! I was supposed to be travelling to Japan again before Covid happened! Japan is one of the most inspiring places I’ve ever been, and I think I have visited around 20 times now! Fingers crossed I will be able to visit soon!

Outfit:

This outfit is one of my favourites. Obviously I’m a fan of double denim! But this outfit to me is an elevated take on the double denim look. Both the shirt & jeans I’m wearing in this picture are made sustainably too! The shirt is by Ksenia Schnaider & made from denim sample fabric swatches; this makes the shirt super unique as every piece is different. These denim fabric swatches would usually be thrown away & instead they have been made into this super fun garment. The jeans are by LA based denim brand Boyish jeans, who are brilliant at making sustainably transparent denim. These are a wide leg cut & super comfortable. My shoes are from Margiella, they are Tabi boots with a split toe. They are kind of crazy, but I love that about them!

Name: Niyi

Insta: @soam_lifestyle

Place:

Looking back to a time before the lockdown where I took my wanderings around for granted, I could get dressed and just ramble around town people-watching and thinking. I find myself missing my favourite haunts. Now with the impending full release and with summer in official full swing, I look forward to being able to experience this simple pleasure again and I find myself breaking my cardinal rule of planning an outfit to celebrate the pending town ramble.

One of the things I miss most is being able to walk down Redchurch Street on a Sunday afternoon to say hi to friends and catch up on family, life and jawnz. I also miss checking out some of my favourite stores – Timothy Everest, The Bankrupt Store (just off Redchurch Street) and Not Just Another Store. Three unique stores with different offerings.

Outfit:

Roll on next weekend. You might find me along Redchurch wearing a vintage Russian navy top (light and easy), and Brut Riviera high-waisted herringbone pants which arrived just in time. I’ll round it off with my trusted Cheaney Bertie sandals. Every year I play this waiting game where I wait for the perfect one or two days where I can get to wear these beautiful sandals, then put them away till the next year. Till then, catch you on the streets, wave and say hi from whatever the meter du jour is on Sunday.

Name: Steve Monaghan 

Insta: @stevesane 

Place:

National Portrait Gallery / Tate Modern / Vitsoe Shop

Outfit:

Nanamica Alpha Dry Suit / Converse x Wacko Maria Chuck Taylors / Bianca Chandon Lover Black Hoody / North Face Purple Label Rucksack / Riding my Cannondale Topstone Gravel bike.

So there we have it, a glimpse into the expectant days for those of us ready for a bit of Post-Covid recreation (sticking to government guidelines, of course). As we emerge from our respective homes, getting dressed in the morning might feel a little trivial, but it’s these rituals that really shape who we are and allow us to express ourselves.