Famous for ruffling your hair, drinking too much sherry and scoffing an indeterminable amount of Werther's Originals, Granddad's are pretty important guys. If it weren't for them being rogues you simply wouldn't exist and they were probably the first person to introduce you to the finer points of sartorial study like silk scarves, pocket squares and a well made hat. And it's just this reason I think it's now very savvy to, if not raid, then at least take inspiration from dear grandpapa's wardrobe.
Brogues are big news this season, something that'll become clear the more I post, but are rooted in the traditionalism of post war Britain. The same could be said for the tweed flat cap which has been wrenched away from the pigeon fanciers and brought back into line with more modern tastes. A Mad Men style pair of glasses is suitably studious, perfect for peering over
as you read the Sunday papers at length and then moan about how it
wasn't like that in your day. But the pièce de résistance has to be the cardigan, or rather the two cardigans in this case. Gramps hates spending money so his heating remains constantly in the 'off' position hence why he layers up come winter; in being thrifty he's given birth to something truly modern.
Mates keep catching up with your style twists and turns? Throw them this googly of a look and you'll be untouchable. The secret is to follow one key rule: never have a lightweight cardi over a chunkier style. The other way round is fine, or indeed combining two of the same thickness as I've done here, but a fine knit over a bulky shape is sartorial suicide – it'll show every lump and bump and will be frightfully unsightly.
The thing that ties this look together though is the juxtaposition of these, at first, mistaken glance, trad elements. This is not a look pulled together from a bring and buy sale at the local old folks home; each piece is very subtly, but significantly, more modern than the style on which it was based. The trouser is cut slimmer on the leg for a more streamlined look. The brogue is slightly shallower on the heel. The belt is skinnier than grandpa would typically choose, the cardigans more fitted than your classic golden oldie. It's an old boy look brought bang up to date – a practice that's been employed in fashion for yonks.
I'd have to disagree with Dylan Jones, Editor of Gentlemen's Quarterly (as your granddad would know it) and author of Mr Jones' Rules when he says, "it's forgivable, I think, even endearing, to try and look older than you are". It's much more than that dear boy. It's the future.
TTFN style sirs!
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