Mad Men’s Don Draper may have officially poured his last Old Fashioned, but there was no shortage of potential replacements on the streets of Soho chicly waiting in line to check out Suitsupply’s latest offering, where any getup not involving a three-piece suit plus pocket square was a violation of dress code.
While the location’s six-person maximum elevator ensured a sufficient amount of time for opportunistic street styling Instagram fare, for those keen to avoid the carnage taking place on the stock market even further downtown, the level five presentation was worth the wait. While it didn’t hurt that the cast of models resembled graduates from 5th Avenue’s flagship Abercrombie and Fitch – chiseled cheekbones and all – the range of layering pieces are sure to have you toasty warm once the temperature (finally) drops.
Smart navy and plaid sports coats were given a country club-ready vibe through being teamed with cream and grey slacks, while the label’s sleeveless puffer vests and oversized leather carry-all are sure to be on the packing list for next season’s cheeky weekend away to your log cabin upstate.
Equally at home in the brand’s comprehensive offering was a smart black tuxedo, while a stripe grey and white suit was given an urban feel through being teamed with a winter-friendly knee-length navy coat.
For those unavoidable nagging presentation jitters where you simply have to channel your inner Gordon Gecko, look no further than Suitsupply’s three-piece suit in charcoal and white check, styled with a navy tie and tan slip-on loafers, given an extra dose of understated wealth by the cheeky peek-a-boo glimpse of a blinging vintage Rolex underneath.
Inspired by a stroll around New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the designer channeled artist Mark Rothko’s penchant for creating blurred blocks of transitioning colors, applying it to the label’s own signature style, envisaging the suit as its canvas.
Breaking up looks with accents of copper, emerald and ocean blues, the collection featured layering pieces such as knits, vests and element-defying bodywarmers, while the addition of cashmere in soft grey, off-white and camel softened looks to take them beyond the boardroom to happy hour.
Aside from being locked in a series of Blue Steel-inspired poses under sweat-inducing bright lights, the crowd’s garb was almost indistinguishable from that worn by those modelling the designer’s collection, suggesting the new offering will donning the backs of the show’s well-heeled attendees come fall – one carefully fastened button at a time.
