Get any ideas of pinstripe suits, bowler hats and umbrellas out of your mind. That’s more cartoon Brit, than anything you’re likely to come across on the street of London or any other English city.
Okay, I know I said forget pinstripe suits; however, there is one aspect of this cartoon Englishman which rings true in a fashion sense. Nothing says English gent like a pair of classic brogues in brown or black leather. Though they’re actually Scottish in origin (the holes in a brogue were actually designed to let water escape from the shoe when walking through puddles), the design is now synonymous with English style.
These classic men’s brogues are part of the selection from British shoe retailer, Jones Bootmaker. The retailer has been on the go for around 150 years, opening its first shop in London in 1857 — so they know their stuff when it comes to dressing like an Englishman. They only deliver throughout the UK, so if you’re not planning a trip to Blighty anytime soon to visit one of their stores, you can still get a bit of inspiration from their range.
A pair of brown brogues are perfect with jeans for a sophisticated, yet casual outfit, though they work just as well with a suit for a more formal — and distinctly English — style.
Gone are the days when brogues were only available in black or brown leather. These days, the younger generation of English gents are big fans of suede designs in navy, green and even red!
England is famous for its sense of style. It’s also renowned for its terrible weather! This is perhaps the reason why an English chap puts so much effort into choosing his coat. When it comes to choosing your own, you can’t go wrong with a traditional Barbour jacket.
Take a look at the range of Barbour coats at ASOS. They have a wide selection of the British heritage label, including waxed and quilted coats, and offer free worldwide delivery on their orders; so it’s easy to get one of their coats down under!
If your intention is to dress like an Englishman ‘Down Under’, don’t feel like you should limit yourself to the dark, block colours that are relied upon in Britain. Feel free to experiment and draw inspiration from classic English pieces like brogues and a quilted coat, to create a look that’s more in keeping with the Australian climate. Christian Kimber’s GQ article throws a great perspective on adapting British trends for the streets of Melbourne and is well worth a read if you’re keen to throw some British trends in your Aussie wardrobe.
