Neil Barrett Menswear A/W12

Through various cocktails of traditional menswear fabrics, Neil Barrett served up a heady mix of new engineered classics for A/W12. With Prince of Wales and micro tweed, chevron and microhoundstooth, Barret's use of suiting fabric experimentation helped blur the lines between sportswear and tailoring bringing sleekness to one and everyday wearable depth to the other. The lines were further blurred by the styling which saw the suave staple of formalwear, the tuxedo teamed up with the modern day institution of the casual, the hoody. Metallic and quilted sweatshirts replaced shirts, backpacks were grasped as briefcases and hybrid boots complete with armour inspired protection.

With outerwear at its sartorial heart, oversized volumes were achieved through multiples layers and texture combinations whilst precisely cut suits and tapered trousers accentuated the dominance of the coat in its various forms. With a monochrome dominant palette seen throughout the tailoring and array of coats, a balance was struck with hues of burgundy, camel and mustard used in rollnecks and quilted sweatshirts.