What To Buy This Week: The True Blue Edit

One of the many reasons that The Rake admires New & Lingwood so, is that in a world where menswear design often seems to become ever more predictable and safe, N&L evidently approach their work with a confidence and character that is frankly fearless. This sumptuous Peluche overcoat is a case in point, cut as it is with extraordinarily rich lapels, broad shoulders and a generous silhouette. It is the choice of fabric moreover, which really makes this coat sing – its made-up in a rare cloth from the little known Italian mill Piacenza, which specializes in weaving rare alpaca, llama and camelhair fibres. This particular coat is cut in a rich baby llama and superfine wool mélange with a gloriously plush pile to it, which is both lightweight and intensely insulating, perfect for cutting a dash on chill winter days. In other words, the Peluche is as indulgent as it is elevated and practical. As far as rakish overcoats go, it is quite possibly the piece of the season. www.newandlingwood.com, £1250.00.

This autumn/winter seems to the be the time of the utility shirt, as a myriad of luxury brands experiment with their collars, cuffs and the placement of bellows pockets. Dunhill’s needlecord shirt in navy is one of the best we’ve seen, combining as it does the buttery softness of luxurious fine-wale cotton needlecord with a clever smart-casual aesthetic. With its gently tapering waist, tall button-down collar which rolls beautifully and two patch-and-flap breast pockets, it’s easily dressed up or down - worn over a fine-gauge rollneck or with a knitted tie under a double-breasted blazer. Smoked mother of pearl buttons add a dressy touch finishing for a shirt that feels masculine, yet chic. www.dunhill.com, £235.00.

As unusual and intriguing textures become ever more important in luxury menswear, Drake’s have sought inspiration from their extensive archives to collaborate with The Rake on a range of softly textured, mottled neckties in a number of rare and precious cloths. This dark midnight blue shantung herringbone tie is a real wardrobe staple, and feels both thoroughly modern and refreshingly understated with its slubby weave and chalky handle. It features Drakes’ iconic slip-stitched blade, designed to knot comfortably on the neck and recover flawlessly after use. What is more, Drakes’ softly-lined three-fold construction produces a tie that feels both lightweight and yet substantial, with a lovely natural roll – ideal for lending your formal look an expressive, twice-dimpled finish. www.TheRake.com/shop, £125.00.

No other contemporary shoemaker has taken ownership of the perfectly proportioned penny loafer in quite the same way as JM Weston in recent seasons, and the house’s timeless ‘Le Moc’ has become an undisputed classic. Now, for autumn/winter ’17, JM Weston has taken its loafer designs one step further (pardon the pun), creating a louche collection of two-tone shoes in supple full-grain calf with suede calfskin vamps, available in a camel and tobacco combination, burgundy, or in this rather rakish shade of blue. The result is a loafer that feels dressy, yet which retains a casual quality - perfect for modern hybrid dressing. It’s also worth pointing out that the 180 loafers naturally benefit from all the superior construction methods and comfort expected of JM Weston; they’re the perfect things for a sharp weekend spent strolling about town, or for making light work of a busy travel schedule. www.jmweston.fr, £485.00.

The prevailing trend for elegant blue-coloured timepieces is causing something of a stir on the fine watch scene at the moment, and this refined chronograph from Swiss watchmaking powerhouse Zenith is a fine example of just why that is. Intelligently straddling the lines between day watch, sports watch and dress watch, the Chronograph Classic’s gorgeous brushed stainless steel 42mm case feels thoroughly modern and compliments the deep blue of the sunray-patterned dial, the elegant geometry of the hands, hour markers and alligator strap. It’s aesthetic simplicity aside, the watch is a technical thoroughbred, fitted with a contemporary version of Zenith’s fabled El Primero automatic movement and a minimum 50 hour power-reserve, all of which works in harmony to yield a timepiece that is as effortless to wear as it is versatile and stylish. www.zenith-watches.com.