Utilitywear has had something of a bad rap over the past few years, with fashion designers encouraging men to wear more tailoring – or, ‘If you do have to wear Nikes, can you please team them with a skinny jean and cashmere sweater?’ But with Victorinox’s range of impeccable outerwear, autumn/winter 11 promises to be a turning point for functional menswear: these are clothes that dare to be worn on city streets as well as mountaintops. According to the Victorinox team, “The collection has been designed with an urban traveller in mind, taking part in a European Grand Tour of our age. Each part of the collection was inspired in the spirit of those early adventures to Europe, and it’s this spirit of movement and freedom for adventure that we are encouraging.” Undoubtedly most famous for its iconic Swiss Army Knife, over its 125 year history Victorinox has expanded from blades to watches to fragrance to fashion and doesn’t seem to be losing any steam yet. From its base in the middle of Switzerland, Victorinox has created a versatile and utilitarian collection that takes a few sharp pointers from the iconic knife. Featuring quilted jackets and coats in oranges and purples, sharp flannel shirts, blazers and even skiwear, this is a collection for the modern, globetrotting man. There’s something undoubtedly luxurious and equally humbling about wearing a brand with such historical pedigree, and these are clothes that suggest the romance and intrigue of Europe and the mystery of the military. “There’s a thread in the colour selection that takes the collection from mountain to ocean,” says the team. “Blues and reds for an oceanic nod to nautical jaunty days out, and more eye-popping bright oranges and vibrant greens that complement the darker outerwear palettes. Victorinox has a century-long association with the military through the Swiss Army Knife, so the robust range of greens is, in part, homage to that.”
Jack wears all clothes Victorinox. Socks Tabio. Boots Red Wing. Jamel wears all clothes and classic swiss army knife Victorinox. Socks Tabio. Boots Red Wing. Shar.
Text: Tom Ryling
Photography: Willem Jaspert
Styling: Jason Hughes
Originally appeared in The Pick Me Up Issue, Summer 2011.
