Does a brand that creates uniform British gear for the sensible lad need a catwalk to promote itself? The jury is still out. Staged in the grand setting of the Royal Opera House the Hackett collection explored the dandified prep with a slosh of the Great Gatsby. Twenties inspired garb offered Hollywood three-piece suiting, cardigan jackets, double-breasted vests and pleated pants.
Other ideas included powder blue linen suits and khaki blazers worn with red pants and flat golfer caps, all accessorised with bright paisley scarves and sockless leather brogues. Hackett’s inspirations also delved into literature with Brideshead Revisited used as a stimulus. Tailored and sporty ideas were fused together creating modern seersucker suits in brown blue, and even pink.
The age of the gentleman was core to Hackett’s collection but as each model sauntered the runway the feeling grew that this was nothing new – it was well executed classic British clothing but not much more. The finale of the show, bowler-hatted City gents in various classic suits, constructed from heritage fabrics, raised the doldrums and offered Mr Hackett a last minute style salvation.
