Casual & Coastal: Working Style
A stylishly put-together casual look, encompassing soft textures reminiscent of summer spent on an Italian coast, is this season’s look which continues to celebrate the continued softening of the modern man’s wardrobe.
Fashionista and Working Style store manager Leisa Falconer explains this season’s collection takes influence from a summer spent on the Amalfi coast showcasing blues, beiges, soft greens, raspberries and highlights of melon and white. “Tailoring is centred on a variety of blue; checks are as subtle as they have been for many seasons. The shoulders are soft and the lapels broad – all a nod to southern Italian style,” she says.
Linen is the hero cloth of the season both with shirting and tailoring, generating a casual yet smart look. Using a variety of blended and natural fibre-rich qualities, linen will be a popular choice for tailored coats. This season’s Working Style suit collection is the first to be entirely produced in Portugal with suit silhouettes featuring softer shoulders, gently tailored sleeves and trousers.
“The collection is heavily influenced by blue. The directional blue shade of the season is the Atlantic bird’s eye, which has a hint of green. The grey highlight suit of the collection is a black and white bird’s eye.” Sports coats paired with chinos in fresh white or soft neutrals and pops of colour will be in upholding the continued casualisation of men’s dressing.
Footwear continues to be led by the slip on, with a structured loafer offering a cross over to both tailoring and smart casual, and a variety of shades in a suede moccasin to be worn more informally.
Checks are less prominent with soft textures and neutrals showing, shoulders are soft and natural looking. The fashion colour palette has again blue tones which are complemented with shades of camel, moss green and raspberry. With New Zealand Cup and Show Week around the corner, Leisa says men shouldn’t leave organising their outfit until the last minute. “If there’s any advice I can give it’s to be more prepared. Creating beautiful bespoke pieces takes time.” As in previous years, half-lined coats will be a “go-to” choice for race day.
“Half lined items are lighter to wear in the warmer months and a perfect choice for race day; paired with tropical quality pure wool trousers or chinos.” Made-to-measure experts, Working Style (situated at 242 Papanui Road) have an extensive array of fabrics from the finest mills across the world. “Our highly skilled team work with clients in a unique beautiful environment to create beautiful pieces. We make sure our suits fit the client properly and work with them to design a one-off creation.”
As far from a “typical” retail store as they could be, Working Style’s showroom offers its clients a personalised and exclusive experience. “When we are putting an outfit together they can take their time to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere while sipping on a whisky or G and T.”
