Over the last year, a lot of priorities have changed for people. The impact and scale of the global pandemic have changed almost everything for everyone, with new social behaviors, home-life, and work-life looking quite different from anything we were used to.
Working from home has been the new daily norm for the majority, and consequently, looking good and feeling comfortable has been a paramount focus, with the demand for clothing that performs all day long. We keep addressing newness in the casual part of our collection with updates starting last year with new fabrics, knits, styles, and options across the collection. In the new spring collection, we launched three new collar options in knits: the mock neck with snap and zip, the open collar, and the hoodie style. I would like to share a bit more detail about them with you – how to propose them, how to style them and offer something unique and new.
The Hoodie
As a street style, the hoodie should need no introduction as an athletic piece of warm-up gear. It’s found itself as an iconic piece representing street style. Through high-end designers like Ralph Lauren and Brunello Cuccinelli, Valentino, and Dior, the hoodie has in recent years become an integrated part of runway looks while remaining fundamentally a comfortable and practical piece.
I consider it what is termed as a “third piece” which represents the finishing piece to a top and a pant. For many guys, it can be a substitute to outerwear and be the thrown on layer for modern lifestyles. Bringing the hoodie into the world of J.Hilburn’s custom-made offerings has been a collaborative project utilizing our custom-made knit know-how and testing our knit fabric offerings from Reda, that includes wool and interlock cotton.
The double-zip detail adds a touch of luxury and utility that marries a higher-end design philosophy giving the wearer the added comfort when sitting which is something we are all doing a lot more of these days. I also like to style this in key looks slightly open from the bottom – that helps optically thin the figure.
Think of this piece as a sweater substitute that can layer under outerwear such as the hybrid blazer or a vest for an elevated casual look that defines J.Hilburn.
Mock Neck with Snap and Zip
Based on our successful mock zip introduced last year, I wanted to add a little bit more personality to the neck design. The result is a look that I consider slightly more aggressive with the added layer of the panel covering the zip with the personalized logo snap buttons.
Worn closed or open, you have two very different looks. The first being literally “buttoned-up” and the second a layered attitude around the neckline adding a unique style. I am loving the way both zip-neck styles give a guy a custom-made option for a sweater substitute in knit which feels really modern to me.
I have loved layering this piece under sportcoats with a woven shirt under – similar to the way you would wear a zip-neck sweater. All of the hardware detailing really pops and is something totally new for you.
The Open Collar
We launched this option in spring, but I see it being a big success in short sleeves for summer as a pull-on piece. Without the polo option, it feels more like a dressed-up tee shirt more than anything. The clean flat collar works well for bigger neck sizes and elongates the neck similar to the way you wear a first button opened on a shirt or polo neckline.
On or off the golf course, this new style will be a summer favorite. We also have new bright colors in pique launching at the end of the month and available in this new style which is easily styled with shorts, 5-pockets, or chinos. It is a great option for a polo neck with buttons or zip for a cleaner aesthetic which some prefer.
Connect with your Personal Stylist and create your very own custom-made knit, styled however you’d like. The options are endless and I can guarantee it will be one-of-a-kind.
