Originally worn by the German military in the 1970s, production on these lean and elegant sneakers came to a halt sometime just before the fall of the Wall. Now in production again in Slovakia, you might want to rethink going for an obvious sneaker statement this summer. White leather contrasts with beige suede and there are echoes of vintage Puma and Adidas. The new model is a modern take on the original with a subtle strip of grey patent leather at the back, paying homage to the patent trainer craze of the Bape shoe fanatic. Also available in black or blue, the shoes are at Tomorrowland in Shibuya, Tokyo.
This swing jacket is the height of elegance. A favourite label of Pupi Solari in Milan, Dusan’s beige linen number has a luxurious brown silk lining and can be flung on top of urban daywear or draped over the shoulders of an haute-couture evening dress. The essence of stylish prêt-à-porter label Dusan is beautiful tailoring and high-quality fabrics. The label’s designs are only sold in the most exclusive stores around the world, including Browns in London, Saks Fifth Avenue in New York and Isetan in Tokyo.
British label Gieves & Hawkes occupies the most prestigious address in tailoring: No. 1 Savile Row. This season’s new Father & Son collection is all about lightweight comfort. This ensemble will work perfectly for every distinguished gentleman and rakish cad anywhere from St James’s to Saint Tropez.
Dressing up is always fun – even more so when it involves staff. Whether you want to kit out a team at the new café you’ve just invested in or indulge your French-meets-Japanese maid fantasies, Japanese designer Akira Onozuka has created workwear that makes a strong fashion statement. The collection is housed in Issey Miyake’s Cabane de Zucca flagship store in Aoyama. His designs are stylish and functional with an emphasis on details such as sleeve pockets. Onozuka has also made uniforms for Shiseido and Seibu shop staff and Japanese school pupils.
Masuda Hiroaki launched the shoe label Cause in 1996 and has collaborated with everyone from street label Stüssy to designer Paul Smith. Hiroaki has said that life is about travelling, shoes and music. He has managed to incorporate all three of his passions into his career, scouring the world for leather and new shoemaking techniques and occasionally moonlighting as a DJ. Cause shoes are designed for comfort first and foremost, though it seems they are also engineered to generate glowing compliments: the featured high-tops have delicate white stitching and thick rubber soles – suitable for supporting your feet on the lengthiest of walks – and the brown wallaby looks like a moccasin but is as soft as a slipper.
Sun goddesses take note: swimwear label Filippa K is one of the only serious contenders to rival bikini queen Heidi Klein’s sleek designs. This Stockolm-based fashion label is renowned for its elegant minimalism. Its latest collection has been lauded for its Bauhaus-inspired soft creams and alluring anthracites. Flaunt this chocolate-brown two-piece on the beaches of the Algarve or Montauk. Golden hook details add a tasteful splash of bourgeois beach chic.
Paul Helbers’s idea for Louis Vuitton’s spring/summer men’s collection was to combine the sartorial styles of Victorian England and tropical Hawaii. The result is an inspired, tasteful and elegant line. One of the highlights is this blue-and-white striped linen shirt – an ode to casual cool. Ideal for sailing around the North Pacific on board a Swan 68 to escape the heady days of inland heat. Match with cotton trousers for the perfect offshore attire.
This handsome double-zipped wallet by Needles is made from genuine cordovan horse leather. Shell cordovan is known for its durability, soft, supple texture and patina that only improves with age. It is currently available at the Nepenthes Tokyo shop in Japan’s hip Shibuya district and Monocle hopes it rolls out soon around the rest of the globe. Watch out for their collections in their New York showroom and at the annual fashionista mecca Pitti Uomo.