How to Dress Like a Brit
Look #1: Modern Heritage
"If you want to dress British your look should be smart and include some classic pieces," says Little. The obvious thing to invest in is a tailored suit, but he also recommends pairing a trim blazer (in classic fabrics or prints such as tweed, houndstooth, and pinstripe) with a pair of slim-fitting jeans or trousers. One great garment will suffice. "I think that to look properly British, you need to have some visible quality on show, whether it be a beautiful vintage Savile Row jacket or a classic pair of British brogues or even a herringbone waistcoat." To avoid looking too over-the-top, Little recommends wearing a T-shirt beneath a jacket. "You don’t need to dress like Beau Brummell."
1. Sunspel Riviera crew neck tee ($75), 2. Hiut Denim The Hack jeans ($200), 3. Margaret Howell SB2 Blazer ($1,165), 4. Grenson Albert brogues ($586)
Look #2: Classic British
"Nothing says 'British' more than the tweed jacket worn with gray flannels or corduroys and sturdy brown brogues," says Hackett London co-founder and designer Jeremy Hackett. "It's the British man's country kit." He also recommends two looks depending on whether you're in the city or the country: "For town, a Prince of Wales suit cut in the Savile Row manner is a classic, as is the navy double breasted blazer. The covert coat is an item originally made for the country but it's now more likely to be seen in an urban environment." And the devil is in the details: Hackett recommends investing in double-cuffed shirts, monogrammed cuff links, and printed ties (like one with polka-dots) to complete the look.
1. Hackett cashmere blend overcoat ($825), 2. Hackett cashmere tweed jacket ($781), 3. Hackett dress shirt ($170), 4. Hackett County Check trousers ($350), 5. Metal cufflinks ($100), 6. Polka-dot tie ($100), 7. Hackett brown brogues ($460)
Look #3: The English Hipster
Of course, British fashion isn't all about tailored suits and classic separates. "The other side is the irreverence that comes from the street, from punks and mods through to the current trends of beards, tattoos, and vintage clothing," says Little. Emulate these less-formal styles with pieces like a classic brogue with a chunky white sole, slim trousers with the cuffs turned up, or an Oxford shirt with a grandad collar.
1. A.P.C. Grandad-collar cotton oxford shirt ($205), 2. Hiut Denim The Hack jeans ($200), 3. Grenson Archie hybrid brogue ($389)
Look #4: The East Ender
These days, London's East End is one of the city's most fashionable neighborhoods—and for ways to look like a local, we turned to Cliff Hunt, the head of U.S. buying and visuals for Paul Smith. He recommends pairing a relaxed sharp jacket over a cashmere sweater, with a pair of dress pants or distressed jeans. "De-formalize the formality of the look with a very English brogue boot with commando sole and pair with an obligatory trilby," Hunt adds. This is the kind of style young kids hanging out at the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch would wear, he adds.
1. Paul Smith Green Camo Print Two-Button Blazer ($760), 2. Paul Smith Burnt Orange Graded Jacquard Sweater ($310), 3. Paul Smith Straight-Fit Dry Indigo Jeans ($175), 4. Paul Smith Sky Blue Degraded Felt Trilby Hat ($266), 5. Paul Smith Tan Leather Cale Brogue Boots ($755)
Look #5: Contemporary Englishman
You can also combine elements of these disparate styles to achieve a modern—but still classically British—look. Hunt suggests updating a classic English wool raincoat by layering it over a leather biker jacket (or denim jacket), followed by a sweater with an attention-grabbing, irreverent print. Add dress pants or casual trousers, and bring the whole look together with a toe-capped dress shoe in a bold color.
1. Paul Smith Slim-Fit Black Puppytooth Trousers ($385), 2. Paul Smith Navy Wool-Twill Epsom Coat ($1,890), 3. Paul Smith Black Leather Biker Jacket ($1,240), 4. Paul Smith Pink Bouclé Flamingo Sweater ($690), 5. Paul Smith Navy Leather Berty Brogues ($525)
The classic British menswear look has always been very structured and smart with close-fitting tailoring, collared shirts, and solid chunky shoes. "Essentially, it came from Savile Row over 100 years ago," says Tim Little, the creative director and owner of British heritage footwear brand Grenson. Its famous purveyors? Think James Bond, from Connery to Moore to Craig. Read on for more tips on how to steal 007's style.