Bringing together the sharpest eyes and minds in menswear, the Esquire Townhouse with Breitling welcomed model and businessman David Gandy, Mr Porter Brand & Content Director Jeremy Langmead and Hector Bellerin, Arsenal's star right back and one of the savviest dressers in the game, for a conversation with Esquire's Fashion Director Catherine Hayward and Style Director Charlie Teasdale.
The inaugural Esquire Townhouse Style Panel saw a lively panel discussion, covering the return of tailoring, the (potential) death of the dad trainer, and why you should be very careful (and handsome) before you buy a pair of leather trousers...
Here are 10 key take aways from the discussion.
David Gandy on the return of pinstripe tailoring
"I think pinstripes are still about power dressing, but they now come with a more modern interpretation. Maybe we've associated it with Wall Street and Winston Churchill in the past, but now it’s modern, it’s dynamic and there are fewer rules. Men are learning to dress down and use it across the spectrum of their lives."
Catherine Hayward on the suit you should be buying right now
"Something from Alexander McQueen, preferably with a heavy stripe, a slim fit and a kick in the leg. That is to say a bit of a flair, but one that's elegant."
Hector Bellerin on the death of the dad trainer
"I love my white Balenciaga Tripe S's, but I think I’m ready for something new. They were great for a while, but I can see myself making a move towards something with a bit of a slimmer profile. They are good for making you taller, though!"
Jeremy Langmead on the way men approach trends
"The nice thing about menswear is that similar trends come in every season, like we're seeing with tweed this year from the likes of Gucci. It's not exactly brand new, but I think guys are getting much better at taking a few elements and working with them. You don't have to go all in on every trend, which I think is more common in women's fashion."
Hector Bellerin on style in a football dressing room
"You find the guys at Arsenal, and lots of other football clubs, are really into the big logos. So lots of branded Gucci, Givenchy and Off-White. I'm trying to mix it up a bit. I like Vivienne Westwood and J.W. Anderson a lot right now. I get some stick from the other players, but to me that means I'm standing out and doing something right."
David Gandy on the art of layering
"I hate dressing in summer because you can’t layer. Trousers, a t-shirt/shirt, what else can you do? It's more about materials. I love autumn and winter because you can start layering. If you have the wrong outfit you can take something off, add it in and work with proportions and textures, it's great!"
Charlie Teasdale on the leather trouser trend
"It's that thing, isn't it: if you're tall, thin, handsome, confident and, preferably a rockstar, you can get away with it. Otherwise it's going to look a bit mad... and sweaty."
Hector Bellerin on dressing with confidence
"Some people need a logo to feel confident, which I think is common in football to feel like you belong. I think you need quite a lot of self belief to go out there in a plain outfit, or one that's unbranded. I'm trying it more and more these days."
And, finally, Jeremy Langmead on the one piece you should invest in this winter
"Get a coat. It’s the first thing people see and the last thing when you leave. This winter yours should be big, drapey, double-breasted and with a nice check.
