Most guys don't want to dress like the President of the United States. You don't see a big market for versions both contemporary (what with the ill-fitting coats and super-long ties) or historical (when's the last time you found yourself pining for a top hat?). But there's one glaring exception to this otherwise-reliable rule: John F. Kennedy.
The guy was about as well-dressed as the Commander in Chief has ever been, whether suited up in the Oval Office or taking it easy on his boat. If you're inclined towards that more casual JFK vibe—and really, who wouldn't be?—Abercrombie & Fitch is making it a whole lot easier to channel his enduring style. On 10 April the company is launching a new capsule collection of menswear inspired by the discovery of a pair of A&F chinos that the 35th president himself actually owned.
The team at Abercrombie discovered the pants for sale at auction last year and managed to snag them for the company's archive. From there, it was just a matter of recreating the classics—with some modern improvements."We kept the longer rise, the fuller leg and the heavy and rigid fabric,” SVP of design Aaron Levine told WWD, "but we played with the saddle shape so that it would be more flattering to our customer."
The new chinos are finished with herringbone pockets and natural corozo buttons, and will retail for £69. They'll be accompanied by a "Sailing Club" A&F hoodie (£62) that's based on an archival style from the '60s and pays homage to Kennedy's love of boating. Those core pieces will be complemented by other items like a sailing jacket, T-shirts, and swim shorts.
"The opportunity to purchase JFK's Abercrombie & Fitch chinos came through our friends at the Vintage Showroom in London, who have helped us build and curate the brand's archives," Levine said in a statement. "It is an honor to get to work with such a rich heritage, and to offer our customer products with authentic stories is a unique opportunity. The design team has lovingly re-worked the proportions of this chino, for a modern twist which sits higher on the waist, baggier in the leg and cropped at the ankle. It is an iconic style, befitting of an American icon."
The chino itself, plus everything else in the JFK-inspired collection, is available both online and at Abercrombie & Fitch flagship locations on 10 April. In the meantime, check out a few more shots from the lookbook right here.
