02 October 2009

Hackett Style











Hackett. As I wrote here last year, I have been wearing Hackett since the 1980s. I support the brand. Why? Let me explain. To begin with, I simply like the clothing. It's classic and well-made. For a RTW brand, you could do a lot worse.

Plus, it represents a link to my youth, a reminder of Saturday afternoons sauntering down the King's Road in moleskin trousers, chelsea boots, Barbour jacket, Hackett shirt, and a pair of colourful Hackett socks. Ah, the socks! I am certain the selections of bright and cheery hosiery are placed near the inside entrance of Hackett stores to draw in passersby. If you walk by a Hackett store, you will know what I mean.

Finally, there is Jeremy Hackett. I have written elsewhere of my admiration. (This is not a man-crush, so please do not be alarmed). Mr. Hackett, I will argue, embodies a particularly confident English style. There is no need here to be loud and brash, to draw unwanted attention to oneself. Quietly comfortable in his own moleskin, he knows who and what he is and what he has accomplished. He possesses a degree of self-assurance, I think, that is exceedingly rare. If I were to choose a living sartorial inspiration, it would be Mr. Hackett.

To Hackett, I raise another glass of champagne.

12 comments:

Barima said...

I'm always impressed when it comes to careful image selections vis-a-vis those considered to be stylish

Mr Hackett's ensembles, no matter where they fall on the formal-to-casual scale, always have this air of completeness. And that's a quality that should be admired

Besides, his summer sample sale was fantastic

ADG said...

Great entrepreneurial success story. His original London shop started out with the inclusion if vintage-second hand "Brideshead" goods.

Anonymous said...

Interesting. He looks to be a military watch fan. He has a nice Omega Speedmaster in the first picture and a G-10 strap in the second.

heavy tweed jacket said...

Mr. Hackett always seems to have a quality of quiet elegance about him. Gotta like the Sussex Spaniels, too!

Anonymous said...

It's 2009, and I trust that not too many of your sophisticated readers would be "alarmed" by a "mancrush." Apparently it didn't alarm Mr. Hackett. How fortunate some of his patrons were to get some of those vintage "Brideshead" goods.

A visit to your blog is always a pleasant, thought-provoking diversion.

More champagne! I raise my glass to Admiral Cod and to his distinct, stylish commentaries.

Anonymous said...

Of course it's not a mancrush.

Self-assurance, as you state it, (I'm more inclined to use the term confidence) is very alluring -- a luminous quality that affects both genders.

People are attracted, in my experience, to those who posess and exude genuine confidence, as opposed to off-putting hubris or egotism.

Johnathan@Hackett London said...

Glad you're all fans of Jeremy, if you want to find out more about Jeremy and Hackett's back ground go to http://www.hackett.com/jeremy-hackett

Easy and Elegant Life said...

I've just finished "Mr. Classic" and I have to admit that I am also a fan of his breezy writing style. His is well-suited to blogging. (I wonder?) And in terms of style, he is a man to be admired.

"Quietly comfortable in his own moleskin..." I wish I'd written that.

Anonymous English Female said...

I spent several summers in the late 80s wearing a much-loved Hackett cable cricket sweaters which clashed admirably with my Church's co-respondent brogues. It's a shame they no longer sell vintage although I have sold vintage menswear (mostly from the US)to the design director to be used as inspiration - may explain why their clothes are well made ?

Enzo AGC said...

check out the youtube vid of a conversation with Hackett and Valentino Ricci. Its priceless.

Will Boehlke said...

Is that George W. Bush in the top photo?

Unknown said...

Does anyone know the photographer who took the image of Jeremy Hackett on the home page of admiralcod.blogspot.com. Shot of him in jacket and cap. I have someone who wants to use it.

s.turner@carterwongdesign.com