Drake's
Drake's denim shirt fits me like a glove.
Buying the entire collection from a clothing brand or artisan is a fool’s errand, nine times out of ten. Dressing head-to-toe in one label is a great way to look like a mannequin. I’ve come close to making this mistake before - including the one time I more or less stole my look from the J. Crew catalogue, which I learned from - but there’s always a pair of socks, shoes or a bandana that acts as a saving grace and gives the garments a look of individuality, protecting them from the uniformity of brand image.
The exception to this rule is when a brand’s voice is distinct and distinguished enough that it pairs as well with traditional garments as it does with whatever the latest fashion cycle tells us is trendy. It also helps when a brand produces both types of styles with equal finesse. Enter Drake’s, the classic London menswear company. Founded in 1977, Drake’s began as a tiemaker for large fashion houses. The breadth of their fabric archives, however, made it inevitable for founder Michael Drake and his team to create their own line of timeless neckwear. Under current Creative Director Michael Hill and co-owner Mark Cho (also of The Armoury in New York and Hong Kong), Drake’s has expanded their offerings to a full line of clothes.
Take the shirts. For essentials, nothing beats Drake’s. Their shirts cost a pretty penny, but their timeless cut and top-notch fabrics mean they’ll pay for themselves after they break in. Their seasonal offerings are great, and the pine green and deep blue linens currently available prove the perfect match for white pants in spring and summer. A man could buy three of their white oxfords, three of their blue oxfords, a couple denim shirts and some striped numbers and not only never grow bored of these offerings - especially when paired with one of Drake’s scarves, works of art emblazoned with regal scenes and fun prints - but have a shirt wardrobe for life.
Drake's Creative Director Michael Hill models their cozy emerald green shawl cardigan.
Drake’s trousers have the high rise that men’s clothing enthusiasts seek. They don’t make their pants this way because of trends - despite the fact that more and more customers request the cut - but because pants with a high rise look better than hip-hugging trousers, which allow the legs to slouch and the waist to droop enough for shirts to come untucked. There’s a reason men in the 1950s and ‘60s looked more dashing than modern guys - they wore high-waisted trousers with tailored legs that flattered their form. Drake’s offers a pair of jeans with a high waist, too, which are great for pairing with a sportcoat. Dressing up denim is difficult, and the higher rise and classic leg - slim but not skinny - make it easier to do.
A selection of Drake's ties at Askov Finlayson in Minneapolis. They carry a smattering of their scarves as well.
That’s not all, however. Drake’s makes beautiful sweaters and outerwear. Their shawl cardigans are comforting off-duty wear, or on-duty if your workplace has a creative dress code. They come in rich colors and their soft ribbing makes them a second skin. Same goes for the outerwear, which features a modern man’s edit on the basics. Last winter Drake’s offered a reversible navy-blackwatch overcoat which completely fulfills any man’s seasonal outerwear needs. If one has business or a formal affair to attend to, the navy pairs well with most suiting and separates. If one feels intrepid or wants to punch up their look, they can turn the coat inside out for the blackwatch pattern. This isn’t a two coats for the price of one gimmick - it’s the ultimate marriage between form and function. For all other purposes, Drake’s loden overcoat - an Austrian fabric revered for its olive green hue - is the perfect complement to tweeds, woolens and casual ensembles.
The products Drake’s built their name on are still their forte. Overlooking their scarves and ties is criminal, since they come in every imaginable color and pattern. Much like some kids were with Pokémon when I was growing up, my goal with Drake’s ties is to catch ‘em all. This is not out of consumptive greed. Rather, the ties are so beautiful that they’d convince me to wear one every day. Between the colorful silk knits and foulards, there’s a tie for every mood and every outfit; at worst they can double as artful decor in small apartments. And though Drake’s scarves are great for winter, there’s something about their silk prints that make them the ideal ascot. Slip one under an oxford shirt to dress up a conservative look or pair it with a spread-collar polo and white pants for a rakish Man of the World élan. Either way, a love affair with Drake’s mean a man’s neck is never uncovered.
I’ve wanted to buy one of Drake’s garments for over a year, and received my first in the mail yesterday with a beautiful denim shirt I bought at C ‘H ‘C ‘M in NoHo. They didn’t have my size, so the staff was kind enough to send me one from their London store. The shirt fits like a glove and looks even better, and I have a feeling this is the beginning of a long relationship, a match made in heaven.
Shirt: Drake's, Jeans: Levi's x Sid Mashburn, Bandana: Fast Color (Vintage).
Locations: Prospect Park neighborhood, Askov Finlayson.