Fashion
April 14, 2015
MARGARET HOWELL | Outerwear Where Tradition Meets Innovation
MARGARET HOWELL | MARGARET HOWELL
Outerwear Where Tradition and Innovation Coexist
Materials like Harris Tweed and worsted wool, quintessentially British, along with functional fabrics, truly come into their own in the autumn and winter seasons.Margaret Howellis deeply familiar with their handling. Despite being a female designer, she possesses extensive knowledge of menswear. As a natural consequence, Margaret Howell offers a rich selection of superb outerwear.
Text by Kotaro HosomuraPhoto by Jamandfix
A Wealth of Items to Make You Look Forward to Winter
The element of "Britishness" is undoubtedly an indispensable component that defines Margaret Howell's signature style.
Margaret Howell herself says:
"For example, appreciating the presence of spun yarn, the wrinkles in high-quality cotton and linen, and the inherent beauty of traditional weaves like Harris Tweed and worsted cloth. These are fundamental elements that, along with color, comfort, and an intuitive sense of what is appropriate to wear now, contribute to the overall appeal."
This statement highlights her profound appreciation for the tactile sensation of fabrics and her relaxed approach to their inherent characteristics.

Tweed jacket with corduroy collar and side adjusters as accents, ¥69,300
Considering this context, when surveying the autumn and winter collection, outerwear stands out as particularly noteworthy. This season's signature pieces include jackets. Positioned as an essential item for British trad style, jackets appear that are both classic and soft in their construction. While utilizing traditional British wools such as Harris Tweed and moleskin, they are rendered lightly and modernly with an unconstructed tailoring approach that eschews shoulder pads. The collection offers items that allow one to enjoy Margaret Howell's exquisite sense of balance, embodying contrasts like dynamism and restraint, or strength and softness.
In addition to the collaboration coats with "Baracuta" and "MACKINTOSH" introduced previously, tweed coats with corduroy collars and side adjusters, as well as Melton pea coats with authentic details but a contemporary feel due to their compact sizing, allow for an appreciation of the beauty of British textures.

Gore-Tex parka, fully waterproof down to the details such as the water-repellent seals on the zippers, ¥64,050
Conversely, a characteristic of this season is the focus on functional materials, the polar opposite of traditional fabrics. "Gore-Tex," a prime example of high-performance outdoor wear material, is adopted here for "MARGARET HOWELL" x "GORE-TEX" purely for town use. Items include mountain parkas and simple cycling wear, all designed with a sophistication that allows for styling with dress trousers. This reflects Margaret Howell's signature approach of focusing on "authentic" materials, creating a novel sports category. Naturally, leveraging its functionality and practicality, the mountain parka is constructed with meticulous attention to detail, such as water-repellent seals on the zippers, ensuring complete waterproofing and embodying its essential nature.

Pea coat with authentic details and a contemporary feel due to its compact sizing, ¥61,950
In British tailoring, a highly regarded new set-up collection using fabrics from prestigious British suppliers such as "Fox Brothers," "Savile Clifford," and "Lovat," which have been used since its debut in 1970, is generating buzz.
Margaret Howell evolves while returning to its roots. Its signature "らしさ" (rashisa - characteristic style) is so captivating that it holds an irresistible charm.
Anglobal
Tel. 03-5467-7874
www.margarethowell.jp