In the same way that a caterpillar emerges from its cocoon as a beautiful, sophisticated butterfly, we’re feeling the beginning of the transition from sweatpants to soft tailoring. We’ve been shut away in our homes for too long and our admittedly very comfortable sweatpants aren’t doing it for us anymore. Our minds wander to how we’ll dress when we’re allowed to show out again, and soft tailoring seems to be the natural next step.
Yes, it’s definitely a jump from shorts and slides, but it’s not as big a leap as you might think. We’re not talking about the formal restrictions of classic tailoring. Instead, we’re looking to a host of new and evolving labels playing a part in a renaissance in men’s tailoring. From raw hems to oversized, relaxed cuts and highlight prints, we’ve rounded up some of the best pieces to make tailoring fun again.
Exaggerated cuts and brighter colors breathe new life into tailoring, making it versatile enough to style up or down, and it’s got us excited to start dressing again. Nobody does soft tailoring like Italians, so with the help of Luisaviaroma, we’ve rounded up some of the best ‘tailored’ pieces to take spring/summer by storm.
Heads up, you can take 15 percent off your order at Luisaviaroma with the code 'S15'. Excluding starred items.
Shop the best soft tailoring for 2021 below.
Sunnei Light Nylon Blazer
If you’re looking to have fun with your style then look no further than Milan’s very own Sunnei. Contrast stitching and a powerful boxy cut make this altered blazer an easy entry point to the world of tailoring.
Jacquemus Le Novi Jacket
Jacquemus is a master in updates. This effortlessly modern take on the blazer relies on confident changes to small details. The eye is immediately drawn to a one-button fastening to the double-breasted construction which sets off a clean, minimal overall aesthetic.
Lownn Relaxed Jacket
Lownn’s take on the blazer leaves classic detailing as it is, instead turning its attention to proportion to leave its mark. Dropped shoulders and a wide-body make this the ideal lightweight outerwear for summer evenings, whether you’re wearing a shirt, T-shirt, or even a hoodie.
Gucci GG Stripe Shirt
Alessandro Michele’s most recent collection with Gucci is based around the inseparable relationship between chaos and beauty. This piece is a long way from chaos, though, with a subtle pinstripe pattern interspersed with Gucci monograms.
ADER Error Deconstructed Shirt
One of the best ways to spice up your tailored looks is why subverted classics like this beaten dress shirt from Ader Error. Raw-cut hems provide the antidote to formality.
Gucci Twill Pants
Michele’s time at the helm of Gucci has offered a take on men’s tailoring which has shaped tastes. A ‘70s-leaning aesthetic pays homage to the golden years of men’s style and we’re desperately waiting for it all to return. If Michele has his way, it will soon.
Bottega Veneta Matt Pants
Bottega Veneta’s SS21 collection directly tackled the idea of modern, soft tailoring, providing a strong suggestion for what elegance means in 2021. This pair of paneled gabardine trousers treads the fine — and rarely explored — line between formality and utility.
Jil Sander Crop Pants
Who better to lead us into the next chapter than Jil Sander? Neutral palettes and ethereal cuts make every Jil Sander season a pleasure to wear, as well as the perfect mid-ground between formal tailoring and everyday staples.
Mattia Capezzani Chain Mules
If there are two things we can’t get enough of right now, it’s mules and loafers. It just so happens that Mattia Cappezzani’s mule loafers are top of our shopping list.
1017 ALYX 9SM Slip On Leather Loafers
Matthew Williams’ clean, leather-fuelled aesthetic puts him in good stead to take the prize for loafers of the season. A step-down heel provides the contemporary update that we’re always looking for.
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