With the pandemic hastening the trend for athleisure wear, a return to dressing up any time soon seems unlikely. When even Brooks Brothers has to resort to selling hoodies and sweatpants, the situation looks particularly bleak. But there’s another school of thought which suggests that special occasions will become even more special as restrictions are lifted and we all start to leave the house more. And, frankly, we are now in the midst of wedding season so you’re going to need a good suit.
Tailored clothing with an emphasis on mid-century styles is the raison d’être of Husbands, a Paris-based fashion brand that started life as a high-end boutique selling clothes from that period but is now a fully-fledged label of its own. Husbands still have a shop but it is mostly focused on selling through its own online shop and online retailers such as SSENSE. It is flying the flag for smart dressing and it may be a signpost of things to come. Husbands was founded in 2012 by Nicolas Gabard and takes its influences from the style of the likes of Mick Jagger, Bryan Ferry, and Serge Gainsbourg.
Husbands offers both made-to-order (which takes 5-6 weeks) and ready-to-wear suits and many of the styles are almost impossible to find elsewhere. Husbands is the place to go to find the perfect tweed blazer, striped shirts with wide collars that harken back to the 1970s, high waisted flared corduroy trousers, v-neck merino sweaters, and zipped ankle boots. And make sure not to overlook the ties! Husbands offers a fantastic selection including knitted silk, silk, cashmere, flannel, and regimental. Husbands works with suppliers from all over the world to ensure quality and the attention to detail is insane. Suits range from around 1500-2000 euros, shirts are a couple of hundred euros, and trousers will set you back around 500. So this is definitely a luxury brand but it’s one that trades in quality and historical perspective, not on name recognition. Like Basic Rights, and Mason & Sons who we’ve featured in the past, Husbands display a reverence for retro styles that borders on the obsessive. This should come as no surprise, given the brand’s origins as archivists. Buying from brands like this is an entirely different and satisfying feeling than buying from a mall brand. You know you’re getting something unique, somewhat rare, and definitely special. Given that, these clothes have a tendency to sell out quickly but the label does regular restocks on its most popular styles.
Still wondering whether or not you’re ready to get suited and booted. Take a look at the label’s manifesto.
If you’re the kind of person that dresses with intent and likes it when their clothes tell a story then Husbands will suit you. These clothes provide you with the savior faire you need to glide through any social occasion.