Our Legacy Spring/Summer collection

Dressing up? or dressing down? Either way our legacy has you covered. Come in store or shop here

Gant Rugger SS12

The Gant story starts all the way back in 1914. Bernard Gant, a Ukranian shirt maker, set up shop in New York’s garment district to manufacture shirts for some of the best in the business. It wasn’t long before the small ‘G’ that he stamped onto the bottom hem of each shirt was more important to a buyer than the brand label on the neck. Gant’s work was sought after, right from the start. However,  the wider world had to wait until 1949 for Gant to really make an impression - unsatisfied with being a ‘silent shirt supplier’, the Gant family decided to fly solo, and began introducing their products to stores around the US.

Gant Rugger first appeared 39 years ago in 1973. Bernard’s sons had the bright idea of taking the rugby shirt off the field to create a new American icon. Less academic and more approachable than its older brother, the Gant Rugger line was a winner from day one. Now back after a hiatus, Swedish designer Christopher Bastin (ex ACNE, Whyred) has been drafted in to the design team (which, by the way, consists of Bastin and a single assistant) for his love of Americana. Bastin describes his inspiration for this season’s collection as ”the opinion leader who doesn’t even know he’s in the lead.” - and that speaks volumes for what Gant Rugger is about. ‘Noveau-prep’ is one way that Bastin chooses to describe it. Effortlessly cool without trying - that’s the image that Bastin tries to create within the collection, and we think it’s fair to say that he’s captured it perfectly.

Onto the clothes themselves, we really liked the collection so we picked out a large selection with great enthusiasm. Perhaps it’s best to start by looking at the real classics of the line - the Rugger polo shirt and sweatshirts. Offered in vibrant traditional rugby stripes, and with fresh white collars, these should surely be staple of every man’s casual Spring wardrobe. Made from reassuringly thick cotton, these should be just the right weight for traditional English Spring weather!

The shirting range takes almost 100 years of Gant’s experience in the shirt making business, and mixes it with Bastin’s fresh zeal for the line, to create a range of shirts that exceed all expectations in both quality and design. There are a wide range of styles available, from colourful checked madras shirts, through solid colour pocket shirts, to pull-over wide-stripe shirts. All of them fit perfectly with Bastin’s mantra of ‘effortless cool.’

One of our absolute favourite pieces is the Summer chino, and it seems that we’re not alone. Bastin describes them as such: “Our Summer Chino came out really nice. It’s a lightweight over-constructed twill, in a pile of smashing colors. It also got a bit of stretch in it, (something I normally hate), that makes it extremely comfy in spite of it’s slim cut. Perfect for roundhouse kicks and/or break-dancing.” We have a selection of colours - navy, sand and a very nice bright blue. We also have the same (and a light olive) in the beautifully-cut short version.

There’s more of the range, including knitwear and accessories, to explore on our website - but let me finish by touching upon the two Gant Rugger blazers, perhaps the real show-stoppers of the collection. The first is in black wool, with a satin shawl collar. This jacket is finished with so many great details, that it’s hard to know where to start. From the most obvious - the crested gold buttons, to the subtle cream lining under the collar. The jacket is half lined in cream, blue check and a traditional American red white and blue stripe for the sleeves. The cuffs are of course working, so you can roll the sleeves up to show off the lining.

The second jacket is a colourful one-button peak cotton blazer with peaked lapels. With this one, a picture really does paint a thousand words. However, in-case you’re too enraptured by its colourful exterior to notice the finer points, I’ll direct you towards (once again) working cuffs, a cream fabric under the collar, and a darker cream sleeve-lining with black stripes.  All in all, a rather special jacket to round off a rather special collection.

Everything featured, and more can be found in store, or on our website

New Balance - Road to London

In stock at A Too - and becoming increasingly rare by the day - the New Balance ‘Road to London’ pack. A product of New Balance’s Cumbria-based Flimby factory, the shoes are a clean approach to the ever-popular ‘576’ design. Of course, with the London Olympics squarely in everyone’s minds, it’s only fitting that those responsible for the shoe of the moment lend their creative talents to creating something that commemorates the event. Producing the shoes in a waterproofed waxed suede is an excellent fabric choice, marking the shoes out as something special, whilst accommodating the ever-changing British weather.

New Balance have produced this mini-collection in two colourways. One black, one grey - both with gold accents. Unique to the collection, the shoes both feature a black and gold Union Jack stitched at the back of the shoe. There is also a ‘Road to London special edition’ patch applied to the insole, and on the tongue. Aside from all of the bells and whistles, the painstaking commitment to quality is clear all over the shoes - they’re satisfyingly weighty, and with perfect stitching all over. As well as the Road to London shoes, we also have a selection of the 577 and 1500 shoes, once again all made in England to a recipe that should most certainly not be meddled with! Check out the shoes in store, or online.