Object | Dries Van Noten - Patterned Silk Waistcoat

Remember the "Elegance"-cardigan by Dries Van Noten? This waistcoat has similar belt-detailing as well as a subtle pinstripe pattern in the front and a silk red pattern in the back.

Usually I'm not that keen on wearing waistcoats. In fact, I've never done it except as part of a suit on formal occasions. It's not that I'm opposed to the waiscoat as a stand-alone piece, in fact I find that it can look real sharp when done right. It's just that it never seemed like my stile. But this one's got me thinking that maybe I just hadn't found the right one, although I'd prefer if the front and back were uniform. (Buy)

Object | Umit Benan - Cotton Jacket

We featured this one in beige in our style-post on spring jackets a few days ago, but the blue version is nice enough to earn a post of it's own.

Umit Benan crashed onto the scene last season to much attention and appreciaton. This season his inspiration is Cuba and the resulting pieces are pretty spectacular.

This single-buttoned cotton jacket is one of the many highlights. The nicely done pocket detailing gives the jacket an adventurous feel and for the really adventurous there's even a pair of matching Cuban-style trousers to complete the look. (Buy)

News | Future Collectables

Celebrating their 40th anniversary british retailer Browns has collaborated with some of the world's top brands, including Dior, Dries Van Noten and Moncler, to make a collection of limited edition pieces based on the brands' iconic designs, called Future Collectables. If you need some basics, you could definitely do worse. (Check)

Advent Calendar | # 17 Martin Margiela - Cable Knit Scarf

Second to the coat, the most important piece of the winter for me is the scarf. After all those are the garments people will see the most.

Therefore I'm always on the lookout for a nice scarf. Last year it was a tartan one that mysteriously appeared in my wardrobe and I wore it basically every day. Unfortunately it turned out it belonged to a friend's girlfriend so I had to return and so I'm once again on the hunt for the perfect one.

Martin Margiela has done one that's, if not spot-on perfect, at least pretty close to being just that. Hand-knitted in a cable pattern with long fringes at the ends, this is a true piece of craftmanship. And it would fit great with any jacket or outfit. Apart from the blue one which is my favorite, it's also available in beige.

Style | The Nylon Backpack

I've tried to steer clear of any backpacks ever since I finally managed to convince my mom that all the cool kids wore messenger bags. I really don't know why I'm so skeptic to them. Maybe I associate them with those painfully optimistic outdoorsy types that gives you blisters just by existing. Maybe I've just have bad experiences with them. Either way, as I said I've avoided them for a long time and I swore when Raf Simons or whoever it was started showing them on the runway a couple of seasons ago that this was one thing (along with clogs & fannypacks) I was not gonna get caught up in.

But a lot has happened since then and here I am now actually considering giving up my messenger bags and tote bags and crawl back to the practical backpack. Maybe surprisingly, but the best options doesn't come in leather or canvas but rather in Prada's signature fabric, nylon. Some might think I've lost my mind (or at least my sense of style) for even considering this but in my defense there actually are a couple of nice alternatives out there these days (no I'm not talking about the Eastpack collaborations, sorry mr. Simons & mr. Owens). And they're more ergonomic than other kind of bags, which means they're better for your back. Just ask your mom.

A.P.C.

COS

Browns

Ps. Feel free to note the similarities between them. Who said fashion is about being unique?!

Object | Junya Watanabe - Quilted Nylon Jackets

Among all the trends, I predict that the "quilted shirts that also functions as outerwear"-one will become the really big one. At least it's my favorite one. We featured a plaid one by Band Of Outsiders earlier on and Opening Ceremony did a really nice one in grey.

But the absolute example of this trend however, must be this one from Junya Watanabe, available at Browns. Made in a shiny black nylon it has all the quirky trademarks of a piece from the japanese designer, yet it's still a very wearable garment that would probably fit right in in most wardrobes. It has two breast pockets, and nice touches like the corduroy collar and the tartan detailing at the sleeves and shoulders. It isn't exactly cheap, but then again who said it would be.

Object | Moncler - Reversible Nylon Parka

French brand Moncler is mostly known for their classic down jackets & parkas which has become a staple for the jetset of the Alps because of it's clean aesthetics and great quality.

Here's something a bit more apropriate for the summer heat. The reversible nylon parka is a lightweight jacket, perfect for windy days Usually I'm not a big fan of reversible jacket as it seems 1+1 often equals 0,8 when it comes to jackets. But this one does the trick by keeping it subtle, with both sides being in a earthy khaki hue, one of them a bit darker than the other (check the link for more pictures). The darker side also features a few additional breast pockets on the outside. It's still pretty pricey even though Brown's got it marked down but since it's a quality product so you're bound to get your moneys' worth out of it.