Ask EDIFICE about

The current trend in business style is to polarize between ” casual ” and “back to the classics. In either case, the degree of freedom and latitude in styling is expanding, and it is not uncommon for highly sensitive men to have trouble finding the right look. For this issue, we interviewed Mr. Takatsudo, who works as a press representative for “EDIFITH,” a leading select store that offers sophisticated men’s styles, and asked him about the latest trends and recommendations in jacket/suit styles.

The keyword for this season’s jackets and suits is “British”

OTOKOMAE

I would like to ask him about this season’s trends and items of interest. First of all, could you tell us about suits and jackets, especially business style?

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

This season, I think what is new is that each brand is incorporating British, or British elements. At EDIFICE, we are pushing items that do not directly reflect British taste, but rather use British-derived fabrics with a soft and light texture, and they are selling well.

Suits and jackets with just the right amount of British taste in ” fabrics ” are in season!

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

We believe that textiles that look ordinary at first glance but are actually arranged in a different way will attract more attention. We are also planning to offer jackets made of EDIFITH’s original Gabarry twill, which is of British origin, but with an improved soft and lightweight feel instead of the classic stiff texture.

OTOKOMAE

The incorporation of a British style that is by no means straight-forward and straightforward is a smart interpretation that is typical of EDIFITH.

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

Incidentally, the keyword that EDIFITH has been using since this season is “text. TEXT” is a coined word that combines the words “textile” and “next. It is the same as what I mentioned earlier, and from another point of view, by incorporating mode elements into vintage-style fabrics, we are creating a modern atmosphere.

OTOKOMAE

I see. By the way, what kind of fabrics are you pushing specifically?

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

We are incorporating modern elements into standard British patterns such as gabardine twill and flannel by applying a fresh color scheme with a nep finish. We also add navy and brown to glen check fabrics consisting of black and white to create an impression that is easy to incorporate into outfits. In particular, I recommend the combination of brown and black, which adds a mode taste to a classic look and gives it a “modern” impression. The brown and black regimental tie I am wearing today is a good example.

The “packable suit” that combines comfort and convenience is another trendy item …

OTOKOMAE

While items with British taste and classic details are attracting attention, many brands are also offering suits that focus on functionality, such as packable suits and jersey jackets. When we featured packable suits on Otokomae Kenkyujo, we received an unexpectedly strong response from our readers. Many of them are clean in design, and they seem to be popular because they can be worn with a T-shirt and sneakers on weekends and holidays.

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

So-called travel suits are moving fast. One obvious example is Italy’s Lardini, which has introduced packable suits and easy-to-wear suits. We believe that these suits match the business scene in Japan, where business styles are becoming more casualized, and this may lead to purchases. We’re developing them under the original EDIFICE label, so if you’d be so kind as to visit the store!

Modern taste with a “down jacket” over a suit.

OTOKOMAE

It is interesting to see a different trend from last season’s return to the classics. With this trend in mind, do you have any styling recommendations for fall and winter that you would like businessmen to adopt when commuting to work?

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

The number of businessmen who wear down jackets to work has been increasing recently, so I would like to encourage them to incorporate the McIntosh down jackets that EDIFITH is offering in a special order over their usual suit style. At first glance, it looks like a quilted jacket, but it has down inside. Loro Piana’s Storm System fabric is also used, resulting in a design that is a well-balanced fusion of classic and modern. It is available in four colors: black, navy, gray, and khaki. Of these, the black color is the one that EDIFICE is promoting this season. Instead of casual designs such as those with a fur hood, EDIFICE suggests styling dress-spec downs with quilted or collared designs with a suit.

OTOKOMAE

Indeed, we often see businessmen on the train wearing down jackets with their suits. Nowadays, business styles are becoming more casual, with the Sports Agency recommending sneakers for commuting. Do you have any recommendations for office casual style?

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

I think the dress code varies from company to company, but if possible, I would suggest trying a style such as a knit cardigan with a tied-up shirt. If your workplace requires you to wear a jacket, how about keeping the details of a tailored jacket and casualizing it down by incorporating jersey or knit into the fabric?

What are the import brands that EDIFICE is focusing on?

OTOKOMAE

Looking at the development of this season’s EDIFICE stores, I have the impression that they are focusing more on dress styles than in the past. What foreign brands are attracting your attention?

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

I see many Italian brands that incorporate British elements such as peaked lapels and change pockets, not only in fabrics but also in details. Italian style has been in fashion for a long time, but now Italian dress brands are all incorporating British elements.

OTOKOMAE

I feel that they are flexibly incorporating British elements. They are not taking the structured British suit as it is, but rather using fabrics, check patterns, details, and so on.

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

Yes, that’s right. In that sense, the trend can be seen in the items we buy, as well as in EDIFICE originals. We are focusing on Parto from Italy as a brand whose product development is close to the vector that EDIFIS is aiming for. We used to sell a very small amount of their products, but from this season, we plan to increase the number of stores that carry their products.

OTOKOMAE

Parto is famous as a brand specializing in coats, isn’t it? In what points do you feel the closeness of vectors?

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

For example, the balaclava coat is a standard item of the PARUTO brand. While adopting classic details such as raglan sleeves and waist belts, we could see features such as slightly rearranging the color scheme of the fabric with a vintage feel or adding a melange finish. We are also developing EDIFICE original coats with such arrangements.

This season’s slacks are based on “sartorial taste.”

OTOKOMAE

This season, we are also seeing a major trend change in slacks. Pleated details and changes in silhouettes.

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

I see a lot of attention being paid to the silhouette of slacks, from slim tapered to a more roomy silhouette. Details based on sartorial taste, such as pleats, beltless, and side adjusters, are also points of interest. At EDIFICE, we stock pants by Tagliatore and Berwitch, and you can also see details such as one-pleat and side adjusters here. We also stock Bernard Zanes, which are slightly different from the Italian atmosphere, but the sartorial taste is the same as the base.

The key to a stylish look is to wear cardigans as outerwear.

OTOKOMAE

What trends do you see in knit items that are different from woven items? Recently, I have the impression that more attention is being paid to cardigans than to sweaters.

Mr. Takatsudo from EDIFICE

Among them, I think that cardigans like gown coats, which have been in fashion since last winter, will attract even more attention this season. Cardigans that look like outerwear, or so-called “cordigans,” with long lengths, shawl collars, and belts are also popular. Many people at Pitti Uomo were wearing knitwear with details that allow them to be worn as outerwear, such as coats. Of course, high-gauge knitwear can also be used as innerwear, but I feel that knitwear that can be worn like a jacket is more in season.

Adopting a slender design for shoes to “haz” the suit style.

OTOKOMAE

What kind of shoes do you recommend at EDIFICE for styling that reflects this season’s trend?

Mr. Takatsudo from Edifice

At EDIFITH, we are focusing on slender shoes. We would like to see the style of room shoes worn with a suit, and we would like to see people with a good fashion sense adopt this style. Edifice also offers designs with leather-like uppers made of grained leather and crepe soles for comfort. They look almost like leather shoes, so we recommend them for office casual style or for people who want to wear leather shoes on holidays but do not want their feet to hurt.

EDIFITH proposes “trends without overdoing it.”

OTOKOMAE

You have told us a lot so far, but can you tell us about the strengths and world view of EDIFITH once again?

Mr. Takatsudo from Edifice

The fundamental theme of EDIFITH is French chic. While reflecting trends, we do not overdo it, but rather subtly incorporate them into our products, which is what makes EDIFITH unique and is our strength. For example, classical slacks with a deep crotch and pleats are attracting attention this season, but since EDIFITH has also moderately maintained the slim slacks trend that existed until last season, it is difficult to feel uncomfortable even if you casually incorporate classic tastes. The brand does not make drastic changes, such as thickening the silhouette to match the trend, but rather maintains a slim and minimalist style.

OTOKOMAE

Lastly, any message for the readers of Otokomae Kenkyusho?

Mr. Takatsudo from Edifice

We hope you will enjoy our lineup, which reflects the interpretation of trends unique to EDIFICE. While most places offer British style, EDIFICE offers chic styling with just the right amount of mode and without overdoing it. I believe that in fashion, it is important to interpret trends and reflect them in your everyday style, so I hope that you will continue to pursue a style that you are comfortable with.