All American brand, Gant have teamed up with menswear designer Michael Bastian for a fourth capsule collection this season.
Known for his laidback East Coast aesthetic, Michael Bastian is one of American menswear’s most prominent figures. Mixing the luxurious with the understated, Bastian’s become synonymous with that cool, easy, East Coast dressing.
It’s unusual then that for the past four seasons Michael Bastian has teamed up with fashion brand Gant to design a unique women’s line – Gant by Michael Bastian.
The collection comprises wardrobe staples from Breton style dresses to classic wool blazers, as well as some offbeat pieces like cropped tartan trousers and shrunken statement knits.
Inspired by Bastian’s old college days in 80s Boston, the collection has a definite air of nostalgia. There are subtle nods to subcultural references be it a pair of tartan trousers or 60s mod inspired monochrome checkers, making the collection far more youthful and playful than Gant’s classic mainline. However, the attention to detail, be it the lucky shamrock coin that is attached to each individual piece (a reference to Boston’s Irish links), to the quality of fabrics they use like shrunken Shetland wool for blazers and the softest flannel for shirts.
A hero of the collection has to be the Reversible Cocoon Coat (£500). Wear on one side prim and proper in mini-hounds tooth print with a ladylike bow, or flip over and transform it into a extravagant faux fur, yeti inspired coat. Two entirely different coats for the price of one? It’s fashion maths at its finest.
We’ve also been lusting after the ‘Where’s Wally” style Striped English Knit Crew Neck priced at £150. In festive red and white and with a matching bobble hat it’s ideal for the cold months ahead and on trend for this season’s statement knit affair.
If a statement trouser is more your thing, choose from Bastian’s Checked Amy Trouser (£220) in the softest brushed tartan we’ve ever felt, or modish monochrome printed jeans, perfect for pairing with a chunky knit sweater and colour pop coat.
Lets hope this collection wins over a few new fans who thought they knew what Gant was about as a brand. StyleNest have certainly been won over and we can’t wait to see what’s up Bastian’s sleeve next season.
The Gant by Michael Bastian capsule collection is available online and in store now. Prices start from £35.
For more fashion roundups and trends, visit the StyleNest Best of Fashion page here.