Would you believe me if I told you that one of the most refined and innovative fashion designers of the modern era grew up on a farm? Or better yet, the designer with a pervasive history of redefining masculinity and sex, grew up with a rugby captain for a father? Well, buckle up, because this is the story of JW Anderson.
Jonathan Anderson was born in The Loup, a small village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He grew up on a farm with his mother working as an English teacher and his father, Willie Anderson, travelling abroad as the captain of Ireland’s national rugby team.
Anderson was able to find an outlet for the finer things in life, regardless of the fact that he lived in such a rural setting. His father would often bring home rare and uncommon trinkets from his matches abroad. These are the instances that instilled a love for design, as he not only saw the fabric as something material but as something he could use when conceptualizing thoughts.
Today, JW Anderson is a dominant force in the fashion world, being recognized in 2015 as the brand of the year for both the men’s and women’s categories. His designs play within a spectrum of casual, everyday wear to fine tailoring, luxury-styled clothing made for a specific type of individual.
Below you can find four categories of garments that you ought to know about!
TRENCH COATS
One of JW Anderson’s many staples is his trench coats. Anderson styles these jackets in an extremely desirable manner, with a lot of timeless features. Take his checkered trench coat from FW 2019.
The beige tonal look was detailed with two pockets on the lower portion of the coat, which had a flap and an ivory button. Although the sleeve cuffs and lapels were oversized, in true Anderson fashion, the look itself is timeless due to the selection of a simple blue and red exposed plaid, which tied together the whole look.
These types of jackets can be found all over Anderson’s portfolio, and are easily accessible in each and every season.
BLOWN-UP AND OUT-THERE ACCESSORIES
JW Anderson is well known for his blown-up and out-there accessories. For example, take a look back a few seasons ago when he seemed to have an obsession with the shape of the male genitalia. He released penis coin purses and key chains, which served as sick accessories for those who wanted a chokehold on the everchanging sexuality of fashion.
Another cult favourite piece from Anderson was the neckband scarf which had a vertical zipper running up the throat. It was completed with a pull that was half the size of the scarf itself. This one went crazy with people as it served a dual purpose: For one, it was a layering piece that added turtle neck-like depth, in another instance it went great bare-chested, playing the role of a choker chain.
OLD MONEY VIBES
A lot of Anderson’s pieces under his namesake label give off an old-money vibe. Not in the way Polo Ralph Lauren does, but in a far more tailored, less snobby way. His knits are up there with the best, along with his takes on bottoms that sit more on the formal side. Even his casual loungewear features the same level of focus and tailoring as formalwear. This gives off the appearance that your bummy, crisp-eating joggers are far from bummy.
UNIQLO COLLABS
Over the last few winter seasons, JW Anderson has collaborated with Uniqlo to give extremely affordable options to his clothing. Some of the trench coats above are experimented with but in some crazier materials. The jeans are really good quality, and will often go on sale for a tenner. The knits, jumpers, t-shirts, and overshirts are cool too, but the value is shopping the outerwear.
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