Jsen Wintle for M&S Autograph: Basics, but nothing more.

Here’s one that slipped right under the radar (or rather, just mine…): Jsen Wintle, he of the couture-like, pristine and painstakingly-crafted tailoring, has collaborated with British retail institution, M&S, for the AW09 Autograph collection.

Now, I appreciate the quality of the fabric that’s employed for the production of M&S clothing but I wouldn’t go as far as to deem myself a devoted fan since I’ve never actually purchased anything there bar some socks (verdict, by the by, is that they’re above the nubbly naffness of Primark’s but play second fiddle to Pierre Cardin’s wool-blend softness…just so you know) and meatball soup (unfathomably good). But what a coup, snapping up one of contemporary menswear’s finest to create a line of garments he does best – supremely crafted classics. Right?

Yes and no. The collection is what was to be expected, a conservative range of staples of – probably, I’ve not felt these up just yet – above high-street-average quality. But where were the subtle strokes of colour, the deep purples and smoulderlingly dark lavenders of Wintle’s eponymous AW09 collection? Or the exquisite and understated detailing of the eveningwear he presented – the contrast lapels etc…?

Still, there are definitely some worthwhile purchases in the cable roll-neck, the biker jacket and the self-stripe shirt, pictured below.

^ £49.50

^ £225

^ £29.50

All available from Sept 17th

This lukewarm collab. hasn’t done anything in the way of stamping out my excitement for Wintle’s upcoming show, though. What with gentleman’s attire so simultaneously sophisticated and lighthearted to look forward to (see AW09 below), I’m counting the sleeps ’til the next season’s innovation is unveiled.

Images from Prshots and Vogue.co.uk