Wings & Horns Spring… nonnative-lite.

Wings & Horns. It’s like nonnative but Canadian? Not really, but maybe more like nonnative-lite. In a season when nonnative goes black with bright color pops for Spring, Wings & Horns went super washed-out with a soft color palette. Essentially what you would normally expect this time of year from nonnative.

Although I wasn’t overwhelmed the W&H’s Spring showing there are some very nice items sprinkled throughout the collection.

A polo can easily make a guy look like a complete tool if the fit isn’t just right. These appear nice and trim which should help, but color and nice detailing will go a long way. And these have both of those as well. Heather grey, heather blue, and white (no hot pink and green stripes) and a subtle gingham button-down collar will help separate you from the average Joe.

I’ve gotten a lot of crap, even here at ND from Ninski, because of my endorsement of The Sweat Pant. But I’m sticking to my guns on this one. Just to be clear, I have never endorsed wearing this out and about casually everyday, and definitely do not do this myself. But I think there are completely appropriate times for this look… while traveling on intercontinental flights like I have previously stated, while hanging around your house, while taking out the trash, playing ball at the park on a cold fall day, etc. There are plenty of occasions where they are useful and stylish. But I do not endorse a hoody with the pant, go with a button up or sweater and anything from sneakers to Bean boots depending on the weather work fine. And if you do not own a pair, why not go with W&H’s recycled fleece version (above left), they look great on the body and I love the pocket stitch detail.

Everyone is going crazy over the field pant right now but I think W&H’s ventile version (above right) is a perfect alternative to the flap pocket versions flooding the market. It keeps your profile slim without adding any unnecessary bulk to your silhouette.

And finally, their Chambray short (left) and Gingham Cargo short (right) are perfect for a hot summer day. I personally don’t have many opportunities to wear shorts outside of the weekend and while on holiday, so I don’t have a need for more than a few in my drawer. But if you live in Aruba or the like you can pick up both.

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More Fall Wings + Horns

I must admit that I’ve never really gotten all excited over Wings+Horns before. There have been items that I have liked through the years but I have never been prompted to anxiously anticipate upcoming seasons from the label. But now with Roden Grey releasing more images of the upcoming Fall/Winter season I have to say, the collection looks very nice. And there are definitely some gems among the collection. The hand-knit vests (pictured above) are beautiful and are great layering pieces.

We’ve featured the Navy/Brown Melton Wool Varsity jacket already, but there is now also a Black and Grey version. Truly the best items of the collection.

The Khaki Chambray B/D shirt is a perfect alternative to all the blues in your closet. The Oxford Striped Shirt is an easy staple with just the right amount of details. And I particularly like the long sleeve tees and henleys.

And there is something about the Box Rib Cardi and the Fleece piece that feel very J.Crew or Club Monaco, but they are nice easy pieces for the season and work well withing the overall collection.

The only thing the collection may be missing is a rich brick red for Fall. The pallete is almost too muted, but I suppose you can go to Woolrich Woolen Mills for that.

Wings+Horns Fall/Winter 2009 Varsity Jacket

Images of a selection of the Wings+Horns Fall/Winter 2009 collection have been floating all over the web this week and I wanted to highlight the piece that separates itself from the rest. The Varsity Jacket pictured above is simply put, perfect. The combination of the wool navy body and rich chocolate brown leather sleeves and trim are a perfect combo. The jacket feels more Unrivaled than W+H. Which is probably why I love it so much.