Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

Channel your inner British gentleman by dressing in Drake’s

By

michael hill of drake's
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Esteemed menswear brand Drake’s has come a long way since Michael Drake founded it in East London in 1977 as a line of “Scarves, Shawls and Plaids.” Initially known for its fine furnishings, neckties and pocket squares and now run by creative director Michael Hill, the label today offers a complete collection of dapper menswear that ranges from socks ($35) to shirting (starting at $175) tailored sportcoats ($1295), outerwear ($645 and up), accessories, and footwear all made from the highest quality fabrics and materials. Sold at its two stores in England and a pop-up shop in New York, the line is also available directly online and at such well respected retailers as Harrods, Selfridges, Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman, to name just a few.

Michael Hill recently gave The Manual an update on the latest offerings of this winning British brand and explained why it continues to bait sartorially superior chaps nearly 40 years later.

Drake-1
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What is Drake’s best known for?

Recommended Videos

Hand printed design and men’s furnishings. And hand-making on Haberdasher Street, London.

What is the overall aesthetic of the line?

Related

Sartorially rooted in great, timeless men’s clothes, yet with a soft, comfortable refinement for today.

Drake-2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Who is the Drake’s customer?

A guy that’s looking for quality and style. We find he tends to be between his mid twenties and mid sixties.

How has the line evolved over the years?

From furnishings into shirts – we’re proud to now be making in our own factory in Somerset, England – knitwear and tailoring. It’s never a question of brand extensions, rather making great products that we believe in and would like to wear ourselves.

Drake-3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tell me about the new denim collection you’ve just launched for fall 2016.

The jeans have a decent rise (higher than average) with room on the seat and thigh, with a slight taper. So of course they work casually but they also work with a tailored jacket. Made from 14.5 oz selvage denim, they’re made down the road from our Haberdasher Street factory by our friends in Walthamstow.

What are some of your favorite pieces in the current collection?

This season I love our reversible navy to Blackwatch tartan overcoat, our Donegal knitwear and the waxed bucket hat. They all look great, but it’s the quality of the raw ingredients and craftsmanship involved in making them that sets them apart.

Drake-4
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What else sets Drake’s apart from other brands?

The fact that we’re not only designers and merchants but also manufacturers. Design and make are interconnected and we’re dedicated to both.

What are the plans for the future?

The plan is to continue our slow evolution. We have a shop-in-shop in the pipeline for spring next year in Tokyo and we’d love to take our offer to a wider audience by eventually opening more retail. Thankfully we’re a small enough team to be fairly nimble in our approach to this. And we’ll also add another product category, if it feels right – in fact we can announce that swimwear is in the design stage for summer ’17.

Editors' Recommendations

Christopher Blomquist
Christopher Blomquist
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Christopher is a native New Yorker who lives and works (mostly) in Manhattan. A longtime fashion journalist, he served as…
The 7 best Canada Goose vests for men in 2024
best canada goose vests for men vest

When it comes to expanding your wardrobe, it is important to step out of your comfort zone. For some men, that might mean opting for pieces of clothing that they normally wouldn't purchase and for others, that could mean trying out a new brand or type of apparel. If you're a guy that is in search of something new to add to your closet, there is nothing easier and more versatile than a new vest. Before you stop reading, let us explain to you why vests are an easy to wear item.

A vest is the perfect added layer to a hoodie, long sleeve shirt, button down or sweater. If you don't want to wear a long and heavy coat but still want to stay warm, a vest is the ideal choice. These kinds of vests will offer you insulation and style at the same time. What more could you want? For those who want to try out a vest for the first time or add another vest to your collection, there is no better brand to check out than Canada Goose. Known for their warm, luxurious and stylish outerwear, this beloved brand is one of the most-sought after on the market.

Read more
This is what Citizen Watches has in store for 2024
From pocket watches to anniversaries, here is Citizen 2024
Citizen 100th anniversary pocket watch

Citizen watches are some of the most popular on the market for one very big reason. They are experts at offering all of the best features and styles of ultra-expensive luxury brands like Rolex, Omega, and Patek Philippe without forcing you to mortgage your house to land one on your wrist. Every year, the Japanese powerhouse reaches new levels of success with innovative, attractive, and accessible designs. In 2024, the brand is looking to continue that trend with a slew of updated and celebratory designs.

Something to notice about the collection of new releases hitting the shelves this year is that Citizen is celebrating two big anniversaries that will surely have you looking to upgrade your collection with some beautiful throwbacks. Here are the new releases (that we know of so far) to keep your eye on in 2024. Citizen always has surprises up their sleeves, so there is definitely more coming this year.
100th Anniversary Pocket Watch

Read more
If you’re looking for the best men’s cologne, try these recent drops
Smell your best with these great fragrances
A person spraying cologne on themselves.

You only get one chance to make a great first impression. That is why we dress nicely. That is why we groom ourselves expertly. And that is why you need to have a great cologne. You never know who you are going to meet, and you don't want to be caught in anything other than your best. You may be forgiven if your hair is a little long when you are on the trail. You may be forgiven for having a five o'clock shadow on Saturday afternoon. And you may not be punished for wearing jeans and a T-shirt at the movie theater. However, you will always be judged for not smelling good. That is why you need to invest in the best men's colognes.

Having a pleasant fragrance is more than smelling pleasant for those around you. It also attracts people to you and shows that you care about your hygiene. People will respond better and remember you fondly if your smell lingers. It is the most powerful scent tied to memory, so make sure you are remembered in 2024 with these top picks for colognes for men. We didn't go with all the big boys in the men's cologne industry. You will see one name that nearly everyone knows. But, we stuck more with the ones that you all should know. There is no Dior, no Polo, and no Gucci on this list. We didn't go for names. We went for quality fragrances and picks that will keep you remembered long after you leave.
Fulton & Roark Cloudland

Read more