Beat writer Jack Kerouac is undoubtedly, one of the coolest guys that ever existed. So when we caught glimpse of Dutch brand Good People’s Kerouac-inspired FW14 campaign, we were pretty excited. More specifically, the collection, dubbed ‘The Gallant Rogue’ draws on a brief road trip around Italy that Kerouac took during the 1960s. According to the brand, these are the ideal staples for refined rascals, scoundrelous dandies and roguish gents who dream of tripping through the alleyways of Italy. Dig that vision? Us too.
If you’re worried about chilly Italian winters, don’t fret. The collection comprises plenty of super snug pieces crafted from fine Italian Merino wool, such as the Mr Barber pull-over, a suitably suave option for those tricky smart/casual occasions. The Mr Trademark pull-over is our personal favourite. Crafted from brushed wool and featuring oversized hand stitched elbow patches, this statement piece will look great with chinos. For casual days, take your pick from the range of staple cotton sweat tops and pair with denim.
The shirting is pretty strong too. Available in supple jacquards and all-over prints in a range of washed out pastels and vibrant blues, they are simultaneously offbeat and wearable. We love the irregular stripe print and subtle salmon pink stitching on the Flora shirt, which is bound to look great worn beneath the Mr. Boss jacket.
From bombers to blazers, though the outerwear offering may be limited to fairly lightweight pieces, the idea is to layer them over shirts and knitwear for a sure-fire take on the uniform of the Beat poets. For notes on styling, refer to the beautifully shot campaign images above: Colours are meant to be clashed and fabrics and prints combined to create that charming haphazard, yet bookish vibe that Kerouac pulled off so well. Cravat optional, but totally applauded.
