Brunello Cucinelli unifies casual and formal wear for men in its autumn/winter collection.

Brunello Cucinelli was known for its cashmere sweaters when it started out in 1978. The brand has since branched out into other clothing items and footwear as well as accessories. Brunello Cucinelli has always focused on detail and innovation, and this is apparent in its 2016 autumn/winter collection.

The brand has created the perfect partnership between casual and modern wear, without compromising on style. Its history in fabric continues to pay off as the autumn/winter collection showcases knitwear made from natural fibres, open-woven cloth, yarn and, of course, cashmere.

Unlike with its spring/summer collection, Brunello Cucinelli has moved from brighter shades such as lemon and sky to more sombre colours such as grey, brown, maroon and blue. These hues pair well with the brand’s exclusive pinstripe and check designs, offering a lot of room for mixing and matching.

Now that it has achieved its goal of merging casual and formal wear, the brand aims to make each piece interchangeable to fit a variety of looks. Knitwear blazers with ripped denims, or T-shirts and tailored trousers all go surprisingly well together. If you are planning on creating your own style, a few standout pieces to keep in mind would be its range of jackets and sweaters.

mute
From the slim-cut jackets to soft-collar casuals, you can expect a lot less bulk for the same amount of style and comfort. Blazers and formal jackets dial down on the formalities with patch pockets and loose-fitting cuffs, making for presentable boardroom attire.

Sweaters come in a plethora of designs and patterns, proving to be extremely flexible. The cashmere collars and detailed knit work make the items in the collection a worthy choice for an evening out if worn on their own, or under your favourite outerwear for more official occasions.

Despite the variety of tops to choose from this season, Brunello Cucinelli proves to be no slouch in the trousers department either. While denim has always been versatile because of its rugged and casual reputation, the brand’s finely tailored trousers prove to be multifaceted too.

The trousers feature waist drawstrings, along with the traditional soft fits and more daring sports cuts. These relaxed silhouettes are complemented with fine detailing.

No outfit can hold its own without the right pair of shoes. Brunello Cucinelli standardises its footwear collection with similar colour tones and textures. Impeccable stitching and top-quality leather give each pair its own identity and aesthetic balance without overshadowing your attire.

This season’s formal designs vary from boldly elaborate brogues to the more timeless cap-toe boots. Adding a little playfulness, the selection also includes casual, light-hearted options that sport brighter shades of red, white and brown.

Accessories are far from forgotten: Brunello Cucinelli puts equal emphasis on the minutest detail for each piece. As for belts, the brand utilises similar shades of brown in its leather to work in tandem with this season’s footwear. A piece that stands out is a belt that rocks the alligator- skin look while adding more character with a cleverly designed belt buckle.

The full-finger gloves and headwear are in sync with the rest of the collection, primarily using knitwear and committing to the same colour tones. Lastly, bags for the season are fashioned out of brown leather straps and glossy buckles.

This article appeared in the Options of Issue 747 (Sept 26) of The Edge Singapore.