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Elizabeth and James
By Don Ellis
Your latest sign of the times: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have launched a menswear line. Yes, the Full House brats have expanded their contemporary line Elizabeth and James repertoire to include rugged – but high-end - gear for men. And get this – it's damn good. For the first season into the menswear realm, the Olsen’s have dipped into Oliver Twist and Peter Pan’s Lost Boys for inspiration. The general idea was to bring a rugged downtown flair to everyday stalwart attire, that being cashmere sweaters, rugged jersey tops and washed flannel pieces.
 The doe-eyed duo are taking said inspiration quite seriously— like they did for their upscale womenswear collection, but with patterns like plaids and coats with removable lining. The "hero" item is the already buzzed-about pleated flannel pants, retailing for a whopping $265. But other Elizabeth and James items that are gaining steam are the bow-ties, which are being paired with jeans for an urban look that is sharply tailored, individual and, shall we say, very Chuck Bass.
Tailored pieces feature soft construction. Dress pants come in two fits, but both are relaxed. Sweaters are perhaps the most distinctive of the line-up, including one style with a shawl collar. The pricing for the menswear collection is at the extreme high end, but the twins insist that isn't their only motivation for entering menswear. Retail prices for the 35 men’s pieces range from $250.00 for a two-ply T-shirt to (gulp!) $3,600 for a cashmere overcoat. It's a solid collection, but curiously bad timing, I'd say, to launch a big-budget collection when the economy isn't exactly screaming $3200 cashmere overcoat. Nonetheless, Elizabeth and James' capsule collection for Men is available at Holt Renfrew (Canada) and Barneys (US).
| Elizabeth and James
It's an urban look that is sharply tailored, individual and, shall we say, very Chuck Bass.
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Voice your opinion! Submit a reader review for Elizabeth and James. Click here
1 Reader ReviewsI agree that the new Elizabeth and James Menswear collection is damn good. But I think you've received some mis-information! I think you are confusing the bow-ties and the $3600 cashmere coat with MK & A's other brand, The Row. Elizabeth and James is not the extreme high end line. It's actually affordable clothing for the high end look. I really love the brand.
1. Don's Review :: October 16, 2009 Don's Rating: 3 Stars |
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