Neil Barrett: Not So Chic For a Father, But Very Chic For a Young Lad
By Randal Jacobs
Photos by Giovanni Pucci

MILAN, Jun 29, 2004/ FW/ --- How close in style are young men of their early twenties and their grandfathers in their 60s? Neil Barrett's collection definitely appealed to multiple generations of men who embrace a great classic travel wardrobe.

Fashion has always been about more than a look, it is about the feeling and emotion as well. Neil Barrett gave us exactly what we wanted in his men’s 2005 spring/summer collection.

The collection was summer fresh and light with a modern masculine interpretation. Slim silhouettes were replaced by double layers, collars and cuffs with a fit construction.

Precise tones of grey, black, bronze, clay, white, putty both pristine and worn was blended together throughout the collection. Diamond studded thong sandals paired with thin socks is getting us prepared for a toeless yet sock-full season.

This sandal and sock style is just another detail of how Barrett makes something that is not so chic for a father become very chic for a young lad. A very classic round toe suede oxford shoe was fitting for the rest of the collection, of course without socks.

With the clothes appealing to a traveler of any of age who does not waste time ironing, models strutted the catwalk with clean faces and flowing mane. Low-cut v-neck tees and sweaters were teamed with blazers giving a balance to the summer light pre-slept linen suits.

Barrett splashed women into the collection to compliment the men’s fashions with their belted minis and layers. The female models sported stiletto heel strapy sandals, also accompanied with daddy’s Sunday sock.

The climax of the collection began when the mood shifted to an early 90’s 90210 style by teaming traditional vest with silk backings along with a mono-color white tie and shirt combination and of course highlighting a tapered leg jean.

The women sported cropped tuxedo shirts while the men also wore tapered short sleeve shirts along with cargo shorts that stopped right above the knees. Ending the show with linen tuxedo inspired suits really brought the collection back to a night on the beach under the stars.

Now, what would Brad Pitt, whom the designer had been dressing since the opening of Pitt’s blockbuster movie, “Troy” would think of that?

Neil Barrett

Neil Barrett

Neil Barrett

Neil Barrett