&SONS is a British menswear brand founded by photographer and creative director Phil James, drawing inspiration from the clothes worn by craftsmen, artists, mechanics and other independent makers. Rather than following the conventional fashion calendar, the brand looks backwards for many of its references, taking familiar pieces of workwear and utility clothing and reworking them for a modern wardrobe.
Chore jackets, henleys, waistcoats, overshirts and hard-wearing trousers sit at the heart of the &SONS look. Military clothing, vintage Americana and traditional British workwear all play a part, with substantial fabrics, practical pockets and deliberately lived-in finishes giving many pieces a sense of character from the outset. Layering is particularly important, with collections designed so individual garments naturally work together.
There is a strong sense of nostalgia to &SONS, but it rarely feels like costume. The appeal lies in clothes that have the appearance of old favourites while being designed for everyday life now – functional, tactile and deliberately removed from disposable fashion. For those drawn to heritage clothing and the stories behind what they wear, &SONS offers a particularly distinctive interpretation of modern British workwear.
The Melrose Shirt brings &SONS’ love of vintage American workwear to one of the most useful fabrics in menswear. Cut from Blue Chambray, it has the familiar character of denim but with a lighter, softer feel that makes it particularly easy to wear throughout the year.
The blue chambray has a naturally textured, slightly lived-in appearance that suits the &SONS aesthetic perfectly. Workwear-inspired detailing gives the Melrose plenty of character without making it feel like a reproduction piece, while the relaxed styling allows it to work equally well buttoned as a shirt or worn open over a T-shirt or Henley.
Pair it with chinos or utility trousers for a classic workwear look, or simply wear it with contrasting denim and boots.
A natural fit for the &SONS wardrobe – the character of an old work shirt, without having to wait twenty years for it to get there.