It’s an inherent part of Britishness to be nosy about neighbours. It’s in our blood, like fish & chips, pubs and James Bond.
However, while the most interesting thing ours get up to is putting the recycling out on the wrong day, over on Tailor’s Lane, things look a little more interesting.
A retro-modern utopia of Stepford Wives (and husbands), this picture-perfect pocket of suburbia is home to The Bakers. New in town but already setting tongues wagging, the family must out-do their rivals – and look good while doing it.
As head of the family, Ted Baker is inviting you to peer over the picket fence for a glimpse of what everyone is talking about at this season’s Neighbourhood Watch – the spring/summer 2017 collection. …
Welcome to the neighbourhood.
Fitting In
Quiet competitiveness is the key to ingratiating yourself with The Bakers. Ted’s SS17 collection is full of laid-back menswear pieces with subtle sporting influences – think striped trims and rubberised zip cords on bomber jackets – that will keep any would-be rivals on their toes.
Neoprene and bonded jersey fabrics add a performance element to the range, while bungee-style pullers show you’re ready to spring into action should there be a spot of one-upmanship required.
Colour Me Bad
When it comes to affairs of style, The Bakers always have the upper hand. Therefore, it’s essential to employ every weapon in the wardrobe in order to stay on par with this polite society – including colour.
Pared-back primary shades of cloudy petrol and dusky pink add a softer touch to the collection, but don’t be fooled – all is not always as it seems on Tailor’s Lane. To set curtains twitching (and pulses racing), staples in charcoal, grey and navy are given some va va voom with rich reds and vivid blue accents on everyday heroes including knitwear and tailoring.
For day, pair muted florals with primary blocked colours on classic-cut shorts and T-shirts to add a luxurious edge to a casual summer look. When the sun goes down, neutral tailored trousers make the perfect foil for a more scandalous blazer; their botanical linings hinting at what lies beneath.
Get The Feels
The good life, la dolce vita, la belle vie – whatever you call it, it’s all about how you feel. Helpfully, Ted Baker’s SS17 collection will help you feel like the king of the castle thanks to luxurious suede featuring on bomber jackets, speckled mouliné on summer blazers and tactile brushed cotton on classic-fit trousers.
Elsewhere, you can ensure The Baker’s aren’t the only ones making a name for themselves with nylon outerwear that adds an athletic touch to the line-up, while link-stitching brings both texture and increased durability to sleek cotton and silk-blend knitwear.
Finish It Off
Living in a community fixated on appearances means keeping up appearances requires close attention to the finer details. The street comes to life on the linings of everything from off-duty baseball caps to geo-print suede driving moccasins, with vibrant motifs recalling immaculate topiary hedges, cast-iron fencing and conservatories brimming with birds of paradise.
Should you need to escape the Lane, the athletic aspect continues through to weekend bags – scuba fabric shapes are finished with rubberised leather and contrast zip pullers. Refined leather backpacks come packing padlocks for added neighbourhood security, and footwear effortlessly combines formality with function – timeless brown leather Derbies are paired with crisp white soles, and casual sneakers feature brogue detailing.
