Okay, so textured suits conjure a maelstrom of mental images that include, but aren’t limited to: boxes of chocolates at Christmas, Tom Ford, jazz club piano singers and the velour two-piece your nan wore to the bingo. But know that it is possible to wear textured tailoring without looking like Hugh Hefner – Armie Hammer just proved it. While promoting his latest flick, Call Me By Your Name at the Toronto International Film Festival, the 31-year-old made the textured flex easy in a Ralph Lauren Purple Label slate grey two-piece in corduroy. By sticking to one overarching colour palette – and one that’s endlessly safe – Hammer lets the material, not the colour, do the talking. Plus, the lack of accessories keeps the look on a level pegging. With no tie, pocket square or shirt the focus is on texture, while dialling down on any diplomat dinner party vibes. Corduroy may have geography teacher connotations, but when it’s done well, it’s a surprisingly plush option for autumn and winter. You could also rub up against a herringbone jacket around now or seersucker in summer. A soft velvet or even suede can work when the formal dress code calls for it. Textured tailoring might not be to every taste, of course. Hammer, however, has nailed a tricky look that grabs attention for all the right reasons.
