Written by Menswear Style in Brands on the 17th June 2016

Founded at the heyday of Cool Britannia in the mid-‘90s, cult British streetwear brand Duck and Cover celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and has earned itself a place in the wardrobes and on the backs of some of the country’s most stylish guys.

Conceived on classically British ideals of honesty, understatement, authenticity and a real eye for detail, Duck and Cover is known for their fresh and forward-thinking approach to menswear, and have been blending utility-inspired textiles and details with sportswear influences long before the word ‘athleisure’ was invented.

Always looking forwards instead of back, Duck and Cover’s summer collection explores an obsession for utility and function with a strong sport subculture influence, and reflects the brand’s design principles over the last 20 years.

Inspired by a mix of classic mod style with sportswear influences, Duck and Cover’s collection of light summer shirting, soft jersey polos and subtly-hued chinos and track pants is designed to be perfect for British summer weekends. A range of sharp and thoroughly modern checked shirts underlines the English mod feeling, while horizontal-stripe tipped polos have been reworked and reinvented to give the wardrobe staple a fresh feeling. The chevron-striped windcheaters are perfect for adding a slightly ‘70s retro vibe to your festival pack.

Duck and Cover don’t just play remixes of the classics though; the collection includes some innovative prints across knitwear, tees, shorts and polos to allow you to mix and match to create your own style. Evoking MC Escher’s timeless tessellations, the multi-coloured flying duck print gives a classically English spin while also referencing the brand’s name. A digital micro-floral print and a summer-ready palm tree pattern add to the fresh and contemporary feel of Duck and Cover’s collection.

It wouldn’t be a streetwear collection without denim. Duck and Cover have been making great jeans for decades, gradually refining their house style into five core fits that are available in a range of washes and denim finishes. Tailored to make you look great without compromising on movement, the versatile cuts range from a slim skinny to 4 subtly-different regular fits from tapered to straight, your perfect pair of jeans is easy to find and ultra-wearable. Come September, we hear that the brand will be launching an innovative ‘360’ denim line which stretches without losing shape – definitely one to keep an eye out for.

Ultimately Duck and Cover’s seasonal rework of wardrobe staples is designed to slot seamlessly into any guy’s wardrobe. Bright shots of colour, workwear detailing and their legacy of sportswear influences are combined with eminently wearable cuts and fabrics for a collection of men’s casualwear that’s influenced by trends but designed with real life in mind.

The result of two decades of constant refinement and innovation, Duck and Cover’s summer collection blends the brand’s origins in the heart of the nineties’ cultural explosion with a truly modern, clean approach to detailing.

Celebrating their 20th anniversary, we take a look at the menswear offering from Duck and Cover Menswear in 2016.