Written by Craig Landale in Essentials on the 22nd April 2021

With the high street seeing 80% increased footfall this month, it seems that things are truly headed back to normal. I finally got a long-awaited appointment with my barber and a pint in a beer garden. This month has seen some great new drops, especially collaborations. So, following on from my March roundup, I’ve compiled a list of my favourite product releases seen in April 2021 – enjoy.

GORE-TEX x Henry Poole 

The GORE-TEX brand and renowned Savile Row tailors Henry Poole have formed a historic partnership to create a new, made-to-order coat that merges historical elegance with the best of today’s functional capabilities. The Travel Trench marks the first time that Henry Poole has worked with a technical fabric from the GORE-TEX brand, and the first time an item with GORE-TEX technology has been offered in adaptable rather than standardised sizing. The new coat represents a modern take on a classic style, from the foundational tailoring establishment of Savile Row. Customers have the opportunity to experience an in-person fitting service that has remained largely unchanged since the 1800s. The individual item will then be produced using GORE-TEX INFINIUM WINDSTOPPER to exacting standards. 

henrypoole.com

Oliver Spencer x Mr Porter 

Oliver Spencer has announced an exclusive capsule collection with Mr Porter for Spring/Summer 2021, showcasing the brand’s relaxed tailoring aesthetic. Designed with summer occasions in mind, the capsule features new iterations of Spencer’s tailoring vision that offers contemporary comfort and sleek silhouettes in an array of innovative lightweight fabrics. If 2020 was the year that the work uniform paradigmatically changed, then this capsule duly reflects the shift to a more relaxed contemporary tailoring style, with a lightweight, unstructured silhouette for those who prefer a more Italian bias to their suits and separates.  

oliverspencer.co.uk

Homebody SS21 

Homebody has launched their Spring/Summer 2021 menswear collection. As the long lockdown hibernation era comes to a close, what better way to welcome Spring and invest in yourself than with new premium, luxury lounge and sleep wear. Freshness and positive vibes are key to the brands newest offering, which includes a beautiful new Liberty print, soft lemon and forest green adoring shorts, elegantly understated joggers and classic tees. Each piece is handcrafted in the UK from their exclusive 'Modal Sens' fabric and boasts sun protection of 50+ UPF, making them perfect for lounging in the garden as well as indoors. 

homebody.co.uk

Vans Trek Slip-On 

Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand, is proud to unveil their first-ever fully rinseable shoe, the Trek Slip-On. Continuing the tradition of functional innovation, Vans has created a first-of-its-kind go-anywhere, do-anything slip-on that can take whatever you throw at it — and look good doing it. Conceptualised with help from Vans global surf team, including the always-creative Dylan Graves, the Trek Slip-On was inspired by the idea of a shoe with the benefits of a sandal, and came to life with the spirit of radical experimentation that Vans Surf has become known for. Designed to be lightweight and easy to pack for the next adventure, the Trek Slip-On tackles the transitionary demands of surfing your local workweek break or a more complex mission, all without sacrificing personal style. 

vans.co.uk

Dragon's Milk X Wolverine 

Wolverine has officially launched its collaboration with like-minded Michigan brand, Dragon’s Milk. The brands came together to create a collaborative Wolverine 1000 Mile boot celebrating Dragon’s Milk’s 20th anniversary and its commitment to craftsmanship in each handcrafted batch of stout. The collaboration boot features roughout suede from England’s finest suede manufacturer, Charles F. Stead, with the texture mimicking the oak bourbon barrels that Dragon’s Milk is aged in. The suede is tanned in a smooth, waxy mohawk, exposing the natural grain and intricate texture while the colouring matches the deep, rich chocolate hues of Dragon’s Milk. The bronze hardware detailing, found on each boot is a reflection of the hardware used on the brewery machinery; and is also adorned with a removable metal fob in the shape of a dragon. 

wolverine.com

Admiral Sporting Goods Calomino Collection 

Admiral Sporting Goods is the premium menswear line from legendary sportswear brand Admiral. After the success of the inaugural collection in September 2020, which drew inspiration from pre-1966 sportswear while embracing 21st-century garment dyeing techniques and state-of-the-art fabrication, they're back with a new drop for SS21. The Calomino Collection from Admiral Sporting Goods sees the brand delve deeper into its sporting origins, this time taking inspiration from Argentine winger and inventor of the ‘step over’, Pedro Calomino. It was around the time that Calomino was pushing the boundaries and ushering in a new era for football in the early part of the 20th century that Admiral first launched as a sportswear brand and began their own story of sporting firsts. This collection is designed to celebrate those who are bold enough to go against the grain and do things differently. 

admiralsportinggoods.com

Bike Shed Motorcycle Club Resistant Denim 

BSMC have recently launched their own technical denim range consisting of CE-approved PROTECTIVE riding jeans alongside their RESISTANT line, defined as secretly technical, fit for purpose clothing, boasting the strength of dedicated riding gear in casual, everyday-use garments. Bike Shed make clothing for riders and non-riders alike, but primarily they make the gear they themselves want to wear, built to the standard, fit, quality and aesthetic they demand for themselves. Cut and styled like your favourite pair of casual jeans, Bike Shed's RESISTANT jeans are visually identical to their PROTECTIVE jean, but while they’ve retained the COVEC black denim, with its AA-Rated tear and abrasion resistance, they've removed the hip and knee armour and the mesh lining that holds them in place, leaving you with what appears to be a perfectly normal pair of single-layer denim jeans, but boasting all the abrasion resistant qualities of their CE approved PROTECTIVE jean. 

bikeshedmoto.com

Wedgie Door Stops 

Wedgie is part of an incentive scheme based in Sri Lanka aimed at the empowerment of rural communities. Unpainted doorstops are delivered directly to employees’ houses, along with paints, brushes and tools. Once painted and completed, the Wedgies are paid for on collection. This allows people in rural communities the convenience of earning an income whilst going about their daily routines. We particularly like the Sizzou: “Often found on the bed of the ocean, attempting to exact revenge on dangerous and mythical sharks.” And the Weezy: “In-between producing the greatest hip hop records ever made, hanging out with presidents and designing hugely overpriced apparel, Weezy can occasionally be found on doorstop duty.” 

meetthewedgies.com

SPOKE Storm Denim 

Perfectly timed to keep April showers at bay, online menswear brand SPOKE has launched a new rinse wash, water repellent, 2% stretch denim. Named "Storm Denim" it has a special nano-tech coated yarn making it water-repellent. The unique fabric also provides thermoregulation, making it perfect for those spring walks and bike rides. Cyclists will also find comfort in a host of bike friendly features including a diamond gusset, the clever built-in bike lock holder on the back belt loop and the reflective hi-vis turn up. Every pair is hand finished to order in over 200 sizes. With SPOKE’s handy online Fit-Finder, men can select their perfect size in just 60 seconds.

spoke-london.com

We feature GORE-TEX x Henry Poole, Oliver Spencer x Mr Porter, Homebody SS21, Vans Trek Slip-On, and Dragon's Milk X Wolverine in April 2021’s Coolest Stuff.