“It must be useful. It must work dependably. It must be beautiful. It must last. It must be the best of its kind.”
For Alfred Dunhill, these were words to live by and the guiding principles upon which he built his prestigious label. And there is no question that he was onto something: Dunhill, the brand, began in 1893 and it’s still flourishing today, nearly 130 years later. Rest assured that Dunhill’s approach to luxury menswear is as uncompromising as ever.
As a byword for understated elegance, Dunhill’s style is defined by a careful balance between tradition and modernity. It helped to shape the codes of classic menswear that we take for granted today but the label also deconstructs and reinvents them.
Eye the AW22 collection and you’ll see it. Classic tailoring lining up alongside utilitarian pieces inspired by military garments. Down coats are designed in the same patterns as suits. Blanket-like overcoats and roomy track pants work in the same uniform as tailored shirts and luxury knitwear.
London-born and raised, the brand’s Britishness runs through it as proudly as the Thames intersects its hometown. This is a label of old-school values: everything it makes is stout and functional, but its creations are also unashamedly lovely, with a steadfast commitment to high-quality tailoring.
As with any true Londoner, there is of course a little punk in the Dunhill DNA – that rakish instinct to subvert what’s expected of you. It’s perhaps a reflection of the men the label dresses: leaders, captains of the arts and business, but risk-takers all of them, not content to do the same as everybody else.
For these people, Dunhill is more than a fashion label. Its spiritual and literal home, Bourdon House in London’s Mayfair, is not just the flagship store, it’s a 360-degree lifestyle destination for the Dunhill man, with a bar and restaurant, barbershop, private cinema, and humidor all located on the premises.
You can also sample the label’s bespoke and made-to-measure offering at Bourdon House. For those with the means, this customized approach to tailoring is the epitome of everything Dunhill does, with a meticulous and artisanal approach to classic British tailoring distilled into one-of-a-kind garments made just for you.
And if you’re not going bespoke, the ready-to-wear offering is nothing short of exceptional. Here are some of our favorite pieces from the AW22 collection.
1. Contemporary Tailoring: Wool Flannel Brushed Check Travel Jacket
Dunhill’s tightrope walk between the traditional and the avant-garde is particularly graceful in the tailoring department. Inspired by its own long history, the label also rails against boring suits with edgy cuts, memorable details and exceptional materials.
Alongside its full suits and black tie offering, Dunhill also offers immaculate separates like this charcoal wool blazer. Combining a classic fit and pattern with modern touches like patch pockets and an unlined, crease-proof construction, this is Dunhill in a suitably dapper nutshell.
2. Luxury Sneakers: Metropolitan Trainer
Engineered for the city, Dunhill’s footwear encompasses everything that urban life has to throw at you. Designed to take you comfortably from cobblestones to the corner office, the brand’s sneakers walk a fine line between elegance and practicality.
The Metropolitan trainer offers a classic, slightly retro design and brings a versatile foundation to your wardrobe. Crafted in supple calf leather, it’s a shoe that works with everything from pleated trousers on a day in the office to cashmere joggers for an autumnal walk.
3. Classic Overcoats: Wool Cashmere Car Coat
For more than a century, Dunhill has been designed for and inspired by a particular kind of gentleman: a quietly assured high achiever, with that quintessentially British combination of charisma and humility. Dunhill’s classic outerwear collection is tailor-made for such a man, with that same mix of tradition and innovation again at play.
Take this classic car coat, a single-breasted silhouette that has proved itself to generations of men. In 2022, the iconic style is updated with an impossibly soft cashmere construction and a statement collar that elevates it well above the conventional.
4. Performance Outerwear: Rollagas Cashmere Car Coat
Ever the innovator, Alfred Dunhill was the first designer to patent a storm-proof coating and apply it to outerwear. Over a century of R&D later and Dunhill’s outerwear – from technical parkas to sumptuous down jackets – uses cutting-edge fabrics and design to keep the weather out while maximizing comfort.
A refined case in point: the Rollagas quilted car coat is crafted from cashmere to offer lightweight insulation, while splittable sides allow for easy ventilation when you need it. Reimagining the classic car coat silhouette as something more utilitarian, the design nevertheless retains luxury details such as brass studs, a soft corduroy collar, and welt pockets.
5. Leather Craft: Belgrave Optical Slim Single Document Case
Dunhill started life selling accessories to discerning motorists – “everything but the motor” the founder would say. That included gloves, leather overcoats, goggles and more, meaning the label has more than a century’s expertise in crafting exquisite leather accessories. Today, that translates to footwear, belts, wallets, and, of course, bags.
This slimline briefcase epitomizes Dunhill’s leather craft. The black Belgrave leather is subtly embossed with a modernist geometric print – remember, it’s never boring – while the design features all the practical touches you’d need, from a padded laptop pouch to a double zip enclosure.
6. Elevated Knitwear: Grosgrain Cashmere Cardigan
There’s a knitwear and then there’s knitwear, and at Dunhill, you can literally feel the difference. The label’s collection includes sweaters, roll-neck jumpers and cardigans crafted from ultrafine materials that are hand selected for their tactility.
This cardigan, made in Italy from 12gg cashmere, exemplifies the commitment to quality. The softness of the material cannot be overstated and its heat-regulating properties make it a practical buy for the city. In camel, the classic silhouette works as well with jeans as it does with tailored trousers.
7. Formal shoes: Kensington Chelsea Boot
What’s a London menswear mainstay without a full complement of Oxfords, Derbies, loafers, and Chelsea boots? Worry not, Dunhill has them all, each design engineered for hard wear while simultaneously looking incredible.
Our pick is the Kensington Chelsea boots in chocolate suede. Yes, they look like they belong behind bulletproof glass but these are as tough as they are beautiful. Crafted from water-repellent British suede and on a Goodyear-welted sole, a breathable calfskin lining keeps the boots breathable and comfortable as you stomp (in style) through the city.
Final Verdict
Colder weather doesn’t mean you need to lessen your sartorial edit, in fact, it should be just as easy as your warmer weather choices. The way to bring ease into your life is by choosing quality pieces that will stand the test of time – something Dunhill has perfected since its inception. Your wallet can rest easy knowing you’re investing in quality garments you can keep reaching for, for years to come.