Battling the breeze? Master the lessons of layering with Luca Faloni’s cold-weather offerings
For its latest campaign, the menswear label has ventured to the lush topography of the Italian Alps, where the bucolic vistas and terrain make for the ideal backdrop to showcase a slew of knits, zip-ups and mid-weight trousers
Words: Josh Lee
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With the jump from the heated smack of summer to the cooler, transitional stretch of the year comes an inevitable shake-up to one’s daily wears. Too breezy for just a plain T-Shirt up top, a little too warm for a heavily layered ensemble, dressing for the in-between season is a tricky avenue to navigate. So, when seeking out some mid-weight layers to see us through until the bitter-cold months arrive – items that can stand up on their own during fairer days, but can also be used as versatile layering pieces when the temperatures take a dip – we often turn to Luca Faloni, purveyor of fine Italian menswear, to give us a steer in the right direction.
Renowned for championing artisanal, family-run Italian mills and factories, Luca Faloni draws heavily upon the use of premium materials – breathable linen from northern Italy; lightweight silk-cotton made in Lombardy; cashmere supplied by Cariaggi, a yarn factory celebrated as the best of its kind – to create timeless pieces that one can rely on year after year. And, for its latest campaign, the label has ventured to the lush topography of the Italian Alps, where the bucolic vistas and terrain make for the ideal backdrop for Great Outdoors adventures and an embracement of nature – ‘a voyage through majestic landscapes while embracing iconic designs meticulously crafted from premium materials’, so says the brand.
Anchoring the campaign’s still life shots among log cabins, fields coated in varying hues of yellows and greens, vast stretches of mountainsides and acres of grand trees, is a slew of versatile knits, smart-casual heroes, and rugged pieces ideal for buffering out any sharp weather. Extensive yet considered, we’ve rifled our way through the new-season wears to select a small edit of choice pieces that we feel will sing loudest during this particular period of the year. There is, of course, the cable-knit rollneck, which is crafted from 100 per cent two-ply pure cashmere, is knitted in Bergamo, and is distinguished for its ivory hue – a colourway that can act as a foundational palette that myriad other pieces can complement – and Dolcevita neckline that will block out the breeze.
Here, the piece is styled with a pair of mid-rise, light-blue jeans in order to demonstrate its rugged qualities – but such is its versatility that it can also be worn under a velvet blazer when back in the city and out for some late-night libations.
In a similar neck-hugging style is the chunky-knit cashmere mock neck, which, in this instance, is produced in a roomier fit and has a chunkier handle for extra warmth, ideal for late-afternoon hikes or the après-ski. For those wishing to feel a little breeze above the shoulder line, both knits come in crewneck options, and the cashmere country crew neck, too, should be worthy of consideration, due to its ribbed trims, heritage cross-stitch collar and hammer-style shoulders that all add subtle hits of detail to an otherwise pared-down design.
A throw-on item comes courtesy of the weighted, generously soft zip-cardigan in Dolomiti grey – a sartorial base that can be used as a main item when slipped over a T-Shirt or a button-down, or act as a mid-layer once the big, padded parkas and wool coats come out – and the options of denim shirts – which, in this campaign, is done in midnight blue – adds a formal, dressy slant with its Paramontura collar, mother of pearl buttons, and sleek, streamlined form.
Setting the foundations of the range is a selection of mid-weight trousers that can stand up firmly to the mercurial conditions. Beyond the denim, of particular note are the pleated trousers made from miller Vitale Barberis Canonico’s 100 per cent virgin wool, a material that facilitates not only a coveted brushed effect, but also provides insulating properties – meanwhile, the tailored pleats add a point of interest, and the construction allows the wearer to tailor the waistband and trouser hems to his preference. If seeking out something a little more off duty, there’s also the Cortina chinos whose key draws are its adaptable shape and fit; medium thickness, which is desirable in both autumn and spring; and a minimal style that allows wearability with other items, whether casual or formal, from polos and light knitwear to blazers and button-up shirts.
Sharing a common thread of versatility and timelessness, and imbued with the skill and care from Italy’s finest craftspeople, Luca Faloni’s new-season offerings won’t see you just through to the end of 2023 – but for years of wear to come.
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