Page 46 - Sharp Summer 2021

STYLE : ASK HARRY
Ask Harry: Featuring Ian Rosen
We spoke to Ian Rosen, Harry Rosen’s EVP Digital & Strategy, about summer sneakers and the right length for shorts, and settled the debate over T-shirts versus polos — sort of
button-ups. There are so many incred- ible patterns in this summer’s assort- ment, from the fun prints by Commas, Outclass, and Officine Generale to solids from Patrick Assaraf. If you’re so in- clined, you can then lose a button or two as the temperature climbs, or recreate
a scene from a cologne ad and stand in front of a fan and let the air run through it, too!
What brands should we be buying into for our hot-weather wardrobe?
A bathing suit from Vilebrequin is a must — the iconic prints help make a statement and pair perfectly with a solid linen dress shirt or a polo, so you can look put-together even down at the dock. If you’re going to hit the golf course,
you should pick up a performance polo and shorts from Greyson or the BOSS Athleisure collection. These items look polished but are made for activity. To get a little more formal, the must-have layer- ing piece for the summer is an unstruc- tured sports jacket. The highly technical fabrications being used by Eleventy, Maurizio Baldassari, and Ermenegildo Zegna make the jacket feel nearly invisi- ble, which means you don’t feel weighed down by a heavy sports jacket.
T-shirts or polos? (Both is an answer, too.)
Don’t make me choose! Well, this season, I’m definitely investing heavily in more formal polos from Giorgio Arm- ani, Altea, and Gran Sasso. These look incredible under a sports jacket and also sit nicely when buttoned up all the way to the top, which is a key trend we’re seeing. I’m gravitating to more bold and fun colours like pink, yellow, and ocean blue, perhaps because, after a year of being inside, I’m more than ready to get out there and make a statement!
Sneakers or loafers?
Sneakers. I simply can’t stop adding to my collection, and I’m starting to take over my wife’s side of the closet! This season, I’ve built out my sneaker collection with some clean perforated suede sneakers from Henderson (exclusive to Harry Rosen) and the knitted sock-style sneak- ers from Z Zegna and Loro Piana.
Hemlines have risen and fallen over the years. What’s the optimal length for shorts and swimsuits?
Gone are the days of long board shorts and baggy cargo shorts, so get those knees ready for some sunshine! We are seeing a definite shift towards shorts and swimsuits being more trim, and
for the hem to sit several inches above the knee. Nearly everything we carry is designed to sit above the knee. On the longer side, you’ll see a really amazing
collection of sweat shorts with matching sweat tops from the likes of Sol Angeles and Crosley (the summer tracksuit!), and on the shorter side, you can choose stretch jersey shorts from Paige and Ma- son’s that read a little more formal.
What are the key pieces that will keep us cool on the hottest days of summer?
On the hottest days, it’s definitely key to have a range of short-sleeved cotton
46 SHARPMAGAZINE.COM SUMMER 2021