Gant x Yale University is the perfect autumn collab – and Rory Gilmore would love it

The collection starts at £60 for a T-shirt and reaches £1,300 for some beautiful varsity jackets - (Gant)

One of the ultimate purveyors of preppy style, Gant, has just dropped a 42-piece collection in collaboration with Yale University. The company which is now headquartered in Stockholm, was actually founded in New Haven, Connecticut in 1949, a stone’s throw from Yale, and would sell its shirts in the university shop.

From corduroy and tweed blazers to rugby tops and classic Oxford shirts, the collegiate collection has a vintage feel with matching sweat sets, a pinstripe blazer and a Yale crest-patterned tie, all of which would feel right at home in a real mid-century classroom full of Ivy League students.

This American style archetype has become deeply entrenched in fashion thanks to brands like Gant, Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers. There’s been another recent resurgence thanks to cultural trends like ‘dark academia’, popularised by The Secret History and Brideshead Revisited. And the first reference that came to mind for me was Gilmore Girls, specifically over-achiever Rory Gilmore’s insatiable desire to get into the Ivy League. Die hard fans will recognise Dan the bulldog in the Gant campaign, Yale’s mascot.

This collection – which starts at £60 for a T-shirt and reaches £1,300 for some beautiful varsity jackets – is already selling fast and I can see campuses across the UK clad in Gant x Yale come the new academic year. These are some of the best pieces to shop in the collection.

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Wool corduroy blazer

This regular-fit classic cut blazer is the perfect everyday staple for a preppy autumn wardrobe. The wool corduroy should be warm and perfect for throwing over simple outfits. Coming in at £650, this warm caramel brown blazer is certainly an investment piece but I am a big fan.

Buy now £650, Gant.co.uk

Crew neck sweatshirt

You can’t evoke a sporty and laidback look much better than with a classic crew neck sweater. In a dark navy blue with contrast white writing, this is already selling out in some sizes with low stock in others, so don’t sleep on it.

Buy now £140, Gant.co.uk

Cotton twill cap

Varsity merch is the backbone of a university shop and this cotton twill cap is the perfect way to casually signal your allegiance (even if you went to Oxford Brookes). The cap comes in white and navy blue, and makes for the perfect Saturday morning brunch, grabbing coffee or running out the house choice.

Buy now £60, Gant.co.uk

Striped heavy rugger

Great for post-gym, pub or lounging around the house, this relaxed fit rugby shirt feels cool and effortless. Switch out your summer polo for this and you’ll be the talk of the campus.

Buy now £190, Gant.co.uk

Varsity cardigan

Cardigans are already preppy, but the sporty upper arm stripes, contrast trim and Yale emblem add the academic flair. This cream cotton and wool-blend cardie has a relaxed fit and will be snug for the chilly autumn and winter days.

Buy now £260, Gant.co.uk

Varsity jacket

No university-inspired collection would be complete without a bomber jacket. An all-American jock staple, Gant has released two for the Yale University collection, a beautiful brown full-suede option and this with the dark brown lamb leather body and goat suede arm details. The price is eye-watering, but it’s a timeless style.

Buy now £1300, Gant.co.uk

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