I was impressed by Marks & Spencer's Best of British range for men when I first saw it earlier this year. It comprises British-made classics – suits, jackets, coats and accessories – and hopefully shows the first signs of a return to the good old days, when much of M&S's offering was made in the UK.
The collection includes beautiful Yorkshire-made cloths, Scottish cashmere, tweeds and shoes made in Northampton. M&S have used their extensive archives as inspiration. Construction is outstanding; the suits contain hand-stitching and the sort of detail found in bespoke. But feeling, poking and pulling can't show how well clothes fit, so, as I admired the collection at its launch, I hatched a plan to try it myself.
Despite the classic nature of the offering, M&S have used a man in his mid-20s (Oliver Cheshire) to model the range. This is understandable; M&S is seen to reflect middle-age style, so it is tempting to impose a younger look on a new range. However, the collection's prices, although reasonable given the quality offered, are not young men's prices. Suits cost £799, jumpers are £55-£149, shoes £265 and coats £275-£599.
So this is a collection for men of any age, but, in reality, the clothes are going to be bought by men of 35-plus. We know how they look on a man in his 20s, but how will they fit and look on the older man?
With my tongue firmly in cheek, I asked M&S if I, a man in his late 50s, could try the collection and be photographed wearing it. To my consternation (and their huge credit), they agreed immediately – and here are the results. The sample garments weren't all available in my size, but this couldn't mask the quality of the construction and fit and the luxurious feel of the British-made cloths.
I recommend the Best of British range to anyone who loves well-made and good-fitting clothes.
• Marks and Spencer Best of British collection, for men and women.
