You are not your job, you're not how much money you have in the bank. You are not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You are not your fucking khakis.
- Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club
First and foremost, please let me get this dad joke out of the way...No, you can’t start your car with these!
As a colour Khaki has rapidly evolved since Sir Harry Lumsden invented it for use by the British Army in 1846. Legend states that Sir Harry took cotton and linen pajamas and proceeded to colour them with mud and dirt. Not only did this make soldiers less obvious to their enemy, but was also found to be cooler in the harsh desert heat.
British soldiers fought in scarlet tunics for the last time during the Battle of Gennis in the Sudan during late 1885. They formed part of a force sent by Britain to participate in the Nile campaign of 1884-85 and wore their traditional scarlet uniforms until someone came up with the brilliant idea of the Military adapting the more neutral tones, in an effort to blend in with their desert surroundings. Although they were a brutal force, it seems logical that they would want to avoid becoming obvious targets to the enemy forces.
Today khaki is a staple colour in many wardrobes, including my own. The suit that I’m wearing in these pictures is made of lightweight summer cotton (220g) produced by Solbiati, a family owned mill in Italy.
I took a more casual approach to the design and added a touch of Italian flair. The jacket and trousers could easily be worn as separates as the warmer months set in and although I’m not taking after Sir Harry and rubbing dirt into my clothes, I think this new suit is bound to keep me feeling cool as the temperatures rise here in Melbourne.
Cotton suit & shirt by Oscar Hunt Tailors
Tie by Noble Custom
Pochette by Dom Bagnato
Loafers by Salvatore Ferragamo