Margaret Howell/MHL

[OccultaVexillum]

I picked up the ochre track top a few weeks ago and love it. Also grabbed a big pocket cardigan a while ago, but unfortunately I sized down to an L (XL would have been better but there all gone now).
And I just received the putty 3b jacket today.

 

[BlakeRVA]

Neat article - talks about the brands evolution, values, and points of reference from a consumer perspective.

Meet the Margaret Howell superfans

Meet the Margaret Howell superfans

For more than 50 years, Howell has reigned as the queen of understated fashion. Five leading creatives explain why she’s the perfect fit for all occasions

amp.ft.com

 

[OccultaVexillum]

That’s really cool @BlakeRVA
Thanks for that.

it’s funny, I’ve always really loved Howell but for about 5 years I didn’t really buy anything. Maybe only 4 or 5 things and 2 of them would have been the saddle neck sweaters.
lately I’ve really been buying quite a bit though, last season I got 2 pairs of pants, a blazer, 2 shirts and a cardigan. The season before that a couple of shirts, knits and scarves. And this season I’ve already grabbed a few things.
its like I had stopped buying so much because I was looking for things that were a bit less hard wearing and opting for sleeker and more “fashion” look for lack of a better word, but now I’m seeking out the opposite and have been really falling in love all over again with how functional and easy all of her designs are.
plus she’s generally just so ******* cool.
that seems to a huge draw for me as far as designers I love; how cool is the designer behind the clothes?

 

[asaa1000]

Anyone know the difference between the made in japan vs made in uk stuff? Are the sizing different? Recently picked my first piece, a pleated trouser from Japan, absolutely love it, reminds me of the cool loose tapered shape from Geller but a bit more classic in shape.

 

[OccultaVexillum]

Different sizing, different grading, mostly different manufacturing, arguably cooler stuff.

 

[catchh]

The Japan stuff is licensed by Anglobal ( https://www.anglobal.co.jp/anglobal_members/ ). I think they make up most of their own designs, but have some original staple pieces from Margaret Howell included as well (not sure if they come from England or not). From my experience, the quality in materials can range from High end to medium, as they seem to sell some cheaper mainline offerings.

 

[asaa1000]

The Japan stuff is licensed by Anglobal ( https://www.anglobal.co.jp/anglobal_members/ ). I think they make up most of their own designs, but have some original staple pieces from Margaret Howell included as well (not sure if they come from England or not). From my experience, the quality in materials can range from High end to medium, as they seem to sell some cheaper mainline offerings.

Interesting... do you mean the MIJ stuff is essentially a different brand? Different design, manufacturing, and the even quality is different.

 

[BlakeRVA]

That’s really cool @BlakeRVA
Thanks for that.

it’s funny, I’ve always really loved Howell but for about 5 years I didn’t really buy anything. Maybe only 4 or 5 things and 2 of them would have been the saddle neck sweaters.
lately I’ve really been buying quite a bit though, last season I got 2 pairs of pants, a blazer, 2 shirts and a cardigan. The season before that a couple of shirts, knits and scarves. And this season I’ve already grabbed a few things.
its like I had stopped buying so much because I was looking for things that were a bit less hard wearing and opting for sleeker and more “fashion” look for lack of a better word, but now I’m seeking out the opposite and have been really falling in love all over again with how functional and easy all of her designs are.
plus she’s generally just so ******* cool.
that seems to a huge draw for me as far as designers I love; how cool is the designer behind the clothes?

I agree! What's unique about Margaret is the clarity in her point of view and her longevity. The fashion world has more noise than ever with social media and cheap international flights, but Margaret has been diligently crafting her own micro-universe for 50(!) years. It's simply remarkable and provides a unique authenticity amongst all the contrived minimalist and utilitarian brands.

On another note, men have long ruled fashion design, but recently I've been thoroughly appreciating how women like Margaret Howell, Emily Bode, and Deborah Sitbon (DBF) add a fresh or clear perspective on menswear.

 

[catchh]

Interesting... do you mean the MIJ stuff is essentially a different brand? Different design, manufacturing, and the even quality is different.

Yup, pretty much. It could be very well a completely different brand. But, they have the right to use the label.

Another example is The North Face: Purple Label in Japan. Nanamica have the rights to the label and can essentially produce whatever they want.

 

[wrongandright]

Wish this was a small...

size M painters shirt for 66 euros...

SLOU - Menswear Store

www.sloulisbon.com

 

[grayfox]

I bought a pair of straight leg trousers from MHL, size S is huge. Only real model shots I can find online are on a woman wearing XS, but I imagine it's a unisex piece anyway. S works for me thankfully, and I got it at a good price. Looking forward to incorporating some actual wide legged pants into outfits from now

 

[OccultaVexillum]

@grayfox Looks pretty good as is man.
One thing I will say that I have been told from talking to a couple of reps in the store, particularly about MHL, is that most of the stuff should be machine washed before you really get the best idea of it. Most things have a very generous waist and I've considered sizing down, but after asking store people about it they all said the bigger waists are done so they can be easily washed and laundered and lived in.

 

[OccultaVexillum]

Drop pocket PJ shirt and white joggers.
Good lounge wear.

 

[grayfox]

@grayfox Looks pretty good as is man.
One thing I will say that I have been told from talking to a couple of reps in the store, particularly about MHL, is that most of the stuff should be machine washed before you really get the best idea of it. Most things have a very generous waist and I've considered sizing down, but after asking store people about it they all said the bigger waists are done so they can be easily washed and laundered and lived in.

What! I love that. Although this pant is dry clean only 54% cotton 23% wool 23% acrylic, sounds like it'd be fine in the machine on gentle in a garment bag

 

[catchh]

@grayfox Looks pretty good as is man.
One thing I will say that I have been told from talking to a couple of reps in the store, particularly about MHL, is that most of the stuff should be machine washed before you really get the best idea of it. Most things have a very generous waist and I've considered sizing down, but after asking store people about it they all said the bigger waists are done so they can be easily washed and laundered and lived in.

I find this true for a lot of their stuff, most of it is relaxed, but it shrinks overtime with washes. I’ve learned to embrace the relaxed fits they have and know over the years it will kind of shape itself out.