Margaret Howell/MHL

[accordion]

Is this jacket too big, even for MH?







AW13:

 

[malcb33]

Is this jacket too big, even for MH?

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AW13:

Seems too big in the shoulders and the sleeves are a little long. The body looks ok to me in that slightly oversized MH way.

 

[asaa1000]

Anyone know what the main difference is between the main line and mhl?

 

[OccultaVexillum]

At the most basic level MHL is cheaper, you could probably categorize it as more casual and true workwear as well, but it’s not like the mainline stuff isn’t heavily workwear influenced too.
They are just two different things but MHL is cheaper and not as nice

 

[ike_hiking_boots]

Agree with OccultaVexillum and would like to add a few other thoughts:

MHL was originally launched to tap into the vintage workwear trend - it was very much marketed as a (cheaper) diffusion line. The label used to say MHL - "Inspired by Function and Utility" - interestingly that slogan has now been removed, but 'utility clothing' would be a good description for the brand - it's certainly not a pure 'workwear' brand.

Mainline has better fabrics - think cashmere v. shetland wool. It could also be argued the tailoring/production is made to a higher standard - Mainline shirting is hand made at the London Shirting Factory whereas MHL shirting is made in Portugal.

They now have 3 standalone MHL stores in London - at these stores you can only buy MHL and some complimentary brands (they stock a few pieces by Vetra for example). The Mainline Stores (Wigmore Street and Fulham) do still stock some of the MHL line next to the Mainline they just don't have all of it - so it's considered complimentary.

I prefer Mainline but I do sometimes buy MHL - their cotton/linen T-shirts are a wardrobe staple although they changed the cut of this T for SS19 and I can't say I like it - I also have quite a few of the stand-collar shirts although they've recently changed the design/cut of this garment and I can't say it's an improvement over the original.

You see more MHL at wholesale than you see Mainline - probably because the sell-through is better, which is inevitably down to the price.

 

[jet]

Anyone know what the main difference is between the main line and mhl?

Never liked mhl.

 

[asaa1000]

Any reason in particular?

Never liked mhl.

 

[malcb33]

I agree with the above assessments of the differences between the mainline and MHL.

I will say for the price point MHL stacks up against many other workwear brands in terms of quality. Some of my MHL pieces are probably some of my most worn everyday clothing.

 

[Pangolin]

Do the UK and Japan mainline collections fit the same?

 

[OccultaVexillum]

Nope, Japan sizing is smaller. And I don't think it's a 1 size up kind of deal either.
ie/ it's not:
UK XL = Japan L
UK L = Japan M
UK M = Japan S

I've bought some Japanese Howell in the past off ebay and the sizes haven't been anywhere close. I remember buying some Japanese pants that were tagged as Large, which are usually loose on me, and they measured under 30" at the waist. Similarly i bought a blazer labelled X and i couldn't get my arms in it.

 

[havensk]

AW19 stuff is rolling in

I'm a big fan of the welder's jacket, and the fireman shoes look cool in a weird way.

Personally I've never handled mainline but I'm a very big fan of the MHL line. I have a couple items and I'm always impressed by the cut and detail put into each piece. I have a rust colored sweater from AW18 that just fit exactly what I was looking for and I'm anxiously waiting on colder days to break it back out.

 

[NO MERCY]

Autumn/Winter 2019 Campaigns and Lookbooks are up on the jp site.

 

[OccultaVexillum]

Any chance anybody here has seen one of this seasons blazers (wide wrap or unstructured) somewhere outside of the howell webstore or End?

Or does anybody have an older one for sale (XL or L)?
There's a few on grailed but the prices are still way up

 

[accordion]

Tried on a bunch of stuff at Plain Goods. Liked the MHL roll necks and MH fair isles. MHL quality seems pretty good this season. Had to size down for everything. The shetland fair isles fit a little awkward due to the material but the pattern and cut are nice. Kopped their last pair of serge wool narrow trousers and the charcoal fair isle from END. The trousers are heavy and run at least one size big.


Charcoal fair isle

MHL saddle sleeve roll neck with narrow trousers

 

[OccultaVexillum]

@accordion
Good kop but just FYI those are the cinch back trousers not narrow.