I have been a big fan of British menswear brand Original Penguin for some time, and their fall/winter collection inspired by the 1954 Marlon Brando classic ‘On the Waterfront’ ticks all of my boxes. Chunky knitwear and hardy boots pay homage to the dockworkers of the 1950s, who took great pride in their appearance as reflected in the smart tailoring of their work wear.
My personal favorite from this season’s collection is the cropped wool blazer in Donegal tweed that is perfect either as part of a suit or layered under a mac or pea coat and paired with a pair of forest-green chords. The knitwear selection is also particularly strong, with the cream and grey-striped funnel-neck jumper a direct reference to the kinds of pullover that kept dockworkers warm through the harsh winters of the 50s.
The shirting range comes complete with a heavy-washed effect, meaning that you won’t have to put them through the machine a few times to perfect the work-wear look. The legwear continues in a similar fashion, with over-dyed denim and worn-effect trousers coming to the fore.
Obviously, you don’t have to work at the docks to make this Original Penguin look work, as the smart tailoring and clean cuts give the whole line a contemporary feel, but as you can see from the promo shots, the whole collection really does come into its own down by the waterside.
