This knitted waistcoat is by Alex Mill. I have been interested in the brand ever since How to Spend It Magazine (Financial Times) featured an article on the American brand. Alex Mill was founded in 2016 by father and son duo Mickey and Alex Drexler. Mickey is a veteran of the retail world. He was the CEO of Gap during the 1990s and is credited with their meteoric rise during this time. In 2003 he went on to become J. Crew’s chairman and CEO (an extremely impressive era during their history) before founding Old Navy and Madewell.

Around 2020, In New York City, Mickey decided to make a connection that he thought could work, one between his son Alex and the design director at J. Crew, Somsack Sikhounmuong. He was right, the two hit it off over a desire for straightforward design that was still unique. Alex and Somsack were up for a challenge and Alex Mill was born. The brand’s ethos is ‘not more clothes, but the right clothes’. This is obviously a philosophy that resonates deeply with Graham St.

This knitted waistcoat encapsulates perfectly great design and practicality. Worn on its own or with a shirt, in the summer or in the winter, it is a piece of clothing that I would consider to be a great investment. It would add a vibrant and interesting layer to an outfit in winter, popping out under a wool coat and worn over thick high waisted trousers. It would also be perfect for the evening worn with a silk shirt and palazzo pants.

Full length jeans are back in. It’s actually quite nice to have my ankles covered after a decade of not! This pair are by MUD Jeans. They are another special brand trying to do things differently and better. The average pair of jeans uses 7000 litres of water to make. MUD denim use 393 litres. Each pair contains up to 40% post consumer recycled denim. MUD also made this skirt that mum wore a few posts ago. The knitted vest would look gorgeous with it.

Im wearing the Birkenstock clogs (style name Boston), I love them with full length jeans. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is only a summer (well, British summer) look either, stick on a pair of socks and it’s a great Autumnal look too!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX MOONEY

Sue wears…

White shirt, £120, Skall Studio @ Gather and See

Knitted waistcoat, £165, Alex Mill

Trousers, £170, Doen

Sunglasses, £125, Ollie Quinn

Sandals, £105, Birkenstock

Hannah wears…

Knitted vest, as above

Jeans, £80.99, MUD Jeans

Bag, sold out but similar here

Sunglasses, £125, discontinued but similar here Ollie Quinn

Clogs, £115, Birkenstock

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