Role play

One of the tough things about making your way in the style world as a guy is the paucity of role models from which to take your lead. So many possible options abound – Kanye West and Andre 3000 to name a couple – but these tend to require you to adopt a rather fearless and financially incautious attitude towards your clothes.

However, I spotted in the press today that a new figure has emerged that has given me food for thought. Patrick Robinson is becoming something of a celebrity across the Pond for his work in bringing a new focus to the classic stylings at Gap.

While reports of his desire to make the brand ‘super cool’ again must inevitably be taken with a pinch of salt, I very much welcome Mr Robinson’s attempts to show that well-designed basics can hold their own on the fashion stage and be celebrated as a real alternative to your standard catwalk nonsense.