Best of British Menswear Week: Realm & Empire "cardigan, khaki wool, other ranks" AW14 military archive inspiration

Realm & Empire is a British brand that relishes the heritage, look and feel of historical menswear, updating their finds for the modern wearer. Finding inspiration in the archives if the Imperial War Museums, they have created a collection for AW14 that takes details and from historical garments, photographs, documents and artefacts.

Grey Fox wears Duxford Cardigan and wool slim-leg Officer Trouser from Realm & Empire.
Brogues by Loake, shirt by Smyth & Gibson, tie vintage. Hair and teeth model's own

Their knitwear collection is made in the UK from British wool, so I'm focusing on one key and favourite piece for this review. The Duxford cardigan is modelled on a First World War piece found in the military archives at IWM Duxford in Cambridgeshire. Made for use by other ranks, it must have been an essential part of the layering needed to keep warm in the trenches. 

Archive image of Cardigan, khaki wool, other ranks - image IWM

The cardigan has a good substantial feel and the pockets and collar are reinforced with cotton webbing, as was the hem on the original. The colour is Loden green and every garment has its own unique issue number, revealed behind a little tear-off strip in the collar label. This is my first ever cardigan and I'm enjoying it. However, never let it be said that it's a garment exclusively for the older man; this will look good on young and old alike.

The trousers are made of Huddersfield-manufactured wool (although are not themselves made in UK) and half-lined with a deep red jacquard print. They have a slightly slim fit.

I hope to revisit this interesting brand at a future date, meanwhile, see the Realm & Empire website for more of the collection, or to buy. For more on the Imperial War Museums, see here.