For men who want to dress well but baulk at the idea of fashion, there is something reassuring about Trunk Clothiers’ website: it does not call coats ‘this season’s must-haves’ but ‘this season’s investment outerwear’. It goes on: ‘A good piece of outerwear will see you through the season and beyond, returning again year after year.’

It is a sensible and uncynical approach. Trunk Clothiers is a trustworthy source of classics given a contemporary refresh to build a long-term wardrobe. As founder Mats Klingberg told Esquire in 2020, ‘People say that, thanks to us, they’ve found their own style [when] they weren’t interested in clothes before.’

Klingberg opened Trunk on Marylebone’s Chiltern Street in 2010. The well-travelled Swedish ex-financier set about creating an emporium for brands that were virtually impossible to find outside of Japan, Italy, the US, Sweden…

Klingberg has acted as a gallerist, convincing producers of limited-edition, high-quality clothes that his shop was the best showcase for their sharp suits and separates, cosy knitwear, well-cut shirts and relaxed smart footwear. Londoners and, later, denizens of Zürich, as well as online shoppers, could enjoy brands such as Ten c, Boglioli, Fujito, CQP, Valstar and many others. Including Trunk.

For several years, Trunk Clothiers has created its own-label staples. With no sign of a return to a delineation between business and out-of-office, the “elevated classics” provide a serious but not hidebound look that straddles meetings and dinners. Tailored jackets pair with soft cashmere; chunky corduroy workwear jackets can be worn over chinos. In addition to core hues of olive and navy – carried through from year to year for that ever-evolving wardrobe – this season features rust and chestnut, with yellow and green highlights.

The emphasis is on fit, craftsmanship and the fabric equivalent of a wine’s DOC: Harris Tweed; Italian merino; English worsted; Donegal knitwear. Trunk has sourced suppliers for its own label with the same rigorous global research and personal approach to building relationships of trust. ‘We like to work with people we like – people who are passionate about product, like us,’ says Klingberg.

Given Trunk Clothiers’ reputation for stocking well-established styles and cuts, one of the challenges for the Trunk label has been to avoid duplication. ‘The development of the range is very considered,’ explains Klingberg. ‘The offer is grounded in year-round wearability. We look to our curated brands to add highlights and variety.’

One example is the Oxford shirt. The Trunk version has a slim, elegant fit with a clean spread collar and minimal detailing (save for mother-of-pearl buttons). Meanwhile, Trunk Clothiers also stocks a very American take from Gitman Vintage – with the Tennessee brand’s signature twists: vintage neck label; chalk buttons and the final buttonhole stitched with green thread.

Being a grounded character doesn’t stop Klingberg being excited about new pieces, though: ‘We have the most wearable raincoat made with organic cotton Ventile. Our Irish knitwear has beautiful flecks of colour twisted into the yarn. We have suits in a mid-weight worsted and Italian fine needlecord and then,for later in the winter, soft wool flannels.’

Time to invest in that evolving wardrobe.

trunkclothiers.com