The best in menswear in our not-so-humble opine usually arrives in the autumn/winter collection of several top-notch brands. Summer is for fads that fade, winter is for eternal style. A forgiving cover-all season, the loose fits cloak a multitude of sins as winter indulgence takes its toll on the notches of a Bottega belt. 

One can really bundle up in layers (Dunhill) and it’s usually the fabrication (Loro Piana of course), the embroidered shirts (wait till you see this Louis Vuitton dress-shirt!), the youthful exuberance (Gucci) and the timeless silhouettes (Ralph Lauren, Purple Label) and the versatile sophistication of classic menswear brands (Brunello Cucinelli) that makes them stand a cut above the rest. 

And let’s not forget the all-important accessories. Never judge a man until you walk in his shoes – especially if those shoes are from Hérmes. A decent belt (Tom Ford) should last a lifetime, and the distinguished wallet should barely be distinguishable in its utter simplicity and functionality (Saint Laurent).  

Dunhill

We’ve been gently nodding our head of approval at the collective work of creative director of Dunhill, Simon Holloway, since he started working with the brand – before in fact. Holloway is famed for his distinguished design codes and quintessentially English outlook. The autumn/winter 2024 marks the designer’s first collection with the British marquee and critics are in awe of the refined tailoring, exquisite fabrication, the choices made in cuts and silhouettes and the versatility of each distinct piece that’s strutted down the catwalk in London just a few weeks ago. We were informed the designer has a thing for layering, and, as the above portrait shows, pile it on! 

It sure looks good when the pieces gently flow and complement each other, from the camel double face polo coat with the double-breasted blazer, the cotton cashmere hybrid herringbone button down shirt in white, with a cotton silk single pleat chino in camel (also available in off-white). The cashmere check scarf in beige is a nice touch but the tailored sneakers in leather –a key piece in the collection– is the final signature that ties it all together. Since Robb Report’s cover story earlier this year, quite frankly Dunhill can do no wrong. 

Hermès

Back in 1966, Nancy Sinatra, the original nepo baby, crooned These boots were made for walkin’, and now, the husky rendition comes to mind when we first had a look at the ankle boots from Hermès. Practical and fashionable? Que? The boots are made of technical fabric with an ultra-light sole, perfect for an actual hike or sport… or at least give the illusion that you’re on Dragon’s Back every weekend! Scaling heights, in fashion. 

Louis Vuitton

In defense of the, well, quite frankly fashion behemoth, one of our stylists had casually said, the Louis Vuitton’s prints, obvious signature stamps, iconography and logo-mania, doesn’t register as ‘quiet’ luxury, so how do we have it shot and listed here? In the quiet recesses of the Vuitton wardrobe, you’ll find pieces and perfection to leave any discerning gentleman in stitches. Literally. Of course, star and celebrity wear the more Instagram friendly attire, but every collection has essential, refined menswear staples that can last a lifetime.

Obsessed with the quilted textured white blouson (with a well-paired Blason wool, carpenter pants) that can fit into a board meeting or a rooftop bar with equal ease and sheer elegance. The dapper argyle trench coat, with the seek-and-you-shall find LV logo, is in a delicious shade of hot mocha; just warm enough to keep the intermittent weather at bay. 

Bottega Veneta

Perhaps because media offices are teeming with scribes of all stripes, messenger bags are a daily staple in any publication company’s head office. Just not as chic as the Bottega Veneta large diago intrecciato messenger bag, crafted from sumptuous full-grain leather with the brand’s signature intrecciato weave. Its spacious interior and refined silhouette make it an ideal companion for the discerning modern gentleman, seamlessly blending functionality with timeless elegance. An investment piece for discerning tastes, and those with a message to boot. 

Ralph Lauren

The plaid cashmere crewneck sweater is the most versatile wearable piece we’ve seen from Americana’s greatest fashion export; Ralph Lauren. The finely knit signature piece with soft, lofty cashmere yarns is so sensuous to the touch, and the plaid pattern is inspired by a woven fabric from this season’s Purple Label collection. Perfection. There’s a matching blue blazer (in picture) and suit set that goes perfectly with the hues too.

Loro Piana

As the temperature drops dramatically this weekend—for Hong Kong standards—its perfect weather to snuggle into a cocooning turtleneck in cashmere fleece with “Jamo” pants in cotton corduroy, from the good people of Loro Piana. 

We gently sifted through their latest collection (as seen and worn by innumerable celebrities this season as they hit the ski slopes), and a perfect touch was felt in every piece; Loro Piana doesn’t joke around with their threads; cashmere, Mohair, silk blend, extrafine wool, cashmere flannel, double faced pure New Zealand wool, silk blend cashmere are the sort of rich materials we are dealing with consistently. Like faultless ingredients for a perfect recipe, what makes Loro Piana run in its own lane beyond others is easily their adherence to refined and exquisite material. We couldn’t pick between the grey turtleneck and the pure black turtleneck in baby cashmere paired with “Reinga” pants in wool and cashmere (with a loose silhouette that’s got a delicious retro vibe), so here both are.  

The black turtleneck should be in every elegant man’s wardrobe; be it Robert Redford or Robert Pattinson, we’ve seen every decade’s defining debonair sport a variation of the wardrobe staple. Heck, the OG “tech bro,” Steve Jobs ran his entire campaign wearing it.  

Gucci

The black compact twill windbreaker with a trifecta of zippers in the front and Gucci details (paired with black, wool formal pants in pic) is just right, for the sort of unpredictable weather we in the city are used to. There’s a youthful exuberance to Gucci this season. Well, every season. We’ve asked interns about their jejune opinion about fashion, and only Gucci seems to have cachet among Gen Z. Oh the folly of youth. 

Tom Ford

The Tom Ford logo-buckle looks like the first iteration of a supercar’s silhouette, but the leather belt (in black calf leather, made in Italy) is a fine piece that can tie-in an entire look together. Tom Ford accessories have historically been trend and fad proof; they are just as timeless if you picked them up in 2025, or 2005, when the eponymous label was launched. 

At the fashion editor’s desk, many have spent an alarming number of years having their breath taken by Tom Ford, the brand and the man. The accessories, menswear and womenswear that Ford has presented have always captured the zeitgeist of refined and gloriously expensive taste. While there are musical chairs occurring backstage, what they present front and centre, is a unified vision of refined sophistication. Sure Peter Hawkings, the creative director of Tom Ford, parted from the brand after barely-a-year (despite a stellar showing of a collection BTW). We just heard Haider Ackermann has been anointed the new creative director of Tom Ford, and his first collection will be shown at Paris Fashion Week in March 2025. As always, we’ll be voyeurs to the vision, belted, so to speak, in our seats.    

Brunello Cucinelli

One keeps forgetting which sin ‘coveting’ is in the totem pole of crimes and misdemeanours, but we do covet the entire winter wardrobe stashed in the house that Brunello Cucinelli built. In shades of Bordeaux, Panama, Navy Blue, Black, Light Grey and Stone Grey (pictured), you’ll find winterwear staples that you can build on. You start with their cashmere turtleneck, add a suede down vest, pair it with tailor fit trousers in twisted cotton gabardine (with double pleats), and the virgin wool flannel overshirt with camp collar and chest pockets is an option that you can robe and disrobe easily – depending on the temperature. 

As timeless as it can be, there’s a genteel, gentlemanly appeal to each easy piece that can level up any man’s wardrobe. Made in Solomeo in Italy, “manufactured in the hamlet,” says the literature, and we are fawning over the time-honoured excellence of Brunello Cucinelli. Famed for their use of exalted materials–pure cashmere often–to enrich the classic lines, what’s not to like? 

Saint Laurent

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but it is time to upgrade your wallet, and we highly recommend hitting the accessories section of Sain Laurent. Look for the Italian leathers sub sect, the full-grain leather with the handy monogram in the corner is just the right touch of the humble-brag. Eight card slots, receipt slots, and enough room for cash, the slim accessory can slip into any hidden pocket.

Brunello Cucinelli

Again? Yes again. Bear with me; we’ve been looking for a faultless leather jacket for years now, something that lies firmly between Happy Days’ The Fonz jacket and the overlong trench coat from The Matrix. Introducing the polished calfskin biker jacket, embellished with Thermore® padding and a detachable shearling collar from Brunello Cucinelli. Crafted with exquisite materials, this outerwear piece features a two-way zip closure, multiple pockets, and buckles, ensuring both elegance and comfort. It embodies refined craftsmanship and ethical production; the detachable shearling collar makes it perfect for summer too. We just didn’t think the brand, in all its soft, soothing, cashmere vibe would have anything so moody and dark – and yet, they do. Note how easily it slips on top of a suit – party on the outside, business on the inside. 

All images of accessories are courtesy of their respective brands. 
All model images shot exclusively for Robb Report Hong Kong by;

Photography: Doney Zhou 
Model: Bipin K at Model One 
Hair and Makeup: Cat Yeong @hongkongmakeupartist
Styling: Leo Mendez