Tommy Hilfiger didn't venture into terribly foreign terrain in his latest menswear collection but it was hard not be other than impressed with his assured spin on his own New England dandy DNA.
"Extreme nautical within a big preppy envelope," said Hilfiger, sweeping his hands to suggest a massive halo.
Staged Friday evening, Sept. 7, on the North Cabana terrace of the lower Manhattan's Maritime Hotel, these spring 2013 clothes had the coolly quirky graphic detailing and natty nonchalance that has come to characterize the Hilfiger man.
Plus there was more than enough sartorial tricks to keep the clothes intriguing, from yachting parkas with a deep red slash back and sleek zips to great cross over mega stripe Napoleonic rigger's jackets. White denim mess jackets with signal flag breast pocket also took us to the Mediterranean in a Continental moment.
This house will always be know for its signature red white and blue - the colors of the flags of the U.K, U.S. and France, don't forget - using the combo in posh nubuck shoes, sack suits and espadrilles.
Hilfiger also added a punky twist with horizontal posh bondages straps on stripy pajama looks, or rocker broad ceremonial stripes down white deck pants.
Made in lightweight fabrics it also seemed rather apt for today's steamy afternoon in New York, where the intense condensation had air conditioners dripping over every city catwalk. No wonder every guest grabbed for the gin and tonics with lime served pre-show, before the carefully coiffed models sauntered around the wooden plank catwalk. The ideal drink for an evening yacht cruise and this collection.