Debenhams Announces the Return of the Short Suit

Released on: August 19, 2011, 2:54 pm
Author: Debenhams
Industry: Retail

Debenhams has revealed that 'Just William' style blazers worn with matching shorts are up 500 per cent on last year, thanks to grown men sporting the look on high streets and in offices across the country.

The surprise style hit of the summer, tailored short suits have been deemed smart enough for work yet cool enough for public transport, leading to a sales boom throughout the warm weather.

Spotted on the SS11 catwalks of Louis Vuitton, Jean Paul Gaultier and Dries Van Noten, this is one trend that has definitely made the leap to the great British high street.

The short suit is now available in all manner of fabrics and colours from powder blue linen through to black pinstripe cotton.

In fact, the most popular short suit has proved to be light blue, 100% linen Jeff Banks knee-length shorts and matching jackets which have been the store's top selling menswear product for two weeks running already.

Men are typically wearing short suits with deck shoes - perfect for the tricky smart casual dress code.

Debenhams spokesperson, Ruth Attridge said: "We have heard about the emergence of 'mankles' - male ankles peeking out from rolled up trousers. Well, this takes it to the next level.

"All over the world, British men are renowned for exposing their white knobbly knees during the summer holidays. We want this great tradition to continue whether you are jetsetting, staycationing or off to work."

The look was debuted by AC/DC lead guitarist Angus Young in the seventies and eighties but it wasn't until recent shots of celebrities including tennis player Roger Federer, designer Henry Holland and The Only Way is Essex's Mark Wright appeared that the fashion really took off.

Attridge continued: "For the daring few, wearing a short suit can be liberating experience, particularly when faced with the tropic temperatures of a morning commute.

"A certain level of confidence is needed to carry off this style however, and avoid teaming it with a tie and cap. You don't want to look like Wee Jimmy Krankie."

Debenhams sells over 300 varieties of men's shorts, ranging from £13 to £65 in sizes 28 to 44.

ENDS

About Debenhams:
Debenhams is the second largest department store chain in the UK with a strong presence in key product categories including womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, home and health and beauty. Debenhams is. Debenhams operates 167 stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Debenhams also has 61 international franchise stores in 24 countries and six Magasin stores in Denmark. Debenhams’ online stores are available at www.debenhams.com and www.debenhams.ie.

Designers at Debenhams include Preen, Jonathan Saunders, Jonathan Kelsey, Roksanda Ilincic, Ted Baker, Jeff Banks, Jasper Conran, Erickson Beamon, FrostFrench, Henry Holland, Betty Jackson, Ben de Lisi, Julien Macdonald, Melissa Odabash, Jane Packer, Pearce Fionda, Janet Reger, John Rocha, Lisa Stickley, Eric Van Peterson and Matthew Williamson.

PR Contact:
Press Office
33 Wigmore Street
London
W1U 1QX
08445 616161
www.debenhams.com

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