Numero Ventuno (N°21) unveiled its Fall/Winter 2018-19 men's collection in Milan on January 15th. Designer Alessandro dell'Acqua's fusion of American casual and Italian classic styles, which he has been proposing for the past few seasons, referenced this season's Western influences. The collection featured a short, four-button double-breasted jacket, tracksuit-style pants with side stripes, ponytail boots, and a blue shirt with a ribbon tie misplaced on the collar. This mismatched technique appeared many times this season, not only in the iconic ribbon tie, but also in cardigans with mismatched buttons, knit vests with large houndstooth motifs, and shirts with only one side visible at the neckline of a crewneck sweater. Following on from last season, geeky college styling continues to be a trend in Milanese men's fashion, as the brand seeks to evolve.

Bleached denim, satin sets, checked jackets with boa collars, shiny nylon military coats, full-zip track jackets underneath, and waist bags are just the right amount of seasonal trends, and vintage American items such as gun patches and shirts with epaulets are given a refined finish.

A photo-printed shirt with a run-down motel sign and the keyword "Kansas City" is also included. Half a century after the Spaghetti Western, Milano's new hybrid country-style collection is quite a new wave when viewed from the perspective of Japan, a country that is a leader in American casual fashion.


Text: Tatsuya Noda