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First appearing in the UK in the 1950s, Brutalist architecture is now a widely recognized style of design, largely characterized by its geometric and monolithic visual themes, as well as its overall scale. And while Brutalism has continued having an influence on the world of architecture even through today, the aesthetic has also more recently been increasingly embraced by the fashion and streetwear sectors, which have used key traits from the concrete-based style of architecture to deliver minimalistic yet fashion-forward garments reminiscent of the imposing mid-century structures.
Just like Brutalist architecture itself, these pieces of clothing and gear boast rugged and masculine qualities, and are just as at home and well-suited to the city as they are in nature, with robust designs that are specifically engineered to stand up to extreme environments and cold weather conditions. And with the FW21 season in full swing, now seems something of the perfect time to highlight some of our favorite products in this space, scouring the segment to produce this hand-picked style guide focusing on some of the best and most sought-after Brutalist-inspired offerings.
Moose Knuckles Valleyfield Jacket
Part of Moose Knuckles’ Nyluxe collection, the Valleyfield Jacket is a modern high-performance take on a traditional field coat. Boasting a Level 4 cold protection rating, the Valleyfield is constructed around an advanced DWR-finished knit polyurethane-infused nylon blend shell that’s performance laminated to a breathable and waterproof multi-layer membrane and stuffed with RDS-certified genuine 775-fill power goose down.
Black Ember Magnetic Key-Ring
Quick-release keychains are a bonafide EDC staple, and while there are plenty on the market, very few do it better than Black Ember with the brand’s Magnetic Key-Ring. Compatible with the company’s Kompak crossbody and TKS bags, this item features a black-anodized carabiner with a spring-loaded gate and laser-etched hardware that’s milled from aircraft-grade T6 aluminum. This piece is then mated to a laser-cut synthetic Hypalon segment that’s paired with a titanium keyring via a magnetic FIDLOCK buckle.
Atlas of Brutalist Architecture Hardcover Book
One of the New York Times‘ Best Art Books of 2018, Phaidon Press’ Atlas of Brutalist Architecture is a 8.38″ x 11.75″ hardcover coffee table book celebrating some of the world’s most iconic pieces of architectural Brutalism from across more than 100 countries. Comprised of 568 pages, this updated version of the book features works from legendary architects and designers — both classic and contemporary — including Zaha Hadid, Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Kahn, Paul Rudolph, Herzog & de Meuron, and Jean Nouvel, just to name but a few.
AER Tech Sling 2
AER’s second-generation Tech Sling is an ultra-durable vessel for safely transporting your everyday gadgets and tech essentials. Equipped with a soft woven lining, Duraflex hardware, and YKK zippers, the sling sports an 840D nylon face that’s fortified with a weather-resistant, carbonate polyurethane coating and mated to a bottom exterior made from even more rugged 1,680D ballistic-grade CORDURA. Offering a full 8L of internal storage space, this 15.5″ x 9.5″ x 3.5″ sling-style bag can accommodate laptops up to 13″ while still weighing less than 1.5 lbs.
Veilance GORE-TEX 3-Layer C-KNIT Bucket Hat
In 2009 Arc’teryx launched Veilance, a technical performance fashion label that focuses on producing ruggedized, ultra-minimalist takes on fashion and wardrobe essentials. And the sub-brand’s bucket hat wonderfully epitomizes what Veilance is all about, bestowing the classic full-brim fisherman’s cap with a triple-layer nylon and GORE-TEX construction that makes it impervious to the elements. A hidden drawstring cord also guarantees a perfect fit and ensures the hat remains in place, no matter where your adventures take you.
Stone Island Tapered Logo-Appliquéd Garment-Dyed Cotton-Blend Cargo Trousers
Modern chinos and joggers are two of the most popular styles of men’s pants in existence, though they undeniably lack a degree of versatility that would otherwise make them conducive to a markedly wider range of applications and uses. Recognizing this, Stone Island has opted to hybridize the two styles to deliver its Tapered Logo-Appliquéd Garment-Dyed Cotton-Blend Cargo Trousers. Produced in four colors, these decidedly casual pants are constructed from an elastane-infused cotton blend and sport the silhouette of chinos with the elasticated waist and unrestricted mobility of joggers.
adidas x Y-3 TERREX Swift R3 GTX
The adidas TERREX range already represents some of the most capable and high-performance outdoor garments and footwear on the market, though recently the renowned activewear brand has called on Yohji Yamamoto to deliver a streetwear-inspired take on the TERREX Swift R3 GTX. Built atop a set of ultra-grippy Continental rubber outsoles, this hybrid sneaker boot model has been treated to a waterproof GORE-TEX lining and membrane and a multi-purpose lace and zip closure system which is shrouded beneath a neoprene gusset.
Leica M10 Digital Rangefinder Camera
Equipped with a 24 mega-pixel full-frame complementary metal oxide semiconductor (or “CMOS”) sensor, Leica’s M10 Digital Rangefinder Camera is a rugged piece of photography equipment that’s perfect for capturing all of your adventures in or outside of the city. Alongside an optical 0.73x magnification viewfinder, the M10 also features one of the German camera giant’s Maestro II image processors and a 3.0″ LCD display fortified beneath a Corning Gorilla Glass screen. All told, Leica describes this camera as its most refined and state-of-the-art digital rangefinder of all time, too.
