Cadet wore their military influences on their sleeves this season.

Rank and File

Raul Arevelo and Bradley Schmidt are the design duo behind NY label Cadet, and if their name wasn’t enough of a clue, they look in a military direction for inspiration. This meant no shortage of field jackets in tough woolens or pilot inspired jackets and overalls (in slinky cuts with plunging necklines for the ladies). Epaulettes, that most well-worn of military touchstones, were, of course, out in full force and even cropped up on a sleeveless parka.

Officers’ Mess

Other pieces felt more parade ground than front-line, and tailored elegance was in no short supply either. Think multi-buttoned coats fit for an officer (but rendered in playful plum and navy blanket stripes) or, a personal favourite, kimono style robe pieces with belt tie and cropped sleeves. One could read wide mesh pieces as a kinky chink in a serious armour, but even there they felt like a solider’s vest. Cadet’s inspirations are certainly heavily trodden ones in the canon of menswear, though the results remain rather appealing, if not revolutionary.

Photography: Hatnim Lee