Nigel Hall Menswear Review

Where is it?

1 King Street

Manchester

M2 6AW

www.nigelhallmenswear.com

History

 Nigel Hall has been designing a menswear collection under his own name for over a decade now. Previously stores have been exclusively London based (apart from the odd cameo in Harvey Nichols or Selfridges) but the brand has recently decided to roam further from the flagship store in Covent Garden than ever before. To Manchester.

The designs are supposed to carry the designer’s signature style with subtle reference to the 50s and 60s. A ‘modern approach to timeless classics.’

The first high street store outside the capital is into its eighth week of trading and the shop still has that new feeling to it. In the same way a new car smells for months, Nigel Hall smells like nobody has ever shopped there

Who shops there?

As previously stated, it would appear nobody. In London this brand has been successful enough to warrant no less than seven stores, two alone in Covent Garden, but amazingly this branch looks like nobody has ever picked up a T-shirt from the immaculately folded piles. Either the staff are faster at folding than a poker player holding nothing more a pair of threes, or shoppers simply aren’t going in there and browsing the range.

The wide range of shirts on offer are of excellent tailored quality and, as nobody shops there yet, you’ll find it easy to find one that suits your fit.

Why not then?

The best way to describe the range is as a kind of upmarket Next. It still appeals to dads who are trying to be young and fashionable, but manages to stay away from the levels of casual that other ‘dad retailers’ go to. You won’t find hoodies with patchwork numbers and badges sewn on here. Nigel Hall is for the more conservative father figure. He’ll play with his son in the garden sure, but he’s not going to get muddy in those stone tailored shorts, they were £75!

The knitwear is the highlight of the range. Merino wool is everywhere, with plain V-necks and knitted polo shirts in plenty of colours. The wide range of shirts on offer are of excellent tailored quality and, as nobody shops there yet, you’ll find it easy to find one that suits your fit. At £75 - £119 though, they are a little steep, especially as the styles can be hit and miss. I caught myself liking the look of one from a distance, only to pull it out to notice the pocket was a different colour, so I put it back.

Future

Nigel Hall is hoping to establish itself in Manchester as a full high street retailer, but it is still early days in terms of reaching that goal.

Verdict

If you are a mature adult male looking for some good quality, non offensive clothing to get you through the weekend, Nigel Hall is going to be the only store you need.

For those of a younger generation, it should be the first stop on your Christmas gift run. Pick up a merino wool cardigan and dad will not be disappointed.

Follow David on Twitter @daymccourt