Toteme's New Menswear Line Narrows the Swag Gap

Skip to main contentThe Swedish cool-girl brand enlisted a Slimane-era Celine alum to launch clothing for guys.Courtesy of Toteme; Design: Brittany LogginsI get deeply, viscerally excited by ordinary things executed extraordinary well. A perfect martini. A steak cooked to precisely 128 degrees. A pair of jeans cut so carefully they look just as good with a slinky, cocooning sweater as they do a cropped, skintight tee. To me, nailing the basics is one of life’s small triumphs.Toteme’s inaugural menswear launch is that kind of triumph. After spending a decade or so perfecting its line of Swedish cool girl upgrades, the brand enlisted Alexander Häggblad (erstwhile head of menswear at Hedi Slimane’s Celine) to translate its design language for the boys, too—and I’m deeply, viscerally excited by the results.The debut collection arrives jam-packed with real simple, real good clothing: a boxy, buttery leather jacket, a hardy, heavyweight peacoat, shrunken shirting, and yes, just-right jeans. There’s also a knife-sharp double-breasted suit, the croc-embossed loafers you should wear it with, and two fresh riffs on the signature scarf jacket that put the brand on the map (the all-new scarf cardigan is on its way to me as you read this).There’s a lot more I could say about the assortment, but I’d rather let it speak for itself. If I’ve learned anything from charting Toteme’s stratospheric rise over the last ten-ish years, it’s that simple sometimes really is better. Have at it.The kind of leather jacket your grandchildren will just beg to inherit.TotemeScarf-Detailed Cashmere CardiganIf you, like me, are a guy who always loses his scarf, allow me to present the coolest (and most useful) solution I've yet to encounter.TotemeSoft Croco-Embossed LoafersTake my word for it: there is not a pant in your rotation that won’t be instantly improved by an elegantly weathered, black leather loafer.Not too baggy, not too slim; not too pale, not too dark. Meet the Goldilocks denim your pant rotation has been clamoring for.Toteme2.5cm Croc-Effect Leather BeltWhen you consider the fact that you can wear a good belt with a limitless number of pants, the cost-per-wear of buying a great one makes immediate sense.Dedicating a very special, heartfelt shoutout to the fabric-covered buttons on this sumptuous wool peacoat.TotemeStriped Cotton-Poplin ShirtNo, you don’t have to work in wealth management to rock a contrast-collar banker's shirt.Sure, you could pair this boxy, relaxed jacket with its matching trousers, but to really unlock its potential, try wearing it with any wash of Toteme's kick-flare jeans.TotemeD-Frame Acetate SunglassesRemember that boxy, relaxed jacket we were just talking about? These angular shades are exactly what you should wear it with.A good coat should do at least two things at once: look really cool, and keep you really warm. This beauty over-delivers on both fronts.TotemeCotton-Fleece Zip-Up HoodieThe fastest way to turn up the heat on a rotation of grounded neutrals.TotemeCotton-Blend Trench CoatFew pieces boast more legacy—or more versatility—than a classic khaki trench. Versions like this are a big part of the reason.Tyler Lee Sparling is a writer and editor covering all things menswear for GQ Recommends. As a stylist, he's worked with clients like The New Yorker, T Magazine, and Todd Snyder. He began his career as the Men’s Fashion Editor at Moda Operandi, and has maintained an online shopping wishlist ... Read More