A Tactile Obsession: Basketweave Jackets
If you ask why I hold such affection for basketweave, I would begin with the hand. Running your fingers across the surface, you will feel a gentle undulation, the rise and dip of warp and weft as they trade places. It is a weave that engages not only the eyes but also the touch—a quality that, in fine tailoring, matters as much as silhouette. A textured cloth fulfils two of the only two out of five human sensorium (touch, smell, taste, intuition in addition to the long privileged faculty of sight).
Structurally, basketweave shares kinship with meshes and hopsacks, yet its principle remains fixed: two yarns interlaced to anchor the foundation, two floating to form the surface. This gives it an innate openness, allowing air to pass freely, creating breathability without surrendering strength. Linen–wool blends are already beloved for such qualities, so we won’t belabour the point here; today, it is the texture itself that takes centre stage.
Where wabi-sabi finds its beauty in imperfection, basketweave gestures to the opposite: the quiet satisfaction of perfect proportion, symmetry held in delicate balance. The human body is full of quirks and asymmetries—the uneven shoulder, the natural twist of posture—yet basketweave stands firm, steady, consistent. In its regularity lies its charm: structure meeting freedom, discipline softening into ease. Each square is a small parable of order—threads crossing,parting, and crossing again, reminding us that elegance so often rests upon the simplest of elements, perfectly aligned.
Brash isn't quite the word we'd use to describe a basketweave. It doesn’t shout for attention. Its pattern rewards the watchful eye, offering depth without dominance. Under bright sunlight, the raised intersections shimmer softly; in subdued lamplight, they sink into velvety shadow. It is a weave for those who appreciate detail, who prefer understatement over ostentation.
In the long history of human craft, basketweave stands as one of the most enduring and poetic constructions. Its rhythm recalls Gothic rafters arching in solemn symmetry, or the rattan and bamboo structures woven across Asia—an architecture of body and object alike. Picture warp and weft moving in patient sequence: two up, two down, over and under, a measured dance producing its square, checkerboard effect. Simplicity here is no weakness; it is the heart of its genius. Basketweave manages to be both practical and refined, robust yet infinitely adaptable.
And how should it be worn? To make it clear, this is no casual cloth by chance.Its natural dignity places it firmly in the realm of smart dress, though it grants permission to lean a little looser. Pair with wool trousers for sharpness, or with smart chinos for a modern inflection. If the mood strikes, denim or even tailored shorts will sit comfortably, especially in resort settings where the linen element comes into its own. From office to off-duty, daylight to evening, it carries itself with assurance.
In navy or in rust—our two chosen expressions—you find two sides of the same coin. Navy is timeless, sober, professional; rust is warm, open, and just a touch flamboyant. Both are born of the same cloth vision, yet they tell different stories. The question, then, is not which is better, but which speaks to you.
Both pieces are available under ready-to-wear and custom tailoring.
72% Linen, 28% Wool
An elevated summer sport jacket designed with a strong emphasis on texture and warm-weather dressing. Woven in a refined two-by-two basketweave, this jacket draws inspiration from artisanal traditions— echoing the tactile beauty of rattan, raffia, bamboo weaving, as well as hand embroidery. The fabric is a thoughtful blend: predominantly linen for breathability and crisp structure, with wool introduced for softness and graceful drape, resulting in a garment that’s both visually rich and comfortably lightweight.
Our jacket features an unpadded shoulder with our signature lapel buttonhole, with higher armholes giving the garment an exceptional range of motion. We’ve also extended the shoulders slightly to complement the spalla camicia, also described as the waterfall shoulders, for a more laid back aesthetic.
Pair this with: beige, brown, cream, grey, and white.
Product Details:
Fully canvassed and half lined
3-roll-2 button stance
Notch lapels with a single signature handmade buttonhole
Horn buttons
Patch waist pockets with a patch chest pocket
Two internal chest pockets
Side vents
Comes with Unfinished sleeves
Size Chart
85% Cotton 8% Ramie 7% Linen
Part of The Anthology’s resortwear collection, these modern-vintage cotton linen shorts are inspired by classic baker styles, updated for today’s summer wardrobe. Designed with a wider opening for a relaxed silhouette, they feature oversized double-stitched front pockets, back flaps, and a functional zip fly.
Crafted from a breathable blend of cotton, linen, and ramie, this fabric merges the softness of cotton with the airy, quick-drying nature of linen. A subtle addition of ramie merges the best of both worlds, heightening the softness of cotton yet enhancing the coolness of linen. The result is a refined, warm-weather short with minimal creasing—ideal for relaxed resort wear or off-duty style. Polished yet comfortable, it echoes the charm of classic preppy chinos while offering added ventilation for hot days.
For best results, hem to just above the knee or visit your tailor for adjustments.
Care tips: Cold wash (below 30°C) by hand or machine, hang dry only
55% French Linen, 45% Supima Cotton
Our reinterpretation of the classic polo shirt strives for the utmost precision and excellence in detail and quality, resulting in a foolproof and failproof garment. We have chosen an exceptional blend of materials, balancing touch and drape. This thoughtful approach extends to the innovative new silhouette that guarantees the garment retains its most natural and flattering form.
Our design features longer sleeves and a straighter cut through the body, complemented by a shorter overall length. This juxtaposed proportion creates a smart leisure silhouette that offers versatility, allowing the polo to be worn tucked or untucked with equal elegance. Each minute detail reflects our deep understanding of tailoring and proportions, ensuring this piece stands out as a testament to meticulous craftsmanship.
The piece also highlights its choice of fabrication. The combination of cotton and linen gives extra breathability and character to the texture while maintaining a luxurious, supple hand. The purity of the blend also offers a natural stretch for the cloth to hang and manoeuvre. It is luxury functional wear in its simplest and highest form.
Care tips: Cold wash (below 30°C) by hand or machine, hang dry only
Also available in seafoam green, oatmeal, and black
Size Chart
We are delighted to co-create this street slipper with Bowhill & Elliott, the last remaining slipper maker in the UK. This esteemed house still upholds the traditional ethos of "make in the back, sell in the front," with the entire shoemaking process taking place within two floors.
The upper pattern of the street slipper is meticulously hand-cut from a single piece, resulting in a more fluid and seamless design. Departing from the conventional Albert-style evening slipper, this tailored creation features a shorter vamp and eliminates sharp turns on the tongue, maintaining a consistently soft contour. This complements the natural curves of our tailoring, allowing for a more casual styling option. Imagine a standard slip-on loafer, but refined with one-piece leather and a thin, hand-attached sole that closely hugs the bottom of the shoe, exuding an understated elegance. It pairs beautifully with trousers, denim, and shorts alike.
Crafted from calf suede in a rich tan shade, the upper is both supple and durable, allowing for comfortable movement in this hand-lasted slipper. This design elevates the common loafer, adding an extra touch of sophistication and individuality to your ensemble.
Summary:
- UK sizing
- Tan calf suede upper
- Single leather sole. Topy (rubber) soles are recommended to be attached by your local cobbler before wearing.
If your size is not available, kindly email customercare@theanthology.net for special orders.
72% Linen, 28% Wool
An elevated summer sport jacket designed with a strong emphasis on texture and warm-weather dressing. Woven in a refined two-by-two basketweave, this jacket draws inspiration from artisanal traditions— echoing the tactile beauty of rattan, raffia, bamboo weaving, as well as hand embroidery. The fabric is a thoughtful blend: predominantly linen for breathability and crisp structure, with wool introduced for softness and graceful drape, resulting in a garment that’s both visually rich and comfortably lightweight.
This design features a 6-roll-2 configuration, slightly more horizontal lapels, subtly angled, signature lapel buttonhole, also higher armholes giving the garment an exceptional range of motion. We’ve also extended the shoulders slightly with our unpadded waterfall shoulder for an extra touch of casual flair.
Pair this with: khaki, olive, grey, black, and white.
Product Details:
Fully canvassed and half lined
6-roll-2 button stance
Peak lapels with a single signature handmade buttonhole
Horn buttons
Jetted waist pockets with welted chest pocket
Two internal chest pockets
Side vents
Comes with Unfinished sleeves
Size Chart
85% Cotton 8% Ramie 7% Linen
Part of The Anthology’s resortwear collection, these modern-vintage cotton linen shorts are inspired by classic baker styles, updated for today’s summer wardrobe. Designed with a wider opening for a relaxed silhouette, they feature oversized double-stitched front pockets, back flaps, and a functional zip fly.
Crafted from a breathable blend of cotton, linen, and ramie, this fabric merges the softness of cotton with the airy, quick-drying nature of linen. A subtle addition of ramie merges the best of both worlds, heightening the softness of cotton yet enhancing the coolness of linen. The result is a refined, warm-weather short with minimal creasing—ideal for relaxed resort wear or off-duty style. Polished yet comfortable, it echoes the charm of classic preppy chinos while offering added ventilation for hot days.
For best results, hem to just above the knee or visit your tailor for adjustments.
Care tips: Cold wash (below 30°C) by hand or machine, hang dry only
55% French Linen, 45% Supima Cotton
Our reinterpretation of the classic polo shirt strives for the utmost precision and excellence in detail and quality, resulting in a foolproof and failproof garment. We have chosen an exceptional blend of materials, balancing touch and drape. This thoughtful approach extends to the innovative new silhouette that guarantees the garment retains its most natural and flattering form.
Our design features longer sleeves and a straighter cut through the body, complemented by a shorter overall length. This juxtaposed proportion creates a smart leisure silhouette that offers versatility, allowing the polo to be worn tucked or untucked with equal elegance. Each minute detail reflects our deep understanding of tailoring and proportions, ensuring this piece stands out as a testament to meticulous craftsmanship.
The piece also highlights its choice of fabrication. The combination of cotton and linen gives extra breathability and character to the texture while maintaining a luxurious, supple hand. The purity of the blend also offers a natural stretch for the cloth to hang and manoeuvre. It is luxury functional wear in its simplest and highest form.
Care tips: Cold wash (below 30°C) by hand or machine, hang dry only
Also available in seafoam green, oatmeal, and venetian red
Size Chart
We are delighted to co-create this street slipper with Bowhill & Elliott, the last remaining slipper maker in the UK. This esteemed house still upholds the traditional ethos of "make in the back, sell in the front," with the entire shoemaking process taking place within two floors.
The upper pattern of the street slipper is meticulously hand-cut from a single piece, resulting in a more fluid and seamless design. Departing from the conventional Albert-style evening slipper, this tailored creation features a shorter vamp and eliminates sharp turns on the tongue, maintaining a consistently soft contour. This complements the natural curves of our tailoring, allowing for a more casual styling option. Imagine a standard slip-on loafer, but refined with one-piece leather and a thin, hand-attached sole that closely hugs the bottom of the shoe, exuding an understated elegance. It pairs beautifully with trousers, denim, and shorts alike.
Crafted from grained deerskin in mocha, the upper is both supple and durable, allowing for comfortable movement in this hand-lasted slipper. This design elevates the common loafer, adding an extra touch of sophistication and individuality to your ensemble.
Summary:
- UK sizing
- Mocha deerskin upper
- Single leather sole. Topy (rubber) soles are recommended to be attached by your local cobbler before wearing
If your size is not available, kindly email customercare@theanthology.net for special orders.