There was a distinctly aristocratic flavour to the shows at Milan Menswear Week as the big names in style took their fans on a well-heeled stroll down the runway. Major labels like Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry and Gianfranco Ferre all decided to bring old-fashioned sophistication back to the Italian city with a display of vintage cuts and classic, refined elegance.
Burberry designer Christopher Bailey confessed the Duke of Windsor, regarded by many as the quintessential prince of romance, was the inspiration for his latest creations. His models strutted down the catwalk with double-breasted coats and wool stocking hats covering their soft, prep school sweaters.
Dominico Dolce and his longtime collaborator Stefano Gabbana meanwhile lived up to their reputation for combining old and new as noone else can. Elegant pleated trousers and ornate gilded belt buckles were matched with striking military style coats featuring brass buttons and braiding. There was an air of a mysterious Russian count to the green cutaway jacket with gold detail that was one of the highlights of the show.
Meanwhile local boy Gianfranco Ferre, who hails from Milan, seemed to have taken a sojourn at Eton, with youthful elegance dominating the cream and white ensembles of his latest range. Indeed even the supremely hip Dean and Dan Caten, better known as DSquared, opted for an education in old-fashioned values, as they presented a new line of stately tunic coats with flat caps and riding boots.
The Canadian duo added glamour to proceedings by sending Sin City star Brittany Murphy down the runway alongside their chisel-jawed hunks. And they weren't the only ones who enlisted the support of an A-list friend. Roberto Cavalli notched up something of a coup by featuring Victoria Beckham in his show.
