Wrangler Unveils New Autumn / Winter 2006 Ranges

29/07/2006

Gritty, inspirational themes of Americana underpin the design behind Wrangler’s Autumn/Winter 2006 men’s and women’s collections. For men, there’s Flight School and Tornado Chaser and for women, there’s Tar Heel Roller Girls and Hot Rod Honeys. The collections embrace nostalgic, quintessentially American, blue-collar icons as well as the themes of freedom of the road; the wide-open spaces of the Mid-West; man’s titanic struggle with natural forces and the unlimited potential and romance of the skies. The result is jeans-wear and clothing with a vintage, lived-in look that reveals both utility and military influences. The use of new styles and finishes and the evolution of subtle Wrangler design elements keeps the ranges classic in feel but contemporary in detail.

Wrangler’s key brand icons have been kept fresh with various design tweaks and innovations – these include the introduction of new variations on the Wrangler leather patch that include shrunk and bleached versions to create a natural worn-out look and feel. For some styles, at the back patch area, a relief version of the logo has been situated inside the cloth, so the logo will be more visible the more the item is used and washed. The designers have also been allowed a lot of latitude in terms of the positioning of the Wrangler patch.

The worn look is underlined throughout the collections by the clever use of quick repair stitched hems and even features such as leaving repair thread visible. Stitching is in red thread throughout and visually present as a decorative addition in some core styles using contrasting colours. Especially within the women’s collection, prints are applied across both denim and non denim garments to create strongly visible messages. There is a wide variety of printing techniques and denim finishes and stitching and back pocket alternatives. Women’s features include off-set belt loops and zipped back pockets (Nina); hip adjusters and longer, riveted back loops (Bianca).

There’s also a great skirt available in jeans and flat fabric that has two folded splits at the front plus two flap pockets and a double-buttoned closure. Men’s features include additional stitching around the back pockets, additional leg pockets, hip adjusters and in the case of Spencer, even a herringbone watch pocket and reverse belt loops.

In terms of fit for men, Wrangler has gone for a continuation of the trend towards narrow shaped legs: Spencer has a low waist and a remarkably slim fit; Cassidy has a straight and extra low fit whilst Fisher, Wrangler ’s worker chino has a relaxed fit and as it is inspired by work wear, features a screwdriver pocket and is also available in flat fabric. For women, the cigarette leg and the pressed pleat flare are back as important new styles. Nina features a cigarette legged bottom with a zip at ankle-height and other styles are enhanced by a 4/5 length, low crotch and narrow fit.


W Rivet Men

Flight School (July – August 2006 Delivery)

The theme of learning to fly also evokes the mythology and heroism of the history of flying – think pioneering test pilots; stunt flying and feats of aviation endurance. The collection contains a remarkable assortment of jackets and a marvellous variety of checked shirts, which are loaded with themed details and imagery such as Test Pilot, Royal Academy of Aviation, military flight school symbols, Instructor and Young. Prints are combinations of true printing, flocks and embroideries and are not just centred on the shirts’ fronts and backs, prints also appear as shoulder decorations, arm prints and even inside the hood of hooded sweat tops.

Tornado Chaser (September – October 2006 Delivery)

This collection is more winter-focussed and makes reference to extreme weather forecasts. Again, details are of major importance in terms of prints as well as in the use of contrast stitching. Prints refer to savage weather forecasts and themes such as Thunder & Lightning, Dragons of Fear and Tornado. The vintage-inspired winter parka is an extraordinary coat with amazing details inside and out. Another vintage inspired item is a shirt with the granddad collar complete with uniform-like front pockets.


W Rivet Women

Tar Heel Roller Girls (July – August 2006 Delivery)

The roller skate girls theme brings with it humour and colour. North Carolina is famous for its roller girls and this collection is named in honour of the state’s nickname the Tar Heel State. Colours complement the men’s collection, yet are softer and more subdued. There’s a vivid set of three denim items - a basic, regular-style denim jacket, a double-breasted blazer that hints at early 1900’s military uniforms, and a waistcoat with an adjuster at the back. Checked shirts perfectly representing the roller girls theme and include pearl snaps, epaulettes and back prints. Sweats and hooded sweats feature a wide variety of themed flock prints including on the hood itself.

Hot Rod Honeys (September – October 2006 Delivery)

This is 1930’s Hollywood/Las Vegas glamour mixed with race-day attitude. There’s a striking, retro styled, shiny black nylon jacket with Rockabilly ‘Lady Luck’ lettering embroidered on the back that promises to be a cult fashion hit. There’s also a beautiful, hooded women’s parka that has a camouflage undertone; a military styled jacket with an integrated waist buckle; a new parka bomber jacket – in air force evergreen denim and trimmed with fur around the detachable hood; a knit cardigan with a shawl-like opening and loose threads in contrasting colours at the front, with a classic thirties print of playing cards and the words ‘Dangerous Dames’ on the back.

Back to News List