BEAMS Plus SS21 Plays With Components of Prep
Threading the needle of American casual and formalwear.








































Following a string of collaborations with the likes of Jansport, Arc’teryx and Paperboy Paris, Japanese retailer BEAMS has introduced the latest offering from its in-house BEAMS Plus line. As usual, the sub-label draws from what it terms the “golden age” of American fashion for Spring/Summer 2021, serving up a sampling of menswear inspired by the preppy styling of ’50s and ’60s ivy leaguers.
Trad wear is a popular trope for the omnipresent Japanese company, as BEAMS has mined the era time and time again for its multitude of private labels, though the ethos is most present in seasonal BEAMS Plus deliveries. This go-round the brand has graced its easygoing blazer, shirt and trousers styles with a plethora of Indian batik patterns, enlivening the Western silhouettes with bold color and dynamic accents.
Meanwhile, the multi-purpose Traveler coat and a tropical wool harrington jacket and short set make for snappy dressing, a sharp contrast to the baggy military cues that inform the field jacket, pullover smock, cargo pants and ripstop shorts styled with wanton appeal. Even sharper shapes come into focus with the double-breasted slub yarn blazer, complete with retro peak lapel for a properly old school summer suit.
The SS21 BEAMS Plus lineup hits BEAMS’ website on March 3, then arriving at global stockists like Goodhood and Canoe Club.
Meanwhile, BEAMS-affiliated brand Engineered Garments recently debuted its own new lookbook, this time for Fall/Winter 2021.