Universal Works x Oi Polloi Present Mega Summer Capsule

Oi Polloi and Universal Works represent the best of British fashion. Those outside of Europe may not be familiar with either firm, however it is neither brands’ goal to be as big as Supreme, instead they focus on satisfying their respective niches from retail and design standpoints. 

Based in Manchester, Oi Polloi is a menswear shop that have got the Northern wardrobe down to a tee (or polo shirt), their Gallagher-esque vernacular and purveyance of only the finest of menswear is how they’ve amassed a cult following of bucket hat-wearing don dappers from all across the country - they only stock pieces that their staff themselves would wear, resulting in a true business-to-consumer, boutique approach to retail. 

It’s only recently that Oi Polloi has begun to venture into the world of fashion design and production, releasing a series of in-house sweats amongst partnerships with Scottish powerhouse Lyle and Scott and Mephisto shoes. 

Continuing their hot-streak of tasteful collaborations, Oi Polloi are celebrating twenty years of trading with a two hour drive down the M1 to Nottingham, setting up camp at the humble abode of fellow countrymen (and women) Universal Works.

It’d be safe to assume that anyone with fashion sense in the UK has at least one Universal Works piece in their wardrobe, it’s a truly mindful brand that largely produces their garments on home soil, offering real, honest clothing based on fit and considered design. Founder David Keyte started the brand from his kitchen in 2009 and has since grown his passion project into a globally recognised company that makes you feel proud to be British.   

Now that Oi Polloi are technically adults, rather than busting out the rainbow cake, they are instead taking that colour and implementing it across a kit collection of fatigue jackets, treck shirts, Cuban collars, formal track pants, two styles of hat and a striped, anniversary edition tote bag. Materials are kept simple yet refined, completed by the expert craftsmanship of the Universal Workers in summer-centric textiles of corduroy and seersucker cotton.

Check out the full array of summertime goodness on Oi Polloi’s website, the 21-piece collection drops on Thursday, July 7th at 10:00.a.m BST.