Nearby, a Roman wall dating back approximately 2,000 years stands as another reminder that exceptional construction can survive long after its creators have disappeared. And here we are, wearing a beautiful olive-green jacket from Henri-Lloyd’s new Originals Autumn Winter 2026 collection. The connection might seem unusual. What does a British sailing jacket have in common with ancient Roman stonework and centuries-old Italian olive trees?

The answer is wonderfully simple. Heritage. Longevity. Craftsmanship. And the belief that something made properly should stand the test of time. Henri-Lloyd understands this philosophy rather well. Founded in 1963, the British sailing clothing specialist has spent more than six decades developing garments for people who venture onto the water, often in conditions where fashionable appearances come second to protection, reliability and performance. For AW26, the brand revisits its archives with Originals, a collection celebrating some of its most recognisable jackets and knitwear, reimagined for a modern generation.

And rather than photographing our jacket in a marina surrounded by expensive yachts, we decided to tell its story somewhere entirely different. Among the olive trees of Tuscany. Because genuine heritage travels beautifully.

Forty Years of Sailing in Holland – A Model Who Knows the Water

Our model is no stranger to sailing. With more than 40 years of sailing experience in Holland, he understands the relationship between clothing, weather and the unpredictable character of the water. The Netherlands has a remarkable sailing culture. From inland lakes and canals to the wide expanses of the IJsselmeer and the challenging conditions of the North Sea, Dutch sailors learn very quickly that appearance alone is never enough.

A beautiful jacket might look impressive standing beside a yacht, but what happens when the wind changes direction, the temperature drops or rain arrives unexpectedly? That is when practical design becomes important. After four decades of sailing, you develop an appreciation for clothing that allows you to move comfortably, offers reliable protection and does not feel unnecessarily complicated. For our model, Henri-Lloyd is part of a tradition of sailing clothing built around those requirements. There is something rather fitting about a sailor with 40 years of experience modelling a jacket inspired by more than 60 years of maritime innovation. Neither needs to pretend to understand the sea. And that authenticity is exactly what we wanted to capture in Tuscany.

The Henri-Lloyd Consort – A Jacket With an Extraordinary History

Some jackets become fashionable because a celebrity wears them. Others become iconic because of what people achieve while wearing them. The Henri-Lloyd Consort belongs to the second category. One of the company’s most celebrated designs, the original Consort was developed using Bri-Nylon, an innovative material that offered lightweight waterproof protection and flexibility at a time when sailing clothing was undergoing significant technological change.

The jacket became associated with legendary British sailor Sir Francis Chichester, who wore a Consort during his remarkable solo circumnavigation aboard Gipsy Moth IV in 1966–67. Imagine that for a moment. Months at sea, changing weather, isolation and the tremendous physical and psychological demands of navigating around the world. This was not clothing designed simply to look attractive in a catalogue. It was equipment intended to help someone achieve something extraordinary. That history gives the Consort a personality that no amount of artificial distressing or vintage-inspired marketing can manufacture. For AW26, Henri-Lloyd revisits the original design while updating the materials and construction for contemporary life

Olive Green – A Colour That Belongs in Tuscany

The moment we saw the olive-green colour, our photography location became obvious. Tuscany in autumn is an extraordinary landscape of earthy greens, golden light, weathered stone and olive trees preparing for harvest. Unlike the bright colours often associated with technical sailing clothing, olive green is wonderfully understated. It is masculine without being aggressive, sophisticated without appearing formal, and practical without looking utilitarian.

Against the ancient Roman wall, the jacket creates a beautiful contrast between modern fabric and historic stone. Beneath the olive trees, it almost becomes part of the landscape. The colour also works particularly well for men who prefer a wardrobe built around timeless pieces rather than seasonal trends. Think dark denim, sturdy leather boots, wool knitwear and traditional trousers. Nothing complicated. Nothing excessively styled. Just confident, practical dressing. That is the beauty of a jacket that has been designed around genuine purpose. It does not require an elaborate outfit to make an impression.

Our Review – Quality You Can See and Feel

Having received the Henri-Lloyd jacket for our editorial review, what immediately impressed us was its overall quality. There is a reassuring feeling to a well-made jacket. The material has substance, the silhouette looks considered, and the overall appearance communicates durability rather than disposable fashion. Our olive-green jacket feels excellent to wear and looks equally impressive in person. This is particularly important with heritage outerwear because authenticity cannot be achieved through branding alone.

A logo might tell you who manufactured something, but its construction, fabric and comfort tell you whether the garment deserves its reputation. The Consort Original’s contemporary specification includes insulated diamond quilting, a protective collar, weather-resistant construction and practical details such as adjustable cuffs and a two-way front zip. Henri-Lloyd also incorporates modern recycled materials and a water-repellent finish designed without intentionally added PFAS chemistry.

These are thoughtful updates to a historic design. Walking through the Tuscan countryside, the jacket feels entirely at home. It is comfortable, smart and sufficiently understated to be worn well beyond the sailing environment. Our experience has been with its fit, appearance and everyday comfort, rather than a prolonged offshore waterproofing trial. Nevertheless, the initial impression is of a garment designed with serious attention to both style and practical use. And that combination is increasingly difficult to find.

Eileen II – Ninety Years of Maritime Elegance

For the official Originals campaign, Henri-Lloyd chose an equally remarkable setting. The collection was photographed aboard Eileen II, a beautiful classic yacht designed by Alfred Mylne in 1934, sailing in Norway. More than 90 years after her creation, Eileen II remains an extraordinary example of enduring maritime design.

Her elegance comes not from unnecessary decoration, but from balance, engineering and purpose. The yacht represents a period when craftsmen and designers approached construction with an expectation of longevity. That same philosophy sits at the centre of the Originals collection. A classic sailing yacht and a well-designed jacket might appear to inhabit different worlds, but both depend on the same essential principles. Good materials. Intelligent construction. Functionality. Maintenance. And respect for craftsmanship. Henri-Lloyd has chosen an appropriate symbol of endurance for the collection.

Roman Walls, Olive Trees and Clothing That Outlives Trends

Standing beside our ancient Roman wall in Tuscany, the parallels become even more interesting. The wall has survived because of the materials and building techniques used by craftsmen thousands of years ago. The olive trees continue to grow, produce fruit and provide shade through successive generations.

Both have endured change without losing their fundamental character. Of course, a jacket cannot be expected to last 2,000 years. But the philosophy remains relevant. Why should clothing be designed around the expectation that it will become unwanted after a single winter? Why should every new collection require abandoning the designs that made a brand successful in the first place? The most respected heritage brands understand that reinvention does not always mean starting again.

Sometimes the greatest innovation is knowing what deserves to be preserved. Henri-Lloyd’s Originals collection builds upon that principle. It respects recognisable designs while introducing modern materials and contemporary comfort. Rather than pretending the past never happened, the brand is embracing it. And that is precisely why photographing this collection against the enduring landscape of Tuscany felt so appropriate.

How to Style the Olive-Green Henri-Lloyd Jacket for AW26

One of the strongest qualities of this jacket is its versatility. For a relaxed weekend in Tuscany, we would pair it with dark straight-leg denim, a cream roll-neck jumper and brown leather boots. For a more traditional British countryside look, olive green works beautifully with corduroy trousers, a chunky wool sweater and practical walking footwear.

And for men who enjoy the maritime aesthetic, navy trousers, a striped Breton top and leather deck shoes create an effortless connection to the jacket’s sailing heritage. The beauty of olive green is that it rarely demands attention, yet it adds enormous character to an outfit. It also ages stylistically rather well. Unlike some fashionable colours that become associated with a particular year, olive green has a timeless connection to military clothing, country dressing, workwear and traditional outdoor garments. It is a colour men can return to year after year.

Why Heritage Matters More Than Ever in Menswear

Modern menswear is increasingly divided between rapidly changing trends and garments designed for long-term ownership. At MenStyleFashion, we have always appreciated clothing that comes with a meaningful history. There is something deeply satisfying about knowing why a jacket was originally created, who wore it and how it evolved.

The Henri-Lloyd Originals collection offers precisely that. Its designs are not merely borrowing the appearance of traditional sailing clothing. They come from a company whose history is directly connected to the sport. And when someone who has spent over 40 years sailing in Holland wears one of these jackets, that heritage feels especially relevant.

This is clothing that can travel from a Dutch marina to an Italian olive grove without losing its identity. It looks as comfortable beside an ancient stone wall as it does against the background of a classic sailing yacht. That is what great design should achieve.

Our Verdict – A Jacket Worth Keeping

There are jackets you buy for a particular season. Then there are jackets you buy because you can imagine wearing them for many years. Henri-Lloyd’s olive-green Originals jacket firmly belongs in the second category. Its appeal lies in the combination of authentic sailing history, attractive design, quality construction and everyday versatility.

We particularly appreciate how naturally it fits into the Tuscan landscape, where old stone buildings, ancient olive trees and traditional craftsmanship remind us of the importance of making things properly. The new Originals collection is not simply about looking backwards.It is about recognising which designs deserve to move forwards.

And perhaps that is the greatest compliment we can pay Henri-Lloyd. A jacket born from the sea, photographed among centuries-old olive trees, and worn by a man with more than 40 years of sailing experience. Different generations. Different landscapes. One shared appreciation for endurance. Some things are simply too good to leave behind.