Built for the Season: The &SONS Southland Shirt is Your New Winter Armour

Here at The Coolector, we have an almost boundless appreciation for brands that just get it. We’re not talking about the ephemeral, paper-thin trends of fast fashion, but the kind of gear that’s built with an unshakeable sense of purpose.

We’re talking about proper, hard-wearing garments that feel like an investment, pieces that have heritage and honest work baked into their very fibres. This brings us, as it so often does, to the masters of this very ethos, &SONS.

They consistently craft clothing that feels like it’s been pulled from a cooler, more rugged grandfather’s wardrobe, and their latest offering for the cold weather is a testament to this philosophy. The new &SONS Southland Shirt has landed, and frankly, it might be the only overshirt you’ll need this season.

This isn’t just another shirt; it’s a piece of winter-ready armour. The first thing you’ll notice, the thing that gives it such an impressive presence, is the fabric. This is not your geography teacher’s flimsy, high-street corduroy.

This is a proper, heavyweight, 350gsm 8-wale corduroy. For the uninitiated, that “8-wale” refers to the thick, chunky ridges of the cord, giving the garment a deeply tactile, robust, and almost architectural handle.

It’s the kind of material that just begs to be worn, a perfect balance of softness and toughness that’s engineered to take on real wear and tear. At 350gsm, it’s significantly heavier than your average shirt, placing it firmly in the “shacket” category—a perfect top layer for crisp autumn days.

But as we always say here at The Coolector, a garment is only as good as its details, and this is where &SONS truly excels. The Southland is inspired by classic utility shirts, the kind of indispensable layers that moved effortlessly between the workshop and the wilderness, and its features are a masterclass in functional design.

You get two bellowed chest pockets, which aren’t just flat, token patches. They have depth and space, designed for movement and for actually carrying your essentials. In a perfect nod to its workwear roots, one pocket even includes a classic carpenter’s pencil slot. This is the kind of thoughtful, heritage detail we absolutely live for. The durability doesn’t stop with the corduroy. The brand has reinforced the shirt with tough moleskin trim details in key areas, adding another layer of robust texture.

And, in a classic &SONS move, the interior is just as beautiful as the exterior. Open it up, and you’ll find contrast check internal trims and binding, a subtle flourish that nods to traditional outdoor wear. This is a shirt that looks just as good hung on a peg.

Of course, no proper workwear piece is complete without reinforcement where it counts, and the Southland delivers with reinforced elbow patches. This shirt is designed to be worn, to be lived in, and to build its own unique character the more you wear it. It’s all held together with premium Corozo buttons (no cheap plastic here) and finished with recycled polyester labels.

&SONS have given the Southland a relaxed fit, making it the ultimate layering companion. On milder days, throw it open over a Henley or a simple tee. As the mercury really drops, it becomes your go-to mid-layer, sliding perfectly under a heavy wax jacket or a down gilet. It’s a shirt with a real, tangible presence. For £150, this isn’t just a purchase; it’s an investment in a piece of clothing that will likely outlast 90% of your current wardrobe and look exponentially better doing it.

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