Fashion & Beauty

Through the Racks: Alex Mill

Clockwise from left to right: A striped quarter-zip in wool,  a classic fisherman sweater updated, a versatile polo in cashmere and a tote to honor Fido.

This is the fourth in our occasional series browsing the aisles of some of fashion’s biggest brands and then guiding you with our thoughts on their best offerings.

By Janet Kelly

STYLE that never goes out of style is Alex Mill’s mantra.

Founded by Alex Drexler in 2012, in 2019, he joined forces with his famous father, Mickey (founder of Old Navy and Madewell and the former CEO of The Gap and J. Crew), and Somsack Sikhounmuong, former creative director of J. Crew and Madewell. Their mission: “to bring their customers not just any clothes, but the right clothes.”

Quilted outerwear is having its moment, and we love the look of this shell with its corduroy collar and trim, inspired by old-school military field liners/jackets. During January Thaw, wear it layered over shirts and sweaters. Then come April, it’s your go-to all chilly spring long. Also available in black and army green, the Quinn Jacket sells for $240.

 

Alex Mill connected with the creative director of Blank Supply in New York City to release a limited batch of Rework Jackets in one-of-a-kind vintage quilt patterns. The one above (no. 33) is from a “log cabin” block made with squares and strips of fabric sewn around a red center square believed to symbolize the hearth of a home. It sells for a spendy $650, but no one on your block will show up wearing anything remotely similar.

Alex Mill reinvents the classic bandana scarf in an all-wool, oversize, cold-weather version, adding an extra 13 inches to the standard size to create a wrap-able shape measuring 35-by-35 inches. For a change, swap it for your scarf under your coat.  It sells for $155.

 

Animal lover/owner or not, this Perfect Weekday Dog Tote ($225) is downright adorable. Thirteen inches high with a front panel that’s 17 inches wide and side panel 9.5 inches in width, each one is hand-painted with the silhouette of either a labrador, golden retriever, golden doodle or dachshund and is available in navy, beige or khaki. Inside, there’s a laptop-size compartment plus a zip pocket to keep keys and cash secure. Carry it with the double handles or with the shoulder strap. The snap closures let you make it more compact.

 

If your neck feels cold, so do you. Avoid that possibility by choosing a warm and generously sized scarf like this bright Tartan plaid in cashmere ($195) that’s 72 inches long by 12 inches wide. It’s from family-owned British manufacturer, Joshua Ellis, which has been producing handwoven goods since 1767.

Striped quarter-zip sweaters are ubiquitous this season. But instead of the usual cotton-wool blend, Alex Mill’s Felix Zip Merino Stripe is made from all wool and sized large enough to wear over the shirt of your choice. It sells for $195.

Lucky for us, Alex Mill is offering a host of post-holiday deals (all items are final sale–no returns or exchanges). Today’s the last day to score discounts.

With soft ruffles at the collar and cuffs, this feminine take on the button-down/button-up, available in rich olive as well as in white and navy, is reduced from $145 to $87. The site claims that the crisp poplin fabric looks even better a little rumpled and doesn’t require ironing. Plus, after seeing the Golden Globe-winning film Poor Things, I’m inclined to think any top with decorative detail on the sleeves looks fashion-forward.

 

A cross between a sweater and a jacket, this cardigan, knit from a two-ply, wool blend (80% merino wool, 20% recycled nylon), has a boxy, relaxed fit, ideal for layering and keeping you feeling snug. Reduced from $235 to $118, it’s waitlisted in this taupe color but still has plenty of availability in heather olive.

 

I’ve been eyeing these mid-rise, tapered cords for a while. I’ve always been partial to corduroy but couldn’t find the fit I preferred until recently. The dark olive Boy Pant (above) has a slightly higher notched waist and relaxed legs with pleats at the hips. The  sale price—for $78, reduced from $135—just might convince me to spring for it—and the matching blazer, too, which is selling for $113, down from its original $225 price tag.

 

With its face-framing collar, a few buttons at the neck that you can close or leave open to show a little skin, Alex Mill’s cashmere knit Alice polo is a go-with-everything kind of item. Reduced from $295 to $177, it’s not surprising the sweater is sold out in almost every size in every color—in addition to kelly green above, in oatmeal, black, pink and frost blue. Put your name on the wait list and cross your fingers.

 

A blend of 65% merino wool, 30% nylon and 5% alpaca, this updated (with a roll neck) and streamlined-fit fisherman sweater that’s reduced from $195 to $117. It’s currently sold out in every size in both this turquoise color and in barley. So, you have to put your name on a wait list. Sigh.

 

To see everything on sale now at Alex Mill, click here.

 

 

 

 

MyLittleBird often includes links to products we write about. Our editorial choices are made independently; nonetheless, a purchase made through such a link can sometimes result in MyLittleBird receiving a commission on the sale. We are also an  Amazon Associate.



2 thoughts on “Through the Racks: Alex Mill

  1. Stephanie S Cavanaugh says:

    Rarely am I ever en trend – in fact, tell me something’s popular and I’ll hobble as rapidly as possible in the other direction. BUT! Last week I fell in on-line love with a pair of trousers from LuluLemon (where I’ve previously bought not a stitch) that I was hoping to find in this lifetime without having them custom made. Today they arrived – dark brown cords so amazingly soft with drapey wide legs and an elastic waistband that manages to not look like one yet will accommodate a three course Italian dinner.On sale for $99, only the black and brown still available in a few sizes. DO I NEED ANOTHER PAIR OF BLACK PANTS? possibly.

    1. janet kelly says:

      I have to look. Recently got a pair of black cords from the Gap, which I like. Could always use a brown pair!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *