Styles · An idea under Classic

Model off duty

Plain jeans and tees, simple knits, wool coats and leather or denim jackets: the plain, sharp clothes models wear between shows.

The model off duty look is plain clothes worn sharp: straight or wide jeans, a white or black tee, a simple knit, a wool coat or a leather jacket, and loafers. It skips logos and loud colour, and relies on fit and good cloth.

The name comes from street style pictures of models leaving the shows, which fashion blogs made popular in the two thousands. Sunspel, an English maker since the eighteen sixties, cuts the plain crewneck tees here, and A.P.C., started in Paris by Jean Touitou, is known for raw denim and plain shirts. COOR, a South Korean label, brings straight jeans, leather jackets and wool coats, and Guidi, which began as a tannery in Tuscany, adds loafers dyed after they are made.

Wear a straight jean with a plain tee and a leather jacket, or a knit under a long wool coat, with loafers or flat boots. Due West in Toronto carries most of it, from COOR, Sunspel and A.P.C. to Nudie Jeans and Les Deux. WDLT117 adds MM6 Maison Margiela and Guidi, and Utopia adds Amiri and Acne Studios jeans.

Common questions

What is a model off duty outfit?
Plain, relaxed basics worn sharp: straight or baggy jeans, a plain tee or tank, one good outer layer such as a long wool coat or a leather jacket, and loafers, flat boots or clean sneakers. It leaves out logos and sportswear.
Where does the model off duty look come from?
Models going between shows in Paris, Milan and New York wore plain clothes that are quick to change out of. Street style photographers outside the shows made the look famous in the two thousands.
Which designers make model off duty clothes?
Sunspel cuts plain cotton tees, A.P.C. makes jeans and plain shirts, and COOR brings straight jeans, leather jackets and wool coats. Guidi's loafers finish the look.