Music, Style & Culture

Weekly Fashion Fix: Patch It Up

This season the patch – be it elbow, shoulder, or knee – is everywhere.

They used to be the sole reserve of ageing science teachers, but this season the patch – be it elbow, shoulder, or knee – is everywhere.

In ye olden days, patches would be sewn on by mums and grannies to make their sons’ and grandsons’ clobber last longer, these days they’re sewn on before they hit the shops. Well, they say prevention’s better than cure…

ASOS have taken the patch trend and run with it. The online store is littered with patches, but this Shooting Patches Crew Neck Jumper for £40 is one of our favourites. Why? Because of the quilting detail on the leather-look patches of course. And also ‘cos we’re a sucker for a chunky knit.

Cord? Check. Patches? Check. That’s right, this Black Cord Patch Sweatshirt from Topman features patches – on the shoulder and elbow - made from 100% tan cord. And while pleather’s got its place, we’re much more in favour of natural fabrics so this snug-fitting jumper gets the thumbs up from us. A deal at £28.

To add some class to the proceedings, we’ve picked out this Single Breasted Herringbone Tweed Jacket from H&M. Ok, so with its embossed buttons and imitation suede patches it’s only pseudo posh, but it still looks the part. Perfect attire for a Sunday stroll round the estate or as a spot of retro Jarvis Cocker-style garb. £39.99.

Elbow patches on hoodies? It’s a bit of an oxymoron, no? Ok, so if you’re prone to hanging round supermarket car parks after dark, this isn’t the hoodie for you. It’s a hoodie with a – wait for it – bit of sophistication. Yup, we didn’t think it was possible either. Well done River Island for proving us wrong. It’s not often that happens. Dark Grey Elbow Patch Hoodie £40.

Finally, if you’d rather work with what you’ve already got than acquire yet more clothes, simply sew on a pair of these Dritz Leather Elbow Patches from Jane’s Tote. Yep, at £42.34 they cost more than everything else on here, but these babies are the real deal: 100% leather. They come with perforated edges so sewing them on is a cinch. Next thing you know you’ll be crocheting.