We tend to notice the cloth first with Wax London.
The Whiting overshirt is the clearest example. Its shape is uncomplicated: a regular cut, two chest pockets and a straight hem. Wax then changes the fabric each season, giving each version a completely different character.
This autumn’s Whiting uses a woven pike check in rust, blue, brown and natural tones. It has enough weight to wear over a T-shirt or fine knit, but still feels less bulky than a full jacket. The corozo buttons and fabric from a family-run French mill add to the appeal without making the piece feel overworked.
It is a good introduction to what Wax London does. Familiar menswear shapes are given more interest through cloth, colour and texture.
Wax London since 2015
Wax London was founded in 2015 with the aim of making clothing with character.
The brand is based in London, where its collections are designed, but its fabric references come from further afield. Its clothing combines elements of British menswear with Mediterranean colour and Indian textile craft.
According to the Wax London story, the team works with specialist mills and suppliers to source distinctive fabrics, weaves, patterns and prints. That focus is visible throughout the collection, particularly in the overshirts and knitwear.
Wax rarely relies on large logos or obvious branding. The fabric usually provides the identity of the garment.
The Whiting overshirt
The Whiting has become one of Wax London’s most recognisable pieces.
It sits somewhere between a shirt and a jacket, which makes it particularly useful during autumn. It can be worn open over a plain T-shirt, buttoned over a fine knit or placed beneath a heavier coat later in the year.
Although the basic cut remains consistent, Wax produces the Whiting in different checks, weights and woven finishes. Some versions feel clean and understated, while others use stronger colour combinations or a more pronounced texture.
Our current Pike Check version combines rust, natural, blue and brown. The colours work particularly well with dark denim, ecru trousers and brown footwear.
Two sides to the Mount overshirt
The Mount takes the idea of a textured overshirt a step further.
The outer fabric is a dusty brown wool blend with a raised bouclé finish. Turn it inside out and it becomes a quilted layer, giving you two noticeably different ways to wear it.
The wool side has the richer appearance, while the quilted reverse is cleaner and more functional. Patch pockets and corozo buttons keep the construction straightforward.
It is one of those pieces that is difficult to judge from a flat photograph. The surface of the wool and the weight of the cloth are much more apparent when you see it in person.
Lighter layers from Wax London
Not every Wax overshirt is built around wool or heavy woven cloth.
The Lytton uses lightweight charcoal nylon with a crinkled finish. It has a double-ended zip, snap cuffs and an unlined construction. Compared with the Whiting and Mount, it has a cleaner, more technical appearance.
That difference in fabric changes how it can be worn. The Lytton is light enough for mild weather and compact enough to sit underneath a coat. The double zip also lets you adjust the shape when sitting or layering it over a longer top.
Knitwear and the Gower gilet
Texture continues through the knitwear.
The Tristan is a chocolate brown, button-through knitted polo made from a brushed wool blend with a touch of mohair. The collar gives it more structure than a standard cardigan, while the soft surface stops the dark brown from looking flat.
It can be worn as a shirt with the buttons fastened or used as a light cardigan over a T-shirt.
The Gower gilet takes a different route. It uses an oatmeal and multicolour checked Italian wool blend, finished with cotton binding and kangaroo pockets. The sleeveless shape works over a shirt, sweatshirt or knit without adding bulk through the arms.
Both pieces add warmth, but the main attraction is the fabric. They bring texture and colour into an outfit without depending on bold graphics or branding.
Wax London denim
The Felix jean gives the collection a solid base.
It is cut with a loose fit and made from selvedge denim in a dark rinse wash. The fabric has already been rinsed, so it feels less rigid than completely raw denim while retaining the clean colour and structure of a new pair.
The wider cut balances the volume of the Wax overshirts and knitwear particularly well. Wear it with the Whiting and boots for a heavier autumn outfit, or keep the top half simple with the Dean textured cotton T-shirt.
If you usually wear slimmer jeans, the Felix will feel noticeably roomier through the leg. That is intentional and is an important part of the shape.
How does Wax London fit?
Most of the Wax London overshirts and knitwear in our current collection have a regular fit. They are designed with enough room for a layer underneath without feeling excessively oversized.
The Felix jeans have a deliberately looser cut, so they should not be compared directly with a slim or tapered jean.
Your usual size is a sensible starting point, but the fabric and intended use of each piece are also worth considering. A Whiting worn as a shirt may suit a neater fit, while the same style worn as an autumn jacket may need a little more room.
We include measurements on the individual product pages. You can also visit Unit 17 in Cardiff to try the collection and compare sizes.
Shop Wax London at Unit 17
You can shop the Wax London collection online at Unit 17.
The current collection includes checked and reversible overshirts, textured knitwear, selvedge denim and lighter transitional pieces.
Visit us at 12 Morgan Arcade, Cardiff, to see the fabrics in person and get advice on sizing.
Photos by Rachael May Photography
