Farah: Texture, Tactility & Timeless Style — A New Season at Atom Retro

Summer style is having a moment — and Farah is leading the charge. This season, the iconic menswear brand delivers a masterclass in tactile design with a collection built not only to be seen, but to be felt. From woven ridges to raised dobby patterns and airy knit structures, these new arrivals offer subtle character, effortless versatility, and the kind of understated cool that has defined Farah for decades. Lightweight enough for bright warm days yet substantial enough for those breezy evenings where the temperature dips, the collection embodies relaxed refinement. It’s proof that summer menswear doesn’t have to rely on loud prints or bold colours to make an impact — sometimes texture tells the story better than anything else.

From Texas Workwear to British Subculture Legend

To fully appreciate what Farah is offering this season, you need to trace its journey through fashion history. Founded in 1920 in Texas, Farah originally specialised in sturdy utilitarian garments designed for work and wear. The fabrics were tough, durable and practical — built less for the runway and more for daily graft in factories, fields and workshops. But while the brand’s American beginnings established a foundation of lasting quality, Farah’s true cultural awakening happened decades later and thousands of miles away.

When Farah crossed the Atlantic during the 1970s, it found an entirely new identity as a cornerstone of British youth style. It became a defining name on streets, dancefloors and terraces as subcultures adopted its clothing as symbolic uniform. Mods appreciated its neat silhouettes and sharp simplicity; Rude Boys embraced the polished edge; Casuals of the 1980s adopted Farah trousers as wardrobe essentials; and the 1990s indie music scene — spearheaded by Britpop swagger — made the brand a staple for musicians and fans who wanted tailored style without traditional formality. For generations, Farah was not just a label — it was an attitude.

This is precisely what sets Farah apart from the American Ivy League aesthetic it is sometimes compared to. While Ivy style leans into blazers, tweed jackets, paisley ties and collegiate propriety, Farah hones in on selected relaxed pieces and sharp silhouettes that feel more urban than academic. Think hopsack trousers instead of herringbone jackets, trim polos instead of neckties, and crisp shirts that move effortlessly between pubs, gigs and everyday life. Farah’s story is woven into British history — its cuts slimmer, its colours subtler, its purpose more subcultural than ceremonial. The brand’s new-season textured items continue that tradition of wearable refinement: classic forms reimagined through thoughtful fabric innovation.

The Textures Behind the Trend

Farah 'Netherton' Bedford Cord Button Down Shirt in True Navy.

Central to the new collection is Bedford cord, a quietly brilliant fabric that resembles corduroy at first glance but differs in both feel and construction. Instead of plush cut fibres, Bedford cord’s ridges are woven directly into the surface, creating a series of neat parallel channels that run vertically along the cloth. The texture is clean and structured rather than fuzzy, which gives the fabric a crisp appearance and keeps its surface smooth. Historically used in military and work garments — even in flight jackets under the name “Jungle Cloth” — Bedford cord has always been valued for strength and abrasion resistance. Farah brings it into the modern summer wardrobe by applying it to shirts such as the Netherton, creating something both rugged and refined: substantial enough to fend off an evening chill yet airy enough to wear comfortably throughout the day.

Farah ‘Birch’ Full Cardigan Knit Polo Shirt in Dusky Lavender.

Another key fabric technique in the collection is full cardigan knit, a distinctive double-knit construction that creates pronounced vertical ribs on both front and back surfaces. Unlike lightweight jersey, this knit uses tuck stitches to build thickness, resulting in a fabric that feels noticeably dimensional yet remains breathable and versatile. It strikes a clever balance — warmer than a standard polo but far lighter than a winter jumper — making it a perfect transitional texture for spring and summer. The Birch Polo uses this structure to elevate a familiar silhouette, transforming it into a piece that feels architectural without appearing heavy. With organic cotton yarns and a pleasing relaxed fit, it’s a garment that offers ease of movement and a tactile richness often missing from warm-weather attire.

Farah 'Simon' Stripe Short Sleeve Shirt in Ecru.

The third textural element that defines Farah’s new arrivals is dobby weaving, a technique used to create small geometric patterns that are woven rather than printed. Dobby fabrics contain subtle raised motifs — tiny squares, dots, lines or shapes that catch the light, adding dimension to the surface without needing contrast colours. This makes dobby shirts some of the most enjoyable garments to wear in bright conditions, as angles and threads interact softly with sunshine and shadow. Farah uses dobby weaving in both fine-striped and op-art variations this season, delivering pieces that feel playful but polished. The Simon Shirt in ecru demonstrates dobby in its most classic mode, where the stripes are part of the fabric’s structure and the texture remains quietly decorative. Meanwhile, the Angelo Shirt interprets dobby in a bolder manner, creating an optical effect that feels modern, graphic and distinctly summer-ready while still offering breathability.

Farah Angelo Op-Art Print Short Sleeve Shirt in True Navy.

All of this textural thinking comes together beautifully in the individual pieces. The ‘Netherton’ Bedford Cord Shirt reimagines the classic long-sleeve button-down through rugged refinement, offering ridged structure and tonal trims that work layered or solo and move seamlessly from office casual to late-night outdoor seating. The ‘Birch’ Full Cardigan Knit Polo brings a sculpted softness and relaxed modern drape, delivering comfort and detail in equal measure while maintaining a minimalist exterior. The ‘Simon’ Short Sleeve Dobby Shirt embraces texture-through-weave rather than print, perfect for those who like their style understated but far from plain. Finally, the ‘Angelo’ Op-Art Dobby Shirt sits at the expressive end of the spectrum, blending graphic visual play with tactile depth, producing a short-sleeve shirt that deserves repeat wear from festivals to Fridays out.

Texture That Works for Summer (and Beyond)

What unites all these garments isn’t just the thought behind the cloth — it’s how readily they fit into everyday wardrobes. Nothing here demands a specific look, a special event or a curated outfit. Instead, Farah’s textured collection enhances what you already own — jeans, chinos, tailored shorts, trainers or loafers — and gives simple styling combinations depth and nuance. It’s summer dressing made interesting through feel rather than fuss.

For a brand whose name has travelled from American factory floors to British stages, terraces and style tribes, texture is simply the latest chapter in a century-long story of reinvention. Farah’s new-season pieces prove that texture is not confined to winter and doesn’t have to overwhelm. In the right hands, it offers subtle luxury, wearable personality and the kind of crafted character that elevates everyday classics.

Explore the full collection at Atom Retro and rediscover the pleasure of clothing that looks sharp, feels good and tells a story every time you wear it.

Full Farah menswear collection available here.