The Opening Hook

Paul Smith didn’t begin with a runway—he began with a room. In 1970, in Nottingham, a young Paul Smith opened a shop so small it was famously just 3 metres by 3 metres, a pocket-sized stage for beautifully made clothing and sharper ideas. It was the kind of place where you could hear the bell on the door, the hush of good wool, the soft snap of tissue paper around a purchase you’d keep for years. That spirit still lives in every piece: classic British tailoring, interrupted—delightfully—by a streak of colour. Discover the full Paul Smith collection at Aumifour.

Brand Story & Heritage

Paul Smith is a British designer brand founded by Sir Paul Smith in 1970 in Nottingham, England. Before fashion, Smith dreamed of becoming a professional cyclist; a serious accident kept him off the bike and, in a twist worthy of a novel, pushed him toward the world of art and clothing. He trained with local tailors and absorbed the discipline of English menswear—structure, proportion, cloth—then gave it a grin and a palette.

His guiding philosophy became “classic with a twist”: impeccable staples enlivened with wit, print, and, most iconically, the multicolour stripe—an instantly recognisable signature that feels like British restraint breaking into applause. Milestones followed: by the mid-1970s, Paul Smith was showing menswear in Paris; decades later, he was knighted for services to fashion (2000), cementing his role as one of the great ambassadors of modern British style.

Three facts fans love: (1) that first shop opened only a couple of days a week, because Smith was still learning and sourcing; (2) the brand’s early momentum came from real tailoring relationships—pattern cutters and makers, not marketing myths; (3) Paul Smith’s own curiosity as a collector and photographer has long influenced the brand’s prints and colour stories, making many “basics” feel quietly personal.

FAQ: Paul Smith, Answered Like an Editor

1) What makes Paul Smith different from other designer basics?

Paul Smith wins on the details you feel before anyone else notices. The cut tends to be clean and wearable—never costume—while the finishing delivers the “twist”: a flash of stripe, a sharp internal binding, a considered print, a waistband that looks as good as it wears. Fabrics are chosen for real life: breathable cottons, soft jersey, and comfortable stretch where it matters. It’s the kind of design intelligence rooted in British tailoring—proportion, drape, longevity—then brightened with colour in a way that still reads grown-up. If you build a wardrobe around one idea, make it this: buy fewer pieces, choose the ones that make Monday feel like Saturday.

2) “Paul Smith white t shirt”: which one should I buy, and how does it fit?

A great white T-shirt is the most revealing item you own: it shows fabric quality, seam work, and whether a brand understands the body. Paul Smith white tees typically lean refined rather than oversized—think clean shoulders, a neat neckline that sits flat, and a hem that layers smoothly under tailoring. Look for premium cotton jersey (often with a soft, substantial hand-feel rather than a flimsy drape). The brand’s signature often arrives subtly: a small logo, a stripe detail, or an unexpected trim that feels like an insider’s wink. Style it with a navy blazer, denim, or under an open shirt—effortless, never sloppy.

3) “Paul Smith underwear”: what’s the difference compared to standard underwear?

Paul Smith underwear is where the house codes become intimate: classic design made quietly joyful. Expect soft, breathable cotton blends, often with elastane for recovery, plus a waistband engineered to sit flat without biting. Construction matters here—clean stitching, supportive paneling, and a fit designed to move, not migrate. The “twist” is typically colour: stripes, vibrant solids, or prints that feel collectible but not childish. In practical terms, you’re buying comfort you can trust through long days, travel, and heat—plus the small pleasure of getting dressed from the inside out. Explore current options in the Paul Smith collection at Aumifour.

4) “Mens Paul Smith underwear” / “Paul Smith mens underwear”: how do I choose the right style?

Start with your day-to-day uniform. If you wear slim trousers, choose a closer silhouette (often trunks) to reduce fabric bulk at the thigh. If you prefer room and airflow, boxer shorts are the classic answer. Paul Smith’s men’s underwear range typically offers both, with dependable stretch and waistbands designed to hold shape wash after wash. For materials, cotton-rich blends suit most climates; a touch of elastane helps maintain fit. If you’re between sizes, consider your preference: size down for a cleaner, supportive fit; size up if you prioritise ease. The best choice is the one you forget you’re wearing—and only notice when you pack your next pair.

5) “Paul Smith boxer shorts”: are they true boxer shorts or more fitted?

“Boxer shorts” can mean two very different things: a traditional, looser woven short or a modern, body-skimming boxer-brief. Paul Smith’s boxer shorts commonly lean toward comfort with polish—designed to sit neatly under trousers without excess fabric, but still offering ease at the leg. Check the fabric description: woven cotton suggests a roomier, classic boxer feel; jersey cotton with stretch suggests a more fitted shape that moves with you. Look also at the rise and waistband: a well-designed band stays level and smooth, echoing the brand’s tailoring heritage—nothing fussy, nothing flimsy, just quietly confident design.

6) “Paul Smith womens sandals”: what are they like, and how should they fit?

Paul Smith women’s sandals translate the brand’s menswear intelligence into something lighter: clean lines, considered colour, and a finish that looks expensive up close. Depending on the style, expect smooth leather or high-quality uppers with comfortable footbeds and secure straps—details that matter when you’re on your feet all day. Fit should feel stable rather than squeezed: your heel should sit fully on the footbed, straps should hold without digging, and the front should allow a natural toe spread. Style-wise, sandals are a brilliant foil to tailored summer pieces—wide-leg trousers, a crisp shirt, or a simple dress—especially when the colour choice is subtly bold.

7) Do Paul Smith pieces run true to size?

In general, Paul Smith clothing tends to follow reliable, wearable sizing with a tailored sensibility—clean through the shoulder and chest, neat at the waist, and designed to layer without bulk. T-shirts often look best when they skim rather than hang; underwear should feel supportive without compression. If you prefer a more relaxed, streetwear-like silhouette, consider sizing up in tops. For underwear, stick to your usual size unless you strongly prefer a looser waistband. The smartest approach is to think like a tailor: focus on shoulder fit in tees, and on waistband comfort plus leg opening in underwear. The right size should make your posture look better without trying.

8) How can I tell if Paul Smith is authentic—and why buy from Aumifour?

Authentic Paul Smith pieces are defined by finish: consistent stitching, clean labels, accurate colour, and materials that feel intentionally chosen (not thin, not synthetic unless designed that way). Logos tend to be refined rather than loud; the brand doesn’t need to shout. Packaging and tags should look crisp and considered—no blurry printing, no sloppy attachment, no strange sizing inconsistencies. Buying from Aumifour adds another layer of confidence: authenticity matters, and so does condition and presentation. When you’re investing in “classic with a twist,” you want the real twist—Paul Smith’s design intelligence, not a copy’s shortcut.

Styling & Care Guide

Editors style Paul Smith the way they style Parisian basics: start simple, then add one point of pleasure. A white tee under a tailored jacket; crisp trousers with a playful stripe detail; boxer shorts and underwear chosen like secret armour—comfortable, confident, quietly expressive. For women’s sandals, think proportion: a minimal sandal with a long, fluid trouser or a sharp, knee-grazing skirt for contrast. Care is how you protect the “tailor’s” part of Paul Smith: wash tees and underwear cool, turn inside out to preserve colour, avoid aggressive tumble-drying, and reshape seams while damp. For sandals, wipe leather clean, store away from direct sun, and avoid soaking—summer should age beautifully, not prematurely. If you’re building an investment edit, start with a perfect white tee and rotation-worthy underwear from the Paul Smith collection.

The Close

Paul Smith has always been about optimism with standards: British craft, sharpened by humour, made wearable for real life. That’s exactly how Aumifour approaches curating—pieces chosen for longevity, fit, and that hard-to-fake sense of design. Shop knowing authenticity is non-negotiable, and the details you’re paying for are the details you’ll receive. If you’re ready to upgrade the essentials—white T-shirts that sit perfectly, underwear that feels like a daily indulgence, and sandals that carry you through summer with polish—step into the full Paul Smith collection at Aumifour and find your twist.