Casual tie and sports jacket (military donegal de...
In the spirit of our recent posts on assembling outfits, here’s the process that put this one together. Originating idea: I’ve always liked the way this pale, silk tie from Ralph Lauren goes with my Rubinacci cashmere jacket. The corn...
Casual tie and sports jacket (military donegal de...
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Hi, I'm afraid I never did an article about the belt, but I can do something more general in the future, yes absolutely...
The eternal style of the shawl-collar cardigan
If you don’t own a shawl-collar cardigan, it’s the one sweater you should invest in this winter. No other knitwear is more versatile: its collar makes it the only style that works with T-shirts, shirts or polos, for everyone. Some m...
The eternal style of the shawl-collar cardigan
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I have two of the shawl collared cardigans from Drake’s and a William Lockie labelled one that I bought from Richard Gelding (Baltzar). Although they look identical, they’re not in reality. The Lockie one seems to be...
Pictures from Pitti Uomo 2014
A few of the pictures of me from Pitti this year. Above, in brown tweed Caliendo jacket (more on that in a couple of weeks), Anderson & Sheppard flannels and Ralph Lauren madder-like orange handkerchief. Tweed such as this goes well with lot...
Pictures from Pitti Uomo 2014
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There would need to be more contrast in texture, yes. Try charcoal plain-weave or fresco perhaps...
RRL: Vintage outerwear and modern fit
If I have an addiction outside of tailoring, it is not shoes or ties but outerwear. Leather jackets, suede blousons, trench coats: I love the ability of such big pieces to radically change a look and a silhouette. Leather, cotton and their derivative...
RRL: Vintage outerwear and modern fit
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A great article! There's a lot of good stuff described and pictured here. Outerwear is probably my "addiction" - why is it so neglected by British men? But please don't use the expression "outside of" as you do in your f...
A good tool for removing pilling from sweaters
I’m not great at looking after anything apart from shoes. Suits I brush down occasionally, but certainly not after every use, and knitwear rarely gets much of a look-in. In an effort to change this I recently picked up a few of the garment care...
A good tool for removing pilling from sweaters
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I know this is a very old post, but I found some of the movie's suits on Ebay, apparently all the tailoring was made by Cantarelli. Hope that helps....
How to buy a quality suit
Men are not interested in the clothing of celebrities. At the most, the endorsement of a film star, a magazine or a fashion brand is an endorsement, a shortcut. A man’s number one priority is not looking stupid, and popular culture i...
How to buy a quality suit
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Writing here. I'm 22 years old, recently got into classic menswear recently. Pre 21, I was a t-shirt jeans kind of boyo. Anyways, that tip regarding the pinch test around the buttons, a massive life saver. I would get so...
Ralph Lauren: The enduring appeal
This has been said many times before in more abstract ways, but it deserves to be stated distinctly. It is astounding how effective Ralph Lauren has been at selling a very particular dream over the past 45 years. This was my dominant thought during a...
Ralph Lauren: The enduring appeal
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Great reporting! Right on the mark. Best of the Big-Name Preppies. The only highly commercial brand that manages to maintain both perceived and real quality. Selling pedigree to haves and have-nots alike. That said, Ralp...
Stuff on eBay
In case anyone’s interested, I’m selling a few lovely things on eBay over the next few weeks – essentially ready-to-wear jackets or suits from Kilgour, Ralph Lauren Purple Label or others that have had to make way for be...
Stuff on eBay
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Glad you like it. Check out the Ralph Lauren suit on there at the moment - purple label one going on tomorrow as well. The scent is likely a mix of cedar wood and the Al Bazar house perfume, which comes in sachets you ca...
The window dressing of Hackett
One of the main reasons that I (and I assume most other men) read blogs is to get inspiration for things to wear. Or to buy in order to wear. I know I should write more posts on the former. Ideally, every shop window should provide such inspiration o...
The window dressing of Hackett
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Cheers Marcus, hope you enjoy the book...
English Cut and Thomas Mahon: made to measure
During a recent conversation with Thomas Mahon of English Cut, I was interested to hear about the made-to-measure service that he is launching in India. The tailors he has hired and trained are among those that suffered from the tsunami in south Asia...
English Cut and Thomas Mahon: made to measure
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I don't know I'm afraid Mark, sorry...
Rugby Ralph Lauren and the Tweed Run NYC
Apparently I’m now a pin-up for Ralph Lauren Rugby, and its sponsorship of the Tweed Run in New York. Click on the site here and scroll down to the photos from past events at the bottom.
Rugby Ralph Lauren and the Tweed Run NYC
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Those shirts that RL Rugby has in the Mens sale look good with the club collars. Does anyone know where these styles can be bought anywhere else? RL's prices are a bit steep for me....
Suit, Shirt, Tie 1: Pink and green
One of my favourite colour combinations is pink and green. The pink here is pale, too pale perhaps to be portrayed accurately in the photo, but it provides a subtle field of colour for green to play on. The green tie, from Neapolitan maker Isaia, is ...
Suit, Shirt, Tie 1: Pink and green
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Thanks, yes love those pale pink Oxford cloths...
The virtues of a shawl-collar cardigan
I’ve always liked shawl-collar cardigans. One reason is that I have a long neck, which benefits from a collar. T-shirts and round-neck sweaters tend to make me look scrawny. Shirts, polo shirts and polo-collared sweaters provide more support. T...
The virtues of a shawl-collar cardigan
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Oh good. No worries Keith, always happy to help on here...
A lovely evening sewing a sweater
There is such pleasure in looking after good clothes well. One of the reasons shoes are my favourite piece of clothing is they actually get better with age: the upper shapes to your foot; perhaps more importantly, the insole does too; and the leather...
A lovely evening sewing a sweater
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Just finished my darn. It came out very passably - just wanted to say thanks for the encouragement!...
Wear charcoal with black
There are very few suits with which I would not naturally wear brown shoes – a deep, burnished chocolate looks better with everything from navy herringbone to grey check. But charcoal is an exception. The only other is probably black, which...
Wear charcoal with black
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Sure John. To be honest I'm pretty confident about the brown, while I would find the green harder to advise on remotely. It sounds like you're on the right lines though, so wear both and see how you get on...
Rescuing shoes
A lesson today in the damage caused by not treating your shoes right; but how they can be repaired if you don’t. My friend John is very fond of shoes. But he can be a little bit careless when it comes to their maintenance. My three golden rules...
Rescuing shoes
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Saw your post from almost 10years ago, decided to investigate and found this instead: the proprietor of the shop closed it abruptly a couple years ago, and threw out all the luxury shoes, purses, etc, with which he was e...
The reputation of Smith & Co
Following on from my note last week on the history of W Bill, here’s some information gleaned on the history of Smith Woollens. For many, including my tailor, Smith’s is a brand they swear by. Worsteds that are often a little bit pricier ...
The reputation of Smith & Co
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I have a cream lambswool twinset size 42" bearing the label in both pieces 'W BILL, Old Bond Street - pure cashmere', in perfect condition. I would be interested to know if it was produced before W Gibb was taken over an...
Back to Bicester Village
It probably wasn’t hard to feel the excitement behind the words of my last post on Bicester Village. One friend’s favourite-ever quote from this blog says it all: “I am at heart a cheap man.” (From a post last year on buying l...
Back to Bicester Village
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thanks mate.Does the train stop in the Outlet.and how does one get to La Valee (is it any good). Are the R.L brogues still on offer...
The wonders of Bicester Village
I am a sucker for a good deal. Indeed, if one were being unkind it could be said that sometimes being a bargain gets in the way of my actually wanting something. Anywhere north of 80% off and I start to feel giddy. For a long time I’ve been a f...
The wonders of Bicester Village
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hey.. i'm going to bicester village for boxing day,26th. will arrive at stansted airport. how to get to bicester village? (stansted-stratford-marylebone-bicester north-bicester village.) is that the best route or there's...
Reader question: Suit brands
Will, Minnesota: Simon, I wrote to you before on a style matter. As I’ve sought suits and separates lately, I’ve learned that while I thought I was a 40, I am truly around a 38 long – sometimes a 36. In-turn, I’ve learned that...
Reader question: Suit brands
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Dear Simon, Having decided to avoid the Brands and go the bespoke route for a suit for my son’s wedding, research was in order as I had not done this before. I came across your website and together with all the excelle...
The handkerchief is an anchor
Bright colours often need reining in. Or perhaps anchoring is the right metaphor. Left on its own, a bright jacket (for example) can dominate an outfit and seem to float above it, rather than harmonising. It strikes the viewer as an individual item r...
The handkerchief is an anchor
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The White suit works the rest no...
Get ready. The sales are starting early
The worse the economy, the earlier the sales start. Everyone is that bit more desperate to get their hands on your cash. Before anyone else does. It was the same before Christmas and, despite some positive news on the economic front in the UK, it is ...
Get ready. The sales are starting early
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"up to" being the important word, as in afew non sellers, and the rest at the standard 30 to 40. Woops, old post! But istand by my statement....
Bright wool for cold, sunny days
Today is everyone’s favourite type of day: bright and sunny with a chill in the air. Sweater weather but lovely sitting in the sun. Yes, hot days in the UK are longed for and looked forward to more than any other. But cold sunny days are everyo...
Bright wool for cold, sunny days
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Guest Comments » Great article. Except I would definitely not eschew the yellow socks. But you definitely have to mute the colors for the most part to pull this off. Comment by Thestyleadvisor — February 28, 2009 #...
Behind the scenes: A Suit That Fits
It is always rewarding to get a look behind the scenes of a company. Nothing beats it for an insight into the philosophy, working practices and dedication to detail present in the production process. I was fortunate enough to peek behind the scenes a...
Behind the scenes: A Suit That Fits
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6 Guest Comments » 1. Simon, I’m incredibly jealous of you. I’ve always loved the thought of sculpting a gorgeous suit out of stunning materials, and you’ve managed to see it all going on for real. Can’t wait to...
