Update on the launch of 'The Style Guide':
- The Style Guide, the new book by myself and photographer Jamie Ferguson, will launch next Thursday at Fenwick of Bond Street, from 6:30pm.
- If you would like to come, please RSVP to [email protected]
- There will also be a US launch event at The Armoury, in New York.
- Thursday April 20th. Details to follow.
- And it looks like we will feature in the bi-annual Crafted event at Bergdorf Goodman in New York.
- Saturday, April 22nd. Come and say hello any time for that
- The book will be sent out next week to a further 32 stockists around the world next week
- Available to buy from them from April 13th. Full list to come
- It will be available for readers to buy online that week also
- Purchasing will be through the Permanent Style shop
Today, we present an extract from the first section of the book, which looks at the style and practicalities around wearing sports jackets.
Happy texture
Yuta Mitsumoto
- A symphony of blues and texture here.
- Note that although the jacket, shirt and tie are all of a similarly casual texture, they remain effectively separated from each other by differences in shade and pattern.
- The soft, textured look fits with the bearded and tousled styling.
Spot the check
Neil Watson
- Cream trousers are something of a theme in the jackets section of the book, because they’re just so useful.
- Here, simple colours and a neat cut create a chic outfit, elevated by a broad grin and plunging neckline.
- Note in particular the subtle check on the brown jacket and the trouser detail on the waistband, which is given special prominence by being the only dandy detail on display.
Anchored
Niels Holdorf
- A lesson in the anchoring power of a deep navy tie.
- There is pattern aplenty in the jacket (albeit subtle) and a thick stripe in the shirt, plus bright cream trouser. But the navy tie brings it all down to earth, giving the eye something calm and stable to rest on.
The Style Guide is divided into four clothing sections: Jackets, Suits, Accessories and Casual. More extracts to come from other sections in the next few weeks.
Photography: Jamie Ferguson @jkf_man
Interesting.
Just an observation, but it strikes me that the first outfit would look good indoors, but the second and third would not, and are better suited to outdoors.
I’d say the second is certainly more aimed at warm weather outdoors. I wouldn’t restrict the others in any way
Not sure about no. 3. Cricket, tennis, regatta, marquee, garden party, al fresco lunch certainly. Not for inside though.
Simon, could you provide more information about the cloth used for Niels’ jacket? Cheers. M
I can ask, but generally we’ve avoided specifying anything about cloths because the chances of the cloth being available (given the pictures are drawn from the past five years) are very small.
Simon – were you able to find out more details on the material? Cheers. M
No, sorry. As I said though, the chances of it still being available are very small.
It will be a lightweight, perhaps 8 or 9 ounce, mix of wool/silk/linen, or similar. Keep a look out for something similar in the Italian bunches – Caccioppoli, Drapers etc
Re Nick and your comments, is the middle outfit an outdoors one because of the influence of the hat? The cream trousers though do beckon at being worn on a beautiful, sunny day.
The first picture intrigued me because of the tone and cloth of the shirt coupled with the tie. The shirt looks chambray – I have one from Trunk that I love but have shied away from putting a nice navy tie with it. Have you thoughts on that combination, Simon?
I think it can work nicely – the tie just has to be a little more casual to sit alongside the casual shirt.
Yuta’s here looks like a blue shantung, but anything with more texture would be good – cotton, linen, large-knot grenadine
Thank you, Simon. Navy shantung is the tie I have so will try the combination.
Why do you have to ask advice? Why not just stand in front of a mirror and look for yourself? Most of what Simon says regarding style is subjective, so go with your own sense.
Well, Anonymous maybe it’s a combination or a style I am not familiar with or am not entirely confident about and asking the question could open up some interesting and informative discourse. Many readers on here do that and it tends to open the mind to possibilities I find rather than the limited perspective of the wardrobe mirror. (I also don’t mind admitting the limits of my knowledge.)
Well said Kev
Skin tone does help too. A pasty Anglo Saxon certainly wouldn’t pull off the second look as well as Mr. Watson.
Hello Simon,
Is there a technical term for the intriguing double button, thick waistband on Mr. Watson’s trousers? It reminds me of the fastening on a stable belt.
No, but it can certainly be reproduced by tailors – i have it on a pair of Cifonelli ones.
Any possibility there’ll be a someone stocking the book in Australia?
Yep, Christian Kimber will be… give him a ring and reserve one
Excellent! Appreciate all your work on the site.
Currently in Nice for a conference. At the poolside cocktail reception last night there were plenty of variations on the theme of each of the three pictures. Today in the hall mainly picture one and. Beach reception tonight will, I am guessing, be mainly picture three.
Will the book be sold in any store in Stockholm?
Yep, Skoaktiebolaget and Papercut
I look at those beautiful broad smiles in pictures 1 and 2 and can’t help smiling in return.
Simon, a wonderful post and I am so sorry that a previous engagement (our wedding anniversary!) means I cannot make your new book launch. I look forward to getting a copy via your site. Love the post today and I am fortunate to have a jacket similar to the one in photo one: it is a treasured piece. Kindest regards,
Yuma’s look personifies great style. It looks utterly uncontrived and so right for him.
I have a slight reservation regarding the round collar on his denim shirt particularly when contrasted with his jacket lapels – personally I’d have gone for something longer – but that’s a small thing and he really looks pitch perfect.
Dressing to live rather than living to dress – that should be the Permanent Style mantra.
Absolutely David
Yuta has is it all going on. This is my kinda style. I can’t do formal much as I’d like to. I just stiffen and cannot relax. I find that this kind of clothing suits my personality, gives a sense of style and is very comfortable for me. Which, let’s face it, is the root of being even remotely stylish. If you aren’t comfortable in the clothes you will never look right.
Simon,
Your grey flannel SB A&S suit in the last section of the book is absolutely gorgeous. Do you mind sharing the cloth details? I searched around but haven’t seen it profiled here. Best, Michael.
It’s a Fox Flannel, 11oz, but it’s so old the precise shade and number won’t be available any more.
Hi Simon. I’m a big fan of Yuta’s jacket. What material is this? I don’t think i’ve ever seen such a texture in a light jacketing cloth. Any idea where I can find something similar?
No, sorry Oliver. I’d imagine it will be some mixture of wool/silk/linen though, which most of the Italians offer