Dear Simon,
You have written eloquently before on building a wardrobe aimed, I suspect, at the young city-based professional wanting to start to explore the world of good quality RTW or bespoke tailoring. My question is slightly different.
Over the last 40+ years I have built up a considerable but disparate wardrobe of good quality clothes – not all bespoke by any means. Now, as I near the age of 60, I want to ‘downsize’ my wardrobe and start to rebuild it with a limited style and colour range – to almost create a ‘uniform’ which I can wear – with variations of cloth weight – summer and winter. I would not necessarily want this ‘uniform’ to be a formal business suit as I do not have to wear one regularly to my office and I live in a rural part of the UK.
Is there a jacket style which I could adopt which could be worn casually or with a tie for business meetings, more formal occasions etc? Jackets and trousers would be bespoke but matched with good quality RTW shirts from Margaret Howell or similar. Shoes a mixture of good RTW (Lobb, Edward Green) or bespoke (Amesbury).
John
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Dear John,
It’s an interesting question – similar, in some ways, to the one we often have to ask ourselves when travelling. You have to create a capsule wardrobe where, ideally, all the constituent parts match with each other and can be swapped around to create variation.
I would encourage you to start with a couple of well-made jackets. The most versatile colours would be navy and mid- to light grey. The navy is most useful for the dressing-up you mentioned. With the right pair of trousers and tie, it is almost as formal as a suit. A grey herringbone, on the other hand, would go with everything from jeans to flannels.
Begin with those two jackets and then put together 3-4 pairs of trousers that go with both of them. My post on odd trousers should be helpful here. I would suggest, as a starting point, that you look at cream, tan, grey flannel and charcoal. Substitute one of those for jeans if you wear them. With the grey flannel, the key is to make sure the grey is sufficiently different in tone to the herringbone jacket.
Next, two great pairs of shoes. Go for dark brown and tan. Brown dark enough that it can go beneath charcoal. If you are unlikely to wear cream trousers, then the shoes could be mid- and dark brown.
Add in a couple of crewneck sweaters – in say bottle green and navy – and you have a pretty flexible wardrobe. The navy blazer, charcoal trousers and dark shoes will be pretty formal with a dress shirt and tie; the herringbone jacket will be pretty casual with cream chinos and tan brogues.
I hope that helps. If you’re going bespoke, a Neapolitan construction from someone like Solito or Caliendo will help a lot to bridge the gap between casual and formal.
Simon
Corduroy would be a – slightly more casual – alternative to the grey herringbone
Great photo of Redford from “Three Days of the Condor.” Underscoring your point (with a clever nod to the earlier role), 26 years later Redford wore a similar French blue shirt and grey herringbone jacket combination in “Spy Game.”
Hi Simon,
You’ve written a lot about the versatility of navy and light grey jackets. I’d like to get a navy jacket in addition to my typical worsted blazers with metal buttons. Can you point me to articles about your navy jackets? I’d love to see what you wear to get ideas.
Hi Matt,
Good idea. I only have two actually: a Gieves & Hawkes travel jacket that you can search for, which was in hopsack, and a Solito cashmere one that I’ve only just had made and haven’t written about yet. Of the two, I’d suggest the second is the most useful, despite the apparent versatility of the former. So look out for the post on that.
Simon
Thanks. I found the travel blazer, which is similar to the blazer I have except for the pocket styles. I look forward to seeing your navy cashmere blazer. What do you think of navy tweed, in herringbone or donegal?
Generally both those work better in grey than navy, but I would also not call them blazers
I agree that they work well in grey, and that’s what I’m used to seeing. I have a medium grey donegal tweed jacket and a medium grey and cream herringbone camelhair jacket. I’d like to get something else in navy, but I don’t want something as delicate as cashmere, nor do I want another blazer with shiny buttons. I have smoked mother-of-pearl on my navy hopsack blazer, which looks like metal. Maybe doeskin with horn buttons?
That would be nice Matt, although do consider cashmere – it’s not that delicate and would be a bit more formal than what you already have
Very interested in the grey odd jacket debate. Two questions for Simon (and Matt if he’s still following):
1. Would you recommend any books for a soft, light-ish weight grey that would work as an odd jacket (not looking for a heavy tweed herringbone or donegal, but the rub is finding something sufficiently casual to avoid the half-a-suit issue; glen plaid with overcheck is not sufficient in my view).
2. What are your preferred odd trousers with the grey odd jacket? (I’ve read your general post on odd trousers.) Do you think navy cotton drill can ever be made to work? The consensus at StyleForum is not, but this may be groupthink.
1. From English mills, my favourite is Harrison’s Moonbeam. Though that might be a little too heavy for you. Also try Caccioppoli’s jacketings bunches – there are two, Winter and Summer. For reference, I had a Cifonelli DB jacket in grey herringbone from Moonbeam, a navy jacket from Thom Sweeney in the winter Caccioppoli and a grey checked jacket from Solito in the summer Caccioppoli. All of those are on the blog – just look them up with the search function.
2. Absolutely. Groupthink indeed. Navy twill can certainly work – I have chinos from Incotex I wear for that purpose. The key is making sure there is sufficient contrast between jacket and trouser, which is obviously easier the paler the jacket is.
Very helpful, thank you. Harrison’s Moonbeam is an excellent suggestion. Your Cifonelli DB is lovely – exactly the sort of thing I am looking for cloth-wise, in SB with soft tailoring. I suspect it will have the feel I am looking for without the cost of cashmere. Was your DB 36654? (http://www.harrisonsofedinburgh.com/collections.html?cs=h)
Great. It’s a lovely bunch and the lambswool/angora mix makes it more affordable than cashmere.
Yes I believe it was 36654, although the shades change a little with each piece and mine was a few years ago.
I’m in a similar state to Matt in this comment thread.
I’m looking to commission a versatile jacket/blazer for casual wear and weekends, never the office. I’d like it to be 4 season (excluding hot days, and requiring layering in winter), and really be my go-to casual jacket. Longer term, I think I would supplement this with a warm weather jacket (fresco or silk-wool linen) and a cool weather jacket (e.g. cashmere) to create a second option for any time of year.
I’m unsure which cloth to pick. I’m thinking maybe a navy hopsack.
Would you recommend navy, or would a light grey (which you seemed to favour above), muted brown, or oatmeal be better?
And is hopsack the right cloth? You suggest above that cashmere might be more versatile. Would that still be true if I intend to wear it during spring and cooler summer days?
I think you might find hopsack too smart, if this is just for casual occasions, and navy also too smart. I’d suggest a shade of brown or green, and cashmere or a lightweight wool
Dear Simon,
If I had to add a couple of shirts to the list, what colours/fabrics should be included please? Really appreciate your sage advice!
Hey Andy. If it was only a couple, I’d stick to both pale blue, in a fairly standard cloth and no pattern. By far the most versatile colour. I generally have about three blue shirts to one white/patterned.
I rather like the corduroy jacket in your article, do you have any idea as to the maker?
It’s J Crew, but from a few seasons ago I’m afraid
Hi Simon,
From a perspective of formality, is a mid-gray plaid suit the same as a blue plaid suit?
A lot will depend on the plaid and colour of the suit exactly, rather than whether it’s blue or grey.
Just my thoughts on this, but if I was seeking to create a ‘uniform’ – a set of clothes that all work well together – I’d probably start by staring at a colour wheel for a while and planning it from there. If you can pick out one colour scheme, eg max five colours, that work well with your hair colour and complexion, then you have the start of a look which is consistent and where the items have a high degree of comparability with one another. Colour (rather than texture/fabric/level of formality/countryside vs city) is the one thing that is really going to determine whether you can use pieces together or not so should perhaps be the primary input into the process.
Thank you for your reply to my original question. Your Caliendo Neopolitan Tweed Jacket would be a good starting point for the jacket style. Hopefully I can get my usual tailor to make something similar – though perhaps slightly less ‘waisted’. I shall probably restrict my colour range to navy, charcoal and grey. I admire the discipline of those like the British actor Bill Nighy who seem able to wear a navy lounge suit (or similar) exclusively but doubt if I could resist the attraction of a different but complimentary colour.
Hello Simon
Can corduroy jackets be altered normally like wool jackets (sleeve length, take in the waist). One older salesman told me this can be a little harder due to jackets being thicker. Is corduroy mostly in RTW or does is exist in MTM, bespoke?
Should be fine, and absolutely it exists. Personally I’m a fan of Zegna etc mixes with a little cashmere in. Search on the blog for my pictures from Pitti in one
Hello Simon,
Could you give your thoughts if a blazer can be successful altered from a 44 to 42? Online opinion I’ve read suggests that 1 size down shouldn’t present a problem……
If this is the case, do you have any suggestions where in the London area could carry out this work?
Thanks
Matthew
Hey Matthew,
Yes, should be fine. It depends exactly where alteration is needed (eg shoulders much more difficult to change than waist – have a look on the site for posts on alterations). I use Graham Browne for alterations, but any tailor (rather than dry cleaner) should be ok for simple changes
Simon
Dear Simon,
I would have a question not directly related to the post above, but maybe indirectly so: I have been quite busy in the last seven years or so to build up a wardrobe myself, with investments that will certainly not reach your levels but were still quite substantial from my perspective. And obviously once you start, it’s hard to stop; and there always seems to be something, even something very classical, that one does not have but which does look really great on some pictures: This kind of odd jacket, those country leather boots, that tweed suit, and so on. And even though I have benefitted massively from some of the advice on your website and in other places, and have tried to keep in mind to always consider when I would wear certain things, in the end I have ended up with some items that I thought I need to have, and then I kind of find out I do not wear them. Long story short: I take it from some of the posts that even you may not always have fully escaped that trap, so I was thinking it might be helpful if you could share some insights about your experience with items that the strive for sartortial completeness (if that is a combination of terms that makes any sense) seems to require but that will most likely end up just sitting in the wardrobe of the modern urban citizen.
Regards
Thomas
PS – Sorry for potential posting this twice, I was not sure it was taken on the first time as I forgot to enter my name.
Thanks Thomas, good question. I’ll do a post on it soon
Cheers
Simon
Gentlefolk,
What a great site and a great thread – I’m beginning to wonder where I’ve been all my life.
As an elegantly ageing hipster that turned the page on corporate life a while ago, I have had great fun undergoing exactly the ‘downsizing’ that John refers to in his question and can’t exaggerate the importance that corduroy can play in the transition.
I had Anderson & Sheppard make me a mid blue single breasted corduroy suit in a thin wale and it’s turned out to be the most complemented and versatile piece in my wardrobe.
It has a multiplicity of uses. Is great for all but the most formal occasions. Looks fabulous with knitted ties or with a light slipover seater. Is also great for traveling in and even looks good creased!
I love it to bits and would like to be buried in it providing, somebody has the foresight to slip a flask of Talisker into my pocket. Seriously, such is the depth of my love for this piece, I have a jacket with a broader wale currently under construction by A&S.
One last piece of advice on the wardrobe liberation is the importance that Chelsea boots can play. Particularly in suede. Tod’s do a great pair.
Regards,
David
Thanks David, sounds great. A suit for the modern man
Hi David, that suit sounds particularly interesting. I would love to see a picture if you would be so kind to share. I was watching Bryan Ferry on Jools Holland’s excellent show earlier this week. It appeared he was wearing a (slightly loose) Andersen and Sheppard suit in moleskine. His boots were probably Lobb although Simon might correct me there.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02b1w58
Yes Rob – I think you are correct, Ferry’s suit looks to be A&S but I suspect it’s velvet rather than moleskin.
Ironically, it is the exact same colour as one of the cords they made for me.
I’ll have my son take a photo of it and post it next time he’s around (I’m technically challenged).
Regards,
David
If you’re trying to build a smart casual capsule wardrobe, what about the option of getting a grey flannel suit in a casual cut, then having the option to wear them together or separately?
Or do you think it’ll be better to get a grey tweed or cashmere jacket with a separate pair of darker grey flannels?
Yes – a grey flannel jacket is unlikely to work separately
Dear Simon,
I want to improve my wardrobe with some jackets and shirts, especially for the coming spring and summer. Bespoke offers mostly the best quality, but can be quite expensive. Actually I have invested in some bespoke garments, but I can not effort the money to build my complete wardrobe with bespoke items. Do you have any recommendations for RTW, which offers a good value for money?
Sincerely,
Christopher
Christopher, worth having a search around the site on this question. There’s a lot in here about what you can and can’t say about RTW
Do you think a jacket in a gray herringbone is more versatile than in a gray Donegal?
Potentially, yes, but it’s pretty close.
The herringbone also depends a lot on the cloth – a larger pattern in a rougher yarn will be a lot more casual, but there are much smarter, cashmere options as well
Hi Simon, I am looking to get a grey sport jacket made in Moonbeam but cannot decide on the right shade. Which shade is more versatile 36655 or 36656 ? Much appreciated. https://www.harrisonsofedinburgh.com/collections/harrisons-of-edinburgh/moonbeam.
I’d say 55 probably…
Hi Simon! I’m not sure if you remember we met at the NYC signing of The Style Guide at the Armoury; I had to wear a mask for health reasons. I’ve been looking into getting my first bespoke made up in Hong Kong for around HKD8000. I’m heading into dental school and I expect to be wearing trousers regularly with an odd jacket when not in my white doctor’s coat, with suits only for events. As such, I’m thinking of commissioning a suit that is intended to be worn as separates with the primary aim of versatility with Neapolitan construction and patch pockets. I’m thinking of sticking within the realm of textured solids and was considering an oatmeal twill similar to your Caliendo jacket but without cashmere for the trousers. Alternatively, a light grey flannel or donegal/shetland tweed. Any suggestions or complications I may not have considered ?
Hi Derek,
Yes I do, and thanks for the question.
Getting a ‘three-way’ suit that can also be worn as a separate jacket and trousers is hard, and usually works best with more casual materials than it sounds like you’re looking for – eg corduroy. A donegal might work, and that’s worth exploring, but the trousers will be a bit less normal and versatile.
To be honest, I would suggest getting a sports jacket and trousers now that you feel more confident in (eg that oatmeal with some dark flannel or high-twist wool trousers) and then get a suit only later if you really feel you need it.
S
Hi Simon,
I notice you advised specifically crewneck sweaters. Why is that? Why not a V-neck, or a shawl collar?
Thanks
I find a crewneck to be the most versatile. V-necks suit some people more than others, vary in the V depth which is frustrating, and don’t work as well with more casual jackets. Shawls even more so – they suit most people, but not good under a jacket or many coats etc
Hi Simon,
Can I wear cream trousers in cords, chinos or in heavy twill cotton during fall and winter? Should they be worn only when the weather it`s sunny ?except when it`s raining .And can the colour be worn in the evening in a casual setting?
Hey Michael – there’s a whole post on that here, perhaps have a read of that and let me know there if you have any follow-up questions
So cream it’s out of the question for evening. But what about cream trousers in corduroy during spring? Normally during spring in my country temperatures are around 20-25 degrees even this month was around 20 degrees. Trunk has some 5 pocket style . Can they be worn at this temperature and in spring? Thank you Simon
Well, I wouldn’t say out of the question. Just think about carefully – eg a cream shawl jacket is a black tie alternative in evening, but makes most sense in a hot country.
And yes, you can definitely wear those cords in Spring. If you’re in any doubt, go off sun rather than temperature.
Hi Simon,
Do you think that these cotton trousers could be a substitute for a chino ? They are garment washed and look smarter than a BHL chino but can they work in a casual wardrobe?( Wearing them without sports coat)
https://angloitalian.com/products/garment-washed-cotton-trouser-stone
Thanks
I think they could be, yes, though I haven’t tried those particular ones so can’t say for sure.
What brands for cotton trousers do you recommend that could work casually? Other than stoffa because I can’t have an access to them. Thanks
Hi Simon,
In what style would you get each jacket and are there any details that you would get for each jacket?
It depends a lot on you and your lifestyle Kyle – are you working in a smart office? What do others wear?
I actually am a student working on an industrial engineering degree. I was looking for something that’s really middle of the road where I can dress it up and dress it down without it looking off.
In that case I would get them in a very soft construction with a natural shoulder, single breasted, 3 button front rolling to 2, with patch pockets.
If any of this isn’t familiar to you, the Suit Style guide is worth a read. All the detail is there
Hi Simon,
I had seen, in the herringbone donegal overcoat, that herringbone that looks like a texture is more formal. I was wondering if I could match the formality of the grey herringbone with navy and if so, how would I do it just based off of the fabric itself?
Sorry Kyle, you mean if you had a jacket where the herringbone was smaller and more like texture, could you wear it with navy? Or with a coat like this one?
Either way, though, yes you could wear either with navy nicely
I mean that I want to match the formality of two jackets that I want to have in the future. They will match in terms of construction but I am wondering if I can have the fabric’s formality of both jackets match. My apologies about the confusion.
No problem. Yes you can certainly have the two formalities the same, it just means the pair won’t be as versatile – they might both be better with casual trousers, or both better with smarter ones, for example
Hey Simon,
I was wondering if a solid grey tweed jacket could replace the grey herringbone? If so, how dark would you recommend the tweed jacket be?
I wouldn’t say it would be a straight replacement, no Kyle. The problem is that if the jacket has no pattern or texture, it can more easily seem close to the trousers, and the overall outfit can seem rather plain – you need pattern in the shirt, or tie etc.
That’s why herringbone is so useful
Thank you Simon. I would imagine that the herringbone jacket would draw more attention, correct? If so, would a smaller pattern draw less attention?
Yes, though a herringbone like my jacket is really quite subtle
I just love the Wardrobe Building Series in particular, referring back to it many times as I also love the wider Guides series generally with many unique articles…but it always thrills me when a new article is added to the guides series which are so informative and give tremendous advice to all !!!
Many thanks Simon!!
No worries Lindsay, lovely to know