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DE

Talking of socks Simon, I was in Paris last weekend and decided to visit Mes Chaussettes Rouge (having read your previous comments about the company). I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed calling on the shop at 9 rue César Franck and arriving in October meant that they had good ranges of both cotton and warmer knits in stock. Jacques and Vincent are a delight and very helpful as well as having an encyclopedic knowledge of their socks! I walked out of their store about an hour later with a bag of delightfully tissue wrapped socks from Mazarin, Bresciani, Gallo and Doré Doré. This is a very enjoyable way to pass an hour or two in Paris (or online) and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to other readers of Permanent Style.

stephen

Hi Simon, have you altered anything re. web site function? I`m viewing on Kindle and for the first time your site seems to stagger when scrolling, the text is overly large, the page has problems resizing and the comments box is very, very slow to respond. I suspect as there is now video content (flash driven?) that there might have been some technical changes but these are not helping the viewing. Thought you should know.
Stephen.

Anonymous

He gave you those socks, have you worn them yet?

JD

He’s not doing something truly original. He’s charging a fortune for socks made out of a slightly fancier material than normal.

Freddy

Simon. Not related to hosiery. Just pulled my winter suits out the weekend. They smell and look sad!!! Where in London do you suggest!
Please not Jeeves. !!

Dan

In a silimiar vein to the above, is there anywhere which does a good shoe care/ polish service? I’m thinking more than just the spit and polish shoe shiners you see about but not a full restoration type service either?

Winot

Cleverley have a good shoeshine service for £15. Takes about a week. Not sure if it’s only for existing customers, but they do shine other company’s shoes.

Winot

Didn’t notice that problem with Cleverley shoeshine, no.

Student

Simon
I have a job (starting in 10 months) at an Investment Bank as a graduate.
I want to fit in and not be the flashy new analyst, but quite frankly don’t want to look exactly the same as everyone else. What are small but subtle touches that you would recommend? Is it possible to wear a shantung tie with a worsted suit? what other suit materials could I go for?
Thanks
B

Anonymous

Hey Simon,

It is not an original idea as Harrys of London where offering Cervelt socks in 2012 for around £900.

James

Advice to student: to stand out, simply do things the right way. Simply following Simon’s basic tips will make you stand out in all the right ways. People may not know quite why you look smart and polished, but they will know you do and respect you for it.

– Go for subtle, traditional colours (one navy, one mid grey, one charcoal)
– Buy a suit which fits from a quality make (MTM, heavier cloth than you think you need, side tabs rather than a belt – your individuality may be expressed here through hacking / ticket pockets etc.)
– Buy English oxford shoes – from C&J if possible. Buy at least two pairs, one could perhaps have subtle broguing. Use shoe trees and polish them well.
– Buy the best quality, slim fitted shirts which you can afford; some bengal striped shirts too perhaps. Buy collar stiffeners (perhaps mother of pearl, Simon recommended these in an earlier post – hidden luxury will give you a subtle confidence boost)
– Buy a selection of nice ties, although you may find people don’t wear them in your office, so don’t go made before you actually arrive. If the other analysts don’t wear them, I recommend not wearing them either. If they do, get a selection of good ties in standard colours – dark blues, greys, perhaps red. A cashmere tie can be very nice in an office and may help you to be different in a good way. Drakes are nice (I also like Ferragamo (although not the ones with cartoons) but I know this can be divisive).
– Wear socks which match your trousers
– If you wear them, invest in some quality glasses – C&G or Oliver People’s. I know it sounds odd but they are quite a big thing in such places and can be just the thing to finish a look.

Overall, remember you’re there to be a great analyst, not a sartorial trendsetter. You want your ability to stand out first and foremost – not your clothes.

Don’t, whatever you do (please) wear any of the following: tie clip, tie pin, three piece suit, pocket square, braces any kind of hat or brightly coloured socks. You will stand out for all the wrong reasons and be instantly known as “that analyst with the [braces/pocket square, waistcoat]”etc. Its never good.

J

@James

Caveat: I am not a City trader.

But what’s wrong with a simple white handkerchief?

Or similarly 3 piece…?

I don’t get why anyone should be afraid of either item.
Or is it more a case of that terribly british thing: Not wanting people to think you believe you have ideas above your station…
But yes, doing the job well is primarily the key thing in and of itself.

Regards

Freddy

Simon. Thanks for the help. I’ve dropped a few of today.
Will let you know how we get on.

Joseph

Simon,
I am new to your blog. And I am extremely impressed with your passion and your knowledge. As you are clearly an “expert” in the field, I looked quickly in past reviews but couldn’t find an answer to the following: What is THE best year-round style and fabric and company to buy below the knee and below the calf socks that will NOT fall down during the day?