I’ve always liked indigo in tailoring, and find navy a good partner for it.

The deep indigo of this linen shirt from D’Avino, for example, is significantly quietened by the navy blazer over the top, and makes that top half a story in tonal variation.

Indigo can also be hard to find good trousers for. I rarely find I like it with grey, for example, which is frustrating given how many grey trousers I own.

Better usually is a pale or military shade of green (such as these Incotex chinos), or cream and naturals (pictured).

 

 

Cream might be the most versatile of any trouser colour in menswear, but it is rather impractical. Easier is a natural, more oatmeal-y colour like the linen here. (Harrison’s Mersolair 28109, made to measure by Ambrosi.)

Natural colours can take a little dirt and dust, and they often have natural flecks that help hide small marks.

The shots, by the way, were taken after a morning walking around the streets of Naples. Regular readers will know that as a rule I like to photograph tailoring after it has been worn, rather than fresh from the presser. It’s so much more realistic.

 

 

The jacket was made by Ettore de Cesare (outside whose workshop these shots were taken, up in Vomero) and was previously reviewed here.

Made in Holland & Sherry mesh fabric (not actually hopsack, strictly speaking) it has proved just as versatile as I hoped.

The only issue is it’s a little short, and the next piece Ettore will make for me (a dark-green corduroy) will be 1-2 centimetres longer.

Elsewhere here, I’m wearing Sagans from Baudoin & Lange in the bark-grey colour I worked with them on. I still find it interesting how versatile that colour is.

And the hat is my sisal straw from Anderson & Sheppard.

I usually reach for this rather than my Brent Black panama, even though the latter is more finely made. Unfortunately I think the shape of Brent’s piece isn’t quite right for my face (a little too square in the crown).

These are the perils of ordering online, and perhaps a reminder that style always trumps craft (though of course we aim for both).

 

 

The sunglasses are 1950s Ray-Ban Caravans in filled 12k gold-filled wire.

The Caravan was the first style Ray Ban made explicitly for civilian use, having previously only produced models for sport and the military. It was their view of a clean, mid-century modern look.

I got this pair from vintage dealer Retrospecs last year, when they were showing at Pitti. (They made a film of myself and a few others in the industry which is on their Instagram.)

Originally gold-filled pairs are relatively rare, as most were melted down over the years for their gold content. Retrospecs specialises in old pieces like this – and repairs them, with mine adding gold-filled nose pads to the frame for example.

Retrospecs have their own stores in LA, San Francisco and Las Vegas, and then supply around 250 opticians around the world, including 36 Opticians in London and Bergdofs in New York.

 

 

I usually wear yellow metals, but the metal here has a little warmth to it, and I particularly liked the fineness of the frame

I think the shape suits my face too, given it’s not too wide. Which is good, as it means I haven’t fallen into the same trap as the panama – ignoring style in favour of craft.

They’ll make a lovely accessory during Pitti this week.

Photography: Jamie Ferguson @jkf_man

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Felix Sylvester Eggert

Dear Simon,

A well written post as usual.

Regarding the pants: maybe there’s a lack of understanding on my side, but how does the versatility of cream that you mentioned and its impracticality go together? Isn’t this kind of contradictive?

Adam Jones

I love seeing the caravan model here. Its one of those models that seems to have taken a back seat compared to aviators, wayfarer and clubmaster. Although these ones are really making my standard gold model look poor by comparison. I am also really glad the Bark Grey colour is proving versatile on the Sagans – mine arrive tomorrow.

Colin

The jacket appears to have slightly roped shoulders, whereas you normally avoid these for more casual outfits I think? Was this purely to stick to the offered house style or a change in direction?

Anonymous

You could reduce the level of formality by swapping the buttons for e.g. a greyish mother of pearl. Their mesh is a great summer fabric.

On the sunnies, if you were in Naples you should be sporting Persol!!

M.

Simon, can you recommend an online shop that sells good-quality buttons? I’m looking for an upgrade to my navy jacket buttons – preferably matte brown horn or mother-of-pearl. I recall you mentioning the Button Queen, is that a shop you’d still recommend?

Dave Carter

Persol are from Agordo in northern Italy – a long way from Naples, both geographically and culturally.

Lau

I see a tad wrinkling in the arms of the mesh SC. Best to cut it a tad longer to account for it?

Also, do you have the code? Thanks!

Anonymous

Simon
Great fan here, but you really are getting more and more of a Pitti man!
Style always trumps craft… the old SC would have never said such a thing!

Don Ferrando

….and also this blog’s name is permanent style and not permanent craft 🙂

Gonzague

“Style always trumps craft”…
I very much disagree.
I find one looks far better in a Tom Ford windsor jacket than most bespoke customers do.
Are the most acclaimed bespoke tailors not those with a strong sense of Style (Cifo, Sexton, Huntsmann,…)? And I would not dare to say that their craft is bad.

Gonzague

Sorry, It is my english: from your reply, we seem to agree on the importance of style.
The names you mentioned make good classics, but I like classics with a touch of magic/drama, therefore my wardrobe would ifeally be designed by TF, Cifo,…(both for jacket/suits, definitely not for shoes).

Robin

Ok the , Simon, here’s one for you.

I have £2000 do I
a – buy a 42 R Tom Ford
Or
b – go to a tailor and say “make me a suit in a Tom Ford cut”

Robin

Interesting …. I always thought the battle was style v fashion but your response suggests style v fit is also a fight of consideration .

Peter

When Simon interprets Gonzague’s praise of Tom Ford to mean style over craft, I remember Sator and others at Cutter & Tailor who severely criticize Ford’s tailoring.

Anonymous

I had a sport jacket made by Vergallo in the same mesh fabric. It’s great for warmer weather.

Hristo

Honestly I don’t like the colour combo of the navy jacket + indigo shirt.
I don’t know how does it look like on natural light, but on the photos, the two shades of blue clash with each other.
I would either look for a much closer shade of blue. Or I will check if any shade of tan, tobacco, or brown would suit this indigo shirt. It would be challenging for sure.

Apart from that, the weave and patch pockets are not enough to bring the jacket on the same formality level as the shirt. This jacket is still very formal from a distance of a couple of meters. A fabric with some natural irregularities like linen, shantung, or dupioni would have been in my opinion a better choice for combinations with this shirt.

I usually like the combos you do. This is one very seldom case where I honestly don’t think that the colours and fabrics fit each other.

John

Hi,
“I would either look for a much closer shade of blue.” Really?! Strange!
John

Peter

Hristo, you would look for a much closer shade of blue? Why monotone? By the way, Simon’s shade of indigo is clearly different from navy blue – the difference is pleasing?

Hristo

Obviously this is a matter of taste and this is subjective.
For me there are 2 main ways to combine 2 colours – you either go for colours that are very similar or you go for high contrast. As the indigo shirt is dark, it is very difficult to achieve a nice contrast by going darker. Dark blue, or dark grey, or dark brown – to me they all look wrong and clashing with such shirt. So you are left with either a monochrome upper part of the body or you have to look for a lighter or more vivid jacket which would create a very peacocky look.
As a matter of fact maybe the best way to combine this indigo shirt is to wear it without a jacket on a hot summer day.

Hristo

Definitively!

G

I would agree with you. Summer is for light colors. This ensemble is too dark for the season.

Sebastian

What do you think of Cad and the Dandy

John

Hi Simon,
This is a nice outfit! I wonder why the length of the blazer still bothers you. Frankly, for … a Summer navy blazer, it’s fairly fine.
A sober remark about cream trousers.
John

CS

Where does the pocket square come from?
Thanks.
Great post.

Anonymous

These trousers seem to be linen and you’re wearing a linen shirt. Yet another exception to your recommendation not to wear a linen top when you’re wearing linen trousers?

Damian

Simon,
Wheres the best option in London to purchase a hat to keep the sun off ones head on an Italian beach this summer? (RTW not Bespoke)…

Bob

Do you rate each of those? I know another well known hatter fairly publicly slates Lock.

Being a 64-65 hat size unfortunately I don’t have many choices.

Rik

The caravans are lovely sunglasses. It’s actually great they aren’t as ubiquitous as aviators or the other classic Ray Bans

Anonymous

Interesting. I like the colour combo Simon.. I would have gone for a mid blue but the indigo is better. There is also a mild sleight of hand in the matching; as one comment points out the jacket seems too formal for the ensemble but it works as the natural linen trousers are cut so well and therefore retain good clean shape (despite the characteristics of linen).

Re. the Button Queen ; whilst the London shop is closed the business now operates online and is based in Wales. Following your mention in an article I visited the shop and bought a few items. It was a real find – a pity it has gone but I hope the business may last in its new guise.

Peter

Do you judge cream colour as impractical because it shows any soiling?
If an indigo shirt clashes with gray trousers, do you include light gray?

Damian

Would that outfit work with jeans?

David

Excellent colour combination and one I often sport myself.
In warm weather it’s perfect in cities for both day and dinner.
OK, the jacket is a little short but it is marginal and as you say it is something you can fix next time.
In terms of colour matching an indigo linen shirts. I also find that they go with a light tobacco colour. I have an A&S work jacket in heavy linen in this colour and they go perfectly.
Not keen at all on the shades Simon. I don’t think they are the correct shape for your face and look to be too narrow. I also think you need a more substantive frame to balance the outfit. Try a Cutler & Gross 128. They might work for you.

Nick Inkster

It’s a good looking outfit for me. Yes, you could go for a paler blue shirt (still in linen), as you could a pink or even a white, but I see nothing wrong with this at all.

I always think a tortoise frame looks better on sunglasses than metal, but it’s a very personal thing. I’ve got a pair with a yellowish frame and bluish lens, which would sit perfectly.

Brava!

Ben

Most of my acquaintances hate white trousers. Besides the impracticality point raised here, I don’t get it. I think they add so much more vivacity to an outfit—like the one here—compared with other light shades. Maybe it’s because I’ve never seen Miami Vice.

Thoughts on a white replacement here, Simon? I know you’ve endorsed it with light suede in the past.

Donald

Simon,
How do you transport your hat when traveling – in a box?

Handsome Aesthete

The glasses work very well with your face. Adding the beard takes it to the moon.

Bill

Hi Simon, all, any ideas of nice RTW trousers (with side adjusters) in this “natural” colour? I don’t have the time to go bespoke…

Thanks

Mac

Hi Simon
When pairing cream/tan/natural trousers with a navy jacket how should you vary the shade of trouser with the the shade/depth of navy in the Jacket? When the Jacket is a lighter navy should the trousers be lighter beige/tan or darker with a more yellow/khaki cast?

Prince Florizel of Bohemia

Dear Simon, would you mind telling us what number of the H&S mesh blazer bunch is the cloth your jacket is made from? Thank you!

Prince Florizel of Bohemia

Thank you, Simon! This is the name of the bunch, since there are more then just one navy and several blue swatches, I was wondering if you could possibly share the code of a specific fabric your jacket is made from. Is it 307004? I’m sorry for bothering you.

Prince Florizel of Bohemia

Thank you, that would be lovely. I’m concidering ordering a jacket from this material and would be curious to know about your choice.

Prince Florizel of Bohemia

Dear Simon, may I ask you if you had a chance to ask H&S about the code? Thank you!

FIDELIO

Hi Simon. I second the request for the code of your Mesh jacket! Is it perhaps 307004 (navy mesh solid) or 307003 (midnight mesh solid)?

FIDELIO

Thank you Simon. Sorry to insist on this but I just saw the Mesh blazers bunch and 307004 looks much lighter in person, almost blue. I suspect yours is 307003 even though it is called midnight. Here you can see both:
http://apparel.hollandandsherry.com/en/fabric/browse-by-use/jackets/307004-mesh-blazers-navy-mesh-solid

http://apparel.hollandandsherry.com/en/fabric/browse-by-use/jackets/307003-mesh-blazers-midnight-mesh-solid

Ben

Very nice colors Simon. I am thinking of commissioning a bespoke shirt by 100hands. Struggling between a denim cotton linen shirt of indigo blue and a 100% cotton denim shirt of same color. I like the custom fade of a denim shirt while I want to wear in hot and humid weather. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance

Ben

Thank you Simon. I love the color tone of your Every Day Denim. However, I asked you before – it’s something too thick for HK hot and humid weather. Right?

rond

My closet has gradually become more and more indigo and navy recently, and I saw some olive green canvas Palladium shoes I really love, but am not sure if they would go with most of what I have now (not dress clothes. Very workwear/casual. I have my black wingtips for my suits).
Would it look good or horribly clash?
Thank you

Anonymous

Which Neapolitan tailor is best value for money and consistency? I’m visiting in the summer and would like to get a pattern with a tailor I can count on to produce suits and jackets straight to finish for future orders.

Shem

Hey Simon would you say an indigo linen shirt is more versatile than a dark navy one? Am planning to do a MTO with drakes as a button down shirt but deciding between the two colours

Ayush

1) Wouldn’t navy linen look good with mid wash denim?
2) Is wearing linen with jeans a fashion mistake and would you wear the same as both are casual in a way?

shem

hi simon i’m trying to expand my wool trouser wadrobe (currently all grey) and the requirement is that any new pair made up has to go with a navy jacket.

I’m looking at a tan whipcord by H&S (http://apparel.hollandandsherry.com/en//9518301-dakota-tan-whipcord). Would something like this work? Its strange that I seldom see men pair navy jackets with tan wool trousers. Most wear tan cotton trousers over wool ones.

Rob

Simon, a question regarding panama fitment. Is it a problem if the crown of the hat touches your head? Is this indicative of too loose a fit around the band?

Rob

Thank you. I suspect it is the style. Pity, as I like the Lock St Louis Panama. It is loose around the head, but is sitting at the right place an inch above the ears.
https://www.lockhatters.co.uk/men/panamas/st-louis.html

Nik

Hi Simon,

Are you satisfied with the 350g Mersolair of these trousers compared to W.bill Fine Irish Linen in terms of fabric performance? Asking because Harissons says Mersolair is “softer” and I’m wondering whether this means inferior fabric performance (wrinkling in a ugly way, drape etc).

Nik

Thanks that helps a lot,

Have you tried Dugdale’s Lisburn? I’m asking because there’s a specific color I like that’s not available in W.Bill Linen. I’m being a bit pedantic here but since this is my first linen trousers I want to make sure I hit the spot between the colour I want and fabric performance.

Nik

Wondering if you’ve tried Spence Bryson for trousers and if yes, which range in particular? They have rather confusing ranges and weights.

Nik

No biggie, thanks for the info!

Anonymous

Is there any reason you chose cream, as opposed to a light brown, such as the sand color Stoffa offers in their trousers?

Henry

Hi Simon, do you prefer Mersolair linen over W Bill linen for separate trousers?

Lindsay McKee

Is it same to wash linen trousers such as the Ambrosi MTM ones shown ?

Lindsay McKee

Correction to typo error.
Word should be safe. .. to wash linen trousers

Lindsay McKee

That’s great to know.
Many thanks
Lindsay

Mike

Hi Simon,
Is this the same Sisal you got at Anderson & Shepppard? This one looks more like a trilby with a shorter/narrower brim than the one in your photos.

https://shop.anderson-sheppard.co.uk/lightweight-sisal-hat

Thank you!

Mike

Gotcha thank you!

Kuo Yuan Chi

Hi simon
why is cream trouser rather impractical?

thanks

Tamesh

It seems that you are not a fan of navy shirts. If yes then can I ask why?