The watch company Bucherer recently made a 'Day in the Life' video about me, which they shared on their social media and I've included below.
It includes some nice points about Permanent Style - how proud I am of the community it's become over the years - but the main focus is the clothes and the watches.
There's a fair bit of poetic licence taken with this, as I'm not the kind of person that wears three outfits in a day. Even if I'm going out to something smart in the evening, I'll try and find a way to make one outfit work for both day and night. As we talked about last week with the Art du Lin suit, where I swapped a polo for a shirt and tie in the evening.
But there is a useful chunk of truth here, in that it shows three ways I dress today - a parallel, in some ways, to the article last year called 'Three wardrobes that define my week.'
In that article, the three were:
- Tailoring. Usually jacket and trousers, no tie, my standard work attire
- Casual chic. Smart without bespoke, shirt or polo, chinos or good trousers
- Weekend casual. Workwear and sportswear, jeans and tees and sweats, usually only a home
In this video, there is a slight variation but still a lot in common. The three are:
- Tailoring, but a suit. Same idea as 1 above, just in a (Solaro) suit and no tie
- Evening, sort of casual chic. A tailored jacket, but over a polo and jeans. Smart but not suited, dark colours
- Weekend casual, but in town. Same as 3 above, just worn during the week when just visiting casual places like Bryceland's
Most of these outfits have featured somewhere previously on PS, but to break them down for anyone that wants it (with links to those old articles):
Tailoring
- Solaro suit from Dalcuore
- Denim shirt from Al Bazar
- Tan alligator belt from Ludens
- Tobacco-suede loafers from Gaziano & Girling
- Yellow-gold Cartier Tank Francaise watch
- Covered in this article on the Solaro suit
Evening
- Navy wool/cashmere double-breasted jacket from Ferdinando Caraceni
- Black cotton polo shirt from Rubato
- Black jeans from Levi's (vintage nineties, made in USA)
- Black-suede Piccadilly loafers from Edward Green
- Yellow-gold JLC Reverso watch (on blonde ostrich strap)
- Covered in this article from Korea
Casual
- Reverse-horsehide jacket from Himel Bros via Clutch
- White T-shirt from Permanent Style
- Grey Ball Park sweatshirt from The Real McCoy's
- Vintage Levi's (sixties, big E)
- Brown-suede Cranleigh boots from Edward Green
- Though looking at them here, perhaps a rougher boot might have been nicer
- Omega seventies Speedmaster watch
- Jacket covered in this article on Clutch
Thank you to all the team at Bucherer, as well as to Mortimer House, Bryceland's and Maison Francois, where the video was filmed
I have a Bucherer watch that I bought in Zermatt back in 2012 which I’ll reveal in this post later matched with suitable clothing!
Elegant video…. the promotion of the Bucherer watches is quite subtle.
Compared to last year’s article „Three wardrobes that define my week“, would you say that your style has evolved since then…. maybe becoming somewhat more casual?
Hey Markus,
No I’d say it’s still pretty consistent, each category is just a slightly broad spectrum and will change with particular circumstances, such as this evening one
Very tasteful video Simon. Congratulations. Never really thought about a navy jacket with the rest of an outfit in black. Looks very cool especially for an evening out. Is it a combination you wear frequently ?
Cheers Thomas. Not that often, but then I don’t go out that much!
I’d say it is one of two or three outfits I reach for for a slightly dressed up evening like this
Thanks Simon. Enjoy your weekend.
Hi Simon. This is a lovely video. The three separate outfits all look great. Just stopping by to say that I’d love to see an article about the outfits you reach for for a “slightly dressed up evening” as you mention above in your comment.
Also was interested in the fact that you went for a more structured shoulder here with jeans, as I remember you hadn’t preferred that combination in the past. I think it looks great here though.
Hey Tom,
Thanks, we do have something planned along those lines.
And also on more structured tailoring with jeans! So good timing there.
S
Looks a skillfully put together video, too short though – more please!! As an aside I’m really enjoying the new black denim shirt. It’s been to a few different countries already and is washing really well (maybe twenty washes so far) without losing any colour – I think.. Certainly no sign of it thinning anywhere etc. Thought that little feedback might be of interest. Thanks again
Amazing, and yes very helpful, thanks Jim. I think I’m only four or five into mine
Simon, happy summer, when you mentioned “perhaps a rougher boot might have been nicer” could you comment on what you would have in mind please.
Many thanks.
Cliff
Sure Cliff. Something like a work boot from Viberg or similar – not an English bootmaker probably. Though a Trickers in a coarser material would be good too
I‘d agree! With a combination like that a nice C&J Coniston in Scotchgrain or in Rough Out Suede would have been more „in-line“ with the rest. Still a very nice outfit overall.
I really love this style of video .
I normally find myself watching one and then going over to my wardrobe and day-dreaming alittle !
Mr Porter used to do videos like this quite a few years ago.
I personally think you should do more of these videos. After all , clothes need to be seen ‘moving’ .
Thanks Robin. Do also see our Reels recently for some little casual videos showing things like that
I like the pairings of Tank with the suit and Reverso with evening outfit. If it were me I’d have gone reverse for more conventional combination of suit with low profile watch and evening outfit with a statement watch but I think that in this case the contrasts actually work better. That Cartier is surprisingly versatile for a classic gold watch, I think it could easily be one watch collection for the right person.
Thanks, and yes I agree.
I think it’s also the case that the suit is not that smart or subtle in style, while I don’t really wear what I’d consider a statement watch
I definitely agree on the versatility of the Cartier Tank. The trouble is I once you start getting deep into the craft of watches it’s hard not to want to build a collection! It’s a hobby I’ve been trying to avoid to save my wallet but I always love seeing other people’s collections. Simon’s has me particularly green with envy.
It’s my grail watch, I really don’t need more than that watch and so is indeed my one watch collection .I do have to admit owning a Seiko 5 sporty watch inherited from my dad. So it’s a two watch collection.
It’s a 30mn tank Louis from the 70’s with a hand wound movement.
So classically small.
In this day and age of overconsumption I find that I try to not collect too much. I would love to own a royal oak or a submariner and the list can go on and on. But I will not buy any, it’s good as it is now. I notice that as soon as I have bought it it’s just laying there, worn occasionally. It’s the same with fragrances. And with clothing as well, you can only wear so many.
But clothing is my only bane, I love to get new things to wear hahaha. Plus I have an excuse as my tailor is getting close to retirement I have to quickly order more…. But he already told me he will continue until he either dies or cannot move the shears anymore. So who is kidding himself now:)
Would you wear other navy jackets with that all black ensemble? Single breasted, softer shoulder?
I don’t think so – the combination is a touch showier and I think it needs a jacket like that too, with more going on.
This may appear to be an odd, but genuine question.
Because you have so many outfits it’s highly unlikely you’ll wear any of them enough until they develop their own patinas or idiosyncrasies of older and loved clothes that many of us enjoy.
Is that something you ever consider?
Yes, it’s a good point and something I find frustrating sometimes – eg our Wax Walker: I love mine, but I have other raincoats, often ones we’re developing for the shop, and as a result it never gets worn as much as I’d like. This is also probably one reason I buy more vintage and second-hand clothing.
Still, there are perhaps a dozen items that I wear with everything, and have completely fallen apart or will. My old Al Bazar denim shirt that finally destroyed the collar, for example, my Armoury chinos, or my Doek trainers that now have holes all over them.
Plus I’ve been wearing clothes so long that even with not that frequent wear, many have a great patina – you see that with shoes in particular. Some of these have appeared in the How Great Things Age series over the years.
Thanks. Been wondering about that.
This was something I’d hoped you’d expound on for “dry January” – so count this as another call/suggestion for a future article in that vein (maybe call it “The things I wear most frequently (and why, where and when)” – not necessarily things that you love the most as those could get less frequent/more special outings).
If you can forgive the cross reference, one thing I found interesting in this Die, Workwear! article was the concept of dressing for 24 seasons (lunisolar calendar) and how the subtle shifts change what is chosen to be worn. I find myself gravitating to certain items during phases of the year and maybe you do too; so perhaps that could also inform the above article, should you choose to pursue it. (https://dieworkwear.com/2023/04/19/living-legend-an-interview-with-yukio-akamine/)
And if there are things that you would like to wear more often but don’t/can’t for various reasons, those could also get a special mention.
Thanks Mike, sure nice idea on the first article. The 24 seasons idea sounds a little too structured for me – I wouldn’t plan what I would wear in that way. But I can see how it would provide context for types of weather and times of year.
The last point makes complete sense too.
Hi Simon, not sure if you prefer people to comment in older articles relevant to their question. Love the site, just started following. Do say so I know for future reference.
I went to a tailor this weekend and thought about getting some trousers or a blazer using a more casual material and found the Loro Piana cotton bunch very nice to the touch, and also the Zegna cashco cashmere blend, also quite appealing. Both have 2% elastic.
My question is that I noticed in a different recent post of yours you said something about being disappointed with a commission from Hong Kong, can’t remember the tailor off the top of my head, because there was elastic in the cotton fabric.
Is elastic in fabrics to be avoided? Is there any benefit or downside for trousers or blazer that I should be aware of? Thank you.
Hey Joss,
Either is fine, whichever you find easiest or whichever article you’re reading.
Yes, general elastic is worth avoiding, because it affects how the material drapes, how it ages, and isn’t necessarily more comfortable – it tends to pull at you.
The piece you’re referring to was from The Anthology. You’re right, that didn’t work out well.
It is a little personal, so if you’ve had stretch before you might not mind it, but I’d advise caution. Also, it depends on the percentage – 1% is quite different in feel from 3% for example.
Great video. Nicely done. It’s he sort of video I’d like to see showing products in action from the PS Shop.
This would entice me more to buy. I know you can always send stuff back but that’s not my way.a
Thanks David, and helpful feedback. The only issue is that a video like this would considerably add to the costs of each product (thousands) and I’m not sure I’d want to do one at a Instagram-type production level. But I’ll definitely bear it in min
fun fact, Bucherer is the worlds largest watch dealer, with an estimated revenue bordering 3 billion USD (yes, 9 zeroes).
Simon why do you perpetuate the inappropriate meaning of certain words?
You can get a patina on a hard surface (copper, bronze, leather etc), but not on a soft one (wool, cotton, linen etc).
Far better to refer to the appearance of soft surfaces as aged, or well worn. Better education for your readers too.
Thanks
Harry
I think the word has expanded in use over time, and helpfully so. Originally it was just the green film on metals like copper and bronze; today it can cover other materials like leather, though not really the other soft materials you mention
Thanks Simon. I think we are agreeing on what patina is, but it was your reply to J Crewless on the subject where you said many of your clothes are starting to have a great patina that prompted me to comment.
Understood Harry – I meant leather products, shoes and bags, primarily there
Really great content – also really enjoying the video content on instagram. The notebook and pencil combo looks great – could you provide some details on what it is your using ?
Sure – the notebook was from J.Girdwood, a brand which no longer exists, but it is simply a Horween cordovan sleeve for a Moleskine notebook or similar. The pencil is the Perfect Pencil from Graf von Faber Castell
Simon, are you wearing short sleeved polo from Rubato?
Yes. Ideally it would have been the long-sleeved, but I don’t have both unfortunately
Thanks for responding to my question. Were there any reasons you chose the short-sleeved over the long-sleeved version?
No problem at all Rob, always here to help. It was because I thought I’d wear it more on its own or in hot weather, which has proved to be the case
What a nice piece about you! Very well done. And I do love that Speedmaster.
Simon I am in the middle of searching for an evening jacket other than navy. Your suggestion on colours and materials would be greatly appreciated.
What activity and level of formality are we talking about in the evening Michael? It’s a fairly big range
I would say an occasion that would require similar to what you wore in the video.
In that case I’d look at dark colours largely – perhaps charcoal, something with a little texture to it, like a herringbone, a subtle donegal, perhaps even a cashmere. After that I’d go to dark browns
Thanks. Never thought of charcoal, I will have a look. If I were to go for dark brown would corduroy fit the bill as well?
What is your view on dark taupe brown jackets? I don’t think I’ve seen you in one
Corduroy could be cool, but it is inherently a more casual fabric so you’d want to make it smarter if you could – darker colours, perhaps a finer wale.
Dark taupe could be really nice, good with trousers in neutrals, black, grey, cream. I guess my Ciardi cord is a grey/taupe, and it too is fairly good for evening as a cord coincidentally
Amazing, thanks. After seeing your Ciardi jacket I’m leaning towards dark taupe but I might opt for wool+cashmere plain twill in single breasted and wear it with the black jeans. Does it sound like a good plan?
Yes, that sounds good. Perhaps in a soft construction
Simon, today I saw that Saman Amel released photos of their new season jackets. Coincidentally the dark taupe jacket that I had been picturing in my mind was included. While it looks like a very calm and sophisticated color, how would you recommend pairing it with a shirt or sweater underneath?
Hey Michael,
That does look nice. I reckon a white or cream shirt would be nice, a black or grey or charcoal knit. Then tailored trousers or black jeans maybe
Simon,
Were you wearing a Bouchere watch in the video? I missed that.
Do you wear crocodile or alligator skin belts? And can they be worn casual?
your casual look is always elegant. this is something I cannot nail. I wonder whether the problem is that the trouser has to be the foundation. Say, the right proportioned chino, or just the right shade of blue denim.
No I wasn’t. The video was for their pre-owned division, which isn’t selling Bucherer watches mostly. Also bear in mind that most of the Bucherer business is running boutiques selling other watches, not their own brand.
Yes I wear those belts – if you have a search you’ll find them featured a fair few times around PS.
I can see casual is harder to nail than people think. Have you seen the article on casual style paradigms? I think that is one useful way to start thinking about it.
I’m sorry, this isn’t a question about menswear, but how is Maison François?
I’m not a foodie (Lucas will be able to say more) but I really like it. Nice relaxed atmosphere, good food and cocktails