The Casual Style Guide back in stock
I swear, we didn't try to create any of this hype. The Casual Style Guide, the book Jamie Ferguson and I published in March, was just popular. Particularly with wholesale accounts - menswear shops around the world - who bought up much of the stock before it could go on the PS shop.
That meant those books went fast, and suddenly shops were getting anxious phone calls asking if they had copies. If you did want to create hype around a launch, it would be hard to do a better job.
Fortunately, we immediately ordered a second edition and that has now arrived. Several hundred readers have already pre-ordered copies, and those should have started going out. A lot of shops have restocked too. Everyone else, you can now buy your copy on the PS Shop here.
The first book, plain old The Style Guide, is still in stock on the shop and several of the stockists have taken copies of those too.
My talented-photographer partner and I are eternally grateful for your support.
That's my slubby double-breasted linen jacket from Ciardi above, by the way, worn with a silk/cotton shirt (Sictess, Columbia Silk, K14 5000/100) made by D'Avino.
I found the jacket really good for travelling - with a white T-shirt, black jeans and Alden loafers for casual, and here with a cream shirt and brown tailored trousers in the evening. I'll do something showing that little travel capsule another time.
All photos taken from the book launch at The Armoury in New York. Thank you to everyone there for making us so welcome, and throwing such a great party. Sorry to the two readers who didn't get copies because we ran out. We finally have more!
Thanks to Chris Fenimore for the photography
Do you know where Jamie’s jacket is from in the pic sat next to you?
I think it’s Anthology, with a Wythe tencel shirt underneath. But I’ll double check
Confirmed – Anthology in a deadstock Dugdale cloth
How do wash your silk/cotton shirt Simon ? Some pure silk shirts seem to require dry cleaning which is impractical for a garment in contact with skin.
You can machine wash this, but it’s only 10% silk.
I know what you mean about silk, but there are enough Americans out there that seem to dry clean everything. Having one or two shirts you have to do that with I don’t mind
Can confirm that there is definitely an American obsession with dry cleaning, almost always unnecessary.
Probably not the traditional way to launder silk, and at risk of admonition, throw it into a laundry bag and toss it in the wash.
Seema
Generally using a laundry bag in the wash is good for knits that could stretch or get caught on something if in with everything else. It doesn’t help so much with silk shirting where the issue is more heat and agitation
Thanks Simon. I will look into getting a copy. Does Amazon carry it?
The need for a book like this is obvious. I see men every day who simply can’t dress themselves or to be honest, even want to. Bill Nighy made an observation that if you randomly selected 30 men and lined them up, maybe 7 would look ok. But in 1947, they would all, all 30, have looked ok.
Looking forward to reading it.
Nicely put Bob, couldn’t agree more. Bill is a good dresser, but really he has a uniform and sticks to it, and it would have been completely normal 50 years ago
No, the book is not on Amazon. We would make zero profit if it was….
Why would you make zero profit?
Because when you’re producing something unique in fairly small volumes your margins aren’t large, and Amazon take all of that (as well as discounting)
Simon,
I have an unrelated question. I am to wear a brown sport coat (dark charcoal, navy, or black trousers) for a wedding and am choosing between cashmere and a [attached] wool-cashmere blend but in herringbone–would you say that the herringbone is too informal in a crowd that will likely mostly be wearing suits?
Probably not, but I’d still go for the cashmere if it didn’t make any other difference
I did just realize that the cashmere one, despite more formal structure and texture, has patch pockets–is that a significant factor?
It is a factor, though again not a huge one. I would say in that case I wouldn’t have any direct preference between the two – but neither will look odd
Can’t remember if I’ve asked this before, but would you consider making an ebook?
We wouldn’t, no, because the reason we do books at all is to have something physical that’s pleasurable to hold and use
Was pretty sure you were going to say that.
Hey Simon. With regards to the PS Shop, is there a new summer shirt on the horizon? Unsure if I read something on this a while ago – or imagined in anticipation of a new shirt for the season 😄
There was, yes. It’s been delayed rather, not sure if it will still come out this summer but will certainly let everyone know on the site
I really liked this book. I think my casual style mainly is tonal. But with some preppy/Ivy influences during the Summer and with a bit of British Country in the Fall and Winter.
Any news on the tapered t-shirts?
Nice, lovely to hear Carl.
We just heard that half of them have arrived – trying to track down the other half!
You will be pleased to know that I saw it a few weeks ago in a display case of a local haberdasher at the Rocco Forte Amigo Hotel in Brussels. I assumed it was included in order to better establish the bona fides of the establishment, and to catch the eye of an international traveler or a visitor to the hotel’s estimable Bar Magritte.
Nice
Correction: it was The Style Guide, same point.
Received mine the other day and thought it well put together.
That said, I found that so many looks were ruined by folk adding too many elements.
There should really have been a section titled ‘Less Is More’ because it really is.
I appreciate that most of the folk featured are associated one way or another with the rag trade which in itself leads to more of a ‘Living to dress philosophy’ rather than ‘Dressing to live’ which does impose some sort of limit to the exercise.
Much can be learned from the flaneurs of old. The likes of McQueen, Newman, Redford, Grant and Delon really knew when to stop. They kept it simple and consequently so cool and elegant.
Sadly so many featured look like they were just wearing a bundle of ‘stuff’.
Thanks David, and yes I often agree. Of course it depends on your personal style, but I do think it’s interesting having so many elements and then you can quite easily take one or two away, even a different one on a different occasion
A senior manager complimented me the other day on my dress sense, and then a few days later gave me a pained look (pink western shirt, black cotton suit, black patterned silk scarf, etc). I think it’s easy to play it ‘safe’ with minimal outfits, but you don’t develop without a lot of failures. I’ve enjoyed the outfits where people’s experiments are on view. They probably know it’s not quite right, but seeing other people share that development process is a privilege of sorts.
Just got given this (and the style guide) for New Zealand fathers Day. It’s wonderful! The only problem is that when I want to ask a question in the comments section I find it’s a book 😛 A good reminder of how spoilt we all are with your wonderful website Simon. Thanks so much for all your work!!
Ha! Lovely to hear Aaron, and feel free to carry on asking questions here.