The Tailoring Symposium: six greats in one room
June 19th 2015“Edward, Edward,” said Antonio Panico, in a conspiratorial whisper. “What was it like to fit Mick Jagger?” Just like the Shoemakers Symposium we ran in January, the biggest pleas...
The Tailoring Symposium: six greats in one room
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Not really, no.... Flannel isn't always great for a jacket, but more importantly this would be a very bold thing for a first commission (colour, DB, and 6x1 rather than 6x2) and I'd be afraid you wouldn't wear it that mu...
Almost ready – suits being made for our Tai...
June 12th 2015At our Tailoring Symposium next week in Florence, we have six of the greatest tailors in the world presenting their styles to the audience of press and buyers: Panico, Cifonelli, Edward Sexton, Richard Anderson, Liverano & Liverano, and An...
Almost ready – suits being made for our Tai...
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Sometime in the future it would be interesting to see a range of work from provincial Tailors. Some people who have posted on your Blog have alluded to this subject in the past. There are many talented people out there a...
Jonathan Cusick cartoon
February 10th 2015Well-known British caricaturist Jonathan Cusick recently sent me this cartoon, done as part of a series on men’s fashion (others linked to below). It’s not the most flattering I’ve had, but I suppose a caricature isn&a...
Jonathan Cusick cartoon
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It looks good Simon. It's a good job he didn't draw you with the bottom button of your jacket done up. If he'd done that then I think you'd probably have had to take legal action against him for deformation of character....
Harris tweed jacket and jeans
November 21st 2014Walking along the River Tweed, wearing tweed that (is it just me?) is rather reminiscent of the colours of the landscape. Of course, it’s Harris tweed and we’re in the Borders, but it seems fitting nonetheless. Cloth suited to i...
Harris tweed jacket and jeans
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Grey might have a blue cast but it would be fine with this jacket, it's such a neutral. A blue shirt itself would also be fine, which kind of proves the point. If in doubt, add some other warmer brown things, eg a reddis...
How to dress for winter
November 12th 2014I’m so excited the weather in London has finally turned cold. Summer clothing is great, but there’s just so much more of it in winter: hats, scarves, gloves, overcoats, plus heavy-gauge knitwear and serious boots. The key to dressing we...
How to dress for winter
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Two questions: a) where can one find a classic trenchcoat today? Burberrys stopped making them, neither does Aquascutum, b) is the Invertere coat company back in action, and where can they be found?...
Postcard from Begg – teasels and cream cash...
November 4th 2014One of the interesting tensions in a factory visit is the way machinery is portrayed. Some manufacturers will boast of their old, traditional methods, when in fact the same thing could be done, quicker, by a newer machine – they just can&...
Postcard from Begg – teasels and cream cash...
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Yes that would be nice. Not as versatile as most dark plain colours, but it is a nice subtle combination of shades...
Anderson & Sheppard online store opens
October 9th 2014As regular readers will know, the Anderson & Sheppard haberdashery launched by Anda Rowland and Audie Charles on Clifford Street is one of my favourite shops in London. Possibly the best single shop to open in whole 8 years this blog has be...
Anderson & Sheppard online store opens
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The fits I find OK, the designs just don't tend to appeal to me that much...
The eternal style of the shawl-collar cardigan
September 29th 2014If you don’t own a shawl-collar cardigan, it’s the one sweater you should invest in this winter. No other knitwear is more versatile: its collar makes it the only style that works with T-shirts, shirts or polos, for everyone. Some m...
The eternal style of the shawl-collar cardigan
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I have two of the shawl collared cardigans from Drake’s and a William Lockie labelled one that I bought from Richard Gelding (Baltzar). Although they look identical, they’re not in reality. The Lockie one seems to be...
Savile Row, parties and branding
July 21st 2014Last month there were three parties on Savile Row on the same night. Huntsman, Kilgour and Anderson & Sheppard all held events on the Monday of London Collections:Men, with very different atmospheres. While they showed very different ideas ...
Savile Row, parties and branding
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Is there a particular reason? This leads me on to my question about why you choose to or choose not to use a tailor, shirtmaker, shoemaker?...
Summer: Tan, white and cream
June 30th 2014Summer outfits often involve white somewhere, as it’s nice to reflect the brightness of the weather – particularly if you’re in Italy and the sun is that much more consistent than it is in the UK. Combining more than one white &ndas...
Summer: Tan, white and cream
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Thanks Simon. I was just thinking that articles like this one are truly fantastic. A bit off the beaten path for lots of people and yet so so useful for all of us who love our clothing!...
Checks, denim and balance
April 25th 2014The question I get more than any other – from both readers and friends – is how to wear separate or ‘odd’ jackets. Indeed, what differentiates an odd jacket from a suit jacket in the first place. There are two factors: cloth a...
Checks, denim and balance
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Thanks John. I can't say I agree on either point, but good to hear your view...
Hermes silk scarf with Shetland sweater
April 2nd 2014A silk scarf, tied any way, is a great way to recreate the contrast achieved by a suit and tie and keep the neck warm. The sheen of this Hermes silk scarf contrasts particularly nicely with the deep texture of a Shetland sweater. It can be worn with...
Hermes silk scarf with Shetland sweater
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I generally buy women's ones for silk like this Sohail, so they're all square 90x90...
Pictures from Pitti Uomo 2014
January 12th 2014A few of the pictures of me from Pitti this year. Above, in brown tweed Caliendo jacket (more on that in a couple of weeks), Anderson & Sheppard flannels and Ralph Lauren madder-like orange handkerchief. Tweed such as this goes well with lot...
Pictures from Pitti Uomo 2014
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There would need to be more contrast in texture, yes. Try charcoal plain-weave or fresco perhaps...
Eggert – Icelandic fur
January 6th 2014I have never been a big fan of fur. Not for any ethical reason, but simply because I have rarely found pieces that are subtle enough to appeal to me. The lambskin coat above, before you raise a quizzical eyebrow, does not count as subtle either. But ...
Eggert – Icelandic fur
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Can you recommend anywhere good now for fur accessories Simon?...
Men’s hats for winter
January 3rd 2014A reader recently asked me what hat I wear during the winter. It breaks down into three options: The trilby A ‘proper hat’, as many people seem to refer to it, a trilby or fedora is the default option with tailoring. I have worn Christy&r...
Animation – in Anderson & Sheppard, Du...
December 17th 2013I’ve received a few odd communications over the years, but this is the first time anyone has drawn a cartoon of me. As a big fan of graphic novels myself, particularly Chris Ware, this was a lovely thing to receive, although I must say the ...
Animation – in Anderson & Sheppard, Du...
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Wonderful and very recognisable rendition! You should incorporate that into the site....
Chittleborough & Morgan suit – at A�...
November 29th 2013For those that were interested in the Chittleborough & Morgan suit I wrote about last week, here are some more images. The photography was done by new online luxury magazine Essence, for whom I wrote a short piece on Anderson & Sheppa...
Chittleborough & Morgan suit – at A�...
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Around a year ago. And no, not in the immediate future....
Green is the third colour
November 25th 2013Navy and grey are the kings of colour. They should be your first choice for almost every item of clothing – suit, jacket, trousers, overcoat, knitwear, even ties. Navy in particular for jackets and ties; mid-grey or charcoal for trousers. The c...
Green is the third colour
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Ice Cotton is a branded yarn, a high twist I think...
Three good, three bad
November 15th 2013I don’t often write negative things about brands. There are so many great things to write about, and I generally prefer to simply not cover them than write something negative. Perhaps, as Spanish readers suggested at a seminar in Madrid las...
Three good, three bad
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Hi Simon, I've just picked up a black Turnball & Asser DB tuxedo jacket in a charity shop for an absolute snip! Looks like it was made bespoke but never worn. Fits me lime a glove! Problem I have now though of course...
Luca, Satriano Cinque and A&S collars
November 4th 2013[NOTE: Luca Avitabile, the cutter for men’s shirts at Satriano Cinque above, has split from the company and set up on his own. I recommend contacting him for any inquiries, at [email protected]] One of the nice things about having cl...
Luca, Satriano Cinque and A&S collars
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Either double or single, perhaps with a rounded edge but doesn't have to be...
Slim-fitting knitwear at Anderson & Sheppard
October 14th 2013Most shops do not redesign the knitwear they stock. They pick colours and models, and decide which sizes to carry, but the overall design and fit is left untouched. This is perhaps understandable: they do the same with other stock such as ties and ha...
Slim-fitting knitwear at Anderson & Sheppard
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It is dressy, yes. I wouldn’t wear it with denim...
How to wear separate jackets and trousers
October 2nd 2013In an age where suits no longer dominate the workplace, more and more men are wearing separate jackets and trousers. But while the dress code is more relaxed, the outfit is suddenly more complicated. There is much broader range of cloth, colour and p...
How to wear separate jackets and trousers
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I know what you mean, it's certainly more common in those places, but it still stands out by virtue of being so tonal (as well as when it's pale overall for example) compared to ones that aren't I find...
Me in Dartmoor; Michael in suede; Thomas joins G&...
September 23rd 2013These photos were taken at the Gieves party for Rose Callahan’s book I Am Dandy last week. Michael ( Browne, Chittleborough & Morgan) and I were rather underdressed, perhaps deliberately so, for an evening of fops and costume drama. Mic...
Me in Dartmoor; Michael in suede; Thomas joins G&...
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much obliged Simon. A...
The BTBA summer party
July 8th 2013Friday was the Bespoke Tailors’ Benevolent Association (BTBA, new version of MTBA) summer ball. As per usual there was an eclectic range of outfits, from sober business dress to top hats, cream linen to sequins. Three Anderson & Shepp...
The BTBA summer party
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No, I'm afraid not. It looks very similar to my W Bill linen though: http://www.permanentstyle.com/2014/07/spanish-tailors.html...
Savile Row Bespoke at London Collections: Men
June 18th 2013Anda and Savile Row Bespoke outdid themselves yesterday, at the second The English Gentleman event. Held in the pavilion of Lord’s, there were dozens of suits on display from 19 different Savile Row houses. Most importantly, many of them had sp...
Savile Row Bespoke at London Collections: Men
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No, but it's a fairly standard lightweight worsted. It will be a merino wool, in something like a super 120 or 150, around 9 ounce...
