How to dress for winter

November 12th 2014

I’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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I don't know the detail there I'm afraid, sorry...

Coats - Hanks and scarvesNovember 12th 2014

Postcard from Begg – teasels and cream cash...

November 4th 2014

One 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...

Hanks and scarvesNovember 4th 2014

Anderson & Sheppard online store opens

October 9th 2014

As 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...

KnitwearOctober 9th 2014

The eternal style of the shawl-collar cardigan

September 29th 2014

If 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...

Knitwear - StyleSeptember 29th 2014

Savile Row, parties and branding

July 21st 2014

Last 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?...

July 21st 2014

Summer: Tan, white and cream

June 30th 2014

  Summer 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 ...

Summer: Tan, white and cream

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I think cream trousers like this are fine in the evening, yes, particularly with a dark jacket on top. It would be hard to do it in England, but in somewhere where it's been full sun all day, I think it looks fine....

StyleJune 30th 2014

Checks, denim and balance

April 25th 2014

The 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...

StyleApril 25th 2014

Hermes silk scarf with Shetland sweater

April 2nd 2014

A 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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It's a 90cm square, the classic women's size. But Hermes only keep a design for a season or two, so it won't be around any more I'm afraid....

Hanks and scarves - StyleApril 2nd 2014

Pictures from Pitti Uomo 2014

January 12th 2014

A 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...

StyleJanuary 12th 2014

Eggert – Icelandic fur

January 6th 2014

I 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?...

Casual clothing - HatsJanuary 6th 2014

Men’s hats for winter

January 3rd 2014

A 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...

Men’s hats for winter

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I wouldn't really, no, but I can't say I've seen any that look stylish. Also I need something for the top of my head!...

HatsJanuary 3rd 2014

Animation – in Anderson & Sheppard, Du...

December 17th 2013

I’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....

BagsDecember 17th 2013

Chittleborough & Morgan suit – at A�...

November 29th 2013

For 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....

Style - SuitsNovember 29th 2013

Green is the third colour

November 25th 2013

Navy 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...

StyleNovember 25th 2013

Three good, three bad

November 15th 2013

I 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...

Casual clothing - DenimNovember 15th 2013

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...

November 4th 2013

Slim-fitting knitwear at Anderson & Sheppard

October 14th 2013

Most 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...

KnitwearOctober 14th 2013

How to wear separate jackets and trousers

October 2nd 2013

In 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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In terms of jackets? I'd start with something like a light or mid-grey jacket, white shirt and black shoes. I'd then also try a navy, a cream, possibly a black, and possibly a beige/oatmeal. Plain colours (given the trou...

Jackets - StyleOctober 2nd 2013

Me in Dartmoor; Michael in suede; Thomas joins G&...

September 23rd 2013

These 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. Mi...

Me in Dartmoor; Michael in suede; Thomas joins G&...

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much obliged Simon. A...

StyleSeptember 23rd 2013

The BTBA summer party

July 8th 2013

Friday 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 & Shep...

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...

July 8th 2013

Savile Row Bespoke at London Collections: Men

June 18th 2013

Anda 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...

June 18th 2013

Anderson & Sheppard DB jacket

May 8th 2013

I have a few Anderson & Sheppard DB suits, but no jackets. I have found that the jacket of my royal-blue flannel suit, however, works well on its own, and that led to this commission last year for a lightweight DB jacket in a brown Loro Pian...

Anderson & Sheppard DB jacket

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Compared to Milan or Rome, yes they feel a little structured. But compared to Huntsman or other more structured British tailoring, they do not. They are in between. Personally I don't find they really need breaking in, o...

JacketsMay 8th 2013

Sartorial synaesthesia

March 18th 2013

The sensation a beautiful horn button arouses is akin to the anticipation of taste. I want to eat it, like a wholemeal cookie. I’ll never understand why the Italians prefer corozo.

Sartorial synaesthesia

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Very aubergine......

Style - March 18th 2013

Anderson & Sheppard on Clifford Street: It’s ...

March 8th 2013

It is perhaps understandable to assume that the new Anderson & Sheppard store on Clifford Street is expensive. Bespoke suits round the corner certainly aren’t cheap, while in Clifford Street the trousers are over £300 and you can ...

Anderson & Sheppard on Clifford Street: It’s ...

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Yes the staff are very customer focussed in that store and are good at presenting their products and getting customers to try them on. (Unlike Edward Green who have a fantastic product but don't offer the same quality of...

Hanks and scarves - KnitwearMarch 8th 2013

The first BTBA annual Dinner

February 9th 2013

Thursday was the first Festival Dinner for the new Bespoke Tailors Benevolent Association. The new incarnation of the MTBA dinner, it was notable for two things: the brevity of the speeches, much to everyone’s relief, and the guest speaker Adri...

The first BTBA annual Dinner

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I agree; AA Gill is well worth interviewing. Clothes as culture is a topic too rarely mentioned. Great add, AP!...

February 9th 2013