Christmas Gift List 2023: Do not read!
Permanent Style reader, this is not for you. This is intended for your wife/husband/partner/child/dog, in an attempt to help source a Christmas present for someone who, let’s face it, is very fussy in general but particularly about clothing. ...
Christmas Gift List 2023: Do not read!
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I'd go off the shoes primarily, and I think both suede or leather would be fine, I don't think leather would be too smart...
Spring/Summer Top 10 ’23: Shirts, shorts an...
It may still be cold outside (in the UK), but it’s late April and time for a write-up of the Spring/Summer pieces I’ve liked from our favourite brands. If you have any questions about other releases from these brands (or indeed brands n...
Spring/Summer Top 10 ’23: Shirts, shorts an...
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It's hard to tell Ayush, but if they were pyjamas I'd probably use something softer, like a light cotton...
Tobacco, black and white (some T-shirts in stock)
You know that feeling when you realise a new purchase unleashes potential in an old, beloved garment? Like getting a yellow oxford and realising it doesn’t just look good with jeans, but also with your favourite herringbone jacket? OK, I&rsquo...
Tobacco, black and white (some T-shirts in stock)
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Well, they certainly don't have to fit close - eg The Anthology ones are looser - and of course you can get bigger sizes of those two. Some knitted tees like those from Thom Sweeney also have less of a knitwear fit, more...
The slouchy cardigan
Most cardigans that classic menswear fans admire fall into one of two camps. First is the cardigan to be worn under a jacket, frequently sleeveless. This is often quite thin, and is practical as an additional layer for warmth. It can look a little ...
The slouchy cardigan
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I think soft-collared shirts might be good underneath, but yes crewnecks, T-shirts etc would probably look best...
The Spring Top 10: Fun, paper and lavender
It’s that time of the year again. Brands have been receiving all the spring clothing they ordered last year, even though they weren’t quite sure whether it would arrive, or be swallowed by an unexpected lockdown. So rejoice, there are n...
The Spring Top 10: Fun, paper and lavender
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Regarding Trumpers. Apart from ordering a tub of Almond Shaving Cream which is utterly superb and highly concentrated in a very generous 200g tub... probably the best value of all the prestige London barbers, I asked for...
The guide to Shetland sweaters: Part two, brands
By Manish Puri "In part one of this guide, we discussed the general styles and constructions of Shetland jumpers, which I hope helped provide context for which jumper is right for you and why. Now that you’ve eaten your metaphorical vegetables...
The guide to Shetland sweaters: Part two, brands
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Nice to hear Eddie. Was there anything in particular you thought was out of date?...
Comfortable yet elegant: A cosy winter combination
*Note: The source of the material for the trousers has been corrected, below. It was Zegna denim, not Loro Piana. Still not available though!* We haven’t done a simple outfit post in a while, so let’s talk about this one - worn for a rec...
Comfortable yet elegant: A cosy winter combination
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That sounds nice David, yes, although is it wool? Is it worsted/smooth? Are we talking a high-twist suiting-like material?...
The suede overshirt (or shirt-jacket, or shacket)
I have this image in my mind. Of a man meeting a good friend for brunch on a Sunday morning. A man that dresses as I want to: considered and tasteful, not showy or sloppy. He's looking forward to a coffee. He carries a newspaper under his arm in ca...
The suede overshirt (or shirt-jacket, or shacket)
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Thank you!...
If you only had five bags: A capsule collection
Five bags might seem like a lot – certainly compared to shirts or ties, as featured previously in this series . But given you’ll need some kind of suitcase, plus a day bag, and probably a backpack for cycling, walking or s...
If you only had five bags: A capsule collection
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Thanks Edwin. Let me know how you get on, it would be nice to have a cotton version...
Support our shops. At least the real ones
It is genuinely important that - if you can - you visit a UK shop and support it now they’re open again. Why? Because good retail offers something distinct that could easily be lost. Let me explain the difference between a good menswear store...
Support our shops. At least the real ones
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Can't believe I forgot about Blackhorse Lane - such a pleasure to deal with. Discovered them before I heard about them here, just stumbled in there not knowing what they were about. Long may they thrive....
What are the best knitwear colours under tailoring?
This question about knitwear worn on its own (without a shirt) came up twice recently - once in a comment about polo-collared knits (above) and once in a reader question about roll necks. So it feels like it deserves its own post. Anyone that has w...
What are the best knitwear colours under tailoring?
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I think it might be good to try some darker trousers, yes...
Casual chic: The art of looking smart without a suit
Connolly I often find there's a lot of anxiety among readers, and consultancy clients, about how to dress smartly without tailoring. It is, of course, a topic we've addressed many times. But today I'd like to emphasise a point that’s often mi...
Casual chic: The art of looking smart without a suit
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I do both Tamesh, sometimes mixing it up and sometimes wearing much more similar pieces together...
The Summer Top Five: Adret, Anglo, Anthology, Con...
With stock delayed and most shops closed, there seemed less point in doing our regular Spring/Summer round-up earlier in the year. So here, rather later, is a Summer-targeted piece on items I've tried myself and especially recommend. I've also kept ...
The Summer Top Five: Adret, Anglo, Anthology, Con...
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Those pieces would be long sleeve, correct? I think then it looks like a piece of knitwear, whereas most would see this Anthology piece as a T-shirt essentially, just a fancy one. I might wear the Anthology under a jacke...
Seraphin made-to-order project with Connolly
*UPDATE: The offer has now launched, and the jackets are available to order in the Connolly shop, or by phone, until December 10th. Sizes and measurements of the jacket are included at the bottom of this post. Sleeve lengths can be altered. If you w...
Seraphin made-to-order project with Connolly
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It is a little thicker, but also denser, a different hide altogether. It's also much more expensive than the reversible, which gives you access to a greater range of leathers. I'm afraid I don't know anyone offering it a...
The knitted, fully fashioned T-shirt
When I travel, my default these days is a blouson over shirt and trousers. It makes a nice switch from tailoring during the working days – perhaps a little more comfortable, but more importantly just a change that feels as good ...
The knitted, fully fashioned T-shirt
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Thanks Joshua. Yes, I would. And if I wanted to make everything a little smarter I might balance the knit t-shirt with a loafer....
Couture and bespoke, the linen trouser, and other...
Back in the day, a feature of mine in the Financial Times or similar was enough to justify a full post on Permanent Style. Today, they rarely get a mention. So I thought readers might be interested in being directed to such pieces. They are, after a...
Couture and bespoke, the linen trouser, and other...
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Sorry Ben, I didn't see that, it must have been edited out of that version. How annoying. If you want to hear about it, it was in Galliano's podcast 'In memory of'. Look it up. I believe the SS19 version....
Our Spring/Summer Top 10, 2019
Last week the weather in London turned from 12 degrees to 22 in a couple of days. It seems that what passes for the English Spring is finally here. Of course, with most shops and brands Spring/Summer collections arrived in February, and went on sale...
Our Spring/Summer Top 10, 2019
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Appreciate simon...
A Connolly tonal outfit: cream, grey and brown
This outfit, worn on the last Saturday of our pop-up shop, is a good illustration of the kind of clothing that excites me at the moment. It could be defined, perhaps, as casual but luxurious, muted but refined. Casual, in that there’s no jacke...
A Connolly tonal outfit: cream, grey and brown
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Great, thank you, Simon....
Seeing the trees for the wood: Connolly and Yard-...
A reader recently asked whether there was anything I particularly liked on The Rake’s online shop , given how much they’ve added in the past year. I feel I know why he’s asking. The Rake has added so much product recently that it&r...
Seeing the trees for the wood: Connolly and Yard-...
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I don't know the details of the deal, but I don't believe it will be, no. I wouldn't really write anything yet as I don't know details and wouldn't want to speculate....
How I filter fashions
Fashions sweep through the world of classic menswear on a fairly regular basis – no matter how permanent we think our tastes and styles are. I find it pays to consider each carefully, and then over time decide which of three camps it falls int...
How I filter fashions
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Not sure you could quite, but you're right they're very expensive. A lot of it reflects the work that's gone into them, which is why you don't see anything quite like them anywhere else....
Our Spring/Summer Top 10, 2018
Last week a friend in the industry asked me what aspect of writing Permanent Style I like the most. It is always, easily, discovering a new tailor, cloth or product that is different and inspiring. That journey from discovering something new, to see...
Our Spring/Summer Top 10, 2018
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Hey Gab, They have aged pretty well, yes, though I'd say Aspesi is generally a good Italian brand but not the best quality around. The materials in the polo were good, but there was nothing that special about the make. I...
The roll neck
The Spring/Summer collections may be arriving, but it’s 2 degrees outside in London, and I’m continuing a season-long love affair with roll necks. The wonderful thing about a roll neck is that it is both very practical and very stylish; ...
The roll neck
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I think both can work well, it depends on the kind of things you would wear them with mostly. I would go with slightly thicker, a thin one can look a little effeminate and hard to wear on its own...
How to look after your shoes
This is the first in a series of videos that we will be doing over the coming months, looking at caring for good clothes. They will be instructional, but not too technical, and we plan to build them up slowly over the year - so for example, not try...
How to look after your shoes
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Ah, yes but that will vary a little - sometimes if they've been on display in the shop they will have had some polish on them already...
Field jacket, rollneck and flannels
A few readers last week asked about this outfit I included in our 'High/low dressing' post. It's a combination I love, and shamelessly copied from an Italian gentleman I saw in Milan a few years ago. Men should never be afraid of taking inspiration ...
Field jacket, rollneck and flannels
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The Real McCoys will mostly be the same quality - the advantage of them over vintage is more that they are always available, in new condition, in a range of sizes. There may be little improvements, but I wouldn't buy on ...
Christmas gift list 2017
I finally got around to putting together a Christmas gift guide for this year, which I know many readers have asked about (and like forwarding directly to their wives). I have deliberately not included either Permanent Style products here, or those ...
Christmas gift list 2017
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Thanks for that. Always good to hear practical use feedback....
