August Special, Besnard, Haversack: Autumn highli...

October 25th 2024

1. Snow Peak Boa Fleece jacket £220, Large If a Permanent Style reader wanted a good fleece - for park wear as much as mountain wear - this Snow Peak one ticks most of the boxes. It’s a nice style, in a good fleece, without any obvious b...

August Special, Besnard, Haversack: Autumn highli...

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Yes, I would have thought so...

Bags - KnitwearOctober 25th 2024

Christmas Gift List 2023: Do not read!

December 8th 2023

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...

Belts and wallets - Black tieDecember 8th 2023

Spring/Summer Top 10 ’23: Shirts, shorts an...

April 28th 2023

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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I cannot comment on the substance of their environmental activism, if that is primarily marketing, but as far as my information goes, at least the working conditions in the supply chains of Patagonia are no better than a...

Casual clothing - Hanks and scarvesApril 28th 2023

Tobacco, black and white (some T-shirts in stock)

February 13th 2023

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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I don't know any singlets like that I'm afraid. It is possible to lower an armhole, at least on tailoring, but it may be a little harder on that tough material. Nothing will help make the sleeve bigger though...

Casual clothingFebruary 13th 2023

The slouchy cardigan

June 10th 2022

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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Cardigans are like corduroys, there is a reason OAP's wear them... Comfort and practicality. In over heated modern buildings they are very practical, if you overheat you simply unbutton it. They are also easy to throw on...

Belts and wallets - KnitwearJune 10th 2022

The Spring Top 10: Fun, paper and lavender

April 20th 2022

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...

Casual clothing - CoatsApril 20th 2022

The guide to Shetland sweaters: Part two, brands

December 15th 2021

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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O'Connell's standard shetlands are indeed Jamieson's since a J tag comes with each one. The exception may be the Voe's since there is no identifier. These are all high quality. I do miss the Shetlands sold by the 2 Oxfor...

KnitwearDecember 15th 2021

Comfortable yet elegant: A cosy winter combination

October 6th 2021

*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?...

Coats - KnitwearOctober 6th 2021

The suede overshirt (or shirt-jacket, or shacket)

September 17th 2021

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!...

JacketsSeptember 17th 2021

If you only had five bags: A capsule collection

September 8th 2021

  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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Have you tried Bennett Winch? I think their bags might find as the make is a little chunkier but not as much as the Filson...

BagsSeptember 8th 2021

Support our shops. At least the real ones

April 14th 2021

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....

April 14th 2021

What are the best knitwear colours under tailoring?

January 20th 2021

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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Not in the near future I'm afraid Cam, no...

KnitwearJanuary 20th 2021

Casual chic: The art of looking smart without a suit

July 22nd 2020

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 don't mind it, though I'd normally go with plain...

Casual clothingJuly 22nd 2020

The Summer Top Five: Adret, Anglo, Anthology, Con...

July 15th 2020

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...

Casual clothing - CoatsJuly 15th 2020

Seraphin made-to-order project with Connolly

October 29th 2019

*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...

Casual clothingOctober 29th 2019

The knitted, fully fashioned T-shirt

August 30th 2019

  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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Less so, absolutely. Also depends on the material of the polo - a fine one like our Finest Polo doesn't feel like knitted wool, whereas a chunkier Colhay's one does more. And in both cases I think I'd wear it under a car...

StyleAugust 30th 2019

Couture and bespoke, the linen trouser, and other...

July 8th 2019

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....

July 8th 2019

Our Spring/Summer Top 10, 2019

April 24th 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...

Bags - Casual clothingApril 24th 2019

A Connolly tonal outfit: cream, grey and brown

April 1st 2019

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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I think that sounds very nice, yes. I would say it would be great to have a similar piece to take to the tailor for inspiration, as it rarely works out perfectly if you ask them to try and design something with just a fe...

StyleApril 1st 2019

Seeing the trees for the wood: Connolly and Yard-...

March 15th 2019

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....

Casual clothing - Glasses and jewelleryMarch 15th 2019

How I filter fashions

August 1st 2018

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....

StyleAugust 1st 2018

Our Spring/Summer Top 10, 2018

May 2nd 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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I see. Thanks so much Simon!...

Bags - Casual clothingMay 2nd 2018

The roll neck

February 16th 2018

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 other more natural colours like dark browns might be a good way to go, but yes burgundy could look great too Yes I agree on the Colhays one. If you want a bigger fit it's probably not for you...

KnitwearFebruary 16th 2018

How to look after your shoes

January 12th 2018

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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To be honest it's a very long time since I've bought any. They're usually maker's own, but otherwise somewhere like Skolyx...

Shoes - VideoJanuary 12th 2018

Field jacket, rollneck and flannels

December 11th 2017

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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Thank you Simon...

Casual clothing - KnitwearDecember 11th 2017