Double-breasted checks, and cream trousers

October 30th 2015

A couple of readers commented on the collar of my Anderson & Sheppard suit in our recent video, ‘How to look after your suit’. A&S have always cut a particularly thick collar (1.75 inches at the back for me), an...

Double-breasted checks, and cream trousers

Match in comments:
Thank you, most helpful...

StyleOctober 30th 2015

If you only had five ties – a capsule colle...

October 26th 2015

Readers often ask for ‘capsule collections’ of types of clothes – shoes, suits, ties etc. There are many reasons such a list is useful. It can point to the ‘essentials’: those things that provide t...

If you only had five ties – a capsule colle...

Match in comments:
Thanks a million, Simon. I’ll give that a go. All the best, Mark...

TiesOctober 26th 2015

Wearing a jacket and jeans

October 12th 2015

If there is one question men ask more than any other, it is how to wear a jacket with jeans. Behind this usually lies a desire to dress up an outfit without appearing too up-tight. Friends in the creative or digital industries often have this prob...

Wearing a jacket and jeans

Match in comments:
Personally, no I think it looks a bit too smart. It's not bad, but one reason I think is that the jeans look very clean - a modern, more Italian wash with no fades and creasing etc...

Casual clothing - JacketsOctober 12th 2015

Launch party: The Finest Menswear in the World

September 18th 2015

It was lovely to see so many people on Wednesday night at our launch party for The Finest Menswear in the World. Nearly everyone made it, despite the torrential rain, the taxi strikes and the underground closures. Cleverley and Anderson &...

Launch party: The Finest Menswear in the World

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Yes, it's not flannel just a lightweight wool....

September 18th 2015

London: A sartorial city guide

August 12th 2015

I’ve had quite a few requests by readers over the past year for city guides, so this is the first in a series. In London, there are so many options that it makes sense to group some together. Also, if I leave too many out I’ll...

London: A sartorial city guide

Match in comments:
Nice to hear Brian...

August 12th 2015

The Finest Menswear in the World

July 17th 2015

Finally, wonderfully, the book on luxury craft I began writing three years ago is coming out: The Finest Menswear in the World. – You can buy your own personalised copy of The Finest Menswear in the World in the Permanent Style shop &...

The Finest Menswear in the World

Match in comments:
Thank you, Simon. Yes, I think makers, especially with own brand, like Zilli and Seraphin schould be in prioritet position. That's why I would add Hettabretz to your selection. I read what Hattabretz small maker with own...

July 17th 2015

Drake’s factory sale

July 14th 2015

A reader asked earlier in the week when the Drake’s factory sale was. The answer is, Thursday! The sale is being held at the Haberdasher Street location, from Thursday to Saturday. Opens at 10am Thursday. Also featuring Mackintosh. See ...

Drake’s factory sale

Match in comments:
I had heard that, yes. The office is mostly in the basement at Savile Row now. I don't have any more information though...

July 14th 2015

Thank you (in Cifonelli and Begg)

April 15th 2015

Everything seems to be happening at once at the moment. Next week the Permanent Style magazines should be here, which is probably the most exciting thing. On Monday we held our first Gathering dinner, which everyone seemed to really enjoy. And we&a...

Thank you (in Cifonelli and Begg)

Match in comments:
I think it can look very nice. Bear in mind that linen and cotton will usually look more casual, though, and perhaps therefore better suited to casual jackets rather than suiting. Lightweight wools are often better with ...

StyleApril 15th 2015

The versatility of a gilet

April 10th 2015

The most useful articles of clothing are often those that cover core of the body – waistcoats (knitted or woven), gilets, and to an extent scarves. It is they that make a lightweight outfit warm enough, or enable us to cope with cool morn...

The versatility of a gilet

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What is the rectangular inside pocket for? A ruler, to measure the distance of your country walk? A mini-baguette to eat by the river? A micro-umbrella to impress friends with your preparedness? A quill and parchment, to...

Casual clothing - StyleApril 10th 2015

Kingsman: British and bespoke

December 15th 2014

Kingsman: The Secret Service launches in the UK in February. There are several nice things about this. Sections of it are set in Huntsman, on Savile Row. The clothing is all supplied by British brands (and nearly all made in the UK): George Cleverl...

Kingsman: British and bespoke

Match in comments:
He was not influenced by Edward directly. I'm afraid I'll have to leave these questions there if that's ok. I can't reply to all of them, but I hope I have helped with your thoughts process. Simon...

December 15th 2014

My Christmas list

November 28th 2014

At this time of year I normally do a list of Christmas gift suggestions. Apparently last year a reader took the initiative and left a print-out of the list sitting on a coffee table at home. It did the trick – a couple of the items turned...

My Christmas list

Match in comments:
I actually find that fine linen is very comfortable in that regard...

November 28th 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

Match in comments:
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

How to wear a cardigan

March 21st 2014

Several readers commented in last week’s post on trousers that they would appreciate something similar on cardigans in such outfits. So here we go. I will largely be talking about sleeveless cardigans (although given we will assume they ar...

How to wear a cardigan

Match in comments:
Without muddying the waters too much for the non British,I would say you could use a jumper for goalposts,but not a cardigan....

Knitwear - StyleMarch 21st 2014

Cifonelli jacket, D’Avino shirt and others

December 23rd 2013

A reader asked what I was wearing at the dinner of Parisian Gentlemen last week. Fortunately, a profile photo was taken that day at the intellectual property conference I was speaking at – the reason I was in Paris in the first place. In t...

Cifonelli jacket, D’Avino shirt and others

Match in comments:
Here are some more pics of Simon's DB: http://dirnelli.tumblr.com/post/69709009635/simon-crompton-shows-you-how-the-cifonelli-bespoke...

Jackets - ShirtsDecember 23rd 2013

Drake’s Christmas sale now on

December 5th 2013

Those of you with long memories will have fond recollections of the annual scrum that was the Drake’s Christmas sale at the old factory. After a brief stay at the Music Rooms, the sale is now being held at the new factory on Haberdasher Str...

Drake’s Christmas sale now on

Match in comments:
Hi Simon, do you know if Drake's still do their annual Christmas sale given that they also do a factory sale in the summer?...

December 5th 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�...

Match in comments:
Around a year ago. And no, not in the immediate future....

Style - SuitsNovember 29th 2013

A (Christmas) word from our sponsors

November 18th 2013

One of the nice things about having nice advertisers is the range of Christmas shopping ideas they present. Here are my favourites. Among the best additions to the collection at Drake’s are the untipped cashmeres in various shades of grey. The ...

A (Christmas) word from our sponsors

Match in comments:
A Fine Pair of Shoes - my supplier of Saphir Shoe & Leather Polish and related products, probably the best around!...

Bags - Belts and walletsNovember 18th 2013

Just four Permanent Style ties left

November 5th 2013

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Just four Permanent Style ties left

Match in comments:
Hi, Yes most English shirts have that fault. Unless they have a higher collar, like the Francomb ones at Lewin. But then they are often too high, or have two buttons, silly colours etc... Simon...

Ties - November 5th 2013

In praise of the cotton suit

October 21st 2013

Cotton gabardine is probably the best suit material for men who don’t like suits. It is soft and casual, shaping to the body in the way cotton will, but not bagging like corduroy or wrinkling like linen. It also ages subtly and gracefully. The ...

In praise of the cotton suit

Match in comments:
I really don't know I'm afraid Cormac, sorry. On navy socks, I wear them with navy trousers and jeans really only - I don't find them as versatile as shades of grey (charcoal or mid-grey) in that sense...

SuitsOctober 21st 2013

Last few Permanent Style club ties

October 17th 2013

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Last few Permanent Style club ties

Match in comments:
Oooo wouldn't they make nice prizes Simon? ;-) /Owen...

Ties - October 17th 2013

The Permanent Style club tie

October 10th 2013

– NOW SOLD OUT – The Permanent Style club tie is now available to buy on the Drake’s website. The ties are strictly limited to 100 numbered editions and the first 10 will be on sale tonight at the Drake’s opening party...

The Permanent Style club tie

Match in comments:
I don't Arthur, no, though I am still rather fond of it...

TiesOctober 10th 2013

That something special…

October 8th 2013

The something special is our next collaboration: the Permanent Style club tie. Made by Drake’s at their new facilities on Haberdasher Street (I know, right?), the tie is a navy twill with the Permanent Style paisley woven into the front bla...

That something special…

Match in comments:
It wasn't when this post was written, Jakub, but it is now. Read the post that went up today...

October 8th 2013

Video on suits and their construction

September 11th 2013

Last week I was profiled in a video series for Harrod’s, giving insights into the construction of Kiton and Tom Ford suits, among others. It should be available in a couple of weeks, coinciding with the launch of a new MTM/bespoke initiative at...

Video on suits and their construction

Match in comments:
Thanks Simon. That looks spot on. Cruel though to send that video to an emigrant Irish man. Rory's accent is killing me. I'll be crying into a pint of Guinness tonight....

Suits - VideoSeptember 11th 2013

How to tie your tie

September 4th 2013

Dear Simon, Ties and their lengths are causing me some problems.
I have bought several ties recently, all from Drake’s, but realise that they are slightly too long. Being 5’6’’ I know I am not the tallest of peopl but then, ...

How to tie your tie

Match in comments:
First, I think it's worth stating what I've often said: there is very little consistency to how Bond has dressed over the various films, whether in cut or style, and I find it odd that so many people consider them part o...

TiesSeptember 4th 2013

Permanent Style collaborations

August 30th 2013

Someone pointed out recently that some Permanent Style collaborations – with La Portegna, for example, or Passaggio Cravatte – have ended without any news as to how they went or the product was received. Both of those sold out, and we s...

Permanent Style collaborations

Match in comments:
I didn't realise that Phillip, would you mind sending me the details and I'll look into it? There may be some excess available Simon...

August 30th 2013