Wearing black shoes with jeans

April 1st 2024

This is something I’ve had questions about recently - I assume because fashion generally has taken a turn towards black and, combined with the general casualisation going, black shoes and jeans have become a more common styling choice. So the ...

Wearing black shoes with jeans

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It definitely could work. Perhaps a little bit harder than with a brown-suede shoe, but as long as being sockless looks natural (ie warm weather, casual clothing/tailoring) and the shoe isn't too formal either, it should...

StyleApril 1st 2024

How to pack for a three-day trip: Video

March 4th 2024

The ' travel capsule' posts we've done are always popular - I think because they are useful for actual travel, but also for anyone looking to build a versatile wardrobe in general. In that way they're one more addition to the 'wardrobe building' ser...

How to pack for a three-day trip: Video

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For a smart pair, something in a dense weave like a cavalry twill or a whipcord...

Bags - VideoMarch 4th 2024

Cifonelli cashmere overcoat: Style Breakdown

February 21st 2024

  This cashmere coat from Cifonelli, which I’ve had now for nine years , is similar in many ways to the two coats we’ve covered previously in this series – from Ciardi and from Liverano . There are some technical di...

Cifonelli cashmere overcoat: Style Breakdown

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Hey Jack, Yes it's basically a tonal look, grey and grey, which makes it more unusual and slightly more fashiony. We talked about it a bit here. No I wouldnt' do it with a navy jacket, I don't think...

CoatsFebruary 21st 2024

Liverano ulster coat: Style Breakdown

February 7th 2024

  This coat from Liverano & Liverano in Florence has had a bit of an after life, being imitated in this tweed a fair bit, as well as spurring some to have the same coat from Liverano (despite the high cost). It remains one of my abs...

Liverano ulster coat: Style Breakdown

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Thank you James. Next time, we'll be there!...

CoatsFebruary 7th 2024

Layering up for travel: Shawls, cardigans and vests

January 29th 2024

It was effing freezing in Paris two weeks ago: officially minus five, felt like minus ten. I know that’s not extreme if you live in Sweden or North Dakota, but it’s not the kind of weather you’re used to in London, I can tell you. ...

Layering up for travel: Shawls, cardigans and vests

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The 64 is pretty round, so more towards the casual end of the spectrum, though of course it depends on other factors too, like the welt, sole etc. I would wear it quite casually, like the boots you link to, and would thi...

Hanks and scarvesJanuary 29th 2024

Why I love my Ferdinando Caraceni blazer

January 8th 2024

This jacket from Ferdinando Caraceni has become one of my real favourites in the past couple of years, and I think it’s worth exploring why. It says something about where tailoring is today, at least for me. It was made in 2021 by Nicoletta C...

Why I love my Ferdinando Caraceni blazer

Match in comments:
Hi Wu, Nice to hear, thank you. To be honest, a blazer like that is not something I've ever looked into having made, as it's not a style I like so much - perhaps a little too costume-y. If you have specific questions, do...

Jackets - StyleJanuary 8th 2024

The weekend gilet or vest

December 1st 2023

As colder weather has arrived recently, there have been a few questions from readers about gilets or vests. It’s not a category we’ve covered in much detail, so Alex and I took a bunch to the studio last week and had a play with a few ou...

The weekend gilet or vest

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No, I didn't slim them. They are high waisted and wide legged, not one I'd wear everyday. But this is the width they were...

Casual clothingDecember 1st 2023

Casual suits with collared knits: A new default

November 10th 2023

I like wearing suits. Not only do I have a lot that I like wearing, but I continue to commission them – not as much as sports jackets, certainly, but consistently. It can be an issue knowing how to wear them without a tie though. I know I have...

Casual suits with collared knits: A new default

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The Faloni ones don't, I've tried them, and I don't know about the Saman ones but I seem to recall they were better but still not great. It's a problem we tried to solve for a reason unfortunately. The only other ones I'...

Knitwear - SuitsNovember 10th 2023

The appeal of Solaro: Suit from Cristina Dalcuore 

October 11th 2023

Solaro has always been one of those materials I’ve found intriguing but never took the leap on, simply because I was too unsure how much I’d like such an unusual, and in some ways showy material. For those that don’t know, Solaro ...

The appeal of Solaro: Suit from Cristina Dalcuore 

Match in comments:
Yes...

SuitsOctober 11th 2023

Introducing: The New Friday Polo

September 22nd 2023

The Friday Polo was one of the first proper products we ever developed on Permanent Style and has gone through several iterations - spread collar, button-down, lightweight and heavy, short sleeve and long. But in the eight years since it launched, ...

Introducing: The New Friday Polo

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If it looks natural, it can be nice and relaxed. If you like that type of look, also try tucking the shirt in but lifting up your arms to let it untuck as much as it needs to, and just not worrying if it gets untucked du...

September 22nd 2023

Questions about unlined loafers – with my B...

August 18th 2023

There have been quite a few queries about unlined shoes, particularly loafers, in recent months. Ones about longevity and fit specifically have come up multiple times. I thought it would be good therefore to do a post summarising answers to them, in...

Questions about unlined loafers – with my B...

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They're absolutely fine in the winter Faiz, unless your feet get very cold...

ShoesAugust 18th 2023

If you only had five (casual) shoes

June 28th 2023

  This is intended to be a partner to the ‘ If you only had five shoes ’ article in our Wardrobe Building guide, which was all smart footwear. Today’s piece is shoes that aren’t smart enough for a traditional office o...

If you only had five (casual) shoes

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Pleasure Lawrence, pleased I could help...

ShoesJune 28th 2023

Packing for travel: My Japan capsule wardrobe

May 24th 2023

I thought it would be interesting to do a post on what clothing I packed for my recent Japan trip. People always seem to like these capsule pieces , although this trip was particularly challenging for a couple of reasons. First, I needed a full ran...

Packing for travel: My Japan capsule wardrobe

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Yes there's quite a lot in there I'd question, most obviously the suit jacket with the jeans, and the gabardine suit with the oxford shirt. I think you could take a fair bit from this, but I would be cautious around the ...

Style - WatchesMay 24th 2023

Finest Polos back in stock, with charcoal and black

May 5th 2023

The Finest Polo - our superfine, high-twist merino knit - is back in stock, with black and charcoal new for this season, alongside navy. The colour choice this summer was partly driven by last summer. I wore a sample of a charcoal at Pitti last yea...

Finest Polos back in stock, with charcoal and black

Match in comments:
No worries, always...

KnitwearMay 5th 2023

The practicality of a sweater over the shoulders

April 12th 2023

Wearing a sweater over the shoulders has a lot of negative connotations. But if you can get away with it - because of your style, of where you are, or just because of your personality - it’s incredibly practical. This suit I wore at Pitti earl...

The practicality of a sweater over the shoulders

Match in comments:
Understood Rob. I personally find it doesn't really fall off, but then it depends what I'm doing that day - I'm just walking around town and chatting, not playing with the kids. And, if I tie the sleeves I don't find the...

Knitwear - SuitsApril 12th 2023

The Squarzi capsule: How to dress like Alessandro 

March 29th 2023

  Alessandro Squarzi has a reputation as a good dresser, and usually looks appealingly stylish yet relaxed. Yet the way he currently dresses is actually very straightforward, and I think can be a lesson to guys everywhere – in how...

The Squarzi capsule: How to dress like Alessandro 

Match in comments:
Alessandro has a great, effortless style indeed. But he also has a smile on his face which makes him look even better!...

Style - WatchesMarch 29th 2023

An Hermes silk scarf with all navy

January 30th 2023

Long-term readers will be familiar with my passion for Hermes silk scarves, which I’ve often bought over the years as a treat, and of which I now have a small collection (nine of them, since you ask). I’ve found particular enjoyment thi...

An Hermes silk scarf with all navy

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Yes, that would be nice PA. Nice size for that...

Hanks and scarvesJanuary 30th 2023

Reader profile: David E

December 19th 2022

David is an example of a reader that has been into clothes for a long time, and now looks back on it from the perspective of a professional and father, fitting that interest into a life that has changed dramatically. A resident of south-east London...

Reader profile: David E

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That’s very encouraging. May give him a commission soon. Many thanks Lindsay...

StyleDecember 19th 2022

Indulgent Shawl Cardigan back in stock, with new ...

November 21st 2022

*NB: The black shawl actually has black-horn buttons, not light brown as in the sample shown.* After a good few weeks' delay, I'm pleased to say that the Indulgent Shawl-Collar Cardigan is finally back in stock - in a new black iteration as well as ...

Indulgent Shawl Cardigan back in stock, with new ...

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If we had one it would be on sale I'm afraid J! But yes, I'm sure we'll restock it at some point...

KnitwearNovember 21st 2022

Double brown: Just a touch less subtle

November 7th 2022

I think there's a useful variable in considerations of how we dress that we haven't talked about explicitly before: how subtle or showy clothes are. I might write a longer piece on it at some point, but I think it's essentially a spectrum from the v...

Double brown: Just a touch less subtle

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If it's an outfit like this, where they're virtually the same, I don't think it matters which way round they are. But as I say in the article, this isn't a normal tonal outfit - you'd normally want more contrast...

Knitwear - StyleNovember 7th 2022

My Anderson & Sheppard cord suit: How great ...

October 5th 2022

  This Anderson & Sheppard jacket is part of a suit I had made over 10 years ago. When I wrote back in January about my ‘ favourite clothes ever ’, I named it my favourite ever piece of bespoke. It is therefore a good ca...

My Anderson & Sheppard cord suit: How great ...

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Perhaps, yes, for a slightly smarter/sharper look...

Jackets - October 5th 2022

Tailoring for travelling: tough, comfortable, plain

August 29th 2022

In our recent articles on menswear destinations in Rome, a couple of readers asked about the outfit I was wearing for beating around the hot city. The individual pieces should be pretty familiar: cotton double-breasted jacket from Ferdinando Carac...

Tailoring for travelling: tough, comfortable, plain

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Probably a size up, you don't want them to be too tight...

Jackets - Socks and underwearAugust 29th 2022

Coloured summer jackets: Final Anderson & Sh...

July 29th 2022

How do I feel about orange? This linen looked more like a terracotta red when it was a swatch, but let’s face it, it’s orange. Fortunately I rather like it. Strong colour isn’t normally my thing, but when I do wear it, I prefer the...

Coloured summer jackets: Final Anderson & Sh...

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It's the two-ply high-twist wool from Drapers, in the Ascot bunch. They are the trousers from this suit...

JacketsJuly 29th 2022

What shoes should I wear with brown trousers?

May 23rd 2022

This might seem like a fairly simple question, but it comes up so often in comments that I think it’s worth answering in full here, and then directing anyone in the future to this post. The reason people ask about shoes with brown trousers, o...

What shoes should I wear with brown trousers?

Match in comments:
Strength and weather-resistance are the only ones really. I'd only go for it if weather-resistance were a big factor...

May 23rd 2022

Rain: Cap and cordovan, or felt and suede

May 9th 2022

This may be a little niche, but it’s something that often stresses me out in the morning, so hopefully it will be of some use to others. My plans for what to wear on a particular day usually don’t account for rain. I might be going int...

Rain: Cap and cordovan, or felt and suede

Match in comments:
Hey Jack, No, it's a rubber sole but a thinner one...

Coats - HatsMay 9th 2022