How was Dry January for you?

February 2nd 2024

I didn't buy any clothes this month. That wouldn't be a hardship for most people and it wasn't much of a hardship for me, but I was surprised how much it changed my perspective. On the day after publishing our article announcing our Dry January pr...

How was Dry January for you?

Match in comments:
Thanks, yes, all those were on my mental checklist....

February 2nd 2024

Autumn/Winter picks 2022: J Press, RM Williams, A...

October 31st 2022

L’Impermeabile gilet, at John Simons £435 This lightly waxed gilet, particularly in the pale beige colour, is reminiscent of the Eddie Bauer style that has become popular in recent years. It’s 100% cotton on the outside though, whi...

Autumn/Winter picks 2022: J Press, RM Williams, A...

Match in comments:
It looks OK Jake - a little short perhaps, a little plain, and I guess not the highest quality from J Crew, but probably a decent option. Hard to say much about fabric or shape just from images...

Coats - KnitwearOctober 31st 2022

Autumn/Winter Top 10: Wax, Ivy and secateurs

October 11th 2021

This year’s A/W Top 10 list includes a sprinkling of new names, but a lot of familiar ones too. I don’t think this is unexpected or unwelcome. The world of classic, crafted menswear is not large, primarily because men still don’t ...

Autumn/Winter Top 10: Wax, Ivy and secateurs

Match in comments:
Hello Paul. I don’t know how easy it is to physically see C&J in Geneva so here is a close up of their rough out suede leather in brown if that helps, as sometimes official website pictures are met that helpful. I ...

Casual clothing - DenimOctober 11th 2021

What is French Ivy?

May 31st 2021

By Tony Sylvester “A few years back, I posted a photo of Paul Weller on my Instagram (above). It was taken in 1984 in his Style Council era, where much to the consternation of the Mod faithful, he was constantly tinkering with his attire - ali...

What is French Ivy?

Match in comments:
Sorry for the (extremely long) delay in responding but in France jackets/tailored coats and Weston loafers were definitely de rigeur, along with atrachés/ briefcases. In US Ivies it was more OCBDs and (at the time) Arma...

May 31st 2021

The heritage brands of John Simons: Vetra, Dehen,...

February 5th 2021

Last week, I wrote something of an homage to John Simons , the retailer that did so much to bring the Ivy League Look to the UK - and in the process, changed it into something more British and working class. John championed heritage brands long bef...

The heritage brands of John Simons: Vetra, Dehen,...

Match in comments:
Thanks Lindsay, yes we mentioned that in a more recent post, the Spring Top 10. Thanks for adding it here though...

Casual clothing - CoatsFebruary 5th 2021

John Simons – the shop, the history, the in...

January 25th 2021

In normal menswear - not even classic menswear, but everyday, everybody menswear, everything outside big fashion brands - retailers can often have more influence than designers. People like Charlie Davidson of The Andover Shop, Isabel Ettedgui of Co...

John Simons – the shop, the history, the in...

Match in comments:
Wasn't John Simons also involved with the Village Gate shops?...

January 25th 2021

The Winter Top 5: End, GRP, Real McCoy’s, B...

November 4th 2020

Anonymous Ism socks, via End £30 The online version of End is a surprisingly good source for classic clothing. Although it’s still dominated by street wear, and the new shop off Carnaby Street is entirely trainers and hoodies, the websit...

The Winter Top 5: End, GRP, Real McCoy’s, B...

Match in comments:
Thanks John, interesting to hear. There's a piece coming up on gilets and vests (featuring this piece as part of it), so good to get your thoughts there as well...

Casual clothing - ShoesNovember 4th 2020