The Trench Coat with casual wear

September 13th 2019

Over the past three years, Permanent Style has gradually covered more casual clothing in response to requests from readers. Guys want to know how to extend PS principles of quality, fit and simplicity to weekend clothing, and that makes sense. I&rsq...

The Trench Coat with casual wear

Match in comments:
Thanks Dave...

Denim - HatsSeptember 13th 2019

Christmas gift list 2018

November 30th 2018

  It’s that time of year again. The TV adverts that started a month ago should have been a warning. Below is my Christmas gift list for 2019. It is not a comprehensive list of the best menswear gifts right now. It’s certainly no...

Christmas gift list 2018

Match in comments:
Good point, no in a medium now. Though that is partially preference and partially me getting a bit bigger. I take medium now...

Belts and wallets - Hanks and scarvesNovember 30th 2018

New York: A sartorial city guide

October 14th 2015

New York is a strange town for menswear. It’s a bit of a Wild West, without the same traditions of Europe and with bespoke largely undermined by visitors from Savile Row. If there is a tradition, it is for value: low-priced sack suits that a...

New York: A sartorial city guide

Match in comments:
Thank you!...

October 14th 2015

Postcards from New York

May 9th 2014

I’ve been in New York this week, visiting old and new friends – neatly encapsulated by this blurry photo of dinner last night with Steven Taffel of Leffot (left) and Bram Frankel of William Abraham. Many thanks to Pierre Lenis at ...

Postcards from New York

Match in comments:
Looking forward to that Corthay write up Simon! Re: Paul Weide - You just mentioned all the things I love about Phineas Cole ads! Good on you....

May 9th 2014

Luxury hiking boots in the FT

December 10th 2013

My latest article in the Financial Times, on luxury hiking boots, was published this weekend. If you’re interested, the post can be found here.

Luxury hiking boots in the FT

Match in comments:
Please print this disclaimer: Do NOT NOT Not use any of these boots for actual backpacking or "hill walking". Go to a genuine outdoor outfitter for real boots. The boots shown are fashion statements only, and serious use...

ShoesDecember 10th 2013

Just four Permanent Style ties left

November 5th 2013

0 0 1 50 289 Euromoney Trading Ltd. 2 1 338 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-s...

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

Last few Permanent Style club ties

October 17th 2013

0 0 1 55 316 Euromoney Institiutional Investor PLC 2 1 370 14.0 96 Normal 0 false false false EN-GB JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style...

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

Permanent Style in Free & Easy magazine

March 22nd 2013

This column in Japanese magazine Free & Easy is the result of the photo shoot I posted about before Christmas. I have no idea what the Japanese text says, but hopefully it faithfully reports my opinions on shoes and shoe collecting, and desc...

Permanent Style in Free & Easy magazine

Match in comments:
John you wouldn't be so sceptical and ignorant in your reproach if you judged by the content of the magazine. It's one of the best menswear magazines out there in my opinion, much more relevant than the shit they sell in...

ShoesMarch 22nd 2013

Leffot shoes: New York is hooked

May 16th 2012

My first visit in New York was, naturally, to the shoe store Leffot. When I was in New York four years ago, I stumbled across Steven Taffel’s new shop the month it opened. At that point you couldn’t get half the brands that he stocked &nd...

Leffot shoes: New York is hooked

Match in comments:
Thanks Simon...

ShoesMay 16th 2012

Pierre Corthay, London glaçage evening

February 27th 2012

I had a lovely evening last week at the first of Corthay’s glaçage events – that’s a high polish to you and me. Myself and three Frenchmen, quietly polishing our Corthays and getting tips on technique from maitre patineur, ...

Pierre Corthay, London glaçage evening

Match in comments:
Surely "maître patineur" is a masterful skater? skating is difficult to master, but probably not much use for shoe polishing. Agreed that the title has a great ring about it, though....

ShoesFebruary 27th 2012

US shoemaker tours

September 20th 2011

It’s time for US tours again. Doesn’t time fly? The full dates for two makers – Cleverley and Alfred Sargent Handgrade – can be seen on their sites at those links. And pictured we have some new styles from Sarg...

US shoemaker tours

It’s time for US tours again. Doesn’t time fly? The full dates for two makers – Cleverley and Alfred Sargent Handgrade – can be seen on their sites at those links. And pictured we have some new styles from Sargen...

September 20th 2011

Alfred Sargent Handgrade

November 24th 2010

Following a conversation earlier in the year with Chay Cooper, I commissioned the Alfred Sargent Handgrade shoes above. One of the reasons Handgrade has developed such a word-of-mouth following is the personalisation it offers, both as regards the de...

Alfred Sargent Handgrade

Match in comments:
No, sorry HC...

ShoesNovember 24th 2010

Leffot: A sign of US shoe trends

March 24th 2010

In New York this week, and I popped in to see my good friend Steven Taffel, founder of Leffot – far and away the best shoe store in the city. In fact probably anywhere in the US outside Hawaii (the competition there being Leather Soul). Since S...

Leffot: A sign of US shoe trends

Match in comments:
I just purchased a pair of Alden Indy’s here in Honolulu from a nice guy, Matthew from Leather Soul. So far, so good:-) I also have a pair of 1908 Centennial Red Wings. I’m glad I have both....

ShoesMarch 24th 2010

Do you know what you’re selling?

September 1st 2009

One of the luxuries of shopping at tailors and other high-end menswear stores is the knowledge of staff. OK so if you’re a real shoe geek you might know more than the sales assistant – few people care what a rand is, even if they love sho...

Do you know what you’re selling?

Match in comments:
Haha! I remember exactly this on my first and only time in Jill Sanders's store in London. I was stunned at the apathetic attitude of the sales guy serving me and I remember now it was an issue I had with sizing. I did e...

September 1st 2009

Carréducker show and training

May 7th 2009

A quick note to readers in New York that Leffot will be holding a trunk show for Carréducker on Saturday, May 9. Carréducker makes fine shoes in the UK and, most interestingly, runs courses for those interested in learning how to handma...

Carréducker show and training

A quick note to readers in New York that Leffot will be holding a trunk show for Carréducker on Saturday, May 9. Carréducker makes fine shoes in the UK and, most interestingly, runs courses for those interested in lear...

ShoesMay 7th 2009

A few new gems at Leffot

April 2nd 2009

Leffot, the shoe store I described as “a gem in New York” almost a year ago now, is going from strength to strength. Back then it had only been open a month and was still finding its feet. Now it is expanding its offering (quite impressiv...

A few new gems at Leffot

Match in comments:
When I saw this it made me want to go out and buy five pairs of shoes immediately....

ShoesApril 2nd 2009