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

Pop-up shops for 2024 – in London and New York

February 28th 2024

I'm pleased to say the dates are fixed for two pop-ups this year - in London next month and then in New York in October. In three weeks we will be back on Savile Row, kindly hosted by New & Lingwood in their space at No.19. This worked well ...

Pop-up shops for 2024 – in London and New York

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Yes, we should have all the outerwear hopefully. Ask closer to the time to be sure, but they are all expected before then...

February 28th 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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They're a very dark brown, but yes look pretty much black. Perhaps a very dark brown is nicer in that it has a little depth. Plain black can look a little cheap or plasticky...

Hanks and scarvesJanuary 29th 2024

Journal article on my children

January 22nd 2024

I wrote a little piece for the Rubato journal this weekend, about how good my children's instinct is for clothing. They nearly always give a good steer, I think because they're both very observant and know me very well. You can read it here. The coa...

Journal article on my children

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My 9 .year old son has been saying for years "can I have that when I am older?" almost on a weekly basis. It could be something that was outwardly cool in his eyes (that may have made me look younger) or something that i...

January 22nd 2024

Eight outfits I liked at Pitti – and why

January 19th 2024

Pitti Uomo this year felt busier than last, but that was a little deceptive - two of the big buildings were still closed for lack of exhibitors, and more squeezed into the main pavilion. The show’s future still feels a little uncertain. My ti...

Eight outfits I liked at Pitti – and why

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🙏...

StyleJanuary 19th 2024

What colour theory can teach you about clothing

January 10th 2024

by Philipp Fröhlich Between 1966 and 1970, Barnett Newman, a prominent figure in abstract expressionism, painted four versions of a painting he called ‘Who's Afraid of Red, Yellow and Blue’ (above). I assume Newman foresaw the intim...

What colour theory can teach you about clothing

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My rule is akin to the doctors' oath to "first do no harm". In other words, with an outfit, avoid major blunders and you have done 90% of what's needed. If a tie is dramatic in pattern, the shirt and jacket must be subdu...

StyleJanuary 10th 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

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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

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

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

Reader profile: Sebastian

November 24th 2023

Sebastian has an interesting story - a clothing story with distinct phases. He’s a long-term reader (just over 10 years) and has worn many different styles, many different brands. But he's another PS reader in essence - always a little similar...

Reader profile: Sebastian

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Most classic menswear brands will not offer discounts and often don't go on sale...

Coats - JacketsNovember 24th 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

Dressed-up New Yorkers: The view from the pop-up

October 27th 2023

Our New York pop-up (now in its second year) brings in an interesting range of people - more, perhaps, than London. There’s Guy, who came last time too, an old-school New Yorker in bespoke, red socks and Warren Edwards loafers; Duncan, the kn...

Dressed-up New Yorkers: The view from the pop-up

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Seconded!...

October 27th 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 

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Yes...

SuitsOctober 11th 2023

We’re coming back to New York (and bringing...

September 15th 2023

The pop-up shop we did last year with Rubato and Taillour went really well, so we're coming back to New York in October, with the addition shoemaker Seiji McCarthy (shoes below). This time we'll be on Christopher Street, with J Mueser kindly letting...

We’re coming back to New York (and bringing...

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Thank you Robert, it was lovely seeing you too...

September 15th 2023

Should you buy a copy? What’s the harm?

September 13th 2023

A few weeks ago, a reader asked my opinion on a pair of suede boots that were clearly a copy of the popular Open Walk from Loro Piana . That soft, unlaced chukka has become so widespread in a few short years that some don’t even recognise them...

Should you buy a copy? What’s the harm?

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Well I'd argue there's another point on top of this one to make. Quality. Recently, my wife needed a pair of new shoes. She previously had both a pair of Clark's, and a pair of "More expansive brand" (to respect anonymit...

September 13th 2023

If you only owned five pieces of knitwear: A caps...

September 8th 2023

  I’ve had a few requests over the years to do one of these, our wardrobe-building guides , about knitwear. One of the challenges of doing so is that very little is right or wrong, and a lot is personal. Still, there are some help...

If you only owned five pieces of knitwear: A caps...

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I haven't, but I suspect you might want more contrast with that shade of grey and with the brown...

KnitwearSeptember 8th 2023

Kind of showy: All black jacket and jeans

July 24th 2023

On Permanent Style we’ve always talked about dressing with subtle elegance - clothing that makes the wearer appear simply well dressed. This is still the style I get most pleasure from. It's a matter of good fit, quality materials, and tastefu...

Kind of showy: All black jacket and jeans

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Thank you, I am sure I’ll be able to pull it off Simon...

Bags - DenimJuly 24th 2023

Swimming shorts: Simple, tasteful, flattering

July 19th 2023

I haven’t written about swimming shorts for a long time. Other than a passing reference on our regular ‘holiday snaps’ articles , it’s been over a decade since they were covered on PS. Even back then, it was a pretty short ar...

Swimming shorts: Simple, tasteful, flattering

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Yes that’s been my experience! They are all hideously expensive for the quality even when heavily discounted. Which is not something you could say about Private White VC outerwear for example, particularly at discount....

July 19th 2023

The Permanent Style Anniversary dinner

June 21st 2023

Last November marked 15 years since the founding of Permanent Style. To celebrate the occasion, we planned two things: a personal dinner with friends in Florence and a more public event in the pop-up shop on Savile Row. The public event, to which al...

The Permanent Style Anniversary dinner

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Thank you both!...

June 21st 2023

The Bores jacket: My Fox version

June 12th 2023

The Bores jacket from Chato Lufsen has been covered on PS before - it was reviewed by contributor Tony Sylvester in November last year. But seeing that jacket in person made me reconsider the style, and then when Christophe of Chato Lufsen - who ma...

The Bores jacket: My Fox version

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Thank you Alex...

JacketsJune 12th 2023

Video: Carl and Oliver of Rubato, in conversation

April 21st 2023

One of the things I enjoy about this series is the way each conversation drifts onto grander topics. Even though many of the people are similar, and the questions don’t vary too much, we always end up discussing abstract, interesting ideas. W...

Video: Carl and Oliver of Rubato, in conversation

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I recently picked up the Rubato fireman’s jacket. Leaving a review here, since Google brought me here when I was looking for opinions. I was thinking about the jacket for months and had the good luck of trying Carl’s...

VideoApril 21st 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

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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

Bryceland’s black unsanforised jeans: Review

March 15th 2023

These are the first jeans I've had from Bryceland's , and I've been absolutely loving them - for the fit, the colour and the denim. But I was a little nervous about buying them, as I'd never had unsanforised denim before. Given I know this will be ...

Bryceland’s black unsanforised jeans: Review

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Well, the attitude isn't necessarily the same, but you'll find similar influences and a similar quality of product with Japanese brands like The Real McCoy's and Buzz Rickson etc, sold through shops like Clutch Cafe and ...

DenimMarch 15th 2023

The next talk with Rubato, and pop-up shop updates

March 10th 2023

I’m pleased to say that the next in our series of talks at Mortimer House will be with Oliver and Carl from Rubato, on March 31st. These events have a really nice atmosphere, with everyone milling around, browsing the products and chatting to ...

The next talk with Rubato, and pop-up shop updates

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There are quite significant differences. The Rubato cut is a little unusual - a little shorter, a little fuller in the chest. They also tend to use lambswool rather than cashmere, which is a little chunky, hard-wearing b...

March 10th 2023

PS Presents ’23: Arterton, LEJ, Marrkt, Fox...

January 27th 2023

March 1 update: Rubato and Permanent Style dates confirmed as March 29 to April 1 Rubato will be launching new products, bringing almost everything to try on, and a good range to buy as well Fox will be running different on different days of their e...

PS Presents ’23: Arterton, LEJ, Marrkt, Fox...

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Hi Teo, Yes that's right, and I'll be there with them on Thursday, the first day. It will open at 10am...

January 27th 2023