Christmas gift list 2018
November 30th 2018It’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
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Good point, no in a medium now. Though that is partially preference and partially me getting a bit bigger. I take medium now...
Our Autumn/Winter Top 10, 2018
October 10th 2018A reader commented on the last instalment of this list that it shaped his whole season’s shopping. No pressure then. Many of the ranges will feature in other coverage later in the year – particularly the ones I’ve alr...
Our Autumn/Winter Top 10, 2018
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Yes good point, I think that was more a case of how I came to feel about the PWVC cut over time, rather than changing my tastes. But yes shetlands I definitely wear less. Apart from those two I wear Colhay's, Bryceland's...
Should your belt match your shoes? (Or bag)
September 21st 2018This question might seem like an easy one, but I do get a lot of comments and emails about it, so I thought I’d lay it out in a post. No, in short, a leather belt and leather shoes do not have to match. But they should be closely related. So a...
Should your belt match your shoes? (Or bag)
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I know what you mean Markus. I actually tend to wear 1-inch ones with jeans and chinos too, because I like the look, but I can definitely see an argument there that something wider is a good partner to them as well (but ...
Summer checked jacket – at the Dalcuore Rak...
June 29th 2018If there’s one thing I have a (very relative) lack of, it’s summer sports jackets - casual pieces for warm days, using the linen/wool/silk mixes the Italians are so good at. So it was nice to have this jacket from Dalcuore made up in tim...
Summer checked jacket – at the Dalcuore Rak...
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I'd say cream to pale beige. Not a bright or strong colour. I don't know on that bunch I'm afraid...
Our Spring/Summer Top 10, 2018
May 2nd 2018Last week a friend in the industry asked me what aspect of writing Permanent Style I like the most. It is always, easily, discovering a new tailor, cloth or product that is different and inspiring. That journey from discovering something new, to see...
Our Spring/Summer Top 10, 2018
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Hey Gab, They have aged pretty well, yes, though I'd say Aspesi is generally a good Italian brand but not the best quality around. The materials in the polo were good, but there was nothing that special about the make. I...
Holiday snaps 2018: Eidos, Aspesi, Doek, Drake...
April 20th 2018Travelling to India on holiday this Easter gave me a reason to get the hot-weather clothing out early. It was unseasonably hot even for there, with the temperature pushing 40 degrees. We took the opportunity to visit the 100 Hands factory ...
Holiday snaps 2018: Eidos, Aspesi, Doek, Drake...
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Article coming on that tomorrow! Good timing......
The duffle coat
March 9th 2018It was freezing in London last week. Temperatures below zero consistently; more snow than we’ve had in a decade. Of course, it’s nothing compared to the US east coast - or Scandinavia - but it was rather a shock. I had an odd feeling on ...
The duffle coat
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I'm six foot, so only a little bigger. I do know what you mean, it's hard to get the sizing right because it's so straight, but you do want it a little big...
How to look after suede jackets – Video
March 7th 2018This is the second in our series of videos looking at practical aspects of menswear. The first, available here, explained the basics of good shoe care, with Edward Green on London's Jermyn Street. In this second instalment we turn our attention t...
How to look after suede jackets – Video
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No worries. Yes you can...
The roll neck
February 16th 2018The Spring/Summer collections may be arriving, but it’s 2 degrees outside in London, and I’m continuing a season-long love affair with roll necks. The wonderful thing about a roll neck is that it is both very practical and very stylish; ...
The roll neck
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I think both can work well, it depends on the kind of things you would wear them with mostly. I would go with slightly thicker, a thin one can look a little effeminate and hard to wear on its own...
A casual capsule: The Valstarino jacket three ways
December 21st 2017The blouson in general, but particularly in brown and especially in brown suede, has to be one of the most versatile pieces in a man's wardrobe. The shape is short and neat enough to work well with smarter clothing; suede suggests a more dressy look...
A casual capsule: The Valstarino jacket three ways
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I'm afraid not, sorry, I've never had that. My first thing would be to hang it somewhere to air, perhaps even outside for a few hours. As a last resort I would also approach a specialist leather cleaner...
How to wear trainers: Part 3. Style
October 13th 2017This post is an illustrated explanation of how I wear trainers, or sneakers. As with similar exercises on the blog, I have attempted to be as structured as possible, keeping some parameters constant in order to focus on those being discussed. So in ...
How to wear trainers: Part 3. Style
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Hi Tamesh Personally, I think it could work well - it's not that dissimilar to what Simon is wearing in the first look (minus the knitwear)...
Our Autumn knitwear Top 10
October 11th 2017The survey we did of Spring/Summer pieces in the shops was very popular back in June. This Autumn/Winter, therefore, we thought we’d do two separate ones - the first (today) on winter knitwear, and the second on casual winter coats. As with th...
Our Autumn knitwear Top 10
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Hi Sebastian, Bear in mind that Scott & Charters was unusual in selling direct to retail as a mill, and I think over time they've proven why, as it's a hard model for a factory to do if they don't invest in the retail si...
The ‘Style Guide’ dinner: What is the...
July 26th 2017Last month, we organised a dinner at the beautiful Beaumont Hotel to celebrate The Style Guide - the book published earlier this year by myself and photographer Jamie Ferguson. There had been official launch events, and signings, at Fenwick's of Bo...
The ‘Style Guide’ dinner: What is the...
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Hope you enjoy the little video, changing a bit with humour your dinner for your book. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CD-nn2zpvRN/?igshid=1deds976zz0ra...
Retailers Symposium: The discussion
January 18th 2017During my lifetime, there has been a steep fall in the quality and range of menswear retail around the world. Designer brands have expanded aggressively; independent multi-brand shops have closed; and department stores have often lost direction, fil...
Retailers Symposium: The discussion
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For me, Mike is just describing the competitive environment There will always be room for something that is new, different and better. Much more difficult for the Indie is how you sustain the business. A classic example ...
The cap
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No worries Jay, no post is ever too old! It depends a bit on what else you wear, but I guess a dark-grey or mid-grey herringbone perhaps? Something with a little pattern but not too much, in a conservative colour, and pr...
Summer dressing in Robb Report; tailors and SMN i...
September 6th 2016In recent weeks there have been several pieces in magazines such as Robb Report UK and the Financial Times's luxury supplement, How To Spend It. Regular readers will be aware that I write a monthly column for How to Spend It - probably the UK's lea...
Summer dressing in Robb Report; tailors and SMN i...
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Not yet, sorry....
Launch party: The Finest Menswear in the World
September 18th 2015It 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....
London: A sartorial city guide
August 12th 2015I’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
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This was just my take. These were some of my favorites, and I generally focused on stores I don't generally see in the US. (I don't live in New York and visit it as little as possible, but there might be a couple on this...
How to wear a black necktie – reader question
February 11th 2015Dear Simon, Following your Calvo de Mora combination [above] What are your general guidelines to wearing a black necktie? Most of the time I see it paired with the classic ensemble of white shirt with a grey jacket/grey suit. Any other combination...
How to wear a black necktie – reader question
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I read very little online about menswear, with the exception of Die Workwear. Jason Diamond's columns are good, as is anything Tony Sylvester writes, eg for Brycelands. My favourite Substack is The Ruffian, about politic...
My Christmas list
November 28th 2014At 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
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I actually find that fine linen is very comfortable in that regard...
Caruso made to measure, at Trunk
April 7th 2014Last week Caruso held its first made-to-measure suit event in the UK – at Trunk Clothiers. It was an interesting experiment for both sides. Caruso has never done MTM in the UK before, just in Italy and one or two other European countries; a...
Caruso made to measure, at Trunk
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Hi Zi, To be honest, no, I think that is more likely to be misleading than useful. Too many factories produce different quality levels, or do particular aspects for particular clients. Today there's a little too much foc...
A (Christmas) word from our sponsors
November 18th 2013One 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
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A Fine Pair of Shoes - my supplier of Saphir Shoe & Leather Polish and related products, probably the best around!...
Buying a modern man bag
September 20th 2013Dear Simon, I have been wearing a messenger bag for some time for commuting as it’s a very handy way of containing all the bulk and occasional papers that I have to cart around with me. However, I have worried for some time about the potent...
Buying a modern man bag
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A bit late to the party, sorry you felt our bag doesn't look like the highest quality. If I may make a distinction between "luxury" and "high quality" - luxury being features that will go beyond high quality, where high ...
Monocle Summer Fayre and Trunk Labs
June 17th 2013At the Monocle Summer Fayre this weekend. Monocle’s quirky and intelligent selection of partners and products was on display, as well as some rather fetching goats. It was also the opening day of Trunk Labs: a new branch of Trunk Clothiers a fe...
Monocle Summer Fayre and Trunk Labs
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Hi Tom, I asked friends who are big trainer geeks and they recommended them for the best raw materials and classic styling. I've had them for two years and they've only got better with age so far. Simon...
Outerwear at Pitti Uomo 2013
January 9th 2013The greatest pleasure at Pitti, of course, is discovering new things. But there are fewer than you might think. The majority of what’s on show is ready-to-wear suits, shirts and jackets, and if you have those made bespoke then they are relegate...
Outerwear at Pitti Uomo 2013
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I don't know I'm afraid Brentano....
