How to wear a black necktie – reader question

February 11th 2015

Dear 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...

Reader questions - StyleFebruary 11th 2015

My Christmas list

November 28th 2014

At 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...

November 28th 2014

Caruso made to measure, at Trunk

April 7th 2014

Last 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...

April 7th 2014

A (Christmas) word from our sponsors

November 18th 2013

One 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!...

Bags - Belts and walletsNovember 18th 2013

Buying a modern man bag

September 20th 2013

Dear 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 ...

BagsSeptember 20th 2013

Monocle Summer Fayre and Trunk Labs

June 17th 2013

At 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...

June 17th 2013

Outerwear at Pitti Uomo 2013

January 9th 2013

The 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....

CoatsJanuary 9th 2013

Pitti Uomo 2012

January 8th 2013

It’s Pitti time again, and there’s the usual mix of the well-dressed and the overdressed. I’ll leave it up to you to decide which camp I fall into. One thing’s for certain, there are more photographers than eve...

Pitti Uomo 2012

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2nd pic. Cargo pants with an odd jacket? Um... wow....

January 8th 2013