How to dress pale colours for summer
July 27th 2016A reader recently commented that the site could do with some more practical pieces about putting clothes together – rather than commissioning them. I am deeply appreciative of such feedback. I do try to keep a balance between the...
How to dress pale colours for summer
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Andreas's is a high-twist and would work in that way, absolutely. Mine would be rather different in a high-twist I think - I had one like that years ago and it always looked a bit too colonial for me. I think that's one ...
Bennett Winch bags: Luxury canvas
July 22nd 2016Most of the products we recommend on Permanent Style have a key appeal in their materials - the quality of it, the tactile pleasure of feeling it every day. The canvas used on Bennett Winch bags is one such material. The first time I took down one ...
Bennett Winch bags: Luxury canvas
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I'm not sure to be honest Rory, it's not a style I use or have ever looked at. I prefer not to carry anything heavy across the body usually...
Brand round-up: Inhedited, Coast Society, J Hopen...
June 10th 2016Our latest brand round-up includes some positive and some mixed reviews - reflecting both the quality of new things seen and tested by Permanent Style, and their originality. 1 Inhedited www.inhedited.com From £258 We start with a small compan...
Brand round-up: Inhedited, Coast Society, J Hopen...
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A sponge or spot clean means using water or chemicals and a sponge to clean small areas rather than the whole garment. You can do it yourself but there's obviously some risk. Better with a good dry cleaner or even better...
Frank Clegg bags – five years later
April 8th 2016I first got to know Frank Clegg five years ago, back when the company was still Lotuff & Clegg. I bought a beautiful leather tote bag in 2011 – and have continued to recommend it ever since. Unfortunately Joe Lotuff, who I inter...
Frank Clegg bags – five years later
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I prefer the design of the ziptop, but I haven't tried either in person I'm afraid...
Mont Blanc leather facility, Florence
October 9th 2015The Mont Blanc leather facility is in an industrial park just outside Florence. All the big names of fashion are here. Gucci is across the road, Prada a few blocks down. Only Hermes from among the top brands is missing. Mont Blanc used to made its...
Mont Blanc leather facility, Florence
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I'm afraid I don't know anything in that area, no. Let me know anything you find out...
My vintage leather folio: How great things age
September 23rd 2015I bought this vintage folio from Bentleys Antiques in London last year, and it has proved fantastically useful. We can all count ourselves lucky that laptops (well, MacBooks anyway) are only a touch bigger than European writing paper in the first...
My vintage leather folio: How great things age
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Knize, Wilhelm Jungmann & Neffe (article on them if you search PS)...
The PS tote bag now available – exclusively...
August 31st 2015UPDATE: Thanks for sales so far. A handful are left, and sales will close September 9th Our one-piece leather tote bag, made by Globe-Trotter in Hertfordshire, England, is now available to order. This run will be limited to 20 pieces. Dimensions...
The PS tote bag now available – exclusively...
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Thank you H, that sounds lovely...
Quality control at Mont Blanc leather goods
August 3rd 2015The most striking thing about the Mont Blanc leather factory, which we visited last month, was the pairing of modern computer technology and traditional leather craftsmanship. Few leather factories have good quality control machinery, and none hav...
Quality control at Mont Blanc leather goods
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Dunhill could do with paying this sort of attention to their testing and QC. I bought a beautiful and expensive briefcase from their NYC store some years ago but the lock comes unscrewed with monotonous regularity and th...
Brio menswear store – Beijing, China
June 15th 2015Last month we had a book launch at the Brio menswear store in Beijing. It’s worth running through a few more details of the shop – because the stock is interesting, and because it is part of a pleasing trend in more s...
Brio menswear store – Beijing, China
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I haven't tried Inglese enough (one shirt a long time ago) to really comment on other areas like fit...
Ten bags over ten years
June 1st 2015One of the advantages of a long-running blog, perhaps, is the ability to look back and see how purchases have performed over time. It’s particularly useful when we emphasise – as we do, day after day – the value of inv...
Ten bags over ten years
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No worries Eoghan, it's normally fine, I just happen not to have that bag anymore...
Brands review II: Vocier, Simon& Me, Moreca,...
April 20th 2015Last September I did a post rounding up small brands that I had tried, but weren’t quite good enough to recommend with a full write-up. It went down well, and seems like a good vehicle to mention some of the dozens of start-ups that conta...
Brands review II: Vocier, Simon& Me, Moreca,...
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we would like to comment that Simon has brought up some very valid and well-founded points about our VOCIER C38, which he tested a pre-production model of. We are keen to add that we have taken his concerns very seriousl...
Scuola del Cuoio, Florence
April 3rd 2015Scuola del Cuoio, the Florentine leather manufacturer, has a great story. Most of the products may not be suited to Permanent Style, but the school is worth highlighting and the story worth telling. Scuola del Cuoio was founded in 1950 by the Fran...
Scuola del Cuoio, Florence
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Im interested in handbags and shoemaking schools...
Ghurka luggage launches in the UK
March 20th 2015American leather-goods brand Ghurka has just launched in London, with a nicely done space at Fortnum & Mason. I’ll post more detail on Ghurka, its make and quality, at a later date when I’ve used the product first-hand. ...
Ghurka luggage launches in the UK
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I went ahead and got both. You were spot on about the versatility with casual clothes. However, the Ghurka bag is in a different league quality wise. And while the designs are slightly out of touch on some of their items...
Böle’s spruce-bark bags
February 27th 2015Böle is a Swedish tannery and leather goods brand, with a beautifully made product and unique selling point. Böle is the last remaining spruce-bark tannery in the world. Leather is often tanned with a variety of barks in combination, part...
Böle’s spruce-bark bags
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Thank you Simon Apologise for the misspelling of the name....
Reflections on bespoke 2: J Panther, Tom Davies a...
February 18th 2015My last ‘reflections on bespoke’ post back in January was very popular. Readers seemed to respond to the assessment of bespoke commissions with the wisdom of hindsight, and I have to say I sympathise. Here, then, are five more, ...
Reflections on bespoke 2: J Panther, Tom Davies a...
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A tiny bit of room with some side straps......
Filson bags
February 16th 2015I’ve known Filson bags for quite a few years now, but only got to know the management back in January when I met the President, Gray Madden (above). The aesthetic of Filson bags has a lot to recommend it, with its rugged mix of bridle le...
Filson bags
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I have several Filson bags that were bought just when Filson started making them: a medium twill field bag which I use as a camera bag - it has been back to Filson for repairs, and a pullman bag which is perfect for over...
Russian reindeer box by Cleverley/Balvenie
November 14th 2014Readers will be familiar with the points about Cleverley and Russian reindeer in the above, but there is some nice footage of the closing on Cleverleys, and the technique of making a wood-framed box. The Robert Simpson factory is one of only a han...
Russian reindeer box by Cleverley/Balvenie
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Very sad to hear the news that Robert Simpson passed away. I met him a few times and he was a true gentleman. When did this happen?...
Postcard from Scotland – crocodile suitcase
November 2nd 2014Up in Scotland for the next few days, visiting Begg, Mackintosh and Robert Noble. Driving rain for the drive yesterday, but a beautifully cold and sunny morning today. My favourite weather. Vintage crocodile suitcase from Bentley’s. It o...
Postcard from Scotland – crocodile suitcase
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It's certainly cheaper elsewhere, yes. The only thing I would say is you get top, consistent quality and perfect refurbishment. The further you look outside expensive shops, the more hunting you have to do for good stuff...
Brands review: Deux Cuirs, Svbscription, Cornerst...
September 22nd 2014Every week, around a dozen small companies contact me about their product. Each one has a great idea. It may be glasses made to measure, luxury socks or mystery gift boxes, but each is convinced he has an exciting new product. They often involve men&...
Brands review: Deux Cuirs, Svbscription, Cornerst...
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I know Harry, but have no experience of the product I'm afraid...
The Asprey workrooms, London
May 29th 2014While there are many workrooms in central London dedicated to menswear, most of them are given over to tailoring, or occasionally shoemaking. There are a handful of leather factories in east and north London, such as RJ Simpson and Dunhill, and som...
The Asprey workrooms, London
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Hey Bradley, give me a sec and I'll publish the colour version with notes...
Globe-Trotter leather bags
May 2nd 2014I was a little sceptical when I heard that Globe-Trotter was expanding into leather goods. It made business sense – lovely as the suitcases are, they are never going to be more than an occasional purchase, and the leather would fill out the ran...
The evolution of Globe-Trotter
April 21st 2014One of the most interesting things about visiting Globe-Trotter recently was learning how the company has evolved. Like most British brands, although old, its history is a chequered one – which is all the more reason to celebrate its current st...
The evolution of Globe-Trotter
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Ah, sorry Ron, I don't think there's anything else I can do to help...
How a Globe-Trotter suitcase is made
April 14th 2014A Globe-Trotter suitcase is unique in the world because of the baseboard used to form its body. Made of 14 sheets of paper and glue, it is compressed under pressure into a vulcanised material that is lightweight yet extremely sturdy. It is a process ...
How a Globe-Trotter suitcase is made
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I bought my 3 globetrotters about 45 years ago when I started as a merchant navy officer. They are as strong and durable today as the first day I bought them. I have just had to replace a leather handle on one but only b...
Bespoke leather folio: MES Leather
April 4th 2014Over the past few months I’ve got to know Jonatan Staniec, a leather worker who produces his own, hand-sewn leather goods from a studio in London under the brand M.E.S. Hand sewing is not that hard to do (despite my attempts to prove the contra...
Bespoke leather folio: MES Leather
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Thanks Mark, good to know...
Troubadour leather goods – in HTSI
January 31st 2014My latest column for How to Spend It looks at Troubadour, the luxury leather goods brand that combines some beautiful veg-dyed hides with contemporary style and colour. The column, called Inside Track, aims to highlight the craft or the stories behin...
Troubadour leather goods – in HTSI
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Thanks for your input, Simon....
