Reader question: What should I buy in London?
July 6th 2012Normal.dotm 0 0 1 479 2735 Euromoney PLC 22 5 3358 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false A typical ensemble at Trunk Clothiers Dear Simon, My name is David and I have been a fan of your work for quite a while now. As an undergraduate busines...
Reader question: What should I buy in London?
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I hope it's enjoyable and fruitful Paul...
Buying a versatile black shoe: Reader question
June 29th 2012The best of both worlds? An Alfred Sargent Armfield Dear Simon, I have a quick question regarding black shoes that I thought you might be able to help with. I’m thinking of investing in a good pair of versatile black shoes that I can wear f...
Buying a versatile black shoe: Reader question
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I can see why someone might like them for being different, but I would just go for a normal thin rubber sole...
Reader question: Summer shoes
May 30th 2012Edward Green Pimlico, unlined Hi Simon, I have been searching the internet but not really found anything that really helps, unless I have been asking Google the wrong questions. Anyway, with the weather finally being that of the south of France, goin...
Reader question: Summer shoes
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Thanks for that information, Simon. That's really helpful and much appreciated. I'll pursue those options, especially Falke. Kind regards, David...
Reader question: Looking after ties
April 16th 2012Dear Simon, Having read with great interest all your articles (over many, many hours – I am a late-comer to your site) I have been amassing information. Now that I have actually started to purchase clothes etc, the question I have of ties, whic...
Reader question: Looking after ties
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I roll all of my ties. That said, if your precious seven fold silk satin Turnbull and Asser tie comes in a nice presentation box, do you forgo the box and roll up your tie....or hang it up???...
Reader question: first bespoke, in Hong Kong
March 28th 2012WW Chan jacket, courtesy of The Armoury Hi Simon, As an expat Brit living in Hong Kong, I like to think have a keen eye for style and fashion but surprisingly had never thought about going bespoke until I got married last year. My first attempt was i...
Reader question: first bespoke, in Hong Kong
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I don't much about them Arthur, sorry...
Reader question: What do you wear at the weekend?
June 17th 2011You spend a lot of time talking about suits and bespoke shoes, but what do you wear at the weekend? I have trouble picturing what you put on to pop out to the newsagent. Here are a few of my favourite things. Two types of chinos: those from Albam, wh...
Reader question: What do you wear at the weekend?
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Ok, but I wouldn't really recommend it. A bit gimmicky and not the greatest quality...
Reader questions: The menswear classics
January 25th 2011Some questions are known as the menswear classics. These are the queries that columns like GQ’s Style Guy, and websites like Permanent Style, get every few weeks – no matter how many times they have been answered. What should I wear for m...
Reader questions: The menswear classics
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Tan shoes should really be worn with mid-grey or pale grey trousers. Or other paler colours. There's no comparison between denim and a navy suit - nigh on anything works with denim....
Reader question: Trouser waists
December 31st 2010Anonymous: Do you prefer adjustable metal tabs or adjustable buttons on your suit pants? Is one more formal than the other? Also, I assume your suit pants do not have belt loops…correct? I’ve had a few such questions over the past few...
Reader question: Trouser waists
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Thanks for that....
Reader questions: Snow, shoes, soles
December 3rd 2010Ed, London: I just bought a pair of boots and was considering putting rubber soles on top of the leather ones, to make them harder wearing and more suited to the rain and the snow. Is this a good idea? Pearse, London: With the weather being the way i...
Reader questions: Snow, shoes, soles
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In shoes, there's nothing wrong with it. There are only so many factories, and even less that do work for other brands. The quality is normally similar to the brand of the factory, but it can vary a bit (if the customer ...
Reader question: Indiana Jones
September 23rd 2010Greetings Simon, I discovered your blog site early this summer. First off, I wanted to thank you for taking the time to write such wonderful and informative articles on your blog. I have learned a great deal from reading your articles and look forwar...
Reader question: Indiana Jones
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I'm sure it does, but I don't know what it is I'm afraid...
Reader question: Differences between bespoke tailors
February 17th 2010CS, Los Angeles: I have been reading PS for the last few months in an effort to educate myself on various matters of style. First and foremost, I want to thank you for the time and effort you put into your work in this area. I suspect that you have a...
Reader question: Differences between bespoke tailors
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I would suggest you look at Whitcomb & Shaftesbury as an English starting point, and probably not Liverano as that's very expensive. For Neapolitan, I'd suggest either Caliendo or Ciardi...
Reader question: Wearing odd jackets
October 16th 2009David: I very much enjoy your blog and find it to be a great source of inspiration in my desire to master the art of permanent style. I was hoping you could help me in the matter of choosing odd jackets. I am starting a new job where most people wear...
Reader question: Wearing odd jackets
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No worries!...
Reader question: Working in a bank
September 23rd 2009Sim, Oxford: I was wondering if you could assist me with your experience regarding sartorial issues, the yays or nays, within banking. I have heard from fellow interns that French-cuff shirts and heavy pinstriped suits should never be worn as they de...
Reader question: Working in a bank
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For an upcoming interview I suspect I'll be able to pull off wearing a silk tie and tag huer quite aloof and get by....
Reader question: Taking pictures to the tailors
August 26th 2009Amrit: Simon, I am new to your blog but have read your experiences with your Hong Kong tailor with great interest. I really like the double-breated suit by E Tautz in a recent post as well and was wondering to what extent it is advisable to show such...
Reader question: Taking pictures to the tailors
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Yes, I would say so. (Nice to read an old one, they hold up pretty well!) Taking a photo is a really good way to show something you struggle to describe in words, but it can't do everything...
Frequently asked questions
July 20th 2009“I’ve got a question for you – how do you gauge which patterns work well together across the tie, shirt and jacket?” “I’ve written about that before, it’s all about the density of the pattern.” “W...
Frequently asked questions
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CP, thanks for the comment. Could you please email me personally about this? [email protected] Thanks...
Reader question: Suit brands
July 15th 2009Will, Minnesota: Simon, I wrote to you before on a style matter. As I’ve sought suits and separates lately, I’ve learned that while I thought I was a 40, I am truly around a 38 long – sometimes a 36. In-turn, I’ve learned that...
Reader question: Suit brands
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Dear Simon, Having decided to avoid the Brands and go the bespoke route for a suit for my son’s wedding, research was in order as I had not done this before. I came across your website and together with all the excelle...
Reader question: A suit for my wedding
July 11th 2009Michael, Atlanta: I’m a long time reader and have greatly enjoyed your posts, and have even more enjoyed applying their message. I’m about a year away from my wedding and am looking to have a suit made for it. I am looking at either a bla...
Reader question: A suit for my wedding
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I would have thought suede would be fine in the sand, you just don't want to get them wet as well. The C&J loafers might be fine, perhaps without socks? After all you can't be much more casual than a loafer and the polpe...
Reader question: Planning the week
July 5th 2009John, Los Angeles: Many of my colleagues laugh when I tell them I often pick out five days worth of clothes on Sunday evening. But I find that taking the time to select outfits for the week on Sunday and actually hanging them in the closet makes my m...
Reader question: Planning the week
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Thanks for the insight Simon. I am familiar with IFLR as I am a corporate finance lawyer. You have a very interesting sideline going here....
Reader question: Fake welts and lacing
June 8th 2009Patrick: I recently had a pair of black cap-toe boots repaired and afterwards the cobbler explained to me that my Banana Republic boots had fake welts. I realized that I hadn’t really paid enough attention to a lot of shoe details. Among the qu...
Reader question: Fake welts and lacing
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Metal taps seem to be a Brit thing. I think one in three who work at Lloyd's of London wear them and the sound, to me, is delightful to hear on Lime Street. Although, I never would or could. I've only seen the plastic in...
A flamboyant wedding
June 5th 2009A colleague of mine is going to a wedding this summer, on the beach, with the proscribed dress code of “flamboyant”. Now, a dress code like that has the potential to condone all manner of horrors. From black tie with flip flops to Hawaiia...
A flamboyant wedding
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Good idea. As always, thank you for your speedy response and guidance. -Jack...
Reader question: Reiss and made to measure
June 3rd 2009Thientai: I live in London and never have a chance to get a proper suit. With a tight budget, I can’t afford bespoke, but am quite interested in made-to-measure etc. The other choice is of course, off the peg. So I browse high street stores a l...
Reader question: Reiss and made to measure
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Hi guys, again apologies I know this is an old post but does anyone know anything about or have any experience of Edit Suits MTM. I've not found much on them....
Reader question: Suit for work and play
May 20th 2009Hsin Qin Tang: I have been following your blog for over two years now. I have learned many things and I would like to know your opinion on what to wear for an upcoming occasion. My eldest sister is getting married this August and the wedding dinner i...
Reader question: Suit for work and play
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While I don't want to sound like doing an advertisement, if Hsin Qin Tang is going to tailor a suit in Singapore, I'd highly recommend Anthony Tan at Mode et Creation, located in Far East Shopping Plaza, just beside Whee...
Reader question: Starting a new job
April 13th 2009Zenith: I need to expand my wardrobe for a new job in London. I own a light charcoal, faintly blue-pinstriped French Connection suit, and a solid beige Ted Baker suit, but need: A traditional navy-blue single-breasted suit A trusted location to take ...
Reader question: Starting a new job
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Hey Lambert, The really good MTM we write about, and lower level bespoke, will be towards the top of that range but better quality than Kiton and I would have thought much less expensive. My personal recommendations woul...
Tips for Steve’s first visit to the tailor
March 8th 2009A colleague of mine in Hong Kong recently asked to come along when I visited my tailor, Edward Tam. Steve has only just moved to Hong Kong and was interested in a recommendation as well as learning about how the bespoke process works. After the visit...
Tips for Steve’s first visit to the tailor
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They should all work now...
Reader question: Wearing suit jackets separately
February 23rd 2009Ted: In reference to your post on building a wardrobe, if the man in question mostly gets navy and grey suits, does he need to buy sport coats? He can just use the suit jackets and mix and match. The short and simple answer, Ted, is no. He can’...
Reader question: Wearing suit jackets separately
Match in comments:
I guess if you don't have a suit you don't have much of a choice, but I'd certainly wear a suit if I could?...
