Another magazine
In my quest to find a men’s style magazine that caters to me (and, I think, some readers of this blog) I occasionally try one of the high-end fashion magazines to see what it has to offer. This month, I tried Another Man . It certainly differen...
Another magazine
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In the course of the past seven years I have witnessed many morphing transformations in publishing especially pertaining to men's publications and regarding those magazines I mentioned here in 2008 - excluding the archiv...
An Englishman in New York
Why does anyone in New York buy ties fully priced? I’ve been here a good seven or eight times in my working life, but the discounts at Century 21 and to a lesser extent Filene’s Basement never cease to amaze me. The ties are carefully arr...
An Englishman in New York
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You should see what's outside of NY. Century 21 is a little steep for me not to mention the zoo factor of tourists and ex-Warsaw Pact citizens screaming at each other in their native languages from great distances. The P...
Reader question: Deck shoes
Tom, Hong Kong: Simon, where do you stand on deck shoes? I’ve seen them around and think they’d be a nice compromise between scruffy converse and brogues when wearing jeans or casual trousers. I grew up detesting them for being too boaty ...
Reader question: Deck shoes
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Hi Simon! I've discovered your blog a week ago and I can't stop reading it since. Keep up with the good stuff. I've a question for you regarding your post about the Belstaff jacket you've bought. I've a friend who is goi...
How to dress at the Foreign Office
Continuing the theme of dressing as costume, the constraints of one’s job can often make one into a stereotype, especially if one works in the more traditional industries or political offices of older institutions. A lovely example is found in ...
How to dress at the Foreign Office
Continuing the theme of dressing as costume, the constraints of one’s job can often make one into a stereotype, especially if one works in the more traditional industries or political offices of older institutions. A l...
When style becomes costume
Dressing in the full traditions of men’s clothing can make one a caricature. It must be combined with a touch of originality. There are blogs on men’s style that are fascinating for the depth of knowledge they demonstrate – over the...
When style becomes costume
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As in the tailors have cut trousers for braces, of varying heights. I always find the braces less comfortable than side tabs...
Fashion rolls in its own muck
Apparently, there’s a war on. It’s a war of attrition, as designers from both sides throw model after model down the runway. They are battling for our wallets. The two entrenched sides are – again, apparently – narrow trousers...
Fashion rolls in its own muck
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Interesting analysis - actually, just the other day I pulled out a pair of fuller cut Ralph Lauren gray flannel trousers that I have not worn for some time. I've had them for well over 10 years and for the past few, have...
Fit, colour and style (in that order)
It has been a week of threes, so here’s another. The first three was a way to compare high-street and designer purchases: analyse your feelings and rank the item for design, quality and branding. The order should help you make your decision. Th...
Fit, colour and style (in that order)
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That's very kind Simon, thank you. Have a nice weekend....
Casual and formal wear are closer than you think
I have always loved the Sartorialist, ever since Scott started shooting. The prime reason is that he applies a single aesthetic – essentially a classic, sartorial one – to the whole of his output, no matter what the subject matter...
Casual and formal wear are closer than you think
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Dear Simon, I would like your criticism of my intention to purchase four bandanas in colour Royal Blue (the green on the screen looks dirty) to use in another function: as hankerchief. The bandanas are advertised on the ...
Designer vs. High Street: my view
Ideally, buying designer clothes should be about design. Runway shows have a perennial fascination because they showcase (in rapid, often dazzling procession) a series of unique and original designs. They are a flick-book approach to art – glim...
Designer vs. High Street: my view
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Very interesting article - love your description of catwalks as a "flick book approach to art". Very true and often overwhelming with so many opposing looks, materials and patterns. I think that there is a place for both...
The blog’s third way
A man called Adolfo recently commented on Permanent Style that “All men’s magazines and blogs are either too conservative/traditional or too modern/fashiony. There is no middle ground.” It’s easy to sympathise with this view. ...
The blog’s third way
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Yes, I'm afraid the pictures are missing from a few old posts - I will try and put new ones back in at some point...
Putting waistcoats into practice
Someone commented to me recently that I wasn’t living by my waistcoat theory (see postings on January 16 and 18). Given that Men’s Flair is “men’s style as seen by those living it” this is probably a fair criticism. The ...
Putting waistcoats into practice
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Thank you Simon. Could you recommend another place to get suit separates/waistcoats?...
Why the English want to be Italian (and vice versa)
In style, the grass often seems that little bit shinier and slinkier on the other side of the fence. As the proverb suggests, however, that is merely because you happen to live on one side. The English want to be Italian. To them the Italian knows mo...
Why the English want to be Italian (and vice versa)
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An Italian really well dressed will always look better than an Englishman really well dressed.Its to do with colouring and the fact that an Italian suit bought on the High Street will be better. Saville Row is tops but t...
The Future of Style, as Told by Hardy Amies
The previous Permanent Style posting described how Hardy Amies, resident of Savile Row and men’s style legend, saw fashion in the sixties. In his book ABC of Men’s Fashion he described the narrow, high-buttoning suit of the period and his...
The Future of Style, as Told by Hardy Amies
The previous Permanent Style posting described how Hardy Amies, resident of Savile Row and men’s style legend, saw fashion in the sixties. In his book ABC of Men’s Fashion he described the narrow, high-buttoning suit...
Sixties style, as told by Hardy Amies
The Victoria & Albert Museum – London’s best if you are interested in style and decoration – is running an exhibition on the Golden Age of Couture, 1947-1957. The exhibits of vintage Dior, Balenciaga and Balmain gowns are fa...
Sixties style, as told by Hardy Amies
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Comments on mensflair.com: Styles are changing, rules are changing, but the “sense” of style, elegance and aesthetics remains. The key isn’t in learning rules as they will eventually change, it’s in developing �...
The future of men’s blogs
As a magazine editor myself, I have always felt frustrated that there is no newsstand magazine catering to me or anyone with a similar interest in men’s style. Magazines that claim to do so either stray too far into lad’s mag territory (f...
The future of men’s blogs
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The Logical Waistcoat Theory (part two)
(The first part of this posting bemoaned the fact that the suit had become impractical in most offices, with the jacket rarely worn. It is understandable, but a shame.) Here’s my solution. It’s logical and practical; though obviously that...
The Logical Waistcoat Theory (part two)
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I like the suggestion. Around the office here the sweater vest comes out when it's colder. Your suggestion would work well year round....
The logical waistcoat theory (part one)
Men need a new uniform to adapt to air conditioning. Here’s a suggestion. Let’s start with history and practicality. Suit jackets were never meant to be taken off. A man, no matter what his place in society, strained to have a clean colla...
The logical waistcoat theory (part one)
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I disagree with the previous anonymous comments.I ensure that my waistcoats have a satin back as I think it's a much better look than a waistcoat made of just one material. I am in full agreement with your waistcoat theo...
The tie was on purpose!
For regular readers of this blog, you may be interested to know that my grandfather was wearing his Macclesfield tie deliberately at my wedding this summer (see posting on 31 December 2007). The traditions we read about do live on. See photo above f...
The tie was on purpose!
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As a Macclesfield man, I must point you in this direction https://www.barnabysilks.com/ silk ties made in Macclesfield . The small geometric patterns are the traditional, Macclesfield , ‘neat’...
An exercise in Etro
Following the last post on Italian house Etro, here is some pictorial analysis of my fascination. As much as Etro’s originality and quality can inspire, it is often the catwalk combinations that galvanise me. Take the first image on the left &n...
An exercise in Etro
Following the last post on Italian house Etro, here is some pictorial analysis of my fascination. As much as Etro’s originality and quality can inspire, it is often the catwalk combinations that galvanise me. Take the ...
I love Etro
About two years ago I walked down a narrow street in London to visit a tailor that had been recommended to me. I rang a buzzer on the street, which echoed somewhere on the second floor. After a couple of minutes I was buzzed up, out of the drizzle, a...
I love Etro
About two years ago I walked down a narrow street in London to visit a tailor that had been recommended to me. I rang a buzzer on the street, which echoed somewhere on the second floor. After a couple of minutes I was bu...
Dressing the man
A little recommendation for reading today. I found the best book ever on men’s style about two years ago: Dressing the Man by Alan Flusser. Apparently everyone already knows it, but I didn’t and it made me gloriously happy. I&...
Dressing the man
A little recommendation for reading today. I found the best book ever on men’s style about two years ago: Dressing the Man by Alan Flusser. Apparently everyone already knows it, but I didn’t and it made me glorious...
The strength of brown
I’m often surprised how well brown and blue work together, and at the same time how readily it is dismissed. For the Americans it has reached the stage of an antiquated ‘rule’ along the lines of no brown in town. If you...
The strength of brown
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I can attest to this. I first heard about the brown+blue combo from Matt Spaiser at Bondsuits, who extolled its virtues in Pierce Brosnan's wardrobe, and I've since had the opportunity to try it and whole-heartedly agree...
No magazines for me
Working in the magazine industry, it has always startled me that there is no men’s magazine catering to an interest in style. There’s a rank of men’s magazines that contains style features – GQ, Esquire, Arena...
No magazines for me
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Indeed. Thanks Dave...
Red socks, not red lining
Continuing the guidelines on socks… Within the custom of socks matching trousers, there are many opportunities for pattern. As long as the background is of that same colour, there is no reason why the sock cannot have a pattern of dots, str...
Red socks, not red lining
Continuing the guidelines on socks… Within the custom of socks matching trousers, there are many opportunities for pattern. As long as the background is of that same colour, there is no reason why the sock cannot have ...
Guidelines, not rules
A word in reference to that previous message. Everything that will be described here, and every custom it refers to, has solid practical reasons behind it. But it is not a rule. Some people are fine with having shirts and suits that are similar. So...
Guidelines, not rules
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Simon Excellent. I look forward to seeing what you have to say. Chris....