As with many reader questions, this one evolved over several email messages back and forth. I know Joel won’t mind if I restructure that exchange into a conversation, in order to put the inquiries in the right order. And add a little narrative....

Dear Simon,Many thanks for the invaluable resource of your blog when it comes to style. I started reading a month or so ago and am taking pleasure in devouring the wealth of information there is on classic sartorial menswear.However, the occasions on...

Hi Simon,First of all let me say I'm a massive fan of your blog. In fact I've even cancelled my GQ subscription because of your blog. Doesn't mean you should start charging us though! I was wondering if you could do a post on how to carry your suit w...

Dear Simon, In a couple of months time I will be 21. This is clearly an important time in one's life, in my case particularly as I will also be undertaking the purchase of my first bespoke suit. As a regular reader of your blog I'm seeking your advi...

Ed, 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 it...

Hello, I'm a new reader of your blog, and I must say I'm enjoying it thoroughly. As I read it, I realised that I had a question I haven't found a good answer to and it’s been bothering me no end: what is the best way to store one’s pocket square...

Dear Mr CromptonMy name is Francisco Gomez, from Colombia. I recently stumbled upon your blog and have become an avid reader of it, since I have always loved all things related to clothing, accessories etc.I am currently in the process of having my f...

Colours that go with tan Dear Simon, I'm getting stuck putting an outfit together, and what it comes down to is the socks.   I'm wearing a mid-grey worsted wool suit with a sky-blue shirt and regimental tie of burgundy and navy stripes...

In this next installment of posts responding to reader questions (see original list here), I will try to answer those about my life outside Permanent Style. Now, some readers have asked why I answer these questions, and indeed why readers put them....

Hsin 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...

Some 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 my weddin...

Dear Simon, I recently read your 2014 article, 'The staples of a good wardrobe' and was wondering how you would modify it for warmer climes like Hong Kong and Singapore?Grey flannel isn’t a great option for most of the year here, cashmere is har...

 Dear Simon,My name is Lukas. I've been an avid permanent style reader for several years and absolutely love your articles. For about four years, I have been altering RTW blazers, trousers and suits. On two occasions i've also had MTM suits made. Ha...

 Dear Simon,As with your other readers who write, let me say how much I enjoy your posts, columns, etc. They are fun to read and informative. All your posts on shoes, and brown shoes in particular, have been very useful, and I am slowly building a ...

Michael, 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 black with...

Anonymous: 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 months, so l...

The best of both worlds? An Alfred Sargent ArmfieldDear 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 for business ...

Simon I have been thinking lately about removing the belt loops from some of my bespoke suit trousers.I was previously convinced that I wanted to remove the belt loops, but now I'm confused after discussing it with my Neapolitan tailor. She is a prop...

Rob, London: I keep buying what I think are decent shoes (Barker brogues x2 and Loake Oxfords x1) with leather soles. I’ve found they soak up water when I wear them on a wet day. It is coming through the soles! Are my shoes not a good enough qualit...

Edward Green Pimlico, unlinedHi Simon,I have been searching the internet but not really found anything thatreally helps, unless I have been asking Google the wrong questions.Anyway, with the weather finally being that of the south of France, going to...

Dear Simon, You have written eloquently before on building a wardrobe aimed, I suspect, at the young city-based professional wanting to start to explore the world of good quality RTW or bespoke tailoring. My question is slightly different. Over the...

Simon,Firstly, please accept my apologies if this email address is not appropriate for you to receive and reply to individual questions.My apology offered, if you are still reading then I thank you and pose my question...I am a heavyset man that has ...

Dear 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, which I i...

Dear Simon,??I hope that you don't mind me emailing you, but I have a few questions regarding bespoke and made-to-measure suits that I need to ask someone who knows about style, and you seem to be one of the most knowledgeable on the subject.??...

CS, 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...