Which office are you? A cold, current 2024 update

Read MoreMay 22nd 2024

The article ‘Which office are you?’ in 2016 was one of the most popular we have ever done on PS. I think largely because it showed clearly how outfits could be adjusted to different levels of formality, at a time when office attire was already ch...

Which office are you? A cold, current 2024 update

The article ‘Which office are you?’ in 2016 was one of the most popular we have ever done on PS. I think largely because it showed clearly how outfits could be adjusted to different levels of formality, at a time when office attire was already ch...

May 22nd 2024

Which office are you? (Or, a sliding scale of formality)

Read MoreFeb 15th 2016

   Dressing well is as much about propriety as it is about style, quality or personality.  This is particularly true at work, where there are often prescriptions, or at least expectations, about professionalism and clothing. I have often talke...

Which office are you? (Or, a sliding scale of formality)

   Dressing well is as much about propriety as it is about style, quality or personality.  This is particularly true at work, where there are often prescriptions, or at least expectations, about professionalism and clothing. I have often talke...

Feb 15th 2016

Which sports-jacket office are you?

Read MoreJun 5th 2019

One of the most popular posts we’ve ever written on Permanent Style was ‘Which office are you?’, back in February 2016. It showed a spectrum of outfits from T-shirt and jeans, through knitwear and flannels, up to a jacket and tie - with just on...

Which sports-jacket office are you?

One of the most popular posts we’ve ever written on Permanent Style was ‘Which office are you?’, back in February 2016. It showed a spectrum of outfits from T-shirt and jeans, through knitwear and flannels, up to a jacket and tie - with just on...

Jun 5th 2019

Collars are more flattering with tailoring - but do you care?

Read MoreApr 17th 2024

I’ve regularly worn T-shirts or crewnecks under tailoring over the years. Not as frequently as a collared shirt, but when you’re always looking for more ways to wear suits and jackets, the more relaxed look of a T-shirt has perennial appeal.  I?...

Collars are more flattering with tailoring - but do you care?

I’ve regularly worn T-shirts or crewnecks under tailoring over the years. Not as frequently as a collared shirt, but when you’re always looking for more ways to wear suits and jackets, the more relaxed look of a T-shirt has perennial appeal.  I?...

Apr 17th 2024

These are the tools: you have to use them

Read MoreApr 5th 2021

“Can I wear dark-brown shoes like these with a suit in my office? Do you think it would be appropriate?” The answer is, I don’t know. I don’t work in your office: I don’t know what the implicit dress code is. You have to make up your own mi...

These are the tools: you have to use them

“Can I wear dark-brown shoes like these with a suit in my office? Do you think it would be appropriate?” The answer is, I don’t know. I don’t work in your office: I don’t know what the implicit dress code is. You have to make up your own mi...

Apr 5th 2021

You are the interviewer 2

Read MoreSep 11th 2023

Six years ago, we ran a really nice exercise on PS where readers became the interviewers, sending in questions they'd always wanted to ask. It sprung from a comment that at least one reader hadn't been very impressed with a recent interview with me. ...

You are the interviewer 2

Six years ago, we ran a really nice exercise on PS where readers became the interviewers, sending in questions they'd always wanted to ask. It sprung from a comment that at least one reader hadn't been very impressed with a recent interview with me. ...

Sep 11th 2023

Are you a menswear snob?

Read MoreApr 12th 2024

By Manish Puri Forgive me for starting with such a blunt question.  I know that, in common parlance, ‘snob’ is a pejorative term. However, when it comes to matters of dressing, it’s worth recalling the words of Yves Saint Laurent who said, “...

Are you a menswear snob?

By Manish Puri Forgive me for starting with such a blunt question.  I know that, in common parlance, ‘snob’ is a pejorative term. However, when it comes to matters of dressing, it’s worth recalling the words of Yves Saint Laurent who said, “...

Apr 12th 2024

Five paradigms of casual clothing: Which do you wear?

Read MoreFeb 28th 2018

Although casual clothing is far more susceptible to fashions than tailored clothing, it is possible to organize it into certain groups, or paradigms.These groups, such as preppy clothing or workwear, often have their roots in particular parts of the ...

Five paradigms of casual clothing: Which do you wear?

Although casual clothing is far more susceptible to fashions than tailored clothing, it is possible to organize it into certain groups, or paradigms.These groups, such as preppy clothing or workwear, often have their roots in particular parts of the ...

Feb 28th 2018

We are 10! (What was your best bit?)

Read MoreDec 20th 2017

Ten years ago, I started a blog. It seems odd to call it a blog now - given how much Permanent Style encompasses today - but back then it was definitely a blog. It contained a lot of rants. About how there were no good magazines; about how men wo...

We are 10! (What was your best bit?)

Ten years ago, I started a blog. It seems odd to call it a blog now - given how much Permanent Style encompasses today - but back then it was definitely a blog. It contained a lot of rants. About how there were no good magazines; about how men wo...

Dec 20th 2017

What makes quality jeans - and should you care?

Read MoreMay 25th 2022

A reader commented recently (I paraphrase): “Why should I care about old jeans? They were all mass produced and basically the same.” There are a couple of things wrong with that. The first is that mass production doesn’t necessarily mean lower ...

What makes quality jeans - and should you care?

A reader commented recently (I paraphrase): “Why should I care about old jeans? They were all mass produced and basically the same.” There are a couple of things wrong with that. The first is that mass production doesn’t necessarily mean lower ...

May 25th 2022

Are you for sale?

Read MoreDec 16th 2015

   “Dear Simon. We are big admirers of Permanent Style here at Luxit PR and think that several of our brands would be a great fit. Could you let me know what your rates are for articles on the site, and what other options you have for sponsored ...

Are you for sale?

   “Dear Simon. We are big admirers of Permanent Style here at Luxit PR and think that several of our brands would be a great fit. Could you let me know what your rates are for articles on the site, and what other options you have for sponsored ...

Dec 16th 2015

Dressing for complexion and skin colour: Should you care?

Read MoreMar 27th 2019

Readers regularly ask about whether they should wear certain colours, and why certain clothes might appear to ‘wash them out’. My opinion has always been that skin colour and complexion is less important than most think. There are many reasons f...

Dressing for complexion and skin colour: Should you care?

Readers regularly ask about whether they should wear certain colours, and why certain clothes might appear to ‘wash them out’. My opinion has always been that skin colour and complexion is less important than most think. There are many reasons f...

Mar 27th 2019

When you buy clothes, what are you paying for?

Read MoreJan 11th 2023

I’m often asked by readers whether a particular piece of clothing is ‘worth it’. Yet the older I get - the further along my clothing journey - the more I realise how subjective this can be.  Also, I’m finding my particular subjectivity is ch...

When you buy clothes, what are you paying for?

I’m often asked by readers whether a particular piece of clothing is ‘worth it’. Yet the older I get - the further along my clothing journey - the more I realise how subjective this can be.  Also, I’m finding my particular subjectivity is ch...

Jan 11th 2023

What are your priorities with shirts?

Read MoreFeb 22nd 2013

It seems like everyone has found the three reviews this week very interesting.If you don't mind, I'd also like to hear what you think about three things:The value of aesthetic hand stitching (buttonholes or attaching buttons, which have little functi...

What are your priorities with shirts?

It seems like everyone has found the three reviews this week very interesting.If you don't mind, I'd also like to hear what you think about three things:The value of aesthetic hand stitching (buttonholes or attaching buttons, which have little functi...

Feb 22nd 2013

What are your primary and secondary interests?

Read MoreJul 23rd 2021

Two weeks ago, I was looking to get a new storage trunk for our bedroom. So I phoned a friend who knows his antiques and asked his advice.  He recommended a couple of dealers, said he was happy to look at any pictures and information I received. (Ap...

What are your primary and secondary interests?

Two weeks ago, I was looking to get a new storage trunk for our bedroom. So I phoned a friend who knows his antiques and asked his advice.  He recommended a couple of dealers, said he was happy to look at any pictures and information I received. (Ap...

Jul 23rd 2021

Are you pretentious or not? Take the test

Read MoreMar 5th 2009

On more than one occasion in the past, I have been accused of being pretentious in the way I dress. Presumably, that means those people think I was pretending to be something I was not.Sometimes, whether accused of it or not, that may be true. After ...

Are you pretentious or not? Take the test

On more than one occasion in the past, I have been accused of being pretentious in the way I dress. Presumably, that means those people think I was pretending to be something I was not.Sometimes, whether accused of it or not, that may be true. After ...

Mar 5th 2009

New Dartmoor order! But which colour do you want?

Read MoreJan 14th 2014

- VOTING CLOSED! (Wednesday, 5pm) After a last-minute rush, grey (silver) is the winner. Thank you to everyone that voted. Orders for our exciting new grey Dartmoor - the perfect polo - will start on Monday. I will post details then. The totals in ...

New Dartmoor order! But which colour do you want?

- VOTING CLOSED! (Wednesday, 5pm) After a last-minute rush, grey (silver) is the winner. Thank you to everyone that voted. Orders for our exciting new grey Dartmoor - the perfect polo - will start on Monday. I will post details then. The totals in ...

Jan 14th 2014

Ha! You think these are golf shoes?

Read MoreJun 22nd 2009

Golf shoes are the living memory of classic footwear. Within them the traditions of the past live on in a way not possible in any other walk of life (apologies for the pun). This is because golf retains the twin features of social propriety and gent...

Ha! You think these are golf shoes?

Golf shoes are the living memory of classic footwear. Within them the traditions of the past live on in a way not possible in any other walk of life (apologies for the pun). This is because golf retains the twin features of social propriety and gent...

Jun 22nd 2009

Casual and formal wear are closer than you think

Read MoreMar 1st 2008

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. It is an aesthetic...

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. It is an aesthetic...

Mar 1st 2008

Suits and shirts: A sliding scale of formality

Read MoreJan 6th 2025

Linen : Linen We haven’t done one of these in a while, but a reader requested one in a comment on the ‘How to pick shirt fabric’ article, and it reminded me how useful people find the sliding scales.  The idea is we break down two categories o...

Suits and shirts: A sliding scale of formality

Linen : Linen We haven’t done one of these in a while, but a reader requested one in a comment on the ‘How to pick shirt fabric’ article, and it reminded me how useful people find the sliding scales.  The idea is we break down two categories o...

Jan 6th 2025

A Guide to Shawl-Collar Cardigans

Read MoreNov 11th 2024

By Manish Puri. Unless you’re a complete newcomer to classic menswear (welcome, take a seat wherever you like) you're unlikely to need me preaching to you about the elegance of a shawl-collar cardigan. You’re already a member of the choir and sou...

A Guide to Shawl-Collar Cardigans

By Manish Puri. Unless you’re a complete newcomer to classic menswear (welcome, take a seat wherever you like) you're unlikely to need me preaching to you about the elegance of a shawl-collar cardigan. You’re already a member of the choir and sou...

Nov 11th 2024

The versatility of olive: Anthology MTM in PS/Fox flannel

Read MoreNov 27th 2024

By Manish Puri. I’ve had my eye on a dark green suit for a long time. So when Simon very kindly offered me a length of the olive flannel that he’d collaborated on with Fox Brothers, I jumped at the chance. To give me an idea of what I was in for,...

The versatility of olive: Anthology MTM in PS/Fox flannel

By Manish Puri. I’ve had my eye on a dark green suit for a long time. So when Simon very kindly offered me a length of the olive flannel that he’d collaborated on with Fox Brothers, I jumped at the chance. To give me an idea of what I was in for,...

Nov 27th 2024

Simon's sizing advice (winter)

Read MoreNov 22nd 2024

Every six months, I forget what it’s like to run the pop-up shops. They’re only four days each (London and New York) but they’re so intense, just talking to people non-stop for eight hours, giving advice and fetching sizes. I don’t know how s...

Simon's sizing advice (winter)

Every six months, I forget what it’s like to run the pop-up shops. They’re only four days each (London and New York) but they’re so intense, just talking to people non-stop for eight hours, giving advice and fetching sizes. I don’t know how s...

Nov 22nd 2024

The unique shoe tradition of Austro-Hungary - and where to get them today

Read MoreNov 18th 2024

The Austro-Hungarian tradition of shoemaking is a significant one - until fairly recently it was the most influential in Europe, after the English. It is also a type of shoe (rounder, larger, more comfortable) that is perhaps a little more fashionabl...

The unique shoe tradition of Austro-Hungary - and where to get them today

The Austro-Hungarian tradition of shoemaking is a significant one - until fairly recently it was the most influential in Europe, after the English. It is also a type of shoe (rounder, larger, more comfortable) that is perhaps a little more fashionabl...

Nov 18th 2024

Reader profile: Pedro

Read MoreNov 25th 2024

Pedro is a reader in New York - one I’ve known to say hello to, but never really had a long conversation with. It was lovely doing so a couple of weeks ago. He’s thoughtful about clothes and his relationship to them, self-aware yet also a real me...

Reader profile: Pedro

Pedro is a reader in New York - one I’ve known to say hello to, but never really had a long conversation with. It was lovely doing so a couple of weeks ago. He’s thoughtful about clothes and his relationship to them, self-aware yet also a real me...

Nov 25th 2024