My vintage leather folio: How great things age
I 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...
My vintage leather folio: How great things age
I 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...
How great things have aged: Bentleys antiques
It’s easy to think that people have always appreciated vintage items like leather luggage, bags and accessories. But back in the early eighties, that wasn’t the case. It was only in the middle of that decade that taste in the UK started to turn a...
How great things have aged: Bentleys antiques
It’s easy to think that people have always appreciated vintage items like leather luggage, bags and accessories. But back in the early eighties, that wasn’t the case. It was only in the middle of that decade that taste in the UK started to turn a...
How great things age: Edward Green 3
Well, my favourite pair of shoes, the Oundles from Edward Green, are back from refurbishment and looking pretty darn good. As requested, here are a few pictures of them in their new, refreshed state. The upper is unchanged, save for a few layers of ...
How great things age: Edward Green 3
Well, my favourite pair of shoes, the Oundles from Edward Green, are back from refurbishment and looking pretty darn good. As requested, here are a few pictures of them in their new, refreshed state. The upper is unchanged, save for a few layers of ...
Collectable cards show the ages of British Costume
Near where I grew up in Mortlake, south-west London, there is an incredible antiques shop. ‘Memories of Mortlake’ is the life’s work of collector Elke Crowther, who sadly passed away last year, after decades of selling anything and everything...
Collectable cards show the ages of British Costume
Near where I grew up in Mortlake, south-west London, there is an incredible antiques shop. ‘Memories of Mortlake’ is the life’s work of collector Elke Crowther, who sadly passed away last year, after decades of selling anything and everything...
How to buy vintage clothing: Three experts give their tips
Vintage clothing has become more and more popular over the past decade. Underneath obvious markers like the launch of brands RRL, or artificially aged sneakers, men have been gradually buying into vintage because it’s authentic, because it’s a ...
How to buy vintage clothing: Three experts give their tips
Vintage clothing has become more and more popular over the past decade. Underneath obvious markers like the launch of brands RRL, or artificially aged sneakers, men have been gradually buying into vintage because it’s authentic, because it’s a ...
Shoes in wet weather: How to deal with rain and salt damage
In the past week, perhaps as it has been particularly wet here, I’ve had three comments from readers on old posts about dealing with soaking-wet shoes. Those old posts were never very comprehensive, so here is something fuller - dealing with all ...
Shoes in wet weather: How to deal with rain and salt damage
In the past week, perhaps as it has been particularly wet here, I’ve had three comments from readers on old posts about dealing with soaking-wet shoes. Those old posts were never very comprehensive, so here is something fuller - dealing with all ...
The Eddie Bauer ‘Skyliner’ and how to find one
With the growth of interest in outdoor clothing in recent years, there has been a predictable dive into the history of companies that produced it, of which one of the most prominent was Eddie Bauer. One reason I find this exploration interesting is...
The Eddie Bauer ‘Skyliner’ and how to find one
With the growth of interest in outdoor clothing in recent years, there has been a predictable dive into the history of companies that produced it, of which one of the most prominent was Eddie Bauer. One reason I find this exploration interesting is...
How to sell a watch
I know a few people that are looking to sell watches they bought in recent years. The market’s probably been through a peak of popularity, and it’s not surprising that there some who regretted something they bought, or perhaps need the cash more ...
How to sell a watch
I know a few people that are looking to sell watches they bought in recent years. The market’s probably been through a peak of popularity, and it’s not surprising that there some who regretted something they bought, or perhaps need the cash more ...
Edward Sexton great coat: Style Breakdown
This great coat from Edward Sexton is probably the most unusual model in this series, which has been looking at the styles of my various bespoke coats, in particular how they are cut and made. Sexton coats tend to have a bit of drama to them anyway,...
Edward Sexton great coat: Style Breakdown
This great coat from Edward Sexton is probably the most unusual model in this series, which has been looking at the styles of my various bespoke coats, in particular how they are cut and made. Sexton coats tend to have a bit of drama to them anyway,...
How to wear a shawl or stole
A shawl (or stole) can be a really practical thing to wear. Simply hung round the neck, it’s a lovely layer of warmth down the front of the body and on the back of the neck. And when looped or tied, it’s also effective protection against the cold...
How to wear a shawl or stole
A shawl (or stole) can be a really practical thing to wear. Simply hung round the neck, it’s a lovely layer of warmth down the front of the body and on the back of the neck. And when looped or tied, it’s also effective protection against the cold...
The canvas chore coat - and buying vintage online
I increasingly find that for the kind of casual outerwear I wear at the weekend (for taking the kids to the park, and similarly hard-wearing activities) I always prefer vintage. There are exceptions, of course. A Bryceland’s white chore coat, for...
The canvas chore coat - and buying vintage online
I increasingly find that for the kind of casual outerwear I wear at the weekend (for taking the kids to the park, and similarly hard-wearing activities) I always prefer vintage. There are exceptions, of course. A Bryceland’s white chore coat, for...
Wearing black shoes with jeans
This is something I’ve had questions about recently - I assume because fashion generally has taken a turn towards black and, combined with the general casualisation going, black shoes and jeans have become a more common styling choice. So the answe...
Wearing black shoes with jeans
This is something I’ve had questions about recently - I assume because fashion generally has taken a turn towards black and, combined with the general casualisation going, black shoes and jeans have become a more common styling choice. So the answe...
Why Ferdinando Caraceni is closing: An interview with Nicoletta Caraceni
Ferdinando Caraceni is one of the world's best-regarded bespoke tailors, based in Milan. It has been run since his death in 2004 by Ferdinando's daughter, Nicoletta, and they have made me three jackets over the past 10 years. You can see them and oth...
Why Ferdinando Caraceni is closing: An interview with Nicoletta Caraceni
Ferdinando Caraceni is one of the world's best-regarded bespoke tailors, based in Milan. It has been run since his death in 2004 by Ferdinando's daughter, Nicoletta, and they have made me three jackets over the past 10 years. You can see them and oth...
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?...
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?...
Reader profile: James
James is a reader I met in Korea last year. A friend of our host Sam Ahn, he joined us for dinner on the last night with Assisi. James has been a customer of various bespoke tailors for about 10 years, but has largely settled down to using Sartoria...
Reader profile: James
James is a reader I met in Korea last year. A friend of our host Sam Ahn, he joined us for dinner on the last night with Assisi. James has been a customer of various bespoke tailors for about 10 years, but has largely settled down to using Sartoria...
When to wear a tie: Personality and opportunity
At Pitti Uomo back in January I took the opportunity to wear mostly tailoring and ties - the two outfits shown above and below. And it felt great. I know there are traditionalists who see me as the antithesis of this, as I’m rarely pictured weari...
When to wear a tie: Personality and opportunity
At Pitti Uomo back in January I took the opportunity to wear mostly tailoring and ties - the two outfits shown above and below. And it felt great. I know there are traditionalists who see me as the antithesis of this, as I’m rarely pictured weari...
Liverano ulster coat: Style Breakdown
This coat from Liverano & Liverano in Florence has had a bit of an after life, being imitated in this tweed a fair bit, as well as spurring some to have the same coat from Liverano (despite the high cost). It remains one of my absolute favou...
Liverano ulster coat: Style Breakdown
This coat from Liverano & Liverano in Florence has had a bit of an after life, being imitated in this tweed a fair bit, as well as spurring some to have the same coat from Liverano (despite the high cost). It remains one of my absolute favou...
B&Tailor double-breasted overcoat: Review
We covered the Korean outfit B&Tailor in some detail here at the beginning of the month. For details on them, their history and their style, please read that article. It might seem a little odd splitting things up like this, but I find it makes...
B&Tailor double-breasted overcoat: Review
We covered the Korean outfit B&Tailor in some detail here at the beginning of the month. For details on them, their history and their style, please read that article. It might seem a little odd splitting things up like this, but I find it makes...
Pre-order for the Cashmere Crewneck and Cashmere Rugby
The pre-order window for our most popular product last year - the Cashmere Crewneck - and my personal favourite - the Cashmere Rugby - opens today. The point of the pre-order is to make sure no one misses out on them - as some did last year - and t...
Pre-order for the Cashmere Crewneck and Cashmere Rugby
The pre-order window for our most popular product last year - the Cashmere Crewneck - and my personal favourite - the Cashmere Rugby - opens today. The point of the pre-order is to make sure no one misses out on them - as some did last year - and t...
Yuketen, Crescent Down Works, Big Rock Candy Mountaineering - brands in Paris
Last week I wrote about visiting the Paris trade shows for the first time, and being able to interview some new brands as a result. Today I’m going to highlight three that we found particularly interesting. The first is Yuketen, the craft-based s...
Yuketen, Crescent Down Works, Big Rock Candy Mountaineering - brands in Paris
Last week I wrote about visiting the Paris trade shows for the first time, and being able to interview some new brands as a result. Today I’m going to highlight three that we found particularly interesting. The first is Yuketen, the craft-based s...
B&Tailor: Real bespoke, distinctive style
When I travelled to Korea back in December, one of the places I was keenest to visit was B&Tailor. Because, like many people, I’d been impressed for years at what I’d seen from Chad Park and his colleagues, but hadn’t had the best experienc...
B&Tailor: Real bespoke, distinctive style
When I travelled to Korea back in December, one of the places I was keenest to visit was B&Tailor. Because, like many people, I’d been impressed for years at what I’d seen from Chad Park and his colleagues, but hadn’t had the best experienc...
The Valet: Becoming a one-stop shop for clothing care
The Valet has become an all-round care and repair location in the past couple of years, which is great for our general push to encourage readers to look after their clothes better. Having started with pressing, then adding dry cleaning and shoe care,...
The Valet: Becoming a one-stop shop for clothing care
The Valet has become an all-round care and repair location in the past couple of years, which is great for our general push to encourage readers to look after their clothes better. Having started with pressing, then adding dry cleaning and shoe care,...
Black corduroy suit from Zizolfi/Pommella: Learning how to wear it
In my continued exploration of all things the colour of mourning, I commissioned this black-corduroy suit from Pommella (trousers) and Zizolfi (jacket) last year. The logic seemed sound: if black is going to work in tailoring, I’d consistently fo...
Black corduroy suit from Zizolfi/Pommella: Learning how to wear it
In my continued exploration of all things the colour of mourning, I commissioned this black-corduroy suit from Pommella (trousers) and Zizolfi (jacket) last year. The logic seemed sound: if black is going to work in tailoring, I’d consistently fo...
J Press, Stock Vintage, CHCM, Snyder: New New York
It was really nice to be in New York last week, after a break of three years. (The last time being for our Ivy Symposium.) I got to see many old friends, both in the industry (Steven Taffel of Leffot and I realised we both have our 15-year annivers...
J Press, Stock Vintage, CHCM, Snyder: New New York
It was really nice to be in New York last week, after a break of three years. (The last time being for our Ivy Symposium.) I got to see many old friends, both in the industry (Steven Taffel of Leffot and I realised we both have our 15-year annivers...