Superfines: The story of refining wool

Read MoreMar 9th 2017

Pop-up shop update: Sartoria Formosa are in the shop today, Friday and Saturday. Gennaro Formosa is on site, together with Gianluca Migliarotti - director of the 'O Mast' film among other things There was a time when having a ‘Super’ suit was...

Superfines: The story of refining wool

Pop-up shop update: Sartoria Formosa are in the shop today, Friday and Saturday. Gennaro Formosa is on site, together with Gianluca Migliarotti - director of the 'O Mast' film among other things There was a time when having a ‘Super’ suit was...

Mar 9th 2017

How leather is tanned: Billy Tannery goat leather

Read MoreJul 18th 2018

Although I’ve visited many workshops and factories over the years, I’ve never been to a tannery (a trip to Barker’s is way overdue). It was with particular interest, therefore, that I went to see the tiny operation set up by Jack Millington (b...

How leather is tanned: Billy Tannery goat leather

Although I’ve visited many workshops and factories over the years, I’ve never been to a tannery (a trip to Barker’s is way overdue). It was with particular interest, therefore, that I went to see the tiny operation set up by Jack Millington (b...

Jul 18th 2018

The guide to Superfine shirtings

Read MoreNov 19th 2018

  There has been a lot of debate in recent years as to what should be called a Superfine cloth for suiting. As wools got finer and finer, and more and more expensive, it looked increasingly silly to focus on a single attribute like fineness, when ...

The guide to Superfine shirtings

  There has been a lot of debate in recent years as to what should be called a Superfine cloth for suiting. As wools got finer and finer, and more and more expensive, it looked increasingly silly to focus on a single attribute like fineness, when ...

Nov 19th 2018

Milano Unica: My first visit to the cloth fair

Read MoreFeb 11th 2019

They said Milano Unica was like Pitti without the peacocks. That was partly true. Certainly, there are no photographers, so even though many of the same people visit Milano Unica (MU), they're not on display. Everyone is noticeably more relaxed: ther...

Milano Unica: My first visit to the cloth fair

They said Milano Unica was like Pitti without the peacocks. That was partly true. Certainly, there are no photographers, so even though many of the same people visit Milano Unica (MU), they're not on display. Everyone is noticeably more relaxed: ther...

Feb 11th 2019

The future of media and fashion: Handcut Radio interview

Read MoreMay 3rd 2019

This was a very good talk. I don't mean to sound surprised - I wasn't - but it's worth stating plainly how good this podcast interview with Aleks Cvetkovic was. It was fun - we laughed and said 'exactly!' a lot. But it was also substantive. Not too m...

The future of media and fashion: Handcut Radio interview

This was a very good talk. I don't mean to sound surprised - I wasn't - but it's worth stating plainly how good this podcast interview with Aleks Cvetkovic was. It was fun - we laughed and said 'exactly!' a lot. But it was also substantive. Not too m...

May 3rd 2019

Video: How a bespoke suit can be repaired

Read MoreAug 9th 2019

How a suit lasts - and can be repaired over time - doesn't get much focus in bespoke. The craft, the history, the style: they're all talked about more, and understandably so. They're a good deal sexier. But it's a shame, because a benefit of the way ...

Video: How a bespoke suit can be repaired

How a suit lasts - and can be repaired over time - doesn't get much focus in bespoke. The craft, the history, the style: they're all talked about more, and understandably so. They're a good deal sexier. But it's a shame, because a benefit of the way ...

Aug 9th 2019

King & Tuckfield: Evolutionary fifties fashion

Read MoreAug 23rd 2019

I recently got to know Stacey Wood of King & Tuckfield, and think - despite a fashion-oriented look that might initially put some readers off - that some of the brand’s pieces are appealing variations on the menswear staples we love. There are ...

King & Tuckfield: Evolutionary fifties fashion

I recently got to know Stacey Wood of King & Tuckfield, and think - despite a fashion-oriented look that might initially put some readers off - that some of the brand’s pieces are appealing variations on the menswear staples we love. There are ...

Aug 23rd 2019

A vintage shopping story: M47 Parka

Read MoreOct 14th 2019

This week is vintage week. You didn't know that, but it is. We're starting today with an article on a vintage piece of mine; we continue on Wednesday with the advice of three experts on buying vintage; and we finish on Friday with an interview about ...

A vintage shopping story: M47 Parka

This week is vintage week. You didn't know that, but it is. We're starting today with an article on a vintage piece of mine; we continue on Wednesday with the advice of three experts on buying vintage; and we finish on Friday with an interview about ...

Oct 14th 2019

Collar and armhole: How bespoke craft enhances fit

Read MoreOct 26th 2020

In recent weeks we’ve done more coverage of top-end made-to-measure – the likes of Orazio Luciano and Jean-Manuel Moreau, Anglo-Italian and The Armoury. Some of these approach bespoke in terms of the handwork involved, in particular hand-padding ...

Collar and armhole: How bespoke craft enhances fit

In recent weeks we’ve done more coverage of top-end made-to-measure – the likes of Orazio Luciano and Jean-Manuel Moreau, Anglo-Italian and The Armoury. Some of these approach bespoke in terms of the handwork involved, in particular hand-padding ...

Oct 26th 2020

Comfortable yet elegant: A cosy winter combination

Read MoreOct 6th 2021

*Note: The source of the material for the trousers has been corrected, below. It was Zegna denim, not Loro Piana. Still not available though!* We haven’t done a simple outfit post in a while, so let’s talk about this one - worn for a recent inter...

Comfortable yet elegant: A cosy winter combination

*Note: The source of the material for the trousers has been corrected, below. It was Zegna denim, not Loro Piana. Still not available though!* We haven’t done a simple outfit post in a while, so let’s talk about this one - worn for a recent inter...

Oct 6th 2021

Repair, recycle and de-pill knitwear: Cashmere Circle

Read MoreNov 8th 2021

One of the good things about writing about caring for clothes, is that it spurs me to be better at it myself.  I’m not too bad at most things, by the standards of Permanent Style. I brush and put cream on my shoes; I steam and brush my suits (rath...

Repair, recycle and de-pill knitwear: Cashmere Circle

One of the good things about writing about caring for clothes, is that it spurs me to be better at it myself.  I’m not too bad at most things, by the standards of Permanent Style. I brush and put cream on my shoes; I steam and brush my suits (rath...

Nov 8th 2021

Christmas gift list 2021: Shawls, soap and Swan Songs

Read MoreNov 17th 2021

It’s that time of the year again. So, with both apologies and thanks to readers that bemoaned the lack of this list last year, these are just a few of my favourite things... In these lists we try to go beyond menswear into other beautiful, crafted ...

Christmas gift list 2021: Shawls, soap and Swan Songs

It’s that time of the year again. So, with both apologies and thanks to readers that bemoaned the lack of this list last year, these are just a few of my favourite things... In these lists we try to go beyond menswear into other beautiful, crafted ...

Nov 17th 2021

Le Vif: A vintage shop like a regular shop

Read MoreApr 11th 2022

Le Vif in Paris is one of the most curated vintage stores around.  What do I mean by that? Well, it has a particular view on the clothes it offers - in terms of quality, style and origin.  It sells Americana, normally American-made. There’s no Br...

Le Vif: A vintage shop like a regular shop

Le Vif in Paris is one of the most curated vintage stores around.  What do I mean by that? Well, it has a particular view on the clothes it offers - in terms of quality, style and origin.  It sells Americana, normally American-made. There’s no Br...

Apr 11th 2022

A Dad in California: Styling with Davide of Ghiaia

Read MoreNov 28th 2022

In the past year Davide Baroncini, of knitwear brand Ghiaia, has been putting together and posting some looks that really resonate with me.  Comfortable and relaxed, but with a really high taste level, they seem a long way from both the hype-driven ...

A Dad in California: Styling with Davide of Ghiaia

In the past year Davide Baroncini, of knitwear brand Ghiaia, has been putting together and posting some looks that really resonate with me.  Comfortable and relaxed, but with a really high taste level, they seem a long way from both the hype-driven ...

Result only found in commentsNov 28th 2022

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...

Result only found in commentsJan 11th 2023

Thank you for being interesting and useful: Comments on PS

Read MoreJun 16th 2023

It occurred to me recently that the point of, and policy on PS comments hasn't been talked about for a long time. It is usually hinted at, and only then when people skirt the edges of it. So here’s a summary, which will also become a static page o...

Thank you for being interesting and useful: Comments on PS

It occurred to me recently that the point of, and policy on PS comments hasn't been talked about for a long time. It is usually hinted at, and only then when people skirt the edges of it. So here’s a summary, which will also become a static page o...

Result only found in commentsJun 16th 2023

Announcing: Dry January 

Read MoreJan 1st 2024

Dry January is, at least in the UK, an opportunity for people to give up alcohol for a month to recover from some of the excesses of the holidays. It is in that same spirit that during January, Permanent Style will not write about any new clothing. T...

Announcing: Dry January 

Dry January is, at least in the UK, an opportunity for people to give up alcohol for a month to recover from some of the excesses of the holidays. It is in that same spirit that during January, Permanent Style will not write about any new clothing. T...

Result only found in commentsJan 1st 2024

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 ...

Result only found in commentsMay 25th 2022

My battered Barbour: A rewaxing service to recommend

Read MoreJun 27th 2022

By André Larnyoh When I first got this Barbour jacket, I remember wondering if it was really me. I was around 19, taking all my inspiration from Pinterest boards and The Ivy Handbook. A waxed motorcycle jacket seemed off the beaten track. But it was...

My battered Barbour: A rewaxing service to recommend

By André Larnyoh When I first got this Barbour jacket, I remember wondering if it was really me. I was around 19, taking all my inspiration from Pinterest boards and The Ivy Handbook. A waxed motorcycle jacket seemed off the beaten track. But it was...

Result only found in commentsJun 27th 2022

Acme split-toe shoes: Review

Read MoreJun 15th 2022

Everybody loves a bargain. I think one reader referred to it as the ‘siren song’ of cheaper-but-quality clothing.  The reference is often apt. Enthusiasts of anything expensive are drawn to the idea - like hypnotised Greek sailors - that they c...

Acme split-toe shoes: Review

Everybody loves a bargain. I think one reader referred to it as the ‘siren song’ of cheaper-but-quality clothing.  The reference is often apt. Enthusiasts of anything expensive are drawn to the idea - like hypnotised Greek sailors - that they c...

Result only found in commentsJun 15th 2022

My watches - eight years later

Read MoreAug 24th 2022

I buy watches in much the same way as I suggest other people buy tailoring.  I have a small number, of high quality, which meet a range of needs - formalities, colours, and a little extra to keep things interesting.  I went through a period of abou...

My watches - eight years later

I buy watches in much the same way as I suggest other people buy tailoring.  I have a small number, of high quality, which meet a range of needs - formalities, colours, and a little extra to keep things interesting.  I went through a period of abou...

Result only found in commentsAug 24th 2022

My new watch: Why I bought a seventies Speedmaster

Read MoreOct 12th 2022

Back in August, I wrote an article with some reflections on my watch collection, and mentioned that I was thinking of replacing my IWC Portugieser with a steel sports watch. I also asked horologically minded readers what their suggestions might be. ...

My new watch: Why I bought a seventies Speedmaster

Back in August, I wrote an article with some reflections on my watch collection, and mentioned that I was thinking of replacing my IWC Portugieser with a steel sports watch. I also asked horologically minded readers what their suggestions might be. ...

Result only found in commentsOct 12th 2022

Crowley Vintage: Shopping a look

Read MoreNov 18th 2022

Crowley Vintage is a vintage shop in Brooklyn, New York with a more particular angle than most.  We’ve talked in the past about different types of vintage - those that focus on older or newer, on rarity or thrift - but there are few that focus on ...

Crowley Vintage: Shopping a look

Crowley Vintage is a vintage shop in Brooklyn, New York with a more particular angle than most.  We’ve talked in the past about different types of vintage - those that focus on older or newer, on rarity or thrift - but there are few that focus on ...

Result only found in commentsNov 18th 2022

Readers awards 2023: Anniversary edition 

Read MoreJan 25th 2023

Five years ago, in 2018, we began the PS awards series by asking about favourite brands, shops and stylists.  This year I'd like to invite everyone to do the same, but actively reflect on how things have changed in the past five years.  Five years ...

Readers awards 2023: Anniversary edition 

Five years ago, in 2018, we began the PS awards series by asking about favourite brands, shops and stylists.  This year I'd like to invite everyone to do the same, but actively reflect on how things have changed in the past five years.  Five years ...

Result only found in commentsJan 25th 2023

Bryceland’s black unsanforised jeans: Review

Read MoreMar 15th 2023

These are the first jeans I've had from Bryceland's, and I've been absolutely loving them - for the fit, the colour and the denim.  But I was a little nervous about buying them, as I'd never had unsanforised denim before. Given I know this will be a...

Bryceland’s black unsanforised jeans: Review

These are the first jeans I've had from Bryceland's, and I've been absolutely loving them - for the fit, the colour and the denim.  But I was a little nervous about buying them, as I'd never had unsanforised denim before. Given I know this will be a...

Result only found in commentsMar 15th 2023