How to wear trainers: Part 3. Style

Read MoreOct 13th 2017

This post is an illustrated explanation of how I wear trainers, or sneakers. As with similar exercises on the blog, I have attempted to be as structured as possible, keeping some parameters constant in order to focus on those being discussed.So in t...

How to wear trainers: Part 3. Style

This post is an illustrated explanation of how I wear trainers, or sneakers. As with similar exercises on the blog, I have attempted to be as structured as possible, keeping some parameters constant in order to focus on those being discussed.So in t...

Oct 13th 2017

How to wear trainers - 1: Design

Read MoreApr 20th 2016

  Designer trainers - or sneakers as our American friends call them - are all the rage. A cynic would say that's because brands have realised they can make big margins on a cheap, lightly designed product. An optimist would say it’s a reflectio...

How to wear trainers - 1: Design

  Designer trainers - or sneakers as our American friends call them - are all the rage. A cynic would say that's because brands have realised they can make big margins on a cheap, lightly designed product. An optimist would say it’s a reflectio...

Apr 20th 2016

My trainers: Common Projects

Read MoreJun 25th 2014

 Some readers might be surprised to learn that I regularly wear trainers. Few should be surprised that there is a rationality both aesthetically and functionally to the selection.My brand is Common Projects. I was introduced to the team there a few ...

My trainers: Common Projects

 Some readers might be surprised to learn that I regularly wear trainers. Few should be surprised that there is a rationality both aesthetically and functionally to the selection.My brand is Common Projects. I was introduced to the team there a few ...

Jun 25th 2014

How to wear trainers: Part 2. Quality

Read MoreOct 6th 2017

In recent years, as premium trainers/sneakers have increasingly popular, readers have asked for my view on when they might be appropriate with tailored clothing, and when they are, what they should buy. I covered that last point in the first part...

How to wear trainers: Part 2. Quality

In recent years, as premium trainers/sneakers have increasingly popular, readers have asked for my view on when they might be appropriate with tailored clothing, and when they are, what they should buy. I covered that last point in the first part...

Oct 6th 2017

Resoling sneakers and trainers: RforPeople and end-of-life

Read MoreJan 3rd 2022

People did different things over lockdown. Talking to Tommaso Melani, owner of Stefano Bemer shoes, it turns out he started resoling trainers.  Stefano Bemer has a talented in-house team of shoemakers. They’ve made me three pairs of beautiful besp...

Resoling sneakers and trainers: RforPeople and end-of-life

People did different things over lockdown. Talking to Tommaso Melani, owner of Stefano Bemer shoes, it turns out he started resoling trainers.  Stefano Bemer has a talented in-house team of shoemakers. They’ve made me three pairs of beautiful besp...

Jan 3rd 2022

Frieze art fair: How the rich collector dresses

Read MoreOct 18th 2023

Frieze, the contemporary art fair in London, makes for great people watching. The art world brings in such a broad spectrum of types, of tribes. Although from a clothing point of view there always seems to be one consistent theme, which is a specific...

Frieze art fair: How the rich collector dresses

Frieze, the contemporary art fair in London, makes for great people watching. The art world brings in such a broad spectrum of types, of tribes. Although from a clothing point of view there always seems to be one consistent theme, which is a specific...

Oct 18th 2023

Wear loafers with jeans

Read MoreOct 10th 2022

In the hyper-casual world we’re living in, any opportunity to add a little smartness to everyday clothing should be grabbed with both hands. One of the most effective ways to do this, I’m finding, is wearing loafers with jeans.  Jeans are what m...

Wear loafers with jeans

In the hyper-casual world we’re living in, any opportunity to add a little smartness to everyday clothing should be grabbed with both hands. One of the most effective ways to do this, I’m finding, is wearing loafers with jeans.  Jeans are what m...

Oct 10th 2022

A day out at Rag Parade, Sheffield

Read MoreFeb 11th 2022

When you stare at a shop enough on Instagram - seeing new stock highlighted every day - it can seem bigger than it actually is.  That was the case with Jojo’s General Store (or Rag Parade) in Sheffield, which myself, Alex and Lucas visited last mo...

A day out at Rag Parade, Sheffield

When you stare at a shop enough on Instagram - seeing new stock highlighted every day - it can seem bigger than it actually is.  That was the case with Jojo’s General Store (or Rag Parade) in Sheffield, which myself, Alex and Lucas visited last mo...

Feb 11th 2022

The weekend capsule wardrobe

Read MoreNov 13th 2019

A weekend wardrobe can be a particular challenge for guys that care about their clothes. It should be relaxed and easy – not requiring much thought, and a nice change from the working week – yet cover a wide array of activities. At one end of...

The weekend capsule wardrobe

A weekend wardrobe can be a particular challenge for guys that care about their clothes. It should be relaxed and easy – not requiring much thought, and a nice change from the working week – yet cover a wide array of activities. At one end of...

Nov 13th 2019

Vibram resoling: Rescuing my ‘grail’ Nike ACG hiking boots

Read MoreApr 3rd 2023

By Tony Sylvester. I am sure you too have a full and eclectic ‘Saved Searches’ section on your eBay app. Mine includes everything from rare Barbour jackets to Finnish glassware; old Polo coats to Georgian jewellery. Some are comedic reminders of ...

Vibram resoling: Rescuing my ‘grail’ Nike ACG hiking boots

By Tony Sylvester. I am sure you too have a full and eclectic ‘Saved Searches’ section on your eBay app. Mine includes everything from rare Barbour jackets to Finnish glassware; old Polo coats to Georgian jewellery. Some are comedic reminders of ...

Apr 3rd 2023

The three wardrobes that define my week 

Read MoreSep 14th 2022

Broadly speaking, I dress in one of three ways during the week. They are defined quite clearly (to simplify the process, as much as anything else) and represent three general levels of smartness. I know readers will be interested in having these set ...

The three wardrobes that define my week 

Broadly speaking, I dress in one of three ways during the week. They are defined quite clearly (to simplify the process, as much as anything else) and represent three general levels of smartness. I know readers will be interested in having these set ...

Sep 14th 2022

Should you buy a copy? What’s the harm?

Read MoreSep 13th 2023

A few weeks ago, a reader asked my opinion on a pair of suede boots that were clearly a copy of the popular Open Walk from Loro Piana. That soft, unlaced chukka has become so widespread in a few short years that some don’t even recognise them as a ...

Should you buy a copy? What’s the harm?

A few weeks ago, a reader asked my opinion on a pair of suede boots that were clearly a copy of the popular Open Walk from Loro Piana. That soft, unlaced chukka has become so widespread in a few short years that some don’t even recognise them as a ...

Sep 13th 2023

Subtle vs showy: A way to think about casual clothing

Read MoreFeb 1st 2023

There is an important factor in how we dress that I don't think we’ve ever discussed explicitly on Permanent Style, which is how subtle or showy an outfit is.  When we talked almost entirely about tailoring, worn largely in offices, it was clear t...

Subtle vs showy: A way to think about casual clothing

There is an important factor in how we dress that I don't think we’ve ever discussed explicitly on Permanent Style, which is how subtle or showy an outfit is.  When we talked almost entirely about tailoring, worn largely in offices, it was clear t...

Feb 1st 2023

Reader profile: Simon

Read MoreFeb 27th 2023

Simon is only our second reader profile from outside the UK. He lives in New York, although when we talk on the phone he’s actually in Washington DC, having just landed on the red eye from Arizona.  Simon travels a lot. He’s a journalist and his...

Reader profile: Simon

Simon is only our second reader profile from outside the UK. He lives in New York, although when we talk on the phone he’s actually in Washington DC, having just landed on the red eye from Arizona.  Simon travels a lot. He’s a journalist and his...

Feb 27th 2023

Men need a core casual wardrobe

Read MoreApr 26th 2019

Over the next few weeks, will be doing a few posts on creating a core wardrobe of clothes - often called a 'capsule collection' - to add to those already published on ties, shirts and handkerchiefs. In my opinion this is more important than ever. He...

Men need a core casual wardrobe

Over the next few weeks, will be doing a few posts on creating a core wardrobe of clothes - often called a 'capsule collection' - to add to those already published on ties, shirts and handkerchiefs. In my opinion this is more important than ever. He...

Apr 26th 2019

High/low dressing

Read MoreDec 6th 2017

The biggest potential pitfall with tailored dressing is looking fussy. Fussy is not sexy; it is not attractive. It is closely related to appearing ‘affected’ or ‘mannered’. Looking relaxed in clothing, on the other hand, is very attractive. I...

High/low dressing

The biggest potential pitfall with tailored dressing is looking fussy. Fussy is not sexy; it is not attractive. It is closely related to appearing ‘affected’ or ‘mannered’. Looking relaxed in clothing, on the other hand, is very attractive. I...

Dec 6th 2017

Why buy ‘modern’ vintage?

Read MoreFeb 25th 2022

Rag Parade in Sheffield sells quite a lot of ‘modern’ vintage clothing (let’s call it 1980 onwards, for the sake of argument) as well as more standard militaria and workwear from earlier decades.  I was interested to know what the appeal was.?...

Why buy ‘modern’ vintage?

Rag Parade in Sheffield sells quite a lot of ‘modern’ vintage clothing (let’s call it 1980 onwards, for the sake of argument) as well as more standard militaria and workwear from earlier decades.  I was interested to know what the appeal was.?...

Feb 25th 2022

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

The knitted, fully fashioned T-shirt

Read MoreAug 30th 2019

When I travel, my default these days is a blouson over shirt and trousers.  It makes a nice switch from tailoring during the working days - perhaps a little more comfortable, but more importantly just a change that feels as good as a rest.  The...

The knitted, fully fashioned T-shirt

When I travel, my default these days is a blouson over shirt and trousers.  It makes a nice switch from tailoring during the working days - perhaps a little more comfortable, but more importantly just a change that feels as good as a rest.  The...

Aug 30th 2019

Fashion is running out of ideas, faster and faster

Read MoreOct 16th 2020

A couple of weeks ago I picked up a men’s fashion magazine in the new (very nice) newsagent on Chiltern Street. I really miss good print products, and fashion magazines in particular. I think I flicked through it all in five minutes, and felt almos...

Fashion is running out of ideas, faster and faster

A couple of weeks ago I picked up a men’s fashion magazine in the new (very nice) newsagent on Chiltern Street. I really miss good print products, and fashion magazines in particular. I think I flicked through it all in five minutes, and felt almos...

Oct 16th 2020

Shoes in wet weather: How to deal with rain and salt damage

Read MoreMar 6th 2020

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 ...

Mar 6th 2020

Desert boots (and knitwear, and bespoke) at Anglo-Italian 

Read MoreJun 4th 2021

Somehow, Jake and Anglo-Italian manage to keep relatively under the radar here in the UK, despite being one of the few classic-menswear shops keeping that spirit relevant.  Perhaps it’s because they don’t actively seek out mainstream coverage, o...

Desert boots (and knitwear, and bespoke) at Anglo-Italian 

Somehow, Jake and Anglo-Italian manage to keep relatively under the radar here in the UK, despite being one of the few classic-menswear shops keeping that spirit relevant.  Perhaps it’s because they don’t actively seek out mainstream coverage, o...

Jun 4th 2021

Suede shoes at the weekend

Read MoreApr 4th 2012

Edward Green WeymouthThose that feel bound to wear black lace-ups during the week all too often react with scruffy old trainers at the week end. They say they’re more comfortable. They say it helps them relax. In my experience, it is more likely to...

Suede shoes at the weekend

Edward Green WeymouthThose that feel bound to wear black lace-ups during the week all too often react with scruffy old trainers at the week end. They say they’re more comfortable. They say it helps them relax. In my experience, it is more likely to...

Apr 4th 2012

Reader question: Fashion and age

Read MoreDec 14th 2008

Nigel, London: How would you recommend that a slightly older man with an interest in youth-driven fashion incorporates this into his daily attire? Jeans, for example – some are so skinny they make you look even older than you are. Men’s style is...

Reader question: Fashion and age

Nigel, London: How would you recommend that a slightly older man with an interest in youth-driven fashion incorporates this into his daily attire? Jeans, for example – some are so skinny they make you look even older than you are. Men’s style is...

Dec 14th 2008

Brand round-up: Rubinacci, CQP and Carl Friedrik

Read MoreJul 3rd 2017

A slightly smaller set of reviews in the brand round-up this month, with more focus on the details. Rubinacci suit carrier, £1200 First up is this leather suit carrier - or garment bag - from Rubinacci, being offered by The Rake on their onlin...

Brand round-up: Rubinacci, CQP and Carl Friedrik

A slightly smaller set of reviews in the brand round-up this month, with more focus on the details. Rubinacci suit carrier, £1200 First up is this leather suit carrier - or garment bag - from Rubinacci, being offered by The Rake on their onlin...

Jul 3rd 2017