I was just trying to be kind.
Well, stop press news! I have again downsized my wardrobe. I am now down to the very essentials, 10 white shirts (moderate Kents and Cutaways), 10 end-on-ends (ditto), 5 blue-white stripes of various widths, all with double cuffs, from H&K. 5 H&K button cuffs in plain, stripes and checks. No more Ferragamo ties, only Hermes.
Still To Be Given Away:
A herringbone suit (makes me feel dizzy)
Father Xmas red cords
Polo Ralph Lauren sweatshop child labour button downs
Bogsy the Father xmas red cords!
I knew one day, I would make it to the now sadly dormant, but still there, Lookatmy'effingredpants blogsite.
Maybe it is time to say goodbye to coloured trousers
Outfit of the day, yesterday:
C&J handgrade Audley black cap-toe ox - the shoe/last that fits best
Pantetherella long cotton socks in charcoal
Cordings birdseye suit, 3button, mid-to-dark-grey, not turn-ups, no belt loops - RTW, regular fit
No pocket square
White H&K double cuff shirt with medium spread collar, no collar stays
red/white Hermes tie with small pattern, tied into a normal knot
1971 Rolex Oster Precision stainless steel wristwatch, on a new Oyster bracelent, nicely aged
Hermes sterling silver cufflinks, 15 years old
DR Harris Arlington citrus/fern after shave lotion
My suits are never dry-cleaned or ironed, and often creased because I wear them while in my car.
I dont wear collar stays and prefer H&K because of their softer construction
You will never see anything made of yellow gold on me
my shoes are religiously cared for - I have a very experienced cobbler who inserts those iron taps in a way they are flush with the sole
I shave every morning, but leisurely
My hair is cut every 6 weeks and usually worn without any product in it
The overall look is conservative but relaxed.
And what I like about this outfit is the carelessness - I could have walked into Ede & Ravenscroft and come out with a similar outfit. And Hermes stuff is something I usually pick up when at the airport. I do not book appointments with tailors or shirtmakers. And, yes, 3 button suits might be slightly outdated. But so be it.
I am even thinking about wearing pinpoint or Royal oxford double cuff shirts.
I dont know who of you has ever been to Ede & Ravenscroft Oxford's shop on High Street. That is a cozy little afair, in particular in winter. A proper gentlemen's outfitter in the true Herrenausstatter way.
Well, FNB has summed it up in his "West End Style" articles - that is exactly the life I lead and the style I like.
I think the West End Style articles were by Jim, I believe Terry Lean was one his alaises.
Good stuff.
Oh, do they. Well, maybe I could live with it. I very much like E&R's "conservative but smart" overall style. And the Oxford-based shop is my favourite.
Update: no more pink or lilac shirts. My wardrobe is now a pacifiing sea of blues and whites. Also, no more crazy coloured Hermes ties, only blues and reds.
I am very colour sensitive and this was overdue.
Now in need of the perfect blazer - light navy blue, minimally structured fabric, medium brown horn buttons, half lined, not too short. Ideas? Can be expensive, maybe Italian.
Perhaps USA from J.Press and get the buttons changed:
http://www.jpressonline.com/j-press-heritage-1/
I'm locked into a serious blazer habit at the moment, I'm tempted by some of the J.Press ones, but haven't pulled the trigger yet as the missus has turned bandit over my recent assorted spending on items that are non-related to the benefit of the entire household.
I bought a good hopsack one from Eduard Dressler last Autumn, went a bit mad on the sleeve length and had it altered to above the knuckle, which is always a bad move for an Englishman. But soon fixed that. I also would avoid the doeskin ones, always popular in the RTW market, but too hot in summer or when you fly in to sub-tropical climes and you need to keep brushing to keep looking good.
Doeskin never worked for me. Thanks for idea re Dressler and J Press, will investigate.
Question about "better" RTW brands - how do you rate Canali?
I have a couple of Canali coats, Beeston. Light shoulders, buggy lined, light chest canvas. Very nice IMHO. Cloths are good. I'm a 50L and need no alterations at all. Super fit. Though that might just be luck I guess. My first port of call for RTW. I did pop into my favorite shop with the intention of getting either a plain blue or brown blazer by Canali a few weeks back. Alas they didn't have such a coat and I ended up getting a wool/silk/linen mix coat by Dressler which they call a "shirt jacket". Again, softly padded shoulders with a light chest canvas. Very happy with it.
Like the "non flashy" bit.
The other day, a 20something was behind me in the supermarket queue. He almost looked like an iGent carricature. His jacket had a contrast colour lining under the collar, contrast stitching around buttonholes, he left both sleeves halfway unbutttoned, he wore brightly coloured socks and so on. You could see the slightly-above-average-but-still-sort-of-highstreet quality of his clothes.
Hence I am looking for a superbly tailored blazer without any immature tat. Thanks both of you for your input re Cavali.
They werent very subtle...I forgot to mention his 45mm Michael Korn/Fossil/whatever rose gold plated "watch".
Oh dear, the Michael Korn/Fossil/Christopher Ward connection, then you have the smart arse who pretends a Tissot is a sign of having arrived.
Michael Kors/Fossil/Emporio Armani/Christopher Ward/Tissot, oversized and rose gold ploited
Actually, we've probably been somewhat cruel lumping Christopher Ward in with that motely crew.
Update: just got rid of nother batch of ties and shirts. Marie Kondo rocks.
THread of de Year , award
Re blazer- does anyone , have opinions on New & Lingwood blazers? Sans skulls&bones buttnos of course ,