I am lazy, so I had to be forced off the High Street. Saxone always had leather shoes. Then when they went M&S had at least a  few. Now nobody does, so you have to go looking for them and open you wallet a bit more than for the High Street.

Other things occupy your thoughts apart from clothes as you age - but  you still want to look half decent.

Northampton suits me as I have a sister in the town and I like supporting an English craft in a small way.

The danger with English stuff is that if you buy the whole kit and and caboodle you can look like a stereotype - right down to your silly tie with pheasants on. So pick wisely.

The other guys are more enthusiastic than me and will have their own take on it.

It was really annoying at work when a loud North American woman said no ties for a group photo. I had to insist that I would be wearing a tie. I really hate that 'suit and no tie' image that business folk think gives them an approachable, man of the people image.

Indeed. I went round the shops today to kill some time with my mates, and I realised truly how bad the high street stuff is. There is charm in clothes that are well-made (it's the old cliché, but it is true - getting better with age as you wear them). I really try and get stuff which is made in USA or UK where I can.

I have real trouble getting decent stuff to fit me (tall and slim). Getting a proper collar roll in oxford cotton in a slim fit for me is near impossible. I would have to go to London to try and pick up something second hand, but I can rarely get there. Milton Keynes or Birmingham are very limited at best (I might post up in the for sale thread for shirts, in fact!).

I DO have a dark navy gloverall duffle coat, which may not go down too well with everyone here. I think it helps give a nice english (re)take on the look.

But what I would do to pick up some proper, well-made wingtips, shirts, madras shorts, trousers and ultimately a sack suit! The list of what I can't get is almost endless. Thanks to the people on here for helping me to start to get a decent wardrobe together.

Having had time now to reflect upon yesterday's shopping expedition - to Nottingham - the balance is tipping in the direction of 'Celia's', specialising in vintage, top quality English menswear.  Enough wool in there to cover a whole flock of sheep.  The 'Americana' is beginning to look tired in comparison, although the golf jackets by London Fog are still appealing.  Desert boots by Roamer - not for me - I once had a pair - Johnny Simons had a little tear in his eye.  The style has improved a little bit, however, and they are inexpensive.  For the younger lad, worn with jeans or cords, okay.  But the English leather shoes are top.  There was a pair in a cabinet I almost pulled out my debit card for, and the only thing holding me back was the thought of my wife murdering me...

Roamers are real horrors. Might aswell get clarks - atleast they have the heritage!

Everything can be found vintage in LDN. Sacks, trousers vespke, shirts vintage and wingtips english from strutton ground or blackmans. Patch madras shorts by murrays toggery shop in one brick lane store.....prep yah, but so rare in LDN that they're beyond cool!

Not as bad as they used to be, but still not good enough.

There was a very soft, very dark brown, flecked Harris Tweed jacket in 'Celia's'.  Would have bought that had it fitted.

British goods have a sizeable presence in my closet - mostly outerwear, sweaters, ties, a couple of odd jackets.  Love British shoes, but I'm a confirmed Alden, AE, Florsheim, Hanover, Nettleton type.  Are/were there any British makers of ocbds with a great collar roll?  I see many on this forum favor Sero, Gant, BB, Gitman(?) etc., but was wondering about British button-downs.

Smedley is still rated over here.  Mostly polo shirts in sea island cotton.  Their merino is also good.  I used to live close to their mills.