Fairisle sweaters: I tried on a couple in Drakes when my wife's need to buy me a Christmas present became desperate, but they just don't do it for me. For one thing, as has been pointed out, they are not particularly flattering if you are carrying a few pounds. They're just too jolly and redolent of Christmas which I dislike at the best of times, they're best left to the 'country in the city' types and old blokes who just don't care anymore.

Tassel loafers: I guess they have a certain skinhead/mod baggage in the UK, but I'm a big fan and often wear them in the summer. The reason being that I like them and that very few men here wear them. They are an affectation pure and simple, but a very low key affectation. As such they would never be worn by the great majority of men who have no interest in style, the sort of men who allow their wives to buy clothes for them unsupervised, the sort of men with whom I want clear blue sartorial water between me and them. Tassel loafers make this crowd feel slightly uncomfortable. Providing they are not worn as part of some sort of reenactors outfit, tassel loafers immediately mark you out as someone who takes an interest in what they wear. I have about four pairs.

Tassel loafers are basically de riguer here. You look more out of place not wearing them.

BBC did a documentary on Fair Isle. It is a tough life up there. The islanders usually have several jobs. The knitting is still going strong and they do reasonable business when a cruise ship turns up. BBC never showed the actual ship. I expect it is a smallish craft.
http://www.shetnews.co.uk/features/13650-bbc-s-intimate-portrait-of-life-on-fair-isle

The world moves on....

Thank god. I am trying to think less about the past than I used to. Unfortunately sounds, musics, smells easily trigger not only single memories, but complete episodes. Drinking makes it worse, even moderately.

So you are trying to tell us what excactly?

Black V-Neck? No, just no.

I have one of those ties (small lizards in my case) and actually quite like it now and then.  But I don't keep a collection.

There is a shop in the City that sells rip-offs of the Hermes ones under their own brand, apparently made in the UK, for about £60 with more nautical type patterns (fish, sea horses and so on) in vaguely washed-out colours.  I am trying to avoid walking past it too often.

Cool! I want one!

I also think we should also frequent a rip-off of FNB forum,