Just back last night from a week of sun in Madeira, steady temps 16 - 18 degrees, shorts/polos in the daytime, oxfords & chinos ( + sweater) for the evening, probably my favourite combo if a bit obvious, whilst I was away I had a very good offer for the Boston Tailors jacket I put up on ebay a few weeks ago , despatched today, so that's some funds now for possible spring/summer purchases ,nothing in mind but I daresay something will catch my eye !

Clothes wise I haven't bought anything for some time. The other week I did see a made in England sheepskin in TKMaxx. I never could afford a sheepskin back in the day and I've always wanted one. I mentioned the coat to my missus and to my surprise she said buy it for when I'm back in Finland. I went back to the shop and the coat was still there. It was in the large section but when I tried it on it was too tight. I checked the label and it was a 36! Today in the pub I was talking to a couple who deal in second hand clothes from the 60/70s and they reckon they have a coat for me in their lock up. I might just be wearing a sheepskin next winter.

I have a Baily's of Glastonbury made in England sheepskin which I bought in the early 80's. It got a lot of use back then walking the mile and a bit to my local. Although for the last 30+ years it hasn't been out of the wardrobe.
Were the winters colder back then? Possibly.
I reckon one will be ideal for Finland Robbie.

Robbie - like you I couldn't afford a sheepskin back in the day, not even close, I have on occasion thought about one in recent years but TBH I'd just need to add a flat cap and I'd turn into a Del Boy lookalike ! For those that can ' wear-them-well' they look good imo ,
AUS - ' In a world where I go to meetings with CEOs in sweatshirts and I'm the only person in the room in a shirt most of the time ' - as mentioned earlier in this post just back from Madeira, both my Wife & I commented that the average local in Funchal was much better dressed than at home, even young people seemed to wear ' proper clothes', see a few informal business meetings in bars/cafe's and the guys all seemed to be wearing suits and in many instances neckties, there were a good few ' old-school' menswear shops in Funchal,(sprinkling of Ralph, Lacoste, Gant), I didn't venture into any as there wasn't anything that caught my eye, but I looked through the door of one and all the shirts were stacked in shelves behind the counter, so if you wanted to look at anything you needed an assistant, all shops seemed to operate like this in my memory up till my first visit to the Ivy Shop in '68 where you could browse & take out  the shirts & knitwear from the shelves and admire the shoes on the central table, it's the norm now of course,

Runninggeez-The sheppie I saw in TKMaxx was made in Glastonbury. I'm not sure I would wear the coat in England because of the Del boy associations (I wear flat caps Stax!) but it would be great in Finland in a darker colour. My older cousin has promised me his sheepskin when he dies (he is 78) but his dad lived to be 99 so I might have a long wait!

I was at Stansted Airport this morning and as far as I could tell I was the only person wearing a cotton BD shirt, or any shirt, for that matter. Wetherspoons Stansted at 4 am is a site to behold. I'm living the dream

I wear a dark single breasted Morlands sheepskin. They were the top brand back in the day. It is not particularly warm. Technical fabrics have moved the goalposts. I like the coat though and the past it represents.

I also wear Veldtschoen footwear at this time of year. Again, there are other waterproof options but I like the style. The Roxburgh shoe does not look much to most people unless you are into the style. It is mercifully free of outside labels unlike similarly priced shoes. The boots I wear with lock laces to make life easier.

Last edited by Kingston1an (2025-02-21 04:10:10)

Also picked up a pair of Alden tan suede chuckas or boots.  Not sure about the last. 
I’ve had them for a few years.  Leather soul.  Just now accepting them. 

Still love the old old Clark’s with gum sole. 

Whatever happened to Leather Soul in Hawaii?  Dropped by the shop.  New owners?
Guy could care less.   The young kid who ran it used to be passionate. 

Was at an Alden shop in Paris.  Off the hook with passion.  Bought a few things.