06/01/2016
The blouson jacket style is one of the true classics of menswear. Also commonly known as the Harrington or the Drizzler, there is some agreement that it dates right back to 1937, when Barracuta launched their G-9 style. A simple, boxy jacket with a shower-proof cotton outer and a tartan cotton lining. A stand-up collar, knitted cuffs, angled front pockets, and that’s about…
03/01/2016
Well, the Yuletide celebrations are winding down here at the mansion and with the fireworks of the start of another New Year still shimmering on my retinas. A time for pondering over a mug of tea, the good and bad of the year that passed, and what possibilities the shiny new one holds. View this post on Instagram A…
30/12/2015
I was recently contacted by a representative of Wrangler, one of the traditionally huge names in denim, asking my opinion on their new “Born Ready” line of jeans. What struck me then was that although Wrangler has always been one of the Big Three denim companies, I’ve never had any sort of opinion about them at all. Always one to grab an opportunity…
27/12/2015
It’s been a while now since I last posted a backpack guide so I thought it would make good seasonal reading. As we have previously established, the goal is to get away from the standard issue black nylon laptop-pack that you’ll typically be given at work. The sort of black hole of style and tast that listlessly hangs from the…
25/12/2015
Another week and another book selected from the stack of menswear-related titles on the table next to the roaring fireplace here in the library at Well Dressed mansion. A steaming mug of strong tea, a pile of butter cookies and my reading monocle polished and ready. Todays offering is a recent publication from the productive Josh Sims, eminent author of “Icons of…
24/12/2015
Looking out the window as I write this it’s pitch dark, rain gently drizzling down. In the distance I can see the neighbours festive lights swaying in the wind, in a desperate bid to install some yuletide cheer to all. Still, in the cosy little world of mens wear and related issues, it’s almost business as usual. I’ve got a few…
23/12/2015
It’s been a while now since I last posted a backpack guide so I thought it would make good seasonal reading. As we have previously established, the goal is to get away from the standard issue black nylon laptop-pack that you’ll typically be given at work. The sort of black hole of style and tast that listlessly hangs from the…
20/12/2015
Some brands have been around since loincloths came into fashion, others are more recent entrants to the jostling world of menswear. One of the latter companies, and one I only came across quite recently, is Harry Stedman. The company takes it’s name and inspiration Harry himself, father and grandfather respectively of the two guys behind the company. Born in 1934 Harry…
18/12/2015
Denim is a curious fabric. I can’t think of any fabric that is currently so torn with regards to which way it should develop. On the one hand the traditional denim companies are doing what they do, continually creating a better and more technical and high quality product. On the other hand you have the heritage-orientated companies taking development back to…
18/12/2015
The Vintage Showroom is a small vintage clothes dealer just by Seven Dials in London. The owners are Doug Gunn and Roy Luckett, and given the number of small vintage clothes shops around the world, or even London, the story could just as well have ended there. Except, Doug and Roy are finders and collectors extraordinaire, so the shop is…