Summer style in the Realm (& Empire)


I’ve previously written about Realm & Empire and how they delve into the IWM archives for inspiration. Given that the weather around here of late has been dodgy in the extreme, I’ve had a lot of use of their waxed jacket I reviewed a while back. This time though I’m taking a look at their Artisan jacket and Demob shirt. The…

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The indigo detective investigates colour bleed


I have a high level of natural curiosity, and when I wonder about something I want to find out more about it. It usually isn’t quantum physics or anything that would save the planet, though maybe every small thing helps? Heck, who am I kidding, I just notice small anomalies and have to scratch the itch. What was it that made…

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The weeks that were – a bumper catch-up


What with convalescence and a long Easter holiday I quite forgot to post my weekly summary of Instagram images. To make up for this unacceptably poor level of service, I hereby offer up an almost full selection. And to add further joy to the event, a lot of the images are of the evil twins, or triplets, in some cases.…

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Trouser Tuesday: Selvedge denim, how low can you go?


This review is a tricky one. No doubt about it. There comes a time when you’ve written a few reviews of denim trousers, spending time finding out what is different or special with each pair, describing, measuring, considering. And then you come to a pair like this, where there is almost nothing to say. You find yourself struggling, flailing even,…

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A couple of alternative waxed jackets


The green waxed jacket, normally with a Barbour label somewhere on it, is a staple of the British look. Maybe not so much for the average British chap, but for the those aspiring to the hunting and gentleman farming look of the more elevated gents, the traditional green waxed jacket had a definite place. I have no problem with that…

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Four new backpacks for the stylish man!


It’s been a while now since I presented any new backpacks, though I’m always on the outlook for suitable specimens. As for the previous posts (here, here, here and here), the parameters are basically the same: We need a replacement for the awful black standard-issue nylon backpack your company have provided you with. And it must be a nice one,…

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A seasonal reversal – the week that was


An early Spring is a strange occurrence indeed. I yearn for Spring and tend to let Mother Nature trick me every time she stages a fake Spring, believing those sunnier and warmer days are here to stay. I still shudder at the thought of growing up in the North of Norway, where a late Spring could easily lead into an…

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Shock of the new – Adventures in Gore-tex!


Eh? What is this rubbish I hear you wail. Gore-tex? GORE…TEX? I visit this joint to read about artisan selvedge denim and tweed jackets, not dayglow jackets what train spotters wear. Indeed you do, but bear with me dear reader. I raise my hand and say I like a Cabourn Mallory coat as much as the next man and yes,…

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Trouser Tuesday: Tender 129, jeans with extra different


If you find yourself looking at jeans and thinking “yep, that’s another pair of 5-pocket jeans”, then this review is for you. Like me you find yourself just a little jaded when it comes to the typical pair of jeans. You’ll have a mental checklist you can run through, but if you’re brutally honest as long as you can tick…

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