16/01/2016
If there is one single question that draws guys into web forums about clothes it has to be this one: “I’m looking to buy garment X, is it true to size, or do I size up or down?” This is related to my previous post on why shoe sizes are a mess and why sizing baffles the boffins, though this time I’m looking at…
12/01/2016
So, my next favourite of 2015, what might that be? I’d have to say that Gloverall and their 1951 collection was one of the high points of the Autumn/Winter collection. The combination of vintage auto racing, the mod-styles and the generally classic looks with lots of duffle, tweed and classic cuts really does it for me. I’ve already reviewed my…
10/01/2016
As far as business models go, building an appliance that lasts forever is considered a poor idea. From the producers side, that is. From a consumer side it’s a bloody marvellous idea, as it saves us replacing the piece of shit washing machine every few years or so,. Less money, less hassle, and have does anyone even slightly enjoy trying…
10/01/2016
Further on from the index to all the guides and reviews I wrote in 2015, here is a handy index to what I chose to group as “opinions”. Possibly a spurious description for a motley selection of posts, some verging on the rantings of the unhinged, others merely difficult to file under any other description. A shorter list than the others, but…
09/01/2016
Further on from the index to all the guides I wrote in 2015, here is a handy index to my reviews of the year. I’ve grouped them in a hopefully logical order, to aid in your thorough perusal of posts. You might like to read the handy indices to 2014 as well, they can be found here and here! The reviews of 2015: Trousers: Wrangler…
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…
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
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…
17/12/2015
The smartphone has to be the curse of modern times. One dip in to your pocket and you know if anyone has phoned you, texted you, mentioned you, poked you, prodded you or in any other way attempted to annoy you. Also if anything has happened in the world, your car is unlocked or whether the book you reserved at the…
11/12/2015
For me winter means boots. I know some people feel it appropriate to stride through the cold and dark, over the ice and snow, wearing the same flimsy, slippery and chilly footwear they use the rest of the year. Around here though we see winter as an opportunity to boot up. And boots must be real boots, no zips and…