Most men have at least a couple of double-cuff – also known as French cuff – shirts in their wardrobe, and at least one set of cufflinks to go with them. For some, cufflinks project an air of stuffiness or formality that limits their use to special occasions like weddings, or to management types whoContinue reading “Silk Knot Cufflinks”
Shawl-Collar Cardigans: Wear Them to the Office and on Weekends
At this time of the year the weather often swings between mild and cool, making the task of choosing an outer layer a difficult one. For days when fine-gauge wool sweaters are too thin, and winter jackets too heavy, consider a shawl-collar cardigan. Unlike merino cardigans and sweaters, shawl-collar cardigans are usually knitted from fairlyContinue reading “Shawl-Collar Cardigans: Wear Them to the Office and on Weekends”
Politicians and Their Distinct (Lack of) Style
As I watched the chancellor of the exchequer explain the main points of the government’s long-awaited spending review on TV the other day, what struck me most was not the scale of the spending cuts, which I (and probably most people) had expected, but the state of some of the male politicians who booed andContinue reading “Politicians and Their Distinct (Lack of) Style”
Can Cargo Pants Ever Be Smart Enough for Work?
A reader asks: “Is there ever a time when it’s okay to wear cargo pants to work (unless you’re in the army)?” The answer? Absolutely. If you can wear chinos to work, then you can wear cargo pants. However, baggy army-surplus style cargos will not do: cargo pants for work need to be as smart andContinue reading “Can Cargo Pants Ever Be Smart Enough for Work?”
Wearing Tan Brogues to the Office. Yes or No?
Brogues were traditionally country wear, to be worn with a tweed jacket and odd trousers. Though it’s long been acceptable to wear brogues to the office, not all of them look the part: black or dark brown brogues are fine with a suitably coloured suit, but tan brogues are usually a step too far. TheContinue reading “Wearing Tan Brogues to the Office. Yes or No?”
The Barbour Bedale: Review
They’re not flashy and are unlikely to turn women’s heads, but Barbour wax jackets’ popularity among the upper classes helped to make them the unlikeliest of status symbols. Today Barbour has, thankfully, lost much of its ‘Sloane Ranger’ connotations. While rarely at the height of fashion, their products have remained popular thanks largely to theirContinue reading “The Barbour Bedale: Review”
Essential Autumn Clothing: Fair Isle Knitwear
Fair Isle, a tiny island sandwiched between Orkney and Shetland, is renowned for its colourful knitwear. But unlike Harris Tweed, authentic Fair Isle products have no legal protection. Instead, they have to compete against a mountian of foreign-made goods that bear the island’s name. And the future doesn’t look good: the island has just fourContinue reading “Essential Autumn Clothing: Fair Isle Knitwear”
APC New Standard Jeans Review
I recently came to the conclusion that I had far too many pairs of jeans in my wardrobe. It seemed ridiculous to have six pairs when I only wear them on weekends. So I decided to throw out most of them and follow a new rule: only three pairs of jeans in my wardrobe atContinue reading “APC New Standard Jeans Review”
Four Essential Pairs of Casual Shoes and Trainers
The four pairs of casual shoes and trainers that every man should have in his wardrobe: Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars Thanks to the creative genius and salesmanship of former basketball player Chuck Taylor, Converse All-Stars (pictured above) are probably the most popular and easily recognised sports shoes in the world today. They’re simple, comfortable, comeContinue reading “Four Essential Pairs of Casual Shoes and Trainers”
Kazimierz Nowak (1897-1937)
The story of Kazimierz Nowak is little known, but it deserves to be told. Born and raised in Poland, he was a keen traveller, writer, photographer and cyclist. Following a number of successful cycling adventures in Europe, Nowak decided to travel to Africa. On the way he believed he would be able to make moneyContinue reading “Kazimierz Nowak (1897-1937)”