Le Vrai Winston

Charles Tyrwhitt's White Shirt Challenge

2012-01-24T22:52:00.007Z

I was recently contacted by Charles Tyrwhitt who wanted to see if I had what it takes to customise a plain white shirt in their White Shirt Challenge by using it in a unique, stylish and on-trend look of the season.

Fortunately, this has been a season with a whole host of tasteful inspiration that has seen some of the archaic looks of the early twentieth century catapulted back into high fashion, courtesy, largely, of the Hollywood fashion book merry-go-round.

The bow tie, the double breasted waistcoat and the 'stroller' aesthetic are a homage to American Twenties style; Boardwalk Empire dragged this back into vogue, but it's films like The Artist and the upcoming The Great Gatsby that have made this year's look.

To craft a more authentic look for the shirt, I replaced the existing shirt buttons with some made out of Mother of Pearl.

White shirt - Charles Tyrwhitt

Red seersucker bow tie - Viktoria Fagerfjall

Dove grey waistcoat - Graham Browne Bespoke

Houndstooth trousers - Uniqlo

Blue blazer - Uniqlo

Grey pocket square - Vintage

Outfit

2012-01-16T19:59:00.002Z

Suit - Uniqlo

Waistcoat - ASOS

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Gieves & Hawkes (vintage)

Pocket square - eBay

Cad & The Dandy Photoshoot

2012-01-13T19:47:00.003Z

Photograph by Nick Tucker

Not so long ago, I was contacted by Ian at Cad & The Dandy who informed me that they were conducting a photoshoot for their lookbook, website and advertising. He explained that they didn't want to shoot models; they wanted to shoot customers.

The reason? Customers relate to other paying customers; not chiselled, intensely good-looking 20 year olds with agency contracts.

Instead, they called on yours truly - and a bunch of other splendid chaps who happened to own their suits. The brilliant results can be seen on the photographer Nick Tucker's page:

Nick Tucker Photography

Nick is an incredibly patient artist; not only did he wait for light, he also waited for the inexperienced subjects to get into gear and at least pretend to be David Gandy for the day.

Guided by the immensely enthusiastic, smooth-talking Lydia Hargrave (Art Director), we had a smashing time down in East London in a beautifully dilapidated Victorian building that used to be a pub and a music venue.

Christmas Gift

2012-01-12T19:28:00.007Z

Christmas feels months ago in the dark, joyless days of mid-January.

I thought I would rekindle some Christmas memories by showing off one of my presents; a wonderful antique Zenith 14 ct gold pocket watch from the early 20th century, given to me by very generous parents.

Now to find that antique gold watch chain...

Outfit

2012-01-05T22:21:00.002Z

Suit - Uniqlo

Waistcoat - Vintage

Pocket square - eBay

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Out(fit) with the old...and in with the new

2012-01-02T18:18:00.003Z

Appropriately for the first post of 2012, we have a new purchase; a brown overcoat from the TopMan sale. All the other items are favourites of varying vintage...

Shoes - Herring

White jeans - Zara

Cardigan - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Blue cord shirt - H&M

Bow tie - Tie Rack

Brown overcoat - TopMan

Gloves - Wedins

Seasons Greetings

2011-12-28T23:59:00.003Z

Many of my readers will know me as a London boy, a town mouse. The truth is, I grew up in the country. At this festive time of year, I always return home. Swaying trees, howling wind, dark afternoon landscapes and cosy fires delight my days.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Wellington boots - Lowther

Cords - Zara

Green gloves - Wedins

Jacket - Zara

Jumper - COS

Shirt - TM Lewin

Silk scarf - Zara

Hat - H&M

Purple Pose

2011-12-13T19:37:00.001Z

Jacket - Zara

Cardigan - Zara (buttons added)

Tie - Tie Rack

Tie clip - eBay

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - eBay

Outfit

2011-12-10T13:28:00.004Z

Shoes - Herring

Socks - Uniqlo

Trousers - Zara

Scarf - H&M

Coat - Zara (buttons added)

Cardigan - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Shirt - Hawes & Curtis

Gloves - New Look

Bow Tie - Akco Vintage

Last Mo'ments

2011-11-30T19:32:00.002Z

Tonight, the moustache comes off!

Thanks for your donations.

Trousers - Cad & The Dandy

Jacket - H&M

Waistcoat - ASOS

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - eBay

Hat - Zara

Outfit

2011-11-21T22:47:00.003Z

Suit - Uniqlo

Waistcoat - Vintage

Pocket watch - Vintage (eBay)

Tie - Tie Rack

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Outfit - Brown about town...

2011-11-20T13:00:00.001Z

Shoes - Herring

Chinos - TopMan

Socks - Uniqlo

Shirt - Next

Tie - Gieves & Hawkes

Jumper - Zara

Cord jacket - Zara

Pocket square - eBay

Keep on MOving...

2011-11-10T19:38:00.007Z

Progress on my upper lip situation.

The verdict is it's "coming along nicely" and also that, horror of horrors, "it's actually starting to suit [me]..."

The proof of the moustache is in the growing.

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/1808024/

Thanks to all who have donated so far.

Suit - Cad & The Dandy Bespoke

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Tie Rack

Pocket square - Store in Sweden

Sleeveless cardigan - eBay

Joining the MOvement...

2011-11-07T20:51:00.005Z

It's November again and that means it's actually Movember - the month of upper-lip hair growth that has the object of raising cash for prostate cancer. I am MOving again and would greatly appreciate your donations...

Click here!

Trousers - Baron of Piccadilly

Blazer - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Jumper - Zara

Pocket square - eBay

Outfit

2011-11-01T23:07:00.003Z

Jacket - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Jumper - Zara

Trousers - Cad & The Dandy

Shirt - Savile Row Company

Tie - Austin Reed

Pocket square - Zara

Sweden

2011-10-13T19:09:00.006+01:00

Apologies to my regular readers, I have been enjoying an autumnal sojourn in Sweden (moose hunting, mushroom picking and more besides).

Here's a couple of images of me experiencing the Scandinavian great outdoors.

Wellington boots - Lowther by Hunter

Jeans - Zara

Cardigan - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Wax jacket - Barbour

Shirt - Hawes & Curtis

Hat - H&M

Boots - Zara

Purple jeans - Zara

Brown cord jacket - Zara

Tweed waistcoat - ASOS

Lilac shirt - TM Lewin

Silk paisley scarf - Zara

Outfit

2011-10-01T20:10:00.003+01:00

Suede shoes - Zara

Grey flannel wool trousers - River Island (turn ups added)

Waistcoat - Vintage

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Austin Reed

Jacket - Uniqlo

Pocket square - eBay

Another Uniqlo Suit...

2011-09-26T20:46:00.005+01:00

Discovering value is a wonderful thing.

I already possessed a Tasmanian houndstooth wool jacket from Uniqlo (from the same collection as the previous post) and so adding a pair of £39.99 trousers (with £10 of adjustment from Graham Browne) was a no brainer.

Ignore the rucking on the right shoulder and torso; the waistcoat is a little too tight and caused this.

Shoes - Jones One Collection

Suit - Uniqlo (trouser adjustments by Graham Browne)

Waistcoat - Zara (buttons added)

Tie - Gieves & Hawkes

Shirt - Zara

Silver and amber cufflinks - Market in Delhi

Pocket square - eBay

The Uniqlo Suit

2011-09-20T20:04:00.008+01:00

I recently wrote an article for Mensflair focusing on an enquiry from a reader about finding a £100 suit. In my research, I discovered this wonderful dark grey flannel wool suit (98% Tasmanian wool) in the excellent Uniqlo.

Looking past the cheap buttons and ludicrously long trousers, I squinted at the attractive silhouette in the changing room mirror that was available for the surprising sum of £110. It was not a difficult purchase.

After some trouser alterations by Graham Browne in the City (turn-ups added - cost: £10) I removed the belt loops, changed the buttons to ones of real horn (cost: £10) bought from Macculloch & Wallis and sewed on buttons to accommodate braces.

Outfit

2011-09-07T20:55:00.003+01:00

Blue wool flannel jacket - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Red striped shirt - TM Lewin

Prince of Wales check tie - Gieves & Hawkes

Gold tie clip - eBay

Green pocket square - eBay

Houndstooth trousers - Zara

Outfit

2011-09-03T09:20:00.004+01:00

I recently spent a lovely holiday gazing at the beautiful, azure Mediterranean sea through a frame of deep green trees. A truly inspiring colour combination.

Suit - Cad & The Dandy

Shirt - Austin Reed

Tie - Tie Rack

Tie Pin - eBay

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2011-08-29T19:25:00.002+01:00

Apologies to regular visitors. I have been away. Here is a photo of me 'on location' as it were in southern Corsica.

Espadrilles - River Island

Trousers - Zara

Jacket - Uniqlo

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - Zara

Sunglasses - RayBan

Outfit

2011-08-06T21:55:00.003+01:00

Espadrilles - River Island

Linen trousers - H&M

Linen unstructured jacket - Uniqlo

Shirt - Charles Tyrwhitt

Pocket square - Austin Reed

Outfit

2011-07-27T22:27:00.003+01:00

Trousers - Zara

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Austin Reed

Jacket - Zara

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Tie clip - eBay

Outfit

2011-07-09T09:57:00.005+01:00

This is a silk-linen suit I bought a while ago from H&M. I love how it has aged.

Shoes - Church's

Suit - H&M

Waistcoat - Butler & Webb (buttons added)

Tie - Austin Reed vintage

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - Hackett

Outfit

2011-07-07T19:42:00.002+01:00

Sat watching a polo match in Buckinghamshire recently.

Driving Shoes - Massimo Dutti

Chinos - TopMan

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Zara

Tie clip - eBay

Jacket - Uniqlo

Hat - River Island

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit - Summer Stripes

2011-07-04T21:29:00.002+01:00

Summer. Seersucker. Stripes. Shock.

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Jacket - ASOS

Pocket square - Austin Reed

Tie clip - eBay

Outfit

2011-07-03T20:31:00.002+01:00

Apologies for the lack of posts. My computer was very ill and needed an entire reinstall and I wandered off to Turkey for a sweltering summer break.

Shoes - Dune

Jacket - ASOS

Tie -Tie Rack

Shirt - Savile Row Company

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Belt - Marc Jacobs

Tie clip - eBay

Outfit

2011-06-14T00:00:00.002+01:00

Jacket - H&M

Waistcoat - H&M

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Austin Reed

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Wedding

2011-06-13T23:43:00.005+01:00

Wearing a new white collared yellow shirt from Savile Row Company

Shirt - Savile Row Company

Tie - Gieves & Hawkes

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Waistcoat - Graham Browne Bespoke

Tie pin - eBay

Morning coat - Croatian manufacture

Pocket watch - Antique

Silk top hat - Antique

Outfit

2011-05-15T16:39:00.002+01:00

Shoes - Church's

Jeans - COS

Socks - Uniqlo

Cotton cardigan - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Shirt - TM Lewin

Linen jacket - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Sunglasses - RayBan

Outfit - Summer Simplicity

2011-05-09T20:22:00.003+01:00

It is often said that the clothes-loving man loves colder climes best; for the quantity and variety of his daily dress is considerably greater. However, there's a lot to be said for the necessary simplicity of summer. Recent days of May warmth have dictated a two-piece wardrobe, as seen here. As you can see, it is not a predicament which leaves me unhappy...

Shoes - Herring

Chino trousers - TopMan

Shirt - TM Lewin

Jacket - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Tie - Tie Rack

Tie clip - eBay

White cotton pocket square - Tie Rack

Socks - Uniqlo

Outfit

2011-05-06T22:31:00.003+01:00

Blazer - TopMan

Trousers - Zara

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Hackett

Waistcoat - H&M (buttons added)

Shoes - Church's

Socks - Uniqlo

Outfit - Green and Blue

2011-05-04T19:37:00.003+01:00

Giving the new linen jacket from Uniqlo a good run-out! I was delighted when I noted wrinkles appearing at the elbows; this is the marmite-moment - some people love linen for this, others who are more iron-inclined, absolutely hate it. I am one of the former.

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - H&M

Waistcoat - Vintage

Trousers - Baron of Piccadilly

Jacket - Uniqlo

Pocket square - Store in Sweden

Socks - Uniqlo

Shoes - Dune

Outfit - 'Put On Your Bank-Holiday-Monday clothes...'

2011-05-03T19:50:00.003+01:00

'...there's lots of world out there...'

Sporting a new 100% linen jacket from the excellent Uniqlo and my new 'yellow tortoise' RayBan Wayfarers of which I wrote, lustily, on Mensflair.

Shoes - Dune

Shirt - TM Lewin

Trousers - TopMan

Jacket - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Tie - Ralph Lauren

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Sunglasses - RayBan

Outfit - The archer

2011-04-26T18:58:00.005+01:00

I included the profile pic (below) to show you the 'arch' that I love creating with my ties. It's best to secure the tie using a clip, underneath the waistcoat, to achieve this look. Loads of people hate it and prefer a flat tie - it's personal choice. A lot of arch-purists think my arch is too messy and all-over-the place but I don't mind the luxe-scruff of it all...

Shoes - Jones One Collection

Trousers - Cad & The Dandy

Jacket - H&M

Shirt - Zara

Tie - TM Lewin

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Waistcoat - H&M (buttons added)

Outfit

2011-04-19T22:17:00.002+01:00

Springtime is most definitely here!

Shoes - Dune

Trousers - Zara

Linen waistcoat - M&S

Jacket - H&M

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Zara

Tie clip - eBay

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2011-04-15T00:00:00.002+01:00

Shoes - Jones One Collection

Trousers - River Island

Cardigan - Zara

Shirt - Austin Reed

Tie - River Island

Jacket - Zara

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit - Brown and Grey (again)

2011-04-04T20:42:00.002+01:00

Apparently, one of the world's favourite combinations is black and white. Mine seems to be brown and grey; I find the earthy/steel combo irresistable!

Shoes - Dune

Trousers - River Island

Shirt - Cad & The Dandy

Jacket - H&M

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Tie - Tie Rack

Waistcoat - Vintage

Outfit - The Big Stripe

2011-04-03T12:28:00.004+01:00

For some reason, this has always been a spring tie in my mind. The big stripe calls to mind the fun and frolic of springtime. Shame my po-face doesn't reflect it!

Shoes - Jones One Collection

Trousers - Baron of Piccadilly

Waistcoat - H&M (buttons added)

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Jasper Conran

Pocket square - EB Klader

Blazer - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Outfit

2011-03-22T20:57:00.003Z

Wearing a tie I recently picked up in Zara. Womenswear.

Yes, that's right.

A tie. In womenswear.

Jacket - Zara

Trousers - River Island

Shoes - Dune

Waistcoat - Vintage

Tie - Zara

Tie clip - eBay

Shirt - Hawes & Curtis

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2011-03-21T20:16:00.003Z

The more beady eyed may recognise the pattern from the tie. Another bargain from Tie Rack!

Trousers - ASOS

Jacket - H&M

Cardigan - GAP

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2011-03-08T19:49:00.004Z

Trousers - Baron of Piccadilly

Waistcoat - ASOS

Blue blazer - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Shirt - Austin Reed

Tie - Tie Rack

Tie clip - eBay

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2011-03-07T19:52:00.004Z

Shoes - Jones One Collection

Suit - Zara (buttons added)

Cardigan - Uniqlo

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Tie - Gieves & Hawkes

Tie clip - eBay

Shirt - TM Lewin

Unfortunately, the flash obliterated the subtle blue-check pattern on the pocket square but you can see it in the picture below.

Pattern Mix

2011-03-01T19:06:00.002Z

Another pattern mix; check, stripes and foulard.

Shirt - Zara

Tie - Vintage

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Waistcoat -ASOS

Pinstripe suit -Zara

Tie clip - eBay

Outfit

2011-02-27T19:43:00.003Z

Suede shoes - Zara

Purple jeans - Zara

Cardigan - Topman (buttons replaced)

Jacket - Zara

Tie - Vintage

Tie clip - eBay

Shirt - Zara

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2011-02-23T22:18:00.002Z

Picked up some fantastic stuff in the Tie Rack sale recently!

Shoes - Dune

Trousers - Zara

Jacket - Baron of Piccadilly (adjusted and buttons added by Graham Browne Tailors)

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Tie Rack

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Tie clip - eBay

Socks - Uniqlo

(Apologies for the paint-splashed floor, my house is in the midst of redecoration)

Painting shoes back to life

2011-02-21T19:42:00.006Z

Not so long ago, an enthusiastic chap named Bert contacted me through this blog alerting me to the possibility of 'repatination.'

The process was simple. Provide a pair of shoes to colour and he will do his work - creating an interesting patina from an ordinary shoe.

This wonderful craftsman was so refreshing and so exciting, that I just had to write about his work.

I gave him my old pair of Berluti-esque Zara shoes - a great deal of work as it turned out due to the creasing - and he created the cherry coloured shoes you can see in the picture below.

Shoes - Zara (repatination by Bert of Patina Quality Shoes)

Trousers - Cad & The Dandy

Waistcoat - eBay

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Tie Rack

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Jacket - Zara

BEFORE

AFTER

Outfit

2011-02-16T22:19:00.004Z

Tie Rack has a wonderful sale at the moment - this silk stripe was £2.99.

Trousers - Zara

Jacket - Uniqlo

Waistcoat - Vintage

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2011-02-13T17:53:00.002Z

Wearing a new wool cardigan from Uniqlo which was £15 in the sale. The replacement buttons, from MacCulloch & Wallis, are real leather and ended up costing more than the garment itself!

Shoes - Herring

Socks - Uniqlo

Trousers - Zara

Cardigan - Uniqlo

Cord jacket - Zara

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Outfit

2011-02-01T23:52:00.003Z

Jacket - H&M

Waistcoat (buttons added) - H&M

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Tie Rack

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit - Make sure your socks match your buttonhole...

2011-01-31T19:49:00.004Z

Shoes - John Mac Grey

Trousers (Part of suit) - Baron of Piccadilly

Jacket (Part of suit) - Zara

Sleeveless jumper - Zara

Tie - Vintage

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Socks - Falke

The Yellow Cardigan

2011-01-25T19:10:00.003Z

Cardigan - Zara

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Austin Reed (vintage)

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Tie clip - eBay

Jacket - Zara

Outfit - The Cream Waistcoat

2011-01-17T19:23:00.006Z

I remember cream waistcoats and cardigans fondly from Fred Astaire films. I picked up this lovely wool one for £15 in the Uniqlo sale.

Shoes - John Mac Grey

Trousers - Cad & The Dandy

Jacket - Uniqlo

Cardigan - Uniqlo

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Off on safari...

2011-01-13T21:11:00.003Z

Dear readers,

A thousand apologies for the lack of posts but I have been exceedingly busy since my last entry. Unfortunately, a full time job, visiting family back home, Christmas shopping and a holiday to South Africa are not the ideal accessories in a blogger's December life.

Here is a picture of me on a game reserve in South Africa taken a week ago, enjoying the safari life...

Pith helmet - Online auction

Linen safari jacket - H&M (buttons added)

Linen shirt - GAP

Shorts - Nigel Cabourn

Shoes - Austin Reed

Sunglasses - Spitfire

Outfit

2010-12-12T17:55:00.003Z

Shoes - Herring

Socks - Uniqlo

Jeans - COS

Coat - Zara (buttons added)

Cardigan - H&M (buttons added)

Gloves - Wedins

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Vintage

Hat - H&M

Outfit

2010-12-02T19:28:00.002Z

Shoes - John Mac Grey

Trousers - Zara

Jacket - Cad & The Dandy

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Bläck

Pocket square - H&M

Tie pin - eBay

Hat - H&M

Green gloves - Wedins

Morning Dress

2010-11-27T20:14:00.002Z

On the 23rd October 2010 in London, my brother wed his long-term girlfriend. I was most fortunate to be his Best Man.

Me

Shoes - Jones One Collection

Trousers - River Island (adjusted at Graham Browne)

Waistcoat - Graham Browne Tailors

Tie - Hackett

Shirt - Cad & The Dandy Tailors

Opal and silver tie pin - Antique

Pocket watch - Antique

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Gloves - Dents

Cane - Antique

Silk top hat - Antique

My brother

Shoes - Jones One Collection

Trousers - Graham Browne Tailors

Waistcoat - Graham Browne Tailors

Jacket - Graham Browne Tailors

Shirt - Ede & Ravenscroft

Tie - Charles Tyrwhitt

Pocket square - Woods of Shropshire

Blue topaz and gold tie pin - Antique

Silk top hat - Antique

Outfit

2010-11-24T16:56:00.002Z

Shoes - New & Lingwood

Trousers - River Island (adjusted at Graham Browne)

Jacket - Zara

Cardigan - GAP

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt - Hawes & Curtis

Pocket square - Gieves & Hawkes

"I'm growing a moustache for November for The Prostate Cancer Charity. It'd be wonderful to have your donations!"

Le Vrai Winston

UPDATE: Not long to go now chaps! Make a donation if you can at the address below - it's for a good cause!

My donation page:

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/1239000/

Tache Update

2010-11-21T19:56:00.002Z

I must admit, it's making me look a lot older...

"I'm growing a moustache for November for The Prostate Cancer Charity. It'd be wonderful to have your donations!"

Le Vrai Winston

My donation page:

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/1239000/

Outfit

2010-11-15T07:58:00.006Z

Movember Update: Stage 1 of the moustache growth. As Wodehouse said "Like a caterpillar that has lost it's bearings..."

Wax jacket - Barbour

Cords - Zara

Scarf - Zara

Waistcoat - Vintage

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Tie Rack

Socks - Uniqlo

Shoes - Church's

Gloves - Wedins

Hat - H&M

"I'm growing a moustache for November for The Prostate Cancer Charity. It'd be wonderful to have your donations!"

Le Vrai Winston

My donation page:

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/1239000/

Movember

2010-11-13T15:09:00.003Z

Those familiar with Movember will need no explanation. Simply click on the link below.

For those unfamiliar with Movember, here is the story. Gentlemen who partake of 'Movember' grow a moustache for the entire month. They do so in order to raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity. They rely on the generosity of family, friends and, sometimes, international acquaintances.

My moustache will be displayed on this blog in various stages of growth so that donators can see development. Whether you're doing it to laugh at my preposterous visage or simply to help a worthy cause, please give generously.

Thank you all.

My donation page:

http://uk.movember.com/mospace/1239000/

Outfit

2010-11-04T19:32:00.002Z

I love TM Lewin's new St James collar shirts, particularly with contrast collars.

Shoes - Jones One Collection

Trousers - River Island

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - TM Lewin

Pocket square - TM Lewin

Jacket - Cad & The Dandy

Outfit

2010-10-25T22:56:00.002+01:00

Taking tea at the Ritz the day after my duties as Best Man. An Earl Grey much deserved...

Trousers - Zara

Cord jacket - Zara (buttons added)

Shirt - Zara

Tie - Hackett

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2010-10-21T19:27:00.002+01:00

I don't dislike suits, I just get bored by them. I felt that today was a check-trouser day.

Shoes - Herring

Trousers - Zara

Waistcoat - Vintage

Jacket - Zara (buttons added)

Pocket square - H&M

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt -TM Lewin

Outfit

2010-10-18T19:39:00.002+01:00

Cold enough for coats now. I have had this raincoat for a year and a half and am delighted as many of my acquaintance speculated it would last less than a month - being from H&M.

I will be forced into overcoats before long, I have no doubt.

Shoes - Barker

Double breasted Prince of Wales suit (buttons added) - Baron of Piccadilly

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Tie Rack

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Raincoat - H&M

Outfit

2010-10-17T11:00:00.003+01:00

Cords - Zara

Blazer (buttons added) - Uniqlo

Waistcoat - Vintage

Shirt - Zara

Scarf - Zara

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Other uses for a dinner jacket...

2010-10-15T19:53:00.002+01:00

I am not particularly keen on 'alternative black tie', nor am I very enamoured by the idea of wearing faced-lapels with conventional dress. However, when heading out for dinner recently I considered all the options for a sober lower half (slim grey trousers, black loafers) and decided to go with the shawl collared dinner jacket.

It's not 'correct.' It might even offend some, but this was exactly what I liked about the design. It looks cosy and elegant and it is rather like a smoking jacket in terms of versatility.

Jacket - Cad & The Dandy

Tie - Jasper Conran

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2010-10-12T19:38:00.002+01:00

Monochrome

Shoes - Dune

Trousers - Zara

Waistcoat - H&M

Jacket - H&M

Tie - Gieves & Hawkes

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - Austin Reed

Last Day of Warmth

2010-10-11T23:00:00.002+01:00

Shoes - Zara

Jeans - Zara

Waistcoat - M&S

Jacket - Zara

Shirt - Next

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Sunglasses - RayBan

Outfit

2010-10-08T20:57:00.003+01:00

I picked up this all wool flannel blazer from Uniqlo. Bargain!

Shoes - Church's

Socks - Uniqlo

Jeans - COS

Blazer - Uniqlo (buttons added)

Jumper - Zara

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Tie Rack

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2010-09-27T23:22:00.003+01:00

Shoes - Jones One Collection

Suit - Zara

Waistcoat - ASOS (buttons added)

Shirt - Hawes & Curtis

Tie - Hackett

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2010-09-26T17:45:00.002+01:00

It's really chilly now in London; autumn has finished her light flirting and is now in the process of ravishing the trees. A cool wind is blowing through the city.

Shoes - Herring

Purple jeans - Zara

Belt - H&M

Cardigan - Uniqlo

Cord jacket - Zara

Shirt - Zara

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Hat - H&M

Outfit

2010-09-22T19:20:00.003+01:00

Shoes - Dune

Blue suit - Zara (buttons added)

Houndstooth waistcoat - H&M (buttons added)

Tie -Tie Rack

Shirt - Hawes & Curtis

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2010-09-21T19:34:00.002+01:00

This is the wonderful blue chalk stripe Cad & The Dandy bespoke suit. I also have a double-breasted waistcoat for it but decided to mix it up a little with a knitted vest. I like the 1940s 'lounge lizard' aesthetic.

Shoes - Jones One Collection

Socks - Uniqlo

Suit - Cad & The Dandy

Grey vest - TopMan (buttons from Liberty added)

Tie - Vintage

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - TM Lewin

Esquire Party

2010-09-20T13:49:00.004+01:00

I was recently involved in the final of Esquire's Britain's Best Dressed Real Man 2010 and was fortunate to have been considered in the last twelve. I didn't make it into the final three but the event at Harrods, with lethal cocktails and an after party at Whisky Mist, was very enjoyable.

I wore a specially made Cad & The Dandy dinner jacket - double-breasted, shawl collared and cutaway.

Patent opera pumps - George Cleverley

Blue jeans - COS

Dinner jacket - Cad & The Dandy

Bow tie - Ede & Ravenscroft

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Shirt studs - eBay

Outfit

2010-09-18T10:40:00.002+01:00

Suit - Baron of Piccadilly

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie clip - eBay

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit - Brown & Orange

2010-09-13T19:23:00.004+01:00

I love the combination of brown and orange but I always feel that it's a little dry. This time, I added a navy tie and a thirst-quenching azure cardigan to keep it, visually, 'fresh.'

Shoes - New & Lingwood

Suit - Zara

Cardigan - TopMan (buttons added)

Tie - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Pocket square - TM Lewin

Tie clip - eBay

Socks - Uniqlo

Outfit

2010-09-12T09:12:00.005+01:00

Shoes - Church's

Socks - Austin Reed

Black jeans - Zara

Waistcoat - ASOS

Jacket - ASOS

Tie - Gieves & Hawkes

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Outfit

2010-09-11T08:11:00.003+01:00

One of the popular late Victorian fashions was to use the waistcoat and trousers from a suit in an ensemble with an odd jacket or blazer. The practice was common in summer when gentlemen preferred to wear thinner, less bulky jackets. Of course, no Victorian gentleman would be seen dead without a waistcoat.

Shoes - John Mac Gray (Paris)

Trousers - (part of a suit) Cad & The Dandy

Waistcoat - (part of a suit) Cad & The Dandy

Jacket - H&M

Pocket watch - eBay

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Tie - Tie Rack

Tie clip - eBay

Shirt - TM Lewin

Outfit

2010-09-06T19:48:00.003+01:00

I do like wearing suits (this jacket is from a suit) but I also like mixing it up.

The reason? My love of colour.

Brown suede shoes - Nunes Correa

Blue trousers - ASOS

Jacket - H&M

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Hackett

Tie pin - eBay

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit - Last of the Summer Wine

2010-08-30T19:31:00.004+01:00

Let's drink to the end of summer!

Shoes - Herring

Socks - Uniqlo

Cords - Zara

Linen jacket (buttons added) - H&M

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Tie - Tie Rack

Tie clip - eBay

Shirt - TM Lewin

Boater - Amazon

Outfit - 'When we two parted...'

2010-08-29T19:40:00.003+01:00

It's funny. When you feel the season changing, you want to hold on tightly to the parting; Summer is packing up for another year and I am rather sad to see her leave.

Fortunately, we will meet again before the year is out (although in distant lands).

Linen trousers - H&M

Cardigan - GAP

Shirt - TM Lewin

Jacket (buttons added) - H&M

Silk scarf - Tie Rack

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2010-08-27T19:54:00.002+01:00

The waistcoats are back. It is a fairly dull end to August, and with autumn just around the corner I decided to reintroduce the waistcoat - useful as it guarded against a chilly walk home.

Shoes - Herring

Socks - Uniqlo

Jeans - TopMan

Waistcoat -Vintage

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Tie Rack

Pocket square - TM Lewin

Jacket - Zara

Outfit

2010-08-26T19:20:00.003+01:00

Shoes - Zara

Trousers (part of a suit) - Zara

Jacket - H&M

Belt - Zara

Tie - Tie Rack

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Shirt - TM Lewin

Outfit - What? No tie?

2010-08-22T12:03:00.002+01:00

How I don't wear a tie. Article coming soon at Mensflair.com

Espadrilles - Office

Jeans - COS

Belt - Zara

Shirt - Uniqlo

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Jacket - ASOS

Sunglasses - RayBan

Outfit - Sale at Tie Rack

2010-08-16T19:37:00.003+01:00

There's a huge sale on silk ties at Tie Rack. I picked this one up for £3.74 - less than a pint of Fuller's finest at many a London pub.

Jacket - GAP (buttons added)

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Tie Rack

Tie clip - eBay

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2010-08-11T17:38:00.002+01:00

Shoes - Dune

Socks - Uniqlo

Pinstripe trousers - Zara

Shirt -Cad & The Dandy

Tie - Kenzo

Jacket (buttons added) - H&M

Pocket square - Austin Reed

Tie clip - eBay

Outfit

2010-08-09T19:23:00.004+01:00

How many 'different' colours can you see?

Shoes - Dune

Trousers - Zara

Jacket - H&M

Tie - Black

Tie clip - eBay

Shirt - Hawes & Curtis

Pocket square - Tie Rack

The Tie Tuck

2010-08-04T19:36:00.003+01:00

Someone asked me why I tuck my ties in. Was it, he asked, considered 'smarter' to do so? I don't know. I don't always do it, but occasionally I just prefer the look.

More bargain trousers; these sapphire linen ones are from River Island, costing £7.50 in the sale.

Black Oxford shoes - Jones ONE Collection

Sapphire blue linen trousers - River Island

Sky blue shirt - TM Lewin

Black tie - TM Lewin

Blue pocket square - Tie Rack

Jacket (buttons added) - ASOS

Blue mock-croc belt - Zara

Outfit

2010-08-03T19:06:00.002+01:00

Some more sale trousers from H&M. I believe the stock has been reduced to 'final' sale prices - trousers now exchange hands for considerably less than £10. To the Savile Sammies, this might make your stomach turn; to the Bargain Bobs, this will either be old news or the sweetest thought imaginable.

Spectator shoes - Dune

Yellow socks - Uniqlo

Cotton trousers - H&M

Pink shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Tie Rack

Houndstooth silk pocket square - Tie Rack

Silk linen black jacket - H&M

Outfit

2010-07-31T20:30:00.002+01:00

I have been having a merry time in the sales recently. This belt was picked up for £3.75 and I managed to secure some winter weight woollen trousers from the same store for roughly a tenner each. The belt was too long so I simply used a powerdrill to create more holes.

Belt - River Island

Shirt - Austin Reed

Bow tie - eBay

Seersucker shorts - H&M

Deck shoes -Austin Reed

Sunglasses - RayBan

Outfit

2010-07-25T17:10:00.003+01:00

I long for the cool of the sea...

Shoes - Tod's

Trousers -H&M

Cardigan - TopMan (buttons added)

Shirt - Zara

Bow tie - eBay

Outfit

2010-07-16T20:59:00.003+01:00

I have always had a liking for Gucci loafers - I have never had a liking (or a respect) for their ridiculous prices. I found these in the River Island sale.

Suede loafers - River Island

Jeans - Zara

Shirt -TM Lewin

Tie - Austin Reed

Pocket square - H&M

Seersucker - ASOS

Outfit - All Brown (and pink) in Town

2010-07-15T19:12:00.003+01:00

Brown is one of the most masculine of colours and I always think it complements pink well; I liken it to finding a fallen rose on the forest floor.

Brown shoes - Jones One Collection

Pink socks - Uniqlo

Brown trousers - Zara

Houndstooth jacket - Zara

Brown stripe shirt - TM Lewin

Chocolate knit tie - Zara

Pink pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit - Dry Clean Warning

2010-07-12T19:25:00.004+01:00

Be very careful when entrusting items to your local dry cleaners. I sent this white jacket to be cleaned and it returned, clean, but extremely tight. It has loosened slightly but, as it transpires, when it is put through the process, some slight shrinkage can occur. I discovered that my jacket was not clean after SIX passes, so it was put through a seventh time.

White jackets need to be clean, no question, but there can be a price.

On a more positive note, I bought these dashing 100% linen trousers from H&M's sale for £10.

Jacket - H&M (buttons added)

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Next

Trousers (new!) - H&M

Shoes - Dune

Pocket square - Tie Rack

P.S. Please forgive the sweaty face, London is horridly humid.

Outfit - Summer DB

2010-07-05T19:24:00.002+01:00

This DB jacket, 100% cotton, is ideal for summer. Half-lined, it is cool and comfortable to wear. Bought from the current Zara summer sale.

Shoes - Church's

Socks - Uniqlo

Trousers - Zara

Jacket - Zara

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Marks & Spencer

Pocket square - Tie Rack

Outfit

2010-07-01T22:44:00.002+01:00

Shoes - TopMan

Trousers - Baron of Piccadilly

Shirt - Uniqlo

Tie - Ralph Lauren

Tie clip - eBay

Jacket (buttons added) - H&M

Pocket square - Austin Reed

Outfit

2010-07-01T22:41:00.002+01:00

Shoes - Herring

Socks - M&S

Linen trousers - H&M

Shirt - TM Lewin

Tie - Austin Reed vintage

Tie clip - eBay

Blazer (buttons added) - GAP

Pocket square - Stephens Brothers

Outfit

2010-06-21T19:13:00.002+01:00

Sporting a new pocket square purchased in the half price TM Lewin sale.

Shoes - Grenson

Trousers - H&M

Belt - H&M

Shirt -Hawes & Curtis

Tie - TM Lewin

Tie clip - eBay

Pocket square - TM Lewin

Jacket - Zara