Barbarulo 1894 – Neapolitan handmade jewellery
August 23rd 2017As in Japan last year, while we were in Naples in July we took the time to see some crafts outside of menswear - in this case, jewellery at Barbarulo. Barbarulo in its modern incarnation is closely associated with menswear. It is best known for cuff...
Barbarulo 1894 – Neapolitan handmade jewellery
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Hi John, Simon, and fellow readers, I think John's point is a very fine one indeed, and especially so for those of us who, to put it simply, are way behind the curve on sartorial matters. Simon's blog has really helped m...
Accessories for holiday
August 7th 2017Following my post two weeks ago on what I pack for travel, a reader asked about non-clothing items - electronics, toiletries and so on. So here are a few of my favourite things, which will certainly be going on holiday this summer. 1 Bower &...
Accessories for holiday
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Yes, I think a tote of some sort is the best option. And yes, I'd carry it all day...
My desk
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Hey Bolaji, Yes, I've written comprehensively about moths here. This desk also opens up into a flat surface - you couldn't work on that angle...
Ludovic Lunetier – bespoke glasses, Brussels
May 24th 2017During an event in Brussels last year I met the young glasses-maker Ludovic Elens, who runs Lunetier Ludovic just off Place du Sablon. Ludovic is worth highlighting for many reasons, but most obviously because he is the only bespoke glasses-maker in...
Ludovic Lunetier – bespoke glasses, Brussels
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Couldn't agree more. That one word defines a whole craft, profession....
Designing bespoke glasses – General Eyewear...
April 19th 2017Note: General Eyewear now has a store in Soho as well as the Camden HQ - details here. Choosing a block of acetate is not something I’d bet most people have done in their lives. And it’s tricky. Looking at a slab of coloured plastic, an...
Designing bespoke glasses – General Eyewear...
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Sure, lots work well, though they become more showy and less versatile the more unusual they are. Personally I'd look at a mid-grey or a honey colour, with honey working best on a darker complexion often...
General Eyewear: bespoke and ready-made glasses, ...
March 7th 2017Note: General Eyewear now has a store in Soho as well as the Camden HQ - details here. General Eyewear has historically been a source of vintage inspiration for glasses, supplying designer brands and costume designers. But as it has starting selling...
General Eyewear: bespoke and ready-made glasses, ...
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Paul. I am in the market for new glasses and was considering bespoke glasses. I was going to check and see if General Eyewear has a store here in NYC. Never heard of them prior to reading comments in this site. Thanks fo...
Codis Maya enamel cufflinks and jewellery
February 28th 2017Pop-up Shop update: Lavabre Cadet gloves are in the shop today and tomorrow (Tuesday and Wednesday) for a trunk show. And on Wednesday, Neapolitan tailor Elia Caliendo will also be in the shop for a one-day show. Please do come along, and feel free...
Codis Maya enamel cufflinks and jewellery
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I'd go to one of the vintage jewellery dealers probably, like Michael Rose in the Burlington Arcade. There are usually beautiful sets in those kinds of shops, and better value than new ones. Of course, if you go to a jew...
The Dunhill archive
February 1st 2017As 'heritage' has become more popular in recent years, brands have increasingly emphasised their longevity, their history and their traditions. This has several issues. Most obviously, the brands that push this hardest often have the least to shout...
The Dunhill archive
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Over the years I've bought a number of pieces from Dunhill and enjoyed them. That said, my experience of them since their acquisition by the Richemont Group has been at best, variable. There seems to be a lack of consist...
Brussels craft event
October 30th 2016At the beginning of December, there will be an event in Brussels bringing together some of the craftsmen that featured in the Permanent Style trunk show last month - Lavabre Cadet and Michel Heurtault - as well as several others. Those others are: ...
Brussels craft event
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Dear Simon, I am moving to Brussels and wanted to know if there is local bespoke tailors or if foreign ones are doing trunk shows in Brussels or other cities in Belgium. Thanks for your help KS...
The suede blouson for travel
August 10th 2016Blousons come in many shapes and sizes, but they are united by a short length, fuller body and collar. Blousons work particularly well with higher-waisted tailored trousers, and for that reason make a great casual alternative to a tailored jacket. ...
The suede blouson for travel
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I wouldn't wear it with indigo jeans, no, though most of these might be a little smart for that anyway. I wouldn't wear olive that way either. If that's the look you want, you're better looking at the RRL western options...
Holiday snaps 2016: Linen bomber, cotton trousers...
August 1st 2016A brief post today, with some pictures from holiday. Casual but still classic in cut and colour, and catering to the heat. First, above, ‘Dani’ espadrilles from La Portegna. I’m still in two minds about these,...
Holiday snaps 2016: Linen bomber, cotton trousers...
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We're looking into a dark brown as well as the navy...
The Permanent Style cufflinks
July 4th 2016It's funny, the Friday Polos have been so popular over the past year that I get asked whether I've thought about doing other collaborations. In fact, of course, we have done ten collaborations over five years - everything from the now-widely-availa...
The Permanent Style cufflinks
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Yes they would. Do feel free to buy direct from Diana, by the way. We don't really take much of a margin on them, and she would handle the order in any case...
Colour combinations, from casual to formal
May 31st 2016The colour combinations that we discuss every week in regards to formal wear, can be applied just as readily to casual wear. Although there will always be elements that don't crossover (such as the immense versatility of denim) a lot of the themes ...
Colour combinations, from casual to formal
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It is, yes, though I haven't tried others so I'm not sure how much longer other ones are I'm afraid...
Maison Bourgeat – finished bespoke glasses
May 6th 2016*Since this article was written, Maison Bourgeat closed and Guillaume left the business. It has now re-opened under new management* A few weeks ago I received my finished bespoke glasses from Maison Bourgeat in Paris. The results are superb ...
Maison Bourgeat – finished bespoke glasses
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I'm not sure Courtland. Worth asking them directly I think...
Brands review III: Son of a Tailor, d’Alemb...
February 5th 2016This has become a Permanent Style feature in the past couple of years. An opportunity to mention the dozens of brands that email asking me to review their product, but never get a full post because they don’t quite make that grade. As e...
Brands review III: Son of a Tailor, d’Alemb...
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Hi Simon, I asked a question on another one of your articles, and I'm not one to ask for something without giving something, so I thought I'd write a little about my experiences with Son of a Tailor. As a 5'6" man weighi...
Maison Bourgeat – bespoke glasses, Paris
January 4th 2016*Since this article was written, Maison Bourgeat closed and Guillaume has left. The shop has now re-opened under new management* Maison Bourgeat is an old French glasses manufacturer that was relaunched last year as a bespoke outfit, with a beaut...
Maison Bourgeat – bespoke glasses, Paris
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Yes...
Review: The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear
November 8th 2015A few weeks ago, Fabio Attanasi of The Bespoke Dudes blog offered to send me some of his glasses to review. I was interested in what he had produced – and it was a good excuse to return to the quality aspects of glasses and acetate. Rather l...
Review: The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear
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Yes David, good point, I don't know the specific technical differences but I remember Bonnet telling me they could still fully adjust and repair those hinges....
Reflections on bespoke 2: J Panther, Tom Davies a...
February 18th 2015My last ‘reflections on bespoke’ post back in January was very popular. Readers seemed to respond to the assessment of bespoke commissions with the wisdom of hindsight, and I have to say I sympathise. Here, then, are five more, ...
Reflections on bespoke 2: J Panther, Tom Davies a...
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A tiny bit of room with some side straps......
My watches
May 19th 2014Following my first post in this series, on buying value in a watch, here are a few pictures of my own watches. A few readers have asked for details of what I wear myself, and these will be useful reference points for the last installment, on watche...
My watches
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Largely the strap they happen to be on. Given one's a mid-brown and one a black at the moment, that largely decides it. If anything the Cartier is also a touch sportier, so I'm more likely to wear that one with more casu...
How to buy a quality watch
April 17th 2014A watch is your greatest investment piece. You may wear it every day of your life. It can enhance every outfit you ever wear (except black tie and beachwear, perhaps). It is worth saving up for more than anything. But that doesn’t mean it has t...
How to buy a quality watch
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Sounds interesting. For me, I fear the need for deep pockets, particularly where my choice of Blancpain watch is concerned on indeed any Blancpain watch!!!...
Tortoiseshell and kidskin
December 16th 2013As someone who has spent too much of the past year redeveloping a website, I take my hat off to Will, who has accomplished a much more fundamental redesign over at A Suitable Wardrobe – melding the blog with the ASW store. One of the hardest th...
Tortoiseshell and kidskin
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Thought I'd replied but must have not come through. My first ones were great in terms of fit, but a tiny bit too long in the thumb, especially given the slight downwards slip when walking. This was rectified as part of t...
Dressing for the summer, and the kids
September 2nd 2013I’ve been on holiday the past two weeks in the south of France; apologies for the tardiness confirming some comments. For those interested in more casual dress, here is something from last week, with my youngest hiding her face wisely from the ...
Dressing for the summer, and the kids
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Nice hat. I am having a Brent Black hat being made right now. Looking forward to it especially after seeing yours....
Cutler & Gross – interview with CEO Maj...
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Cutler & Gross – interview with CEO Maj...
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Hi Simon, I'm interested in learning more about frames, both for spectacles and sunglasses. I'd appreciate it if you wrote an article on the subject. You hint at artisans in Italy, France and Japan that hand make frames....
Alfred Dunhill bespoke glasses case
April 2nd 2012This is the end result of a project to make the perfect glasses case, which began back in November last year when Tomasz Nosarzewski at Dunhill told me about the bespoke work he had begun doing at Bourdon House in London. Tomasz, whom I first met in ...
Alfred Dunhill bespoke glasses case
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Hi Justin, I'm afraid the answer is no, I haven't seen any good glasses cases out there. Let me know what you find S...
Tom Davies horn glasses
March 26th 2012It’s taken a while to get round to writing about my glasses from Tom Davies. Partially, that was because it took a while to have them made. I was a guinea big for the bespoke service for horn glasses, and as with any new service it took that ...
Tom Davies horn glasses
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Funny. Me too. Same Lindbergh frame as yours and now looking for the same second pair as you. Did you get another pair and are you happy with them...
