The weekend gilet or vest

December 1st 2023

As colder weather has arrived recently, there have been a few questions from readers about gilets or vests. It’s not a category we’ve covered in much detail, so Alex and I took a bunch to the studio last week and had a play with a few ou...

The weekend gilet or vest

Match in comments:
I like them under a coat in winter since there is then at times no need for a jumper. Admittedly that means wearing a wool gilet rather than something bulky. The extra freedom of movement for the arms is most pleasant at...

Casual clothingDecember 1st 2023

The practicality of a sweater over the shoulders

April 12th 2023

Wearing a sweater over the shoulders has a lot of negative connotations. But if you can get away with it - because of your style, of where you are, or just because of your personality - it’s incredibly practical. This suit I wore at Pitti earl...

The practicality of a sweater over the shoulders

Match in comments:
Understood Rob. I personally find it doesn't really fall off, but then it depends what I'm doing that day - I'm just walking around town and chatting, not playing with the kids. And, if I tie the sleeves I don't find the...

Knitwear - SuitsApril 12th 2023

If you only had five bags: A capsule collection

September 8th 2021

  Five bags might seem like a lot – certainly compared to shirts or ties, as featured previously in this series . But given you’ll need some kind of suitcase, plus a day bag, and probably a backpack for cycling, walking or s...

If you only had five bags: A capsule collection

Match in comments:
Great points. I'm also a big fan of the design I think it's rather elegant but also understated and casual. And of course there's no question of quality when we're dealing with Frank Clegg. The office really is a mish-ma...

BagsSeptember 8th 2021

The jungle jacket: Summer’s M65

August 30th 2021

This might be our last piece on summer clothing this year, and I wanted to use it to talk about one of my most useful pieces of the last few months - this vintage ‘jungle jacket’. I bought it two years ago, at the now sadly closed Vinta...

The jungle jacket: Summer’s M65

Match in comments:
No worries, and I do hope it helps Simon...

Casual clothing - JacketsAugust 30th 2021

New black bullskin tote, and angled DBs

July 16th 2021

A new black version of our bullhide tote, a collaboration with Frank Clegg, goes on sale today. It’s available on the Frank Clegg site (not ours) alongside a restock of the dark brown. I shot some pictures of it with Alex last week, and it re...

New black bullskin tote, and angled DBs

Match in comments:
I haven't, no, it's done very well. The brown will probably be more versatile, but it's mostly a question of what you wear it with, your style...

July 16th 2021

Introducing: The nubuck tote

September 9th 2020

*Please purchase through the Frank Clegg website. They have all stock of both the black and brown versions of the bag* The idea behind the PS Shop is to produce occasional pieces of menswear that I love, but can’t find elsewhere. There is no ...

Introducing: The nubuck tote

Match in comments:
Thank you, I hope it serves you well...

BagsSeptember 9th 2020

Frank Clegg, Fall River: Factory visit

January 2nd 2019

It’s not hard to spot an old mill town. Mills were large buildings and needed lots of light. In Britain, this often came in through so-called sawtooth roofs: a zig-zag shape that allowed windows to be placed in the top of the building, bringin...

Frank Clegg, Fall River: Factory visit

Match in comments:
Hey Sajeer, That's an old Drake's one. I'd suggest looking at Colhay's for a good range...

Bags - Factory visitsJanuary 2nd 2019

Sage green and tobacco brown – earthy summer

August 11th 2017

  Finding new colour combinations I like makes me disproportionately happy. I know this doesn’t apply to every menswear enthusiast, but for me the interrelationship of colours is one of the most enjoyable and creative aspects of dress....

Sage green and tobacco brown – earthy summer

Match in comments:
I know what you mean David, but I'm not sure many would make that association in a material like plain, dark linen. Of course, you can look for models with more pockets, but at a certain point that also becomes rather as...

Casual clothing - StyleAugust 11th 2017

The Armoury: Do you know about the trousers?

March 1st 2017

For many reasons - personal, business, product, sheer beauty of execution - I’ve long been a fan of The Armoury. They were therefore one brand I was particularly excited to get into our Savile Row pop-up shop. However, the things I wanted to f...

The Armoury: Do you know about the trousers?

Match in comments:
Yes, should be fine. No worries - any relevant post is good. Basically, it's nice to post questions somewhere wear another reader might have the same question in their mind...

Bags - DenimMarch 1st 2017

Ethan Newton’s Tokyo store – Brycelan...

November 4th 2016

I was quite intrigued to see Ethan Newton’s Bryceland's store in Tokyo when we visited a few weeks ago. In particular, how he is presenting his view on tailoring and how that mixes with the more casual americana side. The tailoring is essentia...

Ethan Newton’s Tokyo store – Brycelan...

Match in comments:
A vintage backpack, and a collaboration Brycelands did years ago with Frank Clegg, using some vintage cloth....

Bags - Casual clothingNovember 4th 2016

Frank Clegg bags – five years later

April 8th 2016

I first got to know Frank Clegg five years ago, back when the company was still Lotuff & Clegg. I bought a beautiful leather tote bag in 2011 – and have continued to recommend it ever since. Unfortunately Joe Lotuff, who I inter...

Frank Clegg bags – five years later

Match in comments:
I prefer the design of the ziptop, but I haven't tried either in person I'm afraid...

BagsApril 8th 2016

Ten bags over ten years

June 1st 2015

One of the advantages of a long-running blog, perhaps, is the ability to look back and see how purchases have performed over time. It’s particularly useful when we emphasise – as we do, day after day – the value of inv...

Ten bags over ten years

Match in comments:
No worries Eoghan, it's normally fine, I just happen not to have that bag anymore...

BagsJune 1st 2015

Buying a modern man bag

September 20th 2013

Dear Simon, I have been wearing a messenger bag for some time for commuting as it’s a very handy way of containing all the bulk and occasional papers that I have to cart around with me. However, I have worried for some time about the potent...

Buying a modern man bag

Match in comments:
A bit late to the party, sorry you felt our bag doesn't look like the highest quality. If I may make a distinction between "luxury" and "high quality" - luxury being features that will go beyond high quality, where high ...

BagsSeptember 20th 2013

How to buy a leather bag on a budget

May 24th 2013

Hi Simon, I’ve been following Permanent Style for a while now, as well as investing significantly more of my time trying to learn more about menswear. As my style has evolved and I find myself wearing a blazer or sportcoat more often, I&...

How to buy a leather bag on a budget

Match in comments:
Thank you. That is a nice design from Dunhill. I don't know whether it's all hand sewn though it may well be. Two things I think worth noting: - This looks like a heavier leather, like bridle, which is what English maker...

BagsMay 24th 2013

Hype luggage: Review

July 23rd 2012

Hype iPad cover, £150 There is a surprising lack of good, mid-market leather products and bags out there. By mid-market I mean those stitched by machine rather than by hand (which adds considerably to the price) but otherwise using the highest ...

Hype luggage: Review

Match in comments:
I don't have one myself, so I'm not sure of its thickness, but there isn't much room to play with inside with the sheep's wool I'm afraid...

BagsJuly 23rd 2012

The beautiful Lotuff & Clegg working tote

August 26th 2011

I recently received the Lotuff & Clegg working tote bag, ordered a few weeks ago. It’s nice to be able to say that neither the online photography nor Joe’s rhetoric are misleading. It is a beautiful, classic piece of leatherwork....

The beautiful Lotuff & Clegg working tote

Match in comments:
Chestnut...

BagsAugust 26th 2011

Old-world craft at Lotuff & Clegg

May 11th 2011

About two years ago our desk lamp broke. The man who owned the electrical shop down the road from my mum was good at repairing these things, so we took it to him and had it repaired for £20. Last month another lamp broke, but the shop has since...

Old-world craft at Lotuff & Clegg

About two years ago our desk lamp broke. The man who owned the electrical shop down the road from my mum was good at repairing these things, so we took it to him and had it repaired for £20. Last month another lamp brok...

BagsMay 11th 2011