A defense of ready to wear clothes may seem like an odd thing to write about, especially since I cover mostly bespoke tailoring. But perhaps one of the unfortunate temptations of going custom is thinking that it is the end of line and sniffing at anything not bespoke pedigreed. Flying to exotic and/or expensive locales […]
In defense of ready to wear: Dressing for the moment v. the long duree Read More »
Michael Alden, moderator of the London Lounge, has launched a new blog Dress with Style, and recently posted a video interview with John Hitchcock of Anderson & Sheppard. The noteworthy quote for me during the interview occurred at the beginning, when Hitchcock says “We’re up 25 percent up on orders this year, which is fantastic.
Anderson & Sheppard: “Shouldering” up on sales Read More »
Every metropolis accommodates a certain range of aesthetic senses, which in turn are reflected by its inhabitants. I was reminded of this when I was in Paris recently. Here the word and concept of “dandy” is not pejorative or considered suspect as it tends to be in the US. Instead, my sense is that the
Marc Guyot: Progressive historicism from head to toe Read More »
This almost needs no introduction – almost. Astaire’s Puttin’ on the Ritz song and dance routine in Blue Skies (1946) looks deceptively easy and effortless but it took five weeks of painstaking preparation and rehearsal according to the dancer in his autobiography. Astaire was known for his total dedication to dancing and his dance partners
Fred Astaire: A sartorial icon for whom? Read More »
This post is severely overdue but better late than never, right? Includes photos of London (Savile Row, Kensington) and Bath (Fashion Museum). Kensington: Hornets, Michael German Antiques Savile Row Bath: Fashion Museum The following are shots of some of the Fashion Museum permanent collection: Chanel & Topshop Mary Quant / Ossie Clark / Missoni 1970s
Summer remainders: London & Bath Read More »
When we think of Hawaii, we tend to think of sunshine, beaches, Waikiki, tropicality in some form. I certainly don’t deny any of this but there’s another side of Hawaii related to clothing that is distinctive – instantly recognizable at a glance. So what is Hawaii’s contribution to the sartorial world, or at least fashion
The Hawaiian (or aloha) shirt Read More »
I received an email yesterday indicating that Brooks Bros has put up a special section on their website for their limited edition Mad Men suits. As might be predicted, reaction in the online world has been mixed as this Styleforum thread shows, with the comments perhaps tracking more on the critical side. If you like
Brooks Brothers Mad Men limited edition suits Read More »
What does the marriage of the American men’s clothing retailer Brooks Brothers and the Emmy Award winning series Mad Men yield? For skeptical readers, probably not much. However, it is not a stretch to find here a measure of fitting synergy. Men’s clothing, esp. traditional business formal wear, is sustained by little more than habit
Brooks Brothers and Mad Men style Read More »
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