The bespoke column

Crepe-ing back into fashion

Crepe-ing back into fashion

The reemergence of the desert boot has led to several small changes in menswear, the biggest being crepe being seen as a worth sole alternative again. Usually shunned in favour of leather soles, there’s a few companies working to bring back the crepe sole into favour this autumn.

[Read more...]

Style,Style & Grooming,The bespoke column

The men in white tees

The men in white tees

Given that when I go for one of my occasional jogs my appearance is defined by a heaving chest, a puce face and a mask of sweat time spent considering what to wear while running is poorly spent; such is the fate of the style obsessive. [Read more...]

Style,The bespoke column

The Bespokesman — News in shorts

The Bespokesman — News in shorts

Last summer I wrote about some shorts here. Both the Rubinacci and the Pakeman shorts are great (and Pakeman have added a tempting new pink since last summer), and I’m now able to add another shop to my list of approved suppliers. [Read more...]

Style,The bespoke column

The Bespokesman — The right trousers?

The Bespokesman — The right trousers?

I recently had a second fitting with Neapolitan trouser maker Salvatore Ambrosi. Ambrosi is something of an internet phenomenon; he’s blogged about in such reverential tones that it’s hard to avoid drawing the conclusion that he’s the world’s best trouser maker, but without making a trip to his workrooms in Naples it’s hard to be sure. [Read more...]

Style,The bespoke column

The Bespokesman — The politics of not wearing ties

The Bespokesman — The politics of not wearing ties

Cameron’s quite right of course; it’s ridiculous the Conservatives going on like this. Men who aspire to run a country should do themselves, and the public, the favour of putting on a tie. Can I suggest these two from Drakes’ spring summer collection? [Read more...]

Style,The bespoke column,Trendwatch

The Bespokesman — Inside the brave world of the bow tie wearer

The Bespokesman — Inside the brave world of the bow tie wearer

Esquire’s Style Editor explains the long and arduous journey that culminated in him taking his bow tie on to the streets this week: [Read more...]

Style,The bespoke column

The Bespokesman – Meet the tailor

The Bespokesman – Meet the tailor

In the summer of 2002 I walked into Chris Kerr’s shop and ordered my first bespoke suit. His brief was to make me an “invisible” navy blue suit, one that could be worn in almost any formal environment without attracting undue attention, either good or bad. [Read more...]

Style,The bespoke column

The Bespokesman — Win when you’re swimming

The Bespokesman — Win when you’re swimming

Call it fashion fatigue, or call it the Tony Blair effect, but this summer I’m content to rest my Vilbrequin swim shorts. Which leaves only one other brand in serious contention for the not very hotly contested job of supplying me with beachwear. The label is Orlebar Brown. [Read more...]