No matter how much time you spend thinking about the instructions to give to your tailor, there will always be something you forget. I had been thinking about the Norfolk Blazer for months, considering peak lapels, two buttons and additional pockets before I decided on my final design. (See previous posting.) Those months were almost feverish [...]

One sure sign that a tailor knows what he is doing is how he reacts to innovation. Granted, many houses have their own particular style and justly stick to what they know. But for smaller tailors with less tradition in a speciality, it is always interesting to see they react to making something a little [...]

Although I am most certainly a follower of Irving Berlin and his music, I must take issue with him on the absurdity of his lyrics. In a particular number; “Let the rain pitter patter, But it really doesn’t matter If the skies are grey. Long as I can be with you, It’s a lovely day.” Irrespective of the company I am [...]

One of the most enjoyable parts of having bespoke clothes made is coming up with your own creations. Designing unique jackets and suits not only guarantees that you will never meet yourself coming the other way; it also allows you to express yourself in every aspect of their construction. For my latest commission from my Hong [...]

• Variations on the suit are great, but hard to do. Here’s four suggestions from Amanda Brooks. • With calm assurance, Prince Charles continues to just dress well. • Going sockless is a perennial debate. It continues afresh over at Ask Andy. • While you’re there, check out this discussion on trunk shows. What’s the point of them [...]

Given that fit is more important than anything in men’s style (at least according to me), an online service that can provide you with bespoke clothes – even made to measure – has to be a good idea. Not everyone has a high-quality tailor around the corner, and so access to bespoke is limited. Perhaps more [...]

On a recent excursion to the shops, accompanied by a friend, we found ourselves in the luggage section of a large and famous department store rather by accident. We had wanted to find quite another department but such is the labyrinthine layout of this gargantuan store, we had turned in a wrong direction somewhere and [...]

Alan Flusser knows a lot about style. Anyone who has read his books knows that, and knows that he has a gift for communicating his knowledge (though I would say that he had a better editor on Dressing the Man, which has a lot less flowery prose than Style and the Man). The enigma of Alan [...]

“But those trousers” she said “don’t match your jacket.” I happened to be socialising with a group of friends when a young lady in our company uttered these words. She was absolutely spot on; keenly perceptive and interested. “You are quite right. They don’t.” I replied “But the real question is; do they marry well?” [...]

Winston Chesterfield wrote a good column earlier this week on the love/hate relationship many have with the flat cap. I too am a fan of the flat cap, and it is usually my preferred hat. But I think two points are essential here: many men, including me, turn to it because there are few other [...]