Charles William Alexander is a new British brand making pyjamas differently. Founder Alex Massey founded the business after a background in engineering and construction, with a particular interest in classic Land Rovers. Using tools used in the automotive industry he designs the pyjamas so that they can be cut with minimal waste.  Charles William Alexander Pyjamas Interested in sustainable style and with a dislike of fashion's waste, Charles told me more about his thinking behind the business: “The concept of CW Alexander came along around early 2021. I saw something that hadn ..read more

I've been contacted by a few people who've kindly asked when I'll be updating the blog and this prompts me to apologise for going quiet all those months ago.  The truth is that I see the huge damage being done to the environment by the clothing industry and consumers' taste for cheap clothes. As a result I feel ambivalent about promoting style and running the risk of encouraging over-consumption.  When I raise this issue with friends they point out that my focus is on promoting sustainable businesses which manufacture here in the UK, which is true of course, but I seem to be preachin ..read more

The year 2023 saw much ceremonial: the sad event of a royal funeral and the happier one of a coronation. The array of uniforms was dazzling. We tend to forget that their complexity relies on rare tailoring and sewing skills that deserve recognition. I wanted to mention just one of the crafts people responsible for some of the displays of magnificence.  Sarah Wilkinson military tailor at Dege & Skinner of Savile Row Dege & Skinner’s military tailoring specialist Sarah Wilkinson joined the bespoke tailoring and shirt-making company based in Savile Row in 1983. During her ..read more

What is style? Pinning down the meaning of the word is like trying to grab a piece of soap in the bath. When we describe a man as 'having style' we mean that he has good style. A man could have style that's appallingly bad, but we assume when we say that he 'has style' that it's good. Leaving aside that that etymological quirk, let's attempt to identify what good style and is and how we achieve it. [Note that this is an update of an article that appeared here a few years ago]. Cary Grant - traditional style Style is Multifactorial What makes good style? It goes beyond how we appea ..read more

This tie came from @vintageprl  who, from time to time, sells high quality vintage Ralph Lauren through his Instagram account. It's just over 4" at its widest and is labelled Neiman-Marcus, a store founded in Dallas Texas in 1907. I don't know the date of this tie, but would guess seventies ..read more

I was very sad to hear of the death this week of Edward Sexton, that impeccable tailor and gentleman who was so much part of the modernisation of Savile Row since the seventies.  Always impeccably cut: Edward Sexton 1942-2023 I was lucky to interview him some years ago and to meet him on occasions since - the last in November last year when I took the photograph above of his celebrating both his new Savile Row store and his birthday. He will be much missed. Below you can read the feature I wrote in 2015:  After decades as a lawyer, essentially an uncreative and often d ..read more

Summer brings warmth and sunshine, but it also brings new scents after the long dark days of winter and the fresh green of spring: mown grass, hot sun on bare soil, sun on skin and that mood-lifting airiness of a sea breeze. This is the time to fill your senses with the cooling aromas of the countryside, of the mountains and seaside and to reflect these in the fragrances that you choose for the warmer months. The choice for men is vast, from Avon through the alphabet to Zadig & Voltaire there are scores of fragrance brands to select from. Many are suitable for men and women, addi ..read more

[Note: My apologies that I haven't posted for some weeks. security issues with the blog have  taken some time to sort out. I hope you enjoy this feature on collecting old military watches]. How many men do you know who are obsessed by collecting something? It may be cars, watches, clothes, cameras, books, golf clubs, rare birds, works of art or racing bikes. We're no doubt reflecting some ancient instinct which had us accumulating weapons, vital tools or whatever was required for our survival. British military watches from the 40s to 60s One item that a man of style might col ..read more

I had no idea until very recently that 1 in 4 black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, and more than 11,500 men die from prostate cancer in the UK each year – that's one man every 45 minutes! The handsome new Rotary 1IN4 x Prostate Cancer UK watch  To highlight these shocking statistics I am wearing the new Limited Edition 1IN4 watch that @Rotarywatches has designed in collaboration with Property Expert and TV presenter, @KunleBarker. The 1IN4 aims to increase awareness of prostate cancer and its increased risk amongst black men. There will only ..read more

Monk strap shoes tend to be overlooked in favour of oxford, derbies, sneakers and loafers, but they offer both comfort and style and are worth your consideration when next buying shoes for casual or formal use.  I wear Loake Medway suede monks (socks Peper Harow) - all made in England I acquired my first pair (pictured above) only two or three years ago when I was looking for something a little different. A suede pair of single strap monks made in England by Loake, they have proved invaluable worn with everything from tweed, through formal suits to knitwear and jeans. If you sear ..read more