The Rake Values and a Discount for Grey Fox Readers

The Rake (and we all subscribe, I'm sure) is a favourite style magazine for mature men. Its focus is on style, quality and luxury. This can put some of its products out of the reach of those of us who value genuine style but who, in uncertain times, have tightened our belts; but there is now a solution with the launch today of The Rake Values.

Wei Koh, The Rake's founder wants to make the best menswear more widely available through The Rake Values

Wei Koh, The Rake's founder, has launched The Rake Values with the aim of rooting out unsold garments, end of line, last year's collections etc, which would otherwise languish in obscurity in warehouses, in order to make them available at more affordable prices. Brands include greats such as Drake's, Grenfell, Rubinacci, Inis Meáin, Private White VC, Sunspel and many others - all excellent stuff.

With the cooperation of these and other leading menswear brands, we can now buy these reduced price products here on The Rake Values. To add to the value of these buys, The Rake has kindly offered a further 5% discount to readers of Grey Fox Blog. Use the discount code Rakevalues5 at the checkout.

For more information on The Rake Values, click here.

This is an unsponsored post. I've featured The Rake Values as I believe the initiative does offer value for money on some of the world's best menswear.

Watch Style 4: Glashütte Original Senator

I love the simple almost minimalist design of the 40mm Senator Automatic from Glashütte Original and wear it here with bright green cords from New & Lingwood and a denim shirt from Jaeger. 

I feel this echoes the classically restrained but somehow also extrovert nature of the watch. With its elegant blued hands, stark white dial and crisp Roman numerals, it would be equally at home with black tie or a formal pinstripe work suit.

Links:

Glashütte Original

My factory visit featured recently here on the blog

New & Lingwood

Jaeger Menswear 

Click here for more Watch Style features.

This is part of an occasional series in which I style watches with an outfit. The feature is unsponsored. I'm always on the lookout for watches, new and vintage, to include here, so do get in touch.

Cordings of Piccadilly Grenfell Walker Jacket

Cordings of Piccadilly offer a superb selection of men's and womenswear, usually with a rural British feel which makes them perfect for stylish wear in town and country. I'm lucky to have a couple of their classic pieces - their covert coat and rubberised cotton mackintosh have been around for decades and are all the better for that. I've now added to that collection the Walker jacket, made by Grenfell. 

Walking in Cordings of Piccadilly Grenfell walker jacket

The Walker jacket appeared in the fifties (it was later worn by David Attenborough on his visit to the Rawandan gorillas, see below). As shown by their label in the vintage example below, Cordings have sold the Grenfell Walker for many years.

Vintage Cordings of Piccadilly x Grenfell Walker. Other examples had zip breast pockets (as in the modern version)

The Walker has been slightly redesigned for modern use and adopted by many who appreciate its classic shape. Grenfell originally designed for outdoor use, expedition and adventure wear and this gives the Walker a stylish practicality. I wear it around town and on the Cumbrian fells where, although gorillas are rarely seen, the jacket's reserved hue, weather resistance, quiet cotton cloth, hideaway hood and comfort make it an ideal alternative to sweaty and brightly coloured modern outdoorwear. It's rapidly become a favourite for casual wear.

See Cordings of Piccadilly Grenfell Walker jacket. A few readers have mentioned to me that sizing is sometimes an issue with Grenfell clothing. I have a theory (completely untutored) that the jackets are made with fairly high armholes which, while giving a nicely fitted look, can allow less room under arms and over chest for layers. I am a 38" chest and wear the Walker of that size. This gives a fit I might look for in a blazer of that size; I can wear a light sweater underneath without loss of mobility. If you want room for bulky layers I'd suggest you go up a size, but try one or discuss with Cordings' very helpful staff first.

David Attenborough in Rwanda wearing his Grenfell Walker 

This is an unsponsored post. A Cordings of Piccadilly Walker jacket was provided for review. All views are mine alone.