Desirable objects - hand-printed business card by Andrew Areoff

These letterpress calling cards were designed and printed on beautiful thick card by Andrew Areoff using traditional printing methods, giving them a wonderful feel and look, not evident from the image here. I've had consistently positive responses to them - highly recommended to anyone looking to add character to their business stationery. 

From Areoff whose design and print business covers a wide range of services.

A female perspective on Grey Fox: Introducing Sarah Gilfillan of Sartoria Lab

As an outsider in the fashion world, I write with more enthusiasm than knowledge. I need a more expert view on some aspects of Grey Fox's content. So, I've invited Sarah Gilfillan, a menswear stylist of Sartoria Lab, to contribute from time to time to the blog. 

Men often welcome a woman's perspective on how they dress - image Ste Johnson

Sarah will bring much expertise of the fashion business and, most importantly, she'll bring the female perspective to Grey Fox Blog. Women's views heavily influence how we dress, so Sarah will fill a gap. I'm grateful to her for helping in this way. She'll be giving advice on affordable menswear in a blog post later this week.

I asked Sarah to say a little about her approach -

Like it or not we all subconsciously make assumptions about people based on their appearance, and statistics show that it takes just a matter of seconds to form an opinion on someone when you meet them for the first time. This judgement is made pretty much exclusively on how they look. 

That's why I think it's important to take pride in your appearance, and why I run Sartoria Lab, a personal style consultancy for men. I help men with their personal shopping and styling who perhaps don't have either the time or the inclination to do it themselves and don't have enough interest to research new places and brands to shop, but still want to look good. I do have that interest, and take absolute pleasure in helping these men to look and feel their best.

People are automatically drawn to someone who looks attractive (and who doesn't want to feel attractive and alluring to others?!) so why not make the best of what you have?

You can find out a little more about Sarah on the 'About' page of her website Sartoria Lab here.

Ageless style in The Guardian - are attitudes changing? When will the fashion industry sell to the older man?

In an excellent article on 22nd February, The Guardian's Anne Karpf wrote about the rise of older fashion models and accompanied this online with a gallery, Ageless Style - In Pictures. While it was gratifying to see my image included in the gallery, I was more impressed that there is at least discussion about the topic. It's been a strong theme of this blog that the fashion industry needs to sit up and take notice of older men and women - a burgeoning and affluent demographic. 

While there is a long way to go, grey style now has its foot firmly in fashion's door. So, I fail to understand how hard-nosed commercial organisations can ignore a large market like the grey pound. As I'm reporting here on Grey Fox, the products are there, but the willingness to sell them to us, using older models and sophisticated sales campaigns, is absent.

Here are the links:

Ageless Style - In Pictures

Older models: the women in their 60s, 70s and 80s who are shaking up fashion

Marks & Spencer Best of British AW14 - seventies men's style from the archives

Marks & Spencer showed its AW14 Best of British collection at London Collections:Men in January. In a dramatic show, using models as opposed to the static display they used previously, M&S continued their successful search for British-made menswear style. Again they have raided their archives and the seventies have clearly been a heavy influence. I remember some of this stuff the first time round and I love it. There will even be a brown velvet jacket - groovy!

I look forward to seeing the Autumn/Winter collection more closely. Meanwhile, see the wonderful Spring/Summer Best of British collection, now in the shops and on the M&S website here. 

In Camera - Grey Street Style - a new project to document the stylish older man

It's been a while since I posted any street style images, so this is the chance to announce a project to document many of the stylish older men around the country.

© Carole Evans/Grey Fox 2014

This project will record the wide range of styles, tastes and creativity among older men. Inspired by the need to find a style of their own, and fired by the confidence and wisdom of age, many are discovering that middle age and beyond is the best time to express themselves through what they wear.

This project is in collaboration with my sister, Carole Evans, a professional photographer about whom I've written before when I featured her Retro Girls project here. See also her website here. Carole and I will be showing these images regularly on our blogs. If you'd like to take part in the project, as a photographer or as a stylish man of over 40, please get in touch, we'd love to hear from you.

© Carole Evans/Grey Fox 2014

Grenson SS14 shoes - and new London shops

I'm determined to try a pair of white or cream brogues for this summer and was interested when Grenson sent details of their new shoes for Spring/Summer 2014. My favourite is the Teddy (bottom) with its cheery blue and white sole.

Grenson also tell me that they've opened two new shops in London, in Mears Street, Soho and at one of my favourite shopping venues, Lambs Conduit Street. If you can't get to those, you can find information about stockists at  www.grenson.co.uk. 

Archie V (below) in new colours this season, in three new Italian calves with a waxy, soft mat finish. Dove grey, azure blue and white with the lightweight Grenson wedge sole. Price £235.00.

Jerry (below) a classic 5 eyelet Derby, similar to styles that have been around for centuries but the difference is it's on a boat sole and in canvas. Price £185.00. 

Teddy (below) a classic wingtip in white soft mat Italian calf leather, with a blue and white lightweight sole, also available in blue. Price £250.00 -

A reader asks - hats, beards and the balding older man

A reader asks (a series in which Grey Fox helps other older men in their search for style).....

Dear Mr Fox, 

Please accept compliments on your excellent blog (including links) which neatly coincides with my intended style. As you have probably already guessed I am a middle aged man who aspires to improve my dress. Currently I spend most of my life in jeans and technical clothing and have realised I need to tidy myself up. I am 59 years old, still fit thanks to a lifetime of cycling and athletics but grey-fine haired round the sides and bald on top as you will see on the photo.

My big problem(s):

1. Given the scarcity of it, I would very much value your opinion on what hairstyle and facial hair (if any) I should adopt. 
2. What style of hat should I consider instead of baseball caps and beanie hats? A strong Yorshire accent has made me wary of wearing flat caps.

The chaps on the Fashionbeans forum have given me some excellent help and advice so far on choosing classic clothing which I am pleased to follow especially as it is consistent with predominantly buying British. A member of that forum put me onto your blog. I very much look forward to your advice. 

Best regards

Andrew

Grey Fox replies.....

Dear Andrew, 

Forgive the delayed reply and thanks for the comments on the blog. 

I take it you have adequate sartorial advice now, so let me address your question about the hair. I’ve written before on the blog for balding men and the advice I gave (having consulted many experts!) was that close-cropped neatly-cut hair is best – very much as you have now. If you want facial hair as well, the same goes, closely cut and neat – however, if you feel a bit more flamboyant the style in the attached image works very well I think – a slightly longer beard. 

Image Alan Paine

As for hats, a beanie or a trilby may be the best options – but I wouldn’t rule out the flat cap simply because you’re from Yorkshire; why not celebrate it? The choice will depend what you’re wearing it with – trilby with suit, jacket and beanie with very informal and sports wear. 

I’m sure you’ve been advised that good fit is absolutely essential – ensure jackets fit across shoulders (go to a tailor for alteration if not), and avoid teen fashions like baggy jeans and t-shirts. You’re lucky in (like me, as a cyclist) having an athletic figure – use it! 

I hope that’s helpful. If I haven’t answered the question, or you have any supplementary, let me know; I’m very happy to help. 

Best wishes 

David

Grey Fox

Grey Fox's previous scribblings on baldness can be found here.