Polka dot scarves - total Tootal

The man who declared a drought in south-east England earlier this month has condemned us to weeks of cold and rain, so we still need scarves to keep out the dank chill.

I've been on the search for a red/ maroon polka dot scarf for a while, but nothing quite right has appeared. This picture shows the type and colour I'm after. As can be seen, it's a Drake's scarf, just the thing for a formal work suit, jacket, blazer or (as in the photo, and if you're brave enough) a denim jacket. The combination of large and small dots works well.

The quintessential polka dot scarf was made by Tootal and was at the height of popularity in the forties, fifties and sixties. I remember my father wearing his under a tweed jacket as he left for work. They have become popular again and, although easy to find, vintage dealers are keeping the prices high.

For an interesting alternative you could try this Alexander McQueen skull pattern scarf.

Or, if you prefer, there is always the cousin of the polka dot, the paisley scarf - one guaranteed to cheer you up - usually.

Photo The Sartorialist

Collectible wristwatches - SBS quartz diver's watch

One of the most robust and accurate watches I've ever owned was a diver's watch originally issued to the Special Boat Squadron and Royal Marines (if memory serves me right). Its high quality movement and black, reflection-proof and waterproof case made it ideal for its function. 

It's one of many watches I have bought and sold and one of the very few I subsequently regretted letting go - but we can't let regrets rule our lives, can we?

Spring is in the air...

I'm no middle-aged gardener, but I love this time of year. I took these shots in my garden at the weekend. The fresh, bright greens of new growth set off the celandines, violets and bluebells. The pond is heaving with frog and newt spawn.

Soon the tweed jacket will go away and a man newly in search of style will have to decide what to wear as the weather warms.

London Undercover - my new umbrella

Just as a drought is declared in south east England it has started to pour, with April showers bringing us thunder, hail and heavy rain. As a man in search of style, I now reserve my anorak for brisk mountain walks, so the question arose as to how I could keep dry. Tweed has shower-proof properties, but not enough to keep a man dry in a torrent. I therefore bought an umbrella from Mr Porter and was introduced to a brand I hadn't come across before - London Undercover.

The umbrella I chose is the "Classic Black & White Prince of Wales umbrella. Brown Interior. Combined Maple wood shaft & handle with laser etched London Undercover logo. Made using recycled materials". It's light, beautifully-made and looks very smart indeed.

London Undercover's range of umbrellas is based on a very British sense of humour. I love the Naval Battle Map Umbrella (below), although a maritime pedant might have certain reservations. Firstly, it's not a "map"; it's a chart. Secondly, a naval man wouldn't be seen dead with an umbrella, particularly on board his vessel (who said that there are three things you should never sail with - a wheelbarrow, an umbrella or a naval officer?)

Photographs from London Undercover

Another that caught my eye was Greenline Routemaster, described as follows, "Classic vintage Green Line coaches livery umbrella with historic Routemaster seating moquette interior. The Green Line brand, first established in 1930, was used for coach services linking central London with country towns within a 30-mile radius. Vintage Lincoln Green Exterior with Gold Trim. 1960's Routemaster Seat Fabric Pattern Interior. Combined Maple Wood shaft & handle with laser etched London Undercover logo. Made using recycled materials".

The very British, quirky nature of these products will appeal to buyers and I see that London Undercover offer free shipping.

If it's pouring with rain where you are, I suggest you spend lots on an umbrella, it's the best way to guarantee a dry Spring and Summer.

Ten thousand visits...many thanks to all my visitors

It's with some amazement that I see that this blog has had over 10,000 visits and more than 21,000 page views since I cast off on my voyage in early December.

Once again, I would like to thank all my visitors, and particularly those who have offered comments and suggestions. I'm gratified that people recognise that this is a very personal journey. I'm simply describing my own search for style and my influences; I am not suggesting how other men should approach these issues in middle age. Here's to the next 10,000.

Older and middle aged men can be style icons and fashion models too

I recently received a beautifully-designed brochure for Ralph Lauren's Double RL range. Leafing through it got me thinking again about how fashion retailers are selling clothes to men. Usually younger men model the clothes - it seems that modern icons of style are generally seen as being well under 40 years of age. Here are RL's young models, selling decidedly classic clothes which, I suspect, many older men would be happy to buy -

It's refreshing to find successful purveyors of men's style who recognise that older men will buy and wear fashionable clothes. Have a look at these scans of Mr Porter's latest sales literature. Their style icons include a disctinctly older Pablo Picasso -

Also, they don't shy away from using slightly older models to wear their range of clothes; see the scans below, from their Spring Summer 2012 Collection brochure, and note that grey stubble. Given the economic power of men over 40, I wonder why more companies don't take the same approach as Mr Porter.

Crossing Paths - Niall McDiarmid, showing personality through street photography

One of the major influences in my search for style has been street photography - the best of which shows how clothes can reflect the wearer's personality. I first came across Niall McDiarmid when he followed me on Twitter and I found his website, Crossing Paths. This is a photographic record of Niall's journeys across the UK and the people he meets. Niall tells me that,

"The portrait project is ongoing and is basically my view on who I meet as I travel around the UK. From the eccentric, to the fashionably dressed, from the colourful to those who simply fit with their surroundings...whoever crosses my path".

Much street photography records what people are wearing, but gives little clue as to the subject's personality. Niall's photos are different, each one recording clearly the whole person in front of the camera. This is enhanced by a very special sense of colour and humour which make these pictures exceptional.

Many thanks, Niall, for allowing me to reproduce these portraits and I look forward to seeing the project develop. Visit Crossing Paths for more.

Movement in dead wood

While walking the dog I noticed how some dead wood contains dynamic movement in its stillness.

Cycle Style by Horst A Friederichs - celebrating bicycle style and culture

I've talked before about the influence of cycling in my search for style as an older man. I've thought for a while that there's a gap in the market for a book celebrating the increasing diversity of cycle styles that there are in London. Cycle Style by Horst A Friederichs (recently published by Prestel) goes some way towards this filling this gap, celebrating the richness of London's 2012 cycle culture and reflecting the huge increase in bicycle use over the last five years or so.

I love this book as a record of the diversity of cycling style. As a source of ideas for the lycra-tired cyclist it's invaluable; tweed, wool, pretty floral frocks and smart suits can all look good worn on a suitable bicycle. The variety of machines used on our streets, modern and vintage, mass-produced and custom-built, is well covered. Although the book focuses on London, similar cyclists will be found in all the World's major cities.

My one reservation about this book is that the pictures are so carefully posed. I still feel the need for a more spontaneous street-photography-style record of a great city's cyclists. A photographer could stand for two hours anywhere in central London and fill a book with a fascinating record of a burgeoning culture; extemporaneous shots of cyclists in mid-journey, their hair, clothes and bikes not quite so tidy and shiny, would be an alternative and possibly truer reflection of our cycle style. However, I have no regrets about buying the book, which I will dip into whenever I need a cycling fix.

Buying vintage clothes for men - Hornets of Kensington W8, London

In my search for style in middle age I haven't shied away from trying vintage clothes, as regulars to Grey Fox will know (click vintage among the labels on the right of this page for more). A few days ago I visited Hornets in Kensington W8, London to see what they have to offer.

Hornets is more of a community of style than a shop. I met several members of the community, including the business owners, and all are friendly and passionate about what they do. Style is their business. As I found out, they offer advice and help, backed up by great experience, about all aspects of gentlemen's clothes and fashion.

My purchases

At first glance they deal in British style; the three shops are packed full of classic British tailoring, hats, Harris tweed, country clothing, high quality shoes (especially brogues) and accessories like cuff-links, pocket squares, ties and cravats. However, there are fascinating variations, such a lovat Swedish hunting jacket waiting for a buyer who will appreciate its cut and quality.

The décor is very sporty public school (as we British understand that term), with sepia shots and prints of sports teams and well-dressed gentlemen. Cricket bats, old football boots, tennis rackets, co-respondent's shoes and other fascinating memorabilia add to the old-world feel of the three shops. But this is no museum. Take time to dig around and you will find gems; Savile Row suits, handmade shoes, tweed caps and high quality hats from British hatters. The staff encouraged me to dig deep into boxes to find what I wanted, even though I was leaving a real mess. They appreciate that the thrill of the place is in the search - and the choice and quality of what is available is outstanding.

I came away with a vintage wool cricket jersey, whose club colours I know well, a silk pocket square, memories of a fascinating hour or so and a determination to go back as soon as I can. 

See here for the Hornets website.

How one visitor's comments contribute towards a man's search for style in middle age

Since starting this blog I have received many helpful and interesting comments. One of my most frequent contributors has been Fred Gonsowski, whose comments are wise and well-considered. I have learned a lot from him in my search so far for style in middle age. It is helpful to have the advice of others on any journey.

Mr Gonsowski maintains a blog at Fred Gonsowski Garden Home, which he illustrates himself with sketches and collage. He's obviously an artist and a man of great experience and understanding of colour and garden and interior design - please pay him a visit.

Here is how Mr Gonsowski has offered me his thoughts about my progress. Some of the minor detail is based on US tastes and probably doesn't translate to this side of the Atlantic (decorated belts and leather jackets), but the content is pure gold. I agree with the view that an older man should seek slim, modern interpretations of classics - my recent tweed jacket purchase here is just such. I will, as he suggests, try to show more of my experiments here on the blog (a rash promise).

Many thanks, Fred Gonsowski, for commenting with such humour and insight - you add greatly to my enjoyment of maintaining this blog. I have added your comments in full so that they may benefit others who, like me, are on a search for style.

"Fred GonsowskiApr 3, 2012 07:08 PM

Hi there Grey Fox... I looked through your articles, and I read your comment ..A Man's search for style into middle age and beyond. Looking at you, and the things you SEEM to be attracted to, this is MY opinion how you can realize your vision. Take it with a grain of SALT ;-}

First of all the tweed jackets and some of the other things you like say OLD MAN-TRADITIONAL. That is OK, but you don't want to be/look like your father. I think, to the things that attract you, to have a more CURRENT look, you have to mix in modern elements.

Start by going out and buying SLIM CUT-Low Rise jeans in the colors, dark blue, black, gray and brown. That silhouette says modern, and the shape is not that of your father's jeans.

Secondly buy some vertical striped shirts, that have wide stripes, and are colorful. Also buy some BRIGHT colored shirts to add to the stripes. Bright colors suggest YOUTH, and color has a way of reflecting up at a person's face, and makes them look younger. Gray, white, and drabs do nothing for the skin. With those kinds of colors add a BRIGHT color, to counterbalance them.

Third go out and buy some tweed, and other textured vests, to wear with the shirts and jeans. You can also put a Bright-Fun tie with them to make a dressy casual look.

Next think about shoes. To go with what you have, add an ankle high boot in leather, and a desert boot in suede.

After that think accessories. Look for belts, that have big sculptural buckles, some studs, grommets, etc. A knock out belt buckle can give a pop of visual interest to a rather plain outfit. Also think about a cuff bracelet or some other kind of jewelry to put along with your watch, on the same wrist.

You have solid socks, look into stripes, polka dots, etc. Try on different styles of hats.

A leather coat, will also give you a modern look.

When shopping look through clearance racks, etc for fun, but inexpensive additions to your wardrobe. BUY things that are in colors that go with what you already have. Bring/wear clothing that you want to match things to, when shopping. That way you will know if what you want to buy really works.

Finally, go into stores, and try on clothing that you think you would NEVER like. Clothing on the rack will look a lot different from the way it looks on you. Also try on the bold and bright, and odd balled of the fashion world. You and you alone will see how it looks when you try it on, by your self in the dressing room. I have tried on things at GUCCI that looked terrible on the rack, but were wonderful when I put them on. Also the bold and bright, takes a few minutes to get used to.

You know Grey Fox, you could now take all my suggestions, and go out and write and show the world your finds....Have Fun!"

Cool and rumpled is the way to go - middle age style for men

I'm beginning to think that cool and rumpled is the way to go in middle aged style. It shows self-confidence and, more importantly, a feeling of comfort in one's clothes. However, it could also suggest slovenliness unless done very carefully.

Don't overdo it, as it could look too studied. A linen suit will achieve the affect naturally and without artifice. Or simply sleep in your clothes for a night. All these pictures are from the Sartorialist.

Rumpled, dishevelled, untidy, scruffy, tousled, mussed up, messed up, messy, disturbed, ruffled, jumbled, topsy turvy, disarranged, discomposed, disrupted, disorganised, disordered, disarrayed, broken up, in a shambles, slapdash, slipshod, cluttered, chaotic, confused, sloppy, slovenly, unkempt, unfastidious, bedraggled, ungroomed, unpolished, grungy, rough, creased, neglected, shabby, bedraggled, tacky, etc etc.