What are we looking forward to in autumn?

...well maybe some good weather here in London would be welcome...

Here are the views on of a few fashion nuts on this autumn's trends as caught on video by Mr Porter. Hooray for tweed and denim and pocket squares. What else may influence your search for style?

London Collections, what they wore - Mr Porter video

This video from Mr Porter shows more of the colour and details seen at London Collections. For the older man there are a few ideas here - try bright colours and combinations, classic blazers set off with cheerful pocket squares and, yes, roll up those over-long trouser legs.

I'll probably be reserving the camo for fishing and birdwatching, but that's a middle age thing.

Now that's what I call a jacket!

This brown blazer jacket was photographed recently by the Sartorialist. One's attention is drawn to the trousers, but look closely at the jacket and you see a beautiful fit and outstanding detail in the stitching and the positioning of the (working) cuff buttons. Is it bespoke? It seems to be made from a linen-based material; is it mixed with cotton or silk?

Look at how this jacket fits across the shoulders and upper arm. Most men (including me) wear badly-fitting jackets. The fabric sags over the shoulders and bellies out across the back. The sleeves are often too long. Off-the-peg clothes are made to fit an average size; mathematically few of us are that ideal shape. I suspect that we tend to select jackets that are too large for us. If you can't afford bespoke, try a size smaller than usual and see if that improves the fit, or ask a tailor to make some alterations.

There's no doubt that well-fitting jacket gives a great sense of style.

Photo The Sartorialist

London Collections - trends as seen by the street snappers

What did the street photographers make of the styles and influences at the recent London Collections? A video by Mr Porter.

I'll put up another Mr Porter video shortly; they contain useful commentary on recent trends - always useful material in that elusive search for style ideas -

 

Young and older wearing variations on a theme.

At a recent party for my 21 year old twin nephew and niece I posed with members of the younger crowd wearing coloured chinos and jeans. In case you can't spot me, I'm second from the left.

The overall styles were similar with a few differences. The cut of the blazers worn by most of the younger men was short and they had one more shirt button undone than I did. They also wore very pointed brogues, what decades ago were called "winkle pickers"; not my style at all. Most wore their trousers long, rather than with turn-ups. Despite these small differences, the picture illustrates that fashion for all ages is generally centred on well-tried classics - here chinos or jeans, blazers and shirts. 

I was wearing a brown linen jacket (usually buttoned up) and tan Loake Chester brogues. I discussed the blue brown colour combination a few months ago - see here. These colours were brought together by an old  Liberty silk pocket square, pictured below.

Picking out colours to pull contrasting clothes together

I would normally be wary of mixing an earthy green jacket with bright blue chinos (why I don't know, they are colours we see all around us on a sunny day). I noticed that my Harris tweed jacket has a thin line of the same blue woven into it which helps the two contrasting garments work together. Try this approach with completely contrasting colours where a co-ordinated look helps avoid an unpleasant clash of tones.

And yes, I did say I was putting the tweed jacket away for the summer - in doing so I annoyed the weather gods to the extent that London has been wet and cold ever since.

What to buy an older man of style for Father's Day

So your father is a snappy dresser who always puts you to shame with his style and finesse? Or is he a shambles who needs an injection of distinction? Whichever, here are a few gifts I would welcome from my children - to suit all pockets and styles, for the man of action or not.

A Paul Smith handkerchief - Mr Porter 

A Mulberry bag - Mr Porter

A vintage bicycle

A London Undercover umbrella

An Anthony Sinclair bespoke suit, as supplied to James Bond.

A bottle of Welsh whisky.

A tank driving experience

A vintage watch (here a 1968 Omega Speedmaster - as worn on the Moon)

A good book, The Song of Achilles, winner Orange Prize 2012.

Wear out your chinos naturally - the ethics of artificially ageing your clothing.

My favourite chinos, an ancient pair of Gants, have nearly given up the ghost. I wore a hole through the seat a while ago and was able to patch it from the inside with an iron-on patch. As I was ironing them today, I noticed that a hole is appearing in the knee.

The first thought is to replace them, but I love them and it would be like giving away a favourite pet. Furthermore, many misguided people spend good money to buy brand new clothes with just this level of wear carefully built in (I've discussed such dishonest and objectionable distressing of clothes before, see Patina and Style). So, I'll continue to wear them with pride.

If you're desperate for worn chinos here is some advice from Ask Valet about ageing them artificially. Personally I'd rather wear out my trousers naturally than cheat by getting out the sandpaper.

Six months blogging - thanks everyone! Could older men take more interest in style?

It's six months ago today that I, as Grey Fox, emerged from the mothball-scented depths of a fusty wardrobe to regale (?) the World with tales of a search for middle age style. I've enjoyed it a lot and feel it has been worthwhile even though visitor numbers, which climbed initially, have now levelled off, but not declined.

I'm still surprised at the disinterest of many men, particularly in later middle age, in making themselves look presentable. It's not a matter of vanity, or of undermining your masculinity, if you are interested in dressing well in older years. It's about being respectful to those around you - imagine how friends, acquaintances, work colleagues and strangers feel and react to you if you present yourself as a shabby wreck.

It needn't cost a lot to be stylish. We buy too many cheap clothes and then quickly become dissatisfied  with them because they fit badly and are quick to fall apart. One thing I've learned over the last months is that fewer but better-quality clothes need not cost more overall. They last better, look better and are more of a pleasure to wear.

I look forward to continuing my blogging as long as people want to visit - thanks to all of you, particularly those who have added many constructive and fascinating comments and anecdotes.

Vintage Rolex Oyster - the ultimate classic wristwatch?

There's nothing quite like a beautifully-designed and minimalist classic wristwatch to add a touch of style to casual or formal wear. In an age when so many watches are over-large and over-designed with unnecessary dials, winders and crowns, it can be a relief to wear a watch that simply looks good and does the job of recording the time well and accurately.

My favourite is the older and vintage Rolex Oyster. I particularly like the mechanical simplicity and robustness of the older Rolex Explorer, a popular and historic version of the Oyster (see here for more information).

Rolex Oysters, with and without dates, are generally around 34 to 36mm in size and look good whether worn on a bracelet, leather or nylon NATO-style strap. Take care if you are looking for a vintage example, there are many around that have been redialled or badly restored. The right watch will represent an excellent investment, a good Rolex will at least hold its value, even in these days of austerity.

I'm grateful to Ashley Carr and to Ian for these shots of lovely Oyster Dates -

Photo Ashley Carr - with thanks

Photo Ashley Carr

Photo Ian (Chartman69)

There is an understated elegance about a Rolex Oyster on the wrist. It looks good on a steel bracelet, leather strap or NATO-style one-piece -

Wear something that really makes you stand out - Royal Jubilee fashion

Not the best video ever, but Her Majesty the Queen, on her barge during the Jubilee Pageant, can be seen clearly among the suits and uniforms - a lesson in dressing intelligently for us all?

How can a man of style celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and London Olympics?

We are now celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee here in the United Kingdom. With a token apology to overseas readers, I have been thinking about what is available to a man of style who wishes to celebrate. I don't think we can be coy about this; these events happen rarely and seldom coincide with a local Olympic Games! Here are a few of my favourite items.

Herman Miller Aeron office chair

Barbour for John Lewis dog coat

John Lewis ironing board

John Lewis storage trunk

Barbour

John Lewis

Asos

Barbour

Rhino GB

Play.com

Vivienne Westwood

And a present for the wife, girlfriend, daughter - some wristwarmers from Brora -