A look that inspires: David Niven, single-breasted with peak lapels

In this image, David Niven wears a single-breasted Prince of Wales check suit with peak lapels - a look not uncommon during the middle decades of the last century. Nowadays we more commonly find peak lapels on double-breasted coats. Notch lapels (where the peaks of each lapel are roughly even in length) generally look more balanced on a single-breasted jacket. 

However, the look is being revived. I saw several examples at the Savile Row London Collections: Men event at Lord's last year. In the lower image, taken at that event, the man in the right wears a grey single-breasted suit with peak lapels. Skilfully done, the look can work well - it certainly suited Mr Niven.

A look that inspires 3 - the well-dressed older man

This elegant gentleman is dressed in a way I like very much.

A plain, well-cut and fitting linen jacket with brass buttons, striped shirt, jeans that fit perfectly and look as though they have worn naturally (I dislike artificially-distressed jeans) and good quality loafers and socks. Above all, he looks relaxed and comfortable in his clothes.

Simple, stylish and effective.

Image from The Styleograph

A look that inspires 2 - Austin Healey Sprite Mk1 - 'Frog Eye'

I found this image of a car I used to own - the actual car, 629 CDE. The Mk1 Austin Healey Sprite was known affectionately, for obvious reasons, as a 'frog-eye' (or 'bug-eye' in the US). They were tiny cars with no opening boot (you accessed that behind the seats) and, I think, an 850cc engine.

It was a precursor to the Austin Healey Sprite Mk2, which also appeared as the MG Midget (I owned one of those too, but that's another story). It was great fun and took me back to the days when a man could work on a car without having to be a computer scientist. He would also sport a moustache, cravat and have a pipe clenched between his teeth.

If I was to buy another old car now, it would be one of these.

A look that inspires 1 - from Oliver Spencer

This is the first of a new occasional series in which I will post something that inspires me in the search for style. It might be a look, a painting, a battered old camera - whatever, it has influenced the way I select the clothes and other objects around me.

I've always been quite open that my search for style as an older man started by looking on the internet for ideas. With increasing confidence comes the ability to add one's own twists to these ideas - we don't want to be simply copying others. However, we all have to start somewhere.

This image is from Oliver Spencer's Spring/Summer '13 collection. I like the combination of stone-coloured cotton/linen waistcoat and jacket with the cobalt blue trousers and scarlet shirt. This look would look good on a man of any age. See more on Oliver Spencer's website here.

See my Pinterest page for more inspiration.

Image Oliver Spencer