The Search for Style 5: John Simons - A Modernist OR Rocking the Mod

I'm grateful to everyone who's been emailing me in response to this series in which I try to identify what style is, in particular for the older man. While it's like trying to grab the soap in the bath, I've heard so many similar thoughts that I feel being able to define the word is nearly within my grasp.

A reader sent me a link to this video trailer for a forthcoming film 'John Simons - A Modernist'.  Most older men of style, and many younger, know of John Simons who sell the best of US and UK mod styles. Here some well-known names sing his praises:

John Simons - A Modernist - Trailer - 2017 from MONO MEDIA FILMS on Vimeo.

The reader who contacted me, Philip Sherwood, added the following comment, with which I totally agree:

"I thought this might be of interest to consider or include when trying to define style. For the older gentleman the roots provided by the English mod mixed with the American preppy look have been used over countless years to provide a backbone of style. As someone in the 60's once stated, the look was based on 'looking good under difficult circumstances.'  

Men of a certain age have to realise that they can dress well but to do that they must have an interest in actually wanting to. Now that is a more difficult thing to deal with. It's not just wearing the clothes but how one wears them."

What I take from this is that menswear rarely breaks new ground; classic styles last. But Philip's final comment is important. Many older men take a perverse pleasure in refusing to dress well. I'm not clear what they're worried about, but they can afford to be more confident and adventurous rather than letting age bog them down.

Follow The Search for Style on this link.

Mods - the revival of a subculture?

I remember seeing mods the first time round, in the sixties. Their annual scooter trips to Brighton were covered by a sensationalist press keen to report pitched battles with their subculture rivals, the rockers. But there was more to the mods - memories of their sharp sense of style will outlive the Margate skirmishes.

The mod style has never really gone away - I've seen it on the streets every year since it heyday in the sixties. Harringon jackets, Paul Weller and sharp mohair two-tone suits are not easily suppressed, even if later adaptations, such as skinheads, weren't so attractive. Today Bradley Wiggins maintains interest in the style and his collaboration with Fred Perry revives mod-popular vintage-style cycling jerseys.

Adaptor Clothing is a brand that keeps the subculture going. Slim-cut, minimalist suits, clean silhouettes, smart looks, ties and coats are back. 'Tonic' suit fabrics, button-down collars, dogtooth check, narrow ties, Paisley scarves, loafers and desert boots - all are available. Grey Fox is in on the act as an old mod in a tongue in check sort of way (Wearing an Adaptor Clothing dogtooth check suit and blue button-down collar shirt - links below).

Adaptor clothing 3-button dogtooth check suit and button down collar shirt

Links

Adaptor Clothing mod wear, click here.

Adaptor Clothing 3-button dogtooth suit from here.

For more mod culture on Grey Fox click here.

Grey Fox Models 4: grey hair fashion advertising - well done Baracuta - video

Congratulations to Baracuta. These video and still images comprise the fourth of a series of fashion advertisements and celebrate a company that recognises that style doesn't disappear in middle age.

The Harrington jacket was developed by Baracuta* (see footnote) in the 1930s and has become a style icon, worn by Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen and Frank Sinatra, among others. The company was recently sold, but it seems the jacket's future is assured.

Clothing with such history and tradition can be worn by any age - new mods and originals - so is by no means the preserve of the young. Well done Baracuta!

Synonymous & Antonymous (long version) from WP on Vimeo.

*My original text repeated information on the web that said that Grenfell was one of the originators of the Harrington jacket. I've been contacted by a reputable source who tells me that there is no evidence of Grenfell's early involvement. I'm happy to change this if anyone can produce a 30s manufactured Grenfell Harrington jacket.

The return of the teddy boy? Fashion inspiration for the middle-aged man.

This image was published by The Sartorialist recently. It immediately reminded me of teddy boys, with a bit of mod thrown in.

The scarf works well; there's something here for those of you searching for style ideas. The Sartorialist.

The Sartorialist

And here's John Lennon in his teddy boy days.

Bradley Wiggins x Fred Perry cycle jersey collaboration

I make no apologies for featuring the winner of the Tour de France for the third time this month. His love of mod culture (he has a collection of scooters) has become better known recently. Recently Fred Perry (beloved of mods everywhere) launched a range of cycle jerseys in collaboration with Wiggins. As can be seen, they match the Paul Weller-style sideburns very well. They sport GB stripes at the collar and the rainbow World Champion stripes on the sleeves (he has been world champion in several track cycling disciplines).

Cycling jerseys were always a popular mod essential, and these are suitably retro in design. They are available from Fred Perry, priced at £65. Ideal also for those older gents who were mods the first time round!

CHRISTOPHE ENA / AP