Recycled sailcloth jackets from Quba - made in England

I love these recycled sailcloth jackets from Devon-based Quba. Sailors, particularly those who race, change their sails regularly as, with hard use, they lose shape and power. The used sails are put to good use to make jackets and bags. See Quba for more information.

The recycled sailcloth story is here.

What makes good sports and outdoor wear? Grey Fox afloat at Cowes

With the holidays nearly over it's a good time to look back at some highlights. Grey Fox has a fairly watery history, having owned and shared boats, and cruised and raced for many years. A favourite sailing area has always been The Solent, so I was delighted to accept an invitation from Musto to visit Cowes Week to watch some racing and soak up some sun (and hopefully not too much seawater).

Grey Fox in The Baltic last year in his trusty Musto waterproofs

Like anyone who likes outdoor activities, I'm choosy about what I wear for cycling, mountain walking and sailing. There's nothing worse than a day's sporting activities ruined by the weather. From early in my sailing days I bought Musto sailing gear because it proved itself the best in use. I cruised in it and raced in it, getting through several jackets and salopettes over the years. In the photo above I was sailing (if you can call it that, in totally calm conditions) in The Baltic early last year in my old, mismatching, but very serviceable set of Musto oilskins, bought some years ago.

The best sporting and outdoor wear is designed and worn by people who are experts in the sports for which the clothes are made. The best cycling clothes are made by cyclists, the best climbing boots by climbers. Keith Musto was an Olympic sailor who knew the demands of his sport when he came to design clothing for it. That tradition continues. While in Cowes I met some of the Musto people who develop their ranges - sailers, horse riders - experts in the sports catered for by Musto who know what users of their clothing need and expect. See Musto's website for more information.

I'll review some of Musto's products in a later post, but first here are some images I took of a memorable day in beautiful sunshine at Cowes. Unfortunately there was little wind at first, so the fleet of two huge multihulls and six IMOCA 60 monohulls racing in the Artemis Challenge for a share of the £10,000 charity prize fund had a delayed start - so no dramatic spray-soaked pictures, I'm afraid.

The Boss crew suited up, as you'd expect

This boat was made from donated wooden objects (spot the hockey sticks)

A gentleman in Cowes

Grey Fox having a bad hair day

With many thanks to Musto and their team for a great day afloat

Style influences - John F. Kennedy sailing

These photographs of John F. Kennedy sailing are well-known. I like his natural sense of relaxed style and the combination of white with different shades of blue. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is fading, but there's still time to wear those white or pale khaki chinos, that cornflower blue polo shirt and pale blue Shetland wool jumper if it's cool. Just let the clothes hang as you put them on - there's no need to tuck in your shirt, it'll only come undone as you rush around the foredeck repacking the spinnaker.

White canvas deck shoes are ideal; leather sailing shoes an acceptable alternative. White socks are fine, but a bright blue pair, to match your shirt, the sea and sky, are ideal. Wayfarers or similar sunglasses, with a heavy black or tortoiseshell frame, will keep the sun out of the eyes. Polaroids are best for cutting down the glare from the surface of the sea.

Nautica at Debenhams - at last the British summer has arrived - or has it?

I've been sent details of an exclusive collaboration between Nautica and Debenhams. There are some good classic designs here - I'd be happy to wear any of these now that the weather is improving, hopefully in time for the London Olympics. I particularly like the blue seersucker shorts and blazer combination.

This selection is modelled by Southampton-based World Cup gold medallist sailor, Rick Peacock. Available at 21 Debenhams shops and on-line.

Can a middle aged man wear pink chinos?

When I started sailing over thirty years ago I noticed the beautifully faded red or pink sailing trousers worn by many old salts. My new chinos from Ted Baker exactly reproduce that colour. I bought a similar pair from Boden a few years ago, but they languished unworn in a drawer until they went off to a charity shop a few months ago. They didn't fit well and the pink was unrelentingly bright; no doubt they would have faded to a more attractive shade if I'd given them a chance.

There is a similar colour trouser (or pant) in the USA in the shape of Nantucket Reds. You can browse the collection here - I'd be tempted, but most shipments are a hefty $50.

And to answer the question in the title - why not? Pink trousers, pink socks, pink shirts, pink ties - bring them on! If you like a colour, wear it.

[For an alternative and highly entertaining view of red (and possibly pink) trousers, see here. Do you still feel the same way about them?]

FE Castleberry Collection

Mystic River Yacht Club