Paul Smith's cycling jersey collection

I've referred before to Sir Paul Smith's love of cycling. Here's a short video in which he shows his cycling jersey collection.

Recreating the look - Edward, Duke of Windsor 1942

This photograph from 1942 of the Duke of Windsor jumped out at me as a masterpiece of portrait photography. What struck me about it are its timelessness and the colours - see how the tones of the shirt, pocket square and tie are echoed in the books behind. There is much to influence a search for style.

It could have been taken yesterday. Perhaps we are used to seeing photos from this era in black and white, so we forget that ties, shirts and suits were coloured. Next there are the skills of the photographer; Edward's complex personality jumps out at you from this image. The style and dress sense of the sitter are striking. A white blazer (actually part of a suit; he was in the Bahamas), red check tie, mid-blue pocket square and chambray shirt are now on my shopping list - I have tried to recreate the look below, with thanks to the convenient Mr Porter.

Unfortunately white double-breasted jackets are not easy to find.

Loro Piana unstructured cotton blazer

Loro Piana washed cotton chambray shirt

Gucci wool blend tie

Drake's silk pocket square - Mr Porter

Italian window shopping

One of the fascinating things about Italy is that even the smallest towns contain stylish shops selling the highest quality clothes and food. The window dressing may not be to the highest standards, but quality goods will shine through the drabbest window display, helped by Italian verve and colour. I bought one of the pocket squares and a pair of Missoni socks (more accurately, the socks were bought for me and will appear in my stocking at Christmas).