The London Lounge

Quality hats are usually pricey, regardless of the seller. Some of those in my modest collection were EBay purchases gotten at affordable prices. I’ve not personally dealt with Graham Thompson, so would be unable to provide anything of value about Optimo; however, I can recommend a few US hatters th...

I’ve searched, unsuccessfully, for a camel hair cloth worthy of the cost of make-up, but have been disappointed. Great cloth of an appropriate weight, excepting Michael’s 1000g cashmere, simply hasn’t been available anywhere for a decade. I was in O’Connell’s yesterday and found two iterations of po...

Oxxford makes exceedingly well made suits and sports coats. Their RTW line can be found in many high-end clothing shops in the US; but how widely disseminated the brand is in the UK, I couldn’t say. For MTM, you would likely have to travel to the US to their main location in Chicago or flagship stor...

Great memory, a complement to the anecdote about him getting carefully showered, shaved and immaculately turned out to go deck Mick for drunkenly calling him early in the morning. A funny story, RJ…one that’ has endured for 50 years; however, I can’t help but believe that it’s apocryphal, although ...

I agree with Michael that mixing a midnight blue dinner jacket with black trousers might produce a jarring effect. I would stick to blue; however, for a summer or tropical soirée, this Esquire photo demonstrates the combination of a midnight blue DB dinner jacket with white or cream formal trousers....

I love the elongated, sleek, whippet like silhouettes and patina of these shoes. Think Berluti, Corthay, Aubercy, Scafora, etc. etc. As well as Bettanin & Venturi, Bontoni, Septieme Leguer, Caulaincourt, etc, etc. etc... My feeling is that most of the styles of shoes made by these makers are a bit ...

I'd very much like to see this project moved forward. Are we nearing sufficient interest to proceed?

I am chauvinistically loyal to Conway Stewart, having been fortunate enough to purchase several before the firm closed. I have never had a problem with them and would be completely lost if I had to purchase a fountain pen from a new manufacturer I'm also an enthusiast of Conway Stewart and saddened...

Finding quality socks that are appealing has been a challenge. Over the years, I've worn Pantherella, Bresciani, and Marcoliani (and others). These brands have always been serviceable and each has offered some classic designs. As to durability, they have all been fairly good. I'm awaiting a shipment...

Thank you, all, for your responses. It will take time, but I'll sample, in so far as I am able, your recommendations of balsamics and try to up my game in my sherry vinegar purchases, as well. Most readily available sherry vinegars are as marginally serviceable as balsamics, but I suspect that high-...

Usually a four in hand or when I've needed a bit more knot heft, a half windsor. Just to shake up my routine, I've occasionally used a Pratt, but it's not really (IMO) a very appealing knot.

Gentleman, thank you for your kind replies. As I anticipated, and Michael has reaffirmed, markets for this product both within and outside of Italy are fraught with uncertainty and fraud. I guess that I've little choice but to continue on my quest by trail and error.

For decades I've been disappointed with the quality and/or honest marketing of "balsamic" vinegars available on the US market. Whether in the finest shops of our largest cities or those of purveyors of speciality gourmet foods, I've had no success finding Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale that carries th...

Too much thinking about it is absolutely useless. These stories about the tweed jacket, the casual suit, the brown suit are pretty much our archaic cultural view on what was "correct" to wear in the free time or outside of town 50 years ago. The reality is, that jeans, t-shirt and a polyester or co...

Being one who despises having anything in his trouser pockets (especially his hands), and finds unattractive the jacket-deforming effects of bulky items in exterior coat pockets, inside jacket pockets for slim wallets, business card cases, glasses, etc. seem essential. I'm rather consistent and mini...