The London Lounge

AndyM, I completely agree that the people at Lock & Co are very good. It is more the point that the shop could be intimidating to a number of potential customers. There isn't really much they can do about though. Laird is less intimidating so perhaps a better place to start for a nervous, first time...

I think they underestimate how many chaps who perhaps have a nascent or even well-established interest but no long-standing custom in high-cost traditional apparel find these places rather forbidding. Add this to the expense and the electivity of such purchases, I would not be surprised if a more e...

[quote="hector] Thank you, Dangleberry. I thought I was giving you good advice and I ended up getting good advice. I didn't know about this hat shop in Covent Garden and I´ll check it out on my next trip.[/quote] A pleasure. Laird has a small shop just off Piccadilly and another shop near Leicester ...

I went into both Bates and Lock & Co but ended up buying my caps from Laird in Covent Garden. I was served by the owner who was very helpful indeed and I found Laird more relaxed and welcoming. Also, the prices were about 20% lower for the same quality of materials and make. Hectorum, a trilby is pe...

A very interesting thread. Having thinning hair and a walk along the river to and from my train, a hat is necessary during the colder months. Tired of the ubiquitous woollen beanie hat (which looks silly topping a suit) I decided to upgrade and visited some hatters. While I liked the look of a Fedor...

Gents, does anyone have any experience with Grey Flannel, a shop on Chiltern Street in Marylebone? Not an easy one to search on the forum as there are plenty of posts on grey flannel! I stumbled across the shop a few weekends ago but didn't have much time so only had a brief look. They appear to sel...

Charles, thanks for the suggestions but I have already made my purchase. Maybe for the next one...

Thanks to all for taking the time to advise. Ivory suede sounds like good advice worth pursuing. JS Groot, what lining, if any, do your own suede gloves have? I actually prefer the look and feel of suede although I would be tempted to go for a wool lining to make them a much warmer glove for winter;...

Gents, following the helpful suggestions I received on bags, I thought I would mine the knowledge of the Lounge for some thoughts on gloves. I currently use a fur-lined tan suede pair for the winter and I have a black leather pair for a chilly spring morning. The latter needs replacing. I would prim...

We need bigger cows.

Costi, The lid is indeed a separate piece of leather, attached as you suggest. I do agree however, that wrapping around three times would be a great design. Actually, thinking about it now, surely it would also be easier to make that way? Knowing little about such things could it be that getting the...

Costi, I should point out that I actually purchased a older model which doesn't have the zip at the back, so no zips at all, in fact. It isn't on the website as they don't sell that model anymore, but looks the same as the one in the link, excepting the extra zipped pocket at the back. Furthermore, ...

For those interested, I went with the following bag from a store I stumbled across in Princes Arcade, just off Piccadilly: http://www.sagebrown.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=28&category_id=6&flypage=shop.flypage&lang=en&manufacturer_id=0&page=shop.product_details&product_id=2479 I wen...

I appreciate the replies. Michael's point on zips and Concordia's view on having one handle are well noted. I will do some further research on folios.

As for colour, I think the sentiment expressed by Concordia is about right - don't sweat it (to paraphrase).

Culverwood, not disrespectful at all and what I myself was worried about. The folio you suggest looks very nice but I think I would prefer something with a handle, which is why the Thomas Mann bag appeals: http://rhorns.com/en/catalogue/Thomas-Mann-Briefcase.html I don't think this is too handbaggy ...