The London Lounge

Dear Fellow Loungers, I must apologise for neglecting the L.L. for so long. I can blame only 'events' last year, with 2011 turning out the same. However, all is well relatively, and I hope to spend some time going through the links and advice you have been kind enough to supply, from Private Message...

I have been wondering about posting a thread on this topic for several months; thanks ThreadCount. The late Mr Brett's Holmes series is my 'Bible', and I intend commissioning a fac simile of his frock coat one day en homage , but I did wonder about the accuracy of such costumes, when other aspects o...

Please put me down for a vote against, as well. I can see nothing 'elegant' about such web-sites - it would be like a 'Chap' using a 'mobile' telephone - or anything it would do that is not possible here. However, if others wish, then let them.

I can add little but enthusiastic agreement to this thread. Whilst I prefer such a coat with a long skirt not to be cut away, this is just my personal preference. I love the proportions of the 'pink' hunting coat, and wonder if a waisted garment with a modern lower opening, but similar calf-length s...

Dear Cufflink 79 and other Gentlemen, I did a quick search on our book purchasing data-base - Bowker's 'Global Books in Print' - and the title's record is brief, but saying the publication date is November 2008, and available for ordering [i.e., not yet published!]. The only seller on Bookfinder, Am...

Dear Gentlemen,

Had a sudden thought last night: is it the 'done thing' to have the skirt of one's frock coat/ over-coat cut 'on the bias' if one wants 'added flounce'? Could anyone advise on this, for or against? Thanks for giving it your consideration.

Dear Radical Dog, Sorry for the ambiguity. I buy the Victorian model, sh160: http://www.vintageshirt.co.uk/show_item.php?itemtitle=C19th%20bib%20front%20shirt&itemcat=shirts&aspect=p These are the type I had made in the fair trade cotton. However, the owner will make any of her range in this cotton ...

Dear SV and other Gentlemen, For advice that has taken so long to supply, I am sorry this is so short. However, I am pleased to report that www.vintageshirt.co.uk will make up their shirts in an organic, un-bleached, fair trade, cotton, that meets the usual ethical criteria. Naturally, there is a pr...

Dear Gentlemen, I think "further research is needed", in the time-honoured phrase, but the above discussion made me wonder whether a piece of large card, cut to size, could be used as a 'flat' around which one could fold each shirt before packing. I am assuming if one travels by car, there is no nee...

Dear Manself, Thank you for your contribution, and making me giggle with the reference about dressing for dinner in hard times. I will make a note to search that one out. One should not forget the aspect of gentle self-parody as well: 'Mad Englishmen' sitting down for dinner in their sultry jungle c...

Dear Marcelo,

Thank you so much for such a prompt reply. It is the very topic. I tried "ethical", "sweat-shop", and other variations, but the Search box yielded nothing! I will draft my 'report' this evening. Thanks again.

Dear Gentlemen, Please forgive what is probably my incompetance at searching, but I remember a discussion about sources of ethical, fair trade, minimum-wage, &c., cloth for clothing, before the L.L.'s suspension. I forget the gentleman's pen-name, but I said I would investigate shirts, and am please...

My apologies for not adding to this thread sooner; it is an honour to debate with you all. I find Marcelo's analogy with gardens delightful. I think my summary would be that 'if one is to be hanged for a sheep as a lamb, wear that costume you think most attractive'. I invoke a passage from N.J.S.'s ...

Dear Gentlemen, Please may I add a few words, as an increasingly obsessive luggage lister and packer, and one inspired by the travel anthology: DARKWOOD, Vic [pseud.] - 'The Lost Art of Travel', London, 2006, ...to travel in as 'Grand Victorian' a style as possible without porters and valet. First I...

Just a quick note to add:

http://www.jeevesofbelgravia.co.uk/

although I have not used them. I have used Barkers only once, for a shirt, so do not feel qualified yet to pass judgment.