The London Lounge

Except that they look like different suits.

Polo players wear a polo shirt with team colours, similar to other team sports. During most other equestrian activities riders wear hacking jackets. Traditionally these would have flapped pockets.

Generally flapped pockets come from hacking jackets. I have a older example from around 1970 that has flaps on all pockets. I assume the idea was to prevent things fallling out.

"the idea is that you show that you follow the tradition with a slight reluctance - resulting in a studied scruffiness"

I would add, for those who were not born on these shores, that this is the unconscious aim of most men in the UK. It starts with school uniform.

All wealth started somewhere and was often grabbed rather than hard won, but there we are. Nobody likes a show off though.

Here, here! Wash at low temperature, do not tumble dry. All cotton shrinks to a degree, usually during the first few washes.

The ones I have on now have got holes in (Budd birdseye pattern). There is nothing for it - think I shall have to purchase a darning needle.

I could buy 365 pairs and then boast about the longevity of my year old socks.

Their ready to wear offering always was of quality in terms of make. I hope their classic cut shirts will remain to be of high quality and UK made. They are priced accordingly, e.g at over £200 for a linen shirt. Of course you cannot ever compare fit with bespoke. I for one am not keen on their rece...

I am not necessarily knocking the quality, I have heard of 100 Hands. I do say buyer beware though. For a company that prides itself in cutting on the premises and making in its own UK factory, all is not always as it seems.

The new forum is much better by the way, so thanks Alden and team. I used to be a made to measure customer of Stephen shirts but switched to Budd ready to wear. Although their ready to wear shirts are rather easy fitting, some would say overly so, I prefer their higher quality and more generous coll...

It is worth putting your clothes in a deep freeze for a few days. Make sure they are wrapped in a plastic bag first. You can then spray your wardrobe.

Let me know how the Marylebone menders turn out - I have a tweed suit with a moth hole in the trousers that requires repair. Good luck!

One of my coats, which a black and white herringbone overcoat has mottled dark grey and brown horn buttons. They are very neutral.

Out of interest, do you think you can carry off plain grey flannel with no bells and whistles as a stand alone coat?

I use others for my 'posh' socks. The beauty of Viccel is that you don't have to care about them too much, so they suit days wearing casual trousers or when you are at home. See this in the context of the fact that my average day revolves around sitting in front of the computer at home. For example...