The London Lounge

Thank you gentlemen. Studs it is. But which ones ? Decisions decisions.....

I've recently bought an evening -dress shirt with pleats. I've always previously had Marcella fronts but I felt like a change. Here's my question. Should I fasten up the front with the buttons or use studs ? The shirt has provision for both ( if you remove the buttons there's a button hole next to w...

I've recently bought an evening -dress shirt with pleats. I've always previously had Marcella fronts but I felt like a change. Here's my question. Should I fasten up the front with the buttons or use studs ? The shirt has provision for both ( if you remove the buttons there's a button hole next to w...

I didn't go in .. I was unimpressed by the look of the place , though I'm sure its very good. Their tubs of shaving cream appear to cost about 3 times as much as (say) Trumpers. On one of the photos on their website there's a bottle of Trumper's Coral Skinfood visible. Loud harrumphing from me and I...

Have you looked at www.tusting.co.uk. And www.chapmanbags.com ?

I called in to the new H and K last week. Shirts still obviously the same quality and cut but £155 !!. A great shame as I also got the impression that the range of merchandise has shrunk rather..they used to have shirts in styles and materials that you wouldn't see anywhere else (a bit like Budd's e...

I have a large Delta Dolcevita Ballpoint bought in Bologna. Lurid orange colour but very fond of it. Also use a hexagonal silver Yard O Led. Bought at Heathrow , prior to said trip to Bologna. Very fond also of a Lamy 2000 ballpoint.

It's about time they got their act together. The branch on the Piccadilly side is overloaded with stock and the staff never seem very clued up on their product and while pleasant , they really don't seem to "get" the product they're selling, though their window display is always inspiring. In contra...

There's no contest I know, I know - cutting is best for many reasons BUT.. antique silver piercers are very collectable and if the cigar is of a shorter length then there isn't that much build up of tar/heat etc around the internal end of the cigar that's usually cited as the argument against pierci...

Try the Pitti Palace. Reassuringly reasonable in price..very comfortable but a bit chain-ish (which I like) but has all you need, nice staff and bang in the centre of town . Don't forget to eat at The Trattoria 4 Leoni..great value and atmosphere

Never been to a Bullfight but I've been round the Bullring in Seville which was enormous. In the pecking order of Bullrings they see themselves as Manchester United or Chelsea ie BIG.

I'm being taken away by Mrs Charles for my birthday soon to Milan then Venice. Looks like it would be a crime not to take a chance on Antica Barbieria Colla ( www.anticabarbieriacolla.it ) while in Milan . I could research phrases to use but it might be more fun to just say the Italian equivalent of...

I'm going to be in San Francisco meeting up with friends (also from the UK) on 4th of July. We arrive on that very date so there'll be no time for local research and reconnaissance. We need to go somewhere mid -priced with a good atmosphere from where we can see the fireworks. Are there any ideas ou...

While you're all in Berk after your martinis, take a look at the camel hair knitwear there. Berk is the only place I know to buy it. It feels like a cross between good quality lambswool and cashmere and I love it. Only one colour option- camel. You'll get change from £200 as well so you can drown yo...

Since I'm never going to be asked to appear as a guest on the fabled show, I'm putting together my 8 pieces of music, thinking of my one luxury and my chosen book. Not easy . Do any other Loungers harbour a desire to be on the show ?
More later....