The London Lounge

I have mentioned these before, but we all know there are certain magical clothing firms who are icons of style for many of us here: Cordings, Marinella, Rubinacci, Charvet, Arnys (and I agree with Alden's critical assessment of their style after reviewing their catalogue but they are nevertheless inspirational). These are the names that occur to me easily.

In any event, I wish we could have seasonal fashion updates about what they are offering, not because I am so into RTW (I am not at all) but I can still be inspired and moved by beautiful fashion.

Do Cordings, Marinella or Charvet do anything different year to year?

Charvet ties may change slightly, but the shirts evolve glacially. Years ago, when I was saner and would not have spent the money I do on a bespoke shirt, I remember reading in GQ that Charvet had designed a shirt that one could wear with a button open and no inside stitch visible. They certainly haven't made a big deal out of that.

Unlike the British makers, who do sort of follow and reflect certain trends, Charvet has not gone all stripey in recent years, and while its Italian collar may be available in MTO I certainly haven't seen it in RTW, thank God.

I have the Marinella book that came out some years ago (very pretty), and every pattern in there could be from this season, and every pattern I glimpsed at the Georges V could be in that book. Moreover, the old Marinellas on ebay are have patterns that look similar to today's.

Oh, I'll send you your Dandy magazine the first day I bill less than 20 hours.

Stop, stop, you will have me feeling sorry for you in spite of your morning baguette, daily walks to Charvet and les femmes francaises....