STYLE & ERROR

Fancied these Choos (click) from the side, as they’re shot in the look book (Jimmy that is, not Fo Man*). The name is Bedford. The colour, Cognac, is particularly fanciable. Am now a trifle cautious about them. Can do Chukka, but never got on with Chelsea types (boots that is, not Sloanes). These aren’t really Chelsea, but more a zip-Chelsea fusion thing. They’re beautifully made things, and the shapes is good, just get the odd glimpse of what looks like those tan pull on boots workmen wear.

They’re just a touch more rounded, wider and rocker-esque than what one is used to. That said they’re madly elegant, and will adjust. In light of being revved up by Trussardis AW12 show (click) gonna see how they drop with a suit. Whadda ya fink? Boots and suits or smart strides has got to be the way forward (no one say S&B’d for Christs sake- men’s dressing cliche lyric No.1)

Gonna give it a whirl, but just don’t think can handle with demin. Too, too rocker for me. Maybe there is a new direction ahead that not aware of, but doubt it. Talking of new direction, one notices the kids are wearing Dr.Martin’s again. Bless. Here they are (see video) second time around. What are we on now? Fifth I reckon. Mr.Hare says about once every five years using his special shoe equation. Any more offers?

Stubbs out.

Take it away Feargal…

* who wears a Mandarin collar FYI.

“I feel the need. The need for tweed..” says Lord Gilbert Hartlip to Sir Randolph Nettleby in The Shooting Party (click). I so, so hate to mention the weather, but despite being May, felt need for a bit of Donegal tweed two-piece Kilgour action when visited Burberry HQ yesterday on Horseferry Road*. Burberry’s AW12 collection has re-contexturlised tweed in one move. Suddenly young fashion bods are very interested in herringbone and Donegal, materials with visible trad-Brit textures and all that**. Awfully good to know, as prepping shoot for Glamour magazine. Three British Actors in Burberry. What could be more agreeable?

Burberry team had prepped a little room full of gear that could pull, both Prosum and London collections. Mainline Prosum is really very strong for AW12,  but samples seem double, double small. I can barely get it on. Wonder if the actors can method their way into the gear?

Got a small squad of trench coats too, obviously, but they’re from London line and not in the runway show. In the shop on Bond Street found a inky-dark blue leather one. Leather trenches are gonna be a thing. Trust me. This isn’t a trench below, obviously, but its quite good though, no? If I was an actor, reckon would be quite pleased with it.

Thats enough now I reckon. What is notable is my Kilgour suit is completely different looking to this new gear. Longer coat, more relaxed pants and that, a different method entirely. Thought would mention.

Also thought would mention my flagrant importation of DAKS into the Burberry strong hold. Also the photo id they have dates back to 2008. Didn’t realise last few years have taken such a toll. Gulp.

Let ya know how it goes with the luvvies. Sure will be a right old Brit-hoot.

Stubbs out.

*My route from Clapton was off the hook savvy, trust me. Double bridge flex? Oh fuck yes: Shoreditch, Bishopsgate, London bridge, Lambeth bridge, Smith Square and bowling with my brolly in 35mins flat. Done. Roof off, Donegal out, Tautz herringbone flying in the wind. If only everything was this…

**Not so much the green/brown sludgy gear those mugs on the Tweed Run wear. God they’re are proper mugs, aren’t they? Spare us.

Mr.Bobby’s GQ lunch with Shanghai Tang at the Corinthia Hotel was very good fun indeed. It was bound to be with a host like Bob in a pincer movement with the journalist known as Prince, also from GQ. Assembled was Mr.Hare, Mr.Hudson, Mr.Grant, Miss Lou Dalton, Mr.Walker-Smith, young Charlie Casely-Hayford and a couple of other style bods. We were gathered to celebrate the Mandarin Collar Society with Shanghai Tang (click), Bobby even wearing one to great effect. Not sure if the rest of us will be able to pull it off with such aplomb.

Security was more ‘pragmatic’ than tight outside the Corinthia Hotel yesterday.

-Regatta blazer by Gieves FYI. Think shirt works very well like that, but it’s difficult to see how might in other scenarios. Like, other than hosting a lunch to celebrate the Mandarin collar, know what I mean? Certain fellas can do it, but needs to be functioning on a different, international level. John Barnes, MOTD circa ‘92 for example. Still, nice to ‘raise awareness’ I suppose. Nice to have a bit of a giggle at lunchtime too.

It was moments like these that Gregory so wished he had real hands.

Met this bloke  (with Bobby above)  who had a mysteriously long coat on, almost in the manner of Lord Valdermatey out of the Danny Potter films. Know what I mean? It was a look with impact. Elegant. Unusual. Did a Style Stance with him later on the Embankment. Would put it up, but some of you lot just do straight abuse and it puts people off ever doing Stances. That’s buggered it right up to be honest, so might not even post. Meanwhile, Charlie Casely-Hayford, a young person, looked good in father’s Casely-Hayford line outerwear.

Best smart deployment of a Doctor Martin-esque boot seen in this particular ‘coming’, (must be the fifth ‘coming’ by now). Used to call ours Martin’s BTW. Mar’ins, if pronounced right, not proudly D.M.s, as people imagine.

I wore me new Rake dark airforce blue double-breasted light flannel suit, pink shirt, vintage Hermes tie and co-respondent Ferragamos. Got a picture, but is a trifle too DIY. Getting on with ‘work’ now and shall consider releasing the Style Stance good behaviour pending. Seriously though, I plan to do more of those on here and direct abuse from bods is just gonna get spammed. Right spam heads? Below is Mr.Hudson, in Hardy Amies.

Stubbs out.

PS. This is a shoe cluster, l-r, David Walker Smith in Prada, I think, Stubbs in Ferragamo, I know, Dr.Hare in Mr.Hare, natch.

Was trying to write about shoes, but had the sparks round to look at the hall lighting scene. Which is just fine. Not these shoes mind, but they are worth looking at. They’re by Car Shoe, AW12. Think Car Shoe has sneaked ahead of Tod’s on the creative driving shoe verve for a season. Tod’s have done other nice stuff,  but the Gommino remains static. This shoe is in ‘Bright’ calf. A bit like cordovan, but not. Means is dead supple and takes the colour well, am thinking. It’s very dark green. NB.There are other green shoes a foot at mo’.

Blow me they’ve done a few. That’s a winning strategy right there. Highly grained, an antique burnish, and fringe. Woah. So, so Corbett circa ‘87.

Loving this shit: Would have pounced on these guys below a few years ago. Afraid might be trifle long in the canine for them now. Shame.

Car Shoe have done their New Bond Street shop up all nice and smart now, see below. Okay, off to GQ- Shanghai Tadger lunch at Corinthia. Bobby Johnston is hostin’ it so don’t wanna be late. Don’t no whether do don Donegal or to break out the Orlebars…

Stubbs out.

Saturdays drive from Clapton to Knightsbridge was madly exhilarating. There’s nothing like over doing the pre-match prep and leaving it double tight to make it without pushing things and getting lucky too. Roof off, on-the-edge route planning, secret back-streets, little traffic and much speed on the first summery evening of the year conspired with a backdrop of Stevie – Music of My Mind (click) then Roxy’s first album (click) to produce a racy, stylish adrenaline high. Park Lane is a like a race track sometimes, everyone drives flat out nose to nose. Very exciting for a legal and apparently sanctioned buzz. Pulled up outside the The Berkley with the last bars of Virginia Plain ringing out (click) feeling really quite high indeed. Warhol was bang on about this. It’s so often the journey that is the best bit.

So went for DB Ferragamo in leu of a blazer, Uniqlo stone jeans, and Sergio Rossi nautically knotted loafers. Sailing knot detail was tongue in cheek mind, made me smirk if not the sailing lot. Added a bit of gold to the tie proceedings to avert straightness and increase the already ranking D.Trotter quotient. They were a double straight lot at the Yacht club, as expected. The newly wed Baroness and pals were in marvellous spirits and acted as a foil. Clubs are odd places, even if they do overlook Hyde Park.

This is a bit of gold trophy that was on our table, my dining companion, non-sailing type, put it on her head FA Cup style shortly after. The cup was first given in 1846 and was called ‘Secret’. Didn’t find out what it means though, as when the yachties started singing in teams, (a stylistic cross between Christmas carols and sea shanties delivered with the listless energy of a choir-based detention in comprehensive school slow stream), I was compelled to leave. Sorry if too early Baroness darlink.

Stance sign off: Tie is Burberry, shirt is Emmett and the collar is supposed to stand clear like that. Another non-yacht club anti-straightening device. Gold t necklace by Toby McLellan, personal order. As reader Beau pointed out a club/regimental tie would have been too, too on brand, but do not possess such a thing so was safe from conformist error.

The journey out and bus retrieval of the Saab from Knightsbridge today was less of an adrenaline buzz than entry to the scene. Not sure what to take from that experience wise. Might refer back to Andy on this one. He loved a blazer and regimental tie, right?

Stubbs out.

PS. Warhol avidly wore Brookes Bros. striped club ties. Mr.Porter have done something on this matter (click)