HERE AND NOW

[Clouseau]

I spent a couple of days with my family in London.
Last time I went there was three and a half years ago, just before the lockdown(s).
Of course the city hasn’t changed much but I noticed that some small shops disappeared, probably the result of the Brexit, the Covid crisis and the lockdown, the inflation…
The winners are the flagship stores and the high street shops, that were already numerous a couple of years ago, and that today reign without rivals.

I was for example surprised that a band once symbol of counter culture has now its own shop(s) selling its merchandising…

Or that a Parisian team also has its shop in London (sadly it’s true that they are better at selling jerseys that playing C1)

And contemporary artists too seem to have a great sense of business, as the shop selling goods is bigger than the exhibit…

So finally, against all odds, I found some interesting stuff… at TKMaxx. A well cut Fred Perry traditional fly-fronted Mac made in London (perfect isn’t it ?) for them by "London Tradition" (a Hackney-based specialist in British heritage outerwear). A nice find at 70% off. I had an eye on it for a while but the retail price was too high. I also bring back a certain book that was given to me by the hotel staff.

 

[sussi]

I spent a couple of days with my family in London.
Last time I went there was three and a half years ago, just before the lockdown(s).
Of course the city hasn’t changed much but I noticed that some small shops disappeared, probably the result of the Brexit, the Covid crisis and the lockdown, the inflation…
The winners are the flagship stores and the high street shops, that were already numerous a couple of years ago, and that today reign without rivals.

I was for example surprised that a band once symbol of counter culture has now its own shop(s) selling its merchandising…
View attachment 2057511

Or that a Parisian team also has its shop in London (sadly it’s true that they are better at selling jerseys that playing C1)
View attachment 2057513

And contemporary artists too seem to have a great sense of business, as the shop selling goods is bigger than the exhibit…
View attachment 2057515

So finally, against all odds, I found some interesting stuff… at TKMaxx. A well cut Fred Perry traditional Mac made in London (perfect isn’t it ?) for them by "London Tradition" (a Hackney-based specialist in British heritage outerwear). A nice find at 70% off. I had an eye on it for a while but the retail price was too high. I also bring back a certain book that was given to me by the hotel staff.
View attachment 2057523
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To se a PSG shop in London is really crazy. But it just shows how strong Nike and Jordan brand are at the moment. And for Banksy and Rollins Stones shops I don't even know what to say.

 

[Clouseau]

FRIDAY CHALLENGE - A WATCH AND AN OUTFIT

Time for a new Friday Challenge ! Be it CM, CM casual, or SW&D, it's always nice to combine watch with clothes. Rules are simple : you don't have to show your face if you don't want to, but your outfit and your watch, full-length photo or portrait mode. A simple wrist shot won't qualify, but...

www.styleforum.net

Still running !

 

[Swampster]

I spent a couple of days with my family in London.
Last time I went there was three and a half years ago, just before the lockdown(s).
Of course the city hasn’t changed much but I noticed that some small shops disappeared, probably the result of the Brexit, the Covid crisis and the lockdown, the inflation…
The winners are the flagship stores and the high street shops, that were already numerous a couple of years ago, and that today reign without rivals.

I was for example surprised that a band once symbol of counter culture has now its own shop(s) selling its merchandising…
View attachment 2057511

Or that a Parisian team also has its shop in London (sadly it’s true that they are better at selling jerseys that playing C1)
View attachment 2057513

And contemporary artists too seem to have a great sense of business, as the shop selling goods is bigger than the exhibit…
View attachment 2057515

So finally, against all odds, I found some interesting stuff… at TKMaxx. A well cut Fred Perry traditional fly-fronted Mac made in London (perfect isn’t it ?) for them by "London Tradition" (a Hackney-based specialist in British heritage outerwear). A nice find at 70% off. I had an eye on it for a while but the retail price was too high. I also bring back a certain book that was given to me by the hotel staff.
View attachment 2057523
View attachment 2057521

Nice find on the mac. I haven't had much luck in TK Maxx for a while. I was very unimpressed with the ones on Charing Cross Rd and Oxford St. I guess it must have been the one near Covent Garden which seemed better, though my main reason for going in was that it was raining so much I needed a coat. I bought a cheap mac, though it looks okay and fitted me better than the London Fog I tried. I don't suppose LF are anything like they were in the past and quite honestly I only recognised the name because of Mad Men.

Nice of them to give you the book. I thought Daltrey came across as still having a number of chips on his shoulder. I found him more likeable, though, than Graham Nash - my wife bought me his autobiography recently. He particularly seems to revel in his reminiscences of the counter culture but a lot of them seem very abusive to my modern sensibilities.

 

[Clouseau]

Nice find on the mac. I haven't had much luck in TK Maxx for a while. I was very unimpressed with the ones on Charing Cross Rd and Oxford St. I guess it must have been the one near Covent Garden which seemed better, though my main reason for going in was that it was raining so much I needed a coat. I bought a cheap mac, though it looks okay and fitted me better than the London Fog I tried. I don't suppose LF are anything like they were in the past and quite honestly I only recognised the name because of Mad Men.

Nice of them to give you the book. I thought Daltrey came across as still having a number of chips on his shoulder. I found him more likeable, though, than Graham Nash - my wife bought me his autobiography recently. He particularly seems to revel in his reminiscences of the counter culture but a lot of them seem very abusive to my modern sensibilities.

Actually it was at the one near Tottenham Ct Rd (so I guess the Charing cross one) that I bought the FP Mac. It’s the oldest one I know, the Covent Garden and Oxford st ones are more recent. Like says @Yorky, TK Maxx is always hit and miss. First time I went in I saw nothing of interest, mainly winter puffer jackets ! I was with my kids so I couldn’t search too long, so I came back later when they where resting at the Hotel, to have more time to search, and found the only gem in the shop… This FP Mac is really nice, will try to take a fit pic, weather was great when I was in London last week, but it’s raining cats and dogs since I’m back to Paris, so I could check it is really rainproof!... I also went to the two other TKs you mentioned and nothing really interesting. Just saw at the one on Oxford st a load of Previous collection FP x Cox MBs and Tassels, but they only came in size 8 !… I also saw some burgundy Loake boots with air soles that looked like DMs, and worthy of mention Loake black brogue boots with Dainite soles, but the price wasn’t really appealing. Otherwise frankly it was not interesting at all.

I didn’t start to read the Daltrey book yet. It was on a table at the hotel lobby, new and unread like a couple of other books. I asked if I could borrow it, and they told me they were happy to give it to me.

 

[Byrone]

Nice find indeed Clouseau !

 

[Clouseau]

Nice find indeed Clouseau !

Thanks ! I posted a fit pic there :

FRIDAY CHALLENGE - A WATCH AND AN OUTFIT

A Hamilton Khaki Automatic on a Crown&Buckle chevron strap. Love! I just got on the Hamilton wagon and picked up an intramatic panda. Next, I think I have to score one of the Khaki Fields! What mm do you have? 38?

www.styleforum.net

Fred Perry Mac
PRL poplin BD
Uniqlo « vintage » Chino
Unseen FP belt
Unseen Solovair loafers

 

[Clouseau]

Really pleased with my somewhat recent purchase of a Tudor “Ranger” model. Swiss movement, self-winding, and the same guts as Rolex without the price tag. Reminds me of ‘60s-‘70s Rolex Oysters maybe.
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I hope to see this great watch and an outfit of yours in the FC mate !
Deadline November 19

FRIDAY CHALLENGE - A WATCH AND AN OUTFIT

Time for a new Friday Challenge ! Be it CM, CM casual, or SW&D, it's always nice to combine watch with clothes. Rules are simple : you don't have to show your face if you don't want to, but your outfit and your watch, full-length photo or portrait mode. A simple wrist shot won't qualify, but...

www.styleforum.net

 

[Kingstonian]

Regarding raincoats, I recently attempted to get a raincoat ‘reproofed’ having seen a dry cleaner that offered the service.

However, they were reluctant to reproof mine - a poly cotton Aquascutum. They said they first wash the coats before the reproof and were worried about shrinkage.

 

[Clouseau]

Long time since the last poor selfie…
Barbour flat cap
Baracuta G10
FP scarf
Celio gusset sweatshirt
FP belt
LVC 551zxx (needs more turn ups)
DM Steed MiE

 

[Lupin 3]

Good look Clouseau!

 

[Clouseau]

Go vote!

FC watch/outfit VOTING THREAD

Friday Challenge : A watch and an outfit - Voting thread It's time for the poll. Up to 4 votes are allowed. Here is a link to the original thread if you want to have a look at all the pictures posted (as i only kept one per contestant)...

www.styleforum.net

 

[Mr Knightley]

Not HERE AND NOW but one day last week in the unloved Barbour Liddesdale, Nudie Straight Alf jeans, a new Charles Tyrwhitt jersey polo shirt (first purchase from them for about three years) under a Smedley Sea Island cotton v-neck (not really visible), Clark's desert boots and Bates cap.

 

[Clouseau]

Maybe more Here and now @Mr Knightley, the new Uniqlo X Engineered Garments collab…
I bought the winter parka. I was at first puzzled by the EG style back pockets, but no more hesitation after I tried it on, and on a black jacket it’s rather discreet (it exists in two other colours, brown and Olive green). Of course not to the taste of everyone. A very good point for me is the thick cotton canvas outer, while I was expecting man made fibers. Heattech lining. Excellent EG detailing, with drawstrings and poppers allowing to adjust almost everything. And for a fraction of the price of any EG item. Blown away by the quality of the garment.

 

[Mr Knightley]

Maybe more Here and now @Mr Knightley, the new Uniqlo X Engineered Garments collab…
I bought the winter parka. I was at first puzzled by the EG style back pockets, but no more hesitation after I tried it on, and on a black jacket it’s rather discreet (it exists in two other colours, brown and Olive green). Of course not to the taste of everyone. A very good point for me is the thick cotton canvas outer, while I was expecting man made fibers. Heattech lining. Excellent EG detailing, with drawstrings and poppers allowing to adjust almost everything. And for a fraction of the price of any EG item. Blown away by the quality of the garment.


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That looks great! I must investigate. More H&N than a Barbour!