'Bespoke' for the everyman (online)

My desire to own bespoke clothing and accessories is well documented on the blog. There seems to be a reinvention of 'bespoke' on the high street (really we all know that it is made to measure marketed as bespoke) for the greater market, making it cheaper and much more accessible in the process. One of the most well known "new bespoke" service is NikeiD, which as we know allows trainer fans to choose from more than 54 different shoe styles and an almost limitless catalogue of colours, materials and fittings to create their own ideal pair.

However, I have recently stumbled across the news that my Nan's favourite store has now entered the market. That's right, Marks & Spencer is offering a new bespoke (made-to-measure) shirt service for men from as little as £30...£30! As well as a choice of 30 fabrics, there are different cuffs, collars and pockets, plus a monogrammed option. I have had limited experience with the fit of M&S shirts up until now, although I have been impressed with the resurgence of the store and in particular the Autograph range.

I forgot to mention, you can do it all online. In four simple steps a user is able to design the perfect shirt made-to-measure just for them. You can customize as many or as few features as you wish. All you need to do is have your height, weight and collar size measurements to hand. M&S's biometric technology will do the rest, resulting in a perfect fit and are delivered within 21 days of placing the order (or so they claim - I am a little disturbed that they didn't take any more measurements, like chest, arm, waist...)

My choice is above. I went for a luxurious white poplin, with a round colour, monogrammed hem and of course a tailored fit. I will update you in 21 days once the shirt is delivered. I have no idea what to expect to be honest.

Are gentlemen a dying breed?

EJ passed an interesting article featured in the Times and it got me thinking (I've subsequently seen the article featured on Getkempt and the delightful The Sunday Best). The articles concern was whether or not the gentleman in 21st-century Britain is a dying breed, literally and figuratively. If it is indeed an endangered species, is this because the very notion is anachronistic, a product of a bygone age that has no great relevance in today's society? Quite possibly. Dunhill's director of brand imagery (man I wish I had a title like that), Yann Debelle de Montby somewhat vaguely describes a true gentleman as someone who is “gallant and generous. One can be gentle but remain firm, determined and retain a great sense of humour.” Since the Victorian era the the word "gentleman" came in common use to signify not a distinction of blood (as it had done previously) but a distinction of position, education and manners. I certainly think that paragons of good manners, dignity and charm are increasingly rare in 21st-century Britain and that is a sad thing.

Are these chaps a dying breed? They certainly are trying hard...me thinks a little too hard

As this is a men's style blog, let's get down to what really matters...the clothes! Throughout history one of the most obvious ways to detect a gentlemen was the way they were dressed. However, in recent years the gentleman's uniform of well cut pressed suit, polished shoes, groomed hair and freshly shaven appearance have been abandoned. Men can no longer doff the hat to the ladies they see because...well men just don't wear hats anymore!

“It is ungentlemanly to even refer to oneself as one [a gentleman],” Fergus Henderson

The article describes a new breed of gentleman like restaurateur Fergus Henderson (as shown above) who wears everything from overals, classic suits to jeans. If the modern gentleman does still exist he is certainly much more difficult to pick out in a crowd!

If you want to be modern gentleman, the articles gave 10 pointers...I need to work on a couple...EJ will tell you I need to take note of point number 2!

How to be a (modern) gentleman

1. Some things don't change: say please and thank you and ask questions about other people rather than talk about yourself.

2. Be punctual. Tardiness does not make you look important, it turns you into an arrogant incompetent who thinks that his time is more important than other people's.

3. The modern gentleman cares about the planet. Be environmentally aware (but not obnoxious about it).

4. Open doors for people and stand up when they enter a room, but do this for men as well as women. The modern gentleman doesn't treat women like porcelain.

5. Be modest. Bragging is distinctly ungentlemanly.

6. Be a good father. Nothing is less charming than a man who leaves childcare to women.

7. Be honest about wherever you have come from in life. Pretension is spineless.

8. Flirt - with everyone. Good flirting is a form of politeness. Pay compliments and put your companion at ease.

9. Do not phone/text/check your BlackBerry incessantly.

10. Dress tidily. Whatever style you are going for, scruffiness just isn't in.

If all this interests you I certainly recommend a vist to The Chap

This one's for J

Ok, ok, so maybe Puma DO do some pretty nice trainers after all. I read about this new collaboration via the ever lovely Sneaker Freaker (I have to avoid reading too often as we already have a slightly ludicrous number of Adidas boxes in the flat housing half of my CD collection). Just to mix things up, it's a three way collaboration between Puma, trainer retailer Atmos and (here's where it gets weird) wildlife photographer Mitsuaki Iwago. Odd. Each is inspired by an endangered animal... seriously, I can't believe I'm writing this about a blinking trainer; this must be one of the oddest trainer collaborations and concepts that I've heard of in a while

They're, shall we say, variable in the style stakes. The one below, based on... well, a seal I guess, is my favourite. I love the blue base which is just see through enough to evoke the icy waters. I'm also a sucker for spots and dots of all kinds.




I quite like the penguin ones too, but can't quite work out what you'd wear them with to show them off. Short perhaps? The Ibis pair are pretty cool, but I suspect you wouldn't really be able to appreciate the delicate pattern when wearing them. Plus, I'm aware that some people just aren't that into pink. The Panda pair though? Meh. Just meh.

180. Things to make my heart sing | Moustache

Joy!

My dear readers, this is how you make me happy. You grow a freaking moustache. Thank you Thomas. Thank you!

(Oh, and sorry for blogging about one of your pictures before you got the chance to, but I'm excited!)