Black on Blue on Blue on Black!!

The more that I spend time here in England and the more this crappy weather prevails, the more I find myself wearing black and blue, together. Two to three years ago, I would have condemned this, but as the weather here is so unpredictable (literally being able to see 4 seasons within 10 minutes time), I constantly fear getting caught in a torrential downpour and ruining a pair of non-black shoes. Therefore, when I see rain on the forecast (which is constant these days), I reach for my trusty Miro loafers by Septieme Largeur. They are good looking, they go with everything (almost) and are comfortable...what more can I ask for, really? In all honesty, I would prefer it is brown suede, but when could I wear it? Never! But as time goes on, and my wildness tones down, I find myself appreciating more and more the pairing of these two colors, so long as somewhere in the outfit I have something that does not make me look so monotone.....like my socks. Gosh, I am such a hypocrite, aren't I??? Oh well, whatever!

Shoes: Septieme Largeur
Jacket: Gieves & Hawkes
Sweater (jumper): Intimissimi
Shirt: Primark
Tie: TK Maxx brand
Trousers: Zara

What I Am Wearing - My First Bespoke Suit!

I have finally received my first bespoke suit and I absolutely love it!! There is quite a long story behind getting it, however I really can't divulge too much on that but let's just say that it was a collaboration of artisans that put it together. This means, that it was cut by Chittleborough & Morgan (hence the wide lapel influence from Tommy Nutter), and then put together by a trouser maker at Huntsman and a jacket maker at Gieves & Hawkes....the beauty of being positioned on The Row.... As you may be able to see it was made of a navy flannel, something that I won't get to wear too many more times before summer hits. So, at first chance of some cold weather, I decided to put it on, take some snaps and show all of you. However it was going to be a rainy day, and for the sake of not ruining my nice brown shoes, I decided to go with my black Hugo Boss loafers. But this was my downfall....as I later realized that by doing this, I was participating in the act that I love to hate: seeing men wearing beautiful suits with non-correlating shoes, aka crap shoes. While not saying that my shoes are really crap, but next to a bespoke suit, they are. I instantly regretted it but couldn't really do anything about it so sucked it up and promised to never do it again..... And I just want to thank all of those that purchased my old shoes, because the money you exchanged me for them, went straight to this suit, something that I will cherish for the rest of my life!

What I Am Wearing

One of the biggest perks about working at a tailor's shop (apart from the amazing alterations that I manage to sneak in) is the fact that I get to take part in some of the best deals, like sample sales and private sales for the staff. Recently there was a sale for all of the staff of G&H of which they were offering some of the archival pieces from their military collection. A lot of this stuff was bespoke made and aged in range from 5-50+ years. It was on a first come first serve basis, so I managed to get in early and nab a couple of brilliant pieces such as this double-breasted naval blazer. Luckily for me, none of the insignia that typically adorns naval clothing was affixed to the jacket, so there were minimal alterations, especially considering the fact that it was as if the gentleman that they made it for was identical to me, only from the 1970's. Nevertheless, I have been very fortunate in my time here with being able to acquire some lovely clothing, and I must say that it has been a great pleasure having this advantage! (Sorry don't mean to rub it in...)

Shoes: Septieme Largeur
Blazer: Gieves & Hawkes
Trousers: H&M
Shirt: TK Maxx brand
Tie: XMI 

Shoes Of The Week - Aubercy Penny Loafers

The last shape of these loafers, by Aubercy, is absolutely stunning!! It's literally at that level, where it's perfect. Not too pointy, yet not too round either. Just right. And that's hard to do, truly. But I think that I have to say, that this just might have taken the lead in the race for my favorite black loafer. Everything about this shoe screams elegance and beauty. And it would seem that Aubercy is always hitting the nail on the head, but it's so hard to find them selling anywhere outside of France (with the exception of Leffot in NYC). As I have been noticing with my Miro loafer (in black) by Septieme Largeur, a beautiful model such as this, can take you a long way in the outfit department. There are not many things (literally) that you can't wear a pair like this with. They are elegant enough to pair with suits, yet loafer(y) enough to throw on with some nice jeans or casual trousers.....And the more that I wear my Miro's, the more that I think that I need a second pair, so that they don't wear out so quick....hmmmm....

Picture Courtesy Of: Depiedencap

What I Am Wearing

It's been quite a lovely Fall/Winter season here in London, weather-wise, which has allowed me to wear things that would be otherwise saved for the Spring/Summer, such as this light gray Prince of Wales (POW) suit. While I think that I have only been able to wear it once (as it was just recently completed), I am eagerly awaiting the warmer weather to be able to flaunt it's beauty. I had always wanted a POW suit and now that I finally have one, I am excited to see all of the wonderful combinations that I can create with it. Here, unfortunately, I went the boring route with my black loafers, as even though the weather might have been relatively nice, you just never know when it might start raining. And to take a chance with my shoes, for me, is just a no-no. But as soon as Spring comes, you can bet that the browns, blues, suedes and tans will be the only shoes that I will be pairing with this suit....

Shoes: Miro by Septieme Largeur
Suit: Old bespoke, altered for me by Chittleborough & Morgan
Shirt: Can't remember, but not Primark this time...from TK Maxx (in US = TJ Maxx)
Tie: Either XMI or Ike Behar

What I Am Wearing

One of the funniest things about growing up, is doing things that you always said that you wouldn't. Obviously, what I am referring to is not something that dire, but it is still hypocritical of me nonetheless and that is the fact that I continuously find myself wearing black shoes with navy trousers. Granted, this was not something that I was so against, but rather preached that navy was always better complimented with brown. Yet, in Europe, where one finds themselves walking about much more than one does in America (in a big city), the prospect of rain, sleet, snow or whatever coming, scares me from wearing and thus possibly ruining my light colored shoes. Therefore, I find myself putting on black shoes and dark trousers, as they are much harder to stain. What's even funnier, is that as I put this together more often, I quite like it, especially since it allows me to wear a bold color sock and have a nice contrast between my shoes, socks and trousers...

Shoes: Miro by Septieme Largeur
Trousers: H&M
Sweater (jumper): Primark
Socks: Duchamp
Tie: XMI Platinum
Dress shirt: Primark

What I Am Wearing

It's funny how much things can change in such a short time. I used to try my absolute hardest to not wear black shoes. It's not because I did not like them nor wanted to be so different, but more so wanted to be adventurous and see what I could conjure up with shoes that were not 'safe' and 'easy.' But since moving to the capitol city of gray skies (where it might go from rainy to sunny 5 times in one day), I have noticed myself gravitating towards these lovely loafers, more than once within the same week. Call me a maniac, but I try to not repeat shoes within the same week. But with these 'Miro' loafers by Septieme Largeur, I actually enjoy wearing black. I actually love this shoe in every color that it comes in. It just has such a lovely shape. I think that the blue version will be next....and then maybe suede!

Shoes: Miro by Septieme Largeur
Waistcoat: H&M
Tie: Stefano Ricci
Shirt: Primark
Trousers: H&M