This is our roundup of the season featuring the best of my recent purchases, with comments on fit and style views. Handy compilations, gear reviews in a nutshell: they’re all things I’ve bought and worn already so I can help with any more detailed questions. Just ask in the comments.
The last two are from Lucas, as noted. It’s great to have a bunch of looks (and a wide range of styles) in the group. Actually on that topic, we just hired our third member of staff – Bao – who readers will have started meeting in support emails. He was an absolute god. Welcome Bao!
1.De Bonne Facture ‘Singer Shirt‘
Size: Medium
€271
Two things that stand out about this shirt from De Bonne Facture are its brightness, and the colors. It’s made of washed cotton voile that’s really lightweight, yet opaque. It feels so cool on the body and I can’t wait to wear it in the summer when I really feel the benefits.
And the colors are beautiful – unusual but subtle. I picked ‘rosewood’ (shown to me, above) which is great with green jeans and brown pants. The dark brown shirt (above) is also really nice – it’s a little sheer. And there’s standard navy if you’re looking for something safe.
2.Buck Mason ‘Hollywood Trousers’
Size: 32
$298
When Lucas, Manish and I went shopping at Buck Mason in LA last month, the one product we all walked away with (in different colors) was a pair of pants from the Hollywood suit line.
They’re really nice – they’re wide but not exaggerated, they’re tight on the thigh, and they’re a true high-rise fit. After meeting the Buck design team now, I understand why the cuts are so good. Few brands in this price range do all their pattern work.
I took the natural herringbone of the linen. Linen is lightweight so it wrinkle a little more, but it’s also cool.
3.Allevol quarter-zip sweatshirt
Size: Great
£195
I like a collared shirt where I can, because I find it very flattering on the neck. The problem is that I don’t usually like the columns on them – the McCoy’s I have are not clear. So I was excited to try this Allevol at Clutch Cafe.
The collar rises slightly and falls well again. The material is soft and light compared to many Japanese sweatshirts, but I’m looking for more there – like the impatient green denim.
4.Vicki Turbeville jewelry southwest
Size: N/A
My purse: $400
We caught up with Vicki and her partner, Steve Nelson of Mountain Lion Trading, while we were in LA. They are both wonderful people; Steve in particular is a legend in the southwestern arts and crafts trade.
Vicki handles the jewelry side and what seems to be the most bought: Both Lucas and I bought simple necklaces for our partners, and I bought a beautiful vintage cuff. Highly recommended as an online resource, or as a lovely place to visit. Minutes from Redondo Beach.
5.Anthology ‘Dress Chinos’
Size: 50
$325
There have been quite a few questions from readers about these since The Anthology launched these books, so we apologize for not getting them into anything sooner. To be honest, I just started wearing them with a few things.
I would describe them as a really nice smart chino – the kind of thing I usually wear when I sew, if I ever do. The material is a soft, slightly peachy cotton, and has wearable details like buried seams. The fit is a very high rise, a bit more than I usually have, and it’s flat so the same height in the back.
6.Strapateer camera strap
Size: N/A
£125
I just bought a Fujifilm XE-5 camera, and obviously I want a good strap. Our photographer Alex recommended this one and it proved to be a great buy: a little vintage in appearance, which is welcome, but very functional too.
I haven’t found that I use the ability to wear the camera under a jacket, then unclip the belt to take it out, but that’s probably because I’m very precious about the fit of my outer layer. It definitely works if you want it to – and I shorten the strap for more wrist use.
7.Dalmo cotton/linen knit polo
Size: Medium
£331
Dalmo, an Italian handloom weaver we’ve featured a few times on PS, has just launched a website for the first time. They are a small operation, and in the past have focused on made to order (which they still do) but hopefully the site will now make their products more accessible.
I’ve tried a few items on the site recently, and I can recommend the polos that are knitted in a linen/cotton blend. I’ve never been particularly fond of pure linen fabrics, except for several attempts over the years (eg here). They are a little heavy and lose shape. But the cotton/linen mix is a good idea, and the brown ‘Patrizia’ was lovely to wear.
8.Rubato short sleeve linen shirt
Size: Medium
£285
Rubato did a different version of their pop-up in London this week, where they came for just a day, with a few appointments for people to see the new releases. I tried them all (of course) but my favorite was the short sleeve shirt, because I find it so hard to find one of these cuts that I like.
This one is a little high in the neck which is nice, and while the sleeve is a little square (which I don’t know some readers will really prefer) the slight fold at the back end produces the perfect taper for me. I’m happy to answer questions about anything else in the range (which I think was introduced to everyone yesterday).
9.Oak Street ‘Rowing Oxford’
Size (Lucas): 11(US)
$372
This is one I haven’t bought yet, but Lucas has been wearing a pair for about a year now and I’ve seen them grow really well. They fall into the category of shoe you can think of as a boat shoe with a chunky sole – that same rounder, more casual look, but with a sole that can withstand a walk in the countryside.
It’s not a category I’ve tested yet, as I usually wear the boot in that condition. But if I do, these are definitely the ones I’d go for – in addition to others from Timberland, Paraboot, Sperry or Yuketen that Lucas has tried.
10.Lady White ‘Band Pant’
Size (Lucas): XL
£255
While we’re talking about Lucas, let’s include this one. I wrote about my lazy travel outfits recently, and the most controversial item was the Bryceland sweatpants. This is what Lucas is wearing: a pair of pin-stitched cotton pants by LA giant Lady White, which we revisited on our recent trip.
The material has a much cleaner drape than a sweatpant, and the crease look helps too. They have a nice natural stretch – you’d almost think they have elastane or something in there, but they don’t.
Top and bottom photos: Eoghan Gilmore
