Journal

Many luxury fabrics and materials had been used during the war effort, which thrifty seamstresses would use afterwards to create masterpieces on a budget. Parachute silk, in particular, was much sought after. The huge panels of parachutes made them easy to recut and the high quality, lightweight silk was often transformed into stunning wedding dresses.

I often get asked about our name: Kipper & Chalk. The chalk bit is easy, it’s a tailor’s best friend. But what do fish have to do with tailoring? According...

Brief: Linen, but not navy or sand. Cloth: Linen/Mohair Blend - Harrisons Mersolair 54% Mohair, 46% Linen Lining - The Lining Company  Flamingos. Viscose.   Made to Measure Notes: Linen...

An alterations tailor can be a wizard or a headache so do a bit of research and find a decent one. It is worth paying a premium for a job done well. I have fixed so many botched alterations over the years which means the client has ended up paying twice! Buy well. Buy once. 

The cloth you choose will also slightly determine how you can wear it. A high-cut 3 button jacket in a warm tweed can be a really smart alternative to an overcoat. Alternatively, a navy worsted will be more Pierce Brosnan era Bond. Both very cool, but very different looks. 

Last year I went to South Korea with Ralph Lauren to help kit out the US winter olympic team. As we fitted 300 athletes and coaches in the same uniform, I noticed how dramatically different their bodies were depending on their discipline. 

Has your favourite overcoat seen better days?  Like a favourite pair of shoes, it takes YEARS to wear-in the perfect overcoat. The soft mould of the shoulder, the familiar weight...

There aren't a huge number of Red Carpet events at this time of year so I eagerly await Venice. It signals the start of a new season and is therefore,...