Cigars, Drake's London, Fragrance, Hermes, Menswear, Preppy, Ralph Lauren

All I want for Christmas

Another year has flown by, marked by new suits and a touch of tweed—a perfect moment to reflect on the year gone by and, of course, plan for the one ahead. It’s been inspiring to see the growing momentum toward vintage clothing, a refreshing shift from the fast fashion that dominates today. Ralph Lauren has embraced this trend brilliantly, buying back vintage pieces to resell to a market eager for timeless style.

In my own household, I’ve revived my Gucci horsebit loafers purchased from Harrods back in 1998. My sons have also raided my wardrobe, claiming treasures like a pair of vintage Fendi aviator glasses and several Hermès ties that have made appearances at social occasions throughout the year.

And so, once again, it’s time to draft my Christmas list for Santa. This marks my second “Dear Santa” note, and looking back at the last one I published a few years ago, I can’t help but notice how little has changed. So here it is—my Christmas list for 2025.

Winston Churchill’s famous “teddy bear” coat an oversized, double-breasted fur coat he often wore during the 1930s and 1940s. It became an iconic symbol of his bold, eccentric style that I very much admire.

1. Geo F. Trumper Eucris Eau de Toilette

This fragrance takes me back to a Mulberry scent I wore in the ’90s. It exudes quintessential British elegance and sophistication. Eucris is famously known as James Bond’s fragrance in Ian Fleming’s novel From Russia with Love—a true classic.

2. Ralph Lauren Madras Shirt

To pair effortlessly with my black dinner jacket and bow tie—juxtaposed against distressed, baggy jeans for that rebellious cocktail of formality and nonchalance.

3. Vintage fur coat.

Whilst we’re planning for the beach, winter is never far away. As I continue my style journey beyond the confines of suits, I’m always searching for new classics that break the traditional mold. At the top of my list for winter 2026 is a fur coat of flamboyant proportions—bold, unapologetic, and full of character. My goal? To pair it with an old Yankees cap in that rakish, sprezzatura style I so admire.

4. Preppy Striped Vintage Watch Strap

To frame my Bell & Ross with Ivy League charm.

5. Socks in a riot of colours

Because socks should never be boring—they’re the punctuation marks of a well considered outfit.

6. Tanqueray No 10. gin.

I absolutely love this gin—it’s a true classic that outshines all others. Perfect for a martini with a twist, and let’s not forget the bottle itself, which is undeniably stylish.

7. A Box of Partagas Serie D No. 4 Cigars
The perfect companion for late-night musings on style and life – my favourite.

8. Winston Churchill-Inspired Spectacles

I love horn rimmed spectacles, whilst I do not need glasses I feel as though the time might be approaching. Super elegant refined and considered.

9. Nicky Haslam Tea Towel – “Things Nicky Haslam Finds Common”

Because Nicky is a legend in style and design.

10. Dunhill Cigar Lighter

Because matches are common.

Any that’s a wrap, “if you can’t do it in style then don’t do it“

Merry Christmas

Menswear

Dear Santa

The races have been and gone and what a wonderful week of style, colour and socialising it all was. There’s never a dull moment as we now look forward in New Zealand to spending some time enjoying what our amazing country has to offer over the Christmas period. There will be no trips to Europe this year for a winter Christmas and no trips to Bali for that matter either, nonetheless there are a host of cool events to attend and divine experiences to be had over the summer in New Zealand. I always look forward to this time of the year as there is always an excuse to push the style boat out even further. We have the Polo to look forward to and a new casual suit to go with it, New Years eve, the European winter sales and of course Santa is coming.

A number of years ago now, whilst living in London I recall popping into Mulberry on Bond Street to buy a pair brogue shoes. I remember the gentleman who served me remarked on point, that “sometimes sir, a gentleman has to buy his own Christmas present”. I have never forgotten those wise words and oddly, more than 10 years later when I returned to London, I bumped into that same gentleman in New and Lingwood, another favourite store of mine on Jermyn Street SW1 and recounted that story, much to his delight. Of course, you can avoid buying your own Christmas presents if you let Santa know early what you would like. Given this, here are 10 things that I’m wishing for, so Santa, take note!

The Global Style Pilot’s Christmas List

1. Velvet Slippers from Stubbs and Wootton

I’m a huge fan of velvet slippers and so in need of a new pair, Stubbs and Wootton from Palm beach make the most fabulous slippers with a range of monograms and motifs.

www.stubbsandwootton.com

2. Floris Leather Oud, Eau de Parfum

My favourite fragrance comprises oud, and I just love Floris’ Leather Oud, Eau de Parfum. This divine fragrance draws on new leather and contains smoky aspects of oud oil. I’m a big fan of all things smoky and this fragrance is no exception.

www.florislondon.com

3. PJ Johnson – Kurta

Over the past few years I’ve been an avid follower of ethnic clothing. I think there is no other more influential wearer of this style than the fabulous Robert Rabensteiner, former fashion editor-at-large of L’Uomo Vogue. Robert is in my view is a style icon and I am a huge fan of his work. So right now, I’m wishing for a Kurta from the Australian menswear brand PJ Johnson.

www.pjt.com

4. New Balance 990 trainers

Trainers continue to be a style of shoe that cannot be ignored and are embedded in our lives. To this end I’m after a pair of New Balance 990. These shoes surpass all trainers in my view, they are an integral part of every style hunter’s wardrobe from Pitti Uomo, to here!

5. Tanqueray No. TEN Gin

I’ve always been a huge fan of gin, and my favourite is Tanqueray No. TEN. Whilst I love the flavor of this wicked gin, I also love the bottle that to me resembles Kryptonite from the superman movies. I first fell in love with Tanqueray No. Ten in the mid 2000’s when, whilst working in Tokyo, I was fortunate to spend my lunch hours shopping in Omotesando. I came across the most beautiful display in the Dunhill store in Omotesando Hills that included this fabulous bottle on a silver tray. To this day I always toast Tokyo when having a G&T.

6. Naked Clothing – Denim shirt

Ever since the early 2000’s my wardrobe has always included a denim shirt. I am very particular when it comes to denim and in terms of shirts’ I’m a huge fan of vintage washed denim. My goal in denim is a shirt that dries crisp on the washing line and looks super casual whilst really rocking it with a fabulous double-breasted blazer in that all important sprezaturra kind of way. In my view, the best place to find just what I’m after is via the Italian brand, Naked Clothing.

www.naked-clothing.it

7. Yellow Corduroy trousers

I just love the colour combination of yellow and blue and have been after a pair of yellow whale cords for the past year. Please Santa, I’ve been good!

www.cordings.co.uk

8. Leather and suede penny loafers – Last and Lapel

I think one of my best finds over the past couple of years is the Last and Lapel store in Singapore. I’m a huge fan of the products they stock. In addition, Singapore was once my home for more that 5 years and a fabulous place to live it was. I love L&L’s awesome Berwick 1707 loafers, not only are they good quality but also outstanding value for money. Thanks Santa!

www.lastandlapel.com

9. Partagas Serie D No. 4 cigars

I’ve been smoking these cigars since the 1990’s. The best days of my life have been with these beauties. Well almost, light one and you are instantly transformed to a period of fabulousness that includes great tunes, sensational red wine and an evening to remember.

10. Red cashmere socks – New and Lingwood

And as the gentleman told me, “sometimes sir, a gentleman has to buy his own Christmas present!” Well these are my choice.

www.newandlingwood.com

I shan’t say Merry Christmas as it’s still November. However, If you can’t do it in style, then don’t do it!

Drake's London, Four in hand tie knot, Hermes, man1924, Menswear, Ralph Lauren, ties

The Barber & Oscar Wilde

*A tie should always be firmly done up and well knotted – always!*

It’s been a while since I published a post. I’d been thinking for some time on what next. I take inspiration from a range of daily experiences and through my broader international links and subject matter sources. Rather than writing a piece on what I’m wearing, planning to wear, or what to expect at the next Pitti Uomo in Florence, I have decided to address the topic of ties. Two incidents have inspired me to write on this topic. The first, a Facebook memory that appeared on my page from a few years ago where I shared that fabulous quote from Oscar Wilde, “a well-tied tie is the first serious step in life.”

The second event occurred during my monthly trip to my barber for a tune-up. On this occasion I noticed with surprise that my barber was wearing a well tied tie. He remarked that he’d just acquired a new barber’s coat that looked great with a tie. I must admit it was a sharp look and reminded me at first of what I might expect if I was getting a cut in Milan. How fabulous that would be, perhaps he’d have served me a Negroni cocktail too – one can only but wish! Nonetheless, this experience highlighted just how powerful a tie can be and really what a great accessory the tie is. However, sadly it appears to be losing ground in our current environment of ‘dress for your day’ and general casualness.

Why wear a tie?

I would say that I tend to wear a tie almost every day, aside from the weekend. The dress code in the corporate office I work for is a typical “dress for your day”. So, in response to that, I wear a tie every day. My expectation is that every day should be fabulous and that I’m going to dress for an occasion even if I have nothing planned. There’s always the chance that a random invite will appear, an afterwork drink, an exhibition at a gallery or the launch of a European car, there’s always something. I believe you should always be prepared and never ever underdressed. To my mind a well tied tie, sets the gentleman apart. There’s certainly the perception of a gentleman who wears a tie as perhaps a person of professionalism and integrity. Although I dare say that there are wearers of ties who do not exhibit these traits. However, on the whole the tie really does make its mark if tied properly and contrasted with an exceptional shirt and suit/blazer.

Casual and Formal Ties

I see a clear difference in what I describe as casual ties as opposed to formal ties. Sure, they are both ties and to many people a tie is formal accessory that should be worn only on formal occasions. However, in my view the tie can be worn in a casual way without appearing overly stuffy and this is down to pattern of the tie and what it is worn with. Firstly, the pattern. Striped, military or club/school tie patterns are what I describe as casual ties. They can be worn in a variety of ways and right now my preference is with a striped or checked shirt worn underneath a vintage rugby jersey, to give that fabulous American preppy look. This look has been a Ralph Lauren staple for years, and it’s one that I regularly draw on.

I have two other favourite go-to label’s right now – namely Drake’s of London and the relatively new player in casual menswear, Man1924 of Spain. Both labels offer great casual menswear that brings new meaning to the word casual. The looks that both offer, are relaxed and often supported by casual ties that really stand these brands out from the rest. When it comes to formal looks and ties, I tend to go for block colours such as navy or burgundy, particularly if I’m wearing a pin-striped or houndstooth suit or blazer. In terms of patterned ties, the pinnacle of ties in my view is the Hermes tie. The Hermès tie is very distinctive through its quirky patterns on the finest of silk and unique in the way the knot appears when tied properly. Right, now I think there is a clear return of floral and paisley patterns that are quite striking particularly when tied with a heavy or large knot.

The Knot

Above all things, the knot of a tie is the most important, a badly tied tie or an undone tie can really spoil a look, so it is worth practicing in order to get the knot just right. I typically tie a four in hand knot and strive for that very important dimple just below the knot. See the following link on how to tie a four in hand knot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZxwm47rTvk

My tips for wearing ties

Ties are a fabulous accessory when worn correctly, always and I mean always wear a tie firmly done up and well knotted
Learn how to tie a tie correctly, as bad knot can really take a gentleman’s look down a peg.
Gimmicky ties are a definite no-no.
An investment in a great tie is money well spent, Drake’s have great end of season sales where some fine pieces of silk can be acquired for a fraction of the normal price.

If you can’t do it in style don’t do it!