Cordings | The Global Style Pilot

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!

Winter has arrived in the Southern Hemisphere, which is a season that I am very fond of. Winter provides the opportunity to wear more clothes than normal, heavy coats overlaying ‘T’s and lighter kit and of course smashing it in a hat. So here goes, my view on hats and coats.

Hat people

Being an observant person that I am, I have noticed that for some people hats are their thing, the hat makes them who they are and they are very rarely seen without a hat. To me these are the hat people as they’ve unlocked a secret that works for them. I’m sure most people can think of at least one friend who is indeed a hat person. One lady that I know springs to mind, she will of course know who she is if she’s reading this blog. There are numerous celebrities who are clear examples of hat people. Namely, UK DJ and ex-Culture Club front man, Boy George, singer and super cool dude, Pharrell Williams and superstar footballer David Beckham is an occasional hat person in my view. All of these gentleman absolutely smash it in a hat.

Hat Styles

Just like pocket squares and shawl scarves, hats can take a look to another level, the key is what hat, how and when to wear it and finally wearing the hat with supreme confidence. Confidence is key, confidence is an attribute that all hat people exude in abundance, they know they look fabulous and therefore wearing a hat is no problem, there’s definitely no fear. The key is to believe. I wouldn’t say I’m a hat person in the strictest sense, I do love hats and am proud to own a ‘Rollable Rambler’ from one of London’s most famous and historic hat makers Lock Hatters in St James’, I also own a fabulous brown trilby from Bates in London. Both are winter hats that I regularly wear with a range of looks. My weekend go to hat is a peak cap that I bought from Hackett in London, I love to wear it with a vintage sweatshirt and red cords, it’s a super look as it combines traditional style with modern relaxed pieces to achieve that effortless cool look that I am always chasing. The hat that is very popular right now is the page-boy cap, thanks to Peaky Blinders, I bought one of these a few years ago from Cordings in Piccadilly and love the soft charcoal tweed that again works well with a more casual relaxed weekend kit.

Hat Tips

I know what they say, you must never wear a hat inside, well I’m going to counter that, I believe that you can wear a hat inside and in fact you must if underneath you have a bad case of hat hair. Keep it on if that’s the case.

I also think that you can get away with a hat indoors if its part of your look rather than simply on your head in to order to keep you warm and dry or to keep the sun from your face.

Know your hat size – hats don’t just come in one size, the fit is important.

Coats

Coats are an essential item in any gentleman’s wardrobe. Although I never quite understand why it is that this very important item is quite often overlooked by southern hemisphere gentlemen. It could be that it is a climate thing, coupled with the outdoors lifestyle of southern hemisphere gentlemen, hence coats tend to be more practical as opposed to pieces of outstanding style. I would say however, that a great coat is perhaps one of the best investments anyone can make. Not only will you be warm on those cold winter days, but from a style perspective, a fabulous coat will take you to another level.

My Coats

I have a range of coats, all of them with a story to tell and all have been great investments. My current go-to coat that I can pretty much wear with anything is double breasted and made from Harris Tweed. I had this tailored and modelled it on a coat that Prince Charles once wore. It’s possibly the warmest coat that I have ever owned and looks sensational with heavy suits and also on a more casual basis with jeans and my favorite corduroys’. I love the fact that I can wear this heavy piece of tweed against a casual backdrop of ‘trackie-bottoms’ and still really rock it. I used to believe that if you owned a Rolex watch then no matter what you wore, you still appeared invincible. Well, I believe this double breasted coat has these very same qualities.

In terms of other coats, I also own very traditional duffle coat (Paddington style) that I purchased from Mulberry in London. This works well with a roll neck jumper and helps me achieve that very preppy British look that I love.

Coat Tips

Invest in a great coat, it may be costly, however you will get years of wear from it if you choose wisely.

In my view sporting coats are just not stylish in any form, they are practical and that is it. My rule is to never ever be seen in a sporting coat, unless I’m on the field of course!

As I’ve just come in from standing on the sideline watching my son play field hockey in what I can only describe as Baltic conditions, I am grateful for my double breasted Harris Tweed coat that has kept me warm. As I stood on the sideline I thought of this article and my mind wondered to that divine Teddy-Bear coat that Winston Churchill used to wear, one-day I will own one of these fabulous coats.

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