For Christmas this year, I think I’m going to put a shoe shine box on my list. I’ve currently got a cardboard box (an actual shoebox, in fact!). So I set out to find a proper shoe shine box, and here’s what I found, by ascending value:

On Sarenza there’s this Famaco saddle bag-style kit, shown above. It contains a pot of black beeswax polish, a pot of clear beeswax polish, one light brush, one standard brush and a 30×40cm duster. Price: €60

Bexley offer a solid wood box, sold empty, but which you can fill yourself. It holds approximately 3 polishes, 2 15cm brushes, 2 light brushes, 1 shoe horn, 2 sponges and 1 polishing glove. €29-€71.50, depending on whether you buy the box by itself, or filled with the contents shown above.

Valmour have a wide range of accessories, including the box above, which can be bought empty or with 4 Luxury 100ml polishes (black, clear, light and medium brown), 1 restorer (100ml), 2 two polish brushes (black and white), 2 buffing brushes (black and white), 2 small brushes (black and white) and 1 Médaille d’Or polishing cloth. Price: €145-€195, depending whether you buy the box alone or with the contents shown.

Ephtee offer this chocolate-stain varnished solid beech box. It has 1 leather polishing mat, 3 pots of Saphir cream, 4 tins of Médaille d’Or polish, 1 bottle of cleaning cream, 1 pair of cotton gloves, 1 pair of vinyl gloves, 1 mixing tin, 2 bubinga and horsehair brushes, two small brushes for spreading the polish, a piece of rubber for nubuck shoes and a tin of grease. Price: €450.

• See all of our articles about shoes

A few months ago (perhaps even 2 years ago) at a show, I stumbled across a “Harrington” stand. I was surprised to see that it was a brand, and a French one at that! The “Harrington” was a fashion icon from my college years, and was linked, in my mind at least, to punk culture, not a brand, and could only be English! Hence my surprise.

The Harrington is back!

It’s been back in many shops for a few months now. So I became interested in it again when I tried to discover its origins, and why, if it was a brand, did other brands like Ben Sherman or Fred Perry make them, too? (both English brands, too, you see!)

Starting the search

Starting point: I got in touch with one of Harrington’s managers. He gave me a brief outline of the brand’s history as an answer to my questions. And another surprise: he kept coming back to English culture! So really, how could it be French? I could see this question made them uncomfortable, so I took a different direction in my research…

The original!

A little later, broaching the subject with a fan of English fashion, I discovered another brand, this time very English, who claim to have invented the “Harrington”: Baracuta! So I continued my search in that direction. I got in touch with one of Baracuta’s representatives who answered my first question very clearly: “Harrington in France? We are the TRUE and Original. Ask me some questions and I will be delighted to tell you the real story”. I seemed to be heading in the right direction. And his answers to my following questions let me discover the origins of the “Harrington” name.

Here’s the story

Baracuta has been around since the 30’s, and became particularly well-known for the quality of its raincoats. One of its styles, a jacket, is called the G9. It’s a sort of short raincoat: it is made of waterproof material and its length is particularly well-suited to playing golf (hence the G), which is what it was designed for.

So why do we call it a “Harrington” if its name is the G9? Well, it’s a nickname, which started to be used much later. In the 60’s, there was a very popular series on American TV: “Peyton Place”. It was the first series to be broadcast early in the evening (at primetime). They made 514 30-minute episodes between 1964 and 1969. One of the characters, Rodney Harrington, was played by Ryan O’Neal. And he wore a G9!

At the time, John Simmons owned a famous store in London called “The Ivy Shop”. He was the first person to call the jacket a “Harrington”, referring to the series. And as is often the case with a popular nickname, it spread, and has stuck! And that’s why today we still call this jacket the “Harrington”. Isn’t that a great story?

Characteristics

As this jacket was designed for playing golf, it’s side pockets are deep and angled. Now you know what it was designed for, can you see why? Yes, for golf balls! And the sleeves have no seams on the shoulders to allow freedom of movement. Baracuta’s Harrington has two features which are patented (unlike the name): the tartan, whose design is specific to Baracuta, and the umbrella-shaped rear, designed to allow water to run off the back of the jacket without wetting your trousers!

Harrington, music, sport and cinema

To come back to my college years, I discovered this jacket was worn by the Clash during a concert in Times Square in 1981! And that’s the reason why it is part of the punk and general rock look. It has also been worn by Liam Gallagher, Franz Ferdinand, Razorlight and Pete Doherty. And more recently we have seen Mr. James Bond, Daniel Craig, and sports stars such as Thierry Henry wearing them out and about.

So now, just like me, you now know all there is to know about the “Harrington”, so here are some addresses you can buy the Baracuta “Harrington” in Paris from. RRP: €189

Here’s the latest of my 100% British selection from last week. Following the Union Jack tie, cufflinks and trainers: it’s time for the bag!

€13.95 from Blue Lemon (also available in black)

€15.95 from Blue Lemon

£11.99 from Underground

€52.50 (down from 75) on Zine Fashion Store

If you like the style, remember to keep it subtle: choose one item, don’t wear them all together ;-)

• See all our ties, cufflinks and bags

No, the summer isn’t over! Let’s resist! As a sign of protest, I propose that next Monday we all wear pink shirts! Let’s go out, be visible and be strong enough to just say no!

Xoos pink shirt

Pink colored custom-fit shirt by Xoos: flower lining inside the collar & chest. 100% cotton.

39€ from Chemise-homme

No, we simply won’t be having the Autumn! And so we can all show our profound displeasure, I offer a selection of great shirts for €40/80/100! Yes, sir, it’s possible!

Junk De Luxe Slim Fit Shirt With Tie

Soft cotton shirt and tie by Junk de Luxe in great pink! 97% cotton, 3% polyester.

£65.00 from ASOS

Whether you’re in jeans or a suit, wear a pink shirt, plain, striped or with flowers, and wear the colours of the resistance to grey days with pride!

Ermenegildo Zegna pink shirt

Ermenegildo Zegna smart pin dress and white check woven shirt. 100% cotton I suppose.

£138.00 from Matches

The palest of us should wear a stronger colour (type violet/lilac/blackcurrant/raspberry), the slimmest a tailored style, and together let’s resist and keep the summer going!

Hyden Yoo red white check slim shirt

Red and white check woven shirt. Fantastic slim cut and back darts. 100% cotton

$146.00 from OAK

We love summer! We love pink! We love bikinis! I’m counting on you :)

I know that you’re going to say that watches with metal straps are commonplace. Well, I hope you will agree that some of the watches I will show you in the follow-up to this article are a little out of the ordinary!

So let’s see them. From left to right:

• Paul Smith “PS20”: Sky €575
• Alessi “di Piero Lissoni AL5011”: £135
• Starck “PH4002”: €250
• Nixon "Murf": White €399

The unusual thing here is not so much the straps as the faces. Note however, by pure chance, none of these watches have a strap with links, and they’re all fairly similar.

If you are interested: have a look at this site which shows the different types of metal straps available.

For many, watches are the best way for men to wear jewellery. Definitely a much better way than a bracelet, chain or pendant, signet ring or leather wristband.

However, choosing a nice watch is not the easiest of tasks. The range of products available is very wide, and this is a purchase that must be looked upon as an investment. Particularly for those who don’t want to, or can’t afford to buy several.

My aim is not to help you choose a nice watch but to give your wrists a breath of fresh air this summer. In order to do so, I will over you several selections over the coming days. However, I won’t tell you which watches not to buy, there are too many, and of course: it’s a question of taste!

I’ve deliberately decided to show you a few unusual styles, which aren’t necessarily tasteful or stylish, but that set themselves apart from the rest. As an introduction, and to make you wait a little:

Definitions: Watch

• 1. Box fitted with a face, containing a clock movement, that one wears to know the time. A definition that makes you think that dictionary compilers have strange habits, and wear watches in order to know the time.
• 2. Case worn by a person that contains a stored energy mechanism that propels a mechanism that measures time and shows the time as it passes. That’s more like it.

To be continued… (at the end I’ll give you a good adress, and we might talk about automatic watches).

Let’s start with a non-trendy style, as it never goes out of fashion: the aviator, which has been present in every new collection since it was created by Ray Ban in 1936. This basic has once again formed the inspiration for many fashion houses (Dior, Cavalli, Tom Ford…) and designers (Berryl, Porsche Design…).

The main trend at the moment is without a doubt vintage. Ray Ban’s other bestseller, the Wayfarer, a 50’s model, was very popular last year, and this success continues this season.

This vintage trend also includes styles from the 60s, 70s and 80s. My favourites: The seventies revival with streamlined and chunky shapes. I love it! This year, there are more square, geometric styles.

But the most noticeable thing this season is the return of colour! If you like the 80s, you’ll be in your element: Bright colours and large frames are back with a vengeance! White, yellow, red or green, the emphasis is on fun!

Over the next few weeks, I’ll invite you to discover a selection of sunglasses from these different styles. A range that, I hope, will turn you into shades experts, if you aren’t already ;-)

They’ve been called waterproof, waxed or lacquered, they’re shiny and feel as if they’ve been painted.

They first appeared over a year ago from Dior (glitter-effect jeans for more than €300) and Notify jeans (proofed jeans in black or blue for more than €200), and this year they appear in pretty much every 2008 spring/summer collection: Diesel, Firetrap, G-Star, Junk Jeans, Kaporal, Kohzo, Le Temps des Cerises, Lee Jeans, LTB, National Liberty, Nudie Jeans, Pepe Jeans, Supernature, Wrangler etc.

So they’re now more widely available at more affordable prices (from €65)! Over the next few weeks, I will show you new styles (brands, cuts, finishes, prices and stores). And, of course, wax lyrical about them :).

Or maybe schapskas on? To keep yourself warm, you need to keep your head covered! As you probably know: you lose a lot off heat through this part of the body. And this winter, if you want to get a head, get a schapska! It’s been on the catwalks quite a bit (in the latest fashion shows), comes from the north, and has some pretty darn practical fur lining and ear flaps.

But where can you find them?

• On this site (Chapellerie Traclet) you can find this cotton and rabbit fur schapska for €49, this other schapska made of leather and rabbit fur for €89 and this style made of sheepskin for €100
• On eBay, you can find this schapska made of cotton and rabbit fur (and at the same price – 49€) and other styles according to availability.
• At other big stores such as the le Printemps or even Tags: Accessories ¦ Galeries Lafayette ¦ Hats ¦ Le Bon Marché ¦ Printemps ¦ Schapska ¦ winter
  
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Today we offer a special midwinter special with a nearly indispensible accessory: a pair of gloves! To choose a decent pair of gloves, you need to take the following into account:

• Your size. The size is generally given by a number: 7, 7.5, 8… A glove that’s the right size fits well around your fingers, protecting you from the cold, and allowing you to feel with your fingertips. If they’re leather, pick them a little tight, the leather will soon give.
• Their intended use. Don’t take big ski gloves if you are walking around town or for cycling. Choose fine leather gloves, which are more elegant and allow you to feel properly (so you don’t feel like you’re wearing mittens)
• The lining. The lining can be wool, silk, cachmire or fleece. Take the season and your sensitivity to cold into account. A cachmire or fleece lining will of course be warmer than silk.
• The look. While you’re at it, choose gloves you like, whose style (shape, finishing and colour) go with the clothes (coat, shoes etc) you’re going to wear them with. Note: A fastener on the wrist can be attractive and practical for beating the cold.

Our glove selections:

• €34.90 from La Redoute for leather gloves with a cachmire and wool lining
• 59.90€ from Isotoner for leather gloves with fleece lining and a fastener on the wrist
• €107.10 from Forzieri for leather gloves with a cachmire lining
• and other styles on eBay