The Shoe AristoCat: monks

Showing posts with label monks. Show all posts

Friday, 19 April 2013

Baroness Thatcher's funeral and gents formal dress

Baroness Thatcher (1925 to April 2013) was laid to rest yesterday, I am not going political, as this blog is about men's classic dress, so I will refrain from giving my opinion of Baroness Thatchers rule from 1979 to 1990. May she rest in peace.

My observation from the pictures taken at the service was that the gentlemen dignitaries attending the service could be put into two categories in regards to their choice of attire for the funeral service. The first category being the "Traditionalist" who opted for a morning dress for the services and the second category "Non-traditionalist" who opted for the usual common business suits.

Baroness Margaret Hilda Thatcher (1925 October - 2013 April), British PM 1979-1990.

Baroness Thatcher's coffin at her funeral service

Mr. Mark Thatcher and spouse. Mr. Thatcher in morning dress, a white pocket square, paired with monk shoes. Monk shoes for morning dress?

HRH Queen Elizabeth and HRH Prince Philip (in morning coat highly shined oxfords) and a crisp white pocket square.

PM David Cameron in morning dress attending the funeral of Baroness Thatcher, I am however missing the crisp white pocket square.

Mr. Phillip Hammond and wife preparing to take seats at the funeral service, also here I lack the pocket square.

Mr. Norman Tebbit attending Baroness Thatcher's funeral service

Former PM Tony Blair (left) opted for a business suit (navy blue) for the services and former PM John Major in morning dress, missing pocket square though.

Former PM Mr. Gordon Brown opted for a business suit in dark colours (navy I guess).

Photos sourced from Daily Mail UK, Standard UK, Bohomoth and Daily Telegraph AU

Sunday, 13 January 2013

Men's hats and Overcoats at Pitti Uomo 2013

Normally I never follow the fashion trends, but I happened to take a look at the fashion gurus and the trend makers within street style clothing as seen from Pitti Uomo 2013. To my delight and surprise, I noted that men's hats and classical coats are making a come back. A good thing for the hat makers. Hopefully more men will join the army of men wearing hats. Looking forward to that.

Classical hats and overcoats, the gent (Left) in a classical double breasted (8-3) navy overcoat, bow tie and a brown Homborg hat. All three men are very classically dressed and very inspiring.

I added the below photo just as a reminder that back in the day (1930's) when things were not looking that bright, men used to dress properly even when standing in line for a job. Note the hats, caps and overcoats worn by these men.

A gent in a Pork Pie Hat, what looks like a Covert Coat/Chesterfield, double breasted stripped suit, flowered tie and a very neat and well trimmed beard. Very cool.

Three bearded men in Pork Pie hats (Man in the middle photo is Sam Lambert)

Sam Lambert (left) in a Lords Hat

Liverano and Takahiro Osaki, the latter in a beautifully cut navy blue Ulster overcoat

The back details of the above Ulster overcoat worn by Mr. Takahiro Osaki

Lino (left) in a checked half belted double breasted overcoat and a two toned monk with a kiltie.

A gent in all shades of blue, overcoat, double breasted suit, tie, scarf and navy double monk in dark suede.

Funny hats, now this is what is called fashion, these hats remind me of pictures I have seen from the late sixties and seventies when both men and women would wear these type of hats. Since I am into classical men's clothing, I would strongly advice not to acquire this hat. Hmm ....unless you are into one of those creative businesses or you want to appease your second half. If you do get this hat, then good luck.

Photos sourced from Thrashness, Grazia ,Style Gent and Ethan Desu

Monday, 2 July 2012

Vintage Ads by Florsheim

The other day I was watching China Town by Polanski starring Jack Nicholson and there is a scene where Jack (lost) one of the shoes he was wearing. It was a Florsheim, which was a Chicago (USA) based shoemaker. I remember as a kid seeing a full brogue spectator in leather and linen mesh by Florsheim, I was taken back, I thought it was so beautiful. Just to revive some of the beauties they created I found some old ads from an American shoe making era lone gone.

Photos sourced from Vintage Ad Browser

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Viennese Bespoke Shoemaker (Saint Crispins)

Living in the Nordic and being A Shoe AristoCat can be a challenge when looking for good, elegant & stylish shoes. Local shops tend to carry nothing. Well, with that being said, does not mean, there are no good quality shoes. Yes, there are, Crockett & Jones (hand grades - yes), Church's (not my cup of tea), Santoni (not me) and lately I read about a gent offering G&G's.

Well, not much for me, but there more South of the cold Nordic, a Gent ventures, many doors to real good shoes open up.

Take Vienna (Austria) for example, besides the venerable Scheer Bespoke shoemaker, the city has other very good and well reputed Bespoke shoemakers, for example, Balint, Maftei (blogged about here), Materna, Petkov (blogged) & Saint Crispins. Just to mention a few. I will invite you into the world of Saint Crispin's, a name well chosen for the company. The Patriot Saint of Shoemakers.

Looking at SC shoes, one can see that special attention has been given to the details and the products are spectacular.

The usual suspects line up - love the colours

Brown and Black Full brogues

Two tone slip-ons with side gusset and a brogued oxford boot

A full brogue oxford and full brogue oxford boot

More boots please, I am a sucker for boots, perhaps due to the long Winter days with snow. It be Balmoral boots, chukkas, booties, Chelsea's. Boots and more boots, please.