Showing posts with label Duke of Windsor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Duke of Windsor. Show all posts

Saturday, 8 June 2013

Co-respondent shoes (Spectators) by Master Cliff Roberts of Northampton

It has been a while that I mentioned something from Master Cliff Roberts from Northampton (England), the one man bespoke operation. It so happened I was on my Face Book account and I realised that I am outdated with what is happening or taking place.
Long story short, I found these two lovely co-respondent (spectators) by Master Cliff Roberts. Both shoes are Adelaide Oxfords, the burgundy and white in a squared chisel toe last and the black and white in a round toe last.

According to the story, the co-respondent shoe was a John Lobb design from 1868, made for the cricketing sport, but first became popular in the 1920's and 1930's (think The Great Gatsby, Gangster's of the time Al Capone and Jazz musicians). What an era.

It is also claimed that the popularity of the co-respondent was due to the HRH Duke Of Windsor (HRH The Prince of Wales) when he wore a tan and white co-respondent pair of shoes during a visit to the USA in 1925 and further popularised them as golf shoes in 1937.

The co-respondent comes in a many varieties such as full brogue Oxfords, Adelaide Oxford's, Derby's, Norwegian split toes and can also be constructed as loafers or slippers. The DNA of the co-respondent is that it comes in two colour combination for example, black and white, brown and white, tan and white etc. Originally  the co-respondent was constructed of willow calf and white buck or reverse calf suede. The white part was sometimes made from mesh material, to offer better ventilation in hot weather. So what does it tell, the co-respondent must be part of the Summer shoe arsenal for any gent who cares, just a bit.

HRH The Duke of Windsor kicking rugby in a double breasted suit paired with co-respondent shoes. Cool aristocrat gent. 
Much talk and .....let us see the rendition of the co-respondant by Master Cliff Roberts. 

The co-respondent, an Adelaide Oxford shoe in dark brown (burgundy) and white, punched cap toe with a medallion, a soft chisel squared toe last. A real good looking shoe from Master Cliff Roberts. I like the colour combination. Well done, as always Master Cliff.
A black and white co-respondant (Adelaide Oxford), punched cap toe on rounded last, just beautiful.
Photos sourced from Master Roberts FB profile

Thursday, 22 November 2012

HRH Prince of Wales (Duke Of Windsor) - perfection

HRH The Prince Of Wales later Duke of Windsor a true style icon, was always very elegantly dressed, be it formal or informal. Below depicted picture of him dressed in a Prince Of Wales (Glen Urquhart) cloth three piece suiting , complimented by a cap (in bold Glen Check plaid cloth), tie and as always a pocket square. So inspiring.


HRH Prince Of Wales in a Glen Urquhart three piece suiting.
HRH The Duke Of Windsor casually dressed - 1941, large window Glen check odd jacket, pocket square and a pair of derbys.
HRH The Duke Of Windsor in a dinner jacket (black tie ensemble), shawl collar dinner jacket, boutonniere, pocket square, what a gentleman. Perfection itself.
Photo sourced from Ovadia and sons and Pauw Mannen

Monday, 23 July 2012

The Double breasted jacket for suitings - Majestic

I have been looking at the double breasted jackets for suits for quite a long time now and came to the conclusion that double breasted jackets are so very majestic and masculine compared to the single breasted version. My inspiration for the double breasted comes from looking at pictures of HRH Prince Charles who has made the double breasted jacket his personal trademark for more than 30 years.

Words by Glenn O'Brian, journalist and style authority "the thing with double breasted, is that it's for men and not boys". How true. 

The double breasted jacket tailoring accentuates the chest, slimming the waist silhouette thus bringing out the masculine character of the wearer. Probably that is why the DB is associated with power and money.

Italian author, politician and military man Gabriele D'Annunzio in a double breasted jacket
The Duke of Windsor known for his elegant & impeccable dressing in a double breasted suit, four button (one closure) leaving a very distinctive "V" shape on the chest.
 Duke of Windsor (double breasted suit) and spouse
Actor Humphrey Bogart in a Glen plaid cloth double breasted suit. Note that Mr. Bogart's jacket closing is very high up leaving a very small "V" on the chest. Accessories are, Homborg hat, boutonniere and pocket square.
HRH Emperor Hirohito of Japan in a double breasted suiting. The Emperor and the Duke of WIndsor tend to favour the four button (one closing) as they are not so tall. The closure is more flattering for them.
The Emperor in a 6 button (2 closure) jacket and this one too closes very high, the same as Mr. Bogart's jacket.
Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni in a double breasted suiting, probably a four button version.
Giovanni Agnelli (Italy) Fiat owner and dandy in a double breasted suiting
Duke of Kent in a double breasted suiting (four button) one closure, this variation is more suitable for a tall gent like Lord Mountbatten, leaving a very clear "V" on his chest.
HRH Prince Charles (the Double breasted trademark), 6 button, 4 closure. That is the DNA dress code for suitings for HRH. Looking good even when just doing some vegetable buying at the local market. 
 Double breasted 6 button (4 closure) as usual for HRH Prince Charles. Then note that hand that is always in the pocket. I have questioned earlier about the hand in the pocket as what i HRH clutching. The suit is being complimented by a pocket square and brown loafers. Very dapper and good looking.
 Cream double breasted jacket with six buttons (four closure), but only one closed, which is very rare to see the Prince doing this. I suppose it is the heat of Indonesia, I may be wrong. Compliments to the suit is: a pocket square and a red boutonniere, very classic
Sir Michael Caine (English actor) in a double breasted jacket paired with a turtle neck, which gives a more relaxed attitude..
Photos sourced from Mr. Porter, The 10th Guild, Style Forum