Trepidation, pah!

So, to further explain various things about this here blog. The most obvious; the gentleman gracing the top of this page in oh so wonderful style (his clothes, not the blog... you're too kind!) is one of The Sartorialist's regular italian photographic subjects I believe and definitely an idol of mine. I can't really say anything new but he displays perfectly the skills of pattern matching (two checks that match!), colour co-ordination (that blue cardigan underneath!! And this from a cardigan hater!), the perfectly knotted tie and positively oozing that most mercurial of elements; sprezzatura. I think that well placed scarf and perfectly sculpted beard make it really. Accessories, accessories, accessories. A style one can only dream of.
Next, to the oh-so-ironic title. The story behind this, is not the deepest, but a provocative one for me anyway. I bought a new jumper today, slightly v-necked, in a shade of colour described on the label as tartan green, but thing british racing green basically, that I plan to wear tomorrow, while walking the dog, with a pink shirt, blue jeans and green wellies. Now, to the nub of the story, not long after buying said jumper, I mentioned that I would be wearing it with various items of clothes and most likely while walking the dog, only to received the retort from someone rather close to me that 'it's not a fashion statement'. Now, to me, that's like saying you can have your cake, but not taste it. That is to say, impossible, unless you suffer from some ghastly malady. I am now in the habit of buying clothes with the express purpose of wearing them with other clothes I may or may not possess and in certain milieu, styles or even, one hesitates to add, for certain activities. The aforementioned dog walking springs to mind. So, my question to you dear readers, is does the same occur to you? Do you buy clothes with a purpose in mind, do you buy them because you like the look of them, do you buy them because you want to craft a particular style or is a combination of a bit of all the above? Answers on a postcard to that delightful little comments box below that I so crave to see filled. (Love me!!)
One final thought as we creep towards the small hours of the morning. A question, as you might imagine, I am plagued by, is there a difference between style and fashion? To my mind, yes, undoubtedly. Style, in my own slightly small-minded way, is, I believe, that which outlasts the seasonal fads and pre-ordained 'must haves' (that is not to say they don't have their place and are to be poo-poo-ed by any means), whereas fashion is a rather more elusive sprite that one strives (if so inclined) continually to stay ahead of, if you are lucky enough and catch up with if you are rather slower on the uptake. For example, the currently trend for Barbour jackets of all shapes and sizes. Having been rather out of style and fuddy duddy, worn only by farmers and country bumpkins exclusively. They are now all the rage, to the extent that my local Fenwick's seems to have sold out over the Christmas period. No mean feat, when the most basic one will set you back somewhere in the region of £200. This trend, I hesitate to predict, will, for the large part of the population be rather wasted as the Barbour jacket is meant to be a lifelong purchase. My father's hangs in the utility room in a very battered and worn condition, but regardless, still utterly waterproof and protective. The fashionistas will be on to the next must have item without having the chance to wear theirs in and who knows, perhaps even wax it! Anyway, I digress. My point is that, to me, the Barbour is a piece of clothing that transcends fashion, on the rare occasion deigning to be included in order to raise sales, while those really in the know, will still be wearing theirs in 20/30 years time while they walk the dog on a grey, damp British winter day having lovingly waxed and treated theirs.

A fitting example of what Britain can produce on a good day, wouldn't you say?

Joe