straw hats

Clearly, I have somewhat developed an affection for my kitchen. Believe it or not,  I have probably spent more time in the last year in the kitchen taking these pictures, than I have doing kitchen-esque things.

This look was really derived from the hat. You may see me using a lot of headgear of late, this is because I tend to only get an opportunity to take pictures when I am in the house and when I am in the house, I never comb my hair. However, I think this is a blessing in disguise, hats can transform a whole look significantly - never underestimate the power of a good hat. They're also lots of fun to buy and also allow you to create a variety of characters from your wardrobe (or is that just me?)

So, once I had the hat in place, it had to have a "country" feel - hence the boots and scarf. The colour of the boots are awesome in my opinion, possibly my favourite colour of the moment. I am still in two minds about the trousers (yes another purchase which I may possibly return, following analysis of the pictures). I also have a wing colour shirt - something else which I have developed a recent affiliation too - although you can't see it too clearly here. That quite possibly means that you will be seeing it again! The jacket ten just holds the whole ensemble together and neutralises the pallet with its charcoal.

All I need to complete the look is some straw and a sheep.

Jay

silent words

This was the day I decided to change my kitchen into a photo studio - slightly unsuccessfully might I add. However, I think it sort of got the job done, and may be even added to the pictures.

I think everyone needs at least one bow tie in their wardrobe. This one was very kindly given to me and I have to say it is the best of the best and I haven't seen one which has come close ever since. You may have by now seen, that I have a certain need for clean, simple and straight slim lines and am a fan of the tailored look. Keeping with this brief, the bow tie is super slim and collaborates perfectly with any tailored shirt emphasising a nice, crisp collar area. Add to this any satchel and trousers (undecided whether denim would work) and the geek is most definitely chic!

The shoes, what can I say, best shoes in the world (even though I may be slightly bias). The only issue is, I don't wear them enough, as I don't want to dirty them. Give me everything brogue and then give me some more.

Jay

mondays

OK, so eleven years ago was the millennium; go back nearly a century before that and you had the world wars; 500 years prior to that and the USA was discovered; go a few thousand years and the three wise men were taking gifts; a few million and T Rex was eating everything in sight; and a few million years before then (or may be more) was my last post.

I simply have no excuse for this - except for the fact that life got in the way. Anyway, enough of this droning on - time to play serious catch up.

I think suits sometimes have an unfair reputation - they are seen as being restrictive and uniform. I on the other hand see them as a great starting point. Straightaway, if you have a good fitting suiting, in my opinion, you are already half way there. I challenge you to show me one person in a good fitting suit, who doesn't look good.

Then, all you need to do with the suit is throw in some super slim line shoes, a decent overcoat and may be a bag et voila! I always prefer the double vent and the one or two button variety - I find they just sit better. Although, having said that, I do feel the need to begin experimenting...

Jay

ice cream protection

Winter would not be winter, unless you had those days where as your alarm goes off in the morning, you pretend that you are simply dreaming and pull the covers over your head, as you just do not want to go outside and freeze to your bones. 

The positive to come out of this is that you get to purchase all kinds of headgear to keep you warm, as I need not remind you that you lose a third (don't quote me) of your body heat through your head. Does that mean, theoretically, if you wore trousers and no hat or a hat and no trousers, you would feel the same amount of coldness? No idea, answers on a postcard please.

I always find that nothing quite goes with a hat, as do boots. The ones featured here are a great pair I picked up from Zara. Now I know that boots are supposed to be oversized and chunky, but I also enjoy the more sophisticated and sleek looking cousin as well. Also, as I was quite rightly told, with boots, always roll the trousers up to finish off the look; I have to say I am a fan of this. The only problem is though, you suddenly get a cold draft between the boot and the trouser. The remedy - add some colourful (thick, football) socks to bring some life to the season (and body to the look).

Jay

"MCPEM"

Welcome, as many of you may have already been introduced, to the MCPEM ("most comfortable pants (trousers) ever made") aka dropped crotch. These pants can do it all, wear them down and feel super comfortable as though you're walking around in your duvet. Equally, dress them up and feel that you are making an effort without making an effort; the only way to do it.

If I could, I would have a pair in every colour (which by the way I am trying to desperately do as you read). However, I have been flagged as a sufferer of obsessive compulsive disorder, but as the pills are having no effect whatsoever, I think I will simply succumb to my needs, or is that wants?

Jay

garden green

So, as it is coming up to (if not already) winter, either I use profuse amounts of lawn feed or these pictures have been sat on my memory card for a while. As you may have guessed, it is indeed the latter. 

If I recall correctly, I think I took these pictures one Sunday where I felt as though I hadn't exploited the contents of my wardrobe enough that past week, and so I grabbed my shoes and camera and I was off.

These are most probably, definitely, maybe, for sure my extra most favourite shoes. I am seriously addicted, the only problem is that they are slightly too wide for my feet and so have a tendency to fall off. Oh well, nothing like a challenge.

Jay