Style Column
GREY FOX COLUMN David Evans celebrates the true sartorial splendour of the British, despite reputations abroad to the contrary
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had a crazy Damascene revelation a few months ago, when it occurred to me that, arguably, most of the menswear shapes and styles that we recognise today have their origins in the British Isles. Imagine, if you will, a group of well-dressed men from every corner of the globe having a good grumble. “What have the British ever done for us stylish men?” Asks one of them. “Quite – what have they ever done for us?” they all cry. After a moment’s silence, one of them tentatively raises a hand. “Well, they brought us bespoke tailoring – and the three-piece suit.” There’s a general muttering. “And tweed,” calls out another. “And Yorkshire cloth.” More reluctant agreement. “And Prince of Wales check, Glen check and tartan.” They’re all contributing now: “And waxed cotton jackets.” “And wellington boots.” “And cardigans.” “And Fair Isle, Shetland knitwear and ganseys.” “And Aran jumpers.” “And
“The British detectives, Thomson and Thompson in the Tintin books, wear dark suits, toothbrush moustaches and bowler hats. Pierre Daninos’ series about Major Thompson, an Englishman living in France, has his character in tweeds, carrying a tightly furled umbrella and, yes, wearing a bowler hat” mass-production off-the-peg clothing.” “And the British Warm, covert coat, trench coat and Ulster.” “And brogues, Chelsea boots and desert boots.”
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