CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

There isn’t a more versatile pair of shoes that you could wish to find in a stylish man’s wardrobe, than a pair of good quality Brogues, there are a perennial style that sits alongside a trainer. They are ease personified, equally at home being teamed with a pair of jeans as they are suited and booted, finishing off a formal outfit and they perfectly accompany a casual offering as a more formal look.

Now the heritage of this style of footwear is steeped in legend and has as many urban myths attached to it as it has differing variations in its design. Some say it comes from the Old Scottish word for shoes, Brogan or the other great Celts tribe, the Irish who used the word Bròg. But one thing is for sure, and was confirmed by a member of a Coupling Dynasty, Mr Stuart Bromley, yes of the Russell & Bromley empire, the honest to goodness Brogue started life under very humble beginnings. Originally designed as a country, outdoors shoe for farmers of the Celtic regions in the nineteenth century, the perforated patterns made for ideal circulation of water for the farmers and fishermen who were used to having to spend long periods in wet bog like land and the perforations prevented Trench foot and other like conditions, nice.

Today the Brogues has far more glamorous wearers with everyone from The Prince of Wales, Carey Grant and Peter Niven to Daniel Craig, Mr & Mrs Beckham and even the ever stylish Alexa Chung all professing to being fans.

So why is the Brogue so iconic ? We caught up with Tim Little Creative director and owner of the Great British curators of excellent examples of Brogues, Grenson, who told us, “They are the most iconic, cartoonists always draw brogues to signify smart men’s shoes. I think it’s a visual thing, they look totally unique. What started out as practical idea to let the water out of your shoes, became a decorative element that made the shoes look so different. They are also associated so strongly with British shoemaking as they came from here. Very few shoes are famous for their provenance.”

But which is better the Traditional or Contempoarary Brogue ? The Cobbler-in-Chief at another British Footwear institutions, Oliver Sweeney put it, “Whether it’s enlarging the punching design, working with untraditional colours and leathers, or simply making a brogue with a non-traditional construction, we’re all about challenging both ourselves and our customer’s perspectives of the perfect shoe. We don’t shy from using traditional shoe constructions, like the Goodyear welted construction, which ensures that each of our brogues are a hardwearing and incredibly comfortable wear, or from standard calf leathers and colours, we also like to experiment with new ways to make our shoes your first choice. It’s a part of what makes my job as Cobbler-in-Chief at Oliver Sweeney so exciting.”

And of course the Ultimate question when it comes to Brogues is it Black or Tan ? “Both if possible, if not get tan brogues and black derbys. I like my black shoes to be plain. On a tan brogue the punched holes show up better and create the look.” And you must remember, “Only wear them every other day, so get two pairs and rotate. Polish them in the evening and leave the polish on overnight. Buff them up in the morning.” Thank you Tim Little, a true fountain of knowledge.

BUDGET NOT AN ISSUE

Or I have enough money and pairs of Brouges to splash out on a pair of Blue Suede ones like these  Hasketon’s from Oliver Sweeney

WATCHING THE PENNIES

If you’re going to invest in a great quality pair of Brogues, don’t look any further than Grenson and these Dylan’s.

WHAT A BARGAIN

You can’t say value for money more than these Dorest Limit from Clarks.

Did you know we bought record amounts of cashmere in the UK this winter (like Burberry’s iconic cashmere scarf and Marks & Spencer’s great cashmere knitwear, with sales up 80% this winter). And then we had the warmest, wettest February ever on record (according to NASA), which just so happens to be creating the perfect conditions for a massive Moth Invasion. What’s the connection ? All winter those Moth eggs lay snug and safe in our dark, warm wardrobes, and now its spring their horrible larvae (those tiny caterpillar-like things that actually do the damage) are hatching out. Even now they are munching on their very favourite food, cashmere, at our expense!

As soon as spring is here it’s time to act, and we all need to act quickly. Clothes Moths will be active from April to November. Of course we all want effective deterrents that will save those costly fashion favourites, as I have found to my detriment. But remember, we’ll almost certainly be spraying in bedrooms and closets, breathing harsh – even toxic – chemicals even as we sleep, not a great idea. One of the ‘greenest’ experts fighting at the front line of the War on Moths is The Lemongrass Trading Company, which specialises in pure and natural plant-based insecticides containing no added chemicals, which also happen to smells pretty damn good too.

The Lemongrass Trading Company, was set up in 2013, dedicated to making pure Natural products that are environmentally friendly. Plus all of there products are made on site right here in Dorset, UK. They are launching a new and revolutionary formula that targets not just the adult moths but also the actual larvae. It’s a new version of their best seller, the 100% Natural Lemongrass & Cedarwood Anti-Moth Spray. It is non-toxic and chemical free.

Stacy Marking, founder and CEO of The LEMONGRASS TRADING COMPANY Ltd, has given us her “Six Weapons of Moth Destruction”. The advice is really sound, and, though  a pain to do, it is really worth following. (I don’t always bother, and I always regret it! Like last year) which is specially tailored for Men’s Clothes:

1. First, once you see a small beige adult moth fluttering out of your closet the damage may already have been done. Spray it or swat it – definitely seek to kill the moth before it can lay its eggs (up to 50 in a female’s lifetime.
2. Clean out closet or drawer as thoroughly as you can.
3. Wash and clean the garments.
4. It’s not the Moth but the newly hatched Larva (that horrible little white-caterpillar like thing that munches those holes in cashmere sweaters or expensive suits. Moths love expensive fabrics, and go for any spot of dirt, trace of sweat, or even a splash of wine, on which the hatching larva can feed. That’s why the new unique spray has an added ingredient that targets the Larvae.
5. For Men’s Suits – it is not good for these expensive fabrics to be dry cleaned too often (and dry cleaning doesn’t kill off the moths eggs), so try sponging them down lightly before you hang them up.
6. For Cashmere and other Sweaters: put each one into a plastic bag, singly. If you can, put this in the freezer. But, even if not, if moth eggs do hatch, at least the larvae will only destroy one sweater at a time. Clear plastic is practical, as then you can see which is which.
   NOTE: THESE ACTIONS WILL WORK – AND THEY COST NOTHING!