Bathing Beauty: Get out your water wings and take a dive with Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin. [Men’s Vogue]

Rock-A-Fellas: It’s shaping up to be a banner week for ex-label mates and eternal hustlers Damon Dash and Jay-Z. [NME]

On The Trail: Will this campaign season ever end? [Guardian UK]

Ol’ Blighty: Meanwhile the sceptred isle has its own sartorial issues. [Daily Mail UK]

Style Points: This seasonal scorecard of surviving menswear designers is probably the best digest of critiques we’ve seen all year… except our own, of course. [NYTimes]

Shock Teese: Our favorite burlesque star, Frau Dita Von Teese, once - surprise, surprise - filmed some kinky girl-on-girl porn, some of it hot, some of (particularly the bit with the shoes) not so much. Not to worry, we still file her under “classy broad.” [Fleshbot, soooo NSFW]

Budget Kawakubo: H+M will borrow the outré edge of Comme des Garçons for a limited line this November. [Vogue UK]

Spelunking: Share your mancave with the world. [CNN iReport]

Guy Liner: Pete Wentz creates a make-up line for men, you know, because buying women’s make up is kinda gay. [Styledash]

Deal Alert: Get your Hicky’s. [Racked]

Home Maker: In a last-ditch effort to save the housing market, Petra Nemcova has branched out into sexy, sexy field of real-estate development. [NYPost]

Separated at Birth: While Ashley Olsen made the Maxim “Hot 100 List,” Mary-Kate was left off the tally of the world’s hottest tail, thus solidifying her place as the “ugly one.” [Hollywood Scoop]

The Legion of Superheroes: The bright stars of society and fashion enjoyed the spandex and cowls on display at the Met Gala. We’ll just go ahead and presume our invites got lost in the mail. [NYMag]

Under the Burka: Islamic fashion designers just can’t win. [Turkish Daily News]

Vote Thin!: Barack Obama represents a, “shining new hope for skinny men,” and political marginalization for fatties. [Guardian UK]

Fitting End: Tailor to Sir Roger Moore and Ralph Lauren, Douglas Howard passes away at 73. [DNRNews]

Cool Britannia: English men are turning down sex in growing numbers, leaving more for the rest of us sloppy Yanks. [Men.Style]

This week’s Monocle features a story on a London store called Albam that has made its name by promoting local production—meaning within the UK, or failing that, within western Europe—in favor of the higher profit margins but questionable labor conditions of East Asian factories. It’s a common enough tale, but we couldn’t resist a little peek at how things work across the pond.

More on Monocle’s local crusade»

Sleepaway: We’ve been to summer camp before. If was like this, we never would have left. [The Cut]

We Got The Blues: A denim roundup you just can’t miss. [Refinery29]

Pop The Question: So you’ve overcome commitmentphobia. Here’s some suggestions for the next step [Art of Manliness]

All About Yoo: Thanks to his ability to please the, “everyday business guy,” and the “Brooklyn kids,” Justin Yoo is officially on our radar. [We Are the Market]

Revving Up: BMW brings back the M1 Supercar. Frankly, we’re a little turned on. [Wired]

Early Delivery: Even though Steven Alan’s Lark & Wolff Urban Outfitters collection isn’t supposed to be available for another couple of weeks, you can snatch some shirts down at the Noho shop. We suggest cutting out of work early. [Racked]

Core Values: British tailors are fighting to preserve the meaning of the term “bespoke”. Join the crusade! [Telegraph UK]

One of the highlights of the capsule show was a British marque called “b”. (The store is b Store, the in-house line is b Clothing, shoes are b Footwear, and so on.) They’ve been one of the highlights of the London scene since they opened in 2000, but they’re only building up a stateside presence now. Their website has a few highlights—including a few bathrobe-esque takes on the waistcoat—but their merch at capsule was a cut above.

More on the wares of b Store»

Chinese Fire Drill: Pole dancing comes to China, in an act of western imperialism we can all get behind. [IHT]

Girly Men: British men are sad, emasculated. Film at 11. [The Guardian]

Get a Cardboard Box…: A chef on the Today Show gives a lesson in how to end a television career. [Today’s Big Thing]

Movin’ Up in the World Like Elevators: Multi-MOTH Andre Benjamin offers up his favorite things on the heels of the launch of his fashion line, Benjamin Bixby. [Men.Style]

Puffed: For the first time in decades, someone actually misses Diddy. [The Cut]

I’ve Seen the Future: Uniqlo resorts to robot labor. Anyone who’s seen Westworld knows where this is going. [Josh Spear]

Pork and Beans: The discreet charms of the English breakfast. [A Continuous Lean]

The Press Office: Even when he’s doing press, Ricky Gervais is funny. We look forward to a time when he’s doing these every few months like Steve Martin. [Esquire]

Progress: Mankind has finally produced a smellbook. Awe is the only appropriate response. [CoolHunting]

We’re always impressed by a British import—something about the slim, boxy cut—so we were especially pleased to see Bamford & Sons landing in Barneys New York’s flagship Madison Avenue store this week. They’ve taken over a patch on the ground floor with fall offerings, most notably the iconic Trapper and Trackside jackets, but what caught our eye was this double-breasted overcoat.

It’s a hard garment to pull off without squashing your suit or swallowing up your shoulders. This one balances the two as only a Brit could.

Whether it’s flash mobs or tumblrs, a good idea can only last so long before someone turns it to commerce. The Sartorialist lasted longer than most, but after last month’s Gant advert, a third party has turned Scott Schuman’s idea of street style photo-blogging into a full blown clothing store.

The British site Stitsh has a familiar look, but if you roll over any of the pictures, it’ll take you to sites where you can buy any of the items on the screen. Like a few others, we like the idea, even if it’s a little too focused on British streetwear brands for our taste. Can’t they get someone over to the West End?

We’re pretty happy with the current Bond theme, but there’s always room for improvement…

British semi-stars Joe Cornish and Adam Buxton recently recorded dueling themes for the upcoming Quantum of Solace as part of a “song battle,” and the results are staggering to say the least. Apparently some Brits—or at least some comedians—are none too happy with Bond’s new sensitive/brutal side.

In our favorite of the two songs, Cornish ends up waxing nostalgic for the days of Roger Moore, underwater cars and Union Jack parachutes. Say it ain’t so, Joe!

Contrast and compare theme songs after the jump»

Maybe it’s the O.J. stigma, but folks don’t appreciate the value of a good pair of leather gloves. We say ditch cat-burglar black in favor of country-gentleman brown, and keep your knuckles warm through fall in the bargain.

Selectism turned us on to these items from Dents, a UK firm with a Rag & Bone collab already under its belt. Lucky for us, we prefer the unadulterated British version.

The Britons have been doing pretty well for themselves lately, but we’re surprised to see the latest trend coming from a corner of history we overlooked. Remember the Raj? Apparently Savile Row forgot too.

The empire may not have worked out so well, but certain designers are indulging in a little Kinks-y nostalgia. Duncan Quinn—whom you may know from a MOTH or two—just unveiled his latest line of ready-to-wear ties, inspired by the British Raj, and paired with a few of our favorite helmets, in case you need protective headgear to go with your new look.

We can’t imagine Waris is very happy about the new colonial chic—and actually, we can’t say we blame him—but who are we to question Mr. Quinn?

Check out Quinn’s launch party in New York»

So far, the rise of workwear has mostly focused on the American Rust Belt, but there’s plenty of labor going on across the water too. Or should we say, labour.

Inspired by England’s Northeast coast, Norsea Industries comes at the blue-collar revival from a scrappier vantage, mixing steelworker denim with Member’s-only style jackets, vintage-inspired beachwear, and a nautical vibe that reminds us more than a little bit of Rogues Gallery. Apparently Yorkshire is quite the sartorial melting pot. After this, we’ll be sure to keep our eye on it.

After all, one post-industrial wasteland is as good as another.

Get a closer look at the line after the jump»

As you might know, we’re very impressed by cobblers, especially cobblers of the semi-ancient continental variety.

Edward Green has been plying their wares out of a Northampton shop for upwards of a century now, which is enough to impress us. They also work on an admirably small scale, churning out around 65 pairs of shoes a month.

And if you happen to be in the Northeast tomorrow or a few weeks from now, you can catch a trunk show, see the samples up close, and get a few pairs made-to-order.

Details after the jump»

We’re always looking for someone bucking convention, even if the convention wasn’t so bad. For instance, we love a good pair of Ray-Bans, but there’s always someone out there with a new idea…

In this case, the idea comes from Alexander Hi Tek, a British subject with an uncanny knack for steampunk-inspired frames that you could actually wear on the street.

We knew it was only a matter of time before someone took this mainstream, but it’s not quite there yet. So far, Hi Tek is an eBay-only proposition, but hopefully someone will get this into a store some time soon.

A few more frames»

Apparently the limited edition trick isn’t just for t-shirts. Like anything, the trick is thinking big…

Aston Martin just launched their One-77 model with a production run of only 77 cars for the entire world. Of course, just getting an appointment to see one requires a 200,000 pound deposit, with an extra million to buy the thing, so they probably aren’t sweating the numbers.

NotCot is raffling off a tour of the factory where the car was made if you don’t have 200,000 pounds lying around, but we’re more interested in the business end. If you’re going after the high end (and Aston Martin has never been after anything else), why make more than 100 of anything? That is, as long as there are still enough millionaires in the world.

The Britons have many fascinating customs, but few are more sartorially lush than hunting. American hunting outfits tends to be waxed canvas, flannel, and the occasional silly hat, but the Britons are a bit more stylish.

For instance, this Stansfield Hunting Jacket. The patches give it a military look, but it’s never less than noble, and the off-kilter pockets and exposed buttons are icing on the cake. Of course, that beige plaid isn’t for beginners, but it’s probably the shortest path to looking like the Duke of Windsor.

At least without passing through Savile Row.

The pea coat has been the formal overcoat of choice for quite some time now. It might be time to give the trench coat another try. Of course, it helps if it’s in black wool instead of Bogart’s usual canvas-colored gabardine.

This one comes from our old Brit friends at b store with a stripped down look, a slim silhouette, and a comfortably bathrobe-like belt. East Coasters might want to sit on it until spring, but it should be a welcome addition by then.

And knowing London, we bet it does pretty well against the rain.

Between Savile-obsessed trads and an older tribe still reliving the British Invasion, it’s easy to forget the younger generation of British designers, even when they’re churning out goods as impressive as anything you’ll find in New York. For example, our old friend Oliver Spencer.

Spencer’s Fall ’08 line has a lot to recommend it, but what caught our eye was the rough fabrics, long pirate-style peacoat, and his clever twists on the cardigan. Add in a little classic tailoring, and we’re pretty much sold. What else would you expect from Keith’s tailor?

See the line in full»

As anyone who’s been perusing our must-haves knows, we’ve got a soft spot for Yuketen Herringbone Boots, but actually finding a pair can be quite a task. Luckily, the rest of the world seems to be catching up.

Acquire put us onto this similar pair from UK brand Maharishi. It’s not quite as good…but you won’t have to hire out a personal shopper just to find one.

It’s nice to know Paul Smith still has a few tricks up his sleeve.

They call this a peacoat, but it couldn’t have less in common with the nautical woolies you see in coming in with winter. This looks more like something you’d see on an 18th century foot soldier…provided he’s on the British side.

Velvet slippers have been venturing farther and farther outdoors lately. We’ve seen them come from sneaker companies and on the heels of a MOTH, but it’s always best to go to the source. And in this case, the source is England.

Shipton & Heneage’s only retail stores are across the sea (Paris and London, to be specific), but you can get these bespoke slippers well enough through the mail…even if that means you have to get measured stateside. They’ll even throw in the extra-British touch of sewing your family seal over the toes. (Judging by the two-headed eagle, this gentleman’s a Habsburg.)

How to wear a velvet slipper»

Classic novels have had a rough shake lately, but the problem may be with the shabby covers you’re used to seeing at Barnes & Noble. After all, a hardcover is still a hardcover.

This series from Penguin Classics may help things out a bit. Designer Coralie Bickford-Smith came up with these, and they’re just about perfect, from the aristocratic chandeliers of Great Expectations to the vulgar geometry of Crime & Punishment.

Sadly, it’s only available in the UK through Waterstones…but we’re sure there’s a trick or two that can get it to your door.

We’ve had our eye on b store ever since this summer’s capsule show (and since we found our favorite trench coat), so we’re happy that their Spring ’09 line is finally captured on film.

Apparently they’re bigger fans of gingham than we thought (although everyone loves a picnic) and their collars are only getting smaller, which should be interesting down the road. Our only complaint here is the gladiator-style footwear featured in all four pictures. It was bad enough when this invaded the women’s runways; surely we can keep it off manlier feet.

See the rest of the line»

It isn’t just banks and magazines shedding employees anymore: even our old pal Damien Hirst has gotten in on the game. Despite having a very good year on the auction circuit, Hirst is laying off 17 of his 22 studio-hands. As of the January 1, they’ll be staring into the diamond-encrusted skull of unemployment.

All Hirst had to say for himself was the usual corporate mumbo jumbo about “efficiency cutbacks” and “not making those butterfly paintings anymore,” but we’re concerned. If Hirst’s not equipped to support an entourage anymore, we aren’t sure who is.

Perhaps some sort of a bailout is in order.

Now that we see it popping up on royalty, we realize there’s a type of beard we didn’t see in Portland: the self-consciously Arthurian muzzle.

Granted, it’s a pretty specific case, but if you’re an English prince out to establish your maturity, it’s really the only way to go.

It’s been kicking around since the 60s, but despite being a legitimate cultural icon, nobody’s given it the respect it deserves. But it looks like the afro pick’s time has finally come.

These gold- and silver-plated models from Social Creatures are made from cutlery grade aluminum and buffed to a high polish to help them negotiate the tighter curls. The handles are ornately embossed in the style of European trinkets, but don’t be fooled: this is entirely new. The silver model will set you back 275 UKP—they’re too bashful to give a price for the gold—but we never said cultural progress would be cheap.

Count on the Brits to bring us up to date.

We have to hand it to the Brits; they make a damn fine scarf.

The latest example is from a small London studio called Leto & Ariadne. They claim to pay most of their attention to drape and texture, but their approach to color is what caught our eye. The scarves blend simple colors in a way that’s equal parts Scottish plaid and Southwestern quilting, all with nothing more than fancy loomwork.

Now if they could just find a stateside shop…

The latest F/W line from Craig Robinson confirms what we’ve long suspected: a good tailor always wins out.

Robinson comes out of the bespoke world, so he’s got an appreciation for clean lines and the occasional pair of suspenders, but it doesn’t stop him from throwing in some intricate paneling when the mood strikes him. Shuffling between through British sophistication and military precision, this line isn’t exactly on-trend, but it’s so well done that it doesn’t matter.

Good design is still good design, and good timing is no substitute.

See the rest of the line»

Obscurity doesn’t mean much these days, and the internet is giving even the rarest cultural ephemera a place at the table.

The fine folks at Men.Style just tipped us off to AMC’s internet-rerelease of the British serial The Prisoner, quite possibly the best television the UK has ever produced.

Previously only available through the occasional PBS marathon, The Prisoner took the Cold War paranoia of the late 60s to psychedelic extremes. It takes place entirely in an isolated compound called The Village—a cross between a prison camp, an Italian villa, and a very bad trip. The following seventeen episodes aren’t all golden, but at its best the show revitalized tired spy tropes like the interrogation with an existential streak more interested in the nature of individuality than the usual guns and gadgets. Needless to say, TV hasn’t seen anything like it since.

Of course, AMC is being generous to prepare audiences for its remake of the series…but we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt so far.

See the first episode here»

Timberland has been turning out solid workwear boots since long before it was popular, but they seem to be taking to the movement remarkably well.

These Counterpane Chukkas (via acquire) aren’t quite ready for a day at the lumber mill, but there are heavier boots for that. These are more akin to what the same mill worker might wear to church: cleaner, but still unmistakably raw.

It’s been a pretty good week for shoes: first Florsheim and now this.

Red Brick Soul is the latest project from Mark McNairy, offering clay-colored soles (just like the name promises), resoleable welts and surprisingly colorful leathers. The loafers aren’t bad, but our favorite are these half-buck, half-wingtips. The soles keep things from getting too formal, and the overall line of the shoe is comfortable stocky.

Even better, like the Florsheims, Mr. McNairy manages to keep the whole line under $550…no small feat given they’re being shipped over from England.

Our favorite bespoke tie-maker has a new line coming out, and we couldn’t resist taking an early peek.

Vittorio J will still work up a handful of ties to your specs, but you might do just as well sticking with their in-house line. They make the clever move of going narrow without being skinny, but the material might be an even bigger draw. They use English silk and the emphasis everywhere is on intricate patterns and bold colors.

Think of it as a consolation prize now that the upward-slope doesn’t quite cut the mustard.

See the rest of Vittorio’s ties»

Our new president has already inspired his share of sartorial fawning but, as always, the British take the cake.

This column from the The Independent’s Howard Jacobson (via Balk) begins by wondering how our new president gets that dimple in his four-in-hand tie. Of course, we’ve always thought Obama was over-dimpled, but if Mr. Jacobson really wants it, all he has to do is pinch the front part of the tie before he pulls it through into the knot. But the tie quandary is just an intro to Jacobson’s musings on the nature of political style…and he ends up with one of the best quotes we’ve heard on the topic.

The question is, now that Obama’s leading the free world, isn’t focusing on his style just a distraction? Shouldn’t we put more faith in leaders too busy to care about how they dress?

The answer, as you might expect, is that style matters»

Where Americans have the Polar Bear Plunge, Britons have the Tweed Run, which saw hundreds of fully-tweeded patriots taking to Savile Row last Saturday on fixed gear bicycles. (We assume their Penny-Farthings were in the shop.)

We hope they brought breath mints to the shoot, but it was worth it. This still from the British brand Aquascutum (and shot by Tim Walker) is easily one of the best fashion ads we’ve seen all year.

The men’s and women’s line both make it in, you can see just enough of the clothes, and it’s just plain eye-catching. It’s a spring/summer line, so the white pants are kosher, and the bleachers and school-photo layout make it all adorably formal.

Well played, gentlemen.

Speaking of street art making good, Banksy is getting a lot more marketable these days…thanks to the locus of chaotic energy that is Kate Moss.

Back in 2006, the British graffiter pasted Ms. Moss’s face over a famous Warhol print of Marilyn Monroe, making a tidy 96,000 UKP for a set of six prints. With that kind of payoff, it’s hard to resist a flip or two, so the owners are putting them back on the block, expecting up to 150,000 in return.

Even given the economy, we think it’s a safe bet. Kate’s look of vague disgust has never been more appropriate.

Dressers haven’t changed much in the past few decades, which may explain why most prefer antiques to newer designs…but there’s something to be said for the occasional new idea. Even if we have to ship it in from Britain.

This floating cabinet lets each drawer hover a few inches in the air, giving them a sense of weightlessness. Of course, it means each one needs its own slideable lid, but it’s a small price to pay for progress.

And it should fit perfectly into that empty circle near the closet…

Our favorite thing about B store is usually the small, rounded collars that always seem like the seedlings of a full-blown trend—something you might see in the window of Banana Republic ten years from now. But they may have learned a few new tricks.

Their latest line debuted this week at London Fashion Week, and it’s boasting a lot more than collars. From gun-holster-esque suspenders, dark-wash denim shirts and a pleasant reliance on cerulean blue, these Britons are finally coming into their own.

Eight more looks from b store»

If you felt compelled to replicate this gentleman’s vintage blazer…we may have something for you.

This boating blazer from Paul Smith is a good deal more traditional than the punkish pink-on-black, but the overall effect is remarkably similar. In fact, it’s so traddish that Smith forgoes his usual slanted pockets except for the chest slit.

Something tells us it would go well with a straw hat.

In case you were puzzled by the French sizing of the F-Troupe lace-ups, we thought we’d lend a hand.

This chart should help you make sense of a fairly confusing system. There are a lot of different systems out there, but it’s probably simpler than you think. British sizes are more or less the same, European sizes don’t vary too much from country to country, and we doubt your sartorial travels will take you much farther than that. When in doubt, round up.

And avoid Chinese sizes at all costs.

The pocketed dress shirt is an endangered species. At most, you’ll see a single, open breast pocket, but add in a couple button-flaps and you’re in work shirt territory, and it’s farther than most are willing to go.

But not everyone, apparently. We just got our hands on these pics from the recently relaunched British firm E. Tautz, and they’re boasting more prominent pockets than we’ve seen in some time. Of course, because of the British connection, we’re guessing they were after the colonial look, but it’s still an awful lot to have on your chest. Even if it looks a lot better than we would have guessed.

See more of E. Tautz»

Waxed cotton may be overtaking worsted as Britain’s favorite fabric. It started with Belstaff, but now it’s just about everywhere.

This parka from London’s Our Legacy takes the rough material into American Apparel territory, and it works surprisingly well. After so many years of clingy nylon, we’re ready for something a bit more earthy and a whole lot rougher. It gets windy out there, after all.

Best of all, there’s still a little bit of the British savoir faire. Is that a ticket pocket on the gentleman’s left?

The U.S. doesn’t see much menswear from Marc Jacobs, but apparently London’s got more than enough. But there may be a reason for that.

For instance, this double-layer cardigan probably goes over a lot better on Carnaby Street than Canal Street. Something about the British temperament takes to complementary colors better than staid Americans, and the double-layered knit only makes the contrast stronger.

But if you’re feeling anglophilic, you know where to find it.

Speaking of far-flung style outposts, Fred Perry recently opened up an eastern flagship in Moscow, and it’s one of the best store designs we’ve seen in quite some time.

Of course, Moscow has seen better days, so the Fred Perry folks dig into the seedy past of the Eastern capital with oriental rugs and a secret exposed-brick shoe lounge. It’s not bad for the most British Brand on Earth, especially since one doesn’t usually associate Fred Perry with this level of luxury. But Muscovites might be too canny to buy into it.

Nice digs are always good, but we’re guessing they’re more used to getting those briefcases off a street corner.

Take a look around»

By now, Paul Smith is big enough that we rely on him for our opinion of England overall. And based on his latest lookbook, it seems like things are getting a bit sleazy over there.

We don’t mind Smith trying out a pair of Nantucket reds—we knew he’d get around to them eventually—but these latest items seem more directed at early 60s-era beachgoers than his usual urban dandy demographic. They’re impeccably cut, of course, but it’s still a pretty big departure for our Mr. Smith. Did he get tired of the pastel Technicolor vibe so quickly?

Maybe he’s been catching up on his Mad Men?

See our picks from the lookbook»

One of the highlights of Britain’s current turn in the style spotlight is the steady stream of heritage brands taking their star turn. This month, it’s Baracuta, a lightweight jacket company recently been favored by a J. Crew collab, a quasi-placement in the latest Bond flick and seemingly endless supply of good press.

Of course, a history of showing up on the shoulders of everyone from Steve McQueen to Joe Strummer doesn’t hurt.

We weigh your baracuta options»

Nobody does brooding crime dramas quite like the brits. And while the best of the lot is already a bonafide masterpiece and a touchstone for modern style…there’s plenty more where that came from.

For instance, Stephen Frears’ The Hit was just rescued from obscurity by way of a Criterion release. The plot’s pretty simple—Tim Roth and an unusually Astley-esque John Hurt chauffeur mob informer Terrence Stamp across Spain to an all-but-certain death in Paris—but the real draw is the casual bleakness, flights of existential fancy, and practical lessons in how hired killers dress for the desert.

More on The Hit»

We’re not sure how the Brits at Belstaff became Hollywood’s coat-makers of choice, but they’ve done a better job than anyone in California could have. This particular item was whipped up for Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds, and we’d say the combination of the oversized fur collar and the European slant of the pockets place it above anything you might have seen in Benjamin Button.

There are a lot of odd nooks in British sartorial history, but if you hang around Paul Smith stores long enough, you’ll see just about all of them.

This shirt takes its cues from the famous Liberty of London floral prints, which have been popping up often enough lately to qualify as a mini-trend of their own. Mr. Smith takes a bit more impressionist approach—we’d guess Renoir deserves a little credit too—but the basic approach is more or less the same, and both styles are probably best viewed under a more subdued jacket.

And we’d keep the matching tie a safe distance away.

Via Street Peeper

As anyone on the East Coast can currently attest, a good raincoat is a very useful thing. Fortunately, London’s been facing rainy Junes for upwards of a thousand years, and they’ve picked up a trick or two.

This gentleman’s shawl-like overcoat comes via Aquascutum, a more modern alternative to marques like Mackintosh and Baracuta (and creator of this ad). The shoulder flaps make it seem both more impermeable and more sartorially adventurous than the competition—a remarkably good case for leaving your umbrella at home.

Formalwear has a lot of unspoken rules, and as you get into the thorny, European end, they can get downright confusing. For instance, blue suits and brown shoes are now entirely acceptable—provided you’re outside of Germany. Just so you know…

For a guide, we suggest a tome called Gentleman, which recently received a new cover and a revised edition. It’s got a few hefty predecessors, but it’s definitely worth a look. A few other insights contained within: if your tie lifts your collar tips off your shirt, it’s time to change ties, and if you’re wearing a club tie around London high society, you’d better belong to the club.

A British marque called John Smedley came across our sale radar today with 30% off at their online shop, and we were a bit surprised to peruse the selection. Unlike Anglo designers like Paul Smith, who occasionally seem like they’re making Britishness up as they go along, this is what well-dressed, comfortably middle class Brits actually wear—which can make it quite the statement for an anglophilic man of style.

Smedley’s popular enough to make it to their third century—eat your heart out, Brooks Brothers—and they didn’t do it by being fashion-forward or taking any more risks than they had to. That means some of the gear is a little questionable, but there’s good stuff if you’re willing to dig. Our pick is this Gideon polo, which manages to make Mr. Smedley seem like Fred Perry’s older, less chavvy cousin.

The liberty prints are piling up, but this is the first one we’ve seen that doesn’t bother with cloth. The shade designers at Super plastered three of the more iconic liberty patterns across the top bar of their best clear-bottomed frame, and the result is pure trend candy. We wouldn’t count on wanting to wear these when next summer rolls around, but for the next few months they’ll be just about golden.

For some reason, we never get tired of the mod look.

This particular snap comes from Horst A. Friedrichs’ new book, I’m One: 21st Century Mods, which means that while this gentleman may not be on the cutting edge of the cropped look, he’s got plenty of company—both in the book and on the streets of London.

The British Design Council has been responsible for a surprising amount of the Really Cool Stuff in the world so far, so we’re glad to finally get a peek at some of it. As of today, they’re opening up their slide archive to give design-minded net-dwellers everywhere a chance to see what they’ve got in there. It includes a wealth of early 60s gems—somebody should really make a show set back then…—but also a few accomplishments we never would have guessed at. Who would have guessed that the same folks that were polishing up tea kettles in the 50s ended up designing power lathes and furnaces?

See a few gems from the archive»

If you were waiting for a cockney-inflected counterpoint to Pitchfork’s recent decade-spanning mega-list, wait no more. NME just unveiled their 100 favorite discs (or possibly downloads) from the last ten years—each equipped with a few perfunctory links and a video—kicking off drunken arguments in pubs, schoolyards and hospitals throughout fair Albion.

The Strokes’ Is This It lands in the top spot, which we must admit is a pretty solid call. But to get you started in your own ranting, here’s a few outstanding grievances:

Did they really put Speakerboxx/The Love Below higher than Stankonia? And Bloc Party higher than either one? How many Damon Albarn side projects do they really expect us to listen to? And if they think we’ve forgotten how much they slagged Kid A when it first came out, they’re wrong.

Enjoy yourselves.

These socks from the UK’s Smart Turnout add an extra element to the comfortingly twee world of colorful toesleeves: The stripes are code for the British Adjutant General’s Corps.

It’s the same trick tradition-minded Brits usually play with ties and scarves—check out J. Press for the stateside equivalent—but it usually doesn’t reach to socks for the simple reason that nobody’s supposed to be able to see them, or at least not well enough to get a read on the color. But now that high cuffs have made them more visible, this idea might be ready for its moment.

EPA/Daniel Deme

The red carpet isn’t all tuxedos and pomaded hair.

Take, for example, claymation guru Nick Park’s appearance at this weekend’s BAFTA awards. We wouldn’t describe it as dashing, per se, but for a gentleman best known for meticulous stop-motion confections (Wallace and Gromit, if you were wondering), it’s a pretty consistent image. The bowtie’s a good example of the old school of neckwear, but we’re more interested in the light-sopping jacket.

Nobody’s going to confuse him with George Clooney, but he seems to have the “nerdy craftsman” look sewn up.