Hackett Outfit

 By now you are probably aware of that I'm a sucker for the preppy style. One brand that delivers that style in spades is Hackett. I like this ensemble that I can mix together from the new items. A pair of pink chinos, a fuscia polo shirt and a light blue jacket. A sure fire hit for a nice summer's day. And if that colour combination doesn't get you some attention nothing will.

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Hackett

The supreme style of the English gentleman provided by Hackett is so desirable for me. I am in love with style and run around in waistcoats, cardigans and jackets at the moment. One or two days inbetween I go gothic black just as a contrast. I like contrasts and I like keeping the people around me on their toes. What would life be like if you weren't allowed to play from time to time? And fun can be had, even in serious clothes.

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Hackett

Hackett is one of the true British institutions when it comes to male fashion. If you want quality and tradition this is one of the places to go. This current season it is a bit like they have blended the English Dandy with a bit of Clark Kent geekiness, but the result is good. I love the navyblue pinstripe suit above. A sure winner.

Or why not a revisit to the 1920s where you look like you are getting ready for the regatta?

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Harrods

In the midst of London we have the epitomy of luxury, Harrods. The department store that is so big it feels like you need a map and a compass. Five floors with 330 different departments. It is quite common that you will be walking around in circles and wonder where the hell you are and how to get out. It's a fantastic place but at times I can think that it is too much but that depends entirely on which mood I'm in. It was founded already in 1834 and today it is owned by Quatar Investment Authority and employs well over 5000 people. The Harrods motto goes like this Omnia Omnibus Ubique - All Things for all People, Everywhere. Now that is impressive but let's face it, we know that it is not for all people. I have read somewhere that they say that they sell everything from a pin to an elephant. Apparently Ronal Reagan put it to the test at a state visit in the UK. The sales clerk asked without batting an eyelid if the American president wanted an Indian or an African elephant. That you can call service!!



Harrods is a phenomenom and even if the prices of the goods inside are too steep for you, go in and look. It's worth the visit.

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Reiss

When I moved to London I lived close to Kings Road so that road has a special place in my heart. One of my favourite shops to saunter into was (and still is) Reiss. They don't provide jaw dropping fashion perhaps but they do have classical pieces that you can keep in your wardrobe for a long time to come. The military inspired jacket above is a nice purchase and it is one of the best colours ever, navy blue.

This blue and floral hankerchief I consider a must have.

When we already are into blue why not a navy blue suit. We can't run around in grey and black all the time.

I have a thing for sweaters with patches on the shoulders or the elbows. I wonder what that means??


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John Lewis

In London on Oxford Street we have one department store after another. One of these is John Lewis. In the building next to John Lewis I went to college, London College of Fashion if you happen to have forgottten. We went into John Lewis quite often, at least on the ground floor and that was because of the section with fabrics. We needed fabric samples for all our different projects and John Lewis had a very good selection and very good staff that helped us. I suppose they were used to having students running there all the time asking for fabric swatches.

I can't say that I explored so much more of John Lewis. The image isn't exactly of the hippest, hottest or most fashion forward but it is an institution on Oxford Street. Now I think it would be fun to go exploring and discover what I didn't then. How about it, Irina? Should we take a reminiscing tour of John Lewis and perhaps LCF as well?

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Hackett London

Of the spur of the moment I went into Hackett's webpage and looked through the new arrivals of the men's collection and these are the items I found interesting. Hackett isn't exactly the place you run to if you want the latest trends and avantgarde fashion. Hackett is worth a visit if you want quality and a style that will last for many seasons.

What was to become Hackett saw the light in 1979 in Portobello Road when Jeremy Hackett and Ashely Lloyd-Jennings met. They sold second hand British men's clothing in a stall before opening their first shop in 1983 on New King's Road in Parsons's Green, London. They still concentrated on selling second hand clothes and gathered a cult status among the young crowds. In 1985 they branched out and started making their own clothes.

In 1986 a range of shops are open in the vicinity of the first. Each and every one specialising in a certain field like shirts and ties, sportswear and formal wear. Since the shops were close to each other the area was called the Hackett Cross by London cabbies.

In 1992, the year I arrived in London, Hackett opened their flagship shop on Sloane Street which is one of the major streets in London for luxury shopping. In 2006 Hackett was represented in fifteen countries around the world. Not bad for a business that started with a stall in Portobello Road thirty odd years ago.




I recommend a visit to their shop on Sloane Street.


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