A Few of My Favourite Things, Part 1

A couple of things that crossed my radar recently and with Christmas around the corner you may even find them helpful.

Jaeger Patch Pocket Suit

Continuing my patch pocket odyssey, or obsession, depending on your point of view, I found exactly the suit I was looking for courtesy of Jaeger. I found this suit by accident, diving into the shop to get out of a torrential downpour. Trousers and jacket are sold separately, which means you can stock up on extra trousers – always handy with off the peg. This Pure wool flannel suit is made of Italian cloth, with horn buttons and a centre vent. It could well become a core item in my wardrobe. Worn as one suit or stripped down –using the jacket with jeans and the trousers with odd jackets to allow a variety of looks. Courting a younger market the company has improved its look considerably over recent years. They’ve taken classics and given them a younger edge and sharpened up their lines.

Quba Sailcloth Jackets

A little while ago I spent a weekend in Lymington, a beautiful little town on the English coast. Owing to its closeness to Cowes on the Isle of Wight, it’s a haven for boaters, windsurfers, sailors and yachtsmen. And there I discovered Quba. Started in 1996 by two university friends who had some old sail cloth they wanted to turn into jackets, the company, and their range, developed from this simple idea. Having grown up sailing on the Norfolk Broads, I’ve always had a great affinity for sailing clothing. Much underused in the domestic wardrobe, it lends itself to the high street and high seas equally well, providing a distinctive and sportier edge. The two great advantages are that it looks great  – how many badly dressed people have you ever seen on a Yacht? And secondly, it has to withstand the elements, making it tough, practical and well made. I’m not advocating you wear a life jacket in town, but I love Quba’s X10 Drop-Back in white. Each piece of the jacket is put together individually and designed to withstand the roughest oceans and bleakest mountains. The range extends beyond merely jackets, and I think it’s a company to keep an eye on.