We’ve featured both retro-styled military coats and pea coats for men in the past – but this River Island db pea coat sits somewhere between the two.
In black and featuring epaulettes, metallic buttons and military-style fastening, it’s made of 70% wool, so should be good enough to keep you warm as the temperatures plummet in the coming weeks.
And coming from River Island, it’s not too expensive either – retailing at £69.99.
Recently picked up on a spending spree on Amazon Japan were these superb Ivy Illustrated books. All the text is in Japanese, so much so that I don’t even know the name of the author/illustrator – though the ageing gentleman does look very cool on the inside sleeve in Harrington, button-down shirt and jeans.
Don’t worry about the language, the books are all about the images. All hand-drawn, they cover every conceivable detail (as Japanese books tend to do), from outfits, accessories and luggage through to food, plants and even famous wearers of the Ivy League style – all using the same drawing style as the front cover.
Really nice things to own – they retail for around 1680 Yen each – that’s around £7.30.
Make a date in your diary for Saturday January 20th 2007, when the V&A in London will host Costume Society Study Day: Reconstructing 60s Fashion – a study day covering 60s fashion, with some of the era’s biggest names in attendance.
The event runs from 10pm until 4:30pm and features contributions from Mary Quant, Paul Gorman, Zandra Rhodes, Felicity Green, Barbara Hulanicki, Marit Allen, Marion Foale & Sally Tuffin, Paul Reeve, Justin de Villeneuve and Sylvia Ayton. Themes to be discussed (with audience participation) include Design and Education, Journalism and Photography, Boutiques and Shops, Music and "The Scene".
Tickets are priced at £38, £32 (senior citizen), £20 (Costume Society members) and £12 (students with ID).
We’ve featured Karhu previously – it’s a small Finnish company taking advantage of its sportswear legacy by reintroducing classic designs under the Karhu Originals banner.
We previously highlighted the Karhu Field shoes, but if you’re after something more stripped down, check out the Karhu Originals Olympic trainers. These low trainers are available in leather or suede and in a range of colours. They’re so named because they were part of the Olympic uniform for the Finnish team in 1972 – but as they looked so good, the company decided to mass produce them.
They retail for around £70 – the Karhu site has a list of places where you can buy them. If there isn’t a place in your country, email [email protected] to buy online.
The influence of Spring Court’s trainers has extended way beyond its native France. Yes, Serge Gainsbourg wore them, but so did a number of British Mods in the 60s – and most famously of all, John Lennon was photographed in a pair on the cover of the Abbey Road album.
They’ve been on the market for 70 years and are still available today with the trademark four-hole ventilation (which was introduced in 1952). And for a design classic, why not check out the Spring Court Lo Cut. A white canvas upper, gum sole and vulcanised rubber outsole – and as comfortable as anything you own.
Also available in different colours, you can pick up a pair for around £40.
Brook Brothers certainly aren’t vintage, though many of their items still have a leaning to a past era – like this Brooks Brothers Fitzgerald Solid Two-Button 1818 suit, or for a shorter name, the JFK suit.
It’s got the JFK name because it’s based on suits that were made for John F. Kennedy in the early 60s. This two-button suit has a slimmer fit than the rest of the Brooks range, along with narrow lapels. There’s also a centre vent, full Bemberg lining, corozo buttons, double besom flap pockets and the trousers are both narrow and flat fronted.
Expect to find it in the newly opened Brooks Brothers store in London for around £599 or in the US for $898.
