The mobile suit corporation

[hirez]

Floyd Landis: chapeau once again. Also damn fine to see Pereiro and Klöden on the podium. Unless there's malarkey tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the hopeless sorts over at the Manchester Guardian's 'fashion' desk seem to have lost what sense of taste they may have had at one time. For those of you confused by these things, I offer the following quick guide:

A spiv. When not trying to sell you nylons, red diesel or off-ration meat, he will be involved with fifth columnists. Avoid this bad sort.

A man correctly attired, as god and his tailor intended, in a single-breasted suit. (Although the less said about the width of his tie and choice in firearm the better)

I hope this clears up the matter satisfactorily.

Meanwhile (ii), the 9k is roadworthy once again, save an exploded brake-line. Damn good job that happened during the MOT, rather than on the way there.

Comments

[siani-hedgehog.livejournal.com]

thr trousers on that first one are utterly unforgiveable.

[jarkman.livejournal.com]

The Jag popped a brake line once, when I was already on the way to the garage.

Being young and reckless, I decided there probably wouldn't be many stops before I got there.

I very nearly ran into a police car on the final roundabout...

Are those *combats* in the last spiv-o-graph ?

[mr-flay.livejournal.com]

Amen to that! Almost as unforgiveable as that horrendous shirt, and the peculiar gyratory poses the model has been encouraged to adopt.

It is so hard to find a single-breasted, two-button suit these days. I've managed to find a black one and a cream one, but have long-since despaired of finding a decent tweed or pinstripe one.

Double-breasted overcoats, however, are the way and the good.

[tails-redux.livejournal.com]

Hard to find, not really. That said and done, I prefer three button (and double vent) suit jackets, matching four pocket waistcoats are a bonus. Tend to swear by Hector Powe stuff from the 1960s.

The old geezer down the Camden Lock market has a good eye for things, he will be able to tell your size by sight and should be able to track stuff down for you. Not sure what his prices for suits are like - I've only had Turnbull & Asser shirts and ties from him, source my suits in Bristol for the most part. Worth a visit just for the quality of the service alone.

[mr-flay.livejournal.com]

You'd be surprised. Three button suits are very easy, but a new two-button? Strictly summer linen suits, in my experience. I had to get a plain black Masonic blazer last time I went shopping for a decent interviews'n'funerals suit, and I had to go to Reading to find that.

I can't afford a personal tailor yet, and I've not had much luck in the vintage clothing shops, because I'm so slight - 40" and upwards are fairly common, but a tasteful 38" is a lot trickier. I never got on that well with the Camden Lock geezer - always found him quite pushy. Did get a nice Joseph Tricot scarf off him once, though.

[hirez.livejournal.com]

Oxford sandbags, probably. Ideal for disposing of spoil should you be captured by the enemy and need to tunnel your way out.

[hirez.livejournal.com]

Really, he needs a Filofax and a lumpy Nokia to complete the ensemble.

[tails-redux.livejournal.com]

In some ways he is, but he is also passionate. Easier to deal with than snooty nobheads or high street drones that only just know how to work a till. I find it good to deal with people who know what they are on about. Best way with retro/vintage places is to chat with the owners and let them know what you are after. More often than not, there's a stockroom/secret supply tucked away.

As it happens, I'm at 38" chest as well. Never had much trouble tracking stuff down. The last suit I picked up was a two button one - a two piece lightweight wool in light gray, mint condition - with the aid of a bit of haggling at a vintage fashion fair a couple of months back. Bit of a lucky find, but you do have to put the hours in to get results.

Brand new? I wouldn't know. There's so much stuff that's sweatshopped these days I rarely bother, unless there's a decent sale at an high end independent shop.