With the heat approaching, out comes the “seersucker” button down + infamous PG collar roll only achievable via bespoke option 😉

*Another blast from the past - thank you new follower

mostexerent:

Solaro SoRaro reflects heat - Truth or Fiction?

Summer has finally arrived in Sydney, Australia & what better way to start than wearing a cotton “Solaro” suit.

It has been said that the weave was developed in such a way to reflect the suns bight - so far I have to agree.

Solaro cloth is recognisable by the fine herringbone weave, usually 2 colours (in this case khaki & plum). Solaro can be of cotton or wool. The wool variety is almost like gaberdine.

The hand (or feel) is quite special in that there is a certain heft yet soft to skin. The creases tend to also be soft not fine like normal cotton.

I’m looking forward to more cotton Solaro - maybe even a DB..

* note the shadows as the clouds move & then note that the tone of the suit changes ever so slightly, so hard to capture this..

Details: Shades - vintage Moscot “Lemtosh” in summer blonde | Suit - P Johnson in Ariston cotton “Solaro” ”SoRaro” for GW | Shirt - P Johnson in Thomas Mason for GW | Knit-tie - Drakes | Pocket Square - Linen Hermes | Socks - MUJI | Hoofs - John Lobb ” City II) in pewter suede on 7000 last for Leather Soul for GW

* Yes you can wear a hat, just don’t be self conscious or ironic.. Another great find from my archives (2009 Sydney, Australia). Liking how new followers are taking the time to go through the archives.

Easy like Sunday

Details: Cologne - Tom Ford, Hat - Akubra, Sunglasses - vintage RayBan, Shirt - bespoke, Watch - vintage Rolex Ref 1680, Pants - Uniqlo, Shoes - RLPL

* As we are heading into our summer (down here in the Antipodes), get your loose linens out & skip the IronicHipster tight pants. A nice find from the archives by another new follower. (Hong Kong June 2011)

When it is 30c & 99.9% humidity @ midnight & when you wake up, there is no option but “LOOSE” the TIE & wear as much LINEN as possible..

Notes: SC & Shirt - P Johnson for GW, PS - Faconnable, Shoes - Edward Green “Dover” for Leather Soul, Bag - Ettinger for The Armoury

* From the archives as discovered by a new follower (June 2011)

The parts: Shirt - Mystery Bespoke, Pantaloons - RAPHA x Paul Smith, Loafers - Carmina #8 Cordovan for The Armoury, Satchel - Bottega Veneta

Note: For those that have not been following long, I’m on one of my regular business trips & this time it is HKG in the middle of summer (which is not so kind if one is coming from winter in SYD/AUS).

Saturday Cocktail Circuit (as we like to call this ride of hills & beaches at a relaxed pace)..

Schlepping..

Sans jacket..

| Oakley Froggies | bespoke OCBD | MTM P Johnson “Soraro” pantaloons | LeatherSoul Alden shell Cordovan “LongWongs” |

Humidity is starting earlier than usual.. But the hills are alive..

Details | Chapeau, Jersey, Bibs, Gloves & Socks - Rapha | Cleats - Fizik R1 | Bicicletta - Nago CLX3.0 + Campy Chorus11S + Euros Wheels

Great ride with the hills this AM & the humidity was HIGH! Eddy the Cannibal Merckx would be proud.

Details | Chapeau, Bibs, Gloves & Socks - Rapha | Jersey - vintage | Cleats - Fizik R1 | Bicicletta - Nago CLX3.0 + Campy Chorus11S + Euros

Finally, an easy (recovery) ride with minimal hills - HOORAY!

Details | Chapeau, Jersey, Bibs, Gloves & Socks - Rapha | Cleats - Fizik R1 | Bicicletta - Nago CLX3.0 + Campy Chorus11S + Euros

* HAPPY NEW YEAR & BE SAFE OUT THERE

Easy AM ride - still hills, but easy..

Details | Chapeau, Jersey, Bibs, Gloves & Socks - Rapha | Cleats - Fizik R1 | Bicicletta - Nago CLX3.0 + Campy Chorus11S + Euros

This morning’s ride was almost like sailing with 30km southerly head winds, so appropriate that I honour Dario Pegoretti the Master SteelSmith as a steel frame would have been far safer than the modern carbon frames of today.

Dario Pegorettiworks late in the the night. The small workshop in Caldonazzo is illuminated by sparks from the welding torch, a harsh, brilliant spray disappearing like tracer fire into the darkness. That’s when they come.Glimpsed through curls of his cigarette smoke, they vie in the shadows, a slowly rising peloton climbing with vapours. Millar, Roche, Chiappucci, Indurain. On sculptures of steel they ride now only in memory, an ethereal salute to his craft.

Details | Chapeau, Jersy, Bibs, Gloves & Socks - Rapha | Cleats - Fizik R1 | Bicicletta - Nago CLX3.0 + Campy Chorus11S + Euros

*sheesh my Xmas turkey, ham, cray fish & pudding belly is still poking

Today’s ride is all about FORÇATES DE LA ROUTE - a ’convict of the road’..

“Under the low clouds we push hard through the shivering wheat fields, our feet shackled to the pedals. Tongues hang, like those of dogs & the gang breathes fast & heavy. My grandfather once told me of Henri Pelissier, a champion rider who quit the Tour in 1924 & whom a journalist once described as a Forçat de la Route - a ‘convict of the road’. From the team car, an order comes like the lash: ‘Raise the tempo at the front’. We cannotr give in. We are chained together, destined to race forever.”

Details | Jersey, Bib, Gloves, Socks & Chapeau - Rapha Pro Team | Bicicletta - Nago CLX3.0 + Campy Chorus11 + Euros | Cleats - Fizik R1

* The heat has finally arrived down here in the Anitpodes.. SO BFA