THE JOURNAL

Illustration by Mr Joe McKendry
There’s a distinctly 1970s whiff about our What’s New page today. Maybe it’s because I’ve just seen Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, perhaps it’s because I find myself scrolling through @accidentallywesanderson on Instagram at any given moment, but, of late, I’ve been sub-consciously drifting towards anything remotely retro. Plus, what better time of year than now to invest in a bit of caramel cord and toffee-hued tailoring? Such things were designed to be worn in autumn. Time to pack away the lightweight jackets and summer garb to make room for something new.
The camera
Party-season snaps taken on a Leica camera are a million times better than with a smartphone, aesthetically speaking. They’ve been used by everyone from Mr Marlon Brando to the Queen, but neither of those two had this particular khaki-green beauty.
The blazer
We’ll be entering party season soon and I’ll need something spectacular when putting on the ritz. A velvet blazer lends itself well to dark rooms and festive cheer. Why? It feels a little irreverent, and more than a smidgen dandyish. This one in caramel velvet with peak lapels feels particularly eccentric. And, come to think of it, exactly like the one worn by Fantastic Mr Fox… sheer coincidence?
The boots
Western-style menswear continues to ride high in the style stakes (see Lil Nas X and Diplo). Though I’m not ready to walk out in a cowboy hat and leather chaps, these well-heeled boots are a clever way of incorporating the trend into my everyday wardrobe.
The sweater
No man can ever own too many rollneck sweaters. They’re the cornerstone of any sensible winter wardrobe; the most versatile pullover in existence. This one in mustard yellow will look good with both dark and light colours.
The trousers
One thing I love about the colder months – aside from nights spent sipping pints in front of a roaring fires at the local pub – is that it’s acceptable to wear corduroy again. It is, after all, almost exclusive to autumn and winter. It’s so full of character and substance that I undoubtedly buy something new in the fabric at the end of every year. This time I’ve got my eyes on these burnt orange trousers by President’s.