What we’re thankful for this Thanksgiving.

As we near the end of the year, it might be easy to look back on 2017 with cynicism. And, considering certain events (the threat of nuclear war being one), we may well be forgiven for doing so. But we’re very much in the business of positivity here at MR PORTER and, since today is Thanksgiving in the US, we thought we would ramp up that feeling by asking each other what we’re thankful for. From hiking boots to cheese toasties, find out what’s making us happy, below.

I’m thankful for these Yuketen shoes. Not only have they drawn the envy of the entire office (OK, just The Daily Deputy Editor Mr Tom Ford), their stacked “Rocker” soles let me understand what it feels like to be 5ft 9in as opposed to 5ft 8in. It turns out, it’s amazing. I’m also eternally grateful to have had a ridiculously brilliant 15-course dinner at Mr Simon Rogan’s new eight-person restaurant Aulis last month (I had an emotional moment with a small pot of seaweed custard – is that oversharing?).

For what do I give thanks this year? The extensive range of dried pasta available at my local supermarket, which adds some much-needed variety to my mid-week dinner rotation; the wall of west-facing windows next to my desk, from which I can watch planes descending into Heathrow; the @officialseanpenn Instagram account, and so much more. With regard to clothes, I’m particularly thankful for the arrival of Mr P., our new in-house brand which collects in one place all of the lovely pieces of menswear from years gone by that I thought had been discontinued and lost forever, along with a lot of new stuff, too.

I give thanks daily for the rise of the over-sized single-breasted jacket (see below). I wear it with slimmer trousers and like to think I look like a character in a Mr David Lynch film. What else am I pleased with this year? I should say the KITE Eyewear opening on London’s Redchurch Street. For several years, I have been living in the world of the blind but their kindly opticians have now given me that precious gift of being able to recognise friends and lovers more than 100 yards away, which is rather nice. And they have done this while making me look cool.

I am thankful for my Asics GEL-Kayano 24 mesh sneakers. Well, I am actually thankful for my physiotherapist, who recommended that I buy them. I enjoy Hiit workouts and running, but I started getting swollen knees and lower back pain. These now provide the support I need, they have balanced out my stride, and therefore they have changed my life. I am also grateful for the XXL three cheese and mustard toastie at The Wigmore, The Langham Hotel’s recently opened British tavern, a hidden and quiet gem that feels a million miles away from the hustle of Regent Street.

I give thanks to the appropriation of sportswear. Add a touch of nostalgia and a side helping of irony to pretty much any working-class style trope and you have yourself a trend cool enough to be worthy of high fashion. Football scarves, for example. See Vetements’ version, below. Why am I thankful? Well, far from forking out £400 for a scarf, all I need to do to elicit the question ‘Who are you wearing?!’ is slip on the football scarf I have owned since I was six. Otherwise, I give thanks for the influx of new pasta restaurants in London (Passo, Pastaio to name two). Sounds underwhelming, but it’s just the ticket to carb load for winter.