Fashion

Its double waxed and a really nice lining. I like the cut and in general just really lovely finishing. It's a fair bit lighter than my Barbour too. I like it but not sure I like it enough

I'm from the countryside, not a toff but have always had a barbour (in varying states of disrepair). I like that you can re-wax and they are really practical.

Not that the above really fits into that bracket.

Jesus - I just googled Burberry prices myself. I was in the US in the early 00's with work and picked up a Kensington trench and a leather bomber for a combined price of about £400 at an outlet mall (at the time it was over $2 to the £).

They are rarely worn so now deciding whether to get rid or get them stated on the house insurance. Crazy prices.

EDIT: Just remembered they also chucked in a free merino scarf per coat. I gave the classic check one to a homeless guy at Crisis for Christmas - he seemed very nonplussed.

Anyone got any recommendations for grey t-shirts with a pocket that don't cost a fortune?

I was thinking something along the lines of this Carhartt workwear t-shirt:

https://shorturl.at/ntRY3

But I think as this is the workwear range it will be too boxy for me, as i'm 6ft 4, 38" chest, 32" waist, 82Kg.

JL Anyday use to have chest pockets.

JL are always a solid option for cotton basics.

What are the options for light weight down jackets that aren't too technical?

I pretty much live in my old uniclo one. I got given a new hoddled one, but am unfortunately a bit tubby for it.

Do you have access to Snowpeak? I think they’ve always done good value for quality stuff.

My partner used to work for Burberry. We still couldn't afford anything with her 50% discount.

Sportpursuit have some nice options from Haglofs, Peak Performance and Rab at the moment

Cheers.

Will probably go for the Haglöfs Spire Mimic.

There is a Peak Performance
Helium hoodie that I like and looks decent, but I'm not sure I can pull of that quit pattern/would be subject to a hard OH veto.

Loads of nice Folk knitted polo shirts and t-shirts in tx maxx. Didn’t purchase any as my wardrobe is full of polos that I don’t wear!

My partner used to work for Burberry

When I go to Castleford, where the factory is, I always expect to see folk in the gear. You don't.

That’s the haglofs one id go for too - decent price and they make good quality gear

The haglofs isn’t down if that’s a concern. I have the peak performance helium, it’s ok I use it as a liner.

I’d get the Patagonia down hoodie if I was in the market.

Not too fussed about down vs synthetic. Tbh synthetic is probably a lot more practical.

And short term.

In what way is it short term?

A jacket lasts as long as it lasts. The outside is synthetic and not recyclable. synthetic down is largely air, so the % of the jacket is negligible imo. Happy to be corrected though. Ultimately there are cases where plastic materials are just better, so what can you do?

In any event I tend not to worry about these things as I buy few clothes and use them for a long time.

Eg I bought my uniclo one second hand in 2015 (which I'm pretty sure is not 100% down anyway). I will still wear it for gardening or as a underlayer for other coats in the winter. It has several repair patches on it, but the elastic in the cuffs is starting to go, hence wanting something new.

Cheers to whoever suggested Orhan - wasn't cheap but happy with the service

Got myself some new shoes with some Doc Marten Crewson lo's - never had any Docs before so getting a bit of used to, but overall, quite comfortable for a shoe...

It may have changed in the last few years, but I’ve always been told that synthetic insulation will eventually (sometimes quickly) lose its loft while down can be reinvigorated.

Cheers. That's good to know.

Sorry for going off on one.

This. But that's usually for people who are constantly compressing and decompressing it i.e. backpackers. For the average person who is just using it casually, it should be okay. But yes, quality down will loft for decades to come and its loft can easily be restored. There are people rocking Western Mountaineering sleeping bags from the 70s, and supposedly Yvon Chouinard still uses a mummy bag he made in the 1972 as his primary sleeping bag:

Hebtroco has a sale on. Wish I was in the UK 😢

https://hebtro.co/its-a-sale/?goal=0_4f669e6099-c97213aa9d-197068113&mc_cid=c97213aa9d&mc_eid=501c2f04c6

Formal-ish nice white shirts? In the past I'd nip up to Bicester and get a Brooks Brothers but it would appear they've vanished in the wake of Brexit.

Any recommendations for places in London (ideally central-SE-ish) to get a nice haircut for men? Usually do it myself but this is for an occasion where I want to look nicer/more presentable, though not looking to spend a lot if anyone knows a high street barber who is likely to do a good job - I've never really seen the value in posh hairdressers for men?

What does formalish mean?

The last set of work shirts I got were on sale from TML and CT. I took all but one of the CT ones back - they're really cutting costs now, fewer front buttons, thinner collar stiffness, fabric not as nice, QC issues. In contrast TML seem to have brought their quality back up to where it used to be years ago.

I'm on the look out for cotton button down shirts - basically a cheaper version of the classic Ralph Lauren ones.