FancyDan

A Butcher of Distinction is a new-ish menswear shop just off London’s Brick Lane (11 Dray Walk, The Old Truman Brewery). They specialise in the kind of smart, casual-wear you’d find in Duffer of St.George, but with hopefully less chance of spotting your local football hooligan/Jamie Oliver wearing it. Their current stock rocks a preppy look with an edge; rather dapper shirts and jackets from 6876, sweatshirts from Milkcrate Athletic, as well as some of the most neon polos and shirts I ever seen from Ralph Lauren. You’ll also find stuff from obscurer labels, as well as ultra traditional footwear from Trickers.

The window advertises their site, but it looks like it’s not up a running yet. Maybe pop in the next time you’re heading for a curry, they’re open till 7pm each night

According to GQ cardigans are the in thing this year.

3 words: don’t do it

The finest manufacturer of jumpers in the world is… John Smedley (founded 1784).

You can find them in Urban Outfitters, on eBay and there is also a list of stockists on their site.

If there is something I really dislike, in the world of watches, it is fashion companies that have “introduced a watch line”. Typically these watches are a thin rip off of other models, or otherwise demonstrate as much imagination as the Bolton Wanderers 4-5-1 formation.

The one exception to this is Diesel, who make interesting and solid designs – and are frequently ripped off.

Companies who should have never dipped a toe into the world of chronology include: Paul Smith, Ted Baker, Gucci, D&G, Next (if they count as a fashion company), Armani (ewww), Burberry and so on and so on.

Something that makes it a lot more difficult to write for a site like this is all the flashy designer websites insistent upon “customizing your online experience” by opening one big window with the whole website written in Macromedia Flash / Director.

This makes it difficult for me to deep link to, use graphics from or even browse the sites – it’s even more difficult for disabled users. Additionally, it means google can’t index your site, and makes you difficult to find.

Culprits include:

• Duffer
• Ted Baker
• Paul Smith (at least the shop is fairly sane HTML)
• Top Man (yes, even the chavs’ friend can’t resist using wipes, fades and other transition effects)

Also note that according to the DDA it is a legal requirement to make your site accessible.

Hopefully this will be a useful resource for the well dressed young gadabout.