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What The Papers Say: Niven, Pastels, the Butcher's Stripe, Rolling Stones and Underwear

Sunday 17 May 2009

David Niven

 

Photo: Niven Estate

 

A weekly roundup of articles from the mainstream press and the blogosphere. For an alternative Sunday read. 

The Sunday Times:
A preview of a forthcoming book; David Niven: The Man Behind the Balloon by Michael Munn. There are some men you wish you could be. For me David Niven is just such a man. Charming, witty and a complete scoundrel, I strongly recommend his autobiographies, The Moon's a Balloon and Bring on the Empty Horses. This new book adds an interesting and thought provoking chapter to the story of this great English raconteur and old Hollywood icon. I’ll be buying the book when released in June. 

Permanent Style: Simon Crompton muses on the Butchers stripe shirt. It’s certainly a much neglected classic. If you’re tempted by Simon’s treatise, then Harvey & Hudson on Jermyn Street would be the ideal place to pick yourself up some fine shirting. The bold stripe is almost a trade mark of theirs, as is the white collar and cuff shirt –which is my preference for something classic and bold. 

New York Observer: A while back I expounded the theory that Wayfarers were the only sunglasses a man ever needed. This interesting article from the New York Times would seem to concur, and explain better than I why that is. And don’t worry about seeing them everywhere, the fashion conscious with their goldfish like attention spans will soon lose interest. Persevere. 

The Independent: 
I’d read Nick Foulkes’ shopping list. His literary elegance and whit is only matched by his real life sartorial grace. Some men have all the luck. This little article on ‘Boden Man’ is a little harsh, but wonderfully amusing. 

GQ Online: I don’t know what this viral video says about Sir Tom Bakers’ suits, but having watched it I’m not sure I give a damn. 

The Sunday Telegraph: Apparently pastel shirts are the way forward for summer. No comment.

GQ Online: Also from GQ, an interview with Peter Capaldi, aka Malcolm Tucker, from In the Loop. If you’re a fan of In the Thick of It and were worried that it might not transfer to the big screen (think On the Buses and other disastrous TV to film capers) don’t be. I saw the film last week, and both Westie and I laughed ourselves silly. It contains some of the most original basic Anglo-Saxon ever to come to the silver screen. 

The Sunday Times: Tired of advice on the virtues of thrift and practice of parsimony, The Mutton decides to splurge on a pair of £770 Berluti Shoes. The accompanying back story about Andy Warhol and the Berluti brand is interesting. If you’re a notorious snapper up of unconsidered trifles you’ll appreciate it. 

The Sunday Telegraph: Nick McCormack tells us why we should look forward to the reissuing of 70s Rolling Stones albums, and why they ruled the decade. I'm sold.

Posted by Stealth

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