Cravat Club: Made in England cravats and pocket squares and new Blog Sponsor

I'm delighted to welcome and thank Cravat Club as a sponsor for the blog as I look for funds to improve the blog for readers and brands I work with. They will be no strangers to readers as I've mentioned them before. Their cleverly-curated range of English-made cravats and pocket squares appeal to all tastes and styles and are well-displayed on their brand-new website here.

Please support Cravat Club and Grey Fox Blog by clicking on Cravat Club's advert on the right or by visiting their new website to browse and buy.

Men's Coats for Spring: a GreyFox/SartoriaLab photo-shoot

As winter retreats and the Sun warms the Earth, we find our winter coats a little heavy and uncomfortable. I decided, with help from Sarah Gilfillan of Sartoria Lab, to look for lighter coats that can be layered according to temperature.

We wanted to try a variety of styles and approached a few brands offering an interesting selection in their SS15 collections. I was pleased at least half of them are British-made, even though we hadn't selected them on that basis.

This is the first of a series of photo-shoots in which Sarah and I show menswear being worn by older men (initially me, volunteers welcome). Most brands use very young models, discouraging the older man from trying out the products on offer.

I've tried coats I wouldn't normally wear and have been surprised by most of them. I hope that our approach will encourage you to experiment and try some of the clothes we show. If our efforts both encourage brands to use older models in their campaigns and also influence you to try new styles, I'll be very happy.

Sarah and I comment on each jacket below, giving a link to the supplier's website (or to the item itself) so that you can browse and buy. We've only had cursory glances at the suppliers' descriptions so that we can give you our own views on the coats.

I'm very grateful to photographer Nick Maroudias for the superb images and for his support for an inexperienced model. Without his involvement, this project would have been impossible. Thanks also to Jean-Pierre Agius whose help and innovative styling suggestions were invaluable.

REALM & EMPIRE:

REALM AND EMPIRE COTTON PEACOAT £225.00 ^

Sarah: I wasn't sure about this jacket when I first saw images of it, but it really grew on me when I could see and handle it. I love pea-coats and the tan cotton looks fresh for spring. It goes very well with navy and white so, if you're like a lot of men with a large percentage of blue in your wardrobe, it'll make a good choice. We decided to give it a smarter feel with a chambray shirt and floral tie. 

David: I liked the colour and fit of this coat from an interesting and growing brand. Like most coats tried here, it follows the modern trend for short-fit. With well-designed and made details (like the closure to the collar) this is comfortable and well-made. It will suit most ages and body-types, making it an ideal spring/summer jacket.

Click here 

BARBOUR:

BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL - SIMONSIDE WAX JACKET £249 ^ 

Sarah: I often shop for classic, functional jackets with clients and Barbour offer a great selection. The biker style of this one gives it a "cool" Steve McQueen edge. Wear it done up and belted or open with the belt tied at the back.

David: My initial thought was that this may be too motor bike for daily wear, but I was wrong. I liked the fit, practicality and classic style of this jacket. Versatile enough for town and country wear and can be layered as the weather cools. A cool classic, but I'd like to see fewer logos; Barbour is a brand that shouldn't need to shout that loudly.

Click here

JOHN LEWIS:

JOHN LEWIS BOMBER KIN JACKET £89.00 ^

Sarah: Generally I consider bomber jackets to be a bit of a younger style, but when David tried this on I thought it looked good. Initially we tried to style it with a polo shirt for a summery feel, but it gave it too much of a mod / skinhead style, so we went back to a simple roll neck. A fine knit crew neck sweater layered over a t-shirt would also look good. 

David: My thoughts are the same as Sarah's. Care needs to be taken when wearing a bomber, but I was surprised how much I liked it. Reasonably-priced and stylishly simple, it has a mesh lining and the quality belies its price. One for you to try for yourself.

Click here

GLOVERALL:



GLOVERALL DUFFLE COAT £199.00 ^

Sarah: This was the surprise of the day which ended up being my favourite. Duffle coats aren't everyone's style, but it really suited David. It's a great spring-like take on the classic wool duffle, in a lightweight showerproof fabric. It's not the first thing I'd think of buying with a client but, having seen this on, I'll definitely be more open to it in future. 

David: Again, my thoughts are the same. This was a very last-minute addition to the shoot. I requested it urgently as it offered something quite different to the other coats. I wasn't hopeful that I'd like it, but it ended up as a surprise favourite of the day, and it's British-made. Made from an Italian coated cotton, it's shower-proof and light. An interesting, practical and stylish version of the classic duffle coat. I've seen some interesting products coming from Gloverall and look forward to covering them again.

Click here

OLIVER SWEENEY:

OLIVER SWEENEY BOXSTEAD CHARCOAL COTTON JACKET £395 ^

Sarah: I love the elegant shape of this mac-style jacket/coat, which would work equally well on larger guys because of the simple unfussy style. It looks great with jeans, but would also be perfect over a suit. Although the fabric is cotton it looks a bit more tweedy. I'd be more inclined to buy this with clients in autumn rather than spring. 

David: Oliver Sweeney offer an interesting range of menswear. This coat comes in many guises (including as a mac) and colours. At first glance it's wool, but it's made of a cotton tweedy fabric, ideal for milder spring and summer weather. With a clean design, nice details and (this was a pleasant surprise) a Made in England label, this was another favourite - probably for town rather than country wear. 

Click here 

BARBOUR X WHITE MOUNTAINEERING:

BARBOUR x WHITE MOUNTANEERING WAX LAPEL JACKET £399.00 ^

Sarah: An interesting and detailed jacket which fills the gap between a blazer and a casual jacket. Its the sort of thing I might buy with a client if they didn't have the need for a smart navy blazer, and wanted something a bit different.

David: I liked its cut and practicality, but was less sure about the details, in particular the numerous pockets and the perforations on large parts of the jacket. This is a collaboration with the Japanese White Mountaineering, so it's aimed at the younger man. One for you to try and make up your own mind about.

Click here 

PRIVATE WHITE V.C.:

PRIVATE WHITE V.C. ALCANTARA SHAWL BOMBER £850.00 ^ 

Sarah: I like the shape, collar and detailing of this jacket. It's got quite a retro seventies style to it, so I think on an older guy it needs to be styled with modern pieces to keep it looking contemporary. 

David: A British-made jacket (in Manchester) from the successful Private White V.C. Although I've been to their factory and supported them on the blog for some time, this was the first time I had had the opportunity to try on one of their products. The faux-suede looks and feels like the real thing, lacking only the supreme flexibility of the best suede. I liked the quality and superb detailing, including the characteristic copper P.W.V.C. zip and well-shaped shawl collar. Different and stylish.

Click here 

JOHN LEWIS:

JOHN LEWIS COTTON FIELD JACKET £89.00 ^

Sarah: An easy to wear versatile cotton field jacket, which you can layer up with chunky knitwear whilst it's still cold, but will work equally well with lightweight trousers and t-shirts for cool summer evenings. It's a flattering shape for very slim guys as the epaulettes and pockets all have a broadening effect. 

David: Another good value jacket from John Lewis, this reminded me very much of a US Army surplus combat jacket I wore while a student in the seventies. I liked the back detail and well-made nature of this jacket. Being who they are, John Lewis don't feel the need to undermine the simple design with logos and other geegaws; hooray.

Click here

Here are links to some of the other clothes that I'm wearing:

Brogues - Loake

English-made jeans - Quantock

Shirts - Tripl Stitched

Tie - Dancys

Socks - Marwood mohair

Watch - vintage Tudor Submariner

NOTE: Our next shoot, in March/April, will explore men's summer blazers, suits and jackets. Please e-mail me or Sarah if you would like your products to be considered for inclusion.

If you, as a blog reader, have any suggestions for items you would like to see featured in these shoots, please get in touch.

Selfridge's Bright Old Things, The Whitworth Art Gallery: Anne Karpf & Grey Fox in conversation

Well, I'm delighted to be considered both old and bright enough to be invited to take part in Selfridge's Bright Old Things initiative, celebrating the older person's capacity to take on new roles in later life. On Thursday 19th February I will be in conversation with Anne Karpf at The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester. 

The event is part of the Whitworth's re-opening after a refurbishment which has transformed the gallery. In a collboration with Selfridges and to celebrate Bright Old Things, the Whitworth has also taken up residence at Selfridges, Exchange Square, Manchester, with a specially commissioned exhibition featuring artists who found success in their later years.

Curated by Dr. Maria Balshaw, Director of the Whitworth and Manchester City Galleries, the exhibition showcases the creative energy of a selection of renowned artists, including esteemed photographer Johnnie Shand Kydd and fashion designer turned award-winning science and art practitioner, Helen Storey.

To find out more, or to buy tickets to the events, click here.

Selfridges Bright Old Things

The Whitworth
And see and buy products designed by Bright Old Things at Selfridges.

Private White V.C: Grey Fox welcomes its first advertiser

Grey Fox Blog has now been going for over three years. It has been a fun and engrossing pastime, but I'm now welcoming sponsors and advertisers to enable me to pay for improvements to the blog both for you, the readers, and for the businesses I feature.

I'm delighted to welcome one of my favourite British-made menswear brands, Private White V.C., as the first paying advertiser on the blog. Please support them by clicking on their advert in the right hand column of the blog. Click here to see their new Spring/Summer 2015 collection.

Brutus looks after things on Grey Fox's visit last year to Private White V.C.

I welcome advertisers. According to Google Analytics, Grey Fox now attracts nearly 13,000 users a month with around 48,000 page views. The readers are loyal and I'm told by brands featured here that an unusually high proportion of clicks through to their sites result in sales.

For the reader, content will be unaffected by advertising. Sponsored posts are marked as such. Editorial decisions about which brands to write about are mine alone. I write about what I like; this is after all my search for style.

Please stay in touch - greyfoxblog@gmail.com 

I'm 60 today

I find it impossible to believe and even did the maths again to check, but there's no doubt about it, I'm 60 years old today. If you're thinking that I'm too old to write about men's style and that you'll never visit Grey Fox again, ponder this. It seems yesterday that I left school, went to university, qualified as a lawyer, married, had children and the children left home. Life passes by very fast. Unless you're older than me, you'll very soon find yourself wondering at the passing years just as I am.

Yet I feel privileged. Age brings contentment, stability and confidence to many of us. We have experienced the ups and downs of life. This brings frustration, as we see others (not least politicians) repeating past mistakes, but it also brings a certain wisdom. 

The blog enables me to explore new interests and areas. I will continue to write about style, will harry the fashion industry to take notice of the older man and will support young, new or British-made businesses when I can. 

Please stay in touch. 

Grey Fox Blog is three years old today - age, style, fashion and the older man

Grey Fox Blog is three years old
When I started this blog three years ago, I thought it would last three months, but it's still going strong. I love it; almost every minute. The many approaches from brands and PR firms are proof that the blog has impact. On the other hand, they bring pressures on a lone blogger.

Image by Jonathan Daniel Pryce for Holdall & Co

This won't change. I like to write honestly and independently about things that interest me; well-designed menswear, style for the older man and British-made products. These are aspects of the blog that readers repeatedly tell me they value. I'm reluctant to undermine this by becoming too large or commercial.

Another birthday
I reach my sixtieth birthday after Christmas. This is relevant only in that I still feel that the fashion industry doesn't give the older demographic the attention it deserves, despite its increasing size and affluence. However, I've seen some evidence of change and have decided to do what I can to encourage this through my writing and, more recently, even modelling for brands as diverse as Holdall & Co (above), Mr Porter and Marks & Spencer.

I've taken on the photo-shoots either because I want to support a brand or because I want to provide an example to older men. If they see stylish, fashionable and well-designed products being worn by men of a similar age, they will buy them. They are alienated when clothes are modelled by young men hardly out of their teens.

Older models have an impact

The aims of this blog: fashion industry and the older man
The older man needn't resort to slippers and cardigans once past his fortieth birthday. I want the fashion industry to recognise that they could sell to the demographic if they made a little effort. The reluctance of brands to market themselves to older people astonishes me. It may be that research tells them that this age-group is uninterested, but to not even try smacks of defeatism that must be unique in the history of marketing.

Increasing health and life expectancy means that older men have time, money and the appetite for a more stylish existence than did our parents. They are a potentially lucrative target for menswear brands. What's needed is advertising that recognises the existence of older men. Ralph Lauren, Hackett and others have led the way, albeit often with a token 'dad' figure at a house party; but others could follow and give it a more serious try. Why not have a mix of young and older men in your next photo-shoot?

Older men simply need ideas, inspiration and encouragement to buy. For brands that try and for ideas, see my Pinterest board here.

Contacting Grey Fox for coverage on the blog
Finally, back to the blog. I'm going to say 'no' much more. If you approach the blog with a request and I am unable to help, please understand that this is self-preservation. I simply cannot do all that I'm asked, however much I'd like to. However, if you're a new or young business, or make in Britain, or are prepared to sponsor the blog, I may bump you up to the top of the waiting list.

Please stick with Grey Fox - the blog is you, the reader and the brands who've helped out so far. Thank you for your support. I love to hear from you, so don't hesitate to e-mail with your thoughts or queries or suggestions.

The Rise of the Men's Fashion Blogger - Fashionbeans

I'm grateful to Marcus Jaye for including Grey Fox in his article on The Rise of the Men's Fashion Blogger on the renowned men's style blog, Fashionbeans. Marcus is a longstanding blogger and his TheChicGeek is now a classic and influential menswear blog. On the basis of his considerable experience, he makes the point that it is focus and passion that keep successful blogs afloat. As he points out, bloggers are exposed; without the layers of editors that professional journalists have to check and correct their content, it is a challenge to remain respected and authoritative.

The article looks at what he describes as "a few of the most visible players currently in the menswear blogosphere". Of course, I'm delighted that Grey Fox Blog is there, particularly as it appears with many professional blogs, which earn their owners a living. Grey Fox, as an amateur blog, is not on that league, so it's gratifying to appear in such company.

Read The Rise of the Men's Fashion Blogger

Visit TheChicGeek

Fashionbeans

What bloggers do you follow and like? please comment below on your recommended blogging reads.

Grey Fox features in 'The Grey Fox Issue' - Mr Porter Journal

I'd like to thank Mr Porter for featuring Grey Fox in today's Mr Porter Journal, ('The Grey Fox Issue'). In doing so they are recognising that the older man can be interested in style and that he has commercial clout and influence in the fashion world. For me this is a significant development as it confirms that the aims of this blog are slowly bearing fruit. See The Mr Porter Journal.

We had great fun on the shoot, in a huge, shabby-grand, Georgian house in Belgrave Square, London. The team was outstanding, but I'd like in particular to thank the photographer, Cat Garcia, for her wonderful work. The stylist, Scott Stephenson, allowed me to select the clothes from Mr Porter's astonishing collections; there is an emphasis on some favourite British brands. It was fun trying things I hadn't worn before.

While the use of the description 'cult' is a gross exaggeration, I'm pleased that Grey Fox has been recognised. This is acknowledgement that older men can be the specific target of fashion marketing - and that's one of the aims of this blog.

Many thanks also to the many of you who support Grey Fox, getting in touch with comments, ideas and suggestions; you have little idea how much I appreciate it: greyfoxblogATgmailDOTcom

If you're new to Grey Fox, please also follow on Twitter (@GreyFoxBlog), Instagram (GreyFoxBlog), Pinterest (Grey Fox) and Tumblr (Grey Fox). Thank you!

From Mr Porter - photographer Cat Garcia

Grey Fox interviewed on New York's BreakThru Radio

I was delighted to be interviewed today by DJMarie on New York's BreakThru Radio. The show was introduced as follows:

In the youth-obsessed culture of fashion media, where can the more mature sartorial eye turn for age-appropriate inspiration? While resources are still few and far between, bloggers like David Evans of Grey Fox are slowly changing the landscape of style to accommodate its significant older demographic, giving them an opportunity to see themselves reflected in contemporary fashion. On today's show, David joins me to talk about the foundation and growth of Grey Fox, Britain's growing Made in the UK movement, a few style guidelines that will help older men to look and feel their best, some of his favorite accessories, a few Grey Fox fashion icons, and more.

To listen to the interview, click here.

Why has a Shop appeared on Grey Fox Blog?

I've added a Shop tab at the top of the page. I came across Inkling last year and was impressed by their concept of an online shop curated by bloggers bringing carefully selected gifts to their pages, providing a one-stop-shop for those buying presents. 

I've enjoyed selecting gifts which fit with what Grey Fox is all about and want to use this opportunity to support the many exciting brands I've come across since I started the blog. If you're a retailer that would like to appear on the Grey Fox/Inkling shop please get in touch with me.

You'll find all sorts of exciting products on the Grey Fox/Inkling shop (image origins unknown)

Desirable objects - hand-printed business card by Andrew Areoff

These letterpress calling cards were designed and printed on beautiful thick card by Andrew Areoff using traditional printing methods, giving them a wonderful feel, texture and look, not evident from the image here. I've had consistently positive responses to them - highly recommended to anyone looking to add character to their business stationery.

Click here for more information on Andrew's letterpress business cards.

Click here to see other objects in Grey Fox's Desirable Objects series.

A female perspective on Grey Fox: Introducing Sarah Gilfillan of Sartoria Lab

As an outsider in the fashion world, I write with more enthusiasm than knowledge. I need a more expert view on some aspects of Grey Fox's content. So, I've invited Sarah Gilfillan, a menswear stylist of Sartoria Lab, to contribute from time to time to the blog. 

Men often welcome a woman's perspective on how they dress - image Ste Johnson

Sarah will bring much expertise of the fashion business and, most importantly, she'll bring the female perspective to Grey Fox Blog. Women's views heavily influence how we dress, so Sarah will fill a gap. I'm grateful to her for helping in this way. She'll be giving advice on affordable menswear in a blog post later this week.

I asked Sarah to say a little about her approach -

Like it or not we all subconsciously make assumptions about people based on their appearance, and statistics show that it takes just a matter of seconds to form an opinion on someone when you meet them for the first time. This judgement is made pretty much exclusively on how they look. 

That's why I think it's important to take pride in your appearance, and why I run Sartoria Lab, a personal style consultancy for men. I help men with their personal shopping and styling who perhaps don't have either the time or the inclination to do it themselves and don't have enough interest to research new places and brands to shop, but still want to look good. I do have that interest, and take absolute pleasure in helping these men to look and feel their best.

People are automatically drawn to someone who looks attractive (and who doesn't want to feel attractive and alluring to others?!) so why not make the best of what you have?

You can find out a little more about Sarah on the 'About' page of her website Sartoria Lab here.

Ageless style in The Guardian - are attitudes changing? When will the fashion industry sell to the older man?

In an excellent article on 22nd February, The Guardian's Anne Karpf wrote about the rise of older fashion models and accompanied this online with a gallery, Ageless Style - In Pictures. While it was gratifying to see my image included in the gallery, I was more impressed that there is at least discussion about the topic. It's been a strong theme of this blog that the fashion industry needs to sit up and take notice of older men and women - a burgeoning and affluent demographic. 

While there is a long way to go, grey style now has its foot firmly in fashion's door. So, I fail to understand how hard-nosed commercial organisations can ignore a large market like the grey pound. As I'm reporting here on Grey Fox, the products are there, but the willingness to sell them to us, using older models and sophisticated sales campaigns, is absent.

Here are the links:

Ageless Style - In Pictures

Older models: the women in their 60s, 70s and 80s who are shaking up fashion

Supporting Grey Fox Blog

Running this blog costs me well into three figures annually, quite apart from the huge investment of time. I make no money from the blog and, at present, sell no advertising. To maintain independence, I don't ask for anything from the menswear brands I support. After much thought, and at the kind suggestion of a reader, I'm giving readers the opportunity, should they wish to do so, to contribute something towards these costs. 

The last thing I want anyone to feel is an obligation here, but if you wish to do so there are two possibilities -

1. Buy one of the new Age of Reason/Grey Fox collaboration pocket squares. These are made in very limited numbers and Ali of Age of Reason is kindly contributing part of the takings to Grey Fox. See more about the collaboration below in yesterday's post. The squares can be purchased here - Grey Fox in Rust and Grey Fox in Blue.

2. The second option is to donate via Paypal. This can be done here on the Contact page.

Whether you're able to contribute or not, thank you very much for your support of this blog.

The Age of Reason/Grey Fox silk square at the design stage

A foxy pocket square - an Age of Reason Scarves and Grey Fox collaboration

It was a genuinely exciting moment for me when Ali, of Age of Reason scarves, suggested a pocket square collaboration as we supped microbrewery beer in a pub in Clerkenwell, London last year. It's now finished and available at Age of Reason here. Read on for the story.

I loved Ali's silk pocket squares when I first came across them in 2012. They are a synthesis of art, humour and British craftsmanship - all things I admire. It's been a real pleasure to see Age of Reason pocket squares acquire a bit of a cult following, following hard in the footsteps of Ali's beautiful silk scarves.

The Grey Fox scarf in development

The collaboration is a real work of art - a beautifully-designed Grey Fox silk pocket square produced in two colours in the UK with hand-rolled edges.

Ali takes up the story and describes the design process;

The idea to create a Grey Fox pocket square came about over an afternoon pint in the Jerusalem Tavern in Clerkenwell, London. I've been drawing animals on scarves since Age of Reason began, but never a fox.

This was the first pocket square I've designed as one whole piece. Usually the drawings are cut and pasted from several pieces of watercolour paper. Capturing the nimble attitude of the fox was important. Foxes have that distinctive way of pouncing on their prey, and I wanted the design to be a wry take on the way Grey Fox pounces on stylish things he loves.

The derby hat, was an obvious very visual symbol for dapper style. This one is based on one of the many hats I own, which were made by the milliner who created hats for Vivienne Westwood's World's End shop.

We've created a limited run of these with fewer than a dozen of each colour-way available at the moment. Each one has been hand rolled in Yorkshire by a skilled seamstress, before being carefully pressed almost to the edges, so as not to crush the all important rolled edges. I like to think that men will enjoy discovering their own ways to style the silk square, and who knows a few women might snap them up too.

I've been proudly wearing my foxy squares which are now available, in two colour-ways at present, from Age of Reason Scarves - click here.  

Here are some more images of the Age of Reason/Grey Fox silk square and of the design process. I love Ali's 'fox's ear' fold in the fourth image bwlow.

British Menswear - Grey Fox in British Airway's First Life magazine

I was delighted when British Airways asked me to write a piece on the revival British menswear for their First Life magazine. The September/October Fashion Issue is now available.

To read it you will either have to grab a copy when you next fly BA first class, or download a copy from iTunes here. The design of the publication is outstanding and it looks superb on an iPad.

[See Grey Fox's list of suppliers of British-made menswear and accessories here].

Competition: Age of Reason pocket squares - part 2

The Age of Reason/Grey Fox competition

Win a Made in England silk pocket square - click here for information about the competition which was launched this week.

Below Ali Mapletoft, part of the husband and wife team which founded the business, tells us more about Age of Reason -

'Age of Reason is a UK accessories label; we pride ourselves on making men’s silk pocket squares and women’s scarves in England. We try to offer our customers wearable luxury with a playful twist made from fine natural fabrics. For inspiration we look to British punk heritage, and the streets of cities like London and Brighton.

We started as a women’s wear accessories label, and stumbled upon menswear when men kept buying our small women’s neckerchiefs to use as pocket squares. Since then we’ve begun creating products with men in mind and have moved from pin-hemming to traditional hand rolling. We’re fascinated by men’s style, which has always been rich with coding. Wearing a hand rolled pocket square is universal code for “I know stuff about dressing well.” It’s almost tribal

Each pocket square design is hand painted with inks onto water-colour paper by Ali at our studio in Brighton, before being printed onto silk. Every piece is then hand rolled by one skilled seamstress in Yorkshire. Some people like to frame our pocket squares, which is great, but we do love to see them worn. Every piece should work as stand-alone art or a simple accessory. Defiant slogans, naughty prints and secret messages are worked into each pocket square alongside innocuous imagery to encourage the wearer to reveal or conceal different parts depending on their mood or outfit.

Personal style is something so deeply individual, and it takes time to develop. We like to think that we create stories in silk, and that they become part of the wearer’s own personal story'.

Below are some images of the design process and of a few other squares in the range

Age of Reason/Grey Fox competition - win a British-designed and made pocket square

Regulars here will know that my favourite pocket squares come from Age of Reason. Designed by Ali Mapletoft, they are made and have their edges hand-rolled here in Britain. Apart from being works of art, they are made with a delicious, sometimes naughty, and very British, sense of humour.

God Save The Queen pocket square

I'm privileged to be able to offer a newly-designed pocket square (pictured below) to the winner of this Age of Reason/Grey Fox competition. With typical humour and verve Ali has decided that she needs a name for a new design. The competition is simple - the entrant who suggests the best name will win a pocket square.

Below is an image of the scarf that's looking for a name. Send your suggestion to treasure@age-of-reason-studios.com and the winner will be selected before the end of July.

Your e-mail address will be used only to inform the successful winner and you will receive no other mail from Age of Reason or Grey Fox. Good luck.

This is the pocket square that needs a name

Ali will herself tell us more about her designs in a post tomorrow. Meanwhile, take a look at Age of Reason's website for more on this design and other pocket squares in the range. See also my previous posts on these wonderful pocket squares.

Changes afoot for Grey Fox - The Guardian Fashion Bloggers Network

Last year, The Guardian newspaper invited applications for a new Fashion Bloggers Network. The paper was keen to attract under-represented views, which may explain why Grey Fox, representing the largely-ignored older man in the world of fashion, was selected from hundreds of applicants to join seven other talented style bloggers. The Network is launched next month (June) after introductory posts from the bloggers over the next few days.

This will mean that I will be writing for two blogs, which doesn't daunt me. There will be some duplication between them to start with, so forgive me if you recognise any reconstituted posts. This is to launch the Guardian blogs with as much material as possible.

Grey Fox proofreads his latest post on The Guardian Fashion Bloggers' Network. (Image - The Guardian)

Why have I done this?

1. Blogging on a national newspaper will, hopefully, bring more readers to Grey Fox.

2. I'd like this increased readership to throw open more opportunities for the blog. A higher profile would enable me to work with brands who would like to see their products used by the 40 year-old-plus man. I am brimming with ideas and would love to work with such forward-thinking businesses. 

3. This may sound self-important - and I apologise if it does, but I'd love to be in a better position to persuade older men to experiment with dressing with more style and originality. Being on The Guardian may allow the blog to be more influential. Older men represent a large and affluent demographic and, if we thumped the table more, could ensure that a youth-obsessed fashion industry would take more notice.

4. The newspaper will be selling advertising space on the blogs and we will have a share in this. As much as I enjoy blogging, it's an inevitable fact of life that most companies and PR businesses expect bloggers to provide publicity without (usually) offering anything in exchange. [edit: I should also mention that, on the other hand, there are many young businesses which offer  really exciting, often British-made products, who can't afford publicity anyway - and I'd like to be able to offer them a platform without expecting anything in return].

Running a blog like this costs me in terms of travel and other expenses. I'd also like to be able to keep my wardrobe reasonably stocked. I hope that The Guardian blog will help allay these outgoings. I will not be making a living from this - it is an enjoyable hobby.

4. I'm determined to keep my blogs independent so that I can review and comment without being in anyone's pocket. Recovering my costs will give me freedom from advertisers and sponsors.

5. Talking of independence, The Guardian is giving us editorial freedom - these are our blogs and they are not edited by the paper.

6. The comments section of The Guardian is well-developed and I would like to be able to have a better dialogue with readers.

For more on The Guardian website, see here.

If you like Grey Fox, please follow me on other social media:
Twitter - @GreyFoxBlog
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/greyfoxblog
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/greyfoxblog/

A Spring holiday

We all need to take time off. When that time is spent in beauty and quiet it's effects are deep and profound. I was lucky enough to spend the bank holiday weekend in the this peaceful valley. The wild daffodils were just finishing, but the woods were full of birdsong. Wild garlic, wood anemones and primroses took advantage of the brief time before the canopy closes over. I saw red and roe deer, a red squirrel, peregrine falcons, swifts buzzards, ravens. Cuckoos sang in the distance.

The fields were full of tiny leaping black dots, lambs of the local Herdwick sheep, whose lives are so tough that they leave giving birth until late April, weeks after their softer cousins elsewhere in Britain,

A welcome break.

Wild garlic on the old slate track

Primroses and wild garlic

I may be nearly 15, but I can still get up here!

Herdwick lambs

The old ruined hunting lodge

Spring colours emerging