Inspiration from Scott's Last Expedition - Natural History Museum

The Scott exhibition at the Natural History Museum has been on for some time (and runs until 2nd September 2012) and I've only just managed to get to it. Readers with good memories will recall I've talked about Robert Falcon Scott two or three times before - in particular, at the time of the centenary of his death returning from the South Pole in March 1912.

The exhibition emphasised for me that Scott's expedition, unlike that of Amundsen, who won the race to the Pole, was only partly about reaching the South Pole. A staggering amount of scientific research was carried out, which laid the basis for much modern work on glaciers, wildlife and polar weather and which filled several volumes with published research papers. This legacy, and the stunning photographs, show how rich and productive Scott's expedition was in comparison with that of Amundsen. For me, Scott did not lose the race to the Pole, he led an expedition which blazed a trail for subsequent polar explorers to follow.

The work to gather this scientific data was carried out in harsh conditions - and the clothes the men wore were, by our standards, basic. However, I was struck by the photographs of the clothing, often tweed and knitted wool, which seems to have served the men well - they looked comfortable. There is much there to provide inspiration for today's clothes designers - and indeed we have seen Wolsey and Nigel Cabourn, among others, use the example of these robust and workmanlike garments.

I appreciate that the height of the European summer is not time to be thinking about such warm clothes, but winter is not far off and you can think how your wardrobe might be influenced by the clothes worn by these hardy and heroic men a hundred years ago.

Wolsey tradition - Grey Fox buys shorts for Summer

When it comes to style I'm a real sucker for tradition. If a jacket recreates one that Mallory wore on Everest, I'll buy it. If a purveyor of menswear supplies the Royal Family, I'm hooked.

So, a couple of weeks ago, I went to investigate Wolsey's new shop in Brewer Street in London. The company is shifting away from traditional underwear and golfing jumpers to become more fashionable.

How would this move away from a more conservative (and middle-aged) market suit me as an older man? The revamped company still depends on very traditional values and much is made of the company's history, for example providing clothing to Scott's Antarctic expedition a century ago this year. As ever, successful marketing can be very schizophrenic.

Summer has arrived at last and Grey Fox's legs need an airing - so I was after a pair of shorts. The service was friendly and enthusiastic, quite a change from the studied indifference found in many London shops. The clothes are an inspiring mix of styles and tastes. There is something for most tastes, high fashion and less so.

True to Wolsey's traditions, the Wolsey 1755 shorts (the date the company was founded) are well made and, for me, the slim cut was a welcome change from the flappy-legs style. They are knee length on me, but look good folded over if a shorter style is needed.

I recommend Wolsey to other older men in search of style.

Remembering Robert Falcon Scott of the Antarctic

On 17th January I posted a piece (here) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Captain Robert Falcon Scott reaching the South Pole.

Today is 100 years since his death. It is amazing to think back over those weeks since my post and appreciate the time over which he and his team suffered in the Antarctic wastes.

Scott of the Antarctic - 100 years ago today

One hundred years ago today Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his party of explorers reached the South Pole to find that they had been beaten by the Norwegian, Roald Amunsden's expedition.

I am always struck by the expressions of sheer exhaustion and disappointment tinged with determination on the faces of Scott's men as they are photographed shortly after their arrival at the Pole, where they found the Norwegian flag already in place. We know, of course, that all these men died on the return journey, adding such poignancy to the picture.

And here are photographs of Scott taken in happier times. Long may the spirit of courageous exploration live on!