Drakes Grey Flannels

By the time you read this, it will have been my birthday.

When I turn a day older than yesterday.

I had a simple plan, sleep, then wake up, Black Velvet, a breakfast of fried pork products, digest. 

After that, a walk along the river for an extravagant lunch at my favourite pub, then walk back and do little, before extravagantly eating some more.

Bliss.

I think Birthday’s ought to be spent doing things for you, surrounded by the people you want, not always doing what is expected of you.

Birthday’s in December are perhaps funny, although I’ve never had one at any other time, but I think it might be the strangest month. There is the rush towards ‘that’ day in fortnight’s time and the nonsense that precedes and follows. 

A period of looking forward, celebration but also contemplation, as the light fades and the year dies, was it a good one? Did I do my best? Are we all going to be ok? A time to take the past year and use it to make the next better.

This year it’s enhanced by Election fever, with today a General Election, the General Brexit Election, whatever it is and whatever it’s outcome I hope we can be a bit kinder to each other. 

I’m reminded of my first day of uni, as well as outlining the lack of time spent in lectures and seminars – which is perhaps why I’m here doing things in the rag trade – we were told that this is the greatest age, that human’s are designed to improve, to create a better world and that rose tinted specs are a fault, instead our lens should be polarised, highly engineered, unbreakable and providing the clarity that progression offers when tempered with knowledge of the mistakes offered by the past.

The problem is there is so much joy and beauty in looking back, mining the past for our own use today.

The worry is when it is simply copying rather than being informed.

Because whilst we may perceive things to have been simpler, better, more fun. 

But to simply copy is to repeat mistakes. 

Flannel trousers are the perfect example. 

Particularly during this month of contemplation, when the mood and the weather calls for wool.

Grey Flannel’s ought to remind us of cosy Christmases, snow covered fields, warm fires and warming liquor.

Of the country and older parts of the city. 

The problem is, that on the whole, they’re of the past, fusty, musty and mothy. Part of that prevailing ‘sart’ trend for cod 20’s pastiche, cravats, wide legged and faux pinky rings. 

As sexy and appealing as the upstairs of the 56 bus on a wet Tuesday rush hour. 

So why bother?

Because when right there is beauty in their simplicity.

When right they are proof that in order to progress we have to consider what’s been, to search for the joy to be found in things which have never been bettered.

Lengths of deep textured grey flannel when cut properly can be wonderful.

And these Drakes Grey Flannels are wonderful. 

Because Drakes is so good, so vital, a soon to be declared national treasure. Michael Hill and his team have worked out what it is to dress ‘British’, to exhibit that sense of fun and nonchalant style and to keep it modern. 

It isn’t about ripping up the rules, nor being slavish, instead having fun and knowing that you ought to be judged on your character, not your clothes, but the clothes do have to be right.

And Grey Flannel’s are the UK’s 501, at best practical and universal, well at least for this fairly modern male, the reasons for their beauty invisible to the unpracticed eye, but like these, they should be slightly slimmer of leg, but not skinny, weight taken out of the shape, a more flattering seat, and with a thickish cuff.

To be worn and forgotten about, smart or casual, sweatshirts or brushed cotton under heavy knits, with suede shoes and sports coats, sneakers and denim, waxed coats and wellies, stood in Clerkenwell or Codford, or with up west snaffles, blanket coats and a cheeky tip on the 1pm at Taunton.

Designed like that Americana classic to be broken in and used, to be a social and style passport to anywhere you want to go and unacceptable to anywhere you’d kill to leave.

Not trousers for the glory, glory flag wavers, nor for the warm beer chuggers and rules of long forgotten ties, but for those who want to shape the future, whilst causing a bit of mischief and having some fun.

So, if Ralph did the American take on British country clothing, then Drakes, are doing the 21st century London take on the items and lifestyle which made the world want to dress like us.