Button Down Shirts

Button down shirts are the casual shirt that works with or without a jacket. Or with or without a tie. A truly versatile classic. Worn in business and in leisure. Even the Italian like them. If you are brave you could copy, Gianni Agnelli, and wear them unbutton. A Brooks Brothers invention, they still make the best. Probably half my shirts (and I have quite a few) are Brooks Brothers Oxford Button Downs.

Gucci Loafers

One of the more expensive shoes you can buy, but well worth the money. This has to be the most versatile shoe around. In black they look as good with a pair of jeans as they do with a tux. Gucci play around with the design, so chose a model that is as old school as possible.

Collar Bar

I really like the look of a collar bar. It makes you tie come forward, which makes it look far better, and it adds that little extra detail. In a world where, more often than not, the average person sees a suit as something worn for job interviews; the collar bar makes it something, definitely not, for an interview. It works best on a straight-point-collar - just because it has to reach from one collar to the other. As the collar bar pushes your collar down, don't use collar stays.

Blucher shoe

Named after the 18th century Prussian general Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, who first commissioned it for his troops. The Blucher charm is it is a no nonsense shoe. It differs from the Derby, as its vamp is made with one single piece of leather. With less seams, it is more waterproof and less likely to break. This is why after its invention it soon became the shoe worn by the armies of Europe. The Blucher is a lot less dressy than an Oxford. As such it goes well with jeans and other casual trousers. I would only recommend it in brown, as it is just a casual shoe. But a good one nevertheless.

Vintage Watches

If you can't afford a Rolex, or Patek Philippe, maybe a vintage watch would work for you? You want a real mechanical movement. The better watches tend to be automatic watches, where the mainspring is wound automatically as a result of natural motion of the wearer's arm. I would aim for a Swiss movement, but there are a few good vintage Japanese and American watches out there (do your research). You can pick up vintage watches on ebay, in markets, and charity (thrift) stores. For around $50 to $200, you can find some really interesting models. Being vintage they are often smaller than the current trend for huge mens watches. I personally prefer smaller watches, and do wonder if the, big watch thing, will go by the wayside in time. Vintage watches also have that, it could have been my grandfathers, thing going. I like military style watches, with the black faces. I would advise getting your watch serviced - though that would still be the case with a Rolex (and a lot more expensive to service).

Distressed Oxfords

I really liking the look of distressed leather shoes, especially in a nice pair of brown oxfords. Like an old piece of antique furniture the scratches and blemishes holds the history of the shoes. I still look after my battle worn oxfords. I care for them by using shoe trees, and shoe cream if needed. A darker polish or shoe cream helps to bring out the scratches and blemishes. I would shy away from wearing them with a suit, but they look good with an odd jacket and jeans. They are particularly good with tweed, as they give you that - just got back from the family estate look. Some people will buy a pair of new shoes and distress them on purpose, this seems a little strange to me. It has to be cheaper to resole an old pair, than destroy a new pair. So dont throw out your old oxfords, just wear them in more. A good game of soccer in the mud will work wonders on them. When you can pass them off as something you have had for half your life, they are done to perfection. Though it even better, if you can keep them going for half your life.

Panama Hat

Panama hats are literally the best summer hat you can own. They are lightweight, waterproof, and with some of the better ones they roll up - Lock & Co make one that does. Contrary to their name, they come from Ecuador. Woven from the Panama palm, they allow your head to be shielded from the sun but also able to breath. There are two basic designs, the standard, or the design with the optimo crown - a crest running along the middle. A good one costs a fair bit but will last for years.