Penny Stock Lookbook 2011

I don't know much about the US clothing company Penny Stock, but when I saw these drawings from their 2011 Lookbook, it made me laugh. Abe Lincoln in a chambray stripe button down? Teddy Kennedy in a pale blue floral Liberty print? Now that's what you call brand with a sense of humour.

Margaret Howell Autumn Winter 2011

A first look at Margaret Howell's AW collection for 2011. No surprises here, but then Margaret Howell isn't really the sort of brand that shakes things up much from season to season. No, this is more of what we've come to expect from the Wigmore Street designer: another big helping of classic, well constructed garments in beautiful cloths. I did notice, however, that Margaret Howell has finally jumped on the donkey jacket bandwagon, a full year after most of the other British fashion designers. Plus she's come up with what looks like a sheepskin car coat in the collection. This might be your chance to finally look like a 1970s football manager.

Manga Dreams by Anderson & Low

Went to see the exhibition 'Manga Dreams' at the Hamiltons Gallery in Mayfair a couple of nights ago. The show features a series of Manga-style portraits by the much-lauded photographic duo Jonathan Anderson and Edwin Low, whose previous work includes studies of honed Olympic athletes and graceful circus artistes. I really like the the way the images fuse photography with traditional Japanese comic-book art, something that works well with the larger scale tableaux. The shots I've posted here really don't do the exhibition justice - try and get along to see it before it closes on March 5th.

From Here To Eternity

Mil-issue chinos and leathers, Hawaiian shirts, Burt and Deb rolling around in the surf - what's not to like about "From Here To Eternity"? Some great supporting cast there too, Frank in his comeback role, Monty as the rebellious Prewitt, and Borgnine at his vicious best.

By the way, if you're into the FHTE look, try a Buzz Ricksons HBT work shirt, some Cramerton Twills from Bill's Khakis, a pair of black Red Wing Iron Rangers, and an Aloha shirt from Reyn Spooner. Oh, and some number two clippers around the back and sides.

Stowa Partitio

I've been full of admiration for Jorg Schauer and what he's done with the Stowa brand since he bought the German watchmaker in 1996. A few years ago I purchased a Stowa Airman from his online store and was very impressed with the design, build quality and ETA movement of the classic Flieger timepiece. Stowa's latest model is the Partitio, a stripped down automatic wristwatch with simple numerals and hands, and an elegant 37mm case. For its size it seems to have a lot of presence, although I've yet to see the watch in any wrist shots.

The Partitio is advertised in Stowa's online shop, but you can only buy it from the Manufactum site at present. Follow this link to find out more.

Assassin Chic: The Day of the Jackal

We all know that assassins are a notoriously cool bunch of dressers. You've only to witness Alain Delon in Le Samourai to see that. But running Delon's lone wolf assassin a close second in the style stakes has to be Edward Fox's cold-hearted Charles Calthrop in The Day of The Jackal.

Told in a semi-documentary style, the film centres on Calthrop's attempt to assassinate French premier Charles de Gaulle in 1963. Masterly directed by Fred Zinnemann, it's a must see for the cool '60s cars, elegant attire and possibly the sleekest weapon ever to grace a hitman's hands.

Uniqlo Check Shirt

Just in at branches of Uniqlo is their rather nice button-down Premium Cotton Broadcloth Check shirt, available in black, red or blue. Cut slim on the body with a single breast pocket, this one's almost a dead ringer for my Oliver Spencer button-down. Except at a quarter of the price. But you already knew that didn't you, because it's from Uniqlo.

Albam Engineer's Waistcoat

Loving this latest item from Albam, their neatly constructed Engineer's waistcoat(or 'vest' for those of you who are stateside). It's 100% cotton and backed with a thin layer of bonded fleece. So it still offers a bit of warmth at this time of year, making it an ideal layering piece. Teamed with one of Albam's checked shirts and some of their excellent chinos, it'd really look the business.

Filson Briefcase

I've wanted one of these Filson briefcases for a while, but I want one even more now I've seen these pics of a nicely broken in example (on the JoonBlee blog). This one has been upgraded with a wider leather shoulder strap, and has been adapted as a camera bag with some padded partitions.

Barbour x Tokihito Yoshida Field Jacket

New for SS11 from Barbour is this highly covetable Tokihito Yoshida collab Field Jacket. In fact it's so new you can only pre-order it at this stage - the jacket will ship early next month. Based on an M65, but with more detailing (check out those D-rings and the arm pocket) and a really nice looking fabric wash, the jacket is made from Duralinen and is available in strictly limited numbers. Get first dibs on it now at End Clothing.

Engineered Garments Spring Summer 2011

A sneak preview of the new Engineered Garments collection, which includes all the EG mainstays in some new lighter fabrics. Courtesy of the Nepenthes blog.

From top to bottom:

CPO shirt, 19th Century Button Down shirt, Grey Stripe Jersey scarf

Cruiser shirt jacket, Work Shirt, Grey Stripe Seersucker scarf

Bedford jacket, Floral Tab Collar shirt and Pocket Square

Ashfield jacket, Western shirt, Madras scarf

Engineer jacket, Classic shirt, Floral Pocket Square

On Sale: Folk Grafters Jacket

Now on sale at Folk is their 100% cotton Grafters jacket from the AW10 collection, reduced from £160 to £110. It comes in Charcoal, Mid-Brown (pictured) or Tan, and is light enough to wear under a coat, or by itself once the weather warms up. And yes, it will warm up at some point this year.

Happy New Year 2011

Here's wishing you all the best for the New Year and hoping that plenty of good things come your way in 2011.