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2 items for men

Apologies for my absence yesterday. It was a busy weekend what with getting Sam out of nappies and then on Monday all morning I was out shopping with my friend Annie who needs a brand new wardrobe because HER FUCKING HOUSE BURNT DOWN!!!!!

Okay not her whole house, but parts of it. It’s a DISASTER. And she said “All my clothes were burnt. Where shall I go for new clothes?” And I said “Rodeo Drive, baby. But actually Brent Cross.”

So off we went to Brent Cross and had a high old time throwing clothes about going “No I hate it,” and occasionally “Perfect. Get it.” Then we had a very meaningful conversation on the way home, while Annie was very brave about my haphazard driving, about the difference between style and fashion – more of which later.

Today this is all about the boys! Sorry – I know you all hate men’s specials. I certainly do. I hate them! I throw the supplement across the room in a rage and stamp on Eddie Redmayne’s face (because he is ALWAYS in mens’ specials). Get out of my changing room! I was looking forward to a DPS on jewelled sandals and a polemic about waterfall cardigans! Fuck you, Style!!!

But, you know, sometimes one wants to update the man in one’s life – visually, I mean, not update him to someone else – without the first real idea about mens’ clothing or what you really want them to look like. You just don’t want them to look like that.

My husband is very good, these days, at buying new clothes for himself. Before we met he would always do it pissed off his face, or in a great hurry, and buy ghastly things. Now about twice a year he makes a special trip to Selfridges or Liberty and zeroes in on precisely the homosexual man he knows will find him most attractive and commands his attention for 45 minutes while he buys a clutch of new items.

So I very rarely have to buy him anything, but recently I did – this “work jacket” by the Carrier Company for £110. It is really really good. Modern and useful. You want it in navy and please ignore the wesbsite’s styling, which is reminiscent of Communist Party propaganda. This can be worn with jeans and a t-shirt and trainers as a light summer jacket. It hints towards Japanese clean, boxy lines and will painlessly modernise even the tweediest of stuffy young fogeys. I adore it.

Screen Shot 2016-05-09 at 19.51.00

 

For shoes, I do like the look of these “posh” espadrilles, from Mulo Shoes; the problem with espadrilles being that they are at their most wonderful and comfortable about 30 minutes before they fucking fall to bits before your very eyes on about August 15th, when you don’t feel like buying another pair of summer shoes and come on can term start please for the love of God.

But these are made of stronger stuff, with a sturdy rubber sole and a stout cotton upper. They are £125 but the espadrille/slip-on trend is going to be with us for a while, so you can buy for value with confidence.

Screen Shot 2016-05-09 at 19.57.19

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Comments

  1. Tom B says

    May 10, 2016 at 8:30 am

    Huzzah! A men’s special….just what I had unknowingly been waiting for! Love the ‘shacket’ not at all sure about the espadrilles though and at £125-00 and coming from Yorkshire I am doubly not sure!

    Reply
    • esthermcoren says

      May 10, 2016 at 11:43 am

      Tom B what are you even DOING reading this blog? You are so not the demographic… xx

      Reply
      • tb60 says

        May 10, 2016 at 12:58 pm

        Oh Esther I’m nobody’s ‘right demographic’ but your blog always makes me chuckle – still miss the recipes though! Is it OK to stay?

        Reply
        • esthermcoren says

          May 10, 2016 at 1:14 pm

          sure, I’m only teasing xxx

          Reply
    • ianebrice says

      May 11, 2016 at 9:21 am

      It’s a relief to see another man here. I keep worrying I’m weird.

      Reply
      • tb60 says

        May 11, 2016 at 12:01 pm

        No weirder than me Ian!

        Reply
  2. Alexandra says

    May 10, 2016 at 8:40 am

    I love the idea of your husband wandering around menswear, trying to suss out which male assistant wants to play dress ups with him … thank you for starting my day with a smile, Esther!

    Reply
    • esthermcoren says

      May 10, 2016 at 11:43 am

      the gays absolutely love him. he’s finally come to terms with it & is making it work for him…

      Reply
  3. ianebrice says

    May 10, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    I don’t hate men’s specials. The occasional foray would be much appreciated, thank you.

    Reply
  4. Fleur says

    May 10, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    I bought my husband espadrilles once. He wears them but looks stunned/horrified if I actually call them “espadrilles”. I have to say “your summer shoes” and then all is fine. Weird

    Reply
    • esthermcoren says

      May 10, 2016 at 12:42 pm

      boys are MAD

      Reply
  5. Louise Evans says

    May 10, 2016 at 4:26 pm

    one for you from my favourite funny girl xxx

    Sent from my iPhone

    Reply
  6. debs says

    May 11, 2016 at 3:29 pm

    oh thanks so much for this. it’s my husband’s birthday next week- co-inciding with my first week back at work post 2nd mat leave. u can imagine how much i can be arsed making a fuss of anyone other than myself what with the small matter of co-ordinating my vast team of hired help to manage the change. Was going to get him some naff orlebar brown swimming knickers at great expense but you’ve saved me! ordering that jacket now!! ta xx

    Reply

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