Admiral | Iconic Heritage Sportswear

I've never been a suit and tie sort of guy. Even at school, I wore black jeans instead of the regulation trousers. What can I say? Just a middle class rebel without a cause, I guess.

Now don't get me wrong, I like a suit. I own three, it turns out; but when the weather's hot, we can't all be a Top Grain and keep our shirt and tie buttoned up to eleven.

Where am I going with this? Oh yeah, the rise of sportswear. In short, it's cool again - honest! And don't take my word for it, check out this new collection from Admiral: the iconic sportswear brand of the 1970s and 1980s, rejuvenated a few years ago to bring their classic look back to the street (or playing field).

I'm a fan and not least because I'm a sucker for a polo shirt. The t-shirts and jackets too have that perfect cross-over between sports and casual wear. Throw it on for the park and it doesn't matter if you just wind-up drinking in the pub instead...just your ditch the shinpads at the door.

You'll find Admiral at over 90 Sainsbury’s stores nationwide from 14th July.

Loake Shoemakers

I thought about writing this piece as Mat and I recorded the latest podcast. Come on kids, you know you want to listen!

A guy walked past us in the craziest brogues I've seen in a long while. These were bright green - luminous green almost, I'm not kidding. Maybe even more bizarrely, they didn't match anything he wore. Red polo shirt, tan chinos. That's it.

Then again, what would they ever match? Maybe his luminous three piece suit was at the cleaners...

Anyway, it reminded me of the craze for 'different' brogues. Huge soles, colourful leather, crazy laces, although that Grenson-style stuff.

I'm fairly boring, so I avoided all that when it was really popular. I'm also not really much of a shoe man. I like them, wish I had more, but spend my days in trainers and occasionally a pair of tan Clarks' Frelan Walk I bought cheap at a Seven Dials pop-up last year.

I only have two other pairs: a battered pair of chocolate Grenson brogues and a solid pair of polished leather Loakes.

Oh, and a pair sent to me by a friend in Peru, which I've still not worn.

I love Loake shoes though. In a world that's gone mad for bright coloured leather and whisky bottles in the heels (I'm looking at you Oliver Sweeney ;-)), they've stuck with the classics. It's probably a good thing. One day that guy walking around the graveyard in luminous brogues will feel like a right fool!

Loake's price always surprises me too. Okay, they do the £200 plus pairs, but their Design range for well under £200 that - like some miserly old Dad - I can see nothing wrong with. Seriously, £150 for my pair and when we did a straw poll on Instagram last summer, everyone voted for mine over Mat's Grensons.

Sorry Mat!

Check out Mat's blog posts on the Loake factory and a proper Loake fitting for more info on the brand.

Images: Mat, Loake, and Me.

Introducing OurCaste

Blogging, it's a funny thing. When you start, it's you doing the searching, trawling the internet to find things you (and others) might like. After a while, people start approaching you, asking if you (and others) might like their brand.

Don't get me wrong, there's still a fair amount of trawling to be done, as it still throws up the most interesting finds (see these beer growlers - what's a beer growler? I bet you're asking).

I'm glad people do approach us bloggers though. I can't count the number of brands, products, and adventures I'd have missed if people hadn't.

OurCaste are one such brand, all the way from sunny California. Would I have heard of them if they hadn't emailed me? No. Am I glad they did? Most definitely.

OurCaste are the sort of brand where I scroll through the online store and want everything. Their clothes are perfect for me. Not showy, not 'fashionista', not highly sartorial - just that perfect American workwear style, focusing on solid, straightforward design, with the odd quirk, colour, or feature to give each piece an edge.

I own a pair of their Paul - DWR trousers - a nice gift from the guys at OurCaste, I will admit; but people have sent me things before and I've not written so kindly about them (the most recent being that aloe vera drink - grim).

I like the look of their check shirts too, as well as the plain single pocket tees. I imagine if these are of a similar quality to the Paul trousers, they'd be a very good buy indeed.

Check them out here!

Images: OurCaste.

Go-to piece | Ben Sherman Harrington

For a time, I commuted quite far everyday. We’re talking a pre-6.00am alarm call here.

An organised person who had to get up so early would set-out their clothes for each and every morning the night before.

Not me.

Nope, I had the morning routine down to a cool 15 minutes, which meant I arrived at the train station with the three minutes necessary to bully the staff at Nero to deliver a lightning fast black coffee.

When it came to clothes, I adopted a uniform. Black shoes, black jeans, polo shirt, jumper, and Harrington.

Every day, those items would be within arms reach. No need to iron, no need to do up buttons, no need to tuck things in. Quick, easy, and shaved extra minutes of my prep that I could spend in bed.

My Harrington jacket from Ben Sherman became my staple and I continue to wear it today.

It’s so versatile. Open when warm, closed when cold (you know, that classic way in which a coat works), it can fend off a light shower, and be stuffed in a rucksack without harm. It also has a neatness that is perfect for post-work drinks and the 10.00pm train home, yet doesn’t look out of place in the office.

Perfect.

Pendleton x NikeiDs x ASOS

When I was a kid, designing your own trainers involved colouring them in with felt-pen. Honestly, there was a trainer you could buy made specifically for the purpose. Totally white, with some (probably poisonous) luminous pens that would stain your sneakers, fingers, sofa, and walls.

Oh well, I'm sure it's done me no harm. If I even had a pair, that is.

NikeiDs take this ace idea and do it properly.

From their website, you can customise your trainers however you like - and I do mean HOWEVER you like. The choice of options is ridiculous. From the eyelets, to the laces, to the colours of the specks on the sole, everything is up for grabs, even the name on the back (or tongue)!

We were lucky enough to get some help with the design. Some of Nike's finest folks to guide us throw the process, a beer, and a donut, all served up at ASOS HQ in North London. The one stipulation, or rather encouragement, was that we used Pendleton fabrics.

I know what you're thinking. Nike, ASOS, and now Pendleton? How many brands does one trainer need? And who are Pendleton?

The first answer is yes, the second three, and the third, check out Pendleton's history here.

Pendleton are a brand that Americans know very well, but hasn't had much in the way of exposure over here. It's a shame. We're really missing out. Their shirts are brilliant and fit right in with my love of Levi's and Red Wing. Basically, a classic American workwear brand. Perfect!

Anyway, being given some fabrics to play with in the design of the trainer was actually quite fun, rather than restraining. At least it gave me somewhere to start, rather than the completely blank slate available to anyone visiting the NikeiD website.

We're back at that felt-pen training again or perhaps I'm just someone who needs a helping hand when it comes to creativity.

Either way, I'm very pleased with my trainers, so much so I'm making another pair...more on that soon.

Image: My Instagram (mostly).

Our friends Harry Stedman

I don't know where Mat heard of Harry Stedman. To be honest, I don't know how he discovers most of the things he does. He just, does.

I met them first at Jacket Required, with Mat. A quick intro and an especially detailed snoop at their t-shirts.

Later, back at the Truman Brewery for Off The Rails, I finally met Rick - the owner/proprietor/main man. That's not to undersell the work the other guys do - designing, promoting, and selling the range - but Rick is a bit of a one man whirlwind, who you can't  fail to like (especially if he chucks a shirt at you to keep).

There range is stellar. Serious heavy denim on show, great staple t-shirts, top American-prep inspired shirts, with the button down collars and little hook on the back.

I just wish I could find the money for that peacoat. Fits like a dream.

Read more about them here, especially the inspiring story of the man behind that name.

Keep reading and check out these glow in the dark trainers from Le Coq Sportif.

Images: Harry Stedman.

I Sunk Your Battleship: T-shirts with style, made in the UK

The staple t-shirt is something that lines every wardrobe. A collection of grey tops that can be worn often and replaced without huge expense.

The problem is, they're usually replaced a little more often than most of us would like. Quickly out of shape after a few washes, it's back to the high street to load up on a handful more.

Buy cheap, buy twice - as the old saying goes.

What about a staple for a few pounds more though? And not just a dull grey staple either. Something with a bit more variety, a better cut, and some decent designs to choose from.

For £30, the t-shirts from I Sunk Your Battleship (cool name!) are a stylish set and aren't going to break the bank.

It's not all they do - there's a good looking range of hoodies and some colourful beanies - but it's a good t-shirt that always catches my eye.

Oh, and did I mention, they're made in the UK too?

Available online they're definitely a brand worth checking out now and one to keep an eye on for the future too...so get following them on Twitter.

Images: I Sunk Your Battleship.

Peregrine’s Merino wool collection | Is winter over yet?

It seems strange to be writing about spring/summer wear when winter is at its coldest. The idea of wearing anything less than two layers under a giant jumper and even larger coat makes me feel cold at the very thought.

The seasons change quickly though. Before you know it, the tube is unbearable again and all you need to wear in London is a thin rain coat.

These jumpers from Peregrine are perfect for the spring days. They'd be good for a cool summer and a mild winter too. You know, that classic British weather that has my skin growing paler by the minute.

They're definitely on the smarter side of my wardrobe. But maybe that's no bad thing. The big birthday was last year and it could well be time to don the brogues a little more often and dress a little more 'professionally'.

Then again, what with a new pair of Nikes fresh from the box, I think I'd be putting these Peregrine jumpers straight into that constant jeans, jumper, and trainers rotation. Whatever feels most comfortable!

Images: Peregrine

What to read next: Edwin + Cookson and Clegg collaboration; Original Penguin vintage gym collection.

Store Visit | Percival, London

Any time I visit London, my “downtime" blurs into my “uptime” (is that a word?). It seems like it’s a done-deal now that Nik and I will no doubt end up searching for new, interesting, and curious shops to visit, no matter what area of London we find ourselves in.

It never feels like work though - yes it’s all research, but most of the time you end up seeing new things you like and get to chat to new people about their businesses (or rather just hearing where you're likely find them on a Friday night: #menswearchat).

Percival is one of those brands we came across on our latest walk around Soho.

Seriously, how confusing is that place? It’s like a maze.

The upside of this is you stumble across stuff you had no intention of finding. I’m no stranger to Percival as a brand - featuring them on Buckets and Spades a few times previously - but for those who are new, they’re a menswear brand from London.

The cool thing about Percival's flagship Soho store on Bewick Street is that they design all of their collections from the basement below their retail space.

Cool right?

The guys behind the brand are passionate about keeping production as close to home as possible, using tried-and-tested factories, all a stone’s throw away from Central London. You can really see the passion coming through into their designs too - spend a few minutes in their store all you'll quickly see that their quality and designs are second-to-none.

It’s not just the gear that’s good looking though. One look at the well-designed print on their brown paper bags or the intricate laser-cut concrete flooring, and you know Percival mean business.

Check out this short video on the brand to hear more about their design process.



You can find Percival at 43 Bewick Street, Soho, London WF1 8SB.

- Mat. Editor of Buckets and Spades.

You can find Mat on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Images: Mat Pike.

Sneaker Watch | Nike Free Trainer 3.0

Some people get very excited about the technology behind trainers. The materials, techniques, and devices used in their construction.

That's cool.

Part of me wishes I could understand more about intricacies of trainer design. Who knows, perhaps I will, one day.

For now, I'll appreciate their look and take the slightly conservative approach that if a brand's product has worked for me in the past, it'll work for me in the future. A limited outlook, I know, but one that hasn't seen me too far wrong.

I'm the proud owner of two pairs of Nikes (that's right, two whole pairs!) - one, a pair of black Nike Free 5.0; the other, a pair of Nike Free Trainer 5.0 that Nike were kind enough to give me for attending an NFL training session at Wembley, for Buckets and Spades.

I'm always looking to add to that meagre collection, as Nike are a brand who get their trainers right.

A strange thing to say, but there is never a press release I receive from Nike and wince at - a lot of other brands, who do produce some great stuff, regularly produce a dud.

These Nike Free Trainer 3.0 are exactly what I mean. Click the link and admire.

Read the tech specs if you like, but I'm already wearing these (in my head) to the gym, for a run, or on the walk to the climbing wall. So good, so Nike.

Pictures: Nike.

Like Nike? Like Running? Check this piece on running shoes and this one on running in London.

Barbour x Deus-Ex Machina | Menswear meets motocycles

2014 was a year of collaborations for Barbour - they turned the level up to the max, picking to work with some straight-up menswear brands as well as more unconventional ones too.

Land Rover, Pantone, Norton & Sons, and adidas all made for suitable pairings. Did anyone get their hands on the adidas collab by the way? That stuff will surely be worth a packet by 2020.

As 2014 came to a close, Barbour hooked up with Australian motorcycle lifestyle brand Deus-Ex Machina (which literally means “God from the machine”), to create a range of t-shirts, knitwear, bags and, of course, biking-suitable outerwear.

My favourite piece is the Barbour International x Deus -Ex Machina Horace Jacket, which takes inspiration from their iconic jackets which were popularised by the motorcycling crowd and 50s/60s Hollywood film stars alike. Featuring a short body, reinforced elbows, slanted map pocket, throat fastening and iconic black and gold Barbour International logo.

I guess this is what happens when the cold North East of England meets the dry flat streets of Oz? Makes perfect sense, Steve McQueen would have no doubt given this the nod.

- Mat

Pictures: Barbour and Deus Ex Machina Instagram. Words: Mat, Editor of Buckets and Spades.

Like Barbour? You might also like the Harris Tweed + asos collaboration and UK made Chapman bags.