Recent Purchases.

It's been a bit quiet lately, hasn't it? Work has been occupying a lot of my time but one thing it hasn't prevented me from doing is spending my hard earned on some new clobber. Here are a few recent purchases; some old and some new.



When it comes to denim, Japanese experts Edwin are a personal favourite of mine. These guys have well over fifty years experience in the business and they aren't ones to cut corners when it comes to quality. The ED-71 is a slightly slimmer-than-usual straight fitting jean made from 14oz Japanese Red Selvedge Denim. All of the obligatory details – leather waist patch, embossed buttons and the iconic stitching – are all present. If you can brave out the uncomfortable breaking in stage then selvedge jeans are definitely where it's at.



Yeah, you're right. Now probably isn't the time of year to be buying suede shoes but I'm a sucker for a bargain regardless of what season it is and so upon noticing a pair of Clarks Ashcott at nearly half price, they just had to be bought. The Ashcott made a return to the Clarks Originals range last year following a long hiatus from production. Its simple silhouette and the typical Clarks quality ensure this simple classic will remain on my feet for a long while.



It isn't a brand I'd usually look at but Ben Sherman nailed it on this one. The introduction of their Modern Classics range has seen the label return to doing simple things very well; something that was a huge part of their appeal in the first place. This Fisherman's Parka comes in a lovely burnt gold colour and is complete with embossed buttons, toggles and a corduroy collar. Albam rip off? Maybe. Smart jacket? Definitely.



Oi Polloi have recently had collaborations with both Norse Projects and Henri Lloyd but this cashmere blend jumper dates back a few years when they were producing their own gear. Superb quality and perfect for this time of year, this jumper is already seeing its fair share of wear. Keep your eyes peeled on Oi Polloi and their Cottonopolis range due out later this year.



They may be new to our shores but Heritage Research have been producing fine quality clothing exclusively for the Japanese market for years. Inspiration for their range is drawn from pretty much everywhere: military, outdoor and classic workwear. The Longline Parka remains one of their most popular jackets and this limited edition orange effort is made in England and full of all the quality details you'd expect to see with a brand of this pedigree.