You wear a suit in New York and a lot of people will ask you for directions. People trust a man wearing a suit, it is just one of those things. In previous jobs I would wear a suit regularly and it was a matter of choice not necessity. I’m not an attorney in the court room and I don’t manage anyone’s money. And trust me, wearing a suit is much more fun that way. As time went on my interest in workwear waxed and my interest in clothes waned. As fall rears its head (more and more by the day here in New York), my thoughts shift back to suits and trench coats. The below is my interpretation of what I would be wearing if I was cast as the lead of Get Carter, something bullet proof to bang around London in. A mix of amazing English goods and updated American classics. Throw in an IWC for good luck and we are on our way. The only question is, what car to pair with this look? Well, I’ll leave that for you to discuss in the comments. Maybe something sporty?
LINKS
Turnbull & Asser Prince of Wales Shirt
Smythson of Bond Street Panama Jotter
Zero Halliburton 3″ Slimline Classic Attache
Alexander Olch Blue Windowpane Tie (FYI Olch is a client of my PR firm)
More That Autumn Look posts can be seen here.
A Jaguar XJ6. The only car for an East End gangster.
1967 shelby mustang gt 500. black. ghost racing stripes. something about seeing american muscle on the dainty streets of london is awesome.
’69 firebird? all black. thatd be tasty, too.
RIP hickey. we hardly knew ye. lets hope there burns a candle in the soul of whoever is at the helm now.
a soul that speaks to G N’ R of 85 – 86, shotgunning beers, and flipping a solid bird at the man; as opposed to euro greazy fashion, pointy shoes and too much gel.
MGB GT or a Triumph GT6 with Minilite Alloys…
Definitely a Jensen CV-8. In black, of course. The perfect blend of British and American; powerful yet refined, and possibly the most striking car ever:
http://www.britishcarlinks.com/Copy%20of%20Jensen%20CV8.jpg
However, I do believe the Halliburton is subtly wrong. Too flashy, too brash Yank. How about something by Swaine Adeney Brigg (in black, of course):
http://www.swaineadeney.co.uk/products/peel25_a/index.html
Or is that a little too 007?
I would suggest an Austin Mini. If you want to park on the street, this is the only sensible option. I own one, and it is akin to driving a road-registered go-kart. None of this Jaguar nonsense, please. Everyone knows only bankers drive them.
Agree about the bag …should be a soft bridle leather flap over document bag & ideally 30 yrs old.
Only people who carry aluminium cases like that in London are German architects…….
Come on lads. 1967 Austin Healey 3000 http://pieman70.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/1967-austin-healey-3000-mk-iii-c-full.jpeg
People seem to trust a girl who wears old rags and holds her head up high, too. I’m a big directions giver with a wonky internal compass.
Very well done Mr. Williams – Mr. XXXX (layer cake) would be proud.
Scimitar GT SE4 (1964–70) / Jaguar E TYpe
Cheap gangsters drive cheap cars, good gangsters like quality … the XJ6 mentioned above is perfect!!
Nice selection, but to be slightly pedantic! Caine as the lead of Get Carter “banged around” in Newcastle & Gateshead not London!
“You’re a big man but your in bad shape!”
NEC — don’t be so literal.
Vintage Aston Martin in Silver/Grey.
1966 Sunbeam Alpine Tiger MII. It’s quite smart looking and was equipped with a big 4.7 liter Ford Mustang 200 bhp engine.
http://tinyurl.com/y8tatlu
Jaguar, but not the XJ. E-Type Series 1 with that huge front hood. Black, wire wheels.
I am going to second the Mini, I’m thinking British Racing Green.
killer, killer tie.
inviting a “no brown in town” backlash here, but i am not a fan of blue suits and black shoes myself. suit of armour though, know what you mean… feels good sometimes. no glasses ACL?
67 Volvo P1800. Black.
“67 Volvo P1800. Black.”
Damn, good call!
I agree with dwcharlotte, this look is very Layer Cake-esque…aka true English badassery…thus, as far as cars are concerned, silver audi station wagon. Fun as shit to drive and looks great, but doesn’t give off the “trying way to hard to overcompensate” vibe.
I’m strictly a “t-shirt & jeans” guy. Sounds pathetic, I know, but I’ve never been comfortable in “dress-up” clothes.
I’m all over that attache case though; that’s a sweet piece!
While I think the IWC looks great, I do question it’s pairing with suits. I have the 3717 Pilot’s Chrono myself (same specs, different look – love it, BTW). The 14.7mm case height can sometimes get in the way of narrower cuffs.
KC — legit argument. But please note the custom nature of that Turnbull & Asser shirt. You would “build in” an allowance of space for the watch. — ACL
@ACL/Michael: Touche. :)
(Thank you for a great blog. Love the content.)
The bespoke equivalent of cars is a Bristol. If you want to really play the part you’ll wear George Cleverley shoes with your choice of Savile Row tailored suit. The T & A shirts are fine, and will be fitted to you even if you don’t get them custom made. I prefer the 3-button barrel-cuff to wearing sleeves with cufflinks as the only bit of jewelry that I like is a watch – A bubble-back stainless steel Omega is the Leica of watches, though a gold version might be preferable to some. A briefcase these days is de riguer only for our friends at Thom Browne, and a fit looking Richard is the only thing I would want to have hanging off my arm…
BTW: All the lads from the Row are in town next week (G. Cleverely are here from today – 1st Oct. – until 3rd Oct.), so look them up and make an appointment to get kitted out!
KC brings up a good point. While I like the IWC I feel that style of watch (heavier chrono’s) are best suited with a more casual suit or sporty outfit. I have always felt a bit uncomfortable wearing suits with heavier watches with metal straps. A slim Omega or better yet a Baume Et Mercier Classima with black leather strap seems more my speed.
http://tinyurl.com/ydckvul
I have that exact T&A shirt. Bought it in 1996 and still wear it. Best one I’ve ever owned, and those guys do “blue” like no one else.
Good call on the Sunbeam Tiger. Second choice would be a Sunbeam Talbot like my dad used to have. Three on the tree. Looked like a poor man’s Rolls. He said it really hunkered down on the highway. Maybe redo the carbs but leave the rest. Badass.
agreed that an MG is always a respectable call. like mine:
http://gallery.mac.com/allison.herbert#100788/IMG_0594&bgcolor=black
also agreed that a swaine adeney briefcase is a can’t-miss.
MG Triumph!
Range Rover HSE Supercharged or S65 AMG
Citroën Dyane 6, without any hesitation.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Citroen_Dyane_6.jpg
Im kind of a tall feller, so i’d have to side with the Rover early 90’s, then the E-Type Jag and THEN the Shelby, which ain’t muscle, just all out brute.
Do Come on Chaps,
The Car has to be either a Rover P4 or an Bristol AC (before that Shelby fellow buggered about with it)
And you seem to be missing a Fox Umbrella, essential for Autumn, in New York, Paris and most certainly London….
This post makes me feel unbelievably fortunate, for reasons I won’t explicitly mention.
My vote for car (for similar reasons): is an ’89 Aston Martin Vantage Volante. It’s more country than city, and more weekend than weekday, but I see it fitting the character.
the link depicting the car: http://promenadescredit.org/public/aston/complete/post/IMG_2468.JPG
A very similar (yet much cheaper) alternative to the Mackintosh Duncan coat from above:
Lands End
http://www.landsend.com/pp/MicrofiberRaincoatwithZipoutLiner~187691_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::DTK&CM_MERCH=IDX_00001__0000000043&origin=index
For some reason a Pontiac G8 GXP in dark grey fits.
I don’t know if I’d trust a guy for directions or anything else in a look quite this slick.
That briefcase implies a life of danger!
Since you’ve clearly outfitted a eurotrash german insurance salesman I’d say a leased BMW 3 series…
Amen, carjunkie. This painful ensemble is a shocking creation coming from ACL. Keep the shirt, and get back to the classics, please.
I take that back. Don’t keep the shirt. Get a solid or Bengal stripe. Tnx.
JamesBrown you are nuts. There is nothing not to like about this look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssC77hapv0g
RED 1979 BENZ 300D
EASY
Maserati Quattroporte. Modern and elegant like the featured clothing and accessories.
1975 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9, with a pair of Purdy shotguns in the trunk.
Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
http://www.carsfromitaly.net/ferrari/250gtlusso1964.jpg
James Brown just got pwned haha
I wish to the high heavens that I could wear that The Peel attaché case mentioned above – there’s no such thing as “too 007” – without looking too goofy.
As it is, my filson elicits enough stares.
Love the clothes.
IWC is a great addition…but I might suggest a vintage Heuer or Seamaster.
As for the car….Alpha Romeo.
Done. No go be dashing!!
A 1983 toyota celica (for its lack of obviousness)
that’s a really killer watch!
i think some nice autumn socks shud be added to these items =)
im not a big car guy so i cant really suggest anything great to pair with the look
so…the workwear trend is over I take it?
Sorry, but you guys are all off here on the car choice. For the ultimate in this Fall look, you pair this with a classic NYC yellow taxi.
I’m feeling a James Bond vibe, so I’m going with the Aston Martin DB9.
A Aston Martin Lagonda is what you need to cut a mean dash.
I have to second the Bristol … but I am surprised that no one has mentioned a Morgan. The Morgan is more classic British than any of the newer Bristols. Then again, if you want to go with something extra fast, get an Ariel or a Caterham.
Not even close… Aston Martin DB5.
http://www.clipspringer.com/images/smokescreen.JPG
I def think the Caterham r500. Classic British style but manufactured using todays technology.
In my experience British baddies of the Get Carter era would dress in black leather and drive a Capri, the British Police chase car for ages, and the ideal getaway car.
If you are the classy type, you’ll drive a Jag but never an XJ6 or an E, it would more likely be a Mark II.
And the embodyment of British class in a car is undoubtedly the Aston Martin Classics or the Jensens, driven by the Royal Family. Bristols and P5’s would come in a close second position. And a Rolls or a Bentley for a special ocasion.
I have a soft spot for the original Land Rover, or its sibling, the Defender. Solid design, classic by now, and the Britishest of all British cars.
Dressed like that, I’d prefer to be driven..not drive.
How about a Rolex white Daytona for the watch?
Good call by L.A.S on the audi, but stationwagon? The RS4 Avant (estate in england) would be the choice, mega fast and reliable, enough room for a couple of bodies if needed. Range Rover is good as well, but possibly BMW X5.
I think most of the others give too much style credit to gangsters. Maybe film gangsters would drive those Bristols etc, but modern gangsters most likely pretty tacky and uneducated. Think footballers (soccer) but with a criminal record.
p.s. if anyone is a modern British gangster…i was only joking..ha.ha………ha…ha