Matches' Menswear Buyer, Stacey Smith's book of the moment

Ever wondered how the ‘pea coat’ got its name – nothing to do with frozen veg; a lot to do with the miss-pronunciation of the original Dutch cloth it was made from FYI – the origins of the modern day dinner suit or exactly when chinos swapped their army origins for a life as a Civvy Street classic? Then Josh Sims’ cool book, Icons of Men’s Style, is the one for you.

In fact, it’s the bedtime book of the moment for our very own menswear buyer, Stacey Smith. What better recommendation do you need?

René Gruau, Cover for Sir #4, 1957. Polka dot acetate, ink and gouache on paper

He’s the fashion illustrator who defined Parisian Haute Couture in the middle of the last century – think icon sketches of Christian Dior’s ground breaking New Look of 1947 – but French genius, Rene Gruau, also turned his pen and ink on men too.

René Gruau, Cover for Sir #1, 1966. Gouache and felt tip pen on paper

McQ has returned. Returned from being on licence to back under the control of Sarah Burton and Alexander McQueen, and also to London for it’s first ever full catwalk show.

The McQueen team didn’t let the occasion pass without some serious sense of occasion either; a strict guest list and a venue made-up as an enchanted forest got the fashion crowd chattering, but it was the clothes that took over as the talking point.

McQ show A/W 12

The last day of London Fashion Week belonged to the boys – with Matches’ favourite sartorial labels E. Tautz and Rake the hottest tickets in town.

E. Tauts' super-smart shades of grey

“The collection was inspired by an exhibition of Richard Serra’s work at The Met in New York,” said E. Tautz’s creative director Patrick Grant before the start of his super-smart showing at the Freemason’s Hall in Covent Garden, referencing the American artist who works in monolithic sheets of steel.  Cue a collection of Savile Row worthy tailoring in shades of – you’ve guessed it – steely grey, black and navy with hits of bright red in the form of oversized checks, block coloured shirts, statement coats and knit panels on sweaters .