Shades of Grey’s slim-fit trousers are smartly fashioned from glen plaid in… shades of grey (plus black and white). These slim tone-on-tone trousers have a button on the coin pocket and another at the waist. In 100% cotton, you should exercise caution when it comes to care (machine wash cold), or you could end up with a pair of trousers that are much too slim for the average wearer. Button-bound pockets at the back. [$100 at ssense]

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A collaboration on a pair of shades (Stefan Marx x Colab) results in a stunning pair of metal and acetate glasses for the collector. These Stefan Marx x Colab Sunglasses are available in both black and tortoiseshell, with a simple shape and just a few sleek touches along the nose bridge and frames. Colette has them now, and the buying link is over at hypebeast. $264. [via hypebeast]

Kirby Allison's hanger

It’s easy to think that the shape or size of the hanger you put your jacket on doesn’t make any difference, but it does. Without adequate support, well made shoulders on a thin hanger can bend and distort, ruining the care that has been taken to make sure they fit properly.

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An image from Anderson & Sheppard's new blog, The Notebook

There’s a chance that, after you’ve had your first bespoke jacket made, you will still buy one off the rack. It’s so convenient, so quick, and you’re still used to a brand designing clothes for you, rather than doing it yourself.

But once you’re bought that jacket, and worn both it and the bespoke number, regret will start to harass your waking mind. ‘Why did I do that? It just doesn’t fit as well. And I saw some guy on the street wearing the same thing…’

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This Gunmetal Finger Brace is new at Oak, and it features hinges at the knuckles for ease of movement. Dark and geometrically interesting, this finger brace is affordably priced considering the interest factor. Is it tough? Yes, but that doesn’t mean it can’t blend in with some of the more buttoned-up stuff in your wardrobe. Check it out from different angles when you click through. [$138 at oak]

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Alfred Sargent handgrade shoes - click here for their blog

G Bruce Boyer, one of the great menswear writers, admitted in his 1985 book Elegance that of the dozen or so pairs of shoes he owned, only two of them were not brown suede. It was, for him, a personal idiosyncrasy. Brown goes with almost anything (outside the most formal and business-driven events) and suede is a nice quirk to exchange for calf.

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The Archie Tan Vibram Sole Brogue has a perfectly undulating sole in contrasting cream, and the upper? It’s all-business in glossy tan leather with classic brogue details. Grenson’s heavier brogues might be more of a tough sell, but think about the difference they’ll make when compared to thinner-soled versions. Grenson is an indispensable addition to the historical dresser’s wardrobe, having been made since 1888. [via modeman]

Edward Green 'Shannon' boots

Black shoes are boring. That’s not the main reason I wear brown shoes more than black, but it’s a small contributory factor. Black shoes don’t have any of the advantages of patina – with brown you can build up a personality in polish over a number of years, creating an individual finish through the addition of layers of black to a chocolate shoe, or brown to a tan. You can’t do that with black.

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A Henry Poole. Notice the balance around the fulcrum of the waist button

Balance is key to the shape of a suit. It is worth remembering that the next time you are commissioning something from the tailor, and adjusting the lapel width here, the jacket length there and demanding that the sleeve be that little bit shorter.

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