Hello

Apologies for the delay in updating this blog, it’s been a busy few months for Harvie and Hudson. London has been a particularly vibrant place to be this summer with the Jubilee, Olympics and Paralympics, not to mention the usual activities and events. I hope that everyone has had an enjoyable time and the inclement weather in June and July has been forgotten by Londoners and visitors alike.

As autumn starts to become more noticeable in the air, in the parks and in our wardrobes so we start to think about our second trunk show of the year. You can see in the previous entry below that Harvie and Hudson will soon be visiting old friends and valued customers as well as hopefully making a few new acquaintances in the United States . Those of us who get to make the trip count ourselves very lucky as it’s so interesting to visit cities which are as vibrant and dynamic as London yet have such subtle and enjoyable differences that make them such a pleasure to visit.

Normally we return from the second American trip to an autumnal London. The cooler mornings and evenings might not be welcomed by everyone but it’s hard not to enjoy slipping on a favourite warm overcoat or wrapping a comforting cashmere scarf around your neck after months of dressing for warmer weather. In the coming months we'll be getting our latest range of  brushed cotton shirts, these are always in demand and offer an extra few degrees of warmth. In addition to this we'll be stocking a range of tweed jackets, country coats and traditional woollen waistcoats in a variety of classic but interesting styles and colours . We'll let you know when our new collection is in and we look forward to you stopping by soon.

Best wishes

Richard

New Dates for the Trunk Show October 2012

These are hot off the press, we look forward to seeing you then.
Richard Harvie

Chicago
Friday 12th  - Saturday 13th October 9am-6pm
The Fairmont Chicago 200 North Columbus Drive,
Il 60601
312 565 8000

Washington DC
Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th October
9am-6pm
The University Club of Washington 1135 16th St (NW),
Washington DC
20038
202 862 8800

Georgetown
Wednesday 17th October
9am-1pm
William Field Tailors 2134 Wisconsin Ave NW,
Washington DC
20007
202 333 2222

New York
Thursday 18th -Saturday 20th October
9am-6pm
Special late night Thursday until 7pm
InterContinental Barclay 111 E48th St,
NY NY
10017-1297
212 755 5900

THE BOW TIE

The bow tie has always been a significant staple in men’s wardrobes. Since the 1870s the shape of the bow tie has hardly changed, after originating from the square clothes folded into triangles and knotted around the neck. There is something great about bow ties. Wearing one always attracts plenty of compliments and has been favoured by many of the greats – most notably Winston Churchill. In practical terms they are never soiled with food remains at business lunches, and it is the only alternative equally smart attire for one who dislikes standard neck ties.

However, over recent years it has diminished in its popularity, favoured now only for black tie where it is de rigour, or by eccentric professors and the older generation in seaside care homes. This is down to one simple reason: most men do not know how to tie one. Come Christmas time customers and people wondering down the street alike, flood in to the shop late in the day asking for their bow ties to be tied. Across the country wives, girlfriends and friends are burdened with the arduous task of tying their respective male counterpart’s bow tie. Hence over time their appearance has been greatly reduced and shifted from the norm to the unusual. To the extent that today some men in the public eye use a bow tie as their signature mark, as it catches the attention of the audience and makes them stand out just a little.

The Blazer – A Living Legend

With its maritime origins, the blazer has slowly crept into our wardrobes where it is now a permanent fixture: the perfect attire for a drinks party, an informal garden party, or a simple Sunday lunch. As showcased in our picture above, it has a striking look that is suited to both casual and formal wear; this adaptable quality is what makes it such a popular jacket.

Not all blazers are the same, and at Harvie and Hudson we stock both single and double breasted blazers. The double breasted blazer stems directly from the navy, emerging in the 19th century in the traditional navy-blue from the captain of the HMS Blazer, a trend which soon spread throughout the ship and then to other vessels. How it was then transferred to national apparel is unknown, but sure enough the double breasted blazer soon became a civilian staple.

Today the double breasted is very much on the up and coming, as featured in an article by the Guardian (www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/apr/12/return-double-breasted-jacket). This particular blazer is made from the finest English wool twill and works especially well at this time of year as autumn’s chill creeps around the corner – ideal for the fickle weather in London that changes impulsively from a warm afternoon to a cold one at the drop of a hat.
The single breasted blazer is made from lighter weight worsted and is best suited to a warm climate and summertime. Think of the old Italians and French men promenading down the Croisette at dusk in their chinos and brown shoes.



Meanwhile the darker evenings herald the second of our biannual Trunk Shows with a Fall tour of the States by Richard Harvie and Andrew Hudson – the dates of which are as follows:

Chicago
Thursday 13th – Saturday 15th October
9am-6pm
The Fairmont Chicago
200 North Columbus Drive, Il 60601
312 565 8000

Washington DC
Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th October
9am-6pm
The University Club of Washington
1135 16th St (NW), Washington DC 20038
202 862 8800

Georgetown
Wednesday 19th October
9am-1pm
William Field Tailors
2134 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC 20007
202 333 2222

New York
Thursday 20rd -Saturday 22nd October 9am-6pm
Special late night Thursday until 7pm
InterContinental Barclay
111 E48th St, NY NY 10017-1297
212 755 5900

Jermyn Street’s Finest Bespoke Shirtmaker back to New York City

So maybe it is just the food? Or perhaps it’s the architecture? Or on seconds thoughts…perhaps it just is the people. Whatever keeps pulling me back, I just can’t seem to stay away from the Big Apple. Having only returned a few months ago I am delighted to say I am heading back to New York City for a short stint where I will be at Intercontinental The Barclay Hotel on 16th, 17th and 18th June. This additional trunk show gives clients and friends an opportunity to not only catch up with all the news from our London stores but, of course view Jermyn Street’s finest bespoke shirts and ties. I am delighted to say I will once again be joined by Alfred Sargeant (http://www.alfredsargent.co.uk) and Hemingway Tailors (http://www.hemingwaytailors.co.uk). Alfred Sargeant and Hemingway Tailors will be heading on to Washington DC (The University Club on 20th, 21st and 22nd June) and Chicago (The Fairmont on 23rd and 24th June) where clients can see the finest handmade shoes and bespoke suits England has to offer.

Aside from seeing old friends, one of the most enjoyable elements of going back to America year after year is meeting new clients. Having grown up around my Father and Grandfather’s fascination with made to measure shirtmaking, it must be said that sharing this passion is something that truly is rewarding. Do pop along just to chat about men’s apparel generally, ask myself about current trends on Jermyn Street, or enquire about our bespoke shirtmaking experience. From types of tie knots to French cuffs, I’ve always got an opinion (!)

As ever I look forward thoroughly to seeing many old and new faces at the Intercontintal.

With best wishes,

Richard

Harvie and Hudson Summer Trunk Show
The Intercontinental Barclay Hotel
111 E 48th Street, NY NY10017-1297
New York
T: 212 755 5900
9am - 7pm - Thursday 16th June and Friday 17th June 2011
9am - 6pm - Saturday 18th June 2011

(For title photo: Jospeh Fisher jtfisher@ymail.com)

Cigar Smoke

I must say, there just is something special about Jermyn Street. Anyone who has been to one of our two shops on the street will agree, and although tricky to actually diagnose, there is an undeniable charm to this place. As the morning sunlight warms up the shop fronts, most days I think to myself how much, and in fact how little, this wonderful corner of London has changed.

As a child I vividly remember coming to see my Father Jeff Harvie in our shop. Exquisitely turned out gentlemen towered over me with a distinctive smell of cigars seemingly everywhere. Over 40 years later much has changed in St James although Harvie and Hudson still stands proudly as the sole remaining family owned shirtmaker on Jermyn Street. It’s fair to say that the street has become considerably more commercialised, and with this we too have had to ensure we didn’t get left behind. However, the ethos that my Grandfather established the business on is still the backbone of what we do here. Although the cigar smoke has cleared, the fresh scent of cotton and furniture polish has taken its place. The friendly ambience that my Father and Grandfather prided themselves on is ever present. You'll find no music in our shops, simply the sound of enjoyable conversation between shirt fitter and customer or between a Harvie and a Hudson about a new cloth.

Today’s customers are still exceptionally dressed, but collars are certainly more cut-away and the demand for neck-band shirts is tragically rare. Some things never change though. Here at 77 Jermyn Street the cutters can still be found cutting your shirts at the back, there is still a Harvie and a Hudson standing behind the counter, and of course we still maintain the highest standards in shirtmaking.

For those of you who haven’t visited us on Jermyn Street please do pop in and say hello. The collars may be slightly different, but the last names certainly haven’t changed.

I look forward very much to seeing you,

With best wishes,

Richard

Photo accredited to Joseph Fisher