Editor’s Picks: Backgammon board, Ettinger briefcase and Chrome motorcycle
From a piece of Turnbull & Asser’s seasonal cashmere knitwear to a low-alcohol beer that tastes as good as the real thing, this is what we want this week…
Words: Jonathan Wells
Good craftsmanship, we hope you’ll agree, tops anything else. Style is important. Taste should be considered. But if time, effort and care is put into the construction of the product, we’re infinitely more likely to give it a chance.
From a feather and tweed-adorned backgammon board to a highly-chromed, limited edition motorcycle, this week’s Editor’s Picks are both beautiful and finely, meticulously made. Take a look…
Zip it: Turnbull & Asser Navy Half-Zip Cashmere Jumper
Was that snow we just saw outside the window? Or is the sun still shining? In these times of uncertain weather, it pays to invest in some quality cashmere. Half-zip jumpers, such as this navy offering from Turnbull & Asser, are the perfect solution to the changeable temperatures. So slip this on under your suit or coat, and you can carry on about your day in consummate comfort.
License to Killick: Cubitts Killick Sunglasses
There’s something timelessly, Top Gun-y cool about a pair of aviators. And Cubitts — London’s homegrown frame-maker — has put a new spin on the classic look. Slender and double-bridged, the brand’s new Killick style follows months of research into the perfect ‘pilot’ frame, resulting in a drop-dead, droop-free silhouette. Do you feel the need?
Your move: Alexandra Llewellyn & Huntsman Backgammon Board
We’ve wiled away many an hour by the fire in Huntsman’s Savile Row store — and would have welcomed this limited edition Ziricote backgammon board for company. Featuring rich burgundy leather, archived printed grey tweed designed by one of Hollywood’s greatest and most debonaire film stars, Gregory Peck, and pheasant feathers, this Alexandra Llewellyn collaboration is a celebration of British craftsmanship. Play on.
Set to work: Ettinger Heritage Westminster Briefcase
We’ll keep this brief; Ettinger’s leather products are amongst the very best in Britain. So, if you’re searching for a sophisticated, sleek, stylish briefcase in which to slip some very important documents, you simply couldn’t do better than this hand-stitched, burgundy-toned, over-flap offering.
Kick it: Duke + Dexter Drake Navy Hiker Sneakers
You know and trust it for it loafers, but Duke + Dexter has just moved into the sneaker market. It’s one small leather-lined, gum-soled step for the customers, but a giant leap for the British brand — bringing the spirit of adventure into our everyday wardrobes. These, the Drake Navy Hiker designs, are by far the best choice. With a water resistant suede outer, they’ve got adventurous credentials — but with an understated smart casual style to boot (or should that be sneaker?)
Shine on: Bandit9 Eve Lux Motorcycle
A highly-polished collaboration with Lane Crawford, Bandit9’s Eve Lux Motorcycle shifts two-wheeled style up a gear. The stainless steel unibody tank is like a silver bullet — and the air-cooled, four-stroke engine will guarantee you’ll shoot along just as fast as one. Everything is custom on this racer, from the swingarm to the speedometer, which makes the £10,950 price tag seem like a veritable steal.
Dress up: Stitch Fix
Ever wished that somebody else could just style your wardrobe? Us too. Well thank the well-dressed lord for Stitch Fix. Simply sign up and select which looks, colours and styles suit you on their easy-to-use website, pay £10 and the good fashionable fellows over at Stitch Fix will use their razor-sharp algorithm to curate you a flattering 5-item Fix. You’ll receive them within days, try them on and choose whether or not to buy. It’s as easy as that!
Small print: Love Brand & Co. Going Gecko Shirt
Summer. Dare we whisper the word? Love Brand & Co. certainly do. With its scores of swim shorts and shirts heralding summer 2020, we can already feel the heat of the sun and the splash of the pool. And what will we be wearing? Why, this 100% linen, Portuguese-made, Gecko-printed shirt of course. Inspired by the conservation work of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Environment Fund, it’s subtle and sunny in equal measure.
In the dark: Small Beer Dark Lager
It looks like a dark beer. It smells like a dark beer. It even tastes like a dark beer. But Small Beer’s Dark Lager is something else entirely; something new and wholly welcomed by anyone trying to cut down on drink. At just 1%, it tastes ludicrously good, with aromas of coffee beans and dark chocolate wending from the neck as soon as you pop open the brown stubby bottle. If you’re a stout or porter fan, take a malty, toasty punt — and thank us later.
Tick-tock: Soho Home Mr Davies Wall Clock
There’s something reassuring about a good clock. And, well-designed and staunchly ticking away, there are few that will keep you on time as stylishly as this vintage-tinged mid-century design from Soho Home. With a dark wooden case, retro dial and quartz movement with audible ticking noise, we’re not sure who this ‘Mr Davies’ is — but we’d sure like to thank him.
Want more of the best gear money can buy? Check out last week’s Editor’s Picks…
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Further reading
Editor’s Picks: Grand Seiko watch, Crockett & Jones shoes, Littlemill whisky and My Style Bags watch case
A bigger splash: The best RIB brands on the market
