Present Joys

“We thank the Lord of heaven and earth
who hath preserved us from our birth
for present joys, for blessings past,
and for the hope of heaven at last.”

Answer post

aspirationsandthings asked:

Hi Nigel! I’ve followed your blog for a bit now and I’ve noticed from your photos that you have a very unique (in the best way possible) style- very 1930’s. I was just curious, in terms of your own style and the shirts you’ve been making lately, what gives you inspiration and draws you to the older style? I love it, it’s very classy. Love what you’ve been posting on here lately!

Thanks for the compliments!

The 1930s is my favorite decade in terms of menswear; I draw a lot of inspiration from the silhouette of the period: strong shoulders, high, suppressed waistlines, sturdy, columnar legs. I like the way this sort of silhouette looks on me, so I’ve gravitated to it.

I just love history, mostly. I try to approach my garment-making as historically as possible. When I make something, I do as much research on that style of garment as I can. It’s more fun to make a garment when you are trying to do it in a period-specific way. Most things that make a shirt look “1930s” are the opposite of what’s popular with the #menswear community right now… I enjoy being a little countercultural.

I love the work of Laurence Fellows, the greatest fashion illustrator of menswear’s golden era. I’m continually running into his work online and becoming inspired.