Christopher’s Monthly Column

This month, our London store manager, Christopher has been reflecting on London style within St James, and how the Piccadilly Arcade houses everything you need for the perfect outfit!

“St James in London is arguably the last bastion of English style. I am in no way referring to mass production or multiple stripes down sports trousers, which I’m sure never see any sporty exertion, but rather the handmade, exclusive and luxurious attires. Eccentric, colourful, quirky and classic styles are combined together to celebrate individuality. There is the feeling of individual, nonchalant style, where one is wearing what they want and not what the magazines want you to buy. A stroll down Jermyn Street, and the Arcades of this historical area, will give you the chance to nurture and grow.

The Deakin and Francis Flagship store opened in the Piccadilly Arcade over three years ago, just near the reverential and elegant statue of Beau Brummel the de facto patron Saint of gentlemen’s prerequisites. Although having lived in London and worked on Bond Street for over thirty years, it was the first time I had really begun to understand St James well.

Our arcade is a microcosm of what the area has to offer. Here you can visit Benson and Clegg, with its first floor cutting room, ruled over by the imposing and expert Oliver Cross to have a suit superbly created in a very clubby atmosphere.

For a veteran cufflink salesman such as myself, the shirt is perhaps the most vital part of building your outfit, and obviously in St James you are spoilt for choice. I would recommend Turnbull and Asser, Hawes and Curtis, Budd and Hilditch and Key for you to find a ready-made shirt, or again, Budds or Turnbulls for a tailor-made example, when you win the lottery. When the suit and shirts come together, we can finally address the most important factor in your new wardrobe, the cufflink.

With an impeccable suit and shirt, the cufflink can make you look spot-on formal with a classic pair of 18 carat gold ovals, possibly monogrammed.

However, this same outfit can be made to look more low key and casual with the addition of a pair of vintage style steering wheel cufflinks in sterling silver and enamel.

That’s the wonderful thing about the home that is Deakin & Francis. We make the widest variety of cufflinks that suit all occasions and styles. This means, no matter what your tastes, we will have the perfect cufflinks to accompany your perfect outfit.

I am extremely exited to announce that we will be re-opening our store on the 12th of April and I cannot wait to see you again, or even meet you for the first time, all welcome. As an additional bonus, all readers who visit the flagship store adorning their own D&F cufflinks will be greeted with a glass of something special.