Breadcrumbs [Home](/index%2Ephp/) > [Style Rules For Modern Living](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/1227) ![Style Rules For Modern Living](https://media.slman.com/ltrKKxMDB4k8UAB9WrqgSg1HAQo=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2Fhenry-thumb.jpg) [Style](/index%2Ephp/style) / 13 November 2019 # Style Rules For Modern Living Sir Plus started out at Spitalfields market, selling boxer shorts made from shirt makers’ off-cuts (surplus, geddit?). Today, it specialises in grandad shirts and Nehru collars, and has three bricks-and-mortar places in Portobello, Islington and Piccadilly. Founder Henry Hales spoke to SLMan about his style rules, from the cool chinos alternative to his new favourite suitcase. ![](https://media.slman.com/i589_sjBJNKt0ByvnRkEuwvP6eo=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2Fhenry-hales-outfit-1.jpg) **My last purchase was** a pair of [Paraboots.](https://www.paraboot.com/en/collections-men) They’re awesome, almost like a French Doc Martens boot – outrageously expensive, but really well made and a very cool brand. I’m currently wearing them with a pair of chinos and some thick wool and cashmere socks from [Falke.](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fmens%2Fsearch%3Fkeywords%3Dfalke%2Bsocks) The boots have a thick sole, so they’re good to wear when you’re out and about on the market, which I am most days. Thick cords are another great trouser alternative and look just as cool as chinos. I normally wear [Sir Plus](https://sirplus.co.uk/collections/trousers-and-shorts), of course – especially if I am working – but I love [Patagonia](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fmens%2Fdesigners%2Fpatagonia%2Fclothing) for outerwear. It does great fleeces. When I’m outdoors on the market stall, I’ll layer up and wear a beanie hat from [William Locke](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fen-gb%2Fmens%2Fproduct%2Fwilliam_lockie%2Fribbed-cashmere-beanie%2F1188465). On my wish list at the moment is a duffle coat from [Gloverall](https://www.gloverall.com/collections/mens-duffle-coats). **I wear navy and charcoal** colours the most because they go with everything. My failsafe formula for dressing is a pair of navy chinos, a white grandad-collar shirt and grey Nehru cardigan. I’d wear that with a pair of North 99 black waterproof sneakers, which are stylish but also handy if you are caught out in bad weather. A white shirt is always a good option if you’re struggling to get dressed in the morning. It works with everything and always looks like you’ve made an effort. I love grandad-collar shirts. Essentially collarless, I think they look cooler than a standard oxford or button-down and work better under knitwear. Having a collar can be awkward; do you tuck it into the neck of a jumper? Or wear it outside? It’s a headache. My go-to footwear is anything in black leather because that goes with every colour. For me, brown footwear verges on being agricultural. **The best advice I’ve ever received** is to buy good-quality statement pieces that will last. A great bomber jacket, a great denim jacket, a durable overcoat – these are things you will wear forever and which won’t date. [Margaret Howell](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fmens%2Fdesigners%2Fmargaret_howell) on Redchurch Street is my go-to brand for jackets that are worth the money. I don’t have to wear a suit to work, but a great suit is another worthy investment. If you pay for a good one, you can wear it forever. [Charlie Casely-Hayford](http://casely-hayford.com/) has incredible style and creates amazing tailoring, so I’d go see him for a suit. I have a charcoal, mottled-wool, single-breasted suit from him which I love. I wear it with an [Hermès tie](https://www.hermes.com/uk/en/scarves-and-silk-accessories/men/#||) and some classic black [Derby shoes from Crockett & Jones](https://www.crockettandjones.com/). **Don’t get caught up in** fashion trends. Big logos have been a thing for a while now in menswear and I just don’t like them. I don’t think branded garms are cool and they’ll look dated soon. Prints are fine as long as they are subtle, not too floral and kept to shirting. ![](https://media.slman.com/T3PSMgzz1V2zyuy2NgRE7PE8Fvw=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2Fsirplus-final-image.jpg) **My [Rimowa suitcase](https://www.rimowa.com/gb/en/home) is** my favourite luxury item. I got it for my birthday and it has changed my life. It’s black, has a laptop case in the side of it, and it’s a serious step-up from my Antler carry-on. I saw someone with one once and thought it looked cool, but it is life changing. I travel a lot, so it is already well used. **[End Clothing](https://www.endclothing.com/gb/) in Soho is** an incredibly cool store. I went the other day and was blown away by how everything was presented. [Hornets](https://hornetskensington.co.uk/) on Kensington Church Street is another top store of mine. It’s an institution; a man called Bill Hornets runs the store and everyone in the area knows him. If you’ve not been, it’s worth a visit just to meet Bill as he’s such a character. I bought my first suit from him, so I feel really nostalgic whenever I go back there. **For shoes, I always rely** on [Doc Martens](https://www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/c/mens) as they’re really durable and warm when I am working outdoors. I love [Nike trainers](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=16327&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.nike.com%252Fgb%252Fw%252Fshoes-y7ok%5D%5D), but I am currently wearing [Veja](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fmens%2Fdesigners%2Fveja). I’ve got a white and black pair, which seems to be the most popular trainer style out there at the moment. Everyone is wearing them. For denim, I wear [Hiut](https://hiutdenim.co.uk/collections/mens), which is a brand created by a guy called David, who bought a factory in Cardigan in Wales, where he makes all his jeans. It’s a really well curated brand with the ethos of doing one thing and doing it well. ![](https://media.slman.com/LY_A7W-yFntzFbxJAzIWtmgctFk=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2Fhenry-hales-outfit-2.jpg) **My weekend style is** very formulaic. Always a pair of navy chinos and boots, and I am normally found in a workman’s jacket from my collection. [Uniqlo](https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/men) is great for basics and I’ll go there to buy essentials like good white tees and maybe some linen shirts. In the summer, I’ll switch out my boots for a pair of desert boots from [Clarks](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=2515&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.clarks.co.uk%252FOriginals%252FDesert-Boots%252Fc%252Fo203%5D%5D) – or maybe [Birkenstocks](https://www.birkenstock.com/gb/men/) if it is really hot – but the chinos and workwear jacket still apply. I would never wear bright colours, even in the summer, as I think charcoal looks great all year round. When it’s warmer, you can wear it with camel or another lighter shade of grey; in winter, I team it with darker colours like navy or black. **Aesop is a great brand for gifting.** You can never go wrong with an Aesop soap or lotion. [Thomas Clipper](https://thomasclipper.com/) would be my top choice of grooming brand. It does good colognes and is still a unique place for scents. Generally I will go gift shopping in [Liberty](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=41662&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.libertylondon.com%2F) as there are so many options there for whoever you’re buying for. **I enjoy holiday packing** and don’t really waver from my basics of: [Riz swim shorts](https://www.rizboardshorts.com/), a linen shirt from [Sir Plus](https://sirplus.co.uk/), [Finlay & Co](https://www.finlayandco.com/) sunglasses and [Borsalino Panama hat](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fmens%2Fdesigners%2Fborsalino%2Faccessories%2Fhats). I love a vintage Hawaiian shirt and you can pick up some really cool ones from east London. Or [Polo Ralph Lauren](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l7A5q/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ralphlauren.co.uk%2Fen%2Fclassic-fit-hawaiian-shirt-5045018813520.html) does new versions which have that same vintage feel. In the evening, you can’t go wrong with a pair of [Orlebar Brown](https://www.orlebarbrown.com/men/) tailored shorts. **My rules on tailoring are** don’t make it too fussy and ensure there is a bit of give if you are buying off the rail. This gives you room to get it taken in to fit properly. Don’t be tempted by an elaborate lining – you will regret it. Because I don’t wear suiting very often, I like to be adventurous with the cut and like wearing three-piece suits or double-breasted jackets to events like weddings. The important thing is that you are comfortable. You can always spot a guy at a party who is uncomfortable in his suit. **I am not a big fan of** jewellery. I don’t love lots of busy accessories, so tend to choose the simpler, minimalist brands. I love [Comme des Garçons](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3539&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.selfridges.com%252FGB%252Fen%252Fcat%252Fcomme-des-garcons-classic-leather-card-holder_111-2000022-SA6400%252F%5D%5D) for wallets and [Want Les Essentiels](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fen-gb%2Fmens%2Fsearch%2Fwant%2Bles%2Bessentials%2Faccessories%2Fbags) for weekend bags. [Ralph Lauren](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l7A5q/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ralphlauren.co.uk%2F) does great classic belts which last forever and for watches you can’t go wrong with Casio. I am currently wearing a [Casio Illuminator F-19W](https://www.casio.com/products/watches/classic/f91w-1) but I have my eyes on a silver [Apple Watch](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=1203&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.johnlewis.com%252Fapple-watch-series-3-gps-38mm-space-grey-aluminium-case-with-sport-band-black%252Fp3793157%5D%5D). I know that’s a bit of a style faux-pas but I’ve been thinking about it for a while and I am near taking the plunge to buy one. **Three words to describe my style would be** minimal, workwear, wearable. Quality and durability are really important things I look for when I’m buying and designing clothes. I can’t stand things that are poorly made. **Bill Cunningham is my style hero.** He was the original street-style photographer – and all-time workwear legend. He was into the workman jacket before anyone else and it’s a trend that’s stuck. Right now, Matt Smith would be my dream customer. He always looks very cool in an effortless way, which is really what [Sir Plus](https://sirplus.co.uk/) is about, so it’d be great to see him wearing the collection. ## Shop Henry's Edit ![Cotton-Corduroy Jacket from Margaret Howell](https://media.slman.com/YiLOwK9p_Fa7PhtzQQ_F-T3qjk0=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2F1margaret-howell-corduroy-jacket-mr-p-r.jpg) [#### Cotton-Corduroy Jacket](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fen-gb%2Fmens%2Fproduct%2Fmargaret_howell%2Fcotton-corduroy-jacket%2F1164601) ##### Margaret Howell £395 ![Watch Series 3 from Apple](https://media.slman.com/56c0qKQjCnrNalVgVRfaz5YBbK0=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2Fjohn-lewis-apple-watch-series-3-gps-38mm-space-grey-aluminium-case-sport-band-black-r.jpg) [#### Watch Series 3](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=1203&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.johnlewis.com%252Fapple-watch-series-3-gps-38mm-space-grey-aluminium-case-with-sport-band-black%252Fp3793157%5D%5D) ##### Apple £199 ![Quilted Ripstop Down Jacket from Patagonia](https://media.slman.com/35XxMU8d7RY1447QdSOa8herVrg=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2F3mr-porter-patagonia-quilted-ripstop-down-jacket-r.jpg) [#### Quilted Ripstop Down Jacket](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fen-gb%2Fmens%2Fproduct%2Fpatagonia%2Fquilted-ripstop-down-jacket%2F1156372) ##### Patagonia £200 ![Serignan from Paraboot](https://media.slman.com/urSG3TWPRO75f615VyYjZjg-kDw=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2F4paraboot-serignan-actem-noire-gr-noir-135632-avant-r.jpg) [#### Serignan](https://www.paraboot.com/en/men/ankle-boots/serignanactem-noire-gr-noir) ##### Paraboot £379.13 ![Quilted Ripstop Down Gilet from Patagonia](https://media.slman.com/naYtyzR_O-2fT5b9oaMGIIzqCFc=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2F5patagonia-quilted-ripstop-down-gilet-r.jpg) [#### Quilted Ripstop Down Gilet](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fen-gb%2Fmens%2Fproduct%2Fpatagonia%2Fquilted-ripstop-down-gilet%2F1156370) ##### Patagonia £140 ![Ribbed Cashmere Beanie And Scarf Set from William Lockie](https://media.slman.com/MPp6O2olxW29ea5Zb2xurfICRms=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2F6mr-p-william-locky-beanier.jpg) [#### Ribbed Cashmere Beanie And Scarf Set](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fen-gb%2Fmens%2Fproduct%2Fwilliam_lockie%2Fribbed-cashmere-beanie-and-scarf-set%2F1188475) ##### William Lockie £190 ![Classic Duffel Coat from Glovell](https://media.slman.com/4rC54axus96Gsu_F1_nHUGON0rA=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2Fglovel-classic-duffel-coat-tanfront148840x-r.jpg) [#### Classic Duffel Coat](https://www.gloverall.com/collections/mens-duffle-coats/products/mens-classic-dufflecoat) ##### Glovell £349 ![Percy from Finlay & Co](https://media.slman.com/Y9vGVHgegMj7rjx6c6hHPgqubNA=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2F8finnlay-co-percy-r.jpg) [#### Percy](https://www.finlayandco.com/percy-30712) ##### Finlay & Co £120 ![Navy Wool Gilet from Sirplus](https://media.slman.com/pDhID4h3v9LkL25hFph8isFJhXQ=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2F8sir-plus-navy-wool-gilet-r.jpg) [#### Navy Wool Gilet](https://sirplus.co.uk/products/new-navy-wool-gilet?variant=29154637578288) ##### Sirplus £195 ![Hartsfield Canvas Holdall from Want Les Essentials](https://media.slman.com/j-feWN5eyJybm-7kMfGEZQRkZyQ=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2F2hartsfield-leather-trimmed-organic-cotton-canvas-holdall-want-les-essentialsr.jpg) [#### Hartsfield Canvas Holdall](https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100l4JRj/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mrporter.com%2Fen-gb%2Fmens%2Fproduct%2Fwant_les_essentiels%2Fhartsfield-leather-trimmed-organic-cotton-canvas-holdall%2F373224) ##### Want Les Essentials £330 ![Chore Nehru Jacket from Sirplus](https://media.slman.com/J_9eLis9-R9Q-edjt1X13PPLTWM=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2F7sir-plus-navy-cotton-chore-nehru-jacketr.jpg) [#### Chore Nehru Jacket](https://sirplus.co.uk/products/navy-cotton-chore-nehru-jacket?variant=29524098252848) ##### Sirplus £215 ![Card Holder from Comme Des Garcons](https://media.slman.com/ldN81LYqrYWuhrtD0Sx8EnBx60Y=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fslman.com%2Fsites%2Fslman%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F11%2Fselfridges-comme-des-garcons-classic-leather-card-holder-r.jpg) [#### Card Holder](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3539&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.selfridges.com%252FGB%252Fen%252Fcat%252Fcomme-des-garcons-classic-leather-card-holder_111-2000022-SA6400%252F%5D%5D) ##### Comme Des Garcons £60 *For more information, visit [SirPlus.co.uk](https://sirplus.co.uk/)* DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. 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