Jolly green jacket

In which G.M. Norton lauds lightweight wool.

Residing in T'North of England, we get a great deal less sun than my chums at the other end of the country. 

Take last Wednesday evening when my beloved and I dashed out to take a few quick pictorials of my jolly green ensemble. The sun was slowly disappearing and it was quite humid. Then without warning, hail came fluttering out of the sky. 

What it means to be English

In which G.M. Norton examines what it means to be English.

Today is the 400th year since the death of William Shakespeare and more poignantly for your favourite protagonist, the 13th year since the family hound passed away. 

It is also St George's Day, when the nation considers celebrating being English, before deciding that we couldn't possibly show any emotion. It's what stiff upper lips are made of.

I thought that to mark St George's Day, I would witter on about some of my favourite personal idiosyncrasies that reveal me to be as English as a glass of Pimm's on a rained-soaked summer's day.

Review: Santamaria Shirt Makers

In which G.M. Norton gets the measure of dress shirts.

Today is the 34th year since I first made my grand arrival into the world and the doctor uttered the infamous words, "What a fine young specimen!" 

Now, how does one mark such an age? Of course, when I turn 40 the obvious answer will be to purchase a motorcycle. I feel that this year, however, calls for a made-to-measure shirt.

As luck would have it, Santamaria Shirt Makers kindly made such a shirt for me. And here it is.

Changing faces

In which G.M. Norton gives a hairy history lesson.

Prepare yourself, dear reader, as I have news to impart. Are you ready? I’ve put aside my trusty razor and I'm once again cultivating a chin badger.

I know that you'll be sad to see the pencil moustache go but quite frankly, I get bored easily and fancy a change.

For those that haven’t kept up with my facial hair growing exploits, here is a little hirsute history.

Hats off to Thomas Farthing

In which G.M. Norton shows off his new titfer.

I've been casting furtive glances at Thomas Farthing for a while now. 

If you've not yet made the acquaintance of Thomas Farthing, it is a gentleman's outfitters in London. They sell knitwear, jackets, trousers, and some rather lovely hats.

I couldn't resist one of their baker boy caps. They have an impressive selection but after giving it the cream of the Norton brain, I decided on this cinnamon number. I adore the colour and felt that it would be quite versatile, complementing the greens, browns, reds and blues that I tend to wear.