Things What I Have Learnt (In Isolation)

Another anniversary, another year older; but can this old dog learn new tricks ‘in Lockdown..’

Regime is key

It is what has kept us all on the straight and narrow. Even before lockdown, foibles were something which I looked forward to on a daily basis and opportunities abound when stuck at home all day, everyday.

Take a break

The day is easily broken up into bitesize pieces if you punctuate it with meals and sundries e.g. rise for a light breakfast to provide fuel for your daily form of exercise (in our case a bicycle ride around the park); take one of your five-a-day upon your return; begin the uphill struggle which is Homeschooling or working from home; break for Elevenses; more Homeschooling or working from home; break for lunch; in the afternoon indulge in some artistic pursuits, or indeed more working from home; break for afternoonses i.e. pot of tea with banana cake (the Covid-19 carrot cake); screen time for the kids whilst you blitz kitchen and prepare their dinner followed by bathtime/bedtime; Gin o’clock with sundries (typically Bombay Mix); Dinner for two followed by adult screen time (currently Sex Education or Hannibal).

Lockdown Dressing

Is a little like going away for a weekend only to discover that you have failed to pack a key item of clothing (in the case of Lockdown, it is invariably in the wash, again. But in addition to learning how to make do with the items which you have-to-hand, you discover a new ensemble which you fall in love with! #lifeskills

Naturally, we missed our typical civilian modus operandi, but there have been some surprising new discoveries where dressing to stay-home is concerned, and have even started to consider some new designs and modes of dress - more later..

In an effort to adopt the advice from our Italian counterparts, we endeavoured to leave our outdoor shoes at the door, and change into more appropriate footwear indoors. Birkenstocks proved a worthy adversary, but suffering from sensitive feet meant that we were able to fully explore the wearing of socks with our Birkenstocks as Dr. Birkenstock had intended, which produced some rather satisfying results in terms of comfort but also wonderful colour combinations.

In fact, it was the annual rotation of seasonal socks which lead us to the discovery of caramel being a bedfellow of green. This in turn gave heed to some new ensembles for wearing about the house: firstly, it was our Cerratto trousers made with a dark green cavalry twill from Huddersfield Fine Worsteds worn with camel coloured socks from Budds of Piccadilly. And secondly, our dark green Bresciani socks worn with our new double-pleated trousers made with a 16Wale tan corduroy from Brisbane Moss. Simply a match made in heaven..

The Lockdown has also given us time to reflect on some of the nuances of our own tailoring. For example, whilst we discovered early on in our tailoring career the benefits of high-waisted trousers i.e. worn at the anterior superior (not to mention pleats), we have been toying with the idea of cutting a 1930s style dash by cutting our trousers with an even higher waistband i.e. to the navel. Through trial and error we have come increasingly close to what I have since joked with our patrons must assuredly be the holy grail of comfort. We are certain that in the pursuit of unparalleled comfort, not to mention style, these will be on the agenda after Lockdown.


So, too, will a patterned jacket for use in Summer which will no doubt form part of next year’s Custom Collection. The benefits of plain cloths are obvious, not to mention their classical appeal. But I found the patterned cloths of my winter wardrobe were extremely complimentary, especially where separates are concerned. And as all of my summer wardrobe consists of plain trousers, perhaps a pattered jacket would be playful and in the spirit of Summer. Watch this space..

Epicurean Delights

If one of you takes milk with their coffee and your brewing method of choice is filter, then opt for an espresso blend (we favour the BS1 from Triple Co.). The intensity is just right to accompany your chosen breakfast of choice, whether English or continental, without any of the notes being overwhelmed by other flavours. Whereas coffees beans selected and roasted explicitly for filter coffee do not stand up so well to having milk added: happy wife, happy life, as they say.

On the subject of coffee, we have learned that ordering in bulk pays dividends and requires less trips to join queues outside of supermarkets - it also ensures the best possible price for your vices. Most coffee roasters deliver, as does our vintner More Wine.

Spring is in the Air

When the Sun is shining, a garden (regardless of how small) can provide essential respite; be it from one’s own family or just your own four walls - even if you painted them yourself in the latest shade of Farrow & Ball, a change is, as they say, as good as a rest. An outdoor area is also essential when partaking of other gastronomic delights, or indeed writing a blog whilst listening to your favourite radio station, or simply wanting to hear oneself think. In the event of inclement weather, a vehicle will do just as well, exactly why the Brown in ‘Tan’ van is parked right outside No. 73.

Daily Exercise (only once a day mind)

There is nothing like being told that you are only permitted to leave your house once per day in order to exercise, to encourage you to overcome any defeatist attitudes which you may have harboured before Lockdown. I have often complained that our Victoria Park, with it’s dilapidated pathways and hillclimbs, is not quite as user friendly as its namesake in East London. However, we have come to appreciate the rugged landscape and huge variety of trees which we look out onto from our garden and it has been our sanctuary.

That said, there are some days when just a singular mode of exercise is not enough for two young children - and their long suffering parents, for that matter. So, we often take to the park to play frisbee, which owing to a lack of practice in the fine art of discus throwing has rendered my left hand out of action; so we have had to teach ourselves how to throw right handed. Possibly my greatest achievement yet..

Music is my sanctuary

It has been a tonic watching bedroom DJ’s such as Quantic, Defected and Gilles Peterson walk us through their collection of vinyl. But the real steal for me has been the discovery of new internet radio stations such as Soho Radio in London and Amateurism in Somerset. But best of all, given the addition of a visual stimulus which can take you from the discomfort of your own home to anywhere in the world, is Radio Garden. It allows you to tune in on radio stations around the world, for example; Mumbai on Monday, Thailand on Tuesday, Wigan on Wednesday etc. etc. you must check out Radio Garden!

Anti-social Distancing

Lockdown is not without its ironies; to some it is the isolation that is unbearable, to others like myself, it is the lack of it. It has taken me eight weeks to realise this, which is ironic in itself given that I would typically be penning this piece in a café, followed by a restaurant and, if the Birthday calls for it, a humidor all by myself and loving every solitary moment of it. This year, we have made good use of the benches both outside our house, and across the road in Victoria Park. Well, wherever you are, we trust that you are staying safe and staying well. And may we extend our warmest wishes to you and raise a glass to those who have celebrated a Birthday in Lockdown, we look forward to seeing you on the other side..

Good day one and all. 


David.