The history of the shirt

In which G.M. Norton gets a little shirty with you.

As a chap on a budget, thanks to the generous donators at my local beneficiary boutiques, I’ve steadily amassed a wardrobe fit for a gentleman.

However, there are a number of items sadly omitting from my collection of clothes and I fear that my chances of finding them in a charity shop is as likely as spotting the Loch Ness Monster playing a quick game of water polo with the Abominable Snowman.

In order to obtain these key items, I have formed the opinion that I will need to bite the bullet and purchase from vintage and reproduction clothing emporiums.

One such item of clothing that I particularly covet is the tunic shirt with detachable collar. Such fine garments are the undisputable choice of the dandy with a bit of cash to splash.

Washable spearpoint collar, available from Darcy Clothing

A momentous mo-ment

In which G.M. Norton celebrates a rather special birthday.

It is now a whole year since I first started cultivating my over-sized soup strainer.

As part of the first anniversary celebrations, I have made a short film clip using a marvellous free app called Flipagram. A 15 second version is also available for your perusal on Instagram.

A copy of the film will be included in a time capsule to preserve a lasting legacy to be enjoyed by future generations. Other items in the capsule will include a lock of hair from my lip weasel, a half-used tin of moustache wax and a Norton of Morton calling card.

A few close chums help to bury the Norton of Morton time capsule

The perfect winter outfit

In which G.M. Norton helps you get one over Jack Frost.

I feel like I’m still waiting for winter to grip me in an icy embrace. Despite never achieving boy scout status, I’ve always followed their motto of ‘Be prepared’, saving your favourite protagonist from a multitude of both sticky and non-sticky situations. For this reason, despite the relatively warm weather, I’ve been venturing out clad in my warming winter togs.

Keen to help you survive the cold (when Jack Frost eventually points his icy finger), here are five of the most important items to see you through a harsh winter.

Real-life dandy: Yoshio Suyama

In which G.M. Norton makes the acquaintance of a real-life dandy.

After debating the idea for a while, largely over tea and cake, I recently joined the social networking site, Instagram. It was through this medium that I was lucky enough to cross paths with a real-life dandy, Mr.Yoshio Suyama.

I do so love a dandy. One can only admire a well-dressed man that prefers to cut a dash rather than drearily conform.

Admiring Yoshio’s array of pictorials, I was smitten with his style. With a respectful nod to a bygone age, Yoshio is sartorially savvy and a true inspiration to me as I continue on my journey to Gentleman. It occurred to me that it would be jolly nice to introduce my readers to this preening peacock and to join in the admiration.

Glory be!

In which G.M. Norton attempts the impossible.

I had some marvellous news this week, dear reader. This very periodical was short-listed in the UK Blog Awards 2014, under the ‘Most Innovative’ category.

Thanks awfully if you voted! Now the public vote is over, the responsibility now sits with an expert panel of judges. Rumours are speculating about their choice of ensemble. I suspect they will go with the traditional wig and robe combination.

"I say, these corrugated cardboard wigs look just the ticket!"

The judges will assess all the blogs on the short-list and after careful deliberation; they will decide which blogs are guilty of cunning content, perfect photography and all that sort of rot. Verdicts will then be announced at a swanky awards bash in London on Friday 25 April.

Smouldering sirens: Bettie Page

In which G.M. Norton explores the fascinating and mysterious 1950s pin-up model, Bettie Page.

Deciding its ruddy well about time I escorted another exquisite little filly into the Smouldering Sirens boudoir, I instantly thought of a lady who has teased men and women for more than sixty years – the one and only Bettie Page.

People go potty over a pin-up and I am no exception to the rule, dear reader. Especially one that has the feminine wiles of Miss Page.

Despite my admiration of Bettie over the years, I must confess to knowing very little about her.

Behold! Layrite Super Hold

In which G.M. Norton bows down to a hair-styling miracle.

A number of months ago, I was conversing with the lovely Miss B off of The Forties Floozy, following her purchase of Sweet Georgia Brown pomade.

During our hair care chinwag, Miss B recommended that I should seek out a pomade by the name of Layrite. I must confess, I was a little short on the old pennies at the time so failed miserably to back her red-hot tip.

It seemed that every man and his dog had heard of it. Do you ever experience this, dear reader? When it seems that everybody knows something that you don’t?

Anyway, every now and again I would remember and perform a little search on the World Wide Webular in search of said product. Alas, each time I would fail to come up with the goods.

So when my favourite barbershop, BarberBarber started stocking it, naturally I was tickled pink. Following a similar pattern, I was forced to be frugal following the expense of Christmas and had to limp towards pay day before I could venture out and get my hands on some. I also got a much-needed haircut while I was there. Here is some visual evidence for your peepers.

If the jacket fits, wear it

In which G.M. Norton examines the history of the Hacking Jacket.

I was lucky enough to chance upon a hacking jacket, when I visited a vintage fair before Christmas. 

I briefly shared my purchase with you but I thought it was deserving of its very own posting.

Made from a lovely tweed with greens and orange running throughout (and previously owned by a country gamekeeper no less), it really is a handsome thing to behold. Although I am yet to give the jacket its inaugural outing, it’s already one of my favourite items of clothing.

New year, new moustache?

In which G.M. Norton pens his latest gentleman's guide for Pretty Nostalgic magazine.

I’m terribly excited to have had my third gentleman’s guide published in the splendid Pretty Nostalgic magazine.

It was January last year when the opportunity first arose to work with the lovely team that create the proudly independent publication. ‘The sacred act of shaving’ was my debut writing appearance in their March/April edition...  

...before following this up in the July/August magazine with ‘The art of wooing a lady’.

Review: The Bluebeards Revenge Shavette Kit

In which G.M. Norton risks his life and lives to tell the tale.

I enjoy the daily ritual of a wet shave so when The Bluebeards Revenge pressed my hand with the offer of testing out one of their shaving sets, naturally, I was only too happy to oblige.

The Bluebeards Revenge describe themselves as "the ultimate shaving experience for real men". As a real man (as opposed to those pretend ones), I jumped at the suggestion of trying out the shavette kit, which is basically a cut-throat razor. After all, dear reader, you are worth risking my life for.

The shavette kit duly arrived in a box emblazoned with the company’s distinctive skull and crossbones design. Generally, one is advised from an early age to be wary of things marked in this way, but like many children, I was rather fond of pirates during my formative years.

Upon opening the box (or plundering the treasure, if you feel so inclined), I discovered that the kit comprised of a 100ml tub of luxury shaving cream, a 100ml tub of post shave balm, the all-important shavette ‘cut-throat’ razor and a Doubloon bristle shaving brush.

I will now reveal my findings for each item in turn.