Bubbin and Bibbin

I wish I was a kid again. No responsibility. No worries. And having the ability to carry off the most taboo of fashion accessories. The stuff you'd get criticized for wearing as an adult but cooed over and photographed (in a good way) if a child. Things like the humble bowtie. Matt Smiths Doctor tried and failed to make them cool, but it's only now I believe they're happening (alas only for kids) with the arrival of Bubbin and Bibbin. Quality handcrafted child sized bowties for a fiver. A fiver. For the bairn to look like a miniture timelord? Bargain.

Easington Rifles

I'm a big fan of old school One True Saxon and it's well documented in previous blogs. In fact that love for OTS is engrained into the blog, from a bastardisation of their 'Good North' logo and the header is their commissioned artwork.

I've owned many a piece of quality Saxon jacketry in the past, Supplies, Jungle Marsh parkas, Cats & Dogs etc, and it's still one of my most popular searches on the bay. And it was there I spotted their Rifle Club camo jacket. Placed a bid and willed the week away. There I am sat watching the closing moments expecting my bid to increase as snipers had a go at this shooting jacket. They didn't. I'd won one of my grails. For a tenner.

Over the top branding and logos aren't really me these days, but I don't mind it on this gun coat. It's art. There's also more pockets than you could take to South Manchester with you.

Itching now for the new tuktuk khaki bucket hats due out, for that authentic 'I'm just off shooting round the (sink) estate' look.

Bob Hoskins RIP

Another acting great leaves us. Will be missed 24/7.

Deer Stalker

I'm not sure what deer have got to do with Hartlepool. I've never seen one in the Pools, although I've seen many a young buck going hoof to hoof after one too many jars on Church Street.

The jumping deer motif used to be United's badge in the 80s and 90s, and is my preferred Pools logo - better than today's current ships wheel with comedy american saw-ker bawl in the middle.

Anyway, I've been after a wee pin of this design and finally got one off eBay.

Sweat Shopping

Sweatshirts. They look cool. But I've always struggled to find any that excite me. So therefore, sweatshirt less, I'm uncool. Actually I'm over warm, sweating my balls off in a lambswool knit, when what's required is a temperature controlling cotton pullover.

Anyway my wait is over, finally found a corker of a sweatshirt that's Rich in quality. Woolrich are one of the USAs finest in outdoor clothing, and rather pleasingly, were started by an Englishman. John Rich was fresh off the boat in the late 1800s, landing in the new world looking to seek his fortune. Found it he did, and for numerous years now his fine wares have been making their way back across the pond, and finding themselves on the backs of Casual Men up and down the terraces.

Love the design of this. Always like the V shape on the crew neck. I find it rebellious. Like the cheap BHS roundnecks you used to wear at school when the uniform was a proper big wooly V neck. Also love the minimum branding, with just a small tab externally on the ribbed hem. It feels a million dollars on.

Also snaffled a RL 1/4 zip sweat too. Because why not.

Lego Album Covers

Durham vs. The Falklands

The Durham is one of Barbour's most iconic country jackets, ideally crafted for the wind/rainswept conditions of the said County's dales. But in 1982 it had to be made fit for the theatre of war, namely for the British Parachute regiment during the Falkland's conflict. The result was an absolutely beautiful jacket and if looks could kill, then this stunner would be taking on thirty odd Argies single handedly armed only with a bayonet. An interesting feature inside is the additional first aid pocket, which had room for hand written blood groups and ranking cipers. The customised Durham is featured on Barbour's official site under Wax Timeline (a history of their most iconic and cherished pieces from 1910 to the current day) and it is one of two coats they produced for the war with Argentina. Well worth a look here