Hi there,Dressing for a formal ceremony in Japan is harder than it sounds — not because the dress code is vague, but because it is strict while also allowing some leeway in most cases other than black and white tie. The expectations are specific, and getting it wrong is noticeable. My son had his goma fire ceremony last week. A goma is a Buddhist fire ritual — priests chant, offerings burn, prayers are received. For a one-month-old, it's his formal introduction to the world. I wanted to be...

Hi there,Summer is here and I already reached for my solaro suit multiple times. If you're not familiar with solaro, here's the short version: it's a fabric born out of a very specific problem. In 1907, the Anglo-Italian physician Louis Westenra Sambon developed Solaro, a worsted wool fabric with a tan face and red underside. Designed for British troops in tropical climates, it was intended to reduce the effects of the sun's rays and became known for its distinctive herringbone weave and...

Hi there, White jeans intimidate a lot of men. They shouldn't. The case for white jeans is simple: they are an excellently versatile trouser, at a reasonable price — and you can throw them in the washing machine. White clothes get stained. And white jeans can be washed – making them a forgiving clothing piece. What white jeans ask of you is contrast. They're bright, so everything you pair them with needs to hold its own. Blues do this beautifully — navy, light blue — which is why a blue shirt...