29 December, 2015
We've been in London for almost a week, but it doesn't feel quite like that with the holidays mixed in. I'm cursed with a rather large head, so it is generally accepted that I can't walk in a hat shop and find anything that fits me. I figured that if I had a chance anywhere on the planet Lock & Co (founded 1676) would be the place. I wasn't disappointed. My first thought was to find a nice, warm, cap of some description. A basic hat that I could wear most every day. I was as giddy as a school girl to  |
| Lock & Co |
I can't tell you how many times I've won bets with friends by going to stores and betting that they didn't have a hat to fit me. Most mass-market manufacturers max out at US size 7 3/4 and I wear a 7 7/8 or an 8, depending upon the manufacturer. Being able to actually choose from several styles and materials was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I ended up selecting an Oslo Tweed cap (a traditional "driving cap" with hidden ear flaps.) While I haven't had occasion to deploy the ear flaps yet, I can say that the hat is well fitted and stays on my head even in a rather strong breeze. On a whim I asked about fedoras. I was quickly informed that they had several styles and colors in my size. I nearly fainted. I ended up with a navy blue (nearly black) fedora that fits as if it were made for me. The staff at Lock & Co are helpful, knowledgeable, and stand ready to assist you with your hat selection. They hold Royal Warrants from both the Duke of Edinburgh
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| Some of the inventory (5-6 hats per box) |
(Prince Phillip) and the Prince of Wales (Prince Charles) so you can shop there with confidence. given their proximity to St James' Palace it's not difficult to visualize Prince Charles walking up the street to go pick up a recent order. (I have no idea if that would ever happen, but it's an entertaining through, none the less.) They're on St. James' Street, between Piccadilly and St. James' Palace, just a block up from Pall Mall. Check out some of the older hats they have on display above the till, some of them date from the 1800's. These are hats of classic style and timeless design, meant to last a lifetime with proper care. They are made by hand and will fit you perfectly. You're making an investment in your wardrobe, not purchasing a souvenir. This is one of those places where homework pays off if you're in the market for a hat. Having an idea of what they offer and the various price points will keep you from getting flustered, especially if the shop is busy. They do have sales between Christmas and New Year's, so keep an eye out then for some nice bargains.
A couple of blocks up from Lock & Co you'll find Davidoff at the corner of St James' and Jermyn St. If you're looking for cigars, pipes, walking sticks, or maybe some particularly rare Scotch, then stop in here. My Mother purchased a cane from them years ago and every time she brings it back in they replace the tip, tighten the head, and buff out any dings that may have appeared. As tends to be typical in London (and I know it gets a bit redundant, even cliche') the staff here are simply nice people that are a joy to interact with. Lunch was a quick sandwich at Patisserie Valerie, at the corner of Piccadilly and St James'. Don't let the decor or any clutter fool you (if they get outrageously busy they'll stack up dirty dishes in order to get tables cleared and new customers seated) their kitchen produces some tasty offerings. Things do tend to move fast, so being prepared will serve everyone well. Openly demonstrating to the staff that you're willing to go with the flow a bit will pay dividends, as they tend to get more than their fair share of high maintenance customers. A smile and a nod will go a long way.
Just down Jermyn St, just across from the statue of Beau Brummel (as referenced by Billy Joel in It's Still Rock-N-Roll To Me) is a shop that I visit every time I come to London. Taylor of Old Bond Street is a gentleman's shop and they have, simply put, the best shaving products I've ever used. There's nothing quite like a shave with brush-applied cream and alcohol-free aftershave to finish it
off. A container of shave cream lasts me months and months and I've been using the same (mid-range) shaving brush for going on 4 years now with modest signs of wear. Once you figure out what you like it is easy and affordable to order additional product on-line. I still make a point of visiting when we're in town in order to see if there are any new products available.
Dinner tonight was at Spaghetti House. A London chain that looks a bit institutional from the street but serves some solid basic Italian along with a respectable wine list, nice coffees and good desserts. The best thing about Spaghetti House is that you don't need to book a table in advance (assuming a party of 4-6) and the second-best thing is that you can feed a family of four for about £70, which is downright reasonable by London standards. On the way back to the flat we stopped in at Kings Arms on White Horse Street for a couple of pints before calling it an evening. A typical British pub with a good selection of cask ales and a neighborhood crowd ready to discuss the topic of the day, which tends to lean heavily towards rugby or football (soccer) until they figure out you're American, then they want to know what the hell is going on with the Presidential election.
Just down Jermyn St, just across from the statue of Beau Brummel (as referenced by Billy Joel in It's Still Rock-N-Roll To Me) is a shop that I visit every time I come to London. Taylor of Old Bond Street is a gentleman's shop and they have, simply put, the best shaving products I've ever used. There's nothing quite like a shave with brush-applied cream and alcohol-free aftershave to finish it
Dinner tonight was at Spaghetti House. A London chain that looks a bit institutional from the street but serves some solid basic Italian along with a respectable wine list, nice coffees and good desserts. The best thing about Spaghetti House is that you don't need to book a table in advance (assuming a party of 4-6) and the second-best thing is that you can feed a family of four for about £70, which is downright reasonable by London standards. On the way back to the flat we stopped in at Kings Arms on White Horse Street for a couple of pints before calling it an evening. A typical British pub with a good selection of cask ales and a neighborhood crowd ready to discuss the topic of the day, which tends to lean heavily towards rugby or football (soccer) until they figure out you're American, then they want to know what the hell is going on with the Presidential election.
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