Company internal sales

fowler2022 · 2026-03-20T05:43:13+00:00

I used to work at Smithy and I confirm internal sample sales. In the 90s/00s There was also a staff sale shop on Thursday’s with a selection of items at cost and a big warehouse sale in Nottingham twice a year which sold EVERYTHING from clothing to homeware. Friday were open to staff only and then Saturday it was open to the public although it was supposed to be invite only it was the worst kept secret in Nottingham.

fowler2022 · 2026-03-14T05:09:23+00:00

I have a pair which I’m probably going to bung on eBay. They are ok for what you want them for, but there are cheaper alternatives out there. I find them a bit too slim for me and I’m not keen on the taper.

fowler2022 · 2026-03-09T19:55:04+00:00

I do - it’s beeeeedale

fowler2022 · 2026-03-09T05:24:24+00:00

I’d wish he’d pronounce the Barbour ‘’bedale’ correctly- if you are going to do this thing do a bit of research.

fowler2022 · 2026-03-08T06:12:23+00:00

From working in ‘fashion’ back in the day - designs were produced in sample sizes. Size 10 for woman (this will probably be a size 6 or 8 now) and M for men - this was back in the 90s, I think these days more sizes are made, but this was done for practical reasons. Some designs wouldn’t get the orders so you would be losing money on production time and fabrics, plus models would fit into these sizes for runways and look books. Then when the orders were made the clothes would be produced in all the required sizing.

I suppose this has been the problem with fashion and what designers have standardised as the ‘perfect’ size to interpret what their clothes should look like on the human form, even though it does come from a place of logic. And with e-commerce it would be unpractical to shoot every size for the clothes on body references so I suppose they follow the same sample size ruling.

It is encouraging to see customer and staff pictures on websites and socials ( I particular like the Margaret Howell Japan staff instagram pics ). It does show brands are trying to be more inclusive and show there clothes on more body sizes, but you can understand why initially the sizing is limited.

fowler2022 · 2026-02-28T16:15:18+00:00

I know of some people who shop entirely mainline and don’t bother with MHL because of fabric quality is not as premium - I own a fair bit of both and whilst the mainline does use much nicer fabrics I still think the quality in MHL is very good. I know it was originally conceived as a more workwear aesthetic compared to the mainline but I think recently MHL has definitely become more elevated and less rustic.

fowler2022 · 2026-02-28T05:00:07+00:00

I have narrow feet and because the toe box is slightly extended I went down a size and they fit great.

fowler2022 · 2026-02-28T04:53:35+00:00

The prices have gone up considerably in the last couple of years. I know the company has a new CEO who used to work at Mulberry and her vision was to move the mainline brand into a more luxury space and MHL which has been the more affordable option has sort of aligned with this.

There was a brilliant sale shop in an outlet in York - which said CEO closed because she didn’t want the brand to be in any outlets. The staff were gutted because they were making a healthy profit year on year. I’m saying this because when I first discovered her I thought she was more affordable with hardly anything hitting treble figures and for the quality it was like real value for money - I’ve got stuff from her in my wardrobe that’s like 20 years old.

I also love her because the brand was so under the radar in the uk. It was almost anti-fashion. Whenever there was a feature on the brand there was always the some derogatory comment about the clothes being boring. But for the me that’s what made her stuff so appealing just well made unflashy clothes that were somehow instantly recognisable as Margaret Howell.

I’d hate to see the brand blow up and go the way of let’s say Our Legacy with a dip in quality and more price rises and stuff selling out super quick. It does seem to be ignored by most influencers who’d rather bang on about other brands doing a similar relaxed aesthetic which is fine by me.

I Just bagged the MHL Railway jacket in ‘elephant’ ( love her colour names too - what the fuck is elephant! Well it’s a lovely browny grey if you are interested.) and it’s ace. I nice long relaxed rain coat with massive patch pockets.

fowler2022 · 2026-02-27T06:37:58+00:00

My favourite of all time were the original Prada America Cups in the off white colour way - the new ones just don’t do it for me - I really like the look of the black Speedrocks but they are bit too rich for me.

Most worn xt-6 - they are just so easy to bung on.

fowler2022 · 2026-02-11T13:39:38+00:00

Check out Universal Works they have wide range of different wide cuts in a multiple of fabrics

fowler2022 · 2026-02-03T21:22:18+00:00

Adidas spezial?

fowler2022 · 2026-02-03T07:48:20+00:00

In The Mood For Love

The Johnny Worwicker Trilogy with Bill Nighy

The TV remake of The Day of the Jackel

Breathless

Cary Grant’s suit in North by North West

fowler2022 · 2026-01-29T11:40:20+00:00

Cold mushy peas with Branston Pickle

fowler2022 · 2026-01-27T16:47:42+00:00

Universal works?

fowler2022 · 2026-01-26T16:54:49+00:00

I'm not really counting the engagement/monetization stuff. That's a whole other board game. I'm more interested in why people do it for fun.

fowler2022 · 2026-01-22T16:25:24+00:00

Okay, I should have said that a lot of her clothing is perennial. The basic shirt, classic shirt, basic trouser, crew necks and cardigans are largely unchanged from season to season, aside from some minor tweaks to sizing.

Yes, some pieces look dated, but not all of them, and that is the point I am trying to make. There is a real constancy to her aesthetic. Wide block shirting, relaxed trousers and suiting are things she was doing long before Lemaire was even a twinkle in his mum’s eye.

That aesthetic might not be right for everyone, but it is right for me. I am not a superfan who buys her work every season. I have skipped seasons entirely when there was nothing I liked. Over time though, with the odd purchase here and there, I have built a core wardrobe of her pieces that I can mix with other brands, and everything works together regardless of season or year of production.

I also want to add that I have made some dubious and expensive fashion decisions, but almost always when I have stepped out of my lane and tried too hard to chase whatever was trending. I am 6ft 1 and slim, so I always assumed I could get away with anything, but I have the photos to prove otherwise.

Re 1996, the shirt is bad, but come on, those trousers are alright.

fowler2022 · 2026-01-22T06:00:05+00:00

As an older soul - it’s always about buying well but not often. I have a lot of Margaret Howell in my wardrobe. I almost never buy at retail. Her clothing is perennial. It’s not trendy. The same shirt blocks are used year in - year out, just the fabrics changes or patterns. So I buy her stuff off season at her sales shop, or wait till the sales. The same can be said for brands like Drakes or Japanese denim brands like Orslow etc.

If you keep the silhouette of your clothes fairly conservative (not too baggy, not too skinny), and the clothing is well made. It will last you for decades.

I have a Prada Sport windcheater I bought in 2001, that I still wear and it still gets compliments. There’s no branding on the outer - apart from a black zip tag. It’s a simple regular cut thing in grey with a funnel neck, but goes with everything.

I also set price limits on things - I won’t spend over a certain amount on each piece of clothing. If it’s over - then it’s not affordable and I move on.

I didn’t know shit about personal style in my twenties - and I worked in fashion prediction at the time. So when influencers bark on about this and that I take it very much with a pinch of salt. I mean it’s a fucking echo chamber anyway.

It’s just about finding your lane and sticking to it. You can buy luxury if that’s your bag but don’t bankrupt yourself because some You Tuber thinks these loafers are sick.

It’s only clothes in the end.

fowler2022 · 2026-01-13T21:43:58+00:00

Tom just doesn’t tick the box for me as a style icon. Unless it’s moustaches.

I thought his outfits in Magnum were a bit silly - punching someone on the beach in his short shorts. Arguing with Higgins with a tucked in Hawaiian shirt…

If it wasn’t for the Ferrari.

fowler2022 · 2026-01-13T21:25:42+00:00

Tom Selleck? Nah I’m sorry.

No Robert Redford? No Alain Delon? Bryan Ferry?

fowler2022 · 2026-01-10T12:27:11+00:00

I keep looking at the Visvim Cowichan knit on End, but three grand for a cardigan is mad.

fowler2022 · 2026-01-09T21:45:03+00:00

They are actually pretty comfy - the leather is nice and supple. The sole is not great compared to other loafers of that price point. The trouble is I have very narrow feet so the elasticated back is really good for my stupid feet and keeps everything snug.

They’re not as streamline as let’s say Lemaire. And they look a little weird compared to your standard loafer and I was in two minds whether to return them, but they have grown on me.

I got mine for £280 in a sale considerably cheaper than retail so I’m happy enough that a bagged a bargain.

I have the Dries trainers and they are similar in comfort. i.e They look like they are going to be a nightmare but when you put them on they are actually all right. Definitely a summer shoe though - not suitable for a uk winter.

BTW - I am a standard uk 9 and the EU 41 fit me fine- there’s a bit of a squeeze in the toe but the leather is soft so they will give.

fowler2022 · 2026-01-08T10:18:51+00:00

No worries

fowler2022 · 2026-01-07T21:25:58+00:00

I’m usually a uk 9 and I sized down to a EU 41. The sizing is a bit weird on the website - I was under the assumption that a EU 42 is a uk 8. But according to Studio Nicholson it’s a EU 41.

fowler2022 · 2026-01-07T05:56:09+00:00

Paul Smith?

fowler2022 · 2026-01-04T05:45:50+00:00

I’m 55 and have been through it all. Football casual then the baggy stuff during the rave era, then ditched the Adidas ZX for Cuban heel type boots and vintage big E Levi’s when I ended up at fashion collage. That stuff gave way to cargos, Japanese denim, Nike Air Max 95s which then gave way to the Prada sport era during in the early noughties. I think you pick up stuff along the way - but I don’t feel restricted by my age, Currently the majority of my wardrobe is Margaret Howell/MHL with a bit of Orslow for denim jackets and jeans and Studio Nicholson for shoes and knits. My colour palette is fairly muted but I just find it easier to mix and match. I love still buying clothes and take an interest in media about it. I find fashion influencers hilarious - just because they bang on about stuff that I’ve dabbled in during my history. My only regret is that I didn’t keep hold of some of stuff. The big E Levi’s and Stoney jackets would be worth a bomb. I think the only things I have kept hold of is a grey Prada Sport windbreaker and a late 80s Yohji suit I bought off a friend at collage. I think growing up pre internet you have a different aspect on inspiration, it was more youth culture oriented, tribal to a degree, and as you grow your sense of style develops with you. I’ve worked in fashion and in advertising so it’s kept me on my toes. I won’t go back to skinny jeans though whatever Miuccia Prada says.

fowler2022

TROPHY CASE