BERLIN: The Crapped-out 70s Bus

Those yellow rear windows were the epitome of cool back in the day. Awww the memories. School daytrips and the rest...

BERLIN: The Danish in Summer

So simple. So cute!

BERLIN: The Redhead

I was stopped in my tracks when I spotted this woman of intense glamour having a late afternoon fag in a Berlin corner bar. She had the air of a statuesque Hollywood silent movie star. The pose and pizzazz, the unfussiness of her simple dress, the grace of her legs crossed and her hand holding the cigarette while other shading her eyes against the blazing 40 degree sun. But above all, it was the luscious fiery rich red of her tresses that kept others too to stop and worship her. The scene was a near-Anita Ekberg moment - sans fountain and kitty

Pure glamour amongst the little people!

La Donna!

The Baker's Hat

What was it that got my attention here? The beard, the hair, the overall hobo look or in fact the hat - for which we do have a particular penchant?!

The Orange Velocipede

The original fixed-gear racing bike, circa 1940s. Observe the old-fashioned handlebar! Is it a Moustache or North Road? Whichever. It is a true beauty!

Red Shoes and Accordion

Gotta love scruffed-up footwear - especially in bright colours!

Summer Hiatus Over?!

Summer's arrived and young folks' sense of style's gone out the window with it. What does a discerning gentleman-blogger make of the preponderance of shorts-and-t-shirt ensembles then?! While a firm supporter of the school of thought that propagates the practicality of dress over facion statement, summer does leave one hankering for the endless possibilities autumn brings with the necessary layering of garment and colour. Hence, warm days mean a barren season for sartorial experimentation but a roaring trade in flip-flops. (The horrors!) While at least colour is in abundance on the street, sadly, so is a lack of imagination. Consequently, inspiration with the camera suffers - as do my legions of subscribers (sic) in the absence of their daily dose of SNTF...

Mea culpa and all that and let us hope we can return to our normal broadcast in no time. But for the present, here's some tidbits our intrepid paparazzo snapped on his inter-continental jaunts (ie Sarf and Norf Larndon!...oh ok, and the german capital)

Ed.

The Snazzy Neighbour

I seem to be surrounded by the most stylish of neighbours. Here's another one, Dave, following an earlier appearance of Klaus and Julie in one of my posts. Something in the water in East London...

I think this is the perfect business getup in 2010. A very contemporary take on a classic three-piece suit - narrow short trousers, slim-cut jacket - accessorised so well with the pocket square, the tie, and of course that much maligned manbag. Not a fan of the thing but if you insist on running around with one, this is the right choice.

This is youthful business dressing but Dave makes it his own and it suits his young age...Or perhaps it's that beatific (or mischievous??) smile that does the job?!

Eliza Doolittle

Cream Fiat 500

This is turning into a car entusiast's site. Apologies for that but can't help myself when I see a beauty...This was a particularly unusual sighting as the Cinquecentos tended to come in primary colours, mostly red, and I sure have never seen one in pastel. Lovely though!!

Moments and Whatnauts: Girls

Promised a long time ago to focus more on music and my favourite ditties of the moment.

Well, here's my latest discovery, an infuriatingly catchy tune from '75. Now Boogie!

Mercedes 280SL Automatic 1969(?)

I still remember the moment when, while moseying along the cobbled side streets of New York's West Village, this vision, this apparition in cherry red and tan leather seats materialised before my eyes out of the haze of a hot summer morning. It was a Mercedes 280SL with its top down and it was love at first sight. (Can't vouch for it being mutual.) The single most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my short life...And this love affair with the 280SL has persisted ever since...which is peculiar as I have never sat behind the wheel of an automobile!

SHE'S A BEAUT!

The Wartime Gents

Keep seeing these chaps on their jaunty velocipedes (Brooks saddles - naturellement!) always decked out in tweed or '40s workmans garb and brogues finished off with a flat cap. My guess is they're office managers at Staples, non?...

Now That's What I Call a Beard Part 47

Photo: Raf Dienert

A luxorious beard, as sported by artist and overall good egg David Harkins. Is it any wonder that he is also a sometime top end facion model?!!

http://www.davidharkins.co.uk

Upholstery Fabric

Photo: Raf Dienert

Once in awhile one is fortunate enough to get caught up in someone's gail force of a personality as happened when this lass crash-banged into my orbit at my favourite boozer. I'd been admiring her getup for some time when I finally put a feeling of intimidation aside and approached her. Her energy matched the craziness of her outfit which seemed to be something off the back of granny's settee. She was mad as a hatter and that's a good thing!

Where to start?! Obviously, that cape/poncho/thing is the first piece anyone will notice. What incredible design and colours! Can't decide if it's '50-60s inspired or something more tribal - which the necklace and plastic bangles on her wrist seem to point toward...The shoes are also fittingly quirky...but it's the hair that completes this super original look. Princess Leia meets Boney M circa 1977. A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!

Absolutely no doubt in my mind that she will be one of the top contenders for Style Icon of 2010! Formidable! (Fr)

(I'm waiting for better pictures of her, so watch this space!)

Blue Wall

Photo: Raf Dienert

This was taken by one of my army of contract snappers (sic), Rafael Dienert. Nice one, Raf!

Rice Sack Shoulder Bag

Photo: Raf Dienert

Colour co-ordination taken almost too far... Please observe the trainers and the colours of the bag. Madness, but works perfectly for me. A very cool bag it is too

(What a poser in the background!)

The Appropriated Country Gent Look

A contemporary take on the tired country squire look. Loving the breeches with the football socks and adidas trainers

Another Stylish Japanese Man

Fuchsia Cords

How strange! Bright cords back to back...Last week in mustard, today in purplish pink. A lovely colour, this, but it sure requires cojones to leave the house in. The face clearly betrays the cheekiness that's essential to carry off this look. Also loved the jacket made of thickish but soft jersey.