As autumn blasts its way through the rickety window frames at That's Not My Age mansions (there's a reason why this place has such a low Energy Efficiency Rating), I can't think of anything better than wrapping up warm and going for a brisk ramble. Fortunately, the lovely lifestyle website - and shop, Pedlars has collaborated with some iconic British brands for autumn, so I won't have a problem getting kitted out; classic brogues from Bond Street shoemaker, Lodger, flat caps from the world-famous hatter, Lock & Co and my personal favourite, this fully-lined, waxy parka (above) from Silas. Perfect.
Mr TNMA would look like a proper gentleman in a pair of these boots!
That's Not My Age already has a classic Billingham camera bag but I might have to trade it in for this tweedy version.
So, the other day I was lucky enough to have a quick chat with Pedlars founder, Charlie Gladstone - who just happens to be the great great grandson of William Gladstone, the 19th century prime minister - probably the poshest person to appear on this blog!
TNMA: How would you describe your style?
CG: Evolving, vaguely workwear-y, a little Japanese. I am interested in the heritage of clothes and in detail and I have to know where my clothes are made. My favourite labels are 45rpm, Engineered Garments, Slowear, Lodger (shoes) and Locks (hats). We are moving into fashion in a gentle way, simply beause we sell whatever we like, be it food, music, homewares, tents...whatever. But we are moving cautiously and working in collaboration with brands we love.
TNMA: What do you like about getting older?
CG: It sounds like a cliché, but the best thing about getting older is that you do, definitely, get wiser. I am just a little more measured, a little calmer than I used to be. Having had children when I was quite young this has been particularly useful: I can remember what it was like to be a teenager and yet I have a slightly wiser head on my shoulders.
TNMA: Can you give me some tips for stylish living?
CG: These inform everything we do at Pedlars but they apply wherever you live. I have thousands of ideas but here are just a few...
1. Don't follow trends. Do what you like. Be confident.
2. Know the origin of everything. One piece of lovely furniture is worth a hundred pieces of flat-pack.
3. Use colour on walls, in fact use colour everywhere.
4. When framed, even the most mundane things look great, so frame all sorts of personal stuff and hang loads of things on your walls.
5. Play music.
6. Open the windows, whatever the weather (Thanks Charlie, but we don't need to do that at TNMA mansions - the wind whistles through even when the windows are closed!)
TNMA: I always think Pedlars is a great place to buy gifts, what's the best present you've ever received?
CG: For our 20th anniversary my wife, Caroline gave me an iPod full of songs that had meant stuff to us during the time we have been together. Brilliant.
Look out for my guest post on Charlie And Caroline's blog later this week - featuring an exclusive photo of Mr TNMA!
What's the best present you've ever given/received?
If I told you that I was having a cup of coffee while flicking through a pedlars catalogue and listening to Roddy Frame singing "Walk Out To Winter" just a moment ago, what would you think? Because I'm a liitle spooked!
ReplyDeleteLove this post and that parka in the top photo is just wonderful. Need to check out their website - do they do boots for women like the ones you showed I wonder? Looking forward to the exclusive photograph later in the week of Mr TNMA! x
ReplyDeleteWe are finally going to see Mr TNMA? Hooray!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely things, Jon's just won some rather splendid boots on eBay that look remarkably similar.
We have the same problem with our windows, it's freezing here. We've resorted to using that window film which looks hideous but feels toasty.
Yes to meeting for a cuppa! I'd love to hang out with you, you make me laugh something rotten. xxx
Sian - blimey that is spooky!
ReplyDeleteSE - not sure if they do women's boots but they should, I'll tell Charlie!
Vix - Nice one. Let me know next time you're in town.
wow! impressive and very romantic.......looking forward to checking out Mr TNMA......
ReplyDeleteOh cool - very posh historic connection!
ReplyDeleteI love those boots for me !! I am going to check them out xx
ReplyDeleteI was thinking I too would wear those gents boots!
ReplyDeleteMy word verification was *lardban*
I'm sure that must be a subliminal message..trying to adopt a healthier eating plan at the mo..
I love going walking and Locks are my favourite hatters. I didn't read the last line properly and went through five pages of Charlie and Caroline's blog looking for your guest post before I checked back. I am totally with Charlie about flat pack furniture. I'm allergic to IKEA. I'd rather have nothing than have a piece of flat pack that's bound to cause a row putting it up! Off to check out Pedlars now xx
ReplyDeleteIts weird ... but my first thought also was 'pity they're MEN's boots!' Am gonna check out their website now.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing Mr TNMA on their blog later this week. I too have an old billingham but it still full of now old camera's Liking the look of the tweedy one though. Xxxx
ReplyDeletePedlars is a load of pretentious crap "peddled" by a guy who inherited everything he has.
ReplyDeleteAre you on their payroll? Pedlars is a load of overpriced, "aspirational" nonsense peddled by a guy who inherited everything he has.
ReplyDeleteIt is also getting cooler here, thank God, still 29º during the day, down to 16ºC at night.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post.
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Thanks for your comments - the brogue boots are very popular, I'm going to see if I can find a similar pair for women and get back to you all.
ReplyDeleteDeb - Pedlars can be a bit pricey but I wouldn't call it pretentious crap - and no I am not on their payroll. I blog about things I like and I like traditional British brands.
Oh, I need those boots!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Must check out Pedlars. We love going for walks and hikes particularily at this time of year. And I love Charlie's list for stylish living.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. Glad to have discovered you through this. My dad and bro are both photographers and they are obsessed with Billingham. The Pedlars ones rock their worlds; they both want the black one they do/did. We all love what they do. You seem to get the best bit. They do stuff that is Made in Britain. Thanks. Kx PS. Can we see your hubby? :)
ReplyDeleteooh nice title ;)
ReplyDeletePedlar's is ringing a very noisy bell for me, but I can't quite remember why. One of my friends was talking about selling through them a while back I think. It'll come back to me...
ReplyDeletexx
http://www.weshopthereforeweare.co.uk/
Oooh. Ahh. Love your blog. Great to see this new Pedlars stuff given coverage. The oilskin bag they do -with orange lining -natch- is on my birthday wish list. Love you post on Birkin, too. Will be back. :)
ReplyDeleteReally pleased to find this blog. Slightly older people rock, of course. Pleased also to find this post on our favourite company. Btw, a friend of mine got some great brogue boots from Aubin and Wills earlier this year. She thinks they are a) (small) men's and b) made in GB. maybe they still do 'em?
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