I must be seriously out of touch with menswear...I hadn't realized that Paul Smith had done one collaboration with Burton (of snowboard fame)...let alone two. Better late than never though as this hacking jacket is one of the most perfect collaborations I've seen in quite a while...the traditional cut and pattern meets Burton's technology, in the guise of waterproof fabric and taped seams. The best of both worlds, if you will.

And in the current climate of, in my opinion, rather ugly outdoor wear...where people seem to feel the need to look like they're in the middle of a triathlon, even when all they're doing is going shopping for groceries...I find this jacket rather comforting, the knowledge that utilitarianism and style can co-exist. In fact, if it wasn't a bit more than I was planning to shell out this holiday season I would snag one for Mr. Hebden.

Much more affordable, but equally acceptable, as gifts for the well-dressed man...copies of The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style and the ABC of Men's Fashion by Sir Hardy Amies...the latter is a re-issue of the original classic from 1965 which contains lines such as "A man should look as if he has bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care — and then forgotten all about them".

The well-dressed and well-read man...another intriguing combination.