Jeremy Hackett - The Mr Classic Blog

This is often a linen jacket or blazer co-ordinated with cotton trousers in colourful hues and the obligatory Panama hat* and of course a jolly brolly, because it's bound to rain.

Interested as I am in all the current political upheaval I couldn't help but notice the frequent references to rolling up shirt sleeves and getting on with the job voiced by several senior politicians.

I have a feeling that with the predicted austere times ahead this shirt sleeve rolling may just become a bit of a fashion statement. Not since the early 1960s have we seen this particular style, a time when our cricketers went out to bat with a healthy display of forearms.

The Army has always been a strong advocate of short sleeve order; Khaki shirts folded and ironed with military precision and knife edge creases.

There is something distinctly masculine and workmanlike about it, so whether you are toiling on the soil or poring over your computer, now is the time to get down to business and roll up your shirt sleeves before this fashion whim passes you by.

I received a comment on my Bafflement over Men's Blazers post recently that asked:

"Could you tell me whether elbow patches on a jacket are a good thing or an affectation?"

It may well be a question on which many of you have pondered, so here are my thoughts on the subject.  Historically, there was some purpose - when gents wore their clothes until they were threadbare, they had not only elbow patches sewn on but the cuffs of their coats were also trimmed with leather, making their favourite coat serviceable for another ten years or so.

Though these days elbow patches are undoubtedly an affectation, I don’t think it is a bad thing. Today elbow patches have been applied in various ways just to add a touch of fun to what sometimes can be a rather dull jacket.