How to be a stylish off-duty gentleman

A gentleman’s wardrobe should be held up by certain pillars: perfectly cut—preferably bespoke—suiting in classic shades, pinstripes and checks; fine cotton shirting; silk ties and polished shoes; a wool coat for inclement days.

But increasingly, as casual attire creeps in even to work days, how does he showcase his sartorial status without appearing like an albacore out of water?

WATCH THIS SPACE

A classic timepiece is the ultimate investment piece for any gentleman. Whether you prefer the feel of a leather strap or the weight of articulated steel around your wrist, choose a design that speaks to timeless elegance and masculinity.

Houses such as Longines, Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cartier and more will keep you on time and always in style. For a piece that is James Bond-approved—may we suggest an Omega Seamaster to add some depth to your style?

A SHADED VIEW

Take the edge off the day’s glare with some chic sunglasses. Look for styles that hark back to the gentlemen of the Golden Age of Hollywood, such as classic aviators, Wayfarers or those with a keyhole bridge/ Keep the frames in neutral hues such as tortoiseshell, black, tan or metal finishes. The future’s bright—and you’ll be cool.

POCKET THIS

The simplest way to add a fanciful flourish to any look is with a pocket square tucked into your blazer pocket. There are many ways to style them, from a peeking line of fabric to an origami-folded extravaganza.

But should you find yourself in need of a quick fix, even a small puff of silk or a wildly stuffed kerchief will offer a dash of flair.

This is an edited version of the story which appears in the Autumn issue of Kanebridge Quarterly which you can purchase at a newsagent or here.

Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Phantom Centenary Private Collection, a landmark series of just 25 motor cars honouring the 100th anniversary of its most storied model.

Described as the marque’s most complex and technologically ambitious creation to date, the Centenary Collection is a statement of craftsmanship, symbolism and legacy, three years in the making.

Each Phantom Centenary tells the story of the nameplate’s century-long reign as the pinnacle of luxury motoring.

Every surface, from its embroidered headliner to its gold-detailed engine cover, reflects an element of Rolls-Royce’s history.

The Bespoke Collective of designers and artisans distilled the Phantom’s heritage into 77 motifs that appear throughout the car, created using groundbreaking techniques such as 3D marquetry, ink layering, laser-etched leather and 24-carat gold leafing.

Chief Executive Chris Brownridge called the Centenary Collection “a tribute to 100 years of the world’s most revered luxury item,” describing it as “a motor car which reaffirms Phantom’s status as a symbol of ambition, artistic possibility, and historical gravitas.”

Inside, the rear seats feature more than 160,000 stitches across 45 panels of high-resolution printed and embroidered fabric inspired by historic Phantoms, developed in partnership with a fashion atelier.

The front seats are laser-etched with hand-drawn sketches that reference key design codenames, while the Anthology Gallery installation – 50 brushed aluminium fins engraved with a century of quotes – forms a centrepiece that reads like a living archive.

The exterior pairs Super Champagne Crystal paint with Arctic White and Black tones, finished with iridescent glass particles. Each car is crowned with a solid 18-carat gold Spirit of Ecstasy, enamelled and hallmarked with a bespoke “Phantom Centenary” mark. Even the famed RR badges have been plated in 24-carat gold and white enamel for the first time.

Bespoke woodwork depicts the Phantom’s most defining journeys, from Sir Henry Royce’s homes in France and England to the 4,500-mile expedition of the first Goodwood-era Phantom across Australia. Roads and landscapes are etched in gold, and interior embroidery continues these lines in gleaming thread.

The Starlight Headliner, with 440,000 stitches, portrays the mulberry tree under which Royce once worked, complete with bees from the marque’s Goodwood apiary and constellations referencing legendary Phantoms such as Sir Malcolm Campbell’s ‘Bluebird’.

Limited to 25 cars worldwide, the Phantom Centenary Private Collection stands as both an homage to Rolls-Royce’s past and a promise of its future, a modern-day heirloom crafted to be read, driven and remembered over generations.

How to be a stylish off-duty gentleman

Some carefully chosen accessories can speak volumes in a gentleman’s casual attire.

Only 25 of the most intricate Rolls-Royce Phantoms ever made will celebrate the nameplate’s 100-year legacy.