Fathers' Day freebie

Happy Fathers’ Day! Did you know this is the 100th anniversary of Fathers’ Day? Sonora Louise Smart is credited with introducing the first ever Fathers’ Day in the USA in 1910 in memory of her widowed father, who single-handedly raised six children. On this auspicious occasion (hem, hem), I thought ShopCurious should offer a small giveaway aimed at our lovely gentlemen readers, or the special chap in your life.







The man who favours fashion over football will appreciate this slim volume, written in 1994 – and now updated in handy paperback form: The Englishman’s suit is Hardy Amies’ personal view of the suit’s ‘history, its place in the world today, its future and the accessories that support it.’




The book charts the evolution of the suit from the seventeenth century to the present day in narrative which ‘reveals a fascinating motley of curious and frequently amusing facts; from the arcane mysteries of button replacement to the remarkable influence of princes and kings.’

GQ describe the book as ‘part costume history, part social commentary, and part handbook for the uninitiated but aspiring.’ Enoch Powell writing for the Spectator said, ‘the nub of the philosophy of an entrepreneur who has helped to ensure that the Japanese word for man’s suit is sabiro, pronounced ‘Savile Row’. ‘

To take part in the giveaway, just comment on this post and you’ll be automatically entered into the draw, with the chance to win a free copy of this curiously entertaining and informative text. I hope you’re feeling lucky...

Are you?

Princesses and paperweights for Papa

If your father enjoys collecting, he’ll be very impressed with a gift that’s a genuine retro curiosity. However, the art of collecting is largely a matter of personal taste - so if you want to find something that’s both collectable and also likely to appeal, it’s best to have a good idea of the recipient’s taste, as well as knowing where to source authentic collectibles from.











ShopCurious has a few suggestions for you, if you’re looking for especially unique and unusual gifts for Fathers’ Day. Retro curiosity number one is this totally beautiful 1960s perspex paperweight – a unique piece of tourist memorabilia.





You can tell it’s from Portugal because, as they say, it’s written on the tin (or at least within the divinely syrupy amber resin). Also inside, is a stylish filigree carved Portuguse galleon – the perfect gift if your Dad loves fishing, fish and chips or anything to do with the sea.







If your pa’s good with his hands, he might prefer this Steampunk style retro curiosity, which should keep him curious for ages.











Just how did they get all those nuts, bolts, cogs and horological paraphernalia into that square of honey coloured perspex?








Your Dad will love this if he’s the sort of chap who’s a bit of a tinker, and tends to spend quite a lot of time in his garden shed…









Alternatively, if he’s the smooth, well travelled and worldly type, some suitably unique accessories like these curiously exotic vintage African Princess cufflinks might be the order of the day.

Whatever his personal taste, there’s no better way to flatter and amuse any man than with a curiously appropriate gift.

Will you?

Spice boy, or salty old sea dog?

England expects every man to do his duty… and, whilst it’s not obligatory to have kids, being a fabulous father will certainly count in any man’s favour.

Dads are usually great at mending things and can come in handy on all sorts of occasions, especially when flat-packed furniture is involved. It’s probably because they grew up making models of ships and aircraft, and all manner of curious craft, that came in boxes with little pots of paint.

This vintage model making kit of HMS Victory is the ideal Fathers’ Day gift, especially if your Dad’s the handy DIY sort.








Alternatively, if Papa’s the smooth, sophisticated, sailing type, he’ll treasure his memories of the Grand Turk. Over the years, Old Spice containers have portrayed sixteen different ships, which is why we can date this rare and unused gift set to the late 1960s. Old Spice memorabilia is not only collectable, but the after shave smells simply divine (in a curiously old fashioned, fatherly sort of way).

Whether your father’s a fragrantly smooth sailor chap, or a ruggedly self-sufficient old sea dog, ShopCurious has some really cool and original retro gifts for Fathers’ Day.

Will you?

Gifts for the gentleman father

Over the next few days, I thought I’d feature a few books and unusual gifts for Fathers’ Day, in case you’re stuck for ideas. I think our men’s book week should start at the highest level of refinement, with Debrett’s The English Gentleman Series - a wonderful vintage boxed set of whimsical etiquette books by the late Douglas Sutherland.

The three slim volumes are written especially for men wishing to clarify the quirky eccentricities of the English gent and confirm their place amongst the English upper classes. The books are full of useful tips and advice for aspiring gentlemen too, for instance:





“A gentleman always has well polished shoes, which are handmade and last a lifetime. They are polished with ox-blood, which is a similar eccentricity to washing his riding breeches in urine.”

Apparently, no gentleman ever has a garment called a ‘sport’s jacket’, nor a blazer with a badge on the pocket (Rod Stewart, be warned), except at events like Henley, where old rowing blazers are worn.



A gentleman also carries the minimum of accessories, “Those who go around with what is know as the Cartier set – gold lighters, gold cigarette cases, watches with crocodile straps and so on are put down as bookmakers or confidence tricksters.”

I’m sure there must also be some comments on the wearing of cravats, beards and knitwear under jackets…


And I wonder what Sutherland would have made of the curious new trend of brooches for men?

The English gentleman’s mistress is the subject of one of the volumes, which should bring a smile to Dad’s face. Sutherland asks if the demise of the English gentleman means that his mistress must also be “swept away in the avalanche” of change.

Another book in the set is devoted to the gentleman’s long-suffering wife and broaches tricky topics like divorce and unmarried ladies – though stands firmly on the side of tradition and the preservation of the classic, old-fashioned English gentleman, of course.

All said and done, this curiously characterful and informative book set from ShopCurious is perfect, if you’re looking for a reasonably priced, fun Fathers’ Day present for someone with the most important prerequisite of any gentleman - a jolly good sense of humour.

Are you?

Brace yourself for Fathers' Day

Now the Summer season is upon us, men are jazzing up their outfits with all manner of curious accessories. I’ve seen bow ties, quirky cufflinks, Panama hats, patent shoes – and quite a few pairs of designer braces.

Braces, also known as suspenders by our American friends, are often worn by the sort of men who love to be the centre of attention. They were popular in the 1920s and '30s – I’d imagine Jay Gatsby was big on braces. Gordon Gekko in the film Wall Street was single handedly responsible for a lot more suspenders in the City from the late1980s. More recently, the new Dr Who, Matt Smith, also appears to be quite a fan of trouser braces.





If your father’s the extrovert type, a pair of braces may be just the unusual sort of gift he'd appreciate. Of course, the braces would have to be suitably original – and I think we’ve got just the thing at ShopCurious…

Our curiously unique Boa Brummell braces by ORWOT! are made by Albert Thurston of Leicester, the oldest braces manufacturer in the world.





Handcrafted in England, the luxury braces are embellished with a real gold or silver snake - individually hand embroidered by the same firm that has worked for the last eight Kings and Queens of England.

Each pair of bejewelled Boa Brummells comes with a choice of button hooks, or specially engraved clips. What’s more, the snake’s eyes are made from real precious gem stones that twinkle in the light, which should set off Dad's evening attire a treat.... And they're guaranteed to hold up his trousers too.









Order now and we promise a pair will be with your pere in time for Fathers’ Day - 20th June. Go on, make it a day he'll never forget.

Will you?

Golden gifts for Fathers' Day

This month’s blogs have the theme of anything and everything to do with gold. And, with Fathers’ Day coming up soon, I’m sure an awful lot of you must be considering stylish and unusual gifts for all of the uniquely individual and very special Dads out there? So, if your father’s worth his weight in gold, how about a little something that positively glows with your love and appreciation? Here are some ideas for gifts that rock like the golden oldie 'king of bling' himself ...










For the father who indulges in the occasional spot of air guitaring (sadly, I know a few), I’d like to recommend this gloriously gold lame tie (right), beautifully designed and hand-finished by fashion designer to the glitterati (and a fair few rock stars too), Sir Tom Baker. I’ve noticed several gold ties around lately, but none quite as cutting edge or eye-catching as this.






If your Dad’s a bit of an ageing hippy, he might also like this hand painted recycled suede jacket by Baifall Dream (right) … very 1970s Earth, Wind and Fire.

The more traditional man might like to stick to something he feels more comfortable in. Just make sure he knows that the ‘only true test for gentlemen’ is determined by whether or not they wear double cuff shirts and cufflinks ...



If your father’s the suave and sophisticated type, it’s highly likely he’s a fan of James Bond’s curiously cool style.

Christopher Lee’s Scaramanger may not be your number one fashion icon, but these vintage ‘golden gun’ cufflinks (left) from ShopCurious are certainly the sort of accessories that any well dressed gentleman would like to have in his wardrobe.



Of course, your old man might actually be more of a medallion fancier, who’d prefer a lorry load of bling around his neck. All I’d say is that you is that, whatever you choose, it’s really nice if you manage to find something that’s timeless in its appeal, something your Dad can keep and cherish forever - a gift that’s got a bit of provenance, that might even be collectable and can be passed on to future generations as an investment. All the more reason to pick something that you're rather fond of too.

Are you?

Cushions of courage

With Fathers’ Day on the not too distant horizon, it seems appropriate to look forward to June with this in mind. It’s great that we get the opportunity to thank our fathers for their love, support and encouragement, but this is also a time when we might like to reflect on previous generations and their contribution towards our being able to enjoy the freedom and the lifestyle that we do today - especially as the 65th anniversary of D-Day is also imminent.







At ShopCurious, we’ve got some authentic and very unique silk cushions that are a part of our cultural heritage - and each one tells its own story. These original, hand painted silk cushions are very special as they were purchased as tourist memorabilia by American G.I’s, who sent them home to their parents as souvenirs of places where (or near to where) they were stationed.








Many of the bases were by the sea, such as Fort Hamilton near Coney Island in Brooklyn, Fort Lawton in Seattle and Pearl Harbour in Hawaii (named after the pearl oysters that once grew there).







Whilst sexy poses of bathing beauties adorned members of the forces’ walls, they sent home cushions with messages of sincere love ‘to Mom and Dad’ back home.







Your Dad may prefer a photo of a Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable, Dorothy Lamour or Lana Turner, but these vintage cushions make really unusual gifts for occasions such as Fathers’ Day. What’s more they're timeless pieces of history that are collectable and can be passed on to future generations. Now that’s what I call style with brains.

Do you?