Friday 22 May 2020

Thoughts on the Brompton Blazer

Today there was a flurry of emails from Brompton - two identical ones in quick succession - informing me that Brompton were introducing the 'Brompton Blazer' by Oliver Spencer. Roughly an hour later my friend Dr John asked whether I would be seen around SW7 in said blazer.

A few years ago Brompton released a similar product called the 'Brompton Oratory' jacket. At the time I think it retailed for well over £200. Its abiding memory for me was it was just so beige! It was a corduroy affair and for me rendered anyone silly enough to buy it look like a Geography master from the early 1980's - who probably wore it with shorts, leather sandals and socks! The only people I ever saw wearing the Oratory were Brompton employees and even then it transformed them into a Geography master from the early 1980's - who probably wore it with shorts, leather sandals and socks! I didn't buy one.

The 'Brompton Blazer' is at least a better colour being navy blue but even that cannot detract from the fact - to me at least - it just isn't worth the eye watering price tag of £385. Who would wear this on their Brompton and why? I imagine that if the Brompton World Championships had not been cancelled this year, it would have again been Brompton employees.

I suspect the only people who will buy one of these jackets are those from overseas wanting a little piece of British quaintness that has in truth long since gone. The sort of person who probably thinks that Sherlock Holmes was a real person and that Oscar Wilde is still alive and living in a small flat at the top of Selfridges! I won't be buying one!

Stay safe out there people!!

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