'Things I Like This Month,' is a monthly newsletter where I share things I genuinely like or that stood out to me and felt worth talking about.

Everything you read in this article is my honest opinion, and nothing is paid for. I’m always excited to see new quality products and discover new brands or makers, so I’m always very happy when you guys send me suggestions or something you think I might like.

Scott & Charters Shawl Collar Cardigan

I think shawl cardigans are one of the coolest and cosiest pieces of knitwear you can own. They are both - the perfect outerwear piece in the transitional season, and a very cosy piece to wear at home in winter. I long resisted them, because most chunky knitwear doesn’t work for me. If I put on a chunky sweater, my upper body becomes too big in proportion to my head and lower body, and it’s even worse with rollnecks. So even though I really like some chunky styles, they just don’t work for me.

I felt the same about shawl cardigans, until I tried one again in December. It might be because my idea of how I would wear it has changed through the years, and now I consider it mostly as outerwear.

It didn’t feel too bulky when I put it on, and the fit was great. I tried size M, because this one fits a bit bigger, and the knitwear will also stretch a little. Nevertheless, it felt great and very elegant. I wasn’t so sure which colour I should get, but I decided on dark brown, because it works best with the colour palette I mostly wear during the transitional season. I plan to wear it with a shirt and tie, or other knitwear. I consider a shawl cardigan mainly as transitional outerwear, so I look forward to wearing it more often during the next few weeks and in spring.

There are only a few makers left in Scotland who produce quality shawl cardigans, and Scott & Charters is one of them - a family-run knitwear manufacturer founded in 1955 in Hawick, a town renowned for cashmere and woollen knitwear since the 1700s. Built on principles of service and quality, it has been run by the same family for over three generations. In 2020, the company was acquired by Begg x Co (est. 1866) but continues to operate independently, serving bespoke and external clients while also being involved in the development of Begg x Co’s knitwear collections.

Scott & Charters Shawl Collar Cardigan is available in 6 colors.

Check them out.

La Botte Gardiane Gardian Boots

I discovered La Botte Gardiane through their cowboy boots. They are a French heritage footwear maker founded in 1958 in the heart of the Camargue region, where they make handcrafted boots, shoes, and leather goods in their own workshop using traditional techniques and carefully selected premium leathers.

When it comes to cowboy boots, I personally prefer them when they aren’t shiny - so roughout leather or suede versions in tan or light brown colours. But since I already own a pair in light brown roughout suede, I wanted my second pair of cowboy boots to be the complete opposite, so I picked a black leather version, which I thought was also more versatile, so I might even wear them with a suit one day.

The overall quality of the boots is solid, but they are made with Blake construction, which I don’t see as a problem, but I know it might turn off some people. After wearing them a couple of times, I can say that the black leather version might be a bit more versatile, but you won’t really get the full cowboy vibe with them.

I’m usually a UK size 10 or 10.5, and I got them in a size 45.

Check them out.

Fortela Queen Quilted Vest

You already know how I feel about vests, and even though this week the temperatures were again below zero, in a week or two it should be much warmer, so I’m really excited to be able to wear my favourite outerwear again - military jackets and vests. There is something uniquely rugged in the aesthetic of a padded vest from the 50s and 60s, and this Fortela Queen Vest perfectly captures it. It’s very clear that the design was inspired by an old Eddie Bauer vest, and the execution is perfect, especially in this vintage green colour. But beige and navy are great options if you want something a bit more neutral.

I personally find this vintage green perfect for the way I want to wear it most of the time - with denim (and sometimes with knitwear). I prefer my vest a bit slimmer, so I got it in size 48.

Check it out.

Felisi Canvas Shopper

I know I have a slight problem with tote bags - it’s something about them that I can’t resist. Yes, I’ve said it many times already: I think a tote bag is a perfect bag, and in the right shape and material it can work in every situation. This one is the most casual version of all - a canvas shopper. And there is not too much to say about it: it’s a simple canvas tote with some leather details, executed really well. It has a great shape and a beautiful combination of colours and fabrics. It’s made by Felisi, so the quality is the best you can get. It’s a perfect bag for casual outfits, weekend shopping, or a trip to the beach.

Check it out.

Classic Barbour Waxed Jackets

The Barbour Bedale is one of the staples in my wardrobe, but I haven’t written anything about it yet. Probably because everything about it is so self-explanatory. But I wanted to mention it, because I can’t imagine autumn, winter, and spring without my Barbour waxed jackets.

Their functionality, versatility, and classic design have made them such iconic, timeless staples, and they really work so well with many different styles. I have two Bedales - Olive and Bark. Classic Olive is more like a dark brown, and Bark is a light brown colour. I think the proportions of the Bedale work best with my body type, but I have been thinking about getting a Beaufort for over a year. It’s just a bit longer, which is more practical on colder and windy days. And after a couple of years, I have to admit that Classic Olive is not as olive as I hoped, so if I could turn back time, I would get the Archive Olive colour instead, and I think I will do so in the future. But before that, I might get one in navy. It probably sounds like a lot, but these classic Barbours really work perfectly with my style, and I think archive olive, and especially navy, will add a lot of versatility to my wardrobe.

Check out Bedale and Beaufort.

Malfroid Paris Newport Loafer

I probably mention this at least once a month, but loafers are without a doubt my favourite footwear style - especially penny loafers, although tassels deserve their place too. I have very specific preferences when it comes to loafers, and I like styles that have a low vamp and are not too pointy in the toe box. I think the shape of a loafer affects its versatility. If the toe box is too square, it might not be elegant enough to wear with a suit, and if the vamp is too high, it’s probably too formal to wear with jeans.

I think finding a very well-balanced loafer is harder than finding great options in any other footwear style, at least for me. Not long ago, I saw the Newport Penny Loafer from Malfroid - a French footwear brand founded in 2018 in Paris. The brand specialises in men’s leather shoes crafted in Portugal, using high-quality French and English leathers with Goodyear-welted construction.

The shape makes the Newport stand out among penny loafers, because the vamp is lower than most, and the almond shape is not really common for loafers with a lower vamp (Alden Full Strap Penny Loafer is the most well-known, but the Newport isn’t full strap, which makes it cleaner and obviously different). I really like this shape, and I think it’s very versatile, because it works as well with casual looks as with a suit. It’s a very elegant penny loafer that can be very casual at the same time.

They come in a nice range of colours and leathers and are available on leather or rubber soles. I’m definitely eager to try these in the future, but I don’t have any experience with Malfroid shoes yet, so I’ll be happy to hear your feedback.

Check them out.

Suede Jackets

The winter is not over yet, but I’m already thinking about transitional and spring layers. I love the aesthetic of classic leather jackets, but they aren’t really my style. I’m more drawn to the texture, feel, and style of suede jackets.

Choosing the right style is very personal, but in general, shorter styles are more casual and rugged, while longer jackets, like a chore coat for example, are easier to pair with tailoring and more elegant looks. A suede jacket is something that I’ve been admiring and thinking about for years, but I still haven’t pulled the trigger. It’s definitely an investment piece, and by now I just couldn’t justify its price for the amount of wear I think it would get every season.

But this doesn’t stop me from thinking about it, and I think it’s like that before every autumn and spring - and it’s no different this year. I really like Drake’s chore coats, and style-wise I think they are similar to Barbour waxed jackets in terms of what they pair with best. A slightly more casual alternative can be an overshirt, like this one from Fortela. Then there are shorter jackets, which give a slightly more rugged vibe but aren’t as versatile, unless you often wear very casual clothes. But there are a few that I really like - Shangri-La Heritage, Y’2 Leather, Double Helix, Fortela, Boogie Holidays, or a Valstarino if you want a shorter style that can also work with tailoring.

Bound by Oath rings

This might also sound like I’m repeating myself, but I have been searching for a couple of rings that would speak to me and suit me for over a year. But I guess it was never really a priority, since I tried only two rings in all that time. Every now and then, I come across something that speaks to me, like the rings made by Bound by Oath, a Thai brand started by a couple, creating men’s jewelry with classic aesthetics and a contemporary style.

The owner, Phukao, has great style and is a perfect example of a person with great taste who makes products he wears. So their product styling is very authentic, because it’s just him wearing his personal jewelry. There are two styles that I like: the first is very classic - their signature ring with personal engravings - and then also a more unique Tiger’s Eye Signet Ring. Even though I found the brand through the rings, I also like their bracelets.

Bound by Oath jewelry is available only in a few shops in Bangkok, Singapore, Seoul, and Hong Kong, so I haven’t been able to see it in person yet, and it looks like it will have to wait until my next trip to Asia.

Check them out.

Is there anything that caught your attention this month? Let me know in the comments.