Probably should do these kind of posts earlier on to help out the relatives (as opposed to me just putting together the list a few days before) but I find it's always good fun to think about your fantasy Xmas list.

Not necessarily "for me" (for any relatives who might be reading) but just a few bits and pieces that I was impressed by this year.

1. Bretons from Jump The Gun
Superb pieces, I think some of the best value on the market. Chunky, heavy knit (proper fisherman style), fitted, subtle colours and a nice shoulder-button thing going on. And of course from the shop at the beating heartland of Mod itself, Brighton.

2. Tab Shirts from anywhere
Still not got any of these due to my general penury and not really getting around to it, but I have been mucking about with a collar bar and I like the effect. It's a step up from the ordinary button down in terms of the exact look. I've seen them at loads of places, Pellicano, Modshopping, JTG and even a new French-ish place I found called House of Shirts.

3. Sta Prest Trousers in general
Undergoing a bit of a revival for me of late. Super smart-casual and a bit different to the usual blue Levi jeans look without the fuss of your suit trousers. Some excellent value items out there. If you're looking for classic at low prices, go to CX or Warrior. Merc also do a version called "Winston" which is closer to the original Levi Sta Prest, looks a bit more rugged and has vertical pockets. Costs a bit more though.

This is just a post to point out to anyone who's interested in Breton tops that John Smedley do an extraordinarily beautiful one in Sea Island cotton. I would say it’s a kind of aqua blue - it's not light enough for a mid blue but it's not quite turquoise either.

Unfortunately unlike the jump the gun version it’s not a full on jumper and doesn't have those buttons on the shoulder which I quite like the idea of (even if I’ve not yet had the chance to wear one) but it’s a great-looking alternative.

As anybody who knows anything will tell you, John Smedley is the oldest manufacturing company in pretty much the world and they’ve been going since about the start of the industrial revolution. It's premium piece I know - it's available on the website, but I got mine via Atom retro. It’s listed there for about £95.

I had credit however (I sent a suit back and they’d run out, so couldn’t exchange) so I got this baby for the bargain basement price of about £8.

The JS site itself is sending them out at the now-cut price of £75 – but they’ve run out of smalls, so I suspect they’re getting towards the end of the run on this one.