There are certain things you see in pictures and photos that take a while to register.

Years ago I saw either The Who or The Creation (I know it was one of them as it fits with their colourful, pop-arty vibe) and one of them had these striped trousers – navy and white.

Didn’t know what they were called, didn’t know where to get them – frankly wasn’t bothered too much at the time. I think I was more interested in getting a shirt like Keith Moon’s – i.e a button-down with epaulets on the shoulders.

But it’s funny how as soon as the sun comes along you immediately start thinking of more summery outfits.

For ages it was white trousers - a la The Style Council.

But then you get tired of that and move on to something else.

It’s like you go through your very own fashion trends, moving through different looks – influenced by life around you (i.e not Mod) and yet still relating it back to the sixties version of a look (i.e Mod).

As an aside - for whatever reason, since I got into the sixties Mod look, I’ve had nearly no desire to leave it. I stretch it - it just covers all bases – formal, informal, subtle, loud, arty and farty. But it doesn’t just do that – it just does it better somehow. The style is just much more keen on the eye than nowadays-style. So for me I get inspired by some really good thing I’ve seen someone wearing on TV or something – but then I adapt it into a Mod look.

I’m not sure why - I feel like there is something masculine and upstanding about the Mod style. You have to be proud to wear it. Some kids these days (men mostly) actually look like they’ve literally been wearing the same stuff for weeks. Which seriously sends a signal about everything else, right? And there is an overwhelming sense that making an effort is somehow not cool when it comes to your look.

That’s a bit of whinging / clothing pop psychology there for you – take it or leave it.

So anyway I saw some kid wearing a blazer in the same style as that Who/Creation photo, so I’ve come almost full circle back to that picture in my mind. What he was wearing with the blazer I can’t remember, it was probably some inane band t-shirt, work boots and a red trilby hat or something but that is all irrelevant. The point is, there was an ingredient there that I am going to steal back for my own look.

It's generally called seersucker but I believe that might just refer to the fabric - but that pattern with the white and navy stripes is culturally synonymous with seersucker. I was going to finally get those trousers.

Then I saw the price tag.

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Clark-Fit-Seersucker-Pants/MR00378,en_GB,pd.html

Never mind.

Having a bit of Sta-Prest revival at the moment, but always felt like if you really want to look your best, probably leave the Sta-Prest behind and get some actual suit trousers. That's even if you're not actually going to wear them as a suit.

They just have a different feel, either heavier or lighter (depending on the fabric obviously) and if you're feeling boujie, could even get them tailored with some nerdy Mod details like step-bottom (or "stepped hem"? I'm not sure what you'd call it) or epaulets on the cuff. Keep the shirt sort of neutral and it can be a good look.

On this subject, Adaptor have a set of two-tone trousers kicking around at the moment, the fabric of which is apparently "woven exclusively for Adaptor, and is available nowhere else!"

Feast your eyes. They've got burgundy/gold and blue/gold two tone, but with the important addition of a nice covered button flap-pocket.

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.

I've always liked this song. Again, the video is great because Weller's look is on point as usual. But it's also when I started getting that military-jacket-style vibe.

I've had a cheeky look around and you can get this look quite easily, again approximately £300.

Also I promise the next one won't involve Paul Weller.

Mandarin Jacket in stone - Pretty Green
Price: £100
The main event in this particular look. I suspect Weller's would have been tailored, but for those of us of more modest means, this is a good recreation. I've got one in navy and it fits well, looks great.

Black suit trousers - Adaptor
Price: £75
Weller looks to be wearing some standard black suit trousers so you might as well make 'em a good pair. As the Ivy Leaguers used to say, natural fibres always look the best.

However, if you're looking for a more cost-friendly option, CX London do a black pair of Sta Prest for less than 1/2 that price.

Jam Shoes - IKON
Price: £75
Classic Jam, probably not what you'd wear down the pub but I'm sure everyone's had a pair at one point.

IKON do a decent pair for a decent price.

White socks - Primark
Price: £1.80 (5 pack)
Very much a Mod revival thing, the white socks are a classic accompaniment to Jam shoes. But you hardly ever see original Mods (1960s) wearing them.

Nowdays they're super cheap so you've got no excuse not to have a pack handy.

Fred Perry in "duck-egg" blue - Woodhouse
Price: £55
Hard to see what he's actually wearing under his jacket so I'm going with a hunch here. FPs are always a bit pricey I'm afraid but I imagine a decent shirt would do just fine for this look.

​Aided by the tiny subtext beneath the main headlines, I’m sure we can all surmise that this was the sleeve for a foreign release of My Mind’s Eye. I won’t guess which country, but it is great to see a full colour shot of the boys wearing such an eclectic collection of trousers.

Absolutely repping the Mod strides!

On a side note, I saw the band are also more generally wearing the stuff they wore on the front of their 2003 British-released greatest hits album. Shame they muted the colours - modern audiences eh?!

​Patterned trousers (also known in personal circles as “Jam trousers” after an Eddie Izzard sketch, or even “Ruperts” as a Northern acquaintance affectionately liked to refer to them) are one of fashion’s great mysteries. They have a volatile history at the forefront of almost every phase of 20th Century youth history, believe it or not. Starting with the Small Faces, they seem to have been an almost permanent feature. Even the Who, manufactured artfully as they were by Pete Meaden, performed a lot in Ruperts in their early period. One of my favourite record covers from The Specials has Terry Hall and Jerry Dammers both wearing quite powerful tartan trousers. They’ve also been referred to as a punk staple, worn by the likes of The Clash, The Damned and of course The Sex Pistols. Miles Kane even appeared to be dressed in a pair of subtle grey dogtooth on stage in Birmingham, but these claims are unconfirmed and probably owe more to dodgy eyesight than to style renaissance. We live in hope.

​Anyway, I have recently taken delivery of a pair of light brown dogtooth trousers from Madcap England, one of those zany companies that supplies stuff on Atom Retro. And they are, frankly, some of the best I’ve worn.

I think they must be a winter season, as the material is quite heavy, but they fit well and appear to be of excellent quality. The outer shell is polywool, a blend of wool and polyester which nevertheless looks great, especially given the price.

​However, what I most like about these boys are their style. Madcap are generally known for their slightly outrageous pattern choices (think striped blazers, whacky Trip Op Art shirts, etc) and in many ways this is their unique selling point. But these trousers are more subtle, darker and far less attention-grabbing. They look sick without making themselves the centrepiece. So much so that I could even get away with wearing them day-to-day if I wanted to - they fit with so many of my other outfits.

“Jam trousers” or “Ruperts” make a great addition to any Mod wardrobe. But if you’re looking for a strongly versatile pair of dogtooths - go for these ones.

I'm all about that Jam Trousers life. Probably not with the turn-ups, but I have to admit they look pretty good here with them.

After a month of waiting, my iTailor trousers have finally arrived.

Tailored to my own supple form, they not only fit perfectly, but they also look great. They are grey in colour, but with one black flap pocket on the back.

It's in the details y'know.

Approx £50. Debate to follow no doubt.

From last Saturday's date to be precise...

Adaptor have really excelled themselves this season. They've got more trouser styles than you can shake a stick at and I thoroughly approve.

Also the price I approve of too. £50 a pair is extremely decent.

Only problem I have now is which to choose. Definitely leaning towards the blue POW - huge fan of the that flap pocket on the back and the covered buttons. I've got a Steve Marriott-style suede jacket that will work just fine with them!

Also quite like the way they've dressed the mannequins in a Mod style too - shoes and all.

​Mod is in the detail guys!

Turns out there was one good thing to come out of Merc's offering for Spring this year. 

Don't know about anyone else, but it does seem relatively sparse and uninspiring this season. I mean obviously they still have all the gingham and knitwear, etc... but where is the pizazz? It's just annoyingly bland compared to some of the smaller shops (and larger ones) that seem to be stuffed full of goodies; modest, outrageous and every look in between.

​Maybe someone can prove me wrong.