Let us make one thing crystal clear: we are not speaking of the contemporary hipster. While jazz-jumpin’ chaps from the mid-twentieth century were sometimes referred to as ‘hipsters’, we are going to use the term ‘hep cat’ to distinguish this stylish breed from their bearded millennial counterparts. Chaps who favour the forties may be perfectly … Keep Reading
Gustav Temple recalls the actress who played Cathy Gale opposite John Steed in The Avengers and Pussy Galore in Goldfinger Honor Blackman’s arrival on the set of The Avengers in 1962, with a pistol in her garter and a full programme of Judo training under her belt, had taken a lot of meetings, discussions, agonising … Keep Reading
Our Winter 2020 edition features an extensive interview with Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who discusses how he switched from a long career in the army to the life of an explorer, his discovery of the lost city of Ubar, how he got kicked out the SAS and how he tried to cure his vertigo by climbing … Keep Reading
Hot on the heels of Flaneur comes a new gentlemanly scent that is more appropriate for night mischief Last year The Chap released its first fragrance for men, Flaneur, which was designed to be worn during daytime strolls about town in flannels and straw boater. Now comes a brand-new scent to be worn by gentlemen … Keep Reading
Designed by Caroline Lindop, who also designed the packaging for Raffish eau de cologne, the Raffish pocket square is designed to be worn in the breast pocket of one's dinner jacket, tail coat or greatcoat, preferably doused in Raffish eau de cologne, before setting off at midnight in search of night mischief. Unlike our … Keep Reading
CHAP Winter 20 is the adventure edition, topped off by an extensive interview with the world’s greatest living explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who discusses how he switched from a long career in the army to the life of an explorer, his discovery of the lost city of Ubar, how he got kicked out the SAS … Keep Reading
Fashioned from our Flaneur Floral Pocket Square, this beautiful art deco design on pure silk allows puts a little of the art of the flaneur into the ritual of wearing a face covering. Lovingly adapted by an expert seamstress (see her other products on www.nicepompoms.com) into a pleated, expanding face covering, the visible … Keep Reading
Fashioned from our Scatterchap Pocket Square, this Chap face mask features a swirling logo design using tones of burgundy and navy. Lovingly adapted by an expert seamstress (see her other products on www.nicepompoms.com) into a pleated, expanding face covering, the visible side is made from 100% silk, while the rear is a soft, … Keep Reading
Paul French, author of City of Devils, takes us on a walking tour of Old Shanghai, recounting the tales of decadence, opium and freebooting of the 1930s and what remains of that era in modern Shanghai In its heyday, Shanghai was the real deal when it came to anonymity – a chap could walk down … Keep Reading
Kentucky is regarded as the first of the Southern states, sitting south of the Ohio River on the eastern side of the United States. It is a green and pleasant land, literally. There are miles of gently rolling hills, clean air and plentiful amounts of fine pure mineral water. All these elements play a large … Keep Reading
One of the fourteen countries that straddle the Equator, Ecuador took its name from that imaginary line and offers an engaging place for the traveller to explore with much historical interest, museums and art galleries but, more significantly, it’s the best place in the world to buy a Panama hat. I took a trip out … Keep Reading
In a remarkable turn of events, The Chap has managed to procure the services of a genuine butler for the Second Grand Anarcho-Dandyist Ball on 4th December. This role is a crucial one, in terms of providing a discreet platform for guests at Chap events to flirt with other guest, without drawing undue attention to themselves, or being overheard making vulgar comments to ladies. For the “Chap Room” allows them to dictate a complimentary note to a secretary, in the privacy of the cocktail bar, while calm of mind, collected of thought and still in possession of their dignity. The…
Prime Minister David Cameron revealed a slightly darker side to his character recently, when he emerged from a Tory black-tie dinner at the Carlton Club. As soon as he was out of sight of the other guests, who included Ken Clarke, Iain Duncan-Smith and Theresa May, Mr. Cameron ducked into his chauffeur-driven car and immediately loosened his bow tie. In the style favoured by cads such as Terry-Thomas and Leslie Phillips, he left the undone bow tie draped over his collarbone. Mr. Cameron was then overheard saying to his driver, “Right, Hardeep, that’s enough quaffing and waffling for the evening.…
Ancient gentlemen’s grooming emporium Geo F Trumper’s Jermyn Street outlet has been temporarily moved to new premises, due to the proposed redevelopment of the Piccadilly end of Jermyn Street. Westminster City Council has endorsed the Crown Estate’s proposal for a 150,000 sq ft mixed use redevelopment scheme known as St. James’s Gateway. The proposal forms part of The Crown Estate’s recently announced investment programme to “raise standards across its significant St. James’s portfolio.” Pardon us for asking, but how could one possibly “raise standards” in one of the most quintessentially English streets in the country, and arguably the single most…
Until a recent study, scientists were unsure as to why male Mexican molly fish (Poecilia sphenops) sported an extravagant moustache-like structure on their upper lips. Close study of the fish’s sexual behaviour revealed that, much like in human gentlemanly circles, the females are drawn to the more luxuriantly moustachioed males. But, as recorded in Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology journal, the molly’s tache has a more active sexual purpose, over and above the obvious aesthetic advantages of a sterling bit of face furniture: it is used to rub the female’s genitals and excite them into a frenzy of sexual activity. The…