Hi Staxfan, yeah I'm the Guildford chap. Remember Steels, but I think Davids first shop was Ricco's in Market Street late 70's early 80's. he co-owned it with a guy known as mad Mickey. After the shop folded he opened Steels in the Tunsgate.
Ian's place Harrington was the first place I saw Paraboot this would've been mid 80's. I think David has moved Steels to either Cranleigh or Godalming.

Well, I guess it'll arrive around Thursday or Friday, weather permitting.  Somewhat under the radar was this Brooks shirt.  The first word I picked up was 'Italy' - which was fine.  Then, on closer inspection, it turned out to be 'Made In The USA'.  A fiver plus a little postage.

Hey, Andy, I once had my arm around the lady...  1983, Palace Theatre, Manchester...  She did not appreciate any mention of 'The Avengers'...  But I know what you mean about taking in stuff for next door.  Also, a couple or three weeks ago, a courier handed me a package at eight in the morning meant for some woman I'd never heard of - who might well have ended up with my 'Makers' shirt if I hadn't pulled him up sharp. 

Just picked up a second 'Made In USA'.  £4.  What's going on?

Oh, she was frosty.  Albert Finney was there, too.  Pissed as arseholes but basically a nice guy.

I got an NHS bowel cancer testing kit through the door. Regular testing every two years when you get old.

Yesterday: a Donegal tweed jacket.  Not really 'Ivy'.  Too much going on around the shoulders and darted.  More pleasing in a way: a Woolrich shirt: thick cotton but designed to look like tweed.

John Simons Madras popover turned up today.  Sized as XL but not much wriggle room.  To be washed then put away for next year.

The Stanley Blacker jacket just turned up, slightly ahead of time.  Nice enough for the money: Harris tweed, nice fleck, decent lapel width, two-button (football), not too bad a shoulderline, union-made.  But darted.  I've seen others like it in 'vintage shops' and have never been too interested.  So, does buying from the USA still retain a certain amount of excitement and mystique?

I have recently purchased a lovely bottle green Dickies sweatshirt. Purchased from a workwear specialist for about £15. Fit is great and I don't mind a poly cotton mix for something I will only wear on Sundays and running out for a bottle of milk/newspaper.

Strolling through Wickes DIY store the other day (as you do) I noticed that they were selling Dickies overshirts for the knockdown price of £40. I nearly bought one but it was all man made fibres.

RG
So this is my understanding but I stress that some of the detail may be wrong. Dickies in the UK is/was two companies. Dickies (life) is a separate division within multi brand VF Corporation. It's more expensive than the  workwear and it often logo'd up.
The original Dickies stuff that John Simons over the years stocked was originally an American workwear brand. Unfortunately, in the States VF Corporation decided to close the EMEA workwear business, exiting a lot of the traditional outlets.
Strange as it may seem, the stuff was a crap logo on it sells for a premium compared to the cheaper, but superb quality workwear.

The Tabio socks.  Look very different from Anonymous-Ism.

Three items.  Two shirts: one a thick flannel Ralph Lauren Black Watch, the other a beautiful, crisp, blue, Made In USA Brooks Brothers.  Also a pair of thick Anonymous-Ism socks in mid-grey.

Got the house to myself for a while.  Now listening to Dizzy Gillespie blowing up a storm.