The Tailoring Talk Magazine

Smart casual sounds simple until somebody actually tells you that’s what you’re expected to wear, and suddenly you’re wondering whether the shoes are too formal, the jeans are too casual, whether you need a jacket, and whether your work shirt with two buttons undone is somehow supposed to solve the whole problem.In this episode of The Fitting Room, I’m talking through how I actually approach smart casual with clients, starting with the questions I ask before we even get near the clothes: where are you going, what are you doing, who are you going to be with, and what does smart casual actually mean in that particular situation?From there I get into the foundation pieces I tend to build around for spring, summer, autumn and winter, the difference between a proper smart casual shirt and a business shirt, why texture matters so much in jackets, the footwear mistakes men make all the time, and why a wardrobe built around a few versatile pieces is far more useful than owning lots of things that only work in one very specific combination.I also explain why smart casual for a law firm partner might look completely different from smart casual for an entrepreneur or someone in a creative business, and why context, colouring, fit, and how you want to feel matter far more than following generic rules.If “smart casual” has ever made you stand in front of the wardrobe for longer than it should, this episode should make things a lot easier.

Apple’s September event is almost here, so Roberto and Jon are back in The Lab to do something potentially dangerous: put their predictions on record before Apple announces anything.This year could be rather more interesting than the usual annual iPhone upgrade. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected, but the regular iPhone 18 may be moving to spring 2027 as Apple apparently reshuffles its entire release schedule.Then there’s the big one: Apple’s first folding iPhone.Could the rumoured iPhone Ultra finally be Apple’s answer to Samsung’s foldables? Roberto has gone from insisting he doesn’t need another Apple device to mentally preparing himself to spend somewhere around £2,500, while Jon is considerably more sensible about the whole thing.They get into the rumoured 7.8-inch folding display, Apple’s attempt to eliminate the crease, Touch ID replacing Face ID, the potential camera compromises and whether an iPhone that unfolds into something approaching an iPad mini actually makes sense.There’s also the iPhone 18 Pro’s rumoured variable-aperture camera, the point at which smartphone upgrades stop being worth the money, rising Apple prices, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, AirPods 5, camera-equipped AirPods, Siri AI and the possibility that Apple might have a few genuine surprises left for us.Finally, Roberto and Jon put their predictions on record, including the products they think Apple will definitely announce, what they desperately want to see and the ridiculous wildcard that probably has absolutely no chance of happening.We’ll find out next week how wrong they were.If you enjoy Tailoring Talk Magazine: The Lab, follow the podcast so you don’t miss our post-event reaction, and subscribe to Tailoring Talk Magazine on YouTube.00:00 Welcome Back to The Lab03:31 Apple’s “Surprise and Shine” Event05:49 What Are We Actually Expecting?10:27 iPhone 18 Pro, Prices & Is It Worth Upgrading?24:08 The Folding iPhone Ultra36:47 Apple Watch, AirPods & Siri AI43:12 Our Apple Event Predictions

Most men judge whether a suit fits by asking a fairly simple question: does it feel roughly okay and does it look decent in the mirror?The problem is that a suit can technically be the correct size and still be wrong for the person wearing it.In this episode I’m talking through what I actually look for when I assess the fit of a suit, starting with the shoulders because if they’re wrong they tend to throw everything else out, then moving through jacket length, sleeves, chest and waist, trouser fit and all the compromises that tend to appear when you’re buying off the peg.I also get into something I think matters just as much as how a suit looks, which is how it feels. A really well-fitting suit should almost become an afterthought once you’re wearing it. Nothing should fight you, pull at you or make you fidget. You should be able to put it on, see that you look good and then forget about it while you get on with your day.I’ll also explain what a good alterations tailor can realistically fix, what they probably can’t, why following fashion can make fit problems worse, and the simple things I’d look for if I were standing next to you while you tried a suit on in a shop.If you’ve ever looked in the mirror wearing a suit and thought, “something looks off but I can’t work out what”, this one should help.Get in touch with Roberto with any style questions via www.robertorevillalondon.com

How should a man dress in his 40s? If you’ve searched for the answer online, you’ve probably already encountered endless lists of the ten things every man over 40 apparently needs to own, along with a few things you’ve presumably become too old to wear.After more than 20 years as a bespoke tailor, I don’t think that’s particularly useful advice.Two men can both be 45 and need completely different wardrobes because their careers, lifestyles, bodies, personalities and the way they spend their time have almost nothing in common. So rather than starting with your age, I think there’s a much better place to begin: your diary.In this episode I talk about how my own style and the fit of my clothes have changed as I’ve got older, why jeans and trainers don’t suddenly become inappropriate when you turn 40, how our wardrobes need to evolve as our careers and lives change, and why today’s less formal working world has actually made dressing well more complicated rather than less.I also explain why I’m not convinced by the idea that every man should aspire to own a tiny “capsule wardrobe”, why I regularly find thousands of pounds worth of perfectly good clothes in clients’ wardrobes that somehow don’t work together, and the question I’d ask before you buy anything else.If you’re in your 40s and wondering whether you need to start dressing differently, perhaps the better question isn’t, “Am I too old for this?”It’s simply: “Does this still work for me?”Roberto Revilla is a London bespoke tailor who has spent more than two decades helping men build wardrobes around their bodies, careers, personalities and the lives they actually lead.If your wardrobe still reflects the life you were living five or ten years ago rather than the one you’re living now, that’s something I can help you with. My work at Roberto Revilla London goes beyond making individual suits or jackets: I work with clients to understand what their weeks actually look like and gradually build a wardrobe around their body, personality, career and lifestyle, so the clothes they own work together rather than becoming another collection of expensive solutions to old problems.

If you’ve ever stood in a shop wondering why clothes that used to work for you suddenly don’t, or ordered three different sizes online only to discover that none of them fit properly, this episode is for you.Bespoke tailor Roberto Revilla explores why shopping becomes increasingly frustrating for many men after 40, from changing body shape and inconsistent sizing to the rise of smart casual and the simple fact that most successful men become far more protective of their time as they get older.He also explains why his own approach to tailoring has changed, moving away from the much closer fits he wore in his forties towards straighter trousers and softer, more comfortable tailoring, and why understanding the life you live now is ultimately more useful than trying to dress the person you were twenty years ago. The full written article is available on the ⁠Roberto Revilla London blog.

Are flip‑flops appropriate for the office, what really counts as the coolest cars ever made, and is Apple’s upgrade programme a smart way to get your next iPhone? In this episode of Tailoring Talk Magazine, Roberto Revilla and Jon Evans test a new three‑hub format built for audio listeners.In The Fitting Room, Roberto, a bespoke tailor at Roberto Revilla London, reacts to recent style articles claiming that men who wear shorts to the office can still be considered well dressed – and that flip‑flops are now acceptable in corporate work environments. He explains why he strongly disagrees, what good office dressing actually looks like, and why respect for your colleagues, clients and role matters more than chasing trends.In The Lab, they move into tech to talk about Apple’s iPhone upgrade and finance options, including the newer UK upgrade programme and Flexible Finance Account that replace the old iPhone Upgrade Programme. They unpack who these subscription‑style deals are really for, how they can lock you deeper into the Apple ecosystem, and whether you’re better off buying outright or committing to a long‑term plan.In The Garage, the conversation turns to TopGear’s “208 Coolest Cars Ever Made” list. Jon shares memories of growing up around prestige cars, Roberto talks about the ones he’s owned and loved, and together they pick out stand‑out entries and ask what truly makes a car “cool” beyond price or badge.This is a pilot for a regular magazine‑style audio format on Tailoring Talk, blending office style, Apple tech and motoring into one show. Some listeners will be here for the dress code debate, some for the iPhone finance talk, and some for the TopGear car nostalgia – and that’s exactly how this episode is designed to work.If you enjoy this structure, please follow Tailoring Talk Magazine in your podcast app, rate the show and leave a quick review telling us which segment you liked most and what you’d like us to go deeper on next time.For all your bespoke tailoring needs – from office suits to summer trousers that keep you cool without resorting to shorts – visit Roberto Revilla London at robertorevillalondon.comTimestamps (use these to go direct to your preferred section of the show!):00:00 – Welcome back & new three‑hub format (Fitting Room, Lab, Garage)01:00 – The Fitting Room: Office shorts, flip‑flops and respecting dress codes22:00 – The Lab: Apple iPhone upgrade, Flexible Finance Account and subscription tech38:40 – The Garage: TopGear’s 208 coolest cars ever made and our favourites55:00 – Thank you, feedback on the format & outroKey themes this episode:• flip‑flops appropriate for the office• office dress code• shorts in the office• mens office style• workplace fashion• bespoke tailoring• Apple upgrade programme• iPhone Upgrade Programme UK• Apple Flexible Finance Account• tech podcast• iPhone finance• coolest cars• TopGear coolest cars ever made• motoring podcast• UK podcast

Roberto and Jon are back with another unscripted edition of Tailoring Talk Magazine, this time with a more structured journey through the subjects that have dominated their week.The conversation begins with Roberto finally completing the first instalment of his ambitious James Bond wardrobe series, a deep dive into Dr. No that took ten days to research, write and produce. From there they explore why tailoring details are often missed by audiences, how Anthony Sinclair changed British tailoring, and why costume design deserves far more recognition than it usually receives.The discussion then changes gear into the current state of performance cars and the surprising resurgence of internal combustion engines. Roberto reflects on driving his BMW M2, why emotional experiences still matter in a world of increasingly silent electric vehicles, and whether enthusiasts are beginning to appreciate what they may soon lose.The second half of the episode becomes a celebration of cinema. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, Alien: Earth, Together, Weapons, Jackie Chan’s astonishing stunt work, classic action filmmaking and the importance of practical effects all come under discussion, before finishing with anticipation for Blade Runner 2099 and the enduring appeal of science fiction done properly.As always, it’s an unplanned conversation that wanders through tailoring, design, engineering, filmmaking and popular culture, discovering that many of the same principles connect them all.Chapter Markers00:00:00 - Roberto’s Dr. No project finally goes live00:06:20 - Bond tailoring, Anthony Sinclair and costume craftsmanship00:13:00 - The future of the James Bond style series00:20:00 - Living with the BMW M2 and why petrol cars still matter00:25:00 - Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and cinema worth seeing on the big screen00:28:50 - Together, Weapons and modern horror and thriller films00:33:20 - Jackie Chan, practical stunts and action cinema at its best00:40:20 - Blade Runner 2099 and the future of science fictionKeywordsJames Bond style, Dr No, Anthony Sinclair, bespoke tailoring, BMW M2, petrol cars, performance cars, Christopher Nolan, The Odyssey, Together movie, Weapons film, Jackie Chan, Blade Runner 2099, Alien Earth, costume design, menswear podcast, film podcast, automotive podcast, Tailoring Talk Magazine

How did Dr. No transform Sean Connery from a self-described rough diamond into the most sophisticated action hero in cinema?In the first episode of Dressing James Bond, London bespoke tailor Roberto Revilla examines the costumes, tailoring and carefully chosen details that established James Bond’s style in 1962 and created a blueprint the series is still following more than sixty years later.Beginning with Connery’s iconic entrance at the casino in his midnight-blue dinner suit, Roberto explores the influence of director Terence Young, the tailoring associated with Anthony Sinclair’s Conduit Cut and the complicated history behind the shirts, suits and suppliers credited with creating Bond’s wardrobe.Along the way, we examine the grey flannel suit that was completely wrong for the Jamaican climate, the lightweight Glen check and mohair suits that worked far better, Bond’s navy doeskin blazer, Turnbull & Asser cocktail cuffs, grenadine ties, black Derby shoes and the powder-blue polo shirt and matching trousers worn on Crab Key.We also look beyond Bond himself to explore Dr. No’s Nehru-style clothing, the way costume is used to take control away from Bond inside the villain’s lair and the collaborative story behind Ursula Andress’s famous Honey Ryder bikini.Most importantly, Roberto brings everything back into the real world and asks what men can still learn from Dr. No without dressing as though they’re heading to a James Bond fancy-dress convention.Is Connery’s midnight-blue dinner suit still the greatest first appearance in film-style history? And if you could take one piece from Bond’s Dr. No wardrobe, which would you choose?Follow Tailoring Talk Magazine so you don’t miss episode two, when Dressing James Bond continues with From Russia with Love.Read the accompanying article at robertorevillalondon.com.

Roberto and Jon are back for another relaxed unscripted conversation, beginning with Jon’s ongoing battle with Nissan and the frustrations of modern customer service before moving onto some much happier news.Roberto shares the early success of his new Arsenal Women: Trailblazers podcast, which is rapidly approaching 500 downloads in its first month and already attracting listeners from across Europe, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. The pair also explain some of the behind-the-scenes changes coming to Tailoring Talk Magazine as they work towards a more consistent and recognisable format for the show. The conversation then turns into a deep dive on Apple’s latest public beta. Roberto shares his first impressions of the new Siri, Apple Intelligence, on-device AI, image generation, natural language search, and why this feels like the first version of Siri that genuinely gets out of your way instead of creating more friction. Jon and Roberto also discuss whether Apple’s AI could replace ChatGPT for everyday users, what still separates dedicated AI models from Apple’s approach, and why the improvements feel more evolutionary than revolutionary. Elsewhere they discuss David Pogue’s new book Apple: The First 50 Years, Steve Jobs, Apple’s remarkable business story, the colourful iMac G3 era, and why understanding Apple’s history is valuable whether you’re interested in technology or simply fascinated by great companies. The second half of the episode wanders through James Bond, tailoring, watches, gaming, Half-Life 2, Robocop, Telltale Games, Billy Eilish’s new concert film, Apple Vision Pro, Netflix recommendations, and Roberto’s ambitious new series exploring the costume and wardrobe of every official James Bond film, before finishing with an increasingly ridiculous discussion about making their own ultra-low-budget Bond film starring Roberto, Jon and Alex.It’s another classic Tailoring Talk conversation covering technology, AI, Apple, gaming, business, James Bond, menswear, filmmaking, books and the creative projects currently keeping Roberto and Jon busy.Timestamps00:00 - Jon’s Nissan saga and the importance of good customer serviccandidse03:00 - Arsenal Women: Trailblazers reaches nearly 500 downloads07:20 - Living with Apple’s new Siri and iOS 27 public beta14:20 - Can Apple’s AI replace ChatGPT for everyday users?25:30 - Apple: The First 50 Years and the business lessons from Apple’s history34:00 - James Bond, tailoring and Roberto’s new Bond wardrobe series42:40 - Gaming, Billy Eilish, Apple Vision Pro and making our own Bond film