Tom Jeffreys dresses up like a prat - even more than usual, that is.
I often get accused of dressing like a bit of a pillock. Although, in truth, that's not exactly the word that's generally used, but children sometimes read this website, so probably best just to stick with pillock. On my way to the Chap Olympiad on Sunday, I certainly received my fair show of strange looks and the odd shout of affectionate abuse from my Bethnal Green neighbours – hardly surprising given my choice of outfit: tan suede Tricker's derbies, grey and yellow Prince of Wales checked slacks with almighty turn-up, navy Prince of Wales checked jacket (one-button, single-breasted if you're asking) brashly blue and white striped shirt from Alexandre of Savile Row, and pink silk pocket square from Harvie & Hudson. Oh, and a cream straw trilby from Gieves and Hawkes. Pillock? Indeed.
Anyway, I soon felt at home when I arrived at Bedford Square Gardens for the annual Chap Olympiad – in fact my look was probably rather understated amongst all the elaborately structured moustaches, elbow-patched tweed jackets, retro military paraphernalia, bright red lipstick, pith helmets and polka dots.
Set up by the wilful eccentrics behind The Chap magazine – a regular and endearing celebration of tweed, gin and exotic cheroots – the Chap Olympiad sees crowds of flâneurs, dandies and dilettantes compete for louche glory in a number of oddball events. There's cucumber sandwich discus, moustache wrestling ("have at you, sir!"), Necktie Kwon-Do, umbrella jousting, a Martini knock-out relay, and some kind of strange thing where women ride men like nattily besuited steeds.
On the day, brave souls took to a raised athletics track to demean themselves in front of their fellow chaps and chapesses, whilst the Bourne and Hollingsworth bar kept a range of gin-based cocktails flowing smoothly. Yes entry is £15 (and this was apparently the first year where you couldn't bring your own booze) but hey ho. I have to confess that we arrived a little late to join in any of the events (much to the relief, I'd wager, of those who did participate – I'm really rather red hot at umbrella jousting...) and we also spent more time watching the people than the “sports”, but The Chap Olympiad was nonetheless a delightful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Unique, silly and quite splendidly charming.
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