The year was 1970, the man was 24 and when the first boutique was opened in Nottingham, a fashion legend was born. Fast forward 40 plus years and just uttering the name Paul Smith (not just any Paul Smith, of course, but a 'Sir'), is instantly synonymous with superbly tailored British style. But why has his career been quite so illustrious? Simple. At the heart of his design philosophy are clothes that men love to wear, but even more than that, they're clothes that men love to wear because of the perfect balance of panache and humour with which he infuses each and every piece. Which self-respecting guy isn't aware of his dashing brand signature stripes which, aside from sprucing up a raft of fashion classics, can also be seen wrapped around an X-type Jaguar at it zips through the streets of his hometown. The ultimate in branding. Very cool, and very clever.

In terms of quality - very important for premium menswear - let's talk facts. Each Paul Smith collection, from London through to Accessories, is largely produced in England, in Nottingham no less, and Italy while most of the fabrics used are Italian, French and British. So far, so good. Add to this his painstaking approach to leaving no style stone unturned (Sir Paul

is still a regular on the shop floor), and what you have is a brilliantly well-rounded wardrobe for which you can find in our expert edit.

From the classic trainer with a twist, to the traditional brogue made with assured quality, all the way through to the beautifully crafted off-duty boot, we've got your footwear covered. Same goes for all the little accoutrements that any well-dressed gentleman should never be without - a classic belt, those ice-breaker cufflinks, a hat for sunshine sauntering and a sleek wallet to whip out when you're paying for dinner. If you've seen Steve Carell's Velcro version in 'Crazy, Stupid, Love' you'll know just how important it is to get the details right. And if after all of this you're in need of a weekend away from it all, may we suggest a wash bag you can be proud to leave in your hotel bathroom and an enviable travel bag to carry around complete with its own clever laptop section if, you know, you don't want to get away from it all. And there it is. Seems pretty simple, right?

A home grown talent to be proud of, buying Paul Smith is an investment. But more than that, see it as the beginning of a beautiful friendship.