November 2007
After a long absence we are back with helpful hints and advice.
As we head towards Christmas time do not forget all of those parties you will be attending… whether it’s the Office do, the formal Works outing or that special Christmas dinner with your partner, make sure your shirt is the best.
Check out our options from Dress shirts for the really formal occasion, through to City shirts. We also have some great shirts for that formal dress down look.
Do not forget the cuff links and ties to really finish off the ensemble..
Colour is a factor that you should never dismiss and teaming plain pastels with your plain suit is safe, but why not try checks or stripes for a altogether new look, again your tie choice is critical.
An ever increasing trend seems to be dress-down, this does not mean ‘scruffy’, your shirt says a lot about you and how it sits with or without a tie is important to your overall look. Check out the Coles shirts options of Cutaway Collar or Regular Collar. A look for every occasion.
Always remember that ‘shirt care’ is another mark of your overall look. Take out the collar stays prior to washing and remember to put them back in after. Always iron your shirts when still damp. Whether it’s Dress-up or Dress-down you should always look your best.
2008 is only weeks away, check your wardrobe. Ring in the New Year’s party with a new shirt and new look from Coles.
We will shortly be launching a Made To Order service on the website which will enable you to have that tailored bespoke look.. no more baggy shirts.
Chairman
March 2007
What an eventful last few months at Coles.
Up until the late 1980's, the Coles shirt factory in Cumbria in the beautiful North West of England produced the bulk of our shirts. A combination of difficulties with the lease, key staff retirements and rising costs led to its closure. You can imagine my delight when a chance conversation with Andrew Lowden, an old friend, led to the amalgamation of our Coles business with Andrew's magnificent shirt factory in Londonderry. Once again Coles can proudly boast our own shirt factory in the UK, making to the very highest standard.
In teaming up with Andrew we have also "inherited" Henry Todd, the Technical Director, who is widely recognised as the leading shirt technician in the UK if not in Europe. He is a man I can sit and talk shirts with for hours. Together with Hank Henry, the Production Director, we have a truly formidable team at the helm of our manufacturing business. Coles is now in an almost unique position to develop its business on a worldwide basis, which is happening.
You can read more of these special people in 'About Us'.
Sleepwear has made a welcome return to the Coles Collection. If you have not experienced the sheer pleasure of sleeping in super two fold 100's pure cotton, now is your chance. Have a browse through the selection of Men's Pyjamas, Men's Nightshirts and Men's Robes, as well as Ladies Nightshirts.
We have also introduced a range of Boxer Shorts. The selection will grow as the weeks go by.
Enjoy your Spring shopping with Coles, or Autumn shopping if you live in the southern hemisphere. I am always delighted to hear from our clients about your experiences with our products and services.
December 2006
May I wish all of our customers Worldwide a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
With the Festive Season in mind the Coles Collection includes lots of lovely gift ideas.
What about a pair of our hand made
Tiffany Cuff links? These come in a stylish Coles box and are made from the exquisite glass that you find in Tiffany lamp shades. The lustre is exceptional and the colours very rich. There are also other unique designs and, for a bit of fun, some novelty cuff links.
We have recently introduced on to the site our hand rolled
Silk Pochettes. A dazzling Pochette is very much a part of classical English dressing. The squares are silk screen printed in traditional Paisley Designs with vibrant colours.
Why not match up a pochette with one of our hand made ties? The silks for our ties are all woven in England by Stephen Walters a company founded in 1761, even older than Coles. I have worked with them for many years. The Coles ties are hand made in England by a small group of workers just to the East of London.
We have recently introduced a range of Slim Fit shirts. The response has been amazing. For people who have yet to try this trimmer look, Christmas may be the right moment, perhaps before the turkey!
For the ladies’ there is now a selection of our Ladies’ shirts on the site. They are all made from the same long staple two fold one hundreds cotton poplin that we have used for generations of our men’s shirts.
Let us make it easy for you and do a Gift Wrap. Happy Christmas Shopping.
November 2006
Welcome to the new expanded Coles Web Site. I have been asked to contribute, once a month, some thoughts on any topical subject as it relates to our business. I think it is appropriate that I commence with my observations on the development of our Internet Business.
It is somehow charming for a Company founded in 1878 to be championing new technology but our enthusiasm for that very much reflects the feelings of people working at Coles, including myself.
We keep faith with our great and rich tradition in the continuing excellence and quality of our merchandise. We are, however, excited, as was our Founder, by new designs, new technologies and new ways of offering better service to our customers.
In the same way that our design palette is a mixture of the traditional and innovative so are our ways of working. Our shirts are still cut by hand because of the great detail we maintain in matching the fabrics at all points of contact. For this computerised cutting is un-workable. Our cutting patterns, however, are all drafted by computer. Our fabric designs are generated through computer aided design. This gives us great flexibility and the ability to produce a large selection of designs and variation in a limited period of time.
Turning again to the Internet. What massive possibilities this has opened up for us. Despite the fact that Coles is in physical terms a medium, sized company we are in fact a Multi National. Our shirts are sold in Twenty Two countries. I have yet to get used to the slightly bizarre notion that whilst I am blissfully asleep in my bed orders are arriving in the business from all corners of the Globe.
So here we are, very excited about the new site. We can add product any time, remove sold out products, monitor stock levels, inform our customers, offer new designs and products all from our own design rooms in England without any outside assistance. How exciting is that.
Enjoy the Site, please do not hesitate to send us an “E” Mail with any of your observations on the Site, our products or indeed my remarks.