Style: Men's style

Jeremy Hackett is Mr Classic

Having spent most of my life daydreaming about the times and habits of early-20th-century England, I have taken a huge leap into the 21st century and bought myself a computer. Which means I am beginning to discover the delights and pitfalls of shopping on-line.

Unable to sleep one night, I decided that a bit of nocturnal shopping might be novel. I tapped "Filson" - the Seattle-based company whose motto is: "Might as well have the best" - into my laptop (www.filson.com). I browsed the heavy-duty canvas luggage (right) before popping my order into the basket in the corner of the screen. I ordered a bag and, being of an impatient nature, asked for it to be sent express, by UPS.

Warming to my new on-line shopping experience, I also looked up LL Bean (www.llbean.com) and ordered a pair of blucher moccasins as a replacement for a pair that had served me well for more than 10 years. Then, I just held off from ordering some new Oxford shirts from Brooks Brothers (www.brooksbrothers.com).

The problem with this type of shopping is that it is so easy and it doesn't feel like you are spending any money. So finally, I went back to bed. A few days later, the man in brown duly delivered my Filson parcel, whereupon I realised that not only was the freight a hefty $90 (pounds 48) but that I was also required to pay a whopping amount in duty and government charges. And this in the bicentenary year of the Battle of Trafalgar. It seems that England still expects that every man will pay his duty.

Next week: Mr Cool