Resurrected: the archives

Going through some of my drawers has been like unearthing ancient artifacts - a timeline of my tastes through the medium of accessories, and a reminder that Japan isn't the be all and end all for clothes even if I might sometimes think so.

Take my scarf collection. Not something I've really had the occasion to revive so far this year, but in winters past the addition of a silk scarf was de riguer in terms of outfit accessorisation.

You will note my first silk scarf purchase to the left of the picture, a gold and olive patterned Gucci affair of considerable length.  Below that is a McQueen thing which was almost a cross between a scarf and a tie.

To the north of the Gucci is a Louis Vuitton striped scarf which is actually the only one which has had an outing this season. Still looks good under a sweat.

Peaking out below the hat to the right is silk scarf by William Hunt which never really got a lot of wear but is on the verge of being put in for cycling.

Talking about the hat, that's from Dunhill. Bound to be seeing the light of day as the winter draws in, with its floppy lug protectors. Then there's the Gucci belt, always a faithful companion for keeping the strides in position.

It's a loaf-off: Visvim Fabro Folk v Gucci loafers

There's no disguising of the Italian influence with the new Visvim shoe lines. Both the Fabro Folk and the Moc Denim Folk offer a little more than a nod to the loafers Gucci has been churning out for yonks.

But Gucci has been taking a few tips from Hiroki Nakamura too. I can't imagine it would have occurred to Gucci to add a trainer sole to their loafers before Visvim started doing it. Or to extend their trainer line at all. It wasn't long ago that all Gucci offered was a couple of suspect looking abortions made out of monogrammed canvas. Hardly subtle.

So Gucci and Visvim seem to have done each other a bit of a favour. But who pulls it off the best?

Put your preconceptions of the brands and their associations aside for a minute and check out these two loafer offerings.

Which one would you go for?

The Visvim is above, the Gucci one below.

Available from The Glade and Gucci