Dear Mary | 23 April 2011

Q. My friend John sets the standard of dress for our small community. It has come to his notice that HRH the Duke of Edinburgh is sporting black suede shoes with black tie. I think John is keen to adopt this mode of dress but is unsure about it. I think he should stick to black leather. What do you advise, Mary? Also, should suedes be worn during daylight hours?

—G.A., Crewkerne

A. As is revealed in the forthcoming biography ‘Young Prince Philip’ by Philip Eade (Harper Press), the Duke has never been that interested in ‘correct’ dressing. In his early life his valet battled to keep him out of the visibly mended cast-off suits of his father. However, there are special rules for nonagenarian royals which do not apply to the average man. Where black tie is concerned, John should be cautious. Hush Puppies came in in 1959 and HRH was, along with Warren Beatty, an early fan. They are beloved of prep-school masters of a certain age, notably one Peter Budden, a legendary classics master at Wellesley House School, Broadstairs, who retired after 45 years last summer. Hush Puppies are certainly not cool — but they are comfortable like an old labrador. For that reason they are usually acceptable. Shipton Heneage supply them.

Q. What is the form with charity wristbands? As of yesterday I am sporting three rather colourful bracelets, all supporting excellent forces-related charities about which I feel strongly. But I’m beginning to look like a Christmas tree. Help.

—D.B., London SE24

A. Take a tip from Matthew 6: 2–3: ‘Therefore when you perform charity, do not trumpet it before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogue and in the streets so that they may praised by people; Amen, I tell you, they receive their reward.’