WEARSHERLOCK: A blog that revolves around the wardrobe and props department of the BBC show 'Sherlock', featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman and Mark Gatiss.

This blog showcases the clothes and props seen in the show as well as providing links as to where to buy them. We often host Sherlock related giveaways. You can check our current giveaway status here. We are not affiliated with the BBC.

IM Corona 30-3207 Targa cigarette lighter
As owned by Mycroft in Series 2 (Seen here.)

Chrome. Engine turned. Gas powered.
RARE (Around £50) / Not currently available 
(Sometimes crop up on eBay / Available in Russia here)

Crombie Navy Herringbone Slim-Fit Coat
As worn by Mycroft in Series 2 (Seen here)

Pure Herringbone wool. Velvet Collar. Red silk lining. 
£695 / $1,120 Available here at Harrods.com

A Study in Phones (Series Two)
For our Series One Study in Phones, click here.

From left to right: TOP ROW

1) The Moriarty
HTC Incredible S
Android. 8MP camera. 3G.
GPS. Wi-Fi. Bluetooth.

Note: the HTC Incredible S does not automatically come with a built-in app for breaking into the Bank of England but does come with black cord inner-ear headphones for listening to Rossini’s The Thieving Magpie whilst doing so.

2) The Mycroft
Blackberry Torch 9800
5MP camera. 4GB memory. Touch screen.
Concealed slide out QWERTY keyboard.

Perfect for those always-on-the-go types. The slide out keyboard is there for emergencies in Mycroft’s case. Why text when you can talk without having to press any of its concealed buttons?

MIDDLE ROW (Click images for larger size)

3) The Sherlock
iPhone 4 (Series One phone: Blackberry Bold 9700)
8GB memory. GPS. Bluetooth. Wi-Fi. Compass.
Retina display. 5MP camera. LED flash/torch.

The widescreen retina display on Sherlock’s phone allows him to look in incredible detail at any evidence or photography he is sent and its completely touch screen applications make quick work of any task he is confronted with, sliding on and off screen in much the same way as memories and facts in his mind palace. Sherlock has also upgraded his Series One laptop to an Apple Mac making both his phone and computer Apple products.

4) The John
Nokia N97

Read more about John’s phone in our Series One post.

5 & 6) The Irene
Blackberry Pearl 3G and Vertu Constellation Quest
For our full post on Irene’s Vertu click here.

Irene uses her petite and compact Pearl 3G when doing light work and dealing with less tricky customers (and also for looking at photographs of consulting detectives in sheets). Her £17,000 Vertu is only to be used in series business - after all, it’s her protection.

BOTTOM ROW

7) The Fletcher: Motorola DEFY, White
8) The Donovan: Nokia C3-00 (Series One phone: Blackberry Curve 8900)
9) The Lestrade: Sony Ericsson Satio, Silver (Series One phone: HP Palm Pre)

Fox Umbrellas Ltd. Choice Stout Whanghee Handle umbrella 
Owned by Mycroft in Series two.

Approx. 36” from handle to ferrule. Whanghee handle.
Black polyester cover. Option to have initials engraved.
£235 / $364 Available at foxumbrellas.com

J Crew Umbrella print tie
As not worn by Mycroft in The Great Game
(Please see this post, The Mystery of Mycroft’s tie.)

Bespoke English silk. 2.5” at widest point.
£53 / $81 Available here at jcrew.com

I suppose you could call this ‘A Study in Mycroft’s tie’.

Since The Great Game aired people have been looking for their own version of Mycroft’s famous umbrella tie and have been so far unsuccessful in their findings. Well, that’s possibly because there’s a high chance it doesn’t exist.

Unpopular opinion time: We here at wearsherlock think that after closer inspection (Blu-Ray caps enhanced in Photoshop) that the pattern on the tie is not that of umbrellas, but actually birds. As can be seen outlined in the image above, you can clearly see the shape of the wings and the head of the bird. Breed of bird we’re not sure, but it could be a goose (in particular a Canada goose, thank you to mickulty.) There are literally hundreds of tie patterns featuring birds as it’s quite a popular design. Grouse, pheasant and ducks are most popular.

Of course, we’ve outlined the umbrella theory too but when you look very close it doesn’t really look like an umbrella. Where is the curve of the handle and why is the stick so thick and misshapen? Ultimately why is this tie impossible to find?

So, to conclude this rather short entry and solve the mystery of Mycroft’s tie we’re going to come right out and say it - Mycroft’s tie is not an umbrella tie. Sorry, but it’s not.

For those of you who are upset by this (i know i am!), we’ve just posted an umbrella tie by J Crew that we’re sure Mycroft would love. You can find it here.

What are pocket squares? When a handkerchief is used as an accessory to a suit it is known as a pocket square. Pocket squares come in every colour and pattern and there are a multitude of ways of folding them. They are always worn in the left breast pocket of a suit. The best fabrics for pocket squares are silk, linen and cotton. Their original use was for wiping the hands or face but since the 1920’s, when pocket squares became the height of fashion, they’ve served no other purpose than a fashion accessory.

Basic pocket square rules: It’s never good to match your pocket square with your tie but have them complement each other instead. A pocket square that picks out a minor or secondary colour in the rest of your outfit is a good choice. Contrasting textures are sure to look great, such as a silk tie and handwoven linen square. Monograms or labels should never show.

Ways of folding a pocket square: When displaying a pocket square on your person it’s best to make it look effortless and by no means perfect. Don’t ever iron a pocket square into shape! The most basic look for a square is a simple clean edge that runs parallel to your pocket. More flamboyant folding methods for example would involve having all four corners of the square protrude from the pocket or having a ‘poof’ (yes, that’s a technical term!) stick out in a curve or point. It all depends on the wearer’s personal preference.

What pocket squares say about their wearer: The confident gentlemen will usually wear a silk pocket square with a more elegant or striking pattern. Thai silk is the best quality fabric for pocket squares. Machine hemmed or irregular stitching says cheap. The finest pocket squares have hand rolled edges and should be in a tight tube. Regular and mostly hidden stitching is a sure sign of a quality square.

And now the most important part of the article!
The part on the actual character’s pocket squares.

1) The Mycroft
Mycroft wears two different pocket squares throughout the first series. The first time we see him he has folded his linen red and white paisley design into a triangular point. It is commonplace to point pocket squares away from the heart but Mycroft’s points towards his. He’s a rule breaker! In The Great Game he is wearing a red Thai silk square which has been folded to show all four corners (one of which hangs down slightly over the lip of his pocket). The red square, blue tie and white shirt combo is very British Government(!). Mycroft’s look is a confident one, using classic fabric but folding flamboyantly shows he has flair under his serious exterior.

2) The Sebastian
Sebastian’s square is my favourite in the whole series. His is an olive green and brown large paisley print that’s been classically folded but shows bulk beneath. It protrudes from his pocket quite a bit and offsets his (also striking) tie brilliantly. His pocket square is a perfect example of Sebastian’s character: showy, proud and confident.

3) The Moriarty
Moriarty’s whole look is classic. He requires no frills. He’s opted for a plain white linen square folded in the basic clean edge style that requires the least amount of effort but often looks the most smart. It’s a common look for business. His square only just shows from his pocket and really makes the skulls on his tie stand out. However, it does also show a lack of personality (and possibly a lack of confidence) and could be described by some as dull, however I can’t imagine Moriarty wearing anything but white.

Whilst writing the article I realised something. Moriarty and Mycroft wear the exact same tie pin (if you click the images to enlarge you’ll see it better). It’s a simple gold bar with a black jewel in the center. Perhaps they share the same tastes when it comes to style. Perhaps the BBC costume department just ran out of ideas!

PREVIOUS STUDY: Mycroft’s pocket watch.
NEXT STUDY: Ties.

A study in Mycroft’s pocket watch.

Seen only briefly in The Great Game and A Study in Pink is Mycroft’s pocket watch. From what can be seen of it a few observations can be made.

Materials: Mycroft has opted for a more classic silver pocket watch rather than the more lavish gold, most likely sterling silver.

Style: Hunter. This style features a spring hinged cover that closes fully over the face to protect it. Mycroft reads his watch with the cover open at the 9 o’clock position which most likely means it is a vintage piece as opposed to a more modern pocket watch. Vintage hunter-case watches were hinged at the 9 o’clock position and read sideways. Modern lower quality hunter cases open at the 6 o’clock position.

Fastening: In The Great Game (see image) Mycroft wears his pocket watch with a simple silver Double-Albert style chain, one of the most authentic British styles since the 1800’s. The chain is held in place with a T-bar (which fits through the waistcoat button-hole) and has two complete chains. One chain is attached to the watch and the other can hold things such as a cigar cutter or knife and is put into the opposite pocket. Double-Albert chains were a distinct sign of status in the Victorian age. In A Study in Pink, Mycroft wears a single albert chain with a large silver fob drop (and it’s very hard to see!). The fob is quite a lot larger than usual so is most likely decorative - on closer inspection (meaning, moving closer to my computer screen!) it appears it could be in the shape of a heart, but this could be wishful thinking on my part.

Brand: We think canon Mycroft would have gone for a Waltham pocket watch, an American company that started producing pocket watches in 1850. Early Waltham watches fetch up to £6,000 today but aren’t often used for time keeping as they’re more museum pieces. BBC Mycroft may still own an antique as he probably takes very good care of his pocket watches but most likely owns something like a Bond Hilton. (Or perhaps Mark Gatiss’ own!)

NEXT STUDY: pocket squares.

Fox Umbrellas Ltd. Malacca wood “stick” style umbrella.
Owned by Mycroft in A Study in Pink & The Great Game.

Approx. 35” from handle to ferrule.
Black polyester cover. Option to have initials engraved.
£103 / $167 Available at foxumbrellas.com

BONUS FACT: Malacca wood is the most popular choices for concealing swords or blades inside. (Source)