Plain white cotton shirts
Mrs Danvers suggest a source for an old favourite

Dear Mrs Danvers, I live in a London square where parking is severely restricted. My next-door neighbour, who has a large and ugly 4x4 with a disabled sticker, parks it in front of my windows every day, leaving her own clear. I know of no one in the house who is disabled and am getting increasingly annoyed by her thoughtlessness. Should I inform the parking authorities or ask her to leave my own views clear? I am sorry to say this, but you should do neither you must suffer in silence. I know, I know, it is infuriating, and it is extremely rude of your neighbour to park in front of your house rather than her own. But imagine the scenario if you take offensive action: you will have a neighbour with an enduring grudge, even if you just ask her to shift the wretched hulk and park it elsewhere. If you read the papers carefully, you will see that there is no one more likely to go to law or become violent than a neighbour who resents you. They slit your tyres, tell the council when you water your garden and, I am not joking, resort to murder. Try to minimise the grudge you bear, hope they will move soon and consider how you may be annoying them. This is one time where turning the other cheek is the smart option. Dear Mrs Danvers, I always wear plain, white, cotton shirts, long sleeved, no nonsense, with button-down collars and a quite sporty cut. As I don't have to go into an office, I don't need to wear suits or ties. All my shirts are beginning to collapse and I cannot find new ones to this I would have thought simple specifi-cation. Do you know a source? Why do so many nice plain shirts have short sleeves? Or button-down collars? What are they buttoning down? Surely they are an unfortunate American import, created in the land of tornadoes, where collars might need extra support. Boden could help: its new Spring 2007 catalogue has an Architect Shirt. It is 100% cotton, semi-fitted, with a nice, plain collar. There are six versions, including pure white. Sizes from small to XXL, price £45. Order online at www.boden.co.uk or telephone 0845 677 5000.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Bringing the quintessential English rural idle to life via interiors, food and drink, property and more Country Life’s travel content offers a window into the stunning scenery, imposing stately homes and quaint villages which make the UK’s countryside some of the most visited in the world.
-
Dawn Chorus: A Blue Plaque for Marc Bolan, holidaying in the Caribbean with Francis Ford Coppola and a history of the National Gallery in 25 pictures
Plus the best of the property pages, and how the railways will save the countryside.
By James Fisher Published
-
Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courts
From Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
By Rosie Paterson Last updated
-
How to prepare your house for winter
As winter approaches, experts advise that preventative measures are crucial for our houses to weather hard winters
By Country Life Published
-
Ten house tips for the winter
Now is the time to put your house in ship-shape for the winter months ahead. Chartered surveyor Tom Grillo shares his ten top tips
By Country Life Published
-
Choosing an interior designer
Finding the right skilled interior designer for your period property requires some dedication; in particular you need to make sure you share the same vision
By Country Life Published
-
Maintenance tips for Victorian houses
There are a number of aspects to look out for when viewing or indeed owning a Victorian house
By Country Life Published
-
Best cooking pans
Mrs Danvers suggests the best makes of pots and cooking pans to hunt down when shopping for a special friend's wedding present
By Country Life Published
-
How to save old floorboards
Lots of care and elbow grease can help old floorboards gleam again
By Country Life Published
-
Buying bellows
Mrs Danvers recommends where to find a new or antique pair of bellows
By Country Life Published
-
Removing chocolate stains
Mrs Danvers tackles readers' household queries: this week's are chocolate stains on a linen suit and screen doors
By Country Life Published