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Bag Style
This week I spotted a variety of bags while out and about ; old, new, good and plain AWFUL! So I thought I’d lay down my thoughts on the subject.
GOOD LOOK
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Our New Video Trailer
Here’s our new video trailer for this website. If you like it, why not forward the link or embed it somewhere? (hint hint)
We need all the help we can get to upgrade the style of all men EVERYWHERE!
Stay Stylish and don’t let us catch you wearing a string bag with a suit. We’ll get ya.
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News Years Resolutions
Firstly, we’d like to wish you all a very (Delayed) Happy New Year. The last year has brought about a real change with all the financial hardship but it has also separated the committed; the winners, the champions, the leaders or whatever you prefer to call them.
So as we enter a new decade, let’s really take it seriously. We’ve put together a list of five ways in which you can consistently upgrade your style this year. That will make a lasting change.
1. Find a local tailor
Finding your correct fit is one of the most important aspects when improving your style. Getting a tailor will allow you to wear all those items that have a slight ill-fit and help take them to that perfect, bespoke look.
Tailors are especially useful when it comes to mending or altering vintage garments. Check out your local Yellow Pages or just use the most popular search engine on earth to help you discover your nearest tailor. Read More
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Men’s Staples – Part 1
Wadrobe staples are the things that every guy, lad, gentleman and male needs in his closet- FULL STOP! These are the pieces that will get you through the rainest days, those days of confusion where no matter how many times you look in your wardrobe you actually have NOTHING to wear.
It’s a daily occurence for most men, but feat not; if you equip yourself with these tools, you’ll always have something to wear. Even better, they’ll make your wardobe last ten times longer because these items are enduringly chic and will be of the highest possible quality.
Now I know and fully understand the pressure to spend a little less on clothes, especially through these tough financial times, but these are NOT the pieces you should be saving on. Reason being, if one of these items gets fucked up, you don’t have any other choice but to go out and buy the exact same thing.
As stated before, they are essentials so there’s no compromise. So save money now by investing in the durable garments.
Oh yeah, just before we get press on, this is going to be a three-part series, so we can cover everything in as much depth as possible…on with the show.
1. Overcoat
A good overcoat will look the business with a custom suit as it will with a pair of dress jeans. As you all know too well, it gets fairly chilly here and no matter how good you want to look, it’s not worth freezing your bollocks off, so you’re going to need at least one good overcoat.
So, which one should you get? Well, with most of these staples, keeping them in the neutral pallete (black, grey, navy, brown and tan) is a rule of thumb. Staples are the corner-stone of your wardrobe and so colour is worked around them. Stick with a dark tone- either black, navy or grey-and you won’t go wrong.
The single-breasted topcoat works wonders but the military-style peacoat is just as good if a little less formal.
2. A Grey & Navy Suit
Even if you don’t even work in an evironment which requires a suit, you should still own these. The suit is arguably the most iconic men’s garment. Ever.
It crosses culture and age barriers and it personifies a man. So please don’t disprespect it by:
1. Not bothering to find your correct size/fit
2. Buying a coloured suit before you’ve got a grey or navy
If you pick a medium-weighted suit, you can wear it all year round. Navy and grey are the most flexible suits as they cover almost every shirt and tie combination. They’ll also look perfect through all four seaons.
The blazers can then be doubled-up as single jackets, which can be paired with jeans and again due to their neutral palettes, you can then start adding colour through your choice of sweaters or ties, thus bringing your casual outfit to life.
The navy is also the default business colour. And the grey can be worn to both a wedding and a funeral. That’s every suit occasion covered. No excuses!
3. 2 Pairs Of Good Shoes (1 Brown & 1 Black)
When I was younger, I ignored everything my father told me regarding style, thinking I’ll never need any of this advice ever. How wrong was I!
Although he doesn’t make the best satorial choices consistently, he’s always his shoes on lock. ‘Good shoes will last you forever’, is what he told me – he couldn’t be more right.
I’ve gone through countless amounts of cheap Clark wallabies while his veteran Barkers stare back with a sense of pride! They will never go out of fashion. Black shoes will compliment both your suit styles as well as being able to dress up your jeans.
Brown shoes are equally important; they work better with navy and beige -basically anything but black trousers. They’ll open up your wardrobe so much. When purchasing a brown pair, go with a brouge style- again, another classic style but it will offer you that minor difference that is so essential in creating a truely flexible wardrobe.
4. A White Dress Shirt x 2
The white dress shirt is our ‘Get out of jail’ free card- It’s the men’s version of the ‘little black dress’. It can be teamed with almost anything apart from a thong! It’s like the white canvas in which you can showcase your other trendier items. However this isn’t an excuse to plunge into your old school uniform shirts.
Purchase two high quality dress shirts and make sure it has a high thread count, thicker cotton weave for increased durability. You can tell instatly when someone’s shirt is cheap.
Trust us- if you invest in a good quality shirt, you’ll feel ten times better. Take advange of TM Lewin, who are having sinful reductions on their shirts at the moment. They even have an altering service and for an extra £12, the tailors will fit the shirt to you perfectly. It’s a small price to pay for such an essential garment.
5. A Blue Shirt
The blue shirt comes in a valiant second to its white counterpart. You can’t live with just one colour and the blue shirt works great with your suit and tie combinations, as well as with your dress jeans. Pick one up in a button-down style to add even more variety to your wardrobe.
Stay Stylish
Aaron C.
Related posts: Top 5 Shoes Every Man Should Own, How To Wear A Blue Blazer
P.S: Want to ask us more about mens staples? Then simply join the forum. There you’ll be able to ask us anything regarding men’s style. You can get all these blog posts and video tips sent to YOU for free by typing your email address here. Also, if there is a topic you want us to cover then simply write it in this little box, press send and we’ll jump on it ASAP.
Or if you prefer, we can come to you! Check out our personal 1 on 1 style consultations and discover the ‘Science Behind Style’. Just drop us a message
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Top 5 Suit Accessories
Most guys are wearing the wrong suit size. It’s not something that the average guy is taught, so consequently most of us drift by with oversized, ill-fitting suits and never really look our best.
Even out of the few that do manage do get a decent fit, they still lack the finishing touches. Remember, accessories are the last thing on, but the first thing noticed. So when deciding on yours, it’s important that you take your time and know what your doing.
Most women will tell you that what attracts them to a stylish man lies within the details. Women understand this intimately; just a quick look at the extras they put into an outfit will tell you this. Ranging from make-up (and there are thousand of types each available in thousands of colours) to jewellery, hair accessories and bangles. Fortunately for us chaps, there are far and few between, so there should be no excuses!
Wearing accessories is a sure-fire way to stand out from the crowd and draw positive attention from the people your directing it towards. Apply these rules when wearing a suit and it’s even more evident.
Enough chatting, let’s take a look at what accessories every man should own…
1. Tie
A tie is the most basic of accessories. You can still spice things up a little depending on how you wear it and what type it is.
Firstly, make sure you choose the correct width. There are three main types:
1) Skinny
2) Slim
3) Standard
The Skinny fit is the trendier option and is suited for slimmer silhouettes and thinner suit lapels. Slim is obvious. And Standard, the ‘Mario’ of the tie world, still looks great without a jacket. The Average option is a more traditional style and has been around the longest. It’s probably what your dad has, no disrespect.
An important factor to consider is to make sure your tie has a dimple. It’s what sets the well-dressed from the stylish. Make sure you fall into the latter group.
Get Started Here: http://www.asos.com/Men/Accessories/Cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=4210&Rf-100=Ties&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=68&sort=-1
2. Dress Watch
Nothing screams amateur like wearing a sports watch with a formal suit. You wouldn’t play William Gallas a striker when picking Arsenal on ‘Pro Evo’ (well if you were one step ahead, you wouldnt be picking Arsenal in the first place but that’s another matter. Forum time?) It’s out of place and out of position.
That’s exactly the same when wearing your watch. The right one can make your outfit, the wrong one breaks it completely.
A dress watch is an elegant-looking timepiece. They tend to be either mechanical or quartz, very seldom are they digital. Stick with a silver chrome watch as it compliments most suit colours.
Get Started Here: http://www.asos.com/Men/Watches/Cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=5034
3. Cuff Links
Cuff links are only ever worn with French cuffs (double cuffs). There are many different names for the variety of cuff link styles each claiming to be the correct one. All-in-all they do the same thing. Our advice is to experiment with these little guys. You can really show off your personality. Either match it to similar colours in your suit or watch or just go for a design that sparks interest.
The thing to take away here is to understand that you don’t need to take them too seriously, just have fun with them (unless your the President.)
Get Started Here: http://www.cufflinks.com/
4. Pocket Square
Varying uses of colour
How to match colours/patterns
Classic White
Probably the simplest way of pushing your personal style to the next level, the attention that a simple pocket square gets is exponential.
As stated before, women pay great attention to details and the pocket square is a prime example. There are a variety of ways in which you can make the pocket square into your own. Like the tie, there are an array of colours and styles but even more options of how they can be worn.
A simple place to start is to match the colour of the square to a colour within your tie . Once that’s sorted, you can start experimenting with patterns and fabrics. From paisley to checkered, they add a little character to your suit and help individualise your look. If you find it a little difficult to pick a pattern, simply pick a colour in your suit and use that as a base to compliment the rest of your accessories, but do in subtly.
When all else fails call on the classic white cotton pocket square.
Get Started Here: http://www.tiewarehouse.co.uk/index.php?dispp=1000&osCsid=37c5ca31jp9jsvthbb4l1dt3n1&cPath=114
5. Tie Clip / Bar
The tie bar can often be associated with the car sales man in ‘The Fast Show’. But I assure you that it’s an accessory that is not only stylish but practical too.
Its main use is to keep your tie held firmly down to your shirt, avoiding an unkempt appearance by a tie that’s waving around like it’s on crack.
The small bling in the metallic bar adds the final finishing touch to your accessorised suit. They come in a variety of shapes, but a limited colour palette of either gold or silver (although we have found some decorated ones in vintage stores.)
Try one with your tie and discover how a simple metal bar raises your look; you’ll be surprised what it does to your whole outfit.
Get Started Here: http://www.linefeed.net/english/index.asp?file=x_intro.htm&c=1X&gclid=CM3awefcpZcCFc0a3godFzNVJA
If you still need a little more convincing, watch how some of those city bankers rock their suits. I’m pretty sure they are going to have an accessory on somewhere.
Until next time lads…
Stay Stylish,
Aaron C.
P.S: Want to ask us more about Suit Accessories? Where to find them? What styles are best? Then just join the forum- there you’ll be able to ask us anything regarding men’s style.
Or if you prefer we can come to you! Check out our personal ’1 on 1 style consultations’ and discover the ‘Science Behind Style’. Just drop us an email
Individualism - Making men more stylish
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