TEN OF OUR FAVOURITE SUNGLASSES
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1. There’s something East Coast and rather 1980s about a pair of tortoiseshell frames, so it is little surprise to see Polo Ralph Lauren creating such a preppy look. The thick arms go so well with the Dickie Greenleaf style knitted polo that we are planning to wear with it. Stand aside Mr Ripley…. |
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BURBERRY BLACK PACKABLE TRENCH
From the branded buttons to the house check on the lining you know you have a special item in your wardrobe when you update your coat collection with a Burberry trench. As much a cultural phenomenon as a fashion item, this famous piece of pure British outerwear has inspired artists, writers and even biscuit makers (yes really). The midnight black version that graces my-wardrobe.com’s new season collection is a great alternative to the classic khaki and it comes dripping with all the right historical references to get fashion geeks going. With storm flap, gun flap and epaulettes, it reeks of its military heritage and, with a hook-closing under the collar, this will see you through a serious downpour. But, buggy-lined and packable, this is a deceptively lightweight piece, which is fully machine-washable. Roll up the buckle cuffs and tie your belt at off-centre to update the way you wear it.
FIVE TOP SPOTS FOR A DOMESTIC VACATION AND THE SARTORIAL PIECES YOU’LL NEED
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1. SOUTHWOLD |
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UPGRADE YOUR FOOTWEAR WITH CLASSIC ENGLISH BRANDS
Cheese. Literature. Disappointing footballers. There are some things that England produces better than pretty much anyone. And, gents, the same is true when it comes to footwear.
For it is in Northampton where you will find the heart and, ahem, sole, of the footwear trade. Chances are that if you work in an office in that town, then it’s a converted shoe factory. With a leather industry stretching back at least as far as the 13th century, it was here that Thomas Pendleton led a group of 13 shoemakers in winning the contract to supply Cromwell’s army in the English Civil War, leading eventually to the rewriting of the local constitution to favour shoemakers. By the 19th century the town gave birth to a handful of shoemakers that are still globally renowned for their quality. Way back in1829, master shoemaker Joseph Tricker founded Tricker’s and just over half a century later came Loake in 1880, set up by brothers Thomas, John and William.
Today you can still buy the stylish and durable hand-and-bench-made shoes from Northampton. Created using the finest quality leathers, Tricker’s brogue-detailed shoes and boots are available in tan, chestnut and black. Loake boasts brogue and dress shoes as well as chukka boots in leather and suede.
These, sir, are gentlemen’s shoes. And with a combined history of 311 years of shoemaking, you can be sure that these brands know how to make a shoe that lasts. Experience the expertise.
SET YOUR WATCH TO EAST COAST TIME
Preppy looks are never far from the menswear mainstream. But right now they are at the core of the male wardrobe, riding the crest of an Americana wave. But just what does it mean? The word itself is derived from preparatory, which denotes the university prep schools, particularly those on America’s North Eastern seaboard, which are attended by especially well heeled teens.
Crucially, the whole culture is tied up with a certain fashion and for once it is a look more strongly aligned with menswear than women’s. It is all about a colour rich, textured look that, while it was originally used to refer to teens, works well across all age groups from students to settled types.
Think polo tops, button down shirts, chinos, boat shoes, cardigans and knits, preferably all layered up. Colourful Madras checks and saturated colours pep up preppy wardrobes and with serious nods to the 1950s, this Ivy league collegiate styling was as big in the 1980s as Happy Days. With its references to tennis, cricket, rugby, sailing, polo and golf, its prosperous aura is big again right now and is built to last.
ENGLAND’S FOREMOST GOLFER CATCHES OUR EYE
With the golf season in full swing, we turn our attention to the English peacock of the fairways, Ian Poulter. Not since the US’s plus-four toting Payne Stewart has a golfer created such a stir in the style stakes. Poulter has been seen in gold lame tops, Union Jack trousers, oversized paisley prints and even posed entirely sans-clobber (on a magazine cover, not the tee thankfully).
While we would not suggest that everybody can get away with the colour clashing, print heavy mayhem that Poulter unleashes upon the unsuspecting St Andrews crowds, his penchant for plaid is to be recommended and, moreover, golf-inspired style has definitely merged with more mainstream fashion in recent years. The clubhouse-endorsed combos of polos and knits that have dominated the greens for years are now common style currency.
The look is easy to pull off. Men with a more sober leaning can team up a black or white polo with a grey V-neck but with a flash of red or orange from a polo under a grey or black knit you can zest up the look. For a more mod inspired look, button up to the top.
For men with a more Poulter-ish DNA then a whole spectrum of pastels and brights is now available to you. Hit the rails of Lyle & Scott for a whole raft of new season shades with combinations including some sophisticated shades from pistachio to pink.
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN
The new season bags for men on my-wardrobe.com are all about understated luxury, encapsulating the ethos of accessible designer fashion. Premium fabrications, simple shapes and plenty of internal features make up this magnificent seven.
The tan leather Barnaby from Mulberry is lined in suede and is the ultimate timeless satchel for men. Luxury defined.
Messenger bags are arguably the most versatile day bags for men. This chocolate leather version from Marc by Marc Jacobs is a real favourite, with the extra surprise of cream canvas lining.
This sleek black multi pocket washbag distils the super cool ethos of the Milanese catwalk brand, D&G. Whack this one out at a gym for instant kudos, sir!
Sporty and cool, the black nylon Clipper overnight bag is the perfect accompaniment to a busy life. A subtly branded zip and mini-padlock underline the cool credentials of the Mulberry must-have.
One of the colorways to emerge from the men’s catwalks was the teaming of blue and black. This navy camo packable tote from Marc by Marc Jacobs is a great example. It comes with shoulder handles and inner pocket.
Pack in beauty like the night, my man. This all over black gym bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs is so cool that even the branding on the front comes in tonal black.
Maybe the most covetable of all, this mottled leather overnight bag comes with Mulberry’s classic turnlock fastener.
Women know how to dress for their shapes. Most men, on the other hand, barely consider it. It’s time to start. Over the next few weeks we’ll be addressing different body types and showing you a few pieces that will fit your size and shape.
This week: DRESS TALLER
1 Wear V-neck tops and cardigans that pull the eye downwards vertically, again giving the illusion of length.
2 Choose slim silhouetted pieces that will skim the body. This particularly goes for trousers, where the current trend for slim fits works wonders on elongating legs.
3 Consider a hat. Not only does it provide an extra inch of stature, but can also draw eyes to your face, away from your general stature…
4 …as can other accessories like a scarf, necklace or tie…
5 …but keep the tie slim. Large ones will look large on a little frame
6 In fact, always stay in proportion. Avoid large prints and checks; go for smaller ones instead
7 The old chestnut of course: wear vertical stripes. They really do add visual length.
8 Tuck your shirt into your trousers. This will elongate your legs and give the impression of being leaner and hence taller.
NEXT WEEK: DRESS SLIMMER
THE BUYER’S VIEW FROM THE CATWALK
Back in February my-wardrobe.com hit the shows of London Fashion Week to get a heads-up on the Autumn trends and as the New Season starts rolling in, this is where we find out what’s on the style agenda. Set against a wintry backdrop of Baltic temperatures in the UK (a far cry from Summer’s rising temperatures!), London’s designers rolled out a mostly subdued palette heavy on texture and Arctic-ready outerwear. 1990s grunge was a key theme, with JW Anderson the capital’s keenest proponent, using plaids and punky footwear to recall the years of the Seattle scene when Kurt Cobain’s Nirvana dominated music. Cleaner in cut but just as warm and snugly was the collection from Carolyn Massey, while a blizzard proof roll call of techy nylon puffa jackets was on show courtesy of London’s sportiest designer Christopher Shannon. Will these be the looks you’ll take inspiration from the Autumn?
Find out more and view the designs on our front row video, with the expertise of my-wardrobe.com menswear buyer Lee Douros, and a panel of experts for company.
FROM THE CATWALK TO MY-WARDROBE.COM
While Milan Men’s Fashion Week is traditionally all about buttoned up smartness and heavy office suits for high earning alpha males in the Winter, its Summer shows see the fashion houses relax just a touch more. And that was true last week as the Spring 2011 collections enlivened the runways. Perfectly encapsulating the mood was D&G. With models strolling down a grass covered catwalk and clutching their picnic bags, the Provencal mood was sunkissed and cool. The items on show? Relaxed and 1950s inspired with just a soupçon of 1960s French movie hunk Alain Dellon . Think turned-up chinos, checked shirts (with the sleeves also rolled) and casual blousons, all worn with espadrilles, knitted polos and Hawaiian printed shirts and shorts. Distressed denims, slim cut blazers and sexy evening jackets were also in there, keeping up the houses reputation for manicured manliness
Did we mention that D&G is debuting on my-wardrobe.com soon? Oh yes it is!
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