SHADES OF CHOICE

TEN OF OUR FAVOURITE SUNGLASSES

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….

2. As iconic as a Cadillac tailfin, back in 1952 the Wayfarer represented a break from the metal framed eyewear around. Popular throughout the 50s and 60s and again in the 80s, this design classic has once again risen to prominence

3. For those of you that like the classics but need to be just a little bit different, the black and clear rimmed version of the classic Wayfarer offers a stylish alternative to the pure black version. The lenses come in a gradiated grey but boast 100% UV protection.

4. Like its Ray Ban stablemate the Wayfarer, the Aviator can claim a home in cultural history. Modelled on the pilots’ goggles that Ray Ban supplied the US air Force, the teardrop shape is a design classic that has become a part of Hollywood folklore and never looks out of place under the summer sun.

5. An essential addition to any summer suitcase, the classic Clubmaster transforms a standard shorts and T-shirt combo into a fashion statement. These are so slick you’ll even want to wear them at night.

6. As if the tortoiseshell rims and double peaked nose bridge weren’t enough of a giveaway, that silver detail on the arm join announces these shades as Persols, the ones Steve McQueen wore no less. Now named after the king of cool himself, these make us feel like having our own Thomas Crown Affair.

7. More slim-lined than the tear drop shapes, these rectangular Persols are a more discreet option for those who want a lower profile shade but still want the style credentials in a cool gunmetal frame.

8. Thick framed sunglasses in a soft wraparound profile and with a silver polo playing crest on the left arm, these shades have a touch of the snowboarder about them – perfect for the adventurous man wanting to make a style statement.

9. These shades talk to us and they say, “The name’s Bond, James Bond.” These James Bond Casino Royale sunglasses from Persol bear the brand’s signature silver arm detail and come with green tempered glass lenses. Good enough for Daniel Craig.

10. A Wayfarer with the year of its birth (1952) engraved on it and a white gold detail on the arms, this just may be the ultimate statement in sunglass design. Bearing all the science that a modern lens needs yet coming in a brown leather case this is marriage of shades past, present and future.




MENSWEAR OF THE WEEK

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.


HOMEWARD BOUND

FIVE TOP SPOTS FOR A DOMESTIC VACATION AND THE SARTORIAL PIECES YOU’LL NEED

1. SOUTHWOLD

With its colourful beach huts, working lighthouse, pier and busy harbour, Southwold is a perfect example of classic English seaside. Populated partly by weekending Londoners, its prized place on the Suffolk Heritage Coast make it the perfect place to bust out your nautical stripes while snacking on fish and chips.

Southwold fact: There’s only one road in and out of Southwold, which is nearly an island thanks to the Blyth river in the south and the romantically named Buss Creek in the north.

2. EDINBURGH

Soaked in history and perched in beautiful geography, Scottish capital Edinburgh is always a cultural highlight of the UK. But never is that more true than between August 6 and 30 when the city becomes a creative hotbed during the world’s largest arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe. Leaving a left brain void in the rest of the world it means there will be plenty of leftfield thinkers in town making it feel both modern and traditional. Just like your Mulberry overnight bag

Edinburgh fact: there are over 4,500 listed buildings in the city and 40 conservation areas. It is the most visited city in the UK after London.

3. ST IVES

A charming destination on a wild coastline with golden sand beaches and a bohemian atmosphere, St Ives has been a haven for generations of artists including Turner, Whistler and Henry Moore. It offers a great spot to visit nearby Cornish attractions from St Michael’s Mount to the Eden Project as well as Tate St Ives. Go for a dip in the sea in your artiest swimwear

St Ives fact: the coastal resort is an award winner, garnering goings for both Britain in Bloom and Best Seaside Town.

4. LLANDUDNO

Llandudno is Wales’s largest resort town. A nineteenth century boom town, it is dipped in Edwardian elegance and updated with modern convenience. Llandudno town retains its refined air and with other attractions including Conwy Castle – just five miles away – it provides a perfect platform for exploring North Wales. Luxuriate in the town’s Victorian splendour by dressing up in your best jacket for afternoon tea.

Llandudno fact: the resort’s 300 metre dry ski slope and toboggan run hast the artificial ski championships each year

5. THE LAKES

Don your best country jacket for a walk around Windermere Sound amid the ridiculous beauty of the Lake District. A trip to Kendal will bear fruit in terms of mint cake (and a cream tea if you’re feeling particularly low) and a visit to Grasmere will see you stumble upon the grave of William Wordsworth. Ancient stone circles, water mills, lake cruises and heavy breathing hill runners just add to the excitement, both old and new.

Lakes fact: The lake District is England’s largest national park at 885 square miles.



STEP UP

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.



GET TO GRIPS WITH PREPPY

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.


STYLE ICON: IAN POULTER

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.


IN THE BAG

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.

SHOP ALL BAGS


BEAT THE BODY BLUES

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



AUTUMN TRENDS ON MY-TV

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.




MILAN’S MAIN MEN

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!