CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Ideal watches for the ultimate Sportsman or woman

With a glorious summer of sporting, hopefully,  ahead of us, any sportsmen or woman out there will know the importance of a sustainable yet stylish watch. Timekeeping is an essential element of all sports, but you’ll need to find a watch that is able to withstand the challenges and demands of your active lifestyle. With this in mind, here’s just a small collection of watches that are ideal for any sportsman and will give you a good idea to the key functions and features of a good watch ideal for the ultimate sportsman.

Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Black Dial

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This particular watch is specially designed to adapt to different pressures, while coping with the natural pressures of your wrist, making it the perfect watch for dealing with active sports. With a self-winding chronograph and a 30-minute counter positioned at 9 o’clock for further time measurements, the Classic Fusion is the ideal sports timekeeper. Not only that, but its sophisticated look will also look great with smart dress, thanks to its classic combination of titanium bezel, mat black dial and black rubber and alligator leather strap.

Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 16

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This watch is an excellent example of Tag Heuer’s reliability and excellence. It is specially designed with adventurers in mind and is mainly suited to the world of water sports and sailing, thanks to its water resistance to 300 metres. The Aquaracer Calibre 16 features a chronograph dial and uni-directional bezel for further time measurements, while its ocean-blue face is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire glass.

Longines Conquest Stainless Steel

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This elegant Conquest Men’s Watch from Longines encapsulates the ultimate combination of sports function and style, as it is perfect for both sporting activities and smart dress. Its self-winding chronograph movement provides 46 hours of power reserve and the dial features a small second counter, a 30 minute counter and a 12 hour counter for further timekeeping. You can also know that your Longines Conquest is protected against any activity thanks to its water-resistance up to 300 metres and scratch-resistant sapphire glass.

Breitling Chronomat

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The Breitling Chronomat is perfect for those sportsmen who may also be travelling this summer, as its self-winding mechanical movement features an innovative and entirely crown-adjustable second time zone system as well as a rotating bezel that provides a 24hr third time zone reading. Its dial also features 1/4th second, 30 minute and 12 hour counters for further timekeeping that are important for different sports and activities. The Chronomat is perfect for any adventurers’ wrist and you can know that it is protected through most activities thanks to its water-resistance of up to 3 bars.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

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This great sport watch takes on the classic identity of the Royal Oak Offshore, but is makes it more powerful. It is therefore the perfect compliment to any active and dynamic lifestyle. Its black dial features 3 extra timekeeping counters for small seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours and the watch itself is water-resistant up to 100 metres. This statement timepiece effortlessly completes the sporty look thanks to its simple and bold design and chronograph display. Its crown and pushers are all protected by a rubber coating and the face and bezel are both extremely scratch resistant, ensuring it can take on any challenge.

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I’ll have mine on the rocks – Choosing the correct drink for you.

imageThere’s nothing more impressive then being able to order a drink in an intelligent and mature manner when trying to impress someone, whether thats a lady or gentleman, a work colleague or suitor, or maybe they’re both. But it speaks volumes about an individual if you have a signature tipple, which at the same time, sides on the values of stylish and intelligent then wanky and pretentious.

We’ve all been in that situation when we’ve arrived late to meet friends and we’re told such and such is at the bar now, get them to get you a drink in. Your rushed your harassed and you say those fatal words, “Errrr just get me whatever your havin” and low and behold you end up drinking either some hideous soft drink like dandelion and burdock or some equally horrid, day glo concoction, that you know will result in the hangover from hell tomorrow.

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We advise to learn the fundamentals of making a good cocktail, and you can experiment with ingredients to create your own. Basically, cocktails have three components (wooden umbrella not included). There is no hard fast rule about exactly how to dose, but generally we like to stick to 3:2:1. Use this, and your tastebuds as a guide. Just keep it simple, since the cocktail world doesn’t need any more showboats.

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3)The base. This is the principle spirit in your cocktail, such as a fine gin, vodka, tequila, whisky or rum. The base typically makes up 70% of your drink before adding ice. Like all bases in life, this one should be solid and of the best possible quality–otherwise you’re just wasting your time.

2)The modifier. A modifier lends character to your cocktail and emphasizes the attributes of the base spirit. Use the modifier to draw out what you like about the principle spirit. Mixologists typically choose an aromatic wine, a liqueur such as Grand Marnier or freshly pressed fruit juice to enhance the original flavour notes of the base spirit.

1)The twist. Twists include taste and texture enhancers like bitters, herbs and spices or flavoured and simple syrups. Twists enrich and enhance your cocktail, but they should generally be used sparingly. When we’re feeling particularly rowdy we like to add an egg white à la pisco sour or a splash of cream to create sensational texture.

Always remember, 
‘A good cocktail has tension. Tension exists in the balance between elements like alcoholic strength, sweet, sour, bitter, salt, temperature and texture. ‘

 

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Have a ball – Evening wear essential advice

Nothing looks more suave than donning a slick dinner suit at a black tie event and with Ball season , literally round the corner, timing for this post couldn’t be better. Trends in men’s evening wear remain largely unchanged since the 19th century however subtle transformations have taken place over the years. Today evening wear is influenced by popular culture, and celebrities have been showcasing more adventurous and relaxed looks on the red carpet. To bring this traditional look up to date there are a few subtle adjustments you can make. Although when it comes to evening wear, always remember, less is more.

It is worth investing in an excellent quality dinner suit that fits beautifully. Traditionally, dinner suits are made from wool and feature either a satin or a silk lapel with a matching single braid running down the sides of the trousers. Velvet dinner jackets have been making an appearance on the red carpet whether it be the Oscars, the Baftas or the Brits, but if you are not feeling particularly daring, stick to wool. A timeless, black dinner suit exudes style and sophistication but recently midnight blue has become popular for modern gentlemen. This rich shade will subtly allow you to stand out from a monochrome crowd.

Attending a black tie event is a great excuse to adorn yourself with classic accessories you wouldn’t normally consider wearing. A stylish, silk bow tie adds a distinguished finish to your dress shirt. Mastering the art of tying a perfect bow is a skill that every dapper gentleman should learn. But don’t despair as there are a variety of excellent ready tied bows available. Whether you choose the easy or traditional option, always opt for a black bow tie.

Evening shirts for men should always have double cuffs to allow you to wear stylish cufflinks and personalise your formal outfit.Cufflinks worn with evening wear are typically made from gold, silver or mother of pearl. If you want to create a more relaxed look, choose a contemporary design.

Complete your ensemble with an elegant silk scarf. This distinctive accessory will stand out from the crowd as it is rarely worn to formal events nowadays, despite its popularity in the past. A plain white or black design with tassels is classic but for an eye-catching twist, opt for something more adventurous such as a polka dot print.

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CHANGES TO YOUR BREATHING CAN HELP REDUCE YOUR STRESS LEVELS

Words By Christopher Paul Jones, Harley Street phobia expert and author of ‘Face your Fears – 7 steps to conquering phobias and anxiety’

Stress triggers our body’s primal fight or flight response, overseen by the sympathetic nervous system, which prepares us to respond to perceived threats by flooding our system with stress hormones. These hormones increase our state of readiness, which is beneficial in dangerous situations but detrimental when continuously provoked by daily stressors such as work pressures or interpersonal conflicts. Chronic activation of this response can lead to severe health issues like cardiovascular disease, anxiety disorders, and burnout.

One simple yet effective method to manage your stress and anxiety is to focus on your breathing. Controlled breathing is more than just a quick fix for momentary stress relief; it is a powerful tool that directly impacts the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the “rest and digest” system. This system acts as a counterbalance to the stress-induced activations of the sympathetic nervous system.

Engaging in deep breathing exercises during stressful times helps to shift the body’s balance away from the stress responses of fight, flight or freeze and towards relaxation and restoration. Each breath acts as a message to the brain that there is no immediate physical danger, allowing our physiological functions to return to baseline levels. This reduces the production of stress hormones, lowers blood pressure, and slows the heart rate, leading to a state of calm and improved mental clarity. And by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, controlled breathing helps the body to conserve energy and recuperate more efficiently after stress.

There are a variety of stress reducing breathing techniques you can use. Here are five to try.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

This technique involves deep breathing through the diaphragm rather than shallow chest breathing. When you breathe deeply through your diaphragm, the lungs expand more fully, increasing oxygen exchange which can help lower the heart rate and blood pressure.

When you breathe deeply through the diaphragm, it pushes down into the abdomen, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and allowing the lungs to expand more fully. This greater lung expansion leads to a more significant intake of oxygen and more efficient expulsion of carbon dioxide.

These are the steps to follow.

Position: Lie down on your back or sit comfortably, placing one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen to monitor your breathing pattern.

Inhale: Slowly breathe in through your nose, ensuring that the diaphragm (not the chest) inflates with enough air to create a stretch in the lungs. Your abdomen should rise significantly more than your chest.

Hold: Hold your breath for a few seconds.

Exhale: Exhale slowly and steadily through the mouth, pursing the lips slightly. The hand on your abdomen should move in as you empty completely.

Repeat: Perform this cycle for 5-10 minutes to reduce stress and increase oxygen flow.

4-7-8 Breathing

Developed by Dr. Andrew Weil, this breathing pattern is designed to be a natural tranquiliser for the nervous system. To practice, you breathe in for a count of 4, hold the breath for a count of 7, and exhale slowly for a count of 8. This helps to control the rhythm of breathing and can be particularly effective in reducing anxiety or helping to induce sleep.

The pattern of holding the breath and then slowly exhaling increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood, which can help enhance the cardiopulmonary connection. This breathing rhythm can influence the brain’s chemistry through increased production of calming hormones like endorphins.

These are the steps to follow.

Exhale: Begin by parting your lips and making a whooshing sound as you exhale completely through your mouth.

Inhale: Close your lips, inhaling silently through your nose as you mentally count to four.

Hold: Hold your breath for a count of seven.

Exhale: Again, exhale completely through your mouth, making a whooshing sound for a count of eight.

Repeat: This cycle is repeated for four full breaths and can be practiced twice a day to manage anxiety or before sleep.

Alternate Nostril Breathing

Known as Nadi Shodhana in the practice of yoga, this technique involves closing off one nostril at a time while breathing through the other. It’s believed to balance the body’s energy channels, or nadis. By alternating the nostril through which you breathe, you can enhance overall vitality, calm the mind, and balance the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which has been shown to improve cognitive functions and emotional stability.

These are the steps to follow.

Position: Sit in a comfortable position with a straight spine.

Prepare: Place your right thumb over your right nostril and your ring finger over the left nostril.

Inhale: Close the right nostril and inhale deeply through the left nostril.

Switch: Close the left nostril with your ring finger, then exhale through the right nostril.

Inhale: Keep the left nostril closed, and inhale through the right nostril.

Switch: Close the right nostril and exhale through the left nostril.

Repeat: Continue this pattern for several minutes, alternating nostrils with each cycle.

Box Breathing

This technique, also known as square breathing, involves inhaling to a count of four, holding the breath for four, exhaling for four, and holding again for four. It’s a method often used by athletes, police officers, and others in high-stress professions to help control the breathing and regain calm and focus.

The equal timing of inhalation, holding, and exhalation in a controlled manner forces the autonomic nervous system to slow down, bringing more focus to the present moment. This breathing pattern can effectively modulate the stress response, helping to enhance performance and concentration, particularly valuable in high-stress environments.

These are the steps to follow.

Inhale: Breathe in through the nose for four counts.

Hold: Hold the breath for four counts.

Exhale: Exhale all the air out through the mouth for four counts.

Hold: Hold the lungs empty for four counts.

Repeat: Repeat the process for several minutes.

Progressive Relaxation Breath

This combines deep breathing with progressive muscle relaxation. Starting at one end of the body (usually the feet), you tense each muscle group as you breathe in, and relax it as you breathe out, working your way up to the top of your head. This not only helps in calming the mind and body but also in identifying and consciously releasing tension held in different parts of the body.

Combining breath with muscle tension and relaxation helps to highlight the contrast between physical tension and relaxation. It draws attention to areas where stress accumulates and teaches the body to recognise and manage physiological stress signals.

These are the steps to follow.

Inhale: Take a deep breath and simultaneously contract one muscle group (e.g., your feet) for 5 to 10 seconds.

Exhale: Release the breath and the muscle tension simultaneously and notice the sensations of release.

Progress: Move up the body, contracting and relaxing muscle groups as you go.

Repeat: Continue until you have contracted and relaxed all areas of your body.

Making it work for you:

Regular Practice

Set aside specific times each day for deep breathing exercises. This can be in the morning to set a calm tone for the day, during breaks to reset your mental state, or at night to ensure a restful sleep.

Mindful Moments

Use moments of waiting or downtime to practice mindful breathing, turning these into opportunities to reduce stress.

Responsive Technique

When noticing signs of stress, immediately employ deep breathing techniques to prevent the sympathetic nervous system from overwhelming the body.

Understanding and utilising controlled breathing as a tool to activate the parasympathetic nervous system is an important aspect of stress management. Through conscious effort and regular practice, anyone can harness the power of their breath to foster a more resilient and healthier life amidst the challenges of modern living.

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So you Wanna be a Boxer – British Boxers Underwear

imageWe all think at one time or another, do you know what, that’s it, I’ve had enough, I’m gonna tell him to stick his job and I’m gonna start my own business, then they’ll see, they’ll be sorry. I’ll show them, shaking your heroic fist in the air! Then we have a cuppa o’ tea and a chocolate hob nob and we seem to calm down for a while. But Deborah Price, didn’t, she followed through on her dream and left her highly successful and well paid job, in the middle of one of the worse recessions of modern times and launched British Boxers.

So why Boxer Shorts ? Well there’s a great little twist to the story here, the reason why boxer shorts were chosen as the first product to launch and why the beautiful packaging for the aforementioned boxers actually feature Deborah’s great great great grandfather Jem Mace who was arguably the first world heavyweight boxing champion in 1870, see very clever. The story of Jem’s amazing life is told on the lovely litho-printed boxes, so if you wanna learn more you’ll have to buy a pair and you can read more into Jem’s amazingly fantastically interesting life. But to whet your appetite Jem wed three times and during his colourful and hectic life owned not only a hotel but also a Circus !!!!

Celebrating 10 years in the business British Boxers and Deborah are a real Great British success story, expanding from Boxers and underwear, to all sorts of nightwear and even catering to ladies too. Starting out as a tiny brand making boxer shorts in Britain selling their product on the Sunday markets.
British Boxers has gone on to supply John Lewis, Joules, Harrods, independent department stores, gentlemen’s outfitters, lingerie shops, and they now export worldwide, with a celebrity fan club including Dame Zandra Rhodes, Artist Stanley Chow, Rufus Hound and Adam Hills. Plus their wares appearing in The Crown, Black Doves and prominently in a little film called Saltburn !!!!

Deborah told us, “Bringing back British manufacturing, telling the story on the British Boxers packaging of an ancestor who had his own battles to fight (albeit literal ones), using stunning fabrics and working professionally with so many friends who helped to bring the whole project together has been a brilliant experience.”