CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

We spend a small fortune on what we wear during the day, from the perfect tailoring to the latest trainers, but how much thought do we give to what we wear when we finally switch off? Enter Zed, a premium sleepwear brand making a compelling case for upgrading your night-time wardrobe, with technical innovation designed to support better sleep, comfort and recovery.

Sleep is the foundation of how we feel, perform and recover, yet most of us climb into bed wearing clothes that were never actually designed for the job. Zed aims to change that, combining high-tech natural fibres with precision design to create sleepwear engineered specifically for the body and skin during sleep. The ambition is simple: to support deeper, more uninterrupted rest and optimal overnight comfort, without compromising on that all-important second-skin feel.

At the heart of the brand is ZedCore™, a high-tech fabric engineered to move heat and moisture away from the skin, helping to create a more comfortable sleeping environment. And given that around 40% of people identify temperature as their main sleep disruptor, while the average person loses approximately 240ml of moisture through sweat each night and changes position around 50 times, there is clearly more to a good night’s sleep than simply finding the right side of the pillow.

Zed’s answer is a considered combination of fabric technology, ergonomic design and understated comfort. The brand claims its material is twice as soft as cotton, offers 12 times greater breathability and delivers four times better sweat management, alongside ten times less bacterial growth. Flat seams, carefully positioned stitching and a tagless construction are designed to minimise irritation, while the garment’s stretch and fit allow freedom of movement throughout the night. In other words, this is sleepwear that aims to work as hard as you do, even when you’re doing absolutely nothing.

The science behind the softness has also been put to the test. In a randomised crossover trial at Loughborough University, 10 of 11 participants reportedly preferred Zed over cotton after sleeping in both fabrics, while all 15 participants in a separate blind touch test favoured the Zed material. Garmin sleep scores were also 5.4 points higher when participants slept in Zed, according to the brand’s findings.

Zed has also enlisted specialist design expertise to ensure the technology translates into a genuinely comfortable garment. Kate Kallaway, whose apparel design career includes work with Lululemon, Rapha and Reebok, collaborated with elite sports sleep coach Nick Littlehales and a panel of sleep scientists. The result is a design focused on the details that matter: precision-placed seams, carefully engineered waistbands and cuffs, and a second-skin feel intended to be barely noticeable once you’re tucked in.

With a reported customer rating of 4.98 out of five stars, Zed appears to be building a following among sleepers who take their downtime seriously. And while the brand’s performance-led approach may sound more at home in a gym bag than a bedside drawer, the thinking is familiar to anyone who appreciates well-designed sportswear: the right materials, intelligent construction and a fit that works with the body rather than against it.

Because looking good is one thing, but feeling good is an altogether different proposition. Zed’s philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: Sleep. Feel. Function. And if the secret to a better tomorrow starts with what you wear tonight, perhaps it is time to give your nightwear the same consideration as the rest of your wardrobe.

A great outfit deserves an equally considered finishing touch, and while most men understand the importance of a well-cut jacket, a quality pair of shoes or the perfect knitwear, fragrance is often the final piece of the sartorial puzzle. M&S Beauty clearly understands this, with the latest expansion of its Studio fragrance collection introducing four new men’s Eau de Parfums that take their inspiration from the timeless staples of the modern man’s wardrobe.

Following the successful launch of the Studio collection in June, M&S is building on its growing reputation for accessible, fashion-inspired fragrance with four distinctive new additions. From fresh and coastal to warm and woody, each fragrance has been developed around a particular menswear reference, translating familiar wardrobe favourites into an olfactory experience.

First up is Marine Haze, a fresh and effortlessly clean composition that takes its inspiration from the understated appeal of a favourite bomber jacket. Combining marine notes with white leather and geranium, it delivers a crisp, contemporary scent with a confident, easy-going character. Think relaxed weekend dressing with a little added sophistication.

For something altogether warmer, Amber Resin offers a richer and more refined proposition. Bringing together patchouli, sandalwood and aromatic notes, this fragrance evokes the tactile appeal of a well-worn suede jacket. It is a more enveloping composition, designed for those who appreciate depth, warmth and a little understated luxury in their everyday fragrance wardrobe.

Meanwhile, Cedar Vale takes a cleaner, more considered approach. Blending bergamot, green tea and cedarwood, it captures the comforting simplicity of pulling on a freshly laundered flannel shirt. Fresh, woody and effortlessly wearable, it is the sort of fragrance that feels equally at home in the office or over a relaxed weekend.

Completing the quartet is Mineral Tide, a more textured and rugged interpretation inspired by the enduring appeal of a chunky fisherman’s knit. Combining black pepper, sandalwood and vetiver, it offers a distinctive coastal character, balancing spice and earthy woods to create a fragrance with plenty of personality.

The latest additions arrive at an interesting time for M&S Beauty, which has been enjoying considerable success with its own-brand fragrance offering. Its Discover collection, for example, sold more than one million bottles during the first three months of 2026, demonstrating the growing appetite for quality fragrances at accessible prices.

The expansion of Studio further reinforces M&S’s ambition to establish itself as a destination for premium, fashion-inspired fragrance, bringing together considered compositions, contemporary scent profiles and the familiar language of menswear.

With the festive gifting season approaching, the collection also offers an appealing alternative to the usual Christmas presents, particularly for the man who appreciates a little sartorial consideration without necessarily wanting to spend designer fragrance prices.

Priced at £22.50 each, the new M&S Studio Men’s Eau de Parfums are available now in selected stores and online.

Four fragrances, four wardrobe essentials and one rather straightforward reminder: getting dressed isn’t just about what people see. Sometimes, the most memorable part of your style is what they smell.

The dad shoe has long occupied a comfortable position within sneaker culture, celebrated for its practicality, understated styling and unapologetic focus on comfort. Now HEYDUDE is putting its own stamp on the category with the launch of the Stride S, its first performance-first sneaker silhouette, designed by none other than Steven Smith, Crocs, Inc. Head of Creative Innovation and the footwear designer widely regarded as the ‘godfather of dad shoes’.

With more than three decades of experience shaping some of the footwear industry’s most recognisable silhouettes, Smith knows a thing or two about creating an enduring sneaker. For HEYDUDE, his brief was to reinterpret the classic dad trainer, bringing together the cultural appeal of the category with the everyday versatility and comfort that have become synonymous with the brand.

The result is a silhouette that balances heritage-inspired design with contemporary comfort technology, offering something familiar yet distinctly forward-looking.

“The Stride S is my homage to all Dads out there. It is the embodiment of easy on and easy comfort in a trainer. What all Dads want – tasteful comfort for everyday and any event. That embraces HEYDUDE as an idea,” explains Smith.

As you would expect from a brand built around comfort, the technology beneath the surface is just as important as the aesthetics. The streamlined mesh upper features welded overlays, complemented by elastic laces, an easy-on system and a practical heel pull loop. Underfoot, HEYDUDE’s Comfort System™ brings together three key components designed to deliver support, cushioning and everyday performance.

A HEYCOMF EXP foam insole provides an anatomical fit and arch support, while the EVERCOMF high-rebound foam midsole delivers cushioning and energy return. Completing the construction is a HEYGRIP+ rubber outsole, engineered to provide traction and durability across everyday environments.

However, the Stride S represents more than simply another addition to the sneaker market. As HEYDUDE’s inaugural performance-first silhouette, it signals a significant evolution for the brand, extending its offering beyond the established Wally and Wendy franchises and opening the door to new product categories and consumer occasions.

Crucially, the move doesn’t abandon the principles that have helped establish HEYDUDE’s identity. Accessibility, authenticity and comfort-first innovation remain at the heart of the proposition, with the Stride S translating these values into a more performance-oriented sneaker.

The silhouette made its European debut at Sneakerness Milan on 24 and 25 October, where Steven Smith joined Surfa and Fabrizio De Lucia for a discussion exploring sneaker culture and the future of footwear design.

For HEYDUDE, the Stride S is an opportunity to step into a new chapter of footwear design. And for anyone who appreciates the combination of considered design, everyday practicality and all-day comfort, the classic dad shoe has just received a rather interesting upgrade.

We talk a lot about looking the part, dressing for success and climbing the career ladder, but what happens when the pressure to keep everything together becomes too much? A new report from LiveCareer UK has revealed a rather uncomfortable truth about the modern British workplace: eight in ten men are hiding stress, burnout or mental health struggles because they feel the need to appear strong, capable and professional. Apparently, even in 2026, admitting that you’re not quite firing on all cylinders remains a difficult thing for many men to do.

Released ahead of Movember, the Men’s Workplace Wellbeing Report surveyed 700 employed men across the UK and uncovered the extent to which traditional expectations around masculinity continue to influence men’s working lives. An astonishing 84% admitted to concealing mental health difficulties at work, with 22% saying they do so constantly and a further 62% occasionally. Perhaps even more tellingly, 89% believe men are still expected to ‘tough it out’ rather than admit when they’re struggling.

And this isn’t simply about keeping a brave face during a particularly challenging Monday morning. The findings point towards a much wider issue, with the pressure to appear strong having potentially serious consequences for men’s health, relationships and careers. Eight in ten respondents (80%) said they had worked while sick or exhausted because they didn’t want to appear weak, while the same proportion associated losing their job with personal failure rather than simply a financial setback.

For many men, professional success and personal identity remain closely intertwined. Some 76% admitted that how much they earn affects how successful they feel as a man, while 68% experience at least some pressure to earn enough to support themselves or those who depend on them. More than half (54%) described this pressure as significant or intense.

It is little wonder, then, that some are prepared to put up with working conditions that would otherwise have them heading for the exit. Almost four in ten (39%) have tolerated unreasonable workloads because of financial responsibilities, 32% have accepted inadequate pay, 31% have endured poor treatment from a manager and 30% have remained in a toxic workplace culture.

The sacrifices aren’t confined to office hours either. More than half (52%) said they had sacrificed sleep because of work or the pressure to earn more, while 43% had given up valuable time with family and friends. The irony is that the very things many men are working so hard to provide for can end up being the things they have least time to enjoy.

Perhaps one of the most concerning findings is the lack of meaningful conversations around wellbeing in the workplace. Nearly half (48%) said their line manager had checked in specifically about their stress or mental wellbeing only once or not at all during the previous 12 months. More than one-third (38%) said they had received no such conversation whatsoever.

So why aren’t men speaking up? Fear of judgement or stigma was identified by 36% of respondents, while 31% preferred to deal with problems independently. A further 30% worried that admitting to mental health difficulties could damage their career prospects, while concerns around privacy, confidentiality and a lack of trust in managers also featured prominently.

The consequences for employers are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Two-thirds (66%) of men surveyed had considered leaving or actually left a job because of its negative impact on their mental health. While 42% had thought about leaving but ultimately stayed, almost one in four (24%) had walked away altogether. That’s a significant retention challenge for businesses, as well as a reminder that workplace culture has a very real impact on people’s lives.

Interestingly, when asked what employers could do to improve their mental wellbeing, men prioritised practical changes over simply talking about the issue. More flexible working arrangements topped the list at 41%, followed by more manageable workloads (35%). Affordable and confidential mental health services were identified by 22%, while clearer boundaries around after-hours work came in at 21%. Manager training and additional paid mental health leave also featured.

Dr Jasmine Escalera, career expert at LiveCareer UK, believes employers need to do more to challenge the stigma surrounding men’s mental health. She explains: “There’s a critical need for workplaces to create an environment where men feel comfortable speaking openly about mental health.” She also highlights how outdated perceptions can encourage men to suffer silently, arguing that a stronger sense of belonging and support can prevent mental health struggles from going unchecked.

The findings are particularly relevant as Movember returns this November, putting men’s mental and physical health firmly in the spotlight. While the annual campaign has helped bring conversations around men’s wellbeing, suicide prevention and prostate and testicular cancer into the mainstream, this research suggests there is still plenty of work to do when it comes to the everyday pressures men face.

Ultimately, being strong shouldn’t mean suffering in silence, and professional success shouldn’t come at the expense of personal wellbeing. Whether it’s a more supportive manager, a manageable workload or simply having the confidence to say that things aren’t quite right, perhaps it’s time we reconsidered what strength really looks like.

Because being a man isn’t about having to carry everything on your shoulders. And sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit that you need a hand.

For more information, read the full LiveCareer UK Men’s Workplace Wellbeing Report here: https://www.livecareer.co.uk/career-advice/mens-mental-health-at-work

Research methodology: The report is based on a nationally representative survey of 700 currently employed British men, conducted by LiveCareer UK using Pollfish on 15 September 2026.

The celebrity mini-mullet has become a red-carpet favourite, and now there is another variation to add to your grooming mood board: the crullet. Combining the cropped texture of a contemporary crop with the longer-back silhouette of a mullet, this hybrid offers a modern way to wear the look, as showcased by Fresha ambassador Andrea Magri.

Paul Mescal, Jacob Elordi and Glen Powell have all worn versions of the soft mullet, giving the short-front, longer-back haircut a place on the red carpet. GQ highlighted all three actors’ interpretations at the 2026 Golden Globes, providing plenty of inspiration for men looking to update their hairstyle.

For anyone saving those looks ahead of their next barber appointment, the crullet offers another option. The cut pairs a cropped front with retained length at the back, while tapered sides help define the profile and texture gives the top and fringe added character.

Hairstylist and Fresha ambassador Andrea Magri recently included the crullet in his four-look presentation at HAIRFEST 2026 in Thessaloniki, Greece. His showcase also featured a mod cut, disconnected round layers and a geometric curly cut, highlighting the variety of contemporary approaches to men’s hairstyling.

The celebrity references provide a useful starting point, but choosing your own version comes down to three details: how short to take the fringe, how closely to taper the sides and how much length to leave at the nape.

What Is a Crullet?

The name brings together the two haircuts behind the shape: a crop and a mullet. The cropped section gives the front its character, while the longer back creates the recognisable mullet profile. The balance between those sections is the detail to discuss with your barber.

Paul Mescal’s mini-mullet is a useful reference for the proportions. In a recent LDNFASHION interview, stylist Charlie Illi described his look as having a cropped top, shorter sides and a slightly longer nape. The crullet offers another way to explore that combination of lengths, with texture and tapering helping determine the overall finish.

What to Ask Your Barber For

Take photographs showing the front, side and back of the haircut you like. If you’re using a celebrity reference, choose the particular look you want to recreate so your barber can understand the shape and proportions.

Explain which features appeal to you, then agree on the details before cutting. Consider where the fringe should sit when styled and whether you prefer a softer edge or a more defined line. Discuss how closely the sides should be tapered and how much contrast you want against the longer back. Finally, decide how much length to retain at the nape and whether any part of your hair needs growing out first.

Your natural hair texture also matters. Ask your barber how the reference would translate to your hair’s density, movement and natural curl, and which adjustments might help achieve the desired result.

Plan for Your Everyday Styling Routine

A haircut might look effortless on the red carpet, but recreating that finish at home requires the right approach. Discuss how much time you want to spend styling your hair each morning, whether your chosen look needs blow-drying, which products will help recreate it and how the shape will look when left to dry naturally.

Before leaving the barbershop, ask for a demonstration of the styling process, including how much product to use and where to apply it. This will help you achieve a consistent finish without overcomplicating your morning routine.

Finally, agree on an upkeep plan. Find out when the fringe and sides are likely to need reshaping, particularly if you want to continue growing the back. With the right balance of length, texture and maintenance, the crullet offers a versatile way to embrace the mini-mullet trend while making it your own.