CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Engineered Footwear – Red Wing X Engineered Garments

Since 1905, Red Wing Shoes has never wavered in the commitment to quality. By combining the finest leathers and premium materials with uncompromising craft, Red Wing Heritage continues to build upon a legacy of USA-made excellence to create iconic lifestyle footwear. The boots built today are as enduring as the archival styles they are inspired from.

Equally, Engineered Garments was founded by Daiki Suzuki in New York in 1999, after taking inspiration from his years buying for the Nepenthes stores in their early stages, and combining it with his own vision. As a brand, our aim is to make garments that become more personal through the experiences you have with them. We value unique garment construction with attention to detail, with meaning and hidden qualities behind each design. We venture into conflicting themes, straying from “perfect design”. We are not designed but engineered.

So when the Red Wing Heritage design team sat down with Engineered Garments, the renowned Japanese-American brand founder, Daiki Suzuki,  they shared their passion for design, quality and special materials. Daiki always wanted to work on a Red Wing Classic, and it was the rebirth of the oxford moc toe “The Shop Moc” that caught his eye. Working with different leathers and adding a storm welt to the moc toe the EG Shop Moc was born.

The Shop Moc Oxford is a shoe that can be traced back to style no. 895 when the oxford version first appeared in the Red Wing Shoe catalog in 1954; just two years after the release of the iconic 8-in Classic Moc. Today, the Shop Moc Oxford draws inspiration from this style and its iconic best-selling siblings at taller heights. This limited edition collection features storm welt construction, Puritan triple stitching, Traction Tred outsole, and leather insole with an added heel pad for comfort. Several leather colors and textures create the easy, ankle- height oxford that delivers in a premium shoe bag and archive-inspired Irish Setter branded box.

Storm welt construction is a method used in the making of boots and shoes to connect the upper to the sole. The Storm welt is a slight modification of the Goodyear welt, designed for rougher climates and used by Red Wing Shoes since the 1920s. Rather than stitching the leather welt flat between the midsole and upper, the leather welt is split and attached to the upper and midsole in a way that blocks out rain and water.

Traction Tred is undoubtedly the most iconic and well-known Red Wing Shoes outsole with a history of more than 60 years. The soft, yet durable material provides all-day comfort and the unique zig-zag pattern offers traction while leaving mud and dirt behind. Today, the men’s Heritage Traction Tred outsole offers a natural grip with styrene-butadiene blown rubber from Vibram.

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No Introduction needed – Intro-Clothing

Intro-Clothing are a retailer who are taking full advantage of the advancements in technology within the Internet and are no longer confined to their bricks and mortar store located on Manchester’s premium Shopping district Deansgate. This is a retailer going places and through their bricks and clicks approach, have their eyes set on expanding their customer base way beyond Manchester. Intro is a family run, independent Menswear store which have been established for over 30 years. They specialise in cutting edge fashion and a selection of premium based menswear brands, including Sand Copenhagen to Transit.

They, like the city where they are based, like to do things a little different, they pride themselves not only on offering a truly unique service but that, it doesn’t stop there. Via their website they try and be rather more then an e-tailer to their customers. Their site is much more lifestyle then many of their competitors with a number of sections within their site offering a much more interactive reach out. Here their customers can catch up on opinion, tastes and interests offered by Intro and more interestingly, offers how to wear key trends, advice, which we all sometimes need, all without making you look like you’ve stepped out of a boy and reunion documentary.

 

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A Rose by any other name – Tudor Watches

image-4Founded in 1926, Tudor is the brainchild of well-known watchmaker, Hans Wilsdorf. Having first founded a little watch brand, you may have heard of called, Rolex. The TUDOR brand, often referred to as the little sibling of Rolex, offers the same unparalleled quality, assurance and dependability, sharing the technical prowess of its older sibling but at a more accessible price point.

After an absence from the UK watch market, returning in 2014, the brand are particularly focusing on their Heritage range, which is distinguished by the creative process of the brand’s Style Workshop. Each piece takes inspiration from Tudor’s vast and historical archive, updated with modern design tweaks for the ultimate in nostalgic and new.

The aesthetic and function of each TUDOR piece is unique. For example, their specialist diving watch – The Pelagos – was created and developed in collaboration with a large panel of professional divers and regular frequenters of the 320-meter deep Geneva Lake. The iconic ‘Montecarlo’ Chronograph, on the other hand, originally dates back to the 70s, with the latest reinterpretation boasting a bidirectional bezel with a sapphire crystal.

Additionally, since the 1950s, TUDOR has been officially supplying the Marine Nationale (French Navy) with reliable diving watches used to carry out the daring duties of naval troops for decades. The first Pelagos FXD model – “FXD” referring to the extra robust FiXeD strap bars of the watch case – was introduced in 2021, continuing the legacy of TUDOR and the French Navy. After years of use in the field, the Pelagos FXD platform has a proven track record of service. In 2024, the FXD family is expanding to the meet the needs of the Aéronautique Navale (French Naval Aviation), the force responsible for naval aviation operations. The Pelagos FXD GMT can keep track of time in up to three time zones at once, one being Zulu time, the military name for Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) and the standard reference time for all aviators—a valuable tool when undertaking crucial missions. Zulu time corresponds to zero-meridian time or the time at zero degrees of longitude, commonly known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Its standardized use in global aviation prevents confusion in communications between nations and time zones. The word “Zulu” is the standardized phonetic alphabet code word used in aviation for “Z” or the first letter of the word “zero”.

Zulu time is tracked by the highly legible bright orange hand that completes a full lap around the dial every 24 hours. Once set, this hand typically is not reset, allowing sailors of the French Naval Aviation to check the global aviation reference time at a glance. The angular hour hand, commonly nicknamed “Snowflake,” indicates local time. It is set through the winding crown and “jumps” in increments of one hour for easy setting when changing time zones. The date changes when the hour hand passes midnight, in either direction—backwards or forwards. A third time zone can be checked using the 24-hour luminous bi-directional bezel and the orange Zulu time hand.

Breaking convention has been the modus operandi of Tudor since it’s founding. Nothing about a blue flamingo blends in, and that’s why the new Black Bay Chrono model was born to stand out, with a dial in a vibrant blue hue that’s unlike anything else in the TUDOR line-up. Like the Black Bay Chrono Pink released in 2024, this is a watch for those who dare to be different. The Black Bay Chrono was already quite a bold watch even before this new dial colour was introduced.Since the launch in 1970 of the Oysterdate model, TUDOR’s first chronograph, the brand has always produced watches that are closely tied to the world of motorsports.

The Black Bay Chrono model seamlessly fuses these traditions in a sports chronograph, with contrasting sub-counters and a high-performance automatic Manufacture Calibre, with column-wheel construction and vertical clutch. The Black Bay Chrono “Flamingo Blue” departs from the norm. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less of a TUDOR.

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Give us a smile Paul – Happy Paul

Happy Paul is the wellness and self-care brand on a mission to help men feel their best, inside and out. It was created in 2021, by Paul Gerrard, who has lived with depression since his early teens. The brand was developed to be a simple, joyful, ‘you’ conscious, environmentally responsible, personal care experience. They promote an approach of speaking honestly, openly and (hopefully) with optimism. They aim to do their utmost to make products that bring a smile to you,

because Paul (and the brand) know how potent a smile can be. Paul, himself, is an ambassador for Global Wellness Day and Happy Paul supports the charity YoungMinds.org.uk.

YoungMinds is a wonderful organisation that provide support in fighting for a world in which young people don’t have to suffer. They want to create a future where all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.

Their latest venture to encourage you to spend a little bit of time on you is a new partnership Moss X Happy Paul, highlighting how appearance and well-being work together to redefine confidence for the modern man.

A selection of Happy Paul’s mood-lifting body and skin care is now stocked in 10 Moss stores and www.moss.co.uk with the ambition to grow the collaboration and support Happy Paul’s dedication to mental wellness.

Moss continues its evolution into a refined yet effortless aesthetic, pairing tailoring with the ease of modern casualwear. The emphasis is on ease and versatility: pieces that adapt from day to night, city to resort, business to leisure. This season’s take on sophistication is less about rigid formality and more about ease and simplicity.

True confidence comes from the harmony of looking and feeling good which. can help you feel your best. Adding Energising Body and Hair Wash and Revitalising Face Scrub to your routine – and mood lifting colours to your wardrobe – can help brighten a tough day.

“Ultimately, fashion and personal care go hand in hand, both to help individuals look and feel their best.” says Paul Gerrard, Happy Paul’s Founder. “Our partnership with Moss was formed from a desire to satisfy the real needs of today and tomorrows customer.Happy Paul is proud to have found a home to deliver this simple self-care with Moss.”

Moss X Happy Paul will be curating the best confidence building looks and aligned wellness products for recommendations on travel, holiday, gifting and work wear throughout the Spring season.

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Ensure you look tuxedo-tastic – Chester Barrie’s top tuxedo tips

core 3pce evening suitWe’re coming up to that time of year again, that no matter what age you are, you are either thinking about dusting off that diner suit which lurks at the back of your wardrobe or you’re pondering investing in a new model, because of the aforementioned statement. Whether, its a Wedding, Day at the Races, Award Ceremony, or increasing a Prom, yes you read that right, Proms are not just the exclusive property of High School Musical or Grease, depend on your age. Proms are now common event in educational establishments from Junior Schools, yes Junior Schools, to Universities and as Tuxedos are no longer just confined to your classic Black, single breasted, one button numbers. There is greater choice for us gentlemen to choose from which can of course through up an increased amount of problem areas. So, Chester Barrie, the resident address holder of 19 Savile Row, who have counted Cary Grant, Sir Winston Churchill, Gordon Ramsey and Frank Sinatra as clientele. Plus dressed, probably, the most stylish screen characters of all time, both Steve McQueen in the Thomas Crown Affair and Sean Connery as James in Dr No and Thunderball. So one does think its safe to say, this is a brand who know a thing or two about not only tuxedos but suiting in general. Take a look below at their Classic top tips when investing in a Tuxedo –

1) Look for a good quality grosgrain on the lapels.

2) Dress trousers should have a strip of fabric down the side – look for braid. It looks much classier and adds an authentic touch.

3) Do not buy a dress suit that requires a belt – it spoils the look – go for side adjusters or braces.

4) A low-cut waistcoat will enhance the look and looks better than the cummerbund.

5) Marcella dress shirts should off the option for buttons or studs – pleat fronts are flashier but are acceptable.

6) Bow-ties should always be black and self-tie.

7) Studs and cufflinks should be the only flash of colour shown.

8) Pocket squares may also be coloured adding elegance and fun to an eveningwear outfit.

9) A white silk dress scarf should only be worn with an overcoat (a white cashmere scarf can also be particularly classy).

10) Shoes should always be black; traditionally they should have no detail and highly polished.

 11) (And just for good measure) Socks should be black or dark red only.