Words by Daniel Ramsdale-Harris

As the English summer comes to end, (if we can even call it a ‘summer) we now turn to more warmer alternatives in our wardrobe to curate our outfits. And you can’t have too many hoodies in your wardrobe can you? We’ve selected our top 5 streetwear picks, ranging from rising streetwear brands such as Noah and Awake NY to established counterparts in Stussy and Comme Des Garcon.

Noah, founded by former Supreme creative director Brendon Barbenzian continue to establish themselves as a leading brand on the streetwear scene. A focus on transparency surrounding social stances and production processes, has transpired Noah as a brand who simply care, which in turn has created a loyal following of fans who buy in to their values beyond just product.

Perhaps their most recognisable silhouette is their signature logo hoodie, which emblazons the brand name with their red cross motif. Constructed with 100% cotton, with tonal overlocking stitching throughout and a black colourway, this silhouette is a staple piece that can be matched with pretty much all outfits.

Another founder formerly of streetwear staple Supreme, Angelo Baque started Awake NY back in 2012, with the aim to capture the unique cultural spirit and sensibility of New York City.

The brand sits in the group of emerging streetwear brands, expanding the core brand selection from the true OG’s in Stussy, Supreme and BAPE. And it’sSplit Patch Logo has become an instantly recognisable motif in the scene, alongside sold out collaborations with Asics.

The hoodie comes in a relaxed fit, 100% cotton composition, and of course the embroidered split patch logo. Another simple, but clean silhouette to add to the wardrobe.

Arguably the main brand that formed what is known as streetwear today, continues to deliver staple sweats, emblazoned with unique graphics and high-quality compositions.

The Stussy Basic Hoodie features the brands signature logo, a logo that was defined by Shawn Stussy himself, with the founder scrawling his surname on to hand crafted surfboards with a broad tipped marker pen.

The sweat features a cotton and polyester blend with fleeceback jersey and a printed logo. Coming in yellow colourway which allows you to hold on to those summer feels into the winter.

Rei Kuwakbo’s Comme Des Garcon continues to be a giant in the streetwear game. A brand worn by all ages, and one that is identified by many as a pioneer for all Japanese fashion.

Their ‘heart’ motif is one of the most recognisable logos in fashion, yet alone streetwear. For this silhouette, it comes in its black form, an alternative to the classic red.

The hoodie is made out of 100% polyester with the embroidered heart on the chest and back of the garment. An ivory colourway way is spotted, offering the perfect light subtle tone for the upcoming winter.

We finish off the picks by going back to one of the OG’s in the streetwear game in A Bathing Ape. Since opening up in 1993, the Japanese brand is one of the biggest in the world, and one that continues to resonate with multiple generations.

Famous for their camo prints, this silhouette however shows off a more simplified design, featuring the iconic ‘Ape’ logo on the chest, with ‘A Bathing Ape’ spelled out across the back.

Sporting a green colourway, the hoodie comes in a regular fit with a 70% cotton and 30% polyester blend. A streetwear classic to add to your collection.

Well it’s nice to see not all news from the Great British High Street is gloom and doom, yes retail, particularly Fashion Retail, is getting a bit of a kicking at the moment. But just when you think, tut it’s all bad news, comes a little gem like this.

This coming season signals a bit of a mammoth evolution of Menswear at John Lewis and Partners. The change will be anchored by two completely transformed own-brands, designed in-house, which will sit alongside a renewed focus on independent and emerging brands.

This confident approach follows the successful launch of John Lewis & Partner’s womenswear last autumn and, with the menswear market set to grow almost 20 per cent in the next five years, it’s an area that presents a significant opportunity for growth for the brand.

Central to this transformation are two own-brand collections. The first is John Lewis & Partners eponymous label, a 280-piece collection that takes a fresh perspective on menswear classics. Designed in-house, the collection blends modern design with reconsidered fits, fabrics and quality.

Alongside John Lewis & Partners sits ​Kin​, a brand that launched in 2013 and which embodies luxe-sport inspired style. From this season it will refocus on directional designs and high-performing fabrics – across both tailoring and casualwear. The Solotex travel suit is a key innovation within the Kin collection; an unstructured suit cut from a four-way stretch showerproof fabric that is crease-resistant. Alongside this, corduroy and velvet bomber jackets paired with matching trousers, and the new Kin Quilted Jacket mix impressive performance with modern, clean design.

Joining the own brand collections, AW19 also sees the introduction of a raft of new independent brands leading with two ​capsule collections from British brands Folk and Albam​. Folk has created a collection called It’s All Good Folk, set to launch at the beginning of August, which focuses on sustainable fabrications, materials and the reissue of key pieces from the brand’s archive.

Albam’s capsule, Albam Utility, set to launch in September, reinterprets workwear staples with a focus on wearability; hero pieces include canvas work jackets, soft jersey sweatshirts and robust cotton chinos.

Both capsules are exclusive to John Lewis and have been designed in close collaboration with the John Lewis menswear team.

Words by Isaac Perry

Accessories are a key part of everybody’s outfits in 2019. Whether you are showcasing some of the freshest jewellery or sunglasses, accessories are an absolute must. A key piece for us at Clothes Make the Man and something which everybody needs in their wardrobe is a cap. Caps are perfect for those hungover days when you hope nobody will recognise you or days when you are simply going for that incognito celebrity look.  However, we understand that sometimes the High-street doesn’t offer the best selection and we’re here to become your guardian angel and push you in the correct direction and get your headwear game that little bit better. We have put together our top three brands that you should be shopping with right now with each offering something different that we’re sure will suit your personality and offer something a little bit different. Make sure to let us know what you think in the comments section below as well as any future posts which you would like to see.

Goorin Bros

Goorin Bros offers an incredibly large variety of hat silhouettes but one which has really caught our attention from the brand is their baseball cap selection. The American based brand showcases the classic style with something a little bit different. Each cap has a different animal on the front with its nicknames or a funny little word next to them adding some humour to each and every outfit. If having an animal on the front of a cap isn’t exactly your thing they also offer a plain silhouette of the cap perfect for each and every day. These caps can be found in small boutiques around the UK, Amazon and the Goorin bros website themselves! We would definitely recommend treating yourself to at least one of these caps. You will not regret it!

Twinzz

Cap brand Twinzz has been growing massively in popularity with the high quality and stylish essence being very obvious. Each cap can be recognised by the branding on the face, however, where Twinzz are able to dominate is in the array of colourways which they offer. Something for everybody is one of the biggest understatements ever and for £30.00 you really can’t complain. A couple of our favourites include the Gradient Trucker Forest Green/White/Purple and the Gradient Trucker Black/Lt Grey caps. One offering a standout look and the other a more day to day style. Let us know what you’re copping!

New Era

Definitely the most popular out of all the brands mentioned are New Era offering caps globally in an array of colourways, styles, materials and much more. The high quality and array of colourways give you the opportunity to wear a different hat almost every day. New Era caps have been around for years and are a staple piece that everybody should have in their wardrobe simply to chuck on. These caps are perfect for styling in both summer and winter with the selection endless.

Let us know what you buy this season!

Welcome to the 10th edition of something for the weekend, the bi-monthly series where we share some of our favourite picks from the past, present and near-ish future — all available to cop.

We further give you a brief brand history to hopefully uplift your fashion general knowledge. If your new to this mini-series we hope you enjoy! If you’re one our many returning readers, thank you for reading week upon week! Be sure to hit us up @clothesmaketheman on the socials to let us know which brand you would like us to feature next time. Without further blabble lets get into this weeks #SFTW.

1. Dickies Fleeced Flannel Portland Shirt – Amazon – £28.95 (Free Delivery via Amazon)

This over-shirt from American brand Dickies provides a quality outer layer for your Autumn wardrobe transition. Available in other colours we decided on the conservative grey/black version for the outfit this week. Having recently grabbed a couple of these shirt’s myself, the return on investment second to none. No surprises really with the workwear brand behind it.

Dickies foundations were laid in the early 1920’s. Dickie, his cousin and his cousins son — the Williamson’s — formed a manufacturer named Williamson-Dickie. The 1930’s saw a surge in demand for affordable workwear which Dickies provided to the mainly working class public successfully. The brand managed to secure contracts with the US armed forces providing uniforms during World War II. Post war when Dickies could put its focus back on members of the public, it became a household name for quality workwear.

When oil workers began to travel over to Europe and the middle-east for work, they took with them their Dickies clothing. Spreading the word. Kickstarting the brands global presence. To this day dickies has kept its positioning as the affordable, quality workwear for your everyday guy or girl. Adding to their male product offering in the 1980’s with the introduction of workwear for women.

The brand today, whilst maintaining its weighty stake in the industrial sector. Like many workwear brands — too many to name. The streetwear community has adapted its offering to carry it over into a more pop lane. The 871,872,873 work pants in-particular becoming a modern day staple.

The fit of the shirt comes oversized, its definitely advisable taking a size down or if your

in-between sizes choose the smaller of the two. Link to it below :

2. Y-3 Track pants – £283.33 (10% off with fwrd.com)

Y-3 born in 2003 is possibly one of the most successful and long standing partnerships between a footwear giant and acclaimed designer. Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto. The ‘Y’ representing Yohji. The ‘3’ representing Adidas’ iconic three stripes.

Tokyo born Yohji, like many other major designers had an alternate route into fashion. Shortly after gaining his law degree in 1966, Yohji decided it wasn’t the right lane for his calling. He began assisting his mother – a dressmaker, before enrolling at Bunka Fashion College, the stomping ground of equally hailed designer Junya Watanabe. Upon graduating Yohji was awarded a prize to go and work in the Mecca of fashion design— Paris. Despite this offer Yohji decided to build his pre-natal empire in Japan, going on to open his first ready to wear store in Tokyo. Eureka.

After growing successfully in Japan with multiple stores, Yohji eventually made the jump to Paris where his namesake label blew up. Yohji was praised for his avant grade silhouettes which were black, black and more black.

The birth of Y-3 came around as a result of Yohji’s wish to explore an alternate avenue within fashion design. Not rare for a creative mind at all. He contacted Adidas directly with this proposition. Not before calling Nike of course.

He was denied the chance to work with Nike however. In an interview with Vogue-Runway Yohji spoke on his experience when he approached Nike with his proposition.

“I made a phone call to Nike,”  “They gave me a very proper answer: ‘Thank you very much, Mr. Yamamoto, but we are going never to fashion, we are going only to sportswear.”

The rest really is history, Yohji originally made subtle references to the sportswear brand by placing the three-stripes on his Y-3 designs, the collaborative effort has built a huge entity, with successful lines in apparel and footwear. Menswear & Womenswear. Adidas and Yohji.

Link to the pants below:

3. Adidas Ozweego – £90.00 ]

The Adidas Ozweego is back after a long lay off. The silhouette was re-invented a few years ago by luxury menswear designer Raf Simons. Whilst the Raf Simons Ozweego receives new iterations season by season, its make-up is a far cry from the OG pair which was first released in 96’. But looking at the new silhouette it likewise appears rather distant in its appearance from its father the OG. Similarities can be drawn on the sole design, mud guard and lace eyelets but thats about it. Oh and the three stripes.

The Ozweego has proved popular since it’s re-launch last month. Another stripe over check in the Adidas vs Nike war. Adidas as a brand has been around longer than its Rival Nike, around 15 years.

The sportswear giants beginnings can be traced back to 1924 in a then town called Herzogenaurach under the name ‘Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik’’. Registered by a man named Adi Dassler. You can see where this end up. Like many other sportswear pioneers Dasslers mission was to provide quality athletes with quality gear to compete in.

Mr Dassler didn’t do to badly picking up the small company’s first gold medal in Amsterdam in 1928 with runner Linda Radke. After the end of world war two in 1949, Dassler renamed the company ‘Adi Dassler adidas Sportschuhfabrik’. Supported by a wealth of around 50 or so employees the company made football boots for the German national team, winning the 1954 world cup final against close rival Hungary. If there was ever a catalyst for the brands success it was this moment.

Following on from the 54’ world cup, Adidas like Nike has become a household name leveraging its huge influence in the sporting world to etch huge endorsement deals with athletes, artists, public figures and hyped brands alike. Lionel Messi, Run DMC, James Harden, Kendall Jenner, Palace Skateboards, A$AP Ferg. Given that I’m writing this as a fairly novice 22 year old in my celebrity history forgive me if I’ve missed out some heavy hitter in that list.

Link to the sneakers are below!

We hope you enjoyed this weeks edition of #SFTW, see you in a couple of weeks

River Island going for a much more subdued and sophisticated feel for Autumn this season.

COS always push the boundaries, but never to far into the ridiculous or unwearable. No changes for this season, in a class of their own!

Not having the best of times on the high Street at the moment, for poor old TOPMAN, but have to say well done guys as you’d never know looking at this sterling example of  Autumnal ware, keep it up fellas.

This brand have totally got their act together over the last couple of season and are producing genuine, stylish gear with the quality to match. Well done Jacamo.

Cool, considered and the epitome of stylish, from the premium end of our Great British High street is Jigsaw Menswear. Keep it up amazing!

Another brand that isn’t having the best of time at the moment, but you’d never know. M&S are knocking it out at the moment, you always know you can rely on the quality of their produce but 10 out 10 for style and generally getting right for Autumn.