EYE WEAR – STEPPING UP YOUR ACCESSORY GAME THIS YEAR.

Words by Isaac Perry

Can we all take a minute to pray that the weather this summer in the UK is as amazing as it was last year? Or even better? As we begin to see the sunshine creep through, we all begin to get relatively excited and dust the cobwebs off of our summer clothing but every year I’m sure that many of us will encounter the same problem! Sunglasses. Where the hell did you leave your favourite pair from last year? Simply nobody can remember. Whether you left them in a pub garden whilst chugging some Pimm’s and enjoying a hog roast or they fell off your head whilst watching your favourite band at Glastonbury they are now a thing of the past and you need to get a snazzy new pair.

Sunglasses are an accessory which simply steps up your cool level and can escalate an outfit from a solid 7 out of 10 to at least an 11 out of 10 aha. Keeping it classic is always a good way, to begin with, a pair of Ray-Ban round metal sunglasses 0rb3447. These are incredibly lightweight and have a golden frame which will be sure to stand out against your tanned skin and paired with some dark tinted lenses to protect you against the sun rays what more could you ask for? These glasses were first produced for the U.S Airforce in 1937 (very badass) and have since gone onto become one of Ray-bans most popular silhouettes being sold globally. These can be found on Ray-Ban and other stockists for £105.00.

Secondly, we have the Ray-Ban Clubmaster sunglasses Ord3016 wo366 49. These are a silhouette of sunglasses which everybody would have had in their personal collections at some point. The brown colouring paired with the gold detailing’s are the perfect match, these will definitely go with every outfit and a pair which we at Clothes Make the Man would recommend highly this summer. However, please don’t be that guy who wears their expensive sunglasses on a night out as that is simply a recipe for disaster.

 

For the more edgy individuals out there don’t worry we have also got you back covered with some of the newest trends in the sunglasses industry. Sunglasses can either turn you into a smooth Casanova or step up your streetwear rating massively with these next two pairs being a must try to achieve your ultimate festival/techno vibe.

Who would’ve thought a couple of years ago that a pair of cycling glasses would be one of the key accessories in the fashion industry huh? For the small price of £12.00 ASOS is offering these Visors. Neon colours have been a trend in the fashion industry which have now been around for a while but now they colours have entered the sunglasses game. These sunglasses are the perfect festival accessory and will definitely make you stand out from the crowd. PS we take no responsibility for any dodgy tan lines which you get from this product.

More recommendations coming soon…

Top Gear – Hugs & Co TS1 Driving shoes

Tyre Sole Driving Loafer by Hugs & Co. Offers upcycled tyre tread is combined with Italian leather and British design to create the first line of environmentally conscious luxury footwear. Established in 2012 by brothers Benjie and Hugo Davis and is based in London. The brand and the company came about through the Davis brothers’ shared passion for design and creativity. Benjie had studied Architecture and Hugo Business, between them the project unfolded into what is now a popular luxury footwear brand with a versatile collection of styles.

All the components are sourced from suppliers in Europe and the construction of each pair takes place in Portugal and time is dedicated to personally selecting the best leathers in the perfect colours ensuring a product that is not only beautifully crafted but comfortable and long lasting.

Only a fraction of the energy used to produce new sole units is required to convert the waste tyres into usable shoe parts. The upcycled components are not a compromise though, in fact they’re an improvement for the driving loafer style. Adding incredible durability and grip whilst retaining an elegant and classic style has created the next generation of the original hybrid shoe.

Hugs & Co. are proud to introduce the TS1 model ‘the British Driving Loafer’. Bringing a level of functionality to driving loafers that upgrades them into a versatile piece of luxury footwear. Above all these shoes use up unwanted tyres and are more environmentally friendly to make than regular footwear.

Hugo Davis commented “All too often the decision to select environmentally conscious components leads to a compromise in quality, here it actually enhances the product.”

The Affordable Alternative: Off-White Edition

Words by Dan Ramsdale-Harris

Since its launch back in 2012, Virgil Abloh’s ‘Off-White’ has quickly made a name for its self as one of the most popular fashion brands in the world, especially amongst today’s younger, forward thinking consumer.

Often labelled as the driving force for blurring the lines between streetwear and high fashion, ‘Off-White’ has brought a street aesthetic to the avant-garde game, changing the norm for how high fashion is now perceived.

The street aesthetic brought to the party however doesn’t replicate ‘street’ prices. So,with nearly every HypeBeast asking their parents to spend £300 pounds on a hoodie, we have documented some affordable streetalternatives to the in demand brand. For all you readers with that son craving Off-White, show him this first and who knows, he might change his mind. Probably not.

1. Off-White Denim Caban Multi Pocket Vest V.S ASOS Design

The rise of tech/utilitarian fashion has been meteoric over the last year, with it becoming the norm in many people’s wardrobe and a staple piece to finish off an outfit. Off-White’s Denim Caban Vest comes equipped with 4 pockets, a V-neck collar and zip-closure at the front, offering an ideal layering piece for both sweats and tees.

Its alternative comes from ASOS owned brand Collusion, offering an almost an identical aesthetic for just £30, £400 pound less than OFF-White.

 

2. Off-White Logo Print Slim Jeans V.S Taka Originals

We introduce another staple piece, except the classic pair of blue denim jeans has been around for many years. The silhouette continues to be modernised to create a more street aesthetic, with a slim, baggier, more straight leg on trend at the minute. Off-White’s silhouette comes in a bleached blue cotton, five pocket design, drawcord belt and printed logos on both the upper, footer and back leg. The affordable alternative comes from US brand Taka Original, who are recently growing in stature through their innovative blend of street and techwear designs. Their silhouette comes in a more relaxed, wide leg fit, and features a vertical logo print on the left leg.

You can buy the Off-White jeans for £650 or go with Taka’s option for £70.

 

3. Off-White x Nike Jordan 1 V.S Nike Air Jordan 1 Low

Our last alternative focuses on your trainer game. Nike features in both options, but one costs over £1,900 pounds more than the other. Nike teamed up with the founder of Off-White, Virgil Abloh, to create ‘The 10’ collection, where the designer put his touch on 10 iconic Nike shoes.

The silhouette imaged left was Abloh’s remake of the classic Chicago Air Jordan 1, first released back in 1985. The 2018, Off-White re-release kept the iconic red and white colourway but offered a more reconstructed aesthetic and included classic Off-White Motifs in “Air” and the orange tags. The sneaker retailed for £160 pounds but now has a re-sale market price of £2000.

The alternative that comes in at £1900 pounds cheaper, is the Nike Air Jordan 1 low black toe’s. The low top version of Jordan’s classic black toe high silhouette was released this year and retails for just £75. This slick, clean looking shoe offers a difference to Jordan’s classic high and mid top versions and most definitely provides a substantial saving.

5 TIPS FOR A MORE PRODUCTIVE WORKING LUNCH

Working lunches are inevitable and sometimes unavoidable; perhaps your boss wants to catch up during the only free time he has – his lunch – or you simply need to get something important done as quickly as possible. Nobody likes to forfeit their down-time during a working day, but there are ways you can make the situation a little more productive.

The team at WorkSpott are revolutionising the way people work, by creating co-working spaces around London perfect for business-minded people needing to work freelance or remotely. Here are some ideas of how to make your lunch break more productive.

1. Go outside – if you’re spending the majority of the day stuck in an office and now you face the prospect of working through your lunch too, try spending the midday meal outside while you continue to work. This can give you a break, some fresh air and a change of scenery which will help to make you feel more productive – weather permitting, of course. If it’s raining, try a different room or just a different spot.

2. Socialise – if you have some important work to continue through your lunch hour, chances are, you’re not alone. Co-working spaces can be great for being around business professionals in the same situation, and this will make you feel more motivated to get the work done, rather than hiding away alone with a salad.

3. Switch off – you may feel like you are being more productive by working non-stop through your lunch break, but it’s sadly not the case. Allowing yourself to switch off even for just five minutes during your lunch and continuing with the work afterwards can help you re-energise and your brain to return to the task at hand in a more motivated fashion.

4. Make healthy food choices – it’s easy to want to grab something ready-made and quick so you can get back to work. But it’s much more beneficial to prepare your meal in advance, or at least make a more healthy choice if it’s last minute, to ensure you feel more refreshed rather than sluggish from a heavy, unhealthy meal.

5. Try and exercise – even with non-stop work to complete, it’s important to get away from your desk and walk around a little. Try and tailor your lunch break tasks so you’re not chained to a desk – perhaps you have a few phone calls you can make during your working lunch on speakerphone so you can walk around the room whilst speaking and stretch your legs. Every little helps.

I wish they all could be Californian – Baxter of California

Founded in 1965, by Baxter Finley amidst an era of freedom and self-expression, Baxter of California continues to operate with the same individualistic mindset today. The brand is a leading lifestyle brand to solve all your hair, skin, body and shaving needs. The brand represents far more than the Californian state and where it is in terms of geography of palm trees, sunshine and Hollywood Hills; it’s much more like a state of mind. A living, breathing example of a thriving culture where people are free to pursue their own dreams, on their own terms and the brand tries to encapsulate that way of thinking.

The brand continues to offer a collection of superior hair, skin and shave essentials, designed to fuel your best self and unleash what makes you, you. All products are tried and tested by Master Barbers at the award-winning Baxter Finley Barber & Shop in Los Angeles, for quality and versatility, to provide consumers with everything they need to confidently be who they are and live life true.

One of their hero products is the THICKENING STYLE GEL that provides high hold and high shine a look. The non-traditional formula contains:

Birch Juice – which helps to smooth and soften hair, while calming scalp (“birch juice” is a growing search term for hair care and styling)

Ginger – helps to strengthen hair, and defend against flakiness in scalp and adds natural shine to hair

Vitamin B5 – known to plays important role in the healthiness and growth of your hair (“vitamin B5” is a growing search term for hair care)

This product fills a styling gap for those seeking a high shine look that will stay in place all day long. Be confident with no flakes, no residue and no crunch. The Thickening Syle Gel can be used to create a variety of hair styles. From the slick back and pompadours to hard parts, it can even be used to create a natural look with just a little bit of shine.

In fact, Mason Case, Baxter of California Educator, says of the product,

“A good gel is hard to come by but this one is a keeper. All the hold and shine you’d expect from a gel, but it doesn’t flake or brake. The beautiful color and smell are just added bonuses.”

Another offers a great skin care routine which honestly leaves your skin looking and feeling amazing. So what is this great routine to get your skin looking sooooooo amazing? Double-cleansing! After cleansing with our Daily Face Wash, apply the Clay Mask AHA(Alpha Hydroxy Acid). Rinse off in 10 minutes and tone with the Herbal Mint Toner, apply 1-2 pumps of Skin Concentrate BHA to the face and neck, finishing off with the Oil Free Moisturizer, Under Eye Complex & Hydro Salve Lip Balm.