We don’t mind saying, one of our favourite brands here at CMTM, is the Quirkily Stylish Dutch brand, Scotch and Soda. Based, in a canal-side design studio in a former church in the heart of Amsterdam, now offering Mens, Womens and Kidswear. Scotch & Soda is a team of discoverers and collectors scouring the globe for artefact that sparks their curiosity.

Their collections and signature looks clash eras, classics, places of inspiration; mashing unexpected fabrics and patterns, which is perfectly illustrated in their latest collection for Spring 2019. 

This season they invite us to journey back to the summer of ‘76 and to the perfect Scotch getaway – a homely yet exotic hotel named the ‘House of Perfect Strangers’. This charming, buzzy place hosts creative types from all corners of the globe – it’s beautiful, curated chaos the natural spark for long dinners with once strangers, soon-to-be friends. 

“This collection tells the story of the summer of ’76. A story of freedom and creativity, inspiration and adventure, chaos and diversity. The base is ‘House of Perfect Strangers’: both a getaway and a place to feel at home. Each room with a fresh view: over the streets of Raffia Town; the tropical buzz of Bamboo Beach, Palm Cove’s rainbow of colour, and the old school meets new school charm of The Poolside. Each of these views return in the collection’s leading ideas and themes.”

Marlou van Engelen Creative Director Scotch & Soda

This collection is formed of four distinct trends and feels. First we have, Raffia  Town which combines the rough-edged glamour of the seventies with the vintage charm of a sleepy fishing village. 

A seventies beach scene gives rise to a new tropical uniforms and their various streetwear translations.

Then, sweeping views across balmy palm coves inspire a rainbow bright colour edit. With bold colour blocking intensifying the high-summer mood

The  last room looks out over the ocean and the wistful curves of a natural infinity pool. The inspiration for a drop in which seventies surf-meets-skater, and crispy stripes and batiks form our new nostalgia. Each look designed to work city to beach.

WORDS BY DANIEL RAMSDALE-HARRIS

In the latest edition of The Affordable Alternative we bring you potential savings of over £1000 with our alternatives to high end designer goods. Every man needs a range of jackets in their wardrobe, which is fitting, as we compare both bombers and puffers below.

Now this maybe super-efficient planning ahead for the summer wardrobe but the comparison between these two bomber jackets is something that we could not take notice off.

Curated in Italy, the D&G Majolica Print Bomber Jacket comes in at a mesmerising £1256. The eye-catching silhouette is inspired from Sicilian culture and is certainly one for you to stand out in the crowd with.

However, If you love this but don’t fancy splashing out the grand, Diesel have come to your rescue. Crafted from a smooth floral–print nylon to a relaxed fit, go for this if your wanting to save those all-important penny’s.

These jackets are like marmite, you’ll either love them or loath them.

Dolce & Gabbana

Diesel

Represent or ASOS

The winter puffer jacket is the essential that almost any male, anywhere, will need. However, not everyone wants to settle for that plain single colourway. In that case, we thought we’d bring along the tartan.

Manchester based menswear brand Represent have rapidly grown since their launch back in 2012. The release of their ‘Hell Tartan Bubble Jacket’ was a huge success and even caught the eye of American hip hop A-lister Quavo, who was spotted in it on tour. It was something that gave the brand awareness in the US, and they haven’t looked back since. The jacket retails at £362 pounds but wait for it, is currently on sale at luxury retailer Farfetch for £217.

Still a bit too pricey? Well don’t worry, as we can always rely on ASOS to provide that affordable alternative. Their oversized puffer in a navy check might be a little brighter than Represents silhouette, but if you’re a 90’s streetwear fan this might just be the one for you. And it gets better, as it’s currently on sale for just £32.50.

Represent

Asos

We will be back in April with more savings, in the meantime let us know in the comments below which options you’d go for!

Although the temperatures are really struggling to get above zero at the moment and although you may think me insane for the sheer mention but, bear with me in this one, I haven’t let you down in what will be 7 years this month ! Spring is, honestly, only just around the corner, yes that’s long light evenings, drinking outside public drinking establishments and yeah truly having to wear one layer of clothing to protect us from the elements, remember that ?

In preparation for this most glorious of seasonal change, we’ve sourced the best in high street retailers to see what they will be tempting with over the coming weeks and months. 

Boohoo MAN are really establishing themselves as key menswear players, drawing on a blend of Streetwear & Teaditional African materials and patterns, surely their onto a winner.

River Island are being a little more reserved this Spring but still seeing all things musical and cool as inspiration.

Offering us brighter and pastel tones for those Suiting opportunities from M&S

COS have you covered and gained inspiration from all those Summer festivals from Glastonbury and back again

Channel those Summer vibes with Jacamo, I’m feeling warmer just looking at this picture.

Patrick Grant’s Hammond & Co for Debenhams is still scoring a blinder in the whole understated sartorial style, trying, but looking like your not trying too hard, but still winning in the style stakes.

We’ve often informed you to not be afraid of colour and Spring is a perfect opportunity to give it a whirl and that Giant of High Street Stylish Retailing, NEXT,  have struck a real balance of wearability and style for this season.

“I live for myself and answer to nobody.” –  Steve McQueen

Almost 40 years after his death, Steve McQueen’s legacy still remains. His effortlessly cool outfits with just the right amount of edge helped build his bad boy persona and continue to inspire many today.

Rugged with just a hint of sartorial splendour – McQueen’s most iconic looks include well-tailored three-piece suits paired with Persol 714 sunglasses, his signature Baracuta Harrington jacket and understated roll neck jumpers under a fitted blazer. Not one to follow rules and unphased  by the latest trends, he often donned double denim with a pair of desert boots – a look that is notoriously difficult to pull off, yet he managed it with ease.

His confidence gave him the ability to look as comfortable in bespoke tailoring as he did in a leather jacket. A bit of a style chameleon, McQueen could switch up his looks between the red carpet and the racetrack. He did everything on his own terms, and was known for his ruthless interviews and charming yet nonchalant attitude. This made him the epitome of 60s counterculture – a time when opposition to societal norms was the essence of coolness.

It’s no surprise that the actor still holds the title of the King of Cool – an authentic anti-hero from the streets who went on to become a star of the silver screen. To find out more about the man, movie star and legend, check out this piece by ROX

WORDS BY ISAAC PERRY

DREW HOUSE – ”Drew House is a place where you can be yourself. BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAHSDBKSJDHFL. Wear like you don’t care. Come Chill. K. Bye.”

Justin Bieber has been in the limelight since the tender age of 13 becoming a youtube sensation with his career only flourishing from there. In his earlier years, Justin’s style was what you could call questionable! In the last 5 years, he has become a street style icon for some, often being pictured on a daily basis! Justin was one of the first to have been seen and basically became the face of, the highly respected, the Fear of god brand/style. Recently, unless you have been living under a rock, you would’ve heard his nuptials to supermodel girlfriend, now wife Hailey Baldwin (Bieber) in a secret ceremony but more importantly to us he has created his very own streetwear brand! For those of you who don’t know, I’m kinda thinking that this might count for a lot of you,  Justin’s middle name is Drew and this is what he has named his most recent business venture.

Imagery – https://www.instagram.com/drewhouse/?hl=en

Recently a style which some have called Sleazecore has become very popular with celebs like Jonah Hill, Pete Davidson and the main man Justin Bieber being key faces in this new phenomenon and we believe his brand Drew is taking massive inspiration from this latest trend. A lot of the designs from the brand simply have ‘Drew’ printed across them or have the classic smiley, Acid House, emoji. The collection consists of Tshirts, Hoodies and Shorts ranging between $48 to $148(£35-£125) but considering that all of the products are made ethically in LA this is a balanced price point to be sat at and would highly recommend checking it out.

The collection has that retro aesthetic which may be a throwback for a few of you. Split into two capsules the first features a range of brown & beige corduroy which has ‘DREW’ printed across the front of the majority of these pieces. The second features some more vibrant colours with red and yellow t-shirts seen!

The first product released by the brand was a classic pair of hotel slippers with the brands smiley face logo for the small price of $5 but these sold out in a matter of hours! One of  Justin’s most recent Instagram posts hinted he could be venturing in the jewellery game with his brand! What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!