CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN
The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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It’s not just Chocolate Switzerland’s famous for – Dreyfuss & Co Watches

imageDreyfuss & Co are able to boast that Horology ( an expert maker of timepieces) is in the blood, literally with it now in its fourth generation of family ownership the company, virtually, lives, works and breathes watches. You could almost say they live their live by it.

imageSteeped in tradition and inspired by historical events in the life of Rene Dreyfuss, each Dreyfuss & Co timepiece is meticulously handcrafted to ensure that every piece is as individual as the wearer. For gents, the stunning automatic skeleton by Dreyfuss & Co is showcased through adistinctive open dial. Featuring the brand’s proprietary automatic calibre, the movement boasts a stunning branded Dreyfuss & Co rotor, visible through the sapphire glass case back. Brushed 2 link, tapered bracelets with polished facets are combined with skeleton dials, sapphire crystal, screwed down crowns and luminous indexes.

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It’s Hip to be Square – HipHunters

imageOnce again in our eternal quest for stumbling across great sites were we can stretch our menswear muscle and exercise the might of our great spending power, we came across the rather splendid Hiphunters. Launched in December last year, it’s a global online platform for luxury brands. A shop, a magazine and an online community, Hiphunters helps you discover unique and highly interesting new brands and cutting-edge premium designers from all four corners of the world.

imageThe shop has over 6000, yes 6000, brands including the likes of Burberry Prorsum, Stone Island and APC, but also lesser known gems like  CYCLE, Myo and Patrik Ervell, plus new items added daily. Recently they have opened their own market place, where you can find some great emerging brands which is promised to grow in the coming months. Like a mix between Tumblr and Pinterest the online community is where the users can connect with each other. It offers a space to refine your style and inspire others through sharing and interactive content, while at the same time promote their own blog or products and even become a featured honourary Hiphunter.

Partnering with some of the best e-commerce sites around, including Farfetch, Mytheresa and LN-CC, Hiphunters can keep you connected to all things style related in one convenient destination. Aside its shop, it also publishes a digital magazine with informative insights into what going down style wise, local street style, and an international network of “Style Makers” spies.

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Gaolhouse Rock – Gaolhouse Denim

imageTalk about a Rollacoaster ride, I first became aware of Gaolhouse Denim over a year ago when they started following Clothes Make the Man via Twitter. The name and concept stood out to me and I started to converse with their founder Will Unwin via this social media medium. Now I call it a Rollacoaster ride because, back in June last year, after speaking to Will on a number of occasions and everything being on course, like a bolt outta the blue I receive an email from him. He informed me that after blood, sweat and tears, plus more importantly Will’ s time  and savings the ministers over at the Home Office no longer wanted to produce clothes and have them branded as ‘made in prison’. Nonetheless, like a Phoenix from the ashes, Will has won the big wigs over and as you can see the first line from Gaolhouse is finally here.

imageThe brand started to work with the British Prison Service and the National Offender Management Service to create our first line of premium denim back in 2012. Working hand in hand with prisoners to design and develop their debut line. Together they have been able to support prison industries and provide invaluable work to those looking to take part in the rehabilitating and rewarding process of the prison work scheme.

The first pair of jean in the range are a slim cut, classic 5 pocket jean. It’s made from an 11.5oz unwashed denim, sourced from one of the best mills in the world. Its design is beautifully simple, reflecting the very methodical and practical way in which prisoners are taught to sew. Having been developed by prisoners, the jeans are then crafted right here in the UK. They are produced in small wonderfully batches so that a close eye can be kept on quality and detail.

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Are you singing off the same HYMN Sheet – HYMN available at JOY stores

imageHYMN is a new menswear brand which promises to offer us a range committed to durability, wearability and simplicity  with that all important contemporary twist, ahhh that twist of course. But give this  menswear line it’s due, HYMN offers clothing that caters for pretty much, every facet of the modern man’s wardrobe. With an ease and simplicity to its design aesthetic, the collection carries classic chinos, shirts and knitwear: timeless in its approach but with visually interesting twists on traditional menswear pieces.

imageWith a promise to stay dedicated to fit and quality plus striking a real balance between wardrobe staples and statement pieces.  The brand is available through joythestore.com, the unisex store that offers a unique selection of mens, womenswear and lifestyle accessories all which an eclectic mix of fun, quirky and stylish tone.

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I’m spoking your language -Spoke, by Sarah Gilfillan

imageAs a personal stylist for men I’m fully aware that the current trend for a skinny and super skinny fit is no friend of the gentleman with a manly (read chunky) set of thighs. It’s proving a bit of a nightmare to find much choice in trousers for those clients, especially with chinos, as sometimes when you do go for a more standard fit they can end up looking, how should I put this, a little old fashioned. So, when I heard aboutSpoke I rejoiced, and even more so when I realised I already knew it’s founder, Ben Farren.

imageLet me tell you about them – they have a tightly edited selection of chinos in a variety of colours, and the brilliant part is that they come in all sizes, going up in 1″ increments in the waist size & leg length, plus they also come in different “builds”. All you need to do is to measure round your thighs, your waist and your inside leg, and punch that into their calculator and it’ll tell you the size and build you need to order. They have a wide range of sizes, going up to a 36″ waist and down to a 28″ leg length, but if they don’t happen to have them in stock they’ll make them up to order.

With free shipping and returns, a pretty reasonable price tag, and a complimentary tape measure if you don’t have one, all in all I reckon this makes for a pretty great service. And with no more pesky alterations needed at the dry cleaners to get a perfectly fitted pair of trousers, whether you have knobbly knees or chunky thighs, you might just find that Spoke is your new best friend.

imageSarah Gilfillan is founder of www.sartorialab.co.uk