CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN
The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Have a ball – Evening wear essential advice

Nothing looks more suave than donning a slick dinner suit at a black tie event and with Ball season , literally round the corner, timing for this post couldn’t be better. Trends in men’s evening wear remain largely unchanged since the 19th century however subtle transformations have taken place over the years. Today evening wear is influenced by popular culture, and celebrities have been showcasing more adventurous and relaxed looks on the red carpet. To bring this traditional look up to date there are a few subtle adjustments you can make. Although when it comes to evening wear, always remember, less is more.

It is worth investing in an excellent quality dinner suit that fits beautifully. Traditionally, dinner suits are made from wool and feature either a satin or a silk lapel with a matching single braid running down the sides of the trousers. Velvet dinner jackets have been making an appearance on the red carpet whether it be the Oscars, the Baftas or the Brits, but if you are not feeling particularly daring, stick to wool. A timeless, black dinner suit exudes style and sophistication but recently midnight blue has become popular for modern gentlemen. This rich shade will subtly allow you to stand out from a monochrome crowd.

Attending a black tie event is a great excuse to adorn yourself with classic accessories you wouldn’t normally consider wearing. A stylish, silk bow tie adds a distinguished finish to your dress shirt. Mastering the art of tying a perfect bow is a skill that every dapper gentleman should learn. But don’t despair as there are a variety of excellent ready tied bows available. Whether you choose the easy or traditional option, always opt for a black bow tie.

Evening shirts for men should always have double cuffs to allow you to wear stylish cufflinks and personalise your formal outfit.Cufflinks worn with evening wear are typically made from gold, silver or mother of pearl. If you want to create a more relaxed look, choose a contemporary design.

Complete your ensemble with an elegant silk scarf. This distinctive accessory will stand out from the crowd as it is rarely worn to formal events nowadays, despite its popularity in the past. A plain white or black design with tassels is classic but for an eye-catching twist, opt for something more adventurous such as a polka dot print.

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Harder wearing then a Tasmanian Devil – Blundstone Boots

Blundstone 2013 Export SelectionBack in early 90’s, there was nothing I loved more then my Blundstone Boots, ahhhh we were inseparable, although the stell toe caps did cause me a couple of enter problems with the door staff of one or two of Manchester’s choicer nightspots.

So when the press release recently landed into my inbox, it induced a lil trip down memory lane for yours truly. Now, Since 1870, the Tasmanian brand Blundstone have been creating the toughest, no – nonsense footwear for work and play. Known worldwide for its iconic elastic – sided boots, their range offers casual boots for men and women, lace up safety and heavy industrial footwear, perfect for a night out in the haçienda.
Blundstone 2013 Export Selection
With ongoing research and development activity the brand seeks to improve comfort, protection, performance and aesthetics to match the great fit and value for money on offer. Blundstone are also committed to policies around sustainable development and focus on maximizing the use of recycled and recyclable materials through their manufacturing and packaging, along with minimising the use of raw material, chemicals and fossil fuels.
Blundstone 2013 Export Selection
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Fall under the spell of Sunspel

Screen Shot 2013-07-29 at 10.37.26Sunspel is one of those elite brands that’s held in high esteem for their quality and desirability in equal measures. You know, like when someone asks you where you got that top, you tell them and their response is to repeat the brand name and follow it with a nice.

Sunspel has been producing iconic English clothing for over 150 years. Since its inception in 1860, when Thomas Hill founded the firm under his own name to supply the British Empire with high quality underwear, the label has always been an intriguing combination of innovation and tradition. Founded in Nottingham, when it was then the capital of Britain’s hosiery and lace industry.  Two generations later, Thomas Archibald Montgomerie Hill moved the family business from Nottingham to Long Eaton, where the company’s factory resides to this day. The new company was renamed Sunspel at the end of the 1930s. The label remained a family run business until Nicholas Brooke and Dominic Hazlehurst acquired it in 2005, the new owners have been instrumental in moving the brand into the 21st century, whilst at the same time honouring the roots that make it so well-loved.

The design philosophy of the brand is characterized by simplicity and comfort. Sunspel pay rigorous attention to detail in design as well as manufacture, which is why their garments are considered classics. Amongst their most renowned products are the boxer short, the polo shirt and of course the t-shirt that they have been making for 150 years.

Screen Shot 2013-07-29 at 10.26.46In fact,Sunspel introduced the boxer short to Britain from the US in 1947  and it was immortalized in the 1985 Levi’s commercial with Nick Kamen, who was seen stripping down to his white Sunspel boxers and Daniel Craig wore the Sunspel ‘Riviera’ polo shirt in the James Bond films.

More recently, the brand introduced their Sea Island Cotton range. Crafted by hand and produced without any chemical processes, the range sees an edit of menswear basics recreated in the finest Sea Island Cotton and elevated to luxury status. Take a look at the short film below filmed at their Long Eaton factory it documents the process of making their Sea Island Cotton T shirts.

 

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The Affordable Alternative – Battle of the Sneaker brands

WORDS BY DANIEL RAMSDALE-HARRIS

Today we have the 2nd edition of The Affordable Alternative. This month we take a look the two best most recent sneaker comparisons for all you sneakerheads out there. Both releases from footwear giants Nike and Adidas caused long winded debates about the brand’s stances on authenticity, but are you choosing to spend big or save that hard-earned cash?

Off-White X Nike

Nike

Off-White & Nike or just Nike?

Before Nike released the highly anticipated 9th shoe of their “The 10” collection with Off-White’s Virgil Abloh – an Off-White spin on the classic Air Force 1. They released their Air Force 1 Utility pack, which stunned sneakerheads worldwide due to their identical look.

A genius business ploy? In my opinion yes. The creation of the Utility Air Force 1 fulfils Nike’s goal of cultivating more people into the sneaker community, and off course, a massive increase in sales, as it plays on Off-White’s signature motifs at a fraction of the price.

Sneakerheads will argue that the silhouette decreases the authenticity and exclusivity of the collaboration with Off-White, but with one priced at a resale mark-up of roughly £300 pounds and the other at £80, it leaves consumers with that affordable option.

Adidas Yeezy 700 Static

Adidas Yung 1’s

Adidas Yeezy 700 Static or Adidas Yung 1’s?

Another sneaker comparison for all you sneakerheads out there, this time with Nike’s most fierce rivals, Adidas.

The Yeezy ranges have become a worldwide phenomenon, in fact, they are so popular, most dad’s and mums are likely to know what they are. The latest Yeezy to release are the Static 700’s, which play on the ‘Dad’ shoe trend with a chunkier and more detailed sole. These Yeezys have been a huge hit, resulting in a sell-out of its retail price of £250and now warranting a £350 price tag on the resale market.

With the popularity clearly on show, Adidas decided to come out with the Yung 1. The 90’s inspired construction again epitomizes dadcore aesthetics, but at more than half the price, meaning you can join the dad shoe community for just £100.

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Is this the ULTIMATE Manbag ? Clarks Travel True Bag

Manbags evolve a huge amount of discourse and discussion by gentleman. Strong feelings from both sides are felt, of Marmite proportions. Some guys feel positively naked without their manbags whereas other wouldn’t be seen dead with one and hold them in such low esteem and hatred. 

Nonetheless, on our eternal search for ways and elements to make your life easy, we might well have come across a what we think is the ultimate in versatile manbags. My Lords, fellas and gentlemen can I kindly introduce you to the Travel True Bag by Clarks and why pray tell do you feel this is the ultimate in Manbag attire. 

OK so here goes, this oversized tote can be carried by hand or worn over the shoulder thanks to the durable webbing handles with a comfy material in the middle, ideal for offering protection to your work files and laptop. It comes in a choice of either a rather conservative grey for those wanting it to go with everything and every occasion from work to play. Then for the more adventurous out there the Travel True bag comes in a Khaki camouflage print, sure to make a mature stylish statement. The camouflage woven jacquard adds interest while the rubberised nylon base helps with wear and an inside zip pocket allows for organisation of your essentials. If that wasn’t enough, the bag is sizeable enough to cater for every occasion from the everyday commute to jetting off for a holiday. Lastly, you get all this for a jaw dropping £35 and assured the quality you are assured of with the Great British brand Clarks.