CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN
The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Make the Most of – The Camel Coat

Words by Charlie Britton

Man in Camel Coat

As Autumn sets in and the Winter months loom in the not so far distance, a good coat is a vital piece in any mans wardrobe. For the past couple of Winters, the camel coat has been a staple addition to any outerwear range, and this year it’s not going anywhere.

From retails such as A.P.C and Burberry, to the high street giants of River Island and TopMan, the undeniably British camel coat is making a shining appearance in this years Autumn collections. If a camel coat is something you already own, or you are considering purchasing, here is where you’ll find out how to make the most of it.

Our Favourites

This year, almost every designer has created some form of camel coat, whether it may be an overcoat, mac or duffle coat. The neutral camel colour works effortlessly with almost any look and it pairs with many other monochrome and saturated colours beautifully, allowing for an extensive range of styling.

apc camel coat

This A.P.C coat is a beautiful piece, perfect for the coming colder months. Its tailored shape and streamline cut is fitting for any outfit, whether you’re pairing it with a shirt and trousers, or some jeans and a t-shirt. As you can see, this coat can be worn effortlessly with a denim shirt, some slim fitting jeans and a clean pair of white sneakers, so it doesn’t limit you to formal occasions at all.

whistles camel coat

This Whistles Menswear coat is slightly darker in shade then the A.P.C coat, with contrasting buttons and a breast pocket. This coat is again, perfect for any outfit, whether your rocking a suit or some raw denim jeans. Constructed from Spanish wool, this coat will undoubtedly keep you warm in the winter, and it’s traditional shape leaves room for layering under a jumper or a suit jacket.

river-island-camel

The high street retailers are also rocking the camel coats this season. This River Island coat is very similar to the A.P.C coat, although the shade is unquestionably darker. A fraction of the price too, this RI piece is a great alternative if you don’t want to splash out too much of your hard earned cash. They’ve styled this coat with a classic oxford shirt, some black trousers and a pair of suede shoes, perfect for a smart-casual event. Swap out the trousers for some chinos and throw on some sneakers and your good to go for a roast at your local.

topman camel

Last but most definitely not least, we have the TOPMAN coat. This coat is slightly different to the others, avoiding the use of exterior pockets completely, leaving a seamless finish from top to bottom. Again, this coat will not break the bank, and is a slightly lighter shade alternative to the River Island coat. This coat’s shape is also slightly more relaxed, pairing perfectly with jeans and a t-shirt or hoodie. This jacket has been styled with a Breton style tee, showing how versatile and clash-free this staple garment is.

A man who knows a thing or two about style and is at the forefront of fashion, Patrick Grant, British fashion designer and creative director of Norton & Sons of Savile Row, amongst other things, briefly explains in this short clip why the camel coat is such a timeless wardrobe staple, so if you don’t want to take our word for it, you can most definitely take his.

           

As you now know, the Camel Coat is a perfect addition to your wardrobe. Its versatility and effortlessly clean finish makes for an essential garment this coming season, and will carry you through to Summer next year, without aging one bit. Lastly, as Samuel Johnson once said, “A man with a good coat upon his back meets with a better reception than he who has a bad one”, and here at Clothes-Make-The-Man, we couldn’t agree more.

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Every great man needs a great wallet – Troubadour

img_8013One question I seem to be asked so often is, “Where can I get a great Wallet, which isn’t gonna cost the Earth?” In fact, only in the last few weeks 3 good friends have asked that very same question, two of which when I asked them what they currently had ? Revealed a tatty, shabby looking example, only to be told that I had bought them it for Christmas, many moons ago!

A brand that answers this stylish conundrum spot on is Troubadour, they use all-natural vegetable-tanned Italian leather for all its leather goods so that every piece looks better with age. After making a reputation for themselves in the luggage side of the industry they, following lots of requests, have decided to venture into the small leather goods, accessories market.

img_8010Launched after a long search for the perfect weekend bag that would see you seamlessly for any occasion from a business trip to weekend away with friends. Not beginning able to satisfy they needs, Samuel and Abel, the guys behind the brand, thought they would do it themselves.

So once again working on their brand ethos of offering smart Designs For Everyday Essentials. Troubadour’s philosophy of clean design, rooted in function and performance, have acted as an inspiration for a collection of belts and small leather goods that combines practicality and style. Clever technical construction produces streamlined silhouettes. Ingenious leather folding ensures slim yet capacious wallets.

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The Great British Barber Shop

Words by Charlie Britton

barbershop

Recent years have seen the male grooming scene grow from strength so strength, with more and more men taking extra good care of themselves. From hair creams and beard oils to skin care and aftershaves, we all have one thing in common, a trip to the local barber shop.

Cut throat wet shaves to scissor cuts and skin fades, the barber shop is an undeniably British place of rest bite, comfort and relaxation. Here at Clothes-Make-The-Man, we’ve tried our fare share of barbershops across the land, so we’ve decided to give you the low down on some of the best barbers across the British isles, so you can remain doubt free in the search for optimum manliness.

 

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Launched in 2012 in Edinburgh’s West End, Ruffians went from strength to strength, winning hairdressing awards right off the bat with their first store. Now in four locations across the UK, Ruffians is by far one of the cleanest and slickest barber shops to date. Whiskeys and coffees all round, Ruffians offers a tailored consultation, clean cut and even vacuum’s your neck to end on a high, hair free note.

 

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Sheffield’s little gem, Savills barber shop definitely stands out from the crowd. Equipped with 9 highly skilled barbers and a vast apothecary of grooming aids, you wont regret making a trip to the oldest school barber shop in the country. The antique furnishings, reclaimed gear and traditional uniforms ensure you feel you’ve stepped back in time, although the services provided are nothing but modern and clean cut.

gents-of-london
Hidden away on the streets of Angel, Gents of London provides an authentic service like no other. Traditional theme with a modern service, this old school London barber shop can tailor each cut to every client, ensuring nothing but pure satisfaction is produced from some of the best barbers in town. Mod haircuts to skin fades and scissor cuts, this barber shop can offer something for every gentleman, and we guarantee you’ll feel right at home.

sandyman
On the sunny streets of Exeter, the original Sandyman Chop Shop sits not so quietly, attending to the needs of gentlemen and lads alike. The tatted’ up guys at the Sandyman Chop Shop don’t look like your usual traditional barbers, but fear not, these guys know a thing or two about cut throat razors. Unwind with a beer or a glass of rum, and let the guys at the Chop Shop do their thing.

cut-and-sew
Dublin’s man cave, Cut & Sew, which started as a 1 man pop up, is a barber shop with a serious amount of style. Situated in two locations across Dublin, Cut & Sew provides a slick service with a smile. The original Cut & Sew is located underneath an old school record store, so you can sit back with a drink and enjoy the music, or even browse the apparel that they have to offer while you wait.

So there you have it, a few favourites of ours across Britain, keeping the men of today clean, crisp and ready to go. As the saying goes, ‘You’re only as good as your last haircut‘, so we can rest easy here at Clothes-Make-The-Man knowing you have the tools to find a cut above the rest.

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Wondrous Wanderers personified through garments – Scotch & Soda A/W16

By: Keanu Adorable

Dutch brand Scotch & Soda, invites us to take a journey across time and various locations for their Autumn Collection. Scotch & Soda referencing diverse locations that range from a small Norwegian village to the Highlands of Scotland. The collection was debuted during New York Fashion week earlier this year, and is now released in store and online.

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Although Scotch & Soda has been around since the ‘80s as a menswear label, the Amsterdam based fashion brand made a new start in 2001, when three new owners joined their broad experience and shared love for making great garments. After Scotch & Soda was re-launched, new lines were gradually added, such as Maison Scotch for women, and Scotch Shrunk and Scotch R’Belle for kids. In late 2010, the first Scotch & Soda was launched by the name of BARFLY. Scotch’s youngest and most ambitious project is Amsterdams Blauw, a compact high profile denim collection.

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A Nordic clash of old and new, the collection features military and outdoor gear, hi-tech sportswear, workwear, and smart/casual pieces. The pieces contain bold colours, patterns, and graphics that juxtapose rich hues, fair isles, and tartans.

With outerwear/knitwear at the collection’s core, varsity jackets, luxe sweatpants, dress shirts, cocktail blazers, and winter accessories give variation and depth. The collection utilises tweeds, wools, satins, velvets, and silks. Standout details from pieces are the mountaineering zips and clips, fringing, wind-proofing, and quilting.

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Scotch & Soda Autumn 2016 is available in-store now and online via the link below.

Scotch & Soda Online Store

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Making it easy for you – The Idle Man Guide Store

Words by Charlie Britton

Idle Man Guide Store
The Idle Man, the menswear e-tailer, til now, have opened up their very first bricks and mortar store in the trendy heart of London. This ‘Guide Store’ is in place to build a bridge between an eCommerce and in-store shopping experience, without the task of shopping feeling like a chore.

The Idle Man, founded by Oliver Tezcan in 2014, with the aim of being the best destination for menswear apparel, shoes and accessories. Their target consumer is the regular 20 to 30 something guy, who’s fashion needs are affordable and on trend, without all the nonsense. They stock a wide range of aspirational brands including Levi’s, The North Face and Hudson and even have their own range of Idle Man branded products, well worth checking out, btw.

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On 97 Leather Lane, sits The Idle Man store. It’s grey exterior and clean aesthetic sit in harmony with the brands theme, although you may mistake it for a showroom rather then a store, not that it’s a bad thing. Inside, the store feels very welcoming and warm. The subtle grey flooring and white walls give the interior a stripped back feel, allowing the limelight to shine on to the products.

The store is run by a team of stylists, who aim to offer expert advice on a hand picked collection of products, tailored particularly with their customer in mind. The Idle Man aim to continue their hassle free selling point in their store, ensuing each customer finds exactly what they’re looking for, without the stress of searching through rails of built up clothing.

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The store will function as a mid-way point to shopping online. The customers can browse the products in-store, try different sizes on and get a feel for the products, before making a purchase, where the products will then be sent to your home or office address or in to the store for collection. The Guide Store will also include a selection of lifestyle and grooming products from Filmore Skincare to Alessi and Laboratory Perfumes, just in case only clothing doesn’t quite satisfy your needs.

From our point of view here at Clothes Make The Man, we like the idea of a crossover store, building that bridge between the online and in-store experience. It allows customers to try on clothing and sizes before making a purchase, hopefully minimising the chance of receiving something that doesn’t quite hit the spot. It also gives you the opportunity to receive some useful advice from the stylists who know a thing or two about fashion, just in case you’re unsure about something working for you.

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If this is something you’d like to try out for yourself, you can find The Idle Man Guide Store at 97 Leather Lane, Clerkenwell, a short walk from Chancery Lane Underground station.