CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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A Triumph for Breitling – Breitling X Triumph

In the mid-1960s, auto racing was having a heyday, and a whole subculture had sprung up around “café racers,” stylish motorcycles, used to literally transport their riders from hip café to hip café.

Willy Breitling set out to capture the speed-driven style of the day with a completely new take on the timekeeper. The result? The Breitling Top Time, an unconventional chronograph designed for “young and active professionals.” It quickly became the watch of choice for a sporty in-crowd of men and women equally drawn to the watch’s bold proportions.

Today, that freewheeling 1960s café-racer spirit is back in a spectacular new Top Time collaboration between Breitling and British motorcycle brand Triumph. Now in its 120th year, Triumph combines historic craftsmanship with contemporary design to create its classic motorcycles.

“Triumph’s heritage and modern-retro aesthetic are just two of the many things we have in common,” said Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling. “Their blending of tradition with technology is completely in sync with what we do.”

For their debut collaboration, Breitling is producing a Top Time Triumph watch with a distinctive brushed finish in the bow-tie motif nicknamed “the Zorro dial” by Top Time collectors. Triumph, meanwhile, is launching 270 co-branded motorcycles—the Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition—whose buyers will have the privileged opportunity to purchase a special owner’s version of the Top Time Triumph, this one with a sunray dial and engraved caseback featuring the individual number of the bike (owner’s version orders must be placed with Triumph by August 22, 2022).

The stars of both watches are their ice-blue dials. This unique color has two major references: a blue Triumph Thunderbird 6T from 1951, and a rare, blue-dialed Breitling Top Time Ref. 815 from the 1970s.

Features include a subdued racing-themed calfskin leather strap that lets the hero dial shine; Breitling and Triumph logos that sit subtly at 12 and 6 o’clock; oversized mushroom pushers that allow for easy control of the chronograph’s stop-start and reset functions; and a high- contrast tachymeter scale that provides clear legibility of speed readings. The watches are powered by the Breitling Caliber 23, a COSC-certified chronometer with a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. And one more cool feature collectors will love: the casebacks are etched with a detailed design sketch of Triumph’s parallel twin engine.

Of the co-branded watches, Triumph CEO Nick Bloor said: “This collaboration is born out of a shared philosophy of bold and original design. The Top Time Triumph brings that uncompromising style and craftsmanship together.”

At a 41 mm diameter, the Top Time Triumph is, like the original, a fit for both sexes. For fans of the Triumph brand and prospective owners of the Speed Twin Breitling Limited Edition motorcycle, it’s an absolute must-have.

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How to write the ultimate wedding speech

Words by Adrian Simpson

(Image by Sandy Miller)

For many grown men the idea of standing up in a crowded room and making a speech, is not something to be relished. In an increasingly digital world, where most communication is text based, the very thought of verbal communication to an expectant crowd, is the basis of many sleepless nights, and wholesale anxiety. Even if your day job does involve presentations, chances are that it doesn’t also require you to entertain and make people laugh; usually quite the opposite. The unavoidable reality is, that at some point, courtesy of weddings, you will have to do precisely that, however, all is not lost. The best way to tackle this impending nightmare is to be as fully prepared as possible, start early, put the writing hours in, and practice until perfection. Nobody landed a great speech off the cuff; if you think they did, then it almost certainly came as a result of years of experience, or endless preparation…probably both.

So, how do you write a great wedding speech? Well, the basic premise of all wedding speeches is fundamentally the same: to celebrate the bride and groom in meaningful, engaging, entertaining and memorable way, however, there are specific things to think about depending on which speech you’re making. As a general rule, if there are three speakers, then you should be looking at about 1300 words. Reduce that word count slightly if there are additional speeches.

(Image by Javier Rees)

The Groom Speech

The groom speech is far too often referred to as ‘just a groom speech’ – in other words all you have to do is stand up, thank a few people, and say something lovely about your new wife. Job done. Far too many grooms go down this route, and the result is an ultra dry speech, which consist of endless thanks, lacks any humour or entertainment, and bores everyone senseless. Here are my tips on to make it something much more than that:

1. Handover – you’re following the father of the bride, so don’t just thank him for his speech, use it as an opportunity to have some fun with his character, the football team he supports, or what you’re taking on by marrying his daughter. Saying something funny early on is key.
2. Thanks – yes, it’s a great opportunity to thank people, but you need to be creative about it, or you may as well be reading out the menu. Where have people travelled from, and how can you compare that to the location of the wedding? How have they contributed and how can you make that funny? What would it have been like if the table decorations had been left up to you? Think of how you can exploit their characters and your relationships to have some fun.
3. Parents – this is your chance to say thank you, and that needs to be done in really powerful way, but there’s always an opportunity to balance it out with some lighter thoughts, such as thanking your dad for not passing on his hair genetics. Make sure you give each set of parentsequal measure in the speech.
4. In laws – acknowledge how welcoming they’ve been, and what a great job they’ve done of raising such an amazing daughter. If you can draw parallels between your wife’s character and theirs, then that is always ripe ground for a laugh or two. Maybe your bride has an insatiable appetite for shoes and prosecco – where did that come from?…and also funnier if it’s the dad.
5. Best man/ushers – grooms can tend to get a little carried away on this part, and you need to be efficient in how you include them in the speech, you can’t have individual stories for each usher, as there simply isn’t time. I like to have some fun with the best man’s integrity, and do this in the middle of the speech. Handing over to the best man at the end of the speech gives the last word to him, and I think the last word should always be about the bride.
6. Bridesmaids – succinctly underline what they mean to your bride in a really powerful way. There’s always scope for humour here too, and think about what their friendships are based on. If the bridesmaids are the bride’s sisters, then you can have a dig about being the brother in law they’d always dreamed of, based on your unrivalled knowledge of the Premier league…you get the idea. A toast to the bridesmaids in the groom’s job, not the best man.
7. Your bride – this should make up the last third of the speech, and the whole thing should build towards her inclusion. Again, you can’t make it one big wave of emotion as that would be pretty tough to get through, so l like to have some fun with the person she is, where you met, first dates, and then that will bring you to the more meaningful conclusion. Avoid the temptation to say the same sentiment in three different ways – a classic groom mistake.

(Image by Sam Balye)

The Best Man Speech

The best man speech is the one that many men fear the most, as they think they’ve got to transform themselves into a confident raconteur, capable of reducing the crowd to tears of laughter, however, the reality is slightly different. The wedding guests are all on your side, and as long as you haven’t completely misjudged the humour, and don’t think you’ve turned into Jimmy Carr for the day, then you’re already half way there. Things to bear in mind:

1. Introduce yourself. It’s a simple but effective way to slide into the speech, and unless you’ve already made an idiot of yourself in the church, nobody will know who you are.
2. The humour has to be genuinely funny but not edgy. What you’re looking to do is make everyone laugh and not upset anyone, which is quite possible to do, you just how to be more creative in how you’re getting those laughs.
3. The groom should also find the speech funny, it should never be an exercise in public humiliation – you don’t want the guests squirming and cringing, you just want them laughing their heads off.
4. Forget former girlfriends. The wedding day is all about the bride and anything that hints at former loves should be avoided at all costs.
5. Ideally you try and make the whole thing into a story. Traditionally best man speeches are an intro and then a list of stories, which is a pretty hard way to get laughs. Most stories aren’t that funny, and require a killer punchline, which many of them don’t have. Use everything from his job, hobbies and even hairstyle to find the funny.
6. Don’t welcome anyone, and don’t thank anyone – it’s not your wedding. Also forget toasting the bridesmaids, as that’s not your job, and the groom should have just done that before you.
7. Avoid props, as they just make a busy day much more of a headache than it needs it be. They take everyone’s attention away from you, and not all guests will be able to see what you’re talking about, which can create issues. Nothing beats a simple, well delivered speech.
8. Don’t forget to talk about the bride, and say what an amazing force for good she has been in the groom’s life. Some best men want to make the speech just as much about the bride as the groom, but as the father of the bride speech is all about her, and the groom will of course talk about the bride at length, the balance of your speech should be all about the groom.
9. The conclusion to the speech should be an original and moving description of just what the groom means to you and to many others. I like to keep this fairly heartfelt, and only introduce humour if it feels appropriate. You can use quotes but only if they’re well researched and not the clichéd usual suspects.
10. A toast to the happy couple, and you’re done.

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Luxury Sneakers For Men To Master The Casual Look

Sneakers are the perfect shoes to complete your casual wear. They announce your sense of style and will determine your comfort while you walk or work. They will be the first attire a person notices when you meet.

Pexels

The casual look will fit your outdoor spirit. You will be at ease while hiking or going for picnics. Use My Paper Writer to get your homework sorted as you enjoy a more engaging casual lifestyle. The helpers ensure that your academic work is sorted even while you travel or enjoy night-outs.

Here are the top luxury sneakers for a casual look

Oliver Cabell Low 1 Frost

Oliver Cabell is stamping his authority in the sneaker market. He has a perfect shoe for men who want to feel easy without attracting a lot of attention. It is a shoe for the minimalist dresser.

The most popular item in this category is the plain white Frost variety. It is low cut and will not attract attention whenever you walk into a room. It has a thick sole that makes it comfortable to walk around. It is a stylish choice made from the best materials and through world-class ethical practices. It is affordable and durable, giving you the best value for money.

Nike Air Max 95

Nike is one of the most innovative brands of all time. It has sneakers for all social classes and style preferences. The Max 95 sneaker is one of the most popular shoes of 2021 and will continue to dominate in 2022.

Nike Air Max 95 features a firm sole, giving you the perfect grip while you walk. The interior is professionally designed to take care of your feet and also guarantee comfort. It is light and comfortable for casual as well as semi-casual wear. It announces your sense of class whenever you walk into a room. You have a range of colors to choose from. You will also enjoy the affordable price.

Koio Kapri Kastagna

Looking for a perfect casual shoe for your jeans? Koio Kapri Kastagna is the way to go. It has a white sole and a brown or black top. The top is made of pure leather, helping you to enjoy the taste of class and luxury. The shoe is designed in the USA and produced in Italy. The experience and expertise of the joint producers guarantee the best value for money for your sneakers.

Adidas Original Superstar

The shoe is for the classic sneaker lover. The design is also appealing to newcomers who want to stamp authority by acquiring a pioneer brand. It comes with a solid sole that allows you to walk everywhere. It is a timeless choice available in a variety of colors. It is also affordable and durable, cementing its reputation of offering great value for money.

The sneakers market has numerous shoe varieties to offer. While personal preference counts, you must consider the quality of the sole as well as the top to guarantee value for money. If you are looking for luxury, the history of a brand could be worth considering.

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If you are beyond bamboozled by eco-friendly terminology, here’s your guide to carbon jargon and green claims

Words By Tiffany Kelly, Beyond Bamboo

Ever felt baffled and confused by the eco-friendly and environmental terminology you see in advertising and media? With the impacts of climate change having disastrous effects on human, animal and plant life around the world, more and more of us are becoming concerned about what we buy and interested in how we can make a positive difference. Brands across most industries are making all sorts of green claims but sometimes it can feel hard to make sense of the jargon and know for sure what it all really means.

Recently conducted research* found that almost two thirds of those questioned said they want to take climate action but feel overwhelmed by the numbers or jargon or are often put off by the lack of information available on the topic. The same study found that four in five would do more for the environment if they saw less ‘carbon jargon’ and instead received simpler information about what they could do to reduce their impact on the planet.

Here is Beyond Bamboo’s glossary of Green Terms to help you navigate these green claims and eco buzz words. This will help you make the best choices for you, the well-being of others and the health of our planet.

Net zero

Net zero refers to achieving an equal balance between the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. This can be done by changing business processes to reduce emissions in the first place–for example by switching to renewable energy or minimising plastic in products or packaging –while also actively removing the remaining greenhouse gases from the atmosphere for example, by contributing to projects that conserve natural habitats or plant trees to absorb carbon. You can also subscribe to you have carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere and stored safely underground where it turns to stone. It tends to refer to current emissions, not historic ones.

Carbon offsetting

Offsetting is a way of paying for others to reduce emissions or absorb CO2 to compensate for a company’s own emissions. For example, a business may pay towards tree planting or the delivery of energy-efficient cooking stoves to communities in developing countries. BUT brands should be doing that as well as cutting emissions directly, not just substituting them. Offsetting doesn’t actually cancel out – or ‘offset’ – the emissions to which they are linked. Also, contributing to a project that was going ahead anyway doesn’t help remove EXTRA carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. So offsetting is beset with problems which is why it is falling out of favour.

(https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/the-biggest-problem-with-carbon-offsetting-is-that-it-doesnt-really-work/)

Carbon Neutral

Carbon neutrality is a state of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be achieved by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal (often through carbon offsetting) or by eliminating emissions completely. Again, this is generally used to describe current carbon dioxide emissions, not historic ones (which also need to be removed).

Carbon Positive

This is a step beyond carbon neutral. Once net zero or carbon neutral status is achieved, a business can start to tackle removing its historic emissions or, for new businesses additional CO2 can be removed to create a wider environmental benefit.

Vegan and Vegan Friendly

If something is vegan it does not contain any animal ingredients or animal-derived ingredients. Often brands claim a food item is vegan-friendly if it contains no animal ingredients but was made in a factory where other non-vegan items are made. The terminology is used to indicate that they cannot guarantee there is absolutely no cross contamination (but, on balance, the product can be considered vegan). Vegan should also mean that no animals or animal products were used in any part of the product’s creation.

Animal exploitation for food and products is directly related to biodiversity and wildlife loss, either through the loss of habitat, the slaughter and starving of wild animals, overfishing and/or the pollution of ecosystems. Livestock farming is a major contributor of greenhouse gases and deforestation.

Cruelty Free

Cruelty-free is a label for products that do not harm or kill animals anywhere along its supply chain. Products tested on animals are not considered cruelty-free, since these tests are often painful and cause the suffering and death of animals. Look for the Leaping Bunny logo to be sure an item is genuinely cruelty-free.


Plant Based

The word ‘plant-based’ has been thrown around A LOT in recent times. This move away from meat is fantastic news for the environment, our health and for animals. Big companies are now seeing the marketing value of the word ‘plant-based’, realising that people are more educated than ever about the environmental impact of food and the health benefits of eating ‘plant-based’foods rather than ‘animal-based’ ones. Though some people, including food bloggers, may use the terms “plant-based” and “vegan” interchangeably, plant-based is an “umbrella term” and does not always equate to being vegan – so do check the labels and ask if the item really is vegan. Eating plant-based foods is the single biggest way we can reduce our impact on the environment as individuals.

Biodegradable/Compostable

Biodegradable materials or products are those that are able tobreak down to their basic components when given the right conditions and presence of microorganisms, fungi or bacteria. This is great as it keeps the item out of landfill and saves space. Some items are biodegradable/compostable in home composting bins, other require industrial composting silos where very high temperatures are reached. So, check if it is suitable for home composting as you can do this yourself, without the need for additional transport, and it also indicates that the item will break down relatively quickly. Once degraded/composted the item leaves nothing harmful behind. (https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-does-biodegradable-mean-2538213)

Accreditation

Accreditation is an independent, third-party evaluation by an assessment body (such as certification body, inspection body or laboratory) against recognised standards. A brand having gained an industry accreditation ensures that due diligence has been done for that particular claim. Be aware that not all accreditation schemes are created equal so make sure the assessment body is widely recognised or else transparent in how it establishes the validity of claims.

Sustainable

This word is really thrown around a lot these days, but its real meaning is seldom well understood. Simply put, sustainable products and practices are those that do not jeopardise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It has become too broad a term with such little accountability that it can hardly be taken at face value. Brands that are operating “more sustainably” should always explain specifically how they are doing so.

Zero Waste

Zero waste is a set of principles focused on waste prevention that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused. The goal is for no trash to be sent to landfills, incinerators or the ocean.

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It’s not just about Flip flops – Havaianas

Did you know that since its creation, over 4 billion pairs of Havaianas have been sold. If lined up all together, they would go around the Earth about 40 times

Back in 1962, while the rest of the world was busy with more ‘serious’ matters, the shoe which has become synonymous with holidaying was born in Brazil: Havaianas, the original, 100% rubber flip-flop. Modelled on the Japanese Zori slipper, Havaianas insoles still have a textured rice pattern to this day and was named Havaianas in honour of the Hawaiian pleasure-centred approach to life.

But, the humble, footwear of choice to the Brazilian working class has created somewhat of a viva revolution in its own rights. It has evolved and spread it’s unique colourful love into espadrilles, trainers and even added a bit of Brazilian colour to the Great British Welly !

Now in 2022 Havaianas launch their next products of interests and have dived into athleisure with the Men’s Rainbow Eco Sweat Hoodie and Rainbow Eco Sweat Pants.

Embodying the laid back Havaianas lifestyle, the first apparel collection from Havaianas, both the Rainbow Eco Sweat Hoodie and Rainbow Eco Sweat Pants feature the classic brand rainbow stripe embroidery, and have a regular, relaxed, casual fit.  

Perfect for hitting the gym, relaxed weekend wear or to travel in, both the hoodie and sweat pants are available in classic black and olive.