CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Sunspel 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.

In 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.

There was a time, not so long ago when socks were seen as purely a utility item, very much the unsung hero of any outfit. The fact, if you wore camel coloured socks, you were seen as being daring. They were the MOST conservative item of mens apparel within the gambit of gentleman’s wardrobe. Even in the hazy, tie dyed, hippy-trippy 1970’s socks still reminded untouched by what was going on around them, in fact that during this time one of the biggest crimes against style was at its most savage and rampage, the SANDAL AND SOCK COMBO. It was simply socks came in black, navy and grey and then sports socks were white and never the twain shall meet.

THEN CAME THE 80’s ! A decade of high power dressing, over indulgence, decadence and Cartoon Character socks were everywhere, whether it be Fred Flintstone, Garfield or Mickey Mouse, if you were alive during this time, the chances are you had at least a pair. YES maybe you didn’t buy them, but you had some and mores to the point you wore them ! Even to this very day these heinous creations can be purchased in numerous incarnations.

Today though, socks are a very different entity, thanks to the return of the turn up and the Thom Browne trouser length, socks have had a real renaissance and a true return to their former glory. When it comes to socks we men as consumers are spoilt for choice within every section of market certain brands are doing great things for socks from Marks & Spencer to Lyle & Scott through to Paul Smith and Corgi are producing well made, bright, without being garish and comfortable socks. But, for today’s post we’re highlighting a brand or two who are doing exceptional work within the field.

Firstly, Panterella, a brand with genuine sock history having just celebrated their 75^th Anniversary. Family owned, Founded in Leicestershire, UK, Pantherella takes pride in its long-established heritage of designing and producing great men’s socks. Authentically ‘Made in England,’ the quality of Pantherella socks is distinguished by a hand-linked toe seam. This traditional method leaves an exceptionally, almost invisibly smooth, secret join.

This trademark attention to detail marks Pantherella socks as some of the very best in Britain; combining traditional methods with modern technology makes the brand hard to beat for craftsmanship, colour and choice and with fact like,

One sock takes 15 minutes to make

1.1 million socks are produced a year

There are 1373 options per season

72 socks are hand linked a day, you can see why.

Pantherella Spring

Next up we have, Falke, a brand that can boast they produce 6,700.ooo men’s socks annually. 4 generations of the Falke family manage the company and still do today. The brand was borne in Schmallenberg, Germany in 1895. Their most expensive sock is a mind boggling €860. Plus, shhhhhh 13 heads of state wear their socks, but lips are sealed as to who. They offer such foot delights as fine cashmere and climate-regulating merino wool to provide you with incomparable wear comfort -whether you’re looking for business or leisure socks. They even offer a Sock Subscription option, a practical feature that gives you peace of mind as you’ll always have enough of your favourite socks in your closet.

Falke Spring

Last, but certainly by no means least and definitely a sign of the times is Socking an on line web emporium dedicated to sock par excellence. We caught up with the brand, of this sock lovers utopia who gave us his expert opinion on why wearing quality socks is so important –

1) Great socks get you noticed. Men used to be able to add some colour to outfits with a tie. But the move from suits to smart casual at work has taken this away. Socks are a great way to add back a touch of flair and class.

Step out in a pair of stylish socks and you’ll stand out against the sea of socks in boring blacks and greys. A pair with a decent design, interesting colour or beautiful texture will get you noticed – for the right reasons.

What to choose? This season’s favourites at Richmond Socks are vintage designs in modern colours for work wear. At the weekends bolder designs in stripes or candy colours like raspberry and orange are getting really popular.

2) Socks are an easy way to wear a bit of heritage and support British business. Sock making is a British success story right now. Firms like Pantherella, Corgi and Wolsey are true icons. The attention to detail and quality finishing that goes into their socks make them stand out. You’ll know the difference when you pull on their socks. And so will other people.

3) Hand linked details. At Richmond Socks all the socks we sell are handlinked. It’s a small detail. But one we insist on. Why? Well, you know that ridge under your toes on most socks? The bit that rubs? You won’t find it on decent socks. A quality pair of socks is hand linked – a fiendishly difficult manual process. The result is a smooth seam, which means the socks won’t rub you up the wrong way, and will last longer.

Stylish men are now aware that hand linking is important. So when you want to buy your next pair make sure they are handlinked. It’s makes a real difference and in the long run will protect your feet as well as your pocket.

4) Socks are now as good for the planet as they are for your feet. Our customers want to know that their socks don’t cost the earth. So we’re seeing increasing interest in socks made in renewable materials such as bamboo. Wool is still a firm favourite too. In many ways it’s the ultimate renewable resource!

These materials have the added benefit of making socks longer lasting and more comfortable. Take merino wool. It’s far better than nylon at wicking away the pint of sweat your feet release each day. It’s also naturally anti-microbial which stops feet from smelling. A bonus for you, and of course for anyone who’s around when you take your shoes off….

5) Keeping your legs undercover. Most men now know that showing off a swathe of hairy skin when they cross their legs is not appealing. It’s a definite style faux pas. Worse, in many Muslim countries, that bit of leg can cause offence.

So, stylish men, and those that do business abroad, are increasingly adding a few pairs of over the calf socks to their wardrobe. Over the calf socks have always been de rigeur in Italy, but are now catching on elsewhere. The added bonus is that they’ll stay fitted to your leg all day, and won’t sag around the ankles.

Oh and one last thing, good reader, please remember –

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!NEVER AN ACCEPTABLE OPTION !

Get ready for your next holiday with Czech & Speake’s ultimate travel essential – a luxury leather set with four 10ml pocket-size scents.

This must-have beauty staple from Czech & Speake is perfect for any type of getaway, whether it’s a last-minute city escape or a beach retreat, the Czech & Speake Travel Collection is your ultimate holiday companion.

The collection features a crafted leather roll, perfect for easy packing, containing four 10ml bottles of summer’s finest fragrances. Crafted with the purest aromatic essential oils, it includes the Spanish Cedar, Ausonia, Neroli and Cuba (also available in alternative collections). These scents are designed to cater to all your fragrance needs, ensuring you’re prepared to smell amazing wherever your travels take you.

Tourism in Europe is expected to reach record levels this year, as forecasts estimate tourists will spend€742.8 billion in 2024.

To provide travellers with the best options for a stress-free vacation, the experts at HAYPP created an index study analysing data for seven different variables to reveal Europe’s most stress-free destinations in 2024.

Europe’s top 10 stress-free travel destinations

Rank	City	Country	Population with Convenient Access to Public Transport (%)	Number of Spas & Wellness Spots*	Number of Nature Spots**	Beach Areas (km2)	Relaxation Score (/100)
1	Nice	France	94.6%	97	49	0.5	75.4
2	Oslo	Norway	95.3%	43	81	0.6	75.2
3	Vienna	Austria	97.3%	112	83	0.1	68.2
4	Reykjavik	Iceland	94.9%	31	32	1.8	65.7
5=	Sofia	Bulgaria	89.8%	107	36	0.9	62.8
5=	Marseille	France	98.1%	72	52	0.4	62.8
7	Porto	Portugal	89.2%	69	52	6.9	61.9
8	Bologna	Italy	99.8%	43	48	0.0	61.0
9	Istanbul	Turkey	76.5%	366	202	0.4	60.1
10	A Coruña	Spain	93.5%	6	18	0.6	59.4

Anyone looking for a stress-free summer vacation should head to Nice, France. The city is crowned Europe’s most stress-free travel destination after securing a relaxation score of 75.4/100. Situated on the breath-taking French Riviera, Nice provides easy access to public transport, along with 49 nature spots where one can admire its beauty.

Following very closely behind, boasting a relaxation score of 75.2/100, is Oslo, Norway. An ideal destination for anyone who wants to escape the summer heat, Oslo has everything required for a stress-free vacation, having 81 nature spots, as well as 43 spas and wellness spots. And with 95.3% of people having easy access to public transport, exploring the city would be a breeze.

Third on the list is Vienna, Austria, with a relaxation score of 68.2/100. Austria’s capital provides easy public transport access to a whopping 97.3% of the people, which means you don’t have to worry on how to best get around the city. Talking about stress-free, visitors of Vienna can pick from 112 spa and wellness facilities to ensure they go back home fully relaxed.

Yet another European destination to provide shelter from the summer heat, having a relaxation score of 65.7/100, Reykjavik, Iceland places fourth. Providing a variety of spas and wellness spots (32), including hot springs, the city is perfect for a stress-free vacation. With a population of just over 120,000, it’s a lovely destination to avoid crowds and enjoy some peace and quiet.

And rounding off the top five are two cities, Sofia, Bulgaria and Marseille, France, both achieving a relaxation score of 62.8/100. For those who like to enjoy wellness treatments, Sofia has 107 spots to choose from, 35 more compared to Marseille (72). But if you’d prefer to spend time in nature, Marseille might be the better choice, as it provides 16 more nature spots (52) than Sofia (36).

Ian Fielding-Calcutt the founder of Fielding & Nicholson tailors, which has studios in London, Zurich and New York, a go-to for those with impeccable sartorial taste all over the UK and the world. Ian has provided some indispensable advice on how to maintain style in the office over the summer months. This includes exploring seersucker, slightly shorter hemlines, and how to avoid Sweat Patch Syndrome by not confusing deodorant with antiperspirant – probably one of the biggest sartorial fears men have over summer, and one of the reasons they may avoid tailoring.

1. Invest in a tailored jacket that has been designed for the season. It will need to come in a lightweight fabric cotton, linen, or light wool. These materials will keep you cool and comfortable throughout the day. Choose unlined or lightly structured jackets for a more relaxed and breathable feel during the summer. You can’t wear an AW blazer in the spring or summer and expect not to get hot – even if you wear it with a t-shirt.

2. Embrace the freedom of summer. It’s generally deemed more acceptable to be a little more adventurous with colours and prints for summer tailoring. Choose light-coloured suits such as beige, light grey, or sky blue, which reflect heat and help you stay cool under the sun. You could also incorporate bright and vibrant colours into your wardrobe. Think pastels, blues, greens, and yellows.

3. A little tip…Seersucker is great for keeping you cool. Consider wearing a seersucker suit for a classic summer look. The puckered texture of seersucker fabric helps with air circulation, keeping you cooler. It will look smart, but there’s also something relaxed about seersucker which makes it a brilliant summer fabric.

4. Create airflow with shorter hemlines. Opt for trousers with a shorter hemline to allow more airflow and prevent overheating. A slight break or no break is ideal for a polished summer look. Don’t go too high though, certainly no higher than the ankle bone.

5. Be wary of short sleeve shirts. They can work on certain occasions but be careful how you wear it, don’t go too tight and avoid garish patterns. Be conscious of the overall silhouette with a short sleeve shirt, they look best with looser fitting trousers styled with a quality pair of leather sandals or espadrilles.

6. Tailored shorts. Whilst this used to be considered a big no-no, in certain industries it is becoming more acceptable to wear shorts to work. Plus, given that summers in the UK are becoming hotter, it does seem like this is something we will see more of. If you are going to do it, do it properly. The only acceptable shorts to wear are tailored shorts that hit just above the knee for a sophisticated and summer-friendly alternative to trousers, consider having a jacket tailoring to match the shorts and keep the footwear smart – loafers would work best.

7. Which brings us nicely on to shoes. Swap out your regular dress shoes for breathable shoes like loafers, boat shoes, or espadrilles to keep your feet cool and stylish during the summer months. You could also invest in a pair of white canvas or white leather plimsolls. They’re (very) casual, but they do tend to work with most tailored summer looks. Needless to say, flip flops are to be avoided at work, or in any city or urban setting. Your feet will get dirty. For the beach only please.

8. Accessorize thoughtfully. Don’t bring a rucksack to the office. I don’t think it looks smart enough, plus it will crease your clothes and make your back sweat! A stylish leather or canvas tote bag is best, or a holdall. Plus they won’t crease your clothes. Think about your sunglasses too, I’ve seen many a stylish outfit ruined by Terminator or wraparound style shades. Wayfarer, rounded or Clubmaster styles are much more appropriate.

9. Top it off. Incorporate hats like straw fedoras, Panama hats, or boaters into your summer outfits for sun protection and a touch of style. These would always look great with a well-tailored summer look.

10. And finally… try to avoid ‘Sweat Patch Syndrome’! Tricky. However, do you know the difference between antiperspirant and deodorant? Antiperspirants actually prevent you from sweating by blocking sweat glands, while deodorant protects against odour – but you’ll still sweat. If you have a big meeting and want to avoid the wet patches, use a good antiperspirant the night before.

CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Fall under the spell of Sunspel

Sock it to ’em – Socks the finishing touch to any outfit

Get holiday ready with Czech & Speake’s ultimate travel essential

Enjoy a peaceful summer in one of Europe’s most stress-free destinations

Maintaining Office Style when things get Hot in the City

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