CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Where does our sense of style come from?

Whether you like to dress to impress with classic shapes and traditional styles or prefer pushing the boundaries in something more contemporary, we all take inspiration from somewhere.

To find out who or what inspires the style of British men, fashion retailer Cotton Traders conducted a survey asking men across the UK who they thought of as a style icon. A number of familiar names made the list, including the web-swinging Tom Holland and hammer-wielding Chris Hemsworth.

Above all though, it was mature celebrities that made the biggest impression on men’s style.

In fact, our statistics found that 35% of the names listed were over 50 years old. From Hollywood legends to music icons, these guys are proving that older men have indeed still got it.

Less than 4% of the names given in the survey were under 30 years old and the majority (61%) are aged between 30 and 50 years old. Although it seems that most people find celebrities such as David Beckham and Tom Hardy to be the most fashion-forward, a surprising number of people look towards even older men for style inspiration.

p celebrate, we’ve created a list of some of the most fashionable over-50s who topped the list and are proving that style has no age limit.

George Clooney

Age: 58

Even if this list wasn’t for men over 50, we can guarantee that George Clooney would be on it anyway. His dress sense reflects his natural charm and confidence perfectly, which is why he’s been a style icon for decades. It’s true that he sticks to what he knows – you’ll struggle to see him out of a suit – but Clooney’s signature look oozes elegance and has set the bar for the ‘black tie’ dress code.  

Will Smith
Age: 50

Jaden Smith may be making waves in the fashion world, but Will is proving that his old man can still keep up. From the classic suits of the Men in Black to the finest silks in Agrabah, Will Smith has been keeping it fresh since Bel-Air. But it’s not just his on-screen costumes that are turning heads, as time and time again he’s effortlessly transitioned from stylish streetwear to a classic three-piece.  

Johnny Depp

Age: 56

Often imitated but never matched, Johnny Depp’s outfit choices have become iconic. Although he has some fashion favourites – think leather cuffs, scarves and a fistful of rings – Depp’s looks are as varied as his characters. Avant-garde through and through, he is constantly pushing the boundaries of fashion and is guaranteed to turn heads, whether he’s on the street or the red carpet.

James Bond

Age: Varies

We’ve created a joint listing for this one, as Daniel Craig, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Sean Connery (all of whom are over 50) were all shortlisted. James Bond is British style and class personified, leaving a spot for all these legendary actors on this list. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our results, it’s that Aston Martins, flashy watches – with or without gadgets – and a timeless black tux are still very much in vogue.

Harrison Ford

Age: 77

Harrison Ford is a celebrity who discovered his style at an early age and ran with it. You’ll be familiar with Ford as a Hollywood rogue, whether he’s hunting down the Ark of the Covenant or piloting the Millenium Falcon. Although he can effortlessly pull off a suit when he needs to, you’ll find that he’s more at home in the style of his characters – often opting for casual denim and leather.  

David Bowie

Age: 69

If there was ever a rulebook on fashion, David Bowie destroyed it. Used as a catalyst for self-expression, Bowie’s style statements were loud, proud and in your face. From glitter, makeup and eye-wateringly tight costumes, David Bowie pushed the boundaries every time he stepped on stage. He wore whatever he wanted and didn’t care what anybody thought, which has got to be respected.

Prince Philip

Age: 98

As a member of the Royal Family and a figure in the public eye, it’s unlikely that anyone has seen the Duke of Edinburgh look anything than at his best. Whether he’s wearing one of his numerous Savile Row suits or is sporting his full military dress, Prince Philip always looks impeccable. Plus, there’s something to be said about a man who can pull off a top hat.

Jeff Goldblum

Age: 66

The man, the myth, the legend. Cultural icon and Hollywood hipster Jeff Goldblum is living, breathing proof that style has no age limit. Flaunting outfits that men half his age would struggle to get away with, he has a fashion arsenal at his disposal. It doesn’t matter if it’s velvet, suede, satin or animal print — Jeff Goldblum can pull it off. His wardrobe is a combination of elegance, sophistication and just a touch of madness.

When it comes to male fashion, our list of over-50s style icons proves that you don’t need to follow tradition.

By following your own style and choosing what feels right for you instead of what everyone else is wearing, you’re not only creating a signature look but might just inspire a few others along the way.

Back in the dim and dark recesses of 1987, the Disco diva, and sometime wearer of palm leaves as outerwear, Sinitta, was singing along, about being, “out with her Toyboy.”

Fast forward, some 30 years, Sinitta doesn’t look a day older, is still banging on about her Toyboy and who’s believe it Italian Fashion house supreme, Moschino are launch a new men’s fragrance of exactly the same name !

TOY BOY IS THE NEW EXCLUSIVE FRAGRANCE BY MOSCHINO
THAT REINTERPRETS ELEGANCE WITH A TOUCH OF IRONY. IT SPEAKS TO A UNIQUE, DYNAMIC MAN, BUT ONE WHO IS NOT AFRAID TO REVEAL HIS MORE PLAYFUL SIDE. TOY BOY IS AN EXCITING FRAGRANCE THAT INSPIRES REINVENTION AND FREEDOM. AN INTENSE Burst THAT REFLECTS THE ENERGY AND STRENGTH OF THE MODERN MOSCHINO MAN BUT THAT

TOY BOY, COMES IN A STUNNING and tongue in cheek BLACK GLASS Teddy bear BOTTLE WITH A LACQUERED, GLOSSY EFFECT AND A LUXURIOUS SILVER FINISH.

AN AMBITIOUS BOTTLE WITH A CAPTIVATING DESIGN, WITH ONE EYE ON BECOMING THE MUST-HAVE OF THE UPCOMING AUTUMN/WINTER SEASON AND THE OTHER ON AWAKENING THE PLAYFUL SIDE OF ITS MAN.

MOSCHINO’S TOY BOY FRAGRANCE IS MADE USING PREMIUM-QUALITY INNOVATIVE INGREDIENTS AND DELICIOUS NOTES THAT REFLECT THE SEDUCTIVE AND PLAYFUL TEDDY BEAR, WHOSE EMBRACE LEAVES NO ROOM FOR ESCAPE.

The weather mightn’t know what to do with itself at the moment, but one thing’s for sure, there’s certainly an Autumnal nip to the air and things are only going to get colder. Nevertheless, console youself in the fact that it’s the season to wrap up, layer up and spend some of your hard earned cash on some top quality premium menswear.

To ensure you look the best you possibly can over the coming months, we sort the expert advice of some of the most wise and sartorial experts in the industry today. The first question we asked was, “What is your favourite piece of clothing for Autumn 19?”

“My favourite pieces of the season are the black Zucca Zeppa boots by Marsèll. Made from grained-leather and featuring a low stacked heel and anti-slip rubber sole panel, the boots are designed to endure the harsh winter conditions with ease. A practical everyday option, the Zucca Zeppas can be dressed up or down for a variety of occasions and provide a durable, timeless footwear choice for any transitional A/W wardrobe.”

Damien Paul’s (Head of Menswear, MATCHESFASHION.COM)

“Fave piece of clothing this season is the Doc Savage Shirt in Rust from YMC. We’ve sold this particular shirt for a few years now but this season’s Rust version is a proper stand out. Great shape and cut makes it a real directional piece but also, handily is wide enough to allow you that extra mince pie this christmas.”

Pete Parry, Founder and Owner – Steranko

“My favourite piece for the Autumn season is the oversized alpaca-blend cardigan from Vetements – It is a replica of Kurt Cobain’s cardigan that he wore in the filmed iconic ‘MTV Unplugged’ session. It even has a patch on the side with the disclaimer “this garment is a tribute to an iconic style. Modifications have been made.”

George Archer, Buyer, MRPORTER.com

Words by Isaac Perry

The brand was founded in the United States by Vaccines guitarist Freddie Cowan when they were touring around New York. The idea came into play when the band realised that they didn’t have clothes which they deemed appropriate to work in. Freddie proactively jumped onto this and got in contact with tailor David Chambers and so followed the birth of what is now Basic Rights. Basic Rights wanted to create everyday essentials which were tailored to a high standard alongside placing a pure focus on the fabric and fit.

“I used to go shopping and buy three of the same t-shirts, three of the same trousers. I want that shit taken care of so I can get on what I have to do,” Preparing to go on tour he explained. “I don’t want to be thinking about what I’m going to wear in the morning. I don’t want to have any questions about myself, like ‘does this represent what I think about music if I wear this?’”

Alongside creating some of the best fitting clothing which we at Clothes Make the Man have seen they are also attempting to break the mould through trying to tackle sustainability with it being a pure focus behind the brand rather than a token gesture. Since the brands birth, they have planted over 10,000 trees and are now aiming to plant a tree for each piece of clothing sold thanks to a partnership with Trees for the future. If you ask us that’s pretty amazing!

Basic Rights has come to the forefront of the industry recently due to working alongside an array of celebrities who are making the clothing look as fresh as ever. These stars include Donald Glover, Sacha Baron Cohen, Joe Talbot and Jim Chapman showcasing the brand’s shirt selection. We have been fans of the brand for a long time and since the release of their most recent collection, we have definitely seen some pieces which you should pick up.

The Long Sleeve Camp Collar Shirts are perfect for layering with a plain white t-shirt. This piece comes in an array of colourways including Dusky Pink, Navy, Burgundy, Mustard and Cream. A personal favourite is the Dusky Pink as it pairs perfectly alongside black & blue denim which is paired with a nice pair of boots you simply can’t beat that look.

Words by Cameron Mclauchlan

Another instalment of Something for the Weekend is here! and we think we have finally found the perfect basic T-Shirt. For everyday use. At an undeniably good price.

Whilst there are many T-shirts available below the £10 mark from your local retailer. I challenge anyone to find a better quality T-shirt for the same price as our first item in this weeks edition of something for the weekend…

It may come as little surprise to those of you who have shopped at UNIQLO before, that our ultimate basic T can be found there. For those of you who are yet to pop a head in, I recommend having a nose when you can! Current stores in the UK include Manchesters Arndale, Bluewater, and Londons Oxford St. As well as online.

UNIQLO. One of, if not the largest fashion retailer in Asia has seen an equally impressive rise in popularity across the EU & US. The brands origins can be traced back to Yamaguchi in Japan, post World War II—1949. Beginning its days as a textiles factory.

UNIQLO which was abbreviated from ‘Unique Clothing Warehouse’, opened its first store in Hiroshima in 1984. Nearly a decade after its first store opened, the great recession hit Japan in early 90’s. This prompted UNIQLO to flourish as cheaper price-point clothing was met with consumers looking to save where possible.

The brand now operates globally and owes much of its success to founder Tadashi Yanai, now CEO of Fast Retailing, the parent company of UNIQLO. UNIQLO as a retailer operates selling predominantly the same clothing for the entire season, leveraging its quality and affordable pricing as a reason to return. The brand has built some really interesting collaborative relationships with the likes of Jil Sander, Undercover, Kaws, Engineered Garments and more recently and more recently JW Anderson.

To shop the T-shirt hit the link below, sizes vary from XS to 3XL, sizes tend to sell out quickly so would advise heading in-store if there’s one close by!

2.   Stan Ray Slim Painter Pant – £85.00

Workwear brand Stan Ray, similarly to Dickies we featured last week is a brand coveted for its durability. Earl Beard founded the brand in 1972. In Texas US where it is based to this day. Earl entered the market at a time where the large majority of brands outsourced their production to the Far East & South America. American brand/American made was — and still is Earls vision.

The brand name ‘Stan Ray’ didn’t come until later, inspired by Earls son’s name — Stanley Ray. Stanley now oversees the family run company particularly when it comes to the operations at their  manufacturing facility in Crockett, Texas.

Now selling through roughly 2500 stores worldwide, the brand seem’s to have emerged into the UK and EU markets more notably in the last 5 to 10 years as a result of the tidal wave demand for street and workwear.

3.   New Balance 990 v5 

Originally created at the beginning of the 80’s as an all new running shoe. The 990 has now become the king of ‘dad sneakers’. Whilst the latest iteration is named the v5, the 990 has actually seen a total of 7 variations since its birth in 1982. Other variations over the years include the 99X (2001), 991 & 992 (2006). With the 991 & 992 being created in celebration of the brands 100th Birthday.

So as you can probably guess from that last sentence, New Balance was officially kicked off way back in 1906 by William J Riley. Rumour has it that one day Riley was watching chickens strut around his back garden when he noticed how well they balanced with their main three points to use as balance. Inspiring Riley to design arch supports with three points of support.

Formally called New Balance Arch Support Company the company didn’t begin making actual trainers until 1961. By which point Riley and his main partner Arthur Hall had sold the company to Arthurs daughter Eleanor and her husband Paul Kidd in 1956. The new owners saw continued success selling the arch supports alone, until making the Trackster in 1961. Probably as a result to being approached by numerous companies to co-create a shoe with their now renowned arch supports.

Since the Trackster, like many shoe company stores we have featured in this series, New Balance has built itself into a highly successful sportswear brand through the creation of iconic silhouettes which have etched themselves across all aspects of culture over music, sports and fashion. Visible today with their sponsorships of European champions Liverpool FC and ongoing partnership with Londons sneaker store FootPatrol.

To shop the v5’s hit the link below, sizes tend to go like hot cakes but the v5 seems to have received a higher number of stockists than the v4, so if the link below has run out of sizes check out : Size?, New Balance or END.

Thank you for reading another week of #SFTW