CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
/

How to Make the Ultimate Sandwich


This week is British Sandwich Week so to celebrate this great British obsession we asked Head Chef Gary Durrant at top Hotel The Arch London to share his top tips on how to create the perfect sandwich.

Taking the same sandwiches for lunch each day can become dull. So if your cheese and pickle sandwiches are starting to go stale then these tips are guaranteed to help you improve your lunchtime routine.

Gary Durrant is the sandwich aficionado behind The Arch London’s signature Club Sandwich, as well as the sensational sandwiches on the Royal Afternoon Tea. These are both served with the Gary’s unique homemade crisps seasoned with salt, sage and peppercorn.

1) Add some flavour
You can make your sandwich really stand out with just one extra ingredient. Try adding fresh herbs, a sliced hard-boiled egg or make your own quick pickles – cucumber, vinegar, oil, brown sugar, salt and pepper.

2) Choose your bread wisely
The bread is the most important part of the whole sandwich. If you want to add very moist fillings then it is best to go for dry and dense bread or try flour tortillas. These will keep the ingredients fresh and moisture just right.

3) Add some moisture
For the right amount of moisture add your spread to both sides of the bread, this will also help lock in the flavour. Spread to every edge of the slice of bread to create a seal for the fillings. Use butter, mayo, mustard, cream cheese or experiment with pesto, jam, chutney or salsa.

4) Avoid a soggy sandwich
If you are adding lettuce to your sandwich, first dry it with kitchen roll to prevent the bread from getting soggy. Also place the lettuce at the top of the sandwich so that it remains crispy. Do not put wet ingredients directly on the bread, layer them with dry items. For a basic sandwich example, add your fillings in this order – lettuce, tomato, meat (or alterative filling) then cheese.

5) Time for seasoning
Salt, pepper and spices can change a whole sandwich, so experiment! Add a pinch of salt to your vegetables before adding them to the sandwich for that extra flavour. Adding too much dressing to the salad in your sandwich can also make it soggy so season it lightly.

/

Running in style – ASICS X WOOD WOOD

As part of their ongoing 15th birthday celebrations, our increasingly favourite Scandic fashion brand, Wood Wood have teamed up, this time, with one of our favourite sneaker brands in uber stylish Japanese brand ASICS, to create a unique head-turning version of their iconic GEL–DS Trainer OG.

Previewed at the Wood Wood Autumn/Winter 2017 runway show during Milan Fashion Week. The Wood Wood GEL–DS Trainer OG is created in a characteristic ASICS look emphasising the 90s origins of the model.

The lightweight runner turned life-style shoe has received a super striking metallic make-over with pops of red and blue. The colour detailing is seen on the anodized eyelets, lace tips and the forefoot part of the outsole. The silver synthetic leather uppers feature black outlines as a nod to traditional running shoes and point to the fact that the model was originally designed for serious high mileage running action. Featuring ASICS GEL technology for perfect density, the GEL–DS Trainer OG has a DuoSole outsole for enhanced flexibility, durability and traction. Additional detailing includes stitched ASICS GEL logo on the heel, mesh toebox, oval laces and W.W. branding on the tongue.

/

Spice up your life – ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA, ESSENZE SPICE

Italian luxury fashion and Grooming house ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA must know something we don’t about Summer 2017, because if they are to be believed we are in for a hot spicy season, with the introduction of their new ESSENZE SPICE collection. Indulge in the rich aromatics from three handcrafted, signature scents inspired by spice, vanilla and saffron. Crafted from prestigious spices, the Essenze Spice Collection is the perfect blend of complexity and finesse to balance mystery, strength and magnetism. The Zegna man whose sophistication, confidence and freshness make him a pillar of modern style.

The first of the trio is BOURBON VANILLA – Like your favourite nightcap, the warm, familiar aroma of Vanilla bean mixes with bold vetiver and ginger to create a full-bodied cocktail of temptation. Middle notes of Cassis, Cypriol and Turkish Rose add an alluring freshness to match the modernity of the Zegna man.

Next we have, INDIAN SPICE – Cardamom, coriander and star anise top notes create electrifying warmth in this unique gourmand blend, bringing to life the exoticism of Madurai and the beaches of Goa. The floral heart of the fragrance, resting on the masculine, woody base of cedarwood, oud and patchouli take your senses to new places of savory adventure.

Finally, let me introduce PERSIAN SAFFRON Dynastic, powerful, effervescent – let this piquant scent surround and consume you. Top notes of Zegna’s cultivated bergamot blend middle notes of the most valuable spice in the world, Saffron, to illuminate the senses.

/

150 years in the making – Grenson’s new luggage collection

Better known as one of the best British, heritage Footwear brands, Grenson have been producing quality shoes in the U.K. since 1866. So after over 150 years they’ve decided to expand their produce range, no not in footwear but luxury, aspirational and yet surprisingly affordable luggage. So for the first time ever Grenson are launching their first bags collection, featuring classic bag styles from the past, all made in specially commissioned British Millerain durable waxed cotton twill canvas.

The bags include a 1960’s flight bag, inspired by the classic airline branded flight bags from the jet era, reminiscent of the PanAm classic, a Holdall is inspired by the classic branded sports bag of the 1970s but given a modern overhaul inside to carry and protect our everyday tech accessories. , two sizes of backpack which take inspiration from the “The Pattern 42 Bergen Rucksack” which was commissioned in June of 1940, for the British Commandos, this multi pocket style rucksack has proved to be a timeless classic. Then we have another second world war reference in two sizes of Messenger bag which draws on a bag that gained popularity during WWII when troops would use them to carry their personal belongings, leaving hands free for weapons or tools and finally a simple Tote which was popularized in the 1940s after the release of L.L Bean’s Boat Bag. During the 1960s tote bags then went from being simply functional to stylish fashion accessories. The main canvas material for all of the bags was created to unique Grenson specifications by the famous weatherproofing textiles manufacturer, British Millerain.

Grenson’s New Bag Collection

/

Let Paul be your new Best Friend – Vagabond’s ethical new Trainer

Swedish Footwear brand Vagabond are proudly presenting their latest, and some would say greatest, innovation in stylish shoes. Paul, yeah I’m not quite sure why, is made entirely in a recyclable cherry wood Ligneah material where all components are from vegetable origin. The men’s shoe is part of Vagabond’s Atelier: a forum for innovation and creation, where the company dares itself in the aim of more sustainable production.

Not only for Vagabond, but the wider shoe industry producing non-animal options is an important step towards less strain on the eco-system. However, they aren’t just stopping there. Technical innovation and the development of materials that are not only non-animal, but also more environmentally friendly, are now made available for shoes. In the manufacturing process, thin sheets of wood are attached to a cotton base, using a technique where resistance and durability is assured. To make the wood material soft and “leather-like”, the surface is then micro laser etched.

Marie Nilsson Peterzén, co- founder and creative director at Vagabond Shoemakers, had this to say on the worthy project. “This project is a follow up on the successful launch of the rst Atelier project with the non-animal collec- tion. We see each season as a challenge and opportunity and are always inspired by sustainability work. It is also where we can work with product development outside the company’s general collections”.