CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
/

grüum The new name that will be essential to your daily grooming

grüum (pronounced groom) is a new concept in male grooming hoping it will revolutionise how men shop for their bathroom essentials. Inspired by principles of Scandinavian design ideals of style, functionality and affordable quality, grüum was founded by four friends who were tired of the over- hyped and overpriced male grooming market and set out to challenge it. You’d expect by the nature and general appearance of the brand for the four friends behind it to hail from some super trendy Scandi city like Copenhagen or Stockholm, but no grüum is a young British business that creates simple, effective shave, beard and skincare products, out of none other than the coolest of British cities, Manchester.

grüum is a new concept in male grooming hoping it will revolutionise how men shop for their bathroom essentials. These four Mancunian comrades felt there was something missing and created grüum to deliver personalised quality, simplicity, form and function. It’s facecare, for men, without the fuss. The grüum concept, designed as a monthly subscription service, with added flexibility, focuses on making it easy for the modern man to keep himself looking good, with minimal effort and maximum results, just what we like. Value for money, great quality and ease of use is at the core of the brand – the team at grüum believe this is what the modern man, not only wants, but demands.

So how does it work ? Well, the simple and flexible online subscription service that grüum offers means it can deliver premium quality products for a fraction of their cost on the high street. With no commitments (you’re never tied in), you receive exactly what you need to look your best, delivered to your door. And you can change, pause or cancel your grüum subscription at any time, scaling up or down as your grooming needs change. With grüum kits starting from just £6 per month. It’s the smarter way to look good. Simple, user friendly, and fuss free. So you tell them whether your clean shaven or display a proud hipster beard by simply answering a few questions, they’ll get to know you, your style and your daily routine. Then they build your kit: suggesting a selection of daily grooming essentials to create your own personal grüum kit. They deliver your personal kit to your door, so you can sit back and relax. In no time at all your kit will be wing- ing its way to your home or work. No need to sign for delivery. Finally you can enjoy the benefits of your very own kit for 30 days. If you like what you see? They’ll send your kit each month and keep you looking great.

Now if that wasn’t enough grüum likes to keep things simple, products are only included in the range that that are low maintenance, fit for purpose and are clear of unneccessary (and unpronounceable) chemicals. Free from EDTA, parabens, sulphates, SLS, SLES, arti cial fragrances, artificial colours and made in the UK.

/

5 Independent Men’s Streetwear Brands that are going to Dominate 2017

WORDS BY BETH PEMBROKE

While the world gets over Christmas and saying a  good riddance to 2016, attention starts to move over to what the talk of the fashion world will be in the year to come! It’s always around this time that everyone starts discussing what the best and worst fashion movements of the past year, and predicting what will happen next year.

We love independent brands here. While there’s no denying top designers and big highstreets names give us a decent selection and choice, and provide us with most of what we need, independent brands give us that little something extra. Up and coming names provide us with something different – that not everyone will be wearing! 2017 is going to be another big year for some independent men’s clothing brands, because people are always looking for that extra something! So what men’s brands are going to dominate 2017…

Criminal Damage
This East London label was established in 1991, but it’s only been in the last few years that they’ve really started to take off. On a mission to add weight to the London streetwear scene, that is currently booming and gaining a buzz all around the world. Putting their unique take on streetwear, we can’t get enough of their collection of print T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies that covers the dark and sulky to the bright and bold. They are constantly evolving and receiving much acclaim from people for their forward thinking, affordable prices and fresh style.

Boy London
Founded in 1976, Boy London was loved by the underground, but frequently courted by an overground hungry for a piece of BOY’s trademark attitude. With a cult following, it returned in 2007 with its signature rebellious aesthetic printed across T-shirts and vests. It’s still a label that everyone wants in on. The purveyors of casual, cool style, Boy London build the foundation of a great off-duty wardrobe that will be a must-have in the coming year.


Blvck Clothing
Blvck Clothing are a lifestyle brand that offers simple, affordable clothing, and we predict 2017 to be its year! After launching in November 2007, founders Michael Yabut and Alfred De Tagle quickly acknowledged gap in the streetwear fashion market and developed a brand that underlined dark satanic imagery in its sweatshirts, tees, and hats. With designs inspired by religion, politics, identity and death, the brand aims to provoke a conversation between two people. After several celebrities having been spotted sporting the dark streetwear brand, it’s set to grow and grow this year.

Pieter
London-based designer Sebastiaan Pieter brings his assortment of contemporary menswear with a few subtle nods to gay culture. Men’s staples are decorated with gratuitous zippers and tongue-in-cheek slogans such “HH” (which we’re told stands for “high & horny”) – while a healthy dose of leather and nylon keep things masculine. Pieter describes his range as ‘a masculine look intended for a man who is aware of his body’. We expect to see it blowing up this year…

Off-White
Off-White has established itself as the go-to label for modern street fashion. Growing rapidly over the last year, Off-White bridges the gap between between the worlds of streetwear and high fashion. Founded by designer Virgil Abloh, Off-White studies concepts of branding and youth culture in the contemporary moment, translating timely inspirations such as typography and emotionally suggestive prints in his collections.

/

Street Style at London Fashion Week Mens AW17

Away from the front row and the shows, there are an array of fashion out on the streets, and this AW17 season it’s all about stylish layers, whether streetwear-ed out or suited-up, countless men (and women) have earned their sartorial reputation, the wet weather didn’t stop anyone from going all out for this season – to no surprise of course.

Photography by Keanu Adorable

/

Merry Christmas & Health, Wealth & Happiness in 2017

/

Food Gifts for the Festive Season

WORDS BY AMANDA LEWIS

Well here it is folks the last of our Christmas Gift Guides for 2016, hopefully so far ourselves with the kind assistance of The White Company have assisted you in taking some of the stress out of the holidays.
Ahhhh and what would Christmas be without the overindulging ? If its not the Turkey with Gammon, its the booze filled trifle, or the Turkey and stuffing sandwiches on Christmas Night and we can’t forget the tin of Quality Street, I mean i would be rude not to have another Chocolate Noisette Pate (The Green Triangle) and don’t get me started on the Baileys or the cheeky glass or two of Red while peeling the veg and singing along to Wizzard’s “I wish it could be Christmas everyday”. Ohhhhh Food its part and parcel of the Yuletide and to help you along the way, here’s a selection of some great and impressive gift ideas –

Ahhhh the M&S Cheese & Wine Hamper is the perfect gift for the cheese connoisseur. This selection of cheeses have been carefully selected and includes Chestnut Chutney, Charcoal Biscuits, Fruit Crunch Biscuits, Brie De Meaux and Barbers Chedder.

Thomson & Scott’s Skinny Prosecco is for those who want to drink something beautifully crafted but with the benefit of low added sugar as it has less than 50% of the usual sugar content added in the production process.

Ethical Consumerism is big business now and if you want to do the right thing you should check out a website like ethicshop.org who offer such hampers as the above by Traidcraft Luxury Fair-trade Hamper.

Want to keep the little ones occupied in between opening presents and a break from watching too many Christmas Cartoon favourites, this is your solution a Gingerbread House kit from your friendly neighbourhood Coop.

What more could you possibly need, those good people at Tesco, yeah I know, have come up with Tesco Finest Christmas Dinner for Two in a Box, literally everything you need all in one box !

It’s all about craft beers and microbreweries these days and ‘Craft A Brew’ Beer Making Kits bring the world of DIY craft beer to your own kitchen, garage or garden shed.

A frightfully festive gift hamper full of spooky treats from Hoxton Street Monster Supplies. These delightful sweets are based on famous scary monsters and were created by The Ministry of Stories, a non-profit organisation set up to encourage young people aged 8-18 to use their imagination and discover their gift for writing.

Harrods Knightsbridge Hamper is an indulgent hamper laced with Christmas favourites, discover cognac-infused Christmas cake, Turkish delight, cranberry mince pies, tea, coffee and more with the aptly-named Knightsbridge hamper.