CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Yes this Sunday, that’s this Sunday, yes only a few days away, is Mother’s Day. So if you haven’t given any thought to what you’re going to buy the lady that gave birth to you, now is the time to start a thinking. As always we are on hand to take the stress out of these eventualities and give you gift ideas not only to suit each and every budget but every conceivable likes of each and every Mother out there and this year kindly brought to us with the help of the splendid and ever so thoughtful Thomas Sabo.

Hey it’s still mighty cold out there and what Mum wouldn’t want this striped hot water bottle cover by Kangan Arora from Trouva. A unique hand screen-printed and quilted cover in a striking Loha print.

Let her Relax in this premium satin robe by Linea at House of Fraser. The gentle floral print designed in house is one not to miss. The drape of the fabric oozes elegance.

We all know what Moms are like when it comes to washing our hands. So this delightful duo from Aēsop is used to cleanse and care for the hands. The Hand Wash makes for a mild cleanser with a delectable scent. Follow it with a generous application of the rich, soothing balm.

Hold on a cotton picking second, Chocolates, Wine and Flowers ? Marks & Spencer have all bases covered with this gift. Red Roses, bottle of red wine and tube of delicious dark chocolate discs feature in this keepsake striped printed box. The perfect gift ? And if she is a Rosè or white wine sorta lady, yep they’ve thought of that too.

Let Mum put her feet up for a change and treat her to afternoon tea or Sunday lunch. Hotels around the country have some amazing deals on at the moment, specifically with Mums in mind. From the newly opening King Street Townhouse to the Boutique Luxury of London’s the Arch Hotel.

Georg Jensen’s season candleholder is not only a gorgeous but an intricate design crafted from stainless steel with a mirror finish. Set the scene and place this candleholder in the centre of your dining table for an dramatic setting, with the desired affect. If you really want to finish the ensemble, decorate with ribbons or flowers.

If you missed purchasing this gift for a lady before, thank you God for Paper backs. This witty, wise and truthful beauty handbook written by a real woman for real women on what works in real life from Sali Hughes, is an absolute Musthave .

Go on, this classic and elegant Continental Wallet for Mulberry a timeless style that epitimises understated leather craft. It’s perfectly tailored for the highly organised (or those who wish to be!) with a zipped compartment at the back, internal space for oodles of cards, two additional interior slots for notes, receipts and a zipped coin compartment.

Created to cater to inner artists and diligent note-taking Mum, this Liberty print notebook was fitted with plentiful of blank pages, promising limitless space for personal expression. Surely a delightful addition to any stationary collection.

What Mother could not be touched if she revived this THOMAS SABO Best Mum Charm pendant from the Charm Club Collection. Mothers are the best! This Best Mum Charm crafted from 925 Sterling silver with heart-shaped white pavé zirconia and will bring a radiance to the eyes of any mother and if that wasn’t enough for Mother’s Day Thomas Sabo have a Promotion of up to 25% on Infinity of Love Necklaces – Give a gift with love on Mother’s Day. Say “Thank you” to Mum for being always by your side with one of the exclusive THOMAS SABO Infinity of Love necklaces created especially for Mother’s Day: four stunning creations offered at a very special price, discounted at up to 25%. Simple yet timelessly chic, the four necklaces range from £52.50 to £160 and are available in 925 Sterling silver, 18k rose gold plating and with dazzling white zirconia pave: the delicate pieces reveal an infinity symbol forming the centre of a heart shaped pendant symbolising the eternal love between a mother and child. I think I’ve something in my eye now.

*T&C’s: The Mother’s Day promotion runs until 6th March 2016. Promotional necklaces are offered at up to 25% discount: KE1496-001-12 (Now £52.50, was £70); KE1496-415-12 (now £110, was £125), KE1497-051-14 (Now £110, was £125), KE1497-416-14 (Now £160, was £180). After the end of the promo prices will return to the full retail price.
Available while stocks last.

Men’s grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge has teamed up with the British Barbers’ Association to put together a round-up of the biggest facial hair trends for 2016, and surprisingly, this time its no longer ALL about the beard.

It seems that claiming ‘Peak Beard’ had been reached back in 2014 may have been a little hasty, with stylish facial fuzz continuing to dominate in the men’s style stakes throughout 2015 – but with the new year now in full swing, it may be time to reconsider your current look. Whether you rock the full beard with pride or have – incredibly -yet to experiment with the unshaven look at all.

Moustache

First up, Movember may be long gone, but the mighty moustache is here to stay. Anyone who has actively shunned the beard in recent years will be pleased to learn that there is a new alternative, while those already sporting a proud facial mop can add an upper lip accent for a fresh new look to coincide with the new year.

To get one, patience is key – allow it to grow for a good few months, and avoid trimming above the lip until you are satisfied with the length. While you are waiting, be sure to comb through regularly, training the hairs outwards either side of your philtrum. Style with a little bit of moustache wax, twisting upwards and outwards, and you’re good to go.

Sideburns

Mutton chops, side slugs – whatever you call them, sideburns are due a moment in 2016, and while you may have assumed that this was a look left firmly in the past, like most trends, it has come full circle. Very much a part of the full-bearded trend, this time, the lambchop is going solo, so if you’re all about making a statement then it may be time to take a razor to the rest of it and say goodbye to the hair on your chin. Championed by the likes of Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and – more recently – Bradley Wiggins, sideburns are set to be huge – although never quite as huge as those infamously sported by the legend, George Best.

Stubble

Not all men are blessed in the facial hair department, and those who have spent the past three years trying desperately to reach full-bearded status will be relieved to hear that designer stubble is tipped for big things in 2016. Not only is it the perfect choice for the follicly challenged, but it’s also a great option for those who frankly can’t be bothered with the daily shave.

That said, some maintenance will be required. Allow hairs to grow until itchy, then follow the natural lines created by your features to create your perfect shape, wet shaving any areas that do not fit the template with a good quality razor and creating clean lines along the edges. If you already have a particularly chiselled face then you might prefer to fade or taper your stubble rather than creating a defined outline, as this will make for a slightly softer look.

The tight beard

Keen to keep up with the beard trend but need to stay neat and tidy for work? Then the tight beard is set to be your best friend for 2016. This style keeps the keeps the facial hair trimmed short for a well-groomed look. That is well within the bounds of facial symmetry. Set your trimmer to a setting of 2-3 millimetre, and trim evenly all over, then wet shave the surrounding areas, creating sharp, well-defined edges as you go.

A shorter take on the long beard shape

Long beards aren’t for everyone, and if not well cared for they can look downright scraggy. To bring the trend up to date, try a shorter take on the style.

This version of the beard follows the shape of the face, with sharp, groomed lines which contrast with the slightly more unpredictable growth below. The bottom of the beard should line up a couple of inches below the chin, while the hair beneath the chin and towards the neck should be left in place to add to the overall fullness.

To work with the standard British weather of Spring, or is it Autumn, it still feels like Winter. It’s all about transitional dressing this spring and what better way to freshen up your look than with a pair of Nike Huaraches from this exclusive pack available only at JD.

More underground than your Nike Air Max, particulate the 95’s, and far more discreet then your Air Jordans. A footwear essential since the early 90’s, Huaraches are one of Nike’s fastest selling trainers to date, with variations on design and fit launching regularly to keep up with the demand for these hot kicks. In a survey of the top 100 trainers of, what’s often referred to as, the Golden age of Trainers, the 1990’s, by those priviers of Popular Culture, Complex. Not only were 7 out of the top 10, of the best trainers were Nike but the Huaraches came out a highly respectable number 12.

Complex says of the Huaraches: “Guess who designed these? Named after the Mexican footwear, the Huarache is one of the most iconic runners and influential sneakers in Nikes aresenal, creating a chain reaction of basketball, tennis, trainers and soccer kicks as well. Truth be told Tinker Hatfield’s stripped-down, water-ski-boot-inspired running shoes did receive some mixed reviews from serious runners but there is no denying they hold a serious spot as one of the greatest shoes ever constructed.”

To celebrate JD’s King of Trainers campaign, these styles come exclusive to JD in this tonal pack, offering up three different silhouettes; the classic Air Huarache, the high top Air Trainer Huarache with cut-out detailing, and the Air Trainer Huarache Low. Check out the midsole’s credentials too: lightweight, full-length Phylon, a Zoom unit in the forefoot for superb responsiveness, and the revolutionary Air Sole to the heel for impact protection like nothing else.

Editor: Keanu Adorable

Stockholm based fashion brand Acne Studios, founded by Jonny Johansson who uses his interests in photography, art, architecture and contemporary culture to gain inspiration. An alternative path has been found, turning Acne Studios into a well-respected creator of ready-to-wear, magazines, furniture, books and exhibitions.

The collections are defined by Johansson’s signature juxtaposing design and attention to detail, with an emphasis on tailoring and an eclectic use of materials and custom developed fabrics and boasts flagship stores in Paris, London, New York City, Los Angeles and Tokyo.

For their Spring/Summer 2016 men’s campaign, Surfboard enthusiast, Robin Kegel Kegel created graphic prints similar to those he uses on his surfboards, which have been applied to jumpsuits that are almost as tall as his boards. The prints also appear on cashmere sweaters that have been purposefully pilled, as if worn everyday by someone who’s just come out of the surf. The collection contains tailored pants, linen coats, zip-up leather jackets, just to name a few.

“I’m obsessed with surfing, and have long admired Robin and his aesthetic. The campaign images were shot in Robin’s studio in Biarritz with David Sims, who is also a surfer. We spent some wonderful days there, both surfing and creating the campaign.”– Jonny Johansson, Creative Director

It is the first time Acne Studios presents a men’s collection in a campaign, which was show by photographer David Sims. The imagery will be used for outdoor advertising in New York, London, Paris and Hong Kong during February and March. You can now get these pieces in store or online.

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Amara, the luxury style and interiors E and retailer have branched out into another room of the home, this time the bathroom, no not taps or tubs but a very well curated collection of niche and premium mens grooming products. Yes, this from brand more known for stocking interior brands from Alessio to Zaha Hadid, but trust us this is well worth checking out.

Initially starting life as an interior design business and has always been about bringing designer style and expert knowledge into every home. Created by husband and wife team, Andrew and Sam Hood, the company has utilised their combined strengths from the very beginning. Sam’s career in retail fashion nurtured her innate talent for styling and staying ahead of the trends, and she found her calling in interiors after project managing her own home renovation. Andrew’s business know-how and acumen come from spending over twenty years as Head of Equity Trading at a large US investment bank until 2004.

For this latest brand extension, Amara have gathered together the perfect products to help you look and feel your best. From kits to make sure your beard is on top form, to facial moisturisers keeping your game face strong. They have sourced a collection of premium and artisan brands that sit perfectly among the Amara home, including Triumph & Disaster, Men’s Society, Bamford and Portland England. So remember whether your playing the field or trying to make a good first impression, it’s the small, subtle details that count when it comes to men’s grooming.

CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

To mum with ♥ – Our Must have Mother’s Day Gift Guide bought to you by Thomas Sabo

The biggest men’s facial hair trends for 2016

Nike Air Huarache

The Best kind of Acne – Acne Studios

A Clean Home = A Clean Mind, Body and Soul – Amara’s new Grooming Section

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