CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Their Legacy – Our Legacy by Nicolas Payne-Baader

Screen Shot 2014-11-17 at 13.59.14Another Scandinavian “heritage brand” has landed, this time in the form of Liberty’s top seller: Our Legacy. The current insatiable influx of Scandinavian designers shows no sign of abating and Our Legacy have just thrown open appropriately light wood doors in a typically minimal shop on Silver Place, an alley at the top of Beak street in Soho.

Founded in 2005 Our legacy became known for its parred down, dare I say it, typically scandinavian ascetic and a use of innovative fabrics, this year it debuted its use of ‘Grey Paper’ fabric a remarkably waterproof cloth (water literally runs straight off it like a ducks back, demonstrated on its website) from Japan it has used across a small range of utilitarian outerwear and bags. Over the past couple of years and possibly due to its positively mammoth 300 piece A/W collection encompassing jeans, footwear and coating it has also looked to seriously enter the suit market. Offering a several shapes in its new Soho premises the suiting is worthy of note for its casual lean: a jogging esque trouser accompanies many of its soft shouldered suits made from various cottons and including a light, crushed wool reminiscent of 90s Comme de Garcon and coming in at under £500 for the lot. Also in the collection is a more traditional patch pocket slightly more constructed grey flannel number, part of its push to dominate the 24 hour wardrobe.

Screen Shot 2014-11-17 at 14.07.16Overall, and despite the clean lines and white walls, Our Legacy does not feel overwhelmingly new, probably because it has been something of mainstay in department stores for the last several seasons, however with its new opening, hugely diverse collections, very wearable ascetic and fairly reasonable price point it is certainly here to stay and might just have what it takes to take Acne on as King.

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Ask the Experts – Winter Coats

You know we love a good collaboration at Clothes-Make-the-Man, but this time it’s an internal one we have Six of the Best X Ask the Experts to come together to create the Mutha of all Goddamn Posts.

If the good folks over at the Met Office are to be believed, plus the fact that ole Mentalist himself Keith Barry are predicting the coldest Winter on record, we better wrap up and what better way then getting Six of the Best Brains in the history of Menswear Buying to predict their best Winter coats of the season. I think you’ll be rather surprised by the outcome and choices, but some clear and defiant examples are given which I hope, help you dear reader. We set them the question of, “If you were to buy ONE coat this season, what would it be ?” And the answers were as follows??????

AW14OURL068003800-BLACK“The Parka was one of the shapes of the season and this waxed version from Our Legacy also has pop-out bomber jacket so you are getting g 2 trends for the price of one – as well as very warm winter coat.”

Screen Shot 2014-11-10 at 17.42.06Ben Andrew – Menswear Buyer, Liberty

 

Screen Shot 2014-11-10 at 17.10.59“My favourite coat for this winter is our single breasted Corsivo Corsini overcoat with faux fur collar. This coat is a real investment piece; the luxurious wool and cashmere fabric and the detachable collar means you can wear it with a formal suit or with more relaxed daywear.”

Screen Shot 2014-11-10 at 17.17.30Ross Wilson – Head of Buying, House of Fraser

 

Screen Shot 2014-11-10 at 17.02.19“This jacket from Canada Goose is a firm favourite in the Mr Porter office. Goose down filled and crafted from a durable, water-resistant shell with ribbed-knit trims to keep out the cold, it’s the perfect marriage of function and laidback luxury. A big win for Winter ’15.” 

Sam Kershaw - HeadshotSam Kershaw – Senior Buyer, MRPORTER.com

 

Screen Shot 2014-11-10 at 16.51.06‘A longer-length coat should be at the top of every man’s list this season – and Haider Ackermann’s slim-shouldered, embroidered style one of the best. Wear it unbuttoned, and offset the richness of the fabric with relaxed layers – it would look incredible over sweatpants and a cashmere roll-neck.’

imageStacey Smith – Menswear Buyer, MATCHESFASHION.COM

Screen Shot 2014-11-10 at 16.23.37“It’s is the Odel jacket from Calvin Klein in a technical nylon twill. I really like the clean lines styling but it is still really practical with 4 front pockets and a great hood to keep out winter chills. And it is Exclusively available at HN”.

Adrian Gibson, Buyer – Men’s Casual & Formal Collections, Harvey Nichols

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“ I’ve been obsessed with Arctic Parkas ever since Liam Gallagher donned one for the entire 1996 Brit Awards leading to his infamous acceptance speech having beaten Blur to “Best British Band”. They don’t come around very often and you have to have a certain degree of confidence to wear with conviction. Our Legacy to me is one of the best brands in the world and their take is as good as its going to get. Resin coated cotton, quilted lining and storm flap with full zip through. It’s a contemporary take on a military classic. “

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Thom Scherdel – Buyer, The Idle Man

 

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Vibrant Style with the Hentsch Man by Leo Parker

Screen Shot 2014-11-03 at 11.27.42Finding menswear brands that match your own sartorial standings isn’t always straight forward but, as luck would have it, London is home to a whole host of independent menswear labels that are perfect for those men who demand to be shepherds and not sheep when it comes to their fashion choices. One such brand goes by the name of Hentsch Man and they have just released their decidedly dapper A/W 14 collection which will be right up the street of anyone with an eye for eclectic fashion.

Hentsch Man have been going since 2008 and have gone from strength to strength in that time and are now rightly considered to be one of London’s premier menswear labels. Boasting everything from tees to chunky knitwear, you’ll never be short of options when perusing the digital shelves of the Hentsch Man online shop which is positively overflowing with brilliant options for the style inclined.
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Screen Shot 2014-11-03 at 11.28.25Vibrant colours and unconventional designs are the call of the day with the Hentsch Man A/W 14 collection and if you want to stand out from the crowd this winter, this first rate British menswear brand might just be your ideal ally. Uncompromising in style and bold in execution, it is little wonder that the clothing from Hentsch Man is beginning to make waves the world over now and despite being relatively new to the world of men’s fashion, they’re not ones for resting on their laurels and 2015 will definitely be an exciting year for this wonderfully dapper British brand.

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On your marks, get steady – GET CHARGED ! – LAB SERIES SKINCARE FOR MEN collaboration with Jawbone by Amanda Lewis

Screen Shot 2014-11-09 at 20.35.22LAB SERIES Skincare for Men have announced a collaboration with Jawbone, makers of the amazing UP wristband and app which helps people understand how they sleep, move and eat in order to live better. Well-being isn’t just about exercising and eating well, it also includes taking care of your skin to look in tip top condition. It allows you to track activity, sleep, and nutrition, and combine that with research insights provided by LAB SERIES to help them improve their skin’s appearance and lifestyle. So if you didn’t get enough sleep last night, the Insight Engine can illustrate how too little sleep affects your skin over time and make suggestions to help you to address that.

You can join in literally by taking the worldwide LAB SERIES X UP Challenge to learn how everyday choices from sleep to hydration can affect your overall well-being, including how your skin looks. From now till November 30, 2014, men around the world can join their countries in a quest to look and feel their best. Come on UK we’re a well groomed nation!  Sign up for the challenge at http://www.labseries.co.uk/age_rescue/jawbone.tmpl .

The collaboration is being announced in conjunction with a new launch for LAB SERIES. The brand is giving men an advanced way to “charge skin” with new AGE RESCUE+ Water-Charged Gel Cream PLUS GINSENG, a daily, age-fighting, skin-drenching treatment works to help combat the first signs of ageing on skin’s appearance. Yeast Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Creatine, Artemia Extract and Coleus Root Extract and of course Ginseng known for its energising and endurance-enhancing properties.

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Remember, Remember it’s the month of MOVEMBER !

We are a week into the week of Movember and as almost a pep talk of encouragement for all the good work you guys are doing in supporting this most worthy of causes I thought I’d share this short film with you from House of Fraser on facial hair maintenance and ‘Styling of one’s Mo’, so take a look. Ohhh and by the way fellas, keep up the good work !