CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 15/10/2014

Roll with it – Six of the best Roll Neck knits

Whether it be on the international catwalks for the menswear Autumn/Winter shows to well turned out celebrities such as Michael Fassbender or Mr Saturday Night himself Dermot O’Leary. The roll neck knit is no longer the preserve of the 1970’s or the knitwear of choice for Bond villains. The roll neck, polo neck, whatever you wanna call it, is back and back with a bang and looks equally as good as an alternative to a shirt when worn with a suit or just plain and simple with jeans when your wanting to keep the cold out. So we bring you six of the best currently on the market at this very precise moment.

This knit just looks warm and cosy in wonderfully warming oatmeal by none other then PS by Paul Smith at MRPORTER.com

Classic Marl goes with everything and from the Genius of British Knitwear himself John Smedley

Out to impress you can’t fail to do so in this little number from Gucci. Only problem is make sure your better half doesn’t take too much of a shine to it

It’s unbelievably how this brand manages to balance price and quality and still make a profit !!! Yet they do and this example is testament to the guys at Uniqlo

Stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons in this cobalt out of the blue from can you believe it Burton

Classic Navy what more could you ask for and from knitwear specialists Johnstons of Elgin

anthonymcgrath405 / 14/10/2014

Always TIME for Barbour – Barbour Launch Timepieces

When a brand that you love and cherish announces they are expanding into a new product category you can’t help but, slightly, worry, in the back of your mind you know this can go one of two ways. One, wonderfully, real synergy, works so well and only strengthens your appreciation for what they produce. Or, how can I put this, NOT.

Thankfully, with the topic of today’s post the prior is very definitely the case. British lifestyle brand Barbour has just launched its first range of watches, aptly named ‘Barbour Timepieces’, which blends the Barbour unique take on British style into watch form, all the while with a very individual and stylish look.

The Barbour collection is inspired by the values of the British countryside whilst the Barbour International collection references the brand’s motorcycling heritage, with both collections featuring some of the iconic elements found in the clothing ranges.

Designed in Britain, the Barbour Timepieces collections all house Swiss movements and feature the best Italian leathers, British tweeds and tartans.

In the Barbour collection, the Beacon Chrono (image above) is a visual embodiment of Barbour’s design heritage – functional yet timelessly sophisticated – available with either Italian leather straps or in a three link stainless steel bracelet. The simplicity and clean lines found in the design of the Glysdale also represents the versatility that the Barbour brand is known for, with a choice of straps in Barbour’s classic tartan, British herringbone tweed, or luxurious Italian leather.

In the Barbour International collection, the motorcycle jackets that the brand has been producing since 1936 are the core inspiration. The Halstead sits at the heart of motorcycle fashion with hand-stitched padded straps that are reminiscent of riding leathers. The Fowler (image below) features an industrial case inspired by the headlights of vintage motorcycles, a dial based on vintage speedometers and soft leather straps that make this watch effortlessly wearable.

anthonymcgrath405 / 10/10/2014

Is it a boot or is it a Trainer ??? – Nike’s new SneakerBoots

Well, unless you are literally living on the other side of the world, you will have noticed a distinct change, for the worse, in the weather and the news is telling us, that all folks for Summer, for another 6-8 months, what a thought. Now, Part and parcel of being human is adapting to change and having the right tools can smooth the process. As the daytime diminishes and the weather becomes increasingly grim, the Holiday(never understand this term, what is holiday about freezing cold, awful weather ? A beach is Holiday) 2014 Nike SneakerBoot Collection provides the tools to combat the changing conditions. The collection introduces new styles and transforms iconic masterpieces of running, basketball and training design into weatherised powerhouses ! This season the Nike SneakerBoots collection emphasizes three benefits – warmth, visibility, and dryness – for unprecedented defense in unpredictable elements. We are talking, Marty McFly has nothing on these bad boys !

Basketball and running favorites from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s are bolstered and re-imagined, with features ranging from rugged interpretations of original outsoles to internal linings that make them as comfortable as their classic counterparts. For this season, time-honored styles and a few new introductions leave the fields, tracks and gyms for which they were originally designed and join the battle against wintry weather.

One such interpretation is the iconic Nike Air Max of 1990, built around the idea that “more is more,” ups the ante. This arbiter of air is re-mastered into a highly visible, high-traction, cold weather weapon of choice.

Another is, the Nike Air Trainer SC was designed to endure punishment put forth by the strongest, most powerful athletes of its time. Inspired by the original versionʼs multi- sport functionality, the Air Trainer SC SneakerBoot’s water-repellant leather upper, sticky rubber outsole and reflective Swoosh logo make winter terrain look like another day in paradise.

anthonymcgrath405 / 08/10/2014

Anerkjendt – No other way of saying it

I recently attended a really useful press event held by House of Fraser where they took a chosen few key UK Bloggers through a selection of their key news Stories, trends and great brands they have for this coming season. One of which, was this little beauty, Anerkjendt.

Originating from Denmark, contemporary menswear brand Anerkjendt focuses on crafting easy-going clothes for laid-back guys. With an unmistakably Scandinavian style, the brand’s designs are always created with functionality and unique details in-mind, drawing inspiration from nature in print and colours. The result is an original collection of relaxed jackets, printed shirts and t-shirts which are comfortable and easy to wear.

For this season the brand looks to both the past and is forward looking to gain inspiration. The first angle of the collection is a 90’s grunge sort of rock and roll theme with only black, white, grey and red colours. Very clean style with sharp graphics.Whereas the second story has its roots in looking back in time and bring that look to new levels, still with a good sense of humour and classics. It using the idea of Cowboys and Indians as its narrative, the colour palette you find blue, green, burgundy and greys mixed with indigo and denims.

The last part of this collection is a playful mix of patterns and colours. With inspiration from Russian patterns and Scandinavian street style you get an interesting look. You will find a combination of flowers, stripes and graphics in a more outgoing colour palette.

anthonymcgrath405 / 07/10/2014

Straight from the Horse’s mouth – Fred Perry x Lavenham

The Autumnal Collaboration under investigation today, is between two great British Heritage brands that have both got great back stories behind them, one a little more well known then the other. Fred Perry is a brand which needs to such introduction a sartorial authority on the polo shirt, amongst other things, made famous, by the brand’s name sake, until recently the last British man to win Wimbledon. They have worked in partnership on ranges with individuals as diverse as the late Amy Winehouse, Sir Bradley Wiggins and super brands including Comme Des Garcon and Raf Simons. The latest to join this illustrious roll call, is Lavenham.

Lavenham is the home of British quilting, they first manufactured quilted horse rugs quickly followed by diamond quilted jackets, quilted waistcoats and a whole host of quilted accessories. They pride themselves on sticking to the two innate attributes of Quality and Durability that have taken the brand so far since its inception in 1969. The two aforementioned vital components have allowed the brand to form an invaluable rock solid grounding to then set about venturing into a more fashion forward direction that sets it apart from the competition.

Its proud to boast of its heritage in equestrian and country lifestyle and continues to use traditional British designs which incorporate a contemporary twist.

This has laid to the “Blank Canvas” capsule collection in conjunction with Fred Perry, it features unique takes on both the classic bomber jacket and gilet style outerwear, encompasses signature aspects from both brands to create an on trend range perfect for entering the colder seasons.

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