CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Don’t Rage against the Jean Machine

imageThe principles behind Jean Machine are pretty simple, but aren’t all the best ideas, to offer great quality, well-cut jeans and casual men’s clothing.  If only everything in life could be so well executed.

The British brand started life in the 1970s, where Jean Machine was the definitive denim store on the King’s Road in London. In 2012, it was re-launched by Chloe Lonsdale, daughter of the founder, who wanted to deliver the same easy, effortless denim experience for the modern man.

The brand offers three clean, contemporary jeans fits at its core: JM1 (slim), JM2 (straight) and JM3 (relaxed). They are made from the highest quality fabrics sourced from Japanese and European mills, and available in a selection of timeless ‘never out of stock washes’ and unique seasonal finishes. The concise collection of ready to wear complements the denim and includes shirting, jersey, knitwear, outerwear and the Jean Machine signature Denim Jacket and as a result offers an uncomplicated style and concise wardrobe staples for the modern man.

imageFor Spring 14 Jean Machine are following the success of their partnership for Autumn-Winter 2013, with the second of a genius collaborations with the Italian Fashion House Missoni. The two family-run businesses have used their specialist expertise to create new denim styles and washes elevated with Missoni’s renown knits in their subtle colour palate of the season.

The collaboration will offer the classic JM2 straight leg jean in three new washed out, grain-effect tones: dusty green, mustard yellow and muted blue, and One Wash, an essential blue.

Jean Machine X Missoni

Jean Machine X Missoni

They will feature Missoni knit pocket bags in this season’s deep blue and black. The same colours will also be offered in a new trouser shape, the Luxor, designed specifically for Missoni. The Luxor is a smart denim-trouser with a fuller waistband and pleated front, and will also be available in Ecru. Jean Machine’s signature JM4 denim jacket will be customised with Missoni knit pockets and will be available in Ecru and One Wash.
The underside of the collar will be lined in Missoni knit and will be detachable.

Double Denim never looked so good !

Double Denim never looked so good !

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Bloggers Create – The Tateossian Project – Competition time !!!!

imageJust before the Yuletide you may, or may not, remember I posted about the wonderful Bloggers Create Project that the brand Tateossian had dreamt up, where five leading menswear bloggers, Dan Hasby-Oliver, Last Style of Defense; Craig Landale, Menswear Style, Luke Todd, FashionBeans,Callum Watt, Maketh-The-Man and my good self were commissioned to design a Limited Edition bracelet, 25 only ever being produced in the whole blinking creation of the Universe !

Now during the recent London Collections:MEN  Tateossian hosted a party in their Central London Flagship store to celebrates these collaborative Masterpieces. But I’m sure what you  want to know more about is the best of the bracelets, which I’m sure you don’t need to ask, who designed ???? Well, yes my bracelet, yes don’t sound surprised, my bracelet, centres all around, “The daily battle of Good & Evil”, well it was Halloween it the time of our design meeting.

imageAs I’m sure you are are all too aware, we all have a good and a not so good side and every single day we have the struggle of waking up and trying to be the best person we possibly can. BUT mundane factors get in the way, whether that be Public Transport, Your Boss, … Whatever it may be these elements bring out the worst in us and this bracelet is to help us maintain our ying and yang. My bracelet is a daily reminder to stop, breathe and embrace both sides that make us all up and to assist you in distressing and maintaining. Think of it as a worry or Rosary beads with the lil charming reminders of our good & bad sides, them being a skull & crucifix.

COMPETITION TIME

Now if you fancy getting your hands on one of these select, highly desirable and mustn’t forget Very Limited Edition Tateossian bracelets or “The daily battle of Good & Evil” bracelets, to give it, it’s correct title worth over £120 ? Or fancy treating the man in your life to this wonderful gift. Then all you have to do is sign up to Clothes-Make-the-Man.com from now until midnight (GMT) on 27th Feburary 2014, YES IT’S THAT EASY, I PROMISE !!!!

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Divine intervention – Santa Maria Novella for MrPorter.com

imageIf you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting, what must surely be one of the most beautiful cities in the World, Florence, then you will be aware of Santa Maria Novella and it’s illustrious handmade products for the face and body. Founded in 1221 by friars preparing herbal remedies and potions to use in the monastery, the company has since evolved into a line of high-end skin and body products – all of which are hand made in Florence using artisinal methods. A visit to Florence isn’t complete without a trip to the Monastery, where, although you can’t see the products actually being made you do see the inhabitant monks & nuns, busily going about their holly instruction and is literally like stepping back in time. But the overwhelming memory which will be with you til the day you meet your maker is the unique and exquisite aroma which envelops the historic walls. Which just in case you where interested, Santa Maria Novella is the oldest surviving pharmacist on the planet.

OK end of the tour guide, the Global retail destination, MrPorter.com will be adding 14 products to the MR PORTER exclusive ‘Restoring Line’ – from creams, oils, and waters to complete eye, face, and body kits – expect Santa Maria Novella’s centuries old promise of quality and precision for the consumer. This is a welcome addition to the impressive and highly sort after growing roster available as part of MrPorter’s grooming emporium, which includes Aesop, D R Harris and Malin + Geotz.

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Preview of the best of the best from the High Street for Spring 2014

As I sit here watching the rain lash against the window and see people’s umbrellas blowing inside out, a shudder runs down my spine with the thought of the dirty miserable and generally crap old weather we’ve had, for what seems to have been an eternity. As a result of this and as somewhat of an escape from, I thought, right, the shops are full of Spring product and trends. So let’s cheer ourselves up by having a look at what some of our favourite brands on the high Street have on offer for us and what we can wear once the weather, finally, takes a turn for the better.

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Not particularly known for their use of colour, look who’s got a Spring in their step this season, none other then Marks & Spencer, no less.

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A brand who seem to be putting more and more emphasis of their menswear season after season, and it’s really showing, is Next. Showing how to put off the Floral trend for the more reserved male out there.

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Spring can be unpredictable, weather wise, at the best of time, but Banana Republic cater for those layering moments which you need to prepare for every eventuality.

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Next up a brand and an image who are HOT right now, River Island, if this floral ensemble doesn’t put you in the Spring mood and warm you up then nothing will. I maybe would wear from head to toe Floral but this image just shows what a big trend this flowery delight will be this season.

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A man who’s well and truly making his mark at Debenhams is Patrick Grant with his Hammond & Co range for the brand. He’s totally bringing his design flavour to Debenhams and not diluting it at all. Offering excellent quality and cut at great prices, keep it up sir !

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Errr a brand that we totally need to keep an eye on is New Look, their suiting range for Spring is sublime, mature, contemporary and sharp. Next time your lady asks you to come shopping with you where to go.

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Adding a little seasonal colour to our life’s is TOPMAN, always highly directional ditch those pinstripes and shades of grey and embrace coloured suiting for Spring.

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Showing us that the Floral trend needn’t be restricted to casual attire, H&M once again show us how it can be done in a more formal setting.

 

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Brace your mainframe – get that Nautical look, without trying ! By Peter Brooker

In a bid to try and impress a cute girl in my local news-agent, I once bought an edition of ‘Yachting’. An editorial dedicated to the latest ground breaking news in the Yachting universe. Of course it didn’t work, and what was I expecting? For her to assume I have a yacht and become over whelmed in a fit of capricious passion that would result in her ripping off my clothes and ravaging me on the counter? So these days instead of buying a syndicated Yachting magazine, I simply kit myself in the kind of clobber that makes me look that I might actually know the difference between starboard and port. (Ps – Port is left. If you need help remembering that imagine the expression ‘there is no port left in the bottle‘, especially after I’ve had an hour in its company.image

There are a couple of numbers you can chance to pull off this look. If you’re feeling flush then this sweet little number from Folk is in the sale right now for 250 nicker. This is so up market you get a free yacht with it. I am of course joking. But if you want to stand at the helm and look like a pro, then this is my choice. However if your budget won’t allow for the pricey high echelons of nautical attire, then UCLA provide a more than adequate substitute. This UCLA Spears Puffa Jacket comes with a button fasten hood and zip fastening to the front as well as the two front pockets. The waist has a toggle drawstring fastening and tonal seam stitching. The Puffa forges close links with the equestrian and nautical sports. Clearly an item best seen worn when guzzling on the finest wines available to humanity, debating the beauties of an in-out driveway with your rich father-in-law on the quarterdeck aboard his brand new yacht.

imageNow its always important to remember to wear shoes with rubber soles to protect you from slipping on the wet deck. Either running shoes or deck shoes are the best choice. I can’t tell you the countless times I’ve stubbed a toe on a deck cleat for attempting not to wear shoes while aboard. Not too mention when I’ve been hit by lightning and cursed my laziness for not bothering to wear any rubber on my feet to neutralize the one billion volts going through my body. Check out these Keen’s Newport H2 sandals, very popular on the dock and on deck.

imageFolks while your at it take a look at Peter’s website – www.trafficclothing.co.uk