CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 02/09/2013

Clever Clarins ! – 10th Birthday of ClarinsMen by Amanda Lewis

Ten years ago Clarins developed its unique to men skin care range CLARINSMEN. With an emphasis on gentle, effective and energy boosting properties, Clarins MEN have been a favourite of Clothes make the man wash bag for a decade.

Men’s skin has differing needs to women as it is thicker and has more oil glands; it can become easily irritated by shaving. All of Clarins MEN products have a lightweight texture, non greasy and are easily absorbed. They also smell really good.

The most popular product is CLARINSMEN SUPER MOISTURE BALM a non oily balm which hydrates, firms, smooth’s and energises. Perfect am or pm particularly after shaving as its soothes razor burn. Natural ingredients include Calcium Hyaloronate to optimise moisture, sunflower Auxins firm skin, Organic alpine sea holly to sooth, Bison Grass to energise and Chinese Ginger and Purslane plant extracts purify and calms stressed out and polluted skin.

anthonymcgrath405 / 30/08/2013

Back to Reality – Work “Uniform” ideas

Ahhhhh the summer is starting to draw to an end and its not just parents that have to think about shopping for School Uniforms in one way or another. At this time of year we all take a look at the old workwear wardrobe and think, Errr yeah it could do with a little update. It’s not just a matter of impressing the boss in the workplace, although that helps, being taken seriously is all important and what you wear and how you wear it makes a big impression. We’re not talking a major overhaul, well for most of us, more a little helping hand, you know what I’m talking about, those white shirts with the stained collar and cuffs, the suit that gone rather shiny and the shoes that have simply seen better days.

On the whole we are spoilt for choice when it comes to catering for suitable workwear, whatever the budget, but I do have to say, remember the golden rules, buy cheap buy twice and you get what you pay for. so we thought we would give you a couple of suggestions to update your workwear wardrobe and bring it bang up to date.

First port of call, has to be Marks & Spencer, sorry I know its predictable, but for a balance of price and quality, they are hard to beat ! I personally love the Savile Row Inspired range. But on their website you find such valuable gems as a suit guide and what to wear for an interview. So if you don’t get that job you know who to blame.

Now, the devil’s in the detail and don’t fall at the final hurdle by the accessories you carry. I know what you’re gonna say, “What, d’ya think I’m made of money”. See this beautifully crafted man bag by Mulberry as an investment piece that, if treated with respect will be with you til the day you retire. Plus have everyone from the CEO to the new work experience fawn all over it !

Remember, workwear doesn't have to match the dull weather of an deep Winter day. Show your creative side by mixing it up. The American Retailer Banana Republic are masters of this, so don't worry if you don't have a store near you as their website is genius.

Remember, workwear doesn’t have to match the dull weather of a deep Winter’s day. Show your creative side by mixing it up, use the blazer of a suit and add some colour with some chinos in seasonal tones and replace that drab shirt with a checked one with a knitted tie. The American Retailer Banana Republic are masters of this, so don’t worry if you don’t have a store near you as their website is genius.

These brilliant Verdy Brogues from KG Kurt Geiger are spot on plus are available in Tan as well as Black and won’t break the bank so buy both colour ways and they’ll see you though any suiting combination, Simple.

anthonymcgrath405 / 29/08/2013

Patagonia’s very green 40th Anniversary

This Autumn the ethically Clothing brand Patagonia have been producing clothing for surfing, climbing, snow sports fly fishing and pretty much everyday life. Still wholly owned by the Chouinard Family, they have provided essential grants to hundreds of grassroots environmental organisations working hard to save or restore a revered patch of land or stretch of water, or to reconnect habitat and seasonal migration paths for wildlife.

Their brand ethos is the same today as it was 40 years ago and unfortunately differs from many companies current thinking, they believe, “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”

To mark this milestone anniversary the brand are launching a limited edition collection. The Legacy collection features ten classic signature Patagonia pieces ranging the classic Retro X Fleece to the 80’s Summit pack. The capsule range was produced by interviewing company veterans about their original inspirations and re-inventing them utilising technological advances, in contemporary fabrics and updating fit and function, plus using recycled polyester and organic cotton in the garments.

Key pieces from the collection include, the Post foam back Cagoule, which like the original rain jacket, developed for British climbers back in the early 1960’s. The reincarnation is crafted from 21st Century Gore-Tex and it serves as a wearable rain shelter when confined to a ledge on a rocky mountain face or even scrambling to catch the night bus on the way home after a long and hard day at work. Or the reinterpretation of the early 80’s Summit Pack which sports accessory patches to carry your trusty ice axe, crampons or a foam pad form haemorrhoid protection on a cold belay ledge. The back pack’s simple design offers enough room to hold a sandwich, emergency rain gear and a good bottle of red wine when venturing into terrain accessed only y mountain goats.

anthonymcgrath405 / 27/08/2013

All Top Secret in Dept B – Barbour’s Secret Customisation Project proves great Inspiration

In the light of the U.S Government finally acknowledging the existence of Area 51, Barbour thought now was the right time to own up and confess about their own shadowy project. “Department B‘’ was a special area in Barbour’s South Shields Factory that specialised in customisation, taking customer’s individual requests for extra pockets or special reinforcements and creating jackets that were unique and personal to each wearer. These requests and this special attention to detail are celebrated in Barbour’s latest Men’s Heritage collection, Dept. B.

Whether it’s a hidden trim, an unusual stud, a zipper that also serves as a ring-pull, unfortunately not a build in life jacket or jet pack, at the moment – all these are located in clever places – meaning there is always something interesting to discover in the jackets, knitwear and shirts that make up the collection.

In its opening season, Barbour’s most recognisable pieces are given subtle yet meaningful makeovers. The Commander Jacket takes its customisation cue from the wardrobe department on Skyfall, who featured a Barbour jacket on James Bond. Taking its inspiration from this jacket, the new Commander jacket even references its iconic muse in its product code, which, of course includes the famous code name of the agent, 007, in its composition.

The art of customisation is referenced in the midlayers in this collection too, with bursts of contrasting colours, textures and trims featuring on pieces such as the Pym Zip Thru, the Dart Tee and the Hatch Polo.

anthonymcgrath405 / 21/08/2013

Is there no Limit to what this brand can do – TOPMAN Limited returns

TOPMAN’s LTD collection started life as a free-range project with the intention of delivering certain pieces to a Topman customer, but also to a customer who might not always look to the High Street retailer for its wares. It was pitched at attracting the type of guy whose wardrobe ethos works on the basis of collectable classics rather than disposable catwalk trends. The collection took a hiatus whilst preparing for its expansion, which now sees it going into 22 stores including international markets and topman.com.

The re-launch will mean that the LTD collection will now be a yearly commoddity. It means there will always be a small capsule collection of staples pieces including jeans, shirts and knitwear available all year round and this will then be interspersed with the LTD trend pieces every other month, to entice and captivate you.

TOPMAN’s Creative Director and good friend of Clothes-Make-the-Man, Gordon Richardson says of the recent re-launch;

‘Once again these new collections are full of simple, beautifully designed contemporary classics that would not only enhance an existing wardrobe but be the start of a burgeoning new one. We are also very excited that LTD will now be available throughout the year.’

The first trend of this newly relaunched LTD, is called Pitwall the range draws inspiration from the Golden age of the automobile and the birth of motor racing as a popular spectator sport. Topman Ltd have taken inspiration from these early pioneers of motor racing. The drivers, who secured fame and notoriety with their skills behind the wheel to secure a top spot on the podium and were equally known for their playboy antics as they were for their prowess on the racing tracks.

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