CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Patagonia’s very green 40th Anniversary

14960010This 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.”

15070010To 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.

LegacycagoulelowKey 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.

summit pack purple

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

Screen Shot 2013-08-21 at 20.02.01In 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.

Screen Shot 2013-08-21 at 20.01.29Whether 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.

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

Shot_03_001.tifTOPMAN’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.

Shot_02_033.tifTOPMAN’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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Whatever the Weather – Six of the best Trench Coats

The weather at the moment is as reliable as a TfL train schedule, don’t get me started. You wake in the morning it seems a bit dull and overcast, by the time to get to work the sun is cracking the stones, you fly out to grab some lunch and it pours down and by the time you’ve arrived back to the office the sun has dried you off via its natural radiation, or it can be any of the mixed up aforementioned scenarios, literally four season in one day.

To combat this infuriating conundrum and make your life a little easier we’ve selected six of the best, of a piece of outerwear that EVERY man should possess, the Trench. Thin enough for the transitional period, thick enough to tackle most things Mother Nature can hurl at you, essentially enough to see you through whatever the weather and still having you looking sharper then sixpence, whatever that means ????

 

OK lets start with something a little left field and not your traditional Trench, from Belstaff @ Harrods.com

OK lets start with something a little left field and not your traditional Trench, from Belstaff @ Harrods.com

 

This is a classic in every sense of the word and if you look after it, it should return the favour. Jaeger @ House of Fraser

This is a classic in every sense of the word and if you look after it, it should return the favour. Jaeger @ House of Fraser

 

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This trench is a must for the season and is from Marks & Spencer’s Autograph Collection so you can be assured of quality and price

 

Within Trench coat history there is an on going argument as to who first invented the Trench, with Aquascutum claiming they did.

Within Trench coat history there is an on going argument as to who first invented the Trench first, with Aquascutum claiming they did.

 

Whereas the other contender to this title, also holds the Royal Warrant. It is of Course Burberry, this example of the classic is from Burberry Brit at MrPorter.com

Whereas the other contender to this title, also holds the Royal Warrant. It is of Course Burberry, this example of the classic is from Burberry Brit at MrPorter.com

 

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Fancy something a little more contemporary but that won’t go out of fashion ? Go for this Trench from Reiss available from JohnLewis.com

 

 

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All Good in the Hood – The Goodhood Store launches its own Clothing line

Screen Shot 2013-08-12 at 17.42.14The Goodhood Store labels itself as a style retailer rather than a fashion retailer. Unlike many of its counterparts it isn’t led by what they deem as fickle passing trends. Goodhood is a truly independent store offering carefully selected goods for the independent mind. It opened its doors in 2007, with a mission to showcase select goods from across the globe. This ‘curational style of buying’ was rooted in design, quality and creativity; and as an ethos has stuck with the store ever since. Over the years the Goodhood name has built a cult creative following and a global reputation for it’s pioneering approach to retail, with ‘curation’ at the epi- centre of everything they do. Founders Jo Sindle and Kyle Stewart’s design backgrounds are evident throughout the store.

The labels and goods carried in-store and online offer a spirit of maturity to the streetwear market, providing customers with a sartorial selection of desirable goods. Brands stocked range from the more well known such asVans, Retro Super Future, Norse Projects, Neighborhood, Surface To Air & Comme De Garcon, down to local, and not so local, independent labels such as Aries, Lonely Hearts and Gasius to name a few.

So after five years after it’s conception and a successful number of design collaborations with the likes of Norse Projects, Soulland & Paul Smith’s R.Newbold the Goodhood team decided to channel their creative energy behind a collection of premuim branded goods, of their own. With the anticipated launch of its own menswear line ‘GOODS’ dropping this August, as well as the the recent opening of The Goodhood Life store located across the street. This new offering presents a prime selection of ‘lifestyle’ goods, from stationary to lighting, homeware and accessories; all fitting synonomosly within the GOODHOOD ideals.

To mark the imminent release, Goodhood Creative have released this preview short film. Shot on location in London this summer, the film shows Yo Yo champion CJ Garner exhibiting his talents.

Goods by The Goodhood Store Summer 2013 from The Goodhood Store on Vimeo.