CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 27/11/2013

A Travelling Troubadour – Troubadour luggage

With the Holidays fast approaching and of course with that comes the though of having to travel, whether that be plane, train or automobile, but whatever I truly hope its further afield to escape the promised worst Winter since 1947, yeah thanks The daily Express ! So comes the notion of having to pack up your belongings and preparing to travel as though it were a expedition to the Himalayas rather then a boring across up a motorway.

If this is you and lets face it the chances are the answer is yes, then have a little look at Troubadour. A London-based modern menswear brand that designs and creates handcrafted leather goods, featuring seven understated pieces – from a wallet to a weekend bag – composed of 100% naturally tanned leather made in the hills of Tuscany by small multi-generational family businesses. Troubadour aims to create timeless products that would be as at home in 1880s Buenos Aires and 1920s Manhattan as they are in 21^st century London.

Founders Samuel Bail and Abel Samet spent years in pursuit of a well-designed, high-quality overnight bag that could transition seamlessly across their everyday travels, be it a quick business trip or a casual weekend away. So, after much careful deliberation, they decided to embark on a journey to create their ideal bag.

The goal was to produce a classic, durable bag that married function and style – one you’d happily carry with you for years and years, one that would age beautifully and hold within it the many stories of your life adventures. It was from this idea, along with the many talented artisans whose handiwork is responsible for these products, that Troubadour was born.

The Troubadour name pays homage to the stories surrounding the artisans who create the products, as well as the stories these products will witness in life’s travels, taking its name from traveling minstrels – storytellers – of days gone by.

anthonymcgrath405 / 26/11/2013

Get your coat, you’ve pulled ! – Parka London

Parka London are a brand that appreciate the style, the design, the overall aesthetic appeal of the Parka, in fact they themselves profess to putting the parka on a pedestal, no less. Their brand ethic is clear – PARKA designs classic yet modernist garments for free thinking individuals, which we most certainly are, who appreciate timeless design and are style conscious. Their aim is to curate a passionate love affair between you and your coat. It’s effortless style personified; throwing it on, feeling great, and having faith in your coat.

They are firm believers that it’s the innate details and little quirks that count. The special addition of detachable fur hoods, luxe linings, secret drawstrings and distinctive silhouettes make a coat a PARKA LONDON coat.

But please dear reader, do not disappear if the Parka isn’t your coat of choice for this season. Parka London could never be described as a one trick pony, definitely not. Another particular favourite of Clothes Make the Man is their interpretation of another classic, the Harrison, this offers a classic peacoat silhouette with a touch of contemporary design and beautiful quality fabrication. Harrison is a wool double breasted peacoat with a grey marl contrast lapel, once again echoing their attention to detail.

anthonymcgrath405 / 25/11/2013

Ensure your lips are Kissably perfect for the Yuletide with 6 of the Best Lip Balms by Amanda Lewis

Ahhh the Festive Party season is approaching fast and if you want to ensure your Christmas Kisses under the mistletoe, make sure your lips are as suave and smooth as the rest of you. And as always Clothes Make the Man has done the research to make your life that little bit easier, so check out 6 of the best Lip Balms;

KIEHL’S FACIAL FUEL No-shine Moisturizing Lip Balm

This does what it says on the tube. It smells lovely and keeps lips well protected with Apricot Kernel oil, Jojoba, Menthol and Shea butter.

TOM FORD FOR MEN HYDRATING LIP BALM

This Ultra-emollient Lip Balm contains a unique blend of Almond Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Extract and Vitamins A and E to soothe and condition dry lips. The balm seals in moisture, helping to protect lips from the effects of any kind of weather so they feel comfortable and look tip top.

Lotil Lip Balm

This rich creamy lip balm will keep moisture locked in throughout the day and will keep the bitter weather from cracking your lips. It also has an SPF 30, so if you’re hitting the slopes this winter this is a must have.

Carmex Crusader

Offers a limited edition version of an old favourite. Carmex an essential for many; keeps lips in kissable shape. Carmex lip balm has been soothing dry cracked lips for over 75 years. The lip balm contains menthol, camphor and salicylic acid to soothe the lips with its signature tingle; while lanolin, cocoa butter, and petrolatum leave lips feeling nourished, conditioned and protected from the elements all year round.

The limited edition comic themed lid is available both in store and at selfridges.com

NIVEA essential care

The moisturising formula of Nivea’s lip balm enriched with Jojoba and Shea butter prevents moisture loss and leaves lips soft and smooth.

Burt’s Bees NEW Ultra Moisturising lip treatment

This balm features antioxidant rich Kokum Butter, packed with essential fatty acids. It’s harvested from the fruit of the Garcinia Tree and is believed to soften skin and improve elasticity. Combined with rich Shea Butter and Vitamin E, to keep lips supple and smooth all day long. Burt’s Bees products are free of petrochemicals and other synthetic ingredients like phthalates, parabens or sodium lauryl sulphate and they are not tested on animals.

Natural EOS lip balm in Tangerine at BeautyMART.

Yes I know its Six of the best but this was just too good to leave out ! This little ball of balm contains vitamins, zinc and Shea butter which is great for protecting and healing the lips in the winter months.

anthonymcgrath405 / 21/11/2013

Not your bag, this has to be – Mulberry X MR PORTER

In the words of that icon of pop Culture and Americana, Coca Cola, “Holidays are coming, holidays are coming”. And if your thinking about heading off for the Yuletide or you have to pay a trip to the Outlaws. I have just the bag or even bags for this very jaunt. That Bastion of stylish e-commercery MR PORTER has teamed up with a brand that epitomises everything suave about travel and of course luxury luggage, Mulberry. These two connoisseurs of elegance have worked together to create a five piece capsule collection, launching this very month. The collection consists of five classic Mulberry bags across four styles reworked in canvas rather than the traditional leather that Mulberry is known for. The Elkington briefcase comes in grey canvas, whilst the Brynmore dispatch style is available in black. The Clipper holdall comes in black and grey with a compact version also available in blue.

Sam Kershaw, Buyer for MR PORTER said of the collaboration, ‘We are delighted to be working with Mulberry as figureheads of British heritage leather craftsmanship and are delighted that they have produced a capsule collection reworking their classic designs in a new material. At MR PORTER we strive to give our customers something that they cannot buy anywhere else globally and are sure that they will love all five styles.’

anthonymcgrath405 / 20/11/2013

Taking the High Road – Johnstons of Elgin

Cashmere is luxurious, no arguments there, and it isn’t something that can be scrimped upon, its a product that if treated well will, literally, last you a lifetime, and in doing so will look after you and treat you well. But please don’t be under any preconception that if you pay £30-40 for a cashmere knit from a Supermarket, this will natural be the case.

Working with Cashmere is a real art and requires skilled craftsmen and women to create the optimum products that this fabric can produce. One such and noted house is nestled deep in the Scottish countryside, perched on the banks of the river Lossie, sits a majestic mill; one of the best kept secrets in Scottish textiles. Known the world-over as the experts in cashmere and fine woollens; Johnstons of Elgin has stood strong for over two centuries. This is a brand that searches far and wide to source only the finest and most luxurious fibres the world has to offer, and it is it’s extraordinary quality that gives its cashmere its enduring and unique appeal.

From dyeing to blending, carding to spinning, winding to weaving, knitting to scouring, milling to teaselling, cutting to folding; it all happens in their own mills on Scottish soil. Whether it’s a glove, scarf, jumper or cloth; every piece is made to last. From accessories to fabrics, their product defines luxury & quality.

For Winter 2013 the brand references British eccentricity and Scottish heritage. It offers a contemporary take, using heritage trims such as soft suede and tweed inserts for both style and practicality. The juxtaposition of contrasting fabrics in a single garment is a signature look for Johnstons of Elgin, who turned to their own archive to find fantastic 1970’s Glen checks and Houndstooth tweeds.

These outstanding principles are what attracted the Grand Dame of British Fashion, Dame Vivienne Westwood to collaborate with Johnstons. That shared passion for traditional production techniques and the preservation of skills already passed down through generations. The brand was approached as they epitomise Westwood’s ‘Quality over Quantity- buy less, choose well, make it last’ ethos.

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