CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Are you singing off the same HYMN Sheet – HYMN available at JOY stores

imageHYMN is a new menswear brand which promises to offer us a range committed to durability, wearability and simplicity  with that all important contemporary twist, ahhh that twist of course. But give this  menswear line it’s due, HYMN offers clothing that caters for pretty much, every facet of the modern man’s wardrobe. With an ease and simplicity to its design aesthetic, the collection carries classic chinos, shirts and knitwear: timeless in its approach but with visually interesting twists on traditional menswear pieces.

imageWith a promise to stay dedicated to fit and quality plus striking a real balance between wardrobe staples and statement pieces.  The brand is available through joythestore.com, the unisex store that offers a unique selection of mens, womenswear and lifestyle accessories all which an eclectic mix of fun, quirky and stylish tone.

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I wish it would Rain – Ideal wet weather attire

The Winter of 2013/14 will be pretty much remembered for its weather, not only did we see the town of Hell Freeze over in Michigan, USA , but it will also go down in history as the wettest season we’ve ever seen, since records began. At some point over the last few weeks/months, you must have got soaked to the skin and so it got us to thinking about ways we can help you beloved reader keeping that dapper exterior and keep the drowned rat look totally at bay.  So here are a couple of the better water resistant apparel money can buy.

imageSWIMS, the Norwegian waterproof specialists, have introduced the Luca Sneaker, a comfortable shoe, featuring a myriad of fabric technology to tackle any weather condition including waterfriendly materials and breathable nylon all with an unmistakeable SWIMS edge.

imageThis brilliant British Woodland Camouflage City Gent Umbrella with Malacca Wood handle and Beech Wood shaft by London Undercover, not only will keep you dry in the event of a downpour but will ensure your stylish stakes are maintained in the urban jungle.

imageThe story of K-Way began in Paris, 1965. Leon-Claude Duhamel observed, one rainy day, attentively as people rush about in soaking wet clothing.  It was this this very day that K-Way was born: a lightweight, completely waterproof jacket that can be folded away into a small hip bag.

imageThis great compact Gents Umbrella from Marks & Spencer is ideal for throwing into your bag and forgetting about it right until you really it. Plus at the price it is, if like me, during the recent London Collections:Men where I managed to lose three, yes three, umbrellas over three days, it isn’t the end of the world.

imageThere is nothing worse then having important stuff in your bag, you know vital documents, your mobile ohhh and maybe your lunch and you get caught out in a deluge ! No one like wet documents but even more nobody likes soggy sandwiches. Well Watershed have the answer for you, used by the likes of the US Military, their bags are completely  watertight, so ensuring soggy sandwiches are a thing of the past. Ohhh and your documents stay safe and dry.

imageWe couldn’t cover wet weather gear, without mentioning the next brand as Mackintosh and their ever essential raincoats are to rainy day what fish is to chips. The traditional Mackintosh or Mac as it’s commonly worked its way into our language as, celebrates it’s 190th anniversary this year. Wonder how many people can thank Mackintosh for keeping them dry over the years ?

 

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HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN !!!!

imageYes can you Adam & Eve (believe, for our non cockney readers)it, TWO years ago today we launched Clothes-Make-the-Man.com Now with nearly 400 featured posts in that time and readers from Guam to Greenland stretching across some 166 countries !!!! We’ve surpassed, literally, anything we had hoped for, when we rather rushed, launched the first post on Private White VC. We’ve had the pleasure of interviewing such stylish industry stalwarts as Gordon Richardson, Richard James, Patrick Grant and Oliver Spencer. Plus, our sterling work has been picked up upon by the wider media and our opinion, counsel and views has been sort by the likes of ShortList, The Mail on Sunday, The Daily Express and Men’s Health.

But all of this has been great and a brilliant Rollercoaster ride, but, genuinely, none of this would’ve have been possible without you bloody wonderful readers. As in some small way of a thank you we’d like to offer one of you amazing surveyors of style a £200 Voucher by those lovely people at MRPORTER.COM !!!!

All you have to do is Tweet us @ClothesMakeMan, like us and leave a comment at Facebook.com/ClothesMaketheMan or Instagram us at ClotheMakeMan and the most creative message etc left by 6pm (GMT) Sunday 23th February will be the lucky winner.

Please carry on reading the Blog and we’ll strive to make it better and better and please spread the word !

Many thanks folks

Much Love

A.M.

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The Buyer’s Guide to Spring 2014 – Adrian Gibson – Harvey Nichols

imageOK, OK I know it feels like Spring might be a bit premature but I promise, if we really think positive thoughts, I’m sure it’ll come. Anyway, the subject of today’s Buyer’s Guide has over 20 years’ experience buying for luxury Department Stores, having worked at both Selfridges and Harrods. During his eight years at the ‘Town House Boutique’, Harvey Nichols, he has bought a repertoire of Menswear for the retailer. Harvey Nichols as a retailer, currently has stores in London, Leeds, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Bristol in the UK and internationally Dublin, Riyadh, Hong Kong, Dubai, Turkey and Kuwait. The London flagship store is located in the heart of Knightsbridge, London’s most fashionable and exclusive shopping district. But, more importantly back to the  person in question, Mr Adrian Gibson, today he specialises in the Casual and Diffusion Collections, while continuing to introduce new and innovate brands into the Denim Gallery. So what is his top buys for Spring 14 ?

imageThere have been a lot of Animal themed prints in the last fewseason but I think this one is cleverly executed and is a great accessible price point by A Question Of

imageThis beautiful laser cut trench is from New brand to HN for SS14 Herno who produce understated but technically brilliant outerwear from Italy

imageHN (Harvey Nichols) welcomes back Versus Versace for SS14 starting with singer MIA’s collaboration which is printastic with the main collection arriving shortly.

imageThe move on from the Tiger this season at Kenzo is the Waveas shown on this knit … although we still have plenty of Tigers in new colour ways if you haven’t got one yet

imageThis Canada Goose jacket is in collaboration MulitmediaArtist Eepmon who designed the elaborate lining to this jacket.  Only 150 of the jackets made worldwide and the jacket is Exclusive to HN in the UK

imageI am a total sneaker collector and these McQueen Skull & Lace plimsolls are definitely on my list for Summer  ‘14

imageThe homage to super brand Givenchy continues … Love this update of the Star print with Summer Rose print

imageWe adore the quality and perfection of the Psycho Bunny Polo and this time finished off in attention grabbing Large Gold Bunny … Exclusive to HN in the UK is going to get you noticed

imageSweatshirts are my garment of choice at the moment and I think Neil Barrett’s are one of the most desirable … Colour blocked and sporty

imageBrand new in to HN but also Bang on trend … Amazing design and practical efficiency by Kris Van Assche

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Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us: The Best of British Menswear Designers X Grenson Shoes for MRPORTER

imageIn the latest of an increasingly must have exclusive line of collaborations, hosted by uber e-tailer MRPORTER.COM  is with, what can only be described as the hottest role call in young British Menswear Designers. The likes of Agi & Sam, Craig Green, Christopher Raeburn, Matthew Miller, Katie Eary and Sibling have each designed a pair of shoes, made by heritage footwear brand Grenson, which will be sold exclusively on MR PORTER.

The Grenson factory in Northamptonshire was founded in 1866 , and was the first in the world to employ the “Goodyear welt” method of construction, a technique that has become a hallmark of all well-made British shoes. In 2005 Tim Little joined the company as Creative Director to revitalise the brand and with the launch in 2006, of his easier, altogether more modern take on traditional English shoes, introduced Grenson to a whole new generation of men.

Taking the multiple styles on offer within the Grenson G: Lab programme, the designers have applied their very creative and individualistic vision to a mix of boots, brogues and loafers. Agi & Sam’s shoe uses three different types of black leather on a thick crepe rubber sole, while Katie Eary has created a cobalt blue double monk. Craig Green has taken an all-black brogue and added a utilitarian elastic strap fastening and chunky tread, and Matthew Miller has given a black derby shape a crocodile-effect treatment. Christopher Raeburn’s contribution is a military inspired boot, and Sibling’s trademark use of colour is evident in a pair of sky blue penny loafers with bright pink lining.