CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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To Boldly go where no Clothing range has gone before – Denham launch Official Training Kit for Astronauts

Michael Mol, Co-Founder of SXC

Michael Mol, Co-Founder of SXC

 

Some time last year The Space Expedition Corp (SXC) contacted Jason Denham of the Dutch based denim brand, DenhamScreen Shot 2013-02-01 at 09.49.35 regarding the opportunity of developing an official training kit for their future astronauts on board their commercial flights.  The brief was to develop an integrated training kit expanding on concepts which had already made appearances in their past collections, where Denham had worked with ideas regarding future-utility and their concepts to fuse historical research with progression and invention.

Now the result of this partnership is an integrated capsule collection including the Bernal Type 3 jacket, the Liner Type 3 insulator and the D-SXC pant. Participants in SXC’s space program receive the set exclusively in the company’s signature blue. The designs are also part of Denham’s F12 collection in classic black and slate grey.

Denham is not the only exciting partnership SXC has forged for this year, in collaboration with the Unilever grooming brand Lynx/Axe have  launched a global partnership, where winners of a competition can become part of their global Lynx or Axe Apollo Space Academy. This is where entrants will be prepared for the ULTIMATE challenge of actually travelling into space, resulting in 22 lucky winners boarding a Lynx suborbital spacecraft sometime in 2014 on a SXC mission into space !!!!!

 www.lynxapollo.com/

The Denham/SXC Astronaut Training Kit

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Wear it like Beckham – H&M Bodywear’s new David Beckham Ad – Competition Time

Beckham 1Regardless of whether you’re a Manchester United Fan, Paris Saint Germain, LA Galaxy, Arsenal or even Melchester Rovers, you can’t dispute the fact that Mr Beckham is a rather sickeningly good looking man. So when I was asked to attend a screening

Messers Beckham & Ritchie

Messers Beckham & Ritchie

of his new TV Ad campaign, directed by none other then Guy Ritchie, yes the ex-Mr Ciccone, I kinda had preconceived expectations as to it was going to be like, Black & white, arty angles and in all honesty well and truly up its own arse, if I be so frank. Now what I didn’t expect was a great classic Ad, showing Beckham’s true self deprecating side and essentially well and truly taking the Michael out of himself (please judge for yourselves below). Now, all this is to promote, as though it needed it, the new Spring collection of David Beckham’s Bodywear range, or to us mere mortals, underwear, in partnership with H&M launching today. New colours added to the collection including more utility tones and the range will be sold in around 1800 H&M stores in 40 countries around the world plus on hm.com, so I think you might be able to get them. But if you are in doubt, we at Clothes make the man have managed to get a hold of 10 pairs of these underwear, kindly modelled by young Dave above, for the first 10 lucky people to sign up to follow Clothes make the man –

All you need to do is follow us here at Clothes-make-the-man.com by –

1) Returning to our home page and in the subscribe to Clothes-make-the-man.com box on the left of your screen

2) Input your email address

3) An email from the blog will be sent to you and you MUST open and confirm that email.

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A KIN-dred Spirit – KIN by John Lewis

Screen Shot 2013-02-01 at 13.32.20This month sees the stalwart of British Retailing John Lewis launch its first and in certain quarters anticipated and in others dreaded (other retailers), Lifestyle range KIN. Designed in its entirety by the in house Design team the range stretches right the way through from Ladieswear into Childrenswear and Menswear.

KIN is described as, “A hard-working weekend wardrobe that comprises of contemporary, fresh and affordable high quality pieces with a distinctly Scandinavian minimalist feel”.

With its Tailoring element, KIN is really stretching out to a customer John Lewis hasn’t actively chased before, the 30 and 40 somethings who have taste in what they wear and the brands they invest their money in. With this demographic certain factors are paramount when getting them to part with their hard earned cash;

1) Cut – The cut of the garments has to be contemporary, well tailored and flattering.

2) Design – He’s very different to his Father. Design, the way things look, feel and peer approval is very high on his check list. Looking good is of equal importance as any or all of these factors.

3) Quality – Although this Man is as interested in an investment piece as he is a bargain, he HAS to know it’ll last.

4) Cost – With the general cost of living going through the roof, with mortgages, kids and putting food on his family’s plates the right price is Ohh so important to this customer.

KIN by John Lewis Assistant Buyer, Tom Saunders (1)-1With all of these elements in mind the in house team has designed KIN to appeal to men who appreciate quality, clean-cut tailoring at a competitive price. The collection is John Lewis’ most contemporary own brand formalwear offering to date, with a strong focus on detailing throughout including buggy lined jackets, high-notch lapels and AMF stitching.

Champion of the range from conception has been, Tom Saunders, Menswear Formalwear Junior buyer and model of the mens suiting, no less, he says of the collection;

“We wanted to create a tailoring line that provides our customers with wearable pieces, whilst still following the clean and simple aesthetic of KIN. Designing KIN in-house allowed us to really develop our formalwear offering and create a minimalist collection of formal and semi-formal pieces designed to fulfil the lifestyle needs of our younger customer.”

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KIN by John Lewis cotton blazer, £79, washed poplin blue shirt, £25, Selvedge Denim Trousers, £59, Chambray tencel dress, £59, slash neck stripe top, £20 (2)

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Nearly the weekend – Alternative Apparel at YoungThread.com

WAZ AA SWEATS LO-RESIt’s Friday, its been a killer of a week that seems to have gone on for an eternity and the weather is promised to be LES MISERABLES wherever you are, OK maybe not in the Southern Hemisphere, but its gonna crappy here ! Batten down the hatches snuggle up to the one you love and put on some comfy clothing for the Mother of all relaxing weekends.

Now if your somewhat lacking in the STYLISH comfy clothing department, let me point you in the direction of Alternative Apparel. This is a US brand that, what can I say, that just get it. They know their customers want clothes that aren’t just about looking good, but feeling good. Clothes that are perfectly worn in —clothes for a casual, truly comfortable lifestyle.

They pride themselves on the vintage-soft feel of their fabrics and flawless fits to their one-of-a-kind washes and hand-detailed designs. But not only that, they take their social responsibility and commitment to the community and eco-craftsmanship seriously and without compromise.

 As they say themselves;
“At the end of the day, we feel good about what we do. We’re excited about the future and we’re making clothes that are going to be with us all the way—not just because we’re attached to them, but because we know that comfort will always be in style”.
AMEN, have a good weekend 😉
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The Buyer’s Guide to Spring 2013 – Jackie Hay – House of Fraser

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Spring is almost in the air and the winter coats, heavy duty knitwear and thermals can almost, almost be moth balled for a couple of months anyway. With this in mind, we can look forward to Spring and wearing lighter, brighter clothes and forget about layering, for now. The learned subject of today’s The Buyer’s Guide is Jackie Hay, the Executive Director of Menswear and Childrenswear for House of Fraser. Jackie’s CV boasts such brands as Austin Reed and Marks & Spencer before House of Fraser, who in turn have over 60 stores and whose history stretches back some 160 years !!! We asked her to select her top 10 buys for the forthcoming season;

Indigo is the colour of the season and this Kenneth Cole suit allows you to wear the colour of the season for work. Electric blue suit jacket £230 Kenneth Cole

Indigo is one of the key colours for SS13 and this Kenneth Cole suit gives you the perfect excuse to wear it to work. Electric blue suit jacket by Kenneth Cole

 

The classic aviator shape is a must-have for the summer season. Parallel Universe sunglasses £250 Prada

These classic aviator shaped sunglasses are a perennial must-have for the summer.
Parallel Universe sunglasses by Prada

 

Our Linea chinos are a staple item for our customers. We try to cover the main colours for each season.These mustard chinos are a great every-day way to channel the yellows that were seen at the shows. Mustard chinos £55 Linea

Chinos remain a staple in most men’s wardrobes and this pair in mustard, give a nod to the yellow trend without being difficult to wear. Mustard chinos by Linea

 

The perfect lightweight blazer for summer garden parties. Seersucker ‘Boltons’ blazer £250 New & Lingwood

This lightweight cotton blazer is the perfect jacket for everything from an easy al fresco dinner to an afternoon garden party Seersucker ‘Boltons’ blazer by New & Lingwood

 

Printed swimwear is one of those erstwhile staples most men have in their wardrobes. And this pair from Calvin Klein feature a great bold print – perfect for holiday lounging. Blue floral shorts £89 Calvin Klein

Printed swimwear is one of those erstwhile staples most men have in their wardrobes. And this pair from Calvin Klein feature a great bold print – perfect for holiday lounging. Turquoise Tropical swim shorts by Calvin Klein

Practical and stylish, this beautiful tan leather messenger bag is a great investment. Tan leather messenger bag £445 Polo Ralph Lauren

Practical and stylish, this leather bag makes for a great investment piece and will only become better with age. Tan leather messenger bag by Polo Ralph Lauren

Heratige men’s watch £825 Burberry What men’s outfit is complete without a great watch? This chunky timepiece from Burberry is bold enough to make a statement, but without stealing the show.

Heratige men’s watch by Burberry. What men’s outfit is complete without a great watch? This chunky timepiece from Burberry is bold enough to make a statement, but without stealing the show.

 

Yellow fisherman’s jacket £180 Scotch & Soda Technical jackets are one of the big trends for the season. This lightweight version in water-resistant yellow cotton is a vibrant addition to any wardrobe.

Yellow fisherman’s jacket by Scotch & Soda
Technical jackets are one of the big trends for the season. This lightweight version in water-resistant yellow cotton is a vibrant addition to any wardrobe.

 

Printed shorts £85 Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren This season it’s all about prints, and what better way to showcase them, than with these ikat print shorts?

Printed shorts by Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren
This season it’s all about prints, and what better way to showcase them, than with these ikat print shorts?

 

This tan leather bomber jacket is a fantastic transitional piece that will see the wearer through from spring into the early days of summer. Tan leather bomber jacket £580 Paul Smith Jeans

This tan leather bomber jacket is a fantastic transitional piece that will see the wearer through from spring into the early days of summer.
Tan leather bomber jacket by Paul Smith Jeans