CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Essential Bond kit – The Omega Seamaster

As the 23rd James Bond film, SKYFALL, breaks box office records around the world, certain things spring to mind as being quintessentially Bond, a Vodka Martini, Shaken not Stirred (lets not mention Heineken), The Astin Martin (Ohhh once again let’s not talk about the ford Mondeo, the BMW or Lotus,  great cars but not Bond) and of course the OMEGA Seamaster.

To celebrate its seventh performance in a supporting role in a Bond film, OMEGA is launching the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M”SKYFALL” Limited Edition watch.

Like every Planet Ocean, the new watch is ready for underwater adventure. Equipped with a unidirectional rotating diving bezel and a helium escape valve, the watch is water resistant 60 bar / 600 metres / 2000 feet. The watch has a 42 mm brushed and polished stainless steel case and a matching patented screw-and-pin bracelet whose divers’ clasp is engraved with “007”. The rotating diving bezel is distinguished by its matt black ceramic ring with a chromium nitride diving scale.

The applied indexes on the matt structured black dial are coated with white Super-LumiNova emitting a blue light as are the polished, facetted rhodium-plated hands. The exception is the minute hand which emits a green light, as does the dot on the diving bezel. This feature makes it easy for divers to keep track of their time at a glance.

The Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M SKYFALL wristwatch is being produced in an edition limited to 5,007 pieces and is delivered in a special presentation box.

www.omegawatches.com

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That’s F-ing good – Farah Vintage

If like me you conducted your secondary education in the 80’s you will be only too aware of the brand Farah. Farah along with labels like Sergio Tacchini, Fila, Adidas, Fred Perry and Lacoste were held up on a pedestal of Style, where phrases like, ” Jeez man, have you seen his new Adidas Florida Trainers, they’re top, man !” or “Oh my God, have you seen, that Stephen Phillips’s has got the latest Tacchini tracksuit, the latest one guy, that’s soooo expensive man !”  

Amongst, these holiest of grails within youth Sub-cultures, since the 1970’s the F tab of Farah has been held in high esteem within the hearts and minds of these yoofs. However, the real origins of the brand have very different beginnings, it was born in Texas in the 1920’s by Mansour Farah, a design graduate who studied Shirt design and manufacturing in New York.  In the 1930’s Farah diversified into producing denim work pants and later producing khaki combat pants adding to its shirting collection. From the 50’s onwards the Farah brand continued to grow gaining some of the best stockists across the US, finally reaching the UK in the 1970’s and becoming an instant hit with various movements in fashion, music and sport.

The original Farah slack made from hopsack canvas became an immediate hit with the youth of Britain: slim cut, sharply tailored and featuring stain resistant technology, the trouser was unlike anything available at the time.  Momentum for the brand grew and in the 80’s, as already mentioned,  Farah became a must have label amongst the fashion savvy social sub-cultures, including the Mods, Skins, Sticksmen and Rocker-Billy’s. Seen on the balconies at gigs across the UK music scene, each group interpreted the brand within their own style, building key Farah items into what became their definitive looks. The clothes came to represent a sense of elitism while generating aspiration and respect for those who displayed the “F Tab”.

Bringing things back up to date, Farah are still staying true to their original 1920’s origins and following the success of the 1920 Anniversary collection, FARAH have introduced a permanent range of 1920 inspired pieces to its seasonal collection. This capsule collection takes styling tips from the original heritage of the brand but adds a more mature bend to the slim silhouettes and sharp tailored pieces FARAH VINTAGE is known for. Colours are kept simple with navy, black and classic greens being highlighted with warm browns, hints of mustard and deep burgundy.

To sit along side this vintage heritage range, the brand have  created the Citizens of Farah project, which will bring together and celebrate individual style as it is expressed through the diverse culture of the UK and recognising the part Farah plays as an ingredient in dressing contemporary scenes.

To launch the initiative Farah called out to “citizens” nationwide and invited them to take part in the campaign shoot. Farah then chose the final 6 to be the face of the campaign, all of whom represent the brand’s diversity.

Farah.co.uk

 

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Life is a Rollercoaster – AskAnt

Good day to you avid reader of Clothes make the man, I trust life is treating you fair and just today and I find you in good health. Today’s enquiry is rather timely, as its from a man who is looking for apparel to protect him from the ever changeable weather that causes us no end of stress at this particular time of year.

I’m not suggesting the Gold it’s just to show you the range of colours, tut

Ok then Will, straight off the first brand that automatically springs to mind is K-way, they are providers of, amongst other things, pac-a-macs & pack away ponchos in, literally, loads of colours, plus ever so tres cool, British designer Oliver Spencer swears by his. Now, the ponchos or the Roubaix as they like to call it, if you are brave enough to venture out in, will keep you super dry, no matter how damming the weather may choose to be at Alton Towers or however make times you partake in the log fume and who’ll be laughing then, Will?

Right, my second tip has to be, ensure you go for cotton chinos as they will dry quicker. If you go for jeans, yes they may initially keep you warmer but the minute you get those bad boys wet, you’ll regret ever putting them on, you won’t have a snowballs chance in hell to dry them denims out at this time of year, so you’ll be stuck soggy. Plus, wear a pair of shorts under those chinos, so if you get soaked you can whip them off & dry them under a hand dryer in the toilet & not be stood there in your smalls, try and channel your inner Nick Kaman from the iconic Levis 501 Ad, if the event so arises.
Wolverine BootsMoving on and trying not to sound like your Mother waving you off as you head into the unknown, but heed this wet weather warning. Wear layers so if you do get wet you can swap them & take wet layers off, plus thin layers keep you warmer & bring a spare T-shirt with you, just in case.
Lastly, PLEASE go for study footwear, I’m not talking, 16 holed Doc Marten boots but don’t even think of plimsoles, trainers or in any way light weight shoes, unless you cherish the thought of trench foot, mmmmmm. You are lucky sir as for this season, most footwear retailers worth their salt have produced at least one style of boot that won’t see you out of place from down the pub to a good brisk walk pre Sunday roast. See the examples here from Wolverine, Barbour and Rockport which are all multi purpose.

So Will, all that is left for me to do is to tell you, the choice is yours ??? Do let us know what your decision was and  join us again soon for another style clinic.

If you have any stylistic problems, events, that  you don’t know what to wear, after the right shows to go with that all important outfit. Whatever, you query no problem is too big nor small, please just email askant@ymail.com and I’ll happily give you informed, knowledgable common sense advice.

A.M

 

 

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Cutting it fine – Trevor Sorbie MBE

So often the term genius is banded about to describe people, but today’s subject of Textual conversations really is a true genius within his industry, if you asked, literally anybody to name a hair stylist the name Trevor Sorbie is gonna be up there.

Sorbie comes for a long line of Barbers and his name is now synonymous with pioneering hairdressing throughout the Fashion industry. From barbershop to Buckingham Palace to collect his MBE in 2004, he is the hair stylist who has won more awards than any other. Having worked with the late Vidal Sassoon himself, he in turn has trained such noted stylists as Eugene Souleiman and fellow British Hairdresser of the Year winner Angelo Seminara.

I mean there can’t be many hairdressers, who can boast they have been the answer to questions on both Who wants to be a Millionaire & the Weakest Link.

As part of his ultra successful Male Grooming range Trevor has just launched the Deep Clean Shampoo which has been specifically formulated to remove product build-up and grease. Oil based styling products, such as waxes and clays, build up in the hair making it appear dull and can result in less effective cut when you visit your barber.

I know, surely you’d think he wouldn’t have the time to answer the ponderings of Clothes make the man, but yes, of course he made the time, the man’s a true gent.

How did you get into the industry, what was your big break ?

My father was a barber and suggested I become a hairdresser and the rest is history

Sorbie & the late Vidal Sassoon

1974 – creating the wedge cut for Vidal Sassoon

Who would do you ideal diner guest and why ?

Richard Branson for his innovative business ideas, he should be a PM one day

What piece of clothing best describes you ?

Scarf

Trevor collecting his MBE in 2004

The Mullet

What piece of style advise do you live by ?

Trying to keep modern but always matching my age

If you could have invented anything what would it be ?

The computer

Who is your style icon ? Why ?

David Beckham, keeps re inventing himself, especially in hair

Tell us something no one else knows ?

No matter what event I always attend, I still get as nervous, if not more so when facing an audience

Have you ever bought a piece of clothing and regretted it ? If so what & why ?

Yes many times which has normally been after a couple of glasses of wine

www.trevorsorbie.com

 

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Home & Away – Bristol

Today folks I leave you in the very safe and capable hands of Katie Deighton who offers us her essential guide to Bristol, famous for –

Bristol is a port city known as the “Birthplace of America”.

The infamous pirate Captain Blackbeard once had a hideaway cave under St. Mary Redcliffe church. His original birthplace and childhood home still stands on Bristol’s harbourside.

Hollywood legend Cary Grant (Archibald Leach) was born in Horfield, Bristol. Grant’s first role in theatre was working at The Bristol Hippodrome.

The oldest dinosaur so far found in Britain, and one of the oldest discovered anywhere in the world, was unearthed in Bristol

The world’s first commercially produced chocolate bar was made in Union Street Bristol by Fry’s in 1847

 

Bristol is beginning to gain a reputation as a mini-London.  From the new shopping Mecca of Cabot Circus, to grimy reggae nights down in Stokes Croft, to private art galleries and Lidos in Clifton, Bristol truly has something to offer for everybody.  And what’s more, everything is in walking distance.  Here is Clothes Make the Man’s guide to Bristol: the capital of the West.

Top 5 things to do

5. Take a tour around the newly, ahem, ‘renovated’ Nelson Street – the largest street-art display in the UK.  Soon to be as iconic as the numerous Banksys dotted around the city, the See No Evil project has been recognised worldwide as a real challenge to the notion of ‘graffiti,’ especially as it manages to cover over some particularly ugly high-rises and car parks.

4. Stroll around Clifton village, taking in the abundance of independent boutiques, antique stores and award-winning delis and cafes.

3.  Forget the gym, grab a bike and take advantage of Bristol’s status as the UK’s first cycling city.  The Bristol-Bath cycle path is a particular gem.

2.  Get your hair cut at Mr. Swanton’s.  The Victorian decor – alongside the controversial ‘no ladies beyond this line!’ mark of demarcation – offers a barbershop experience like no other.

1.  Head on up to Clifton Down with a blanket and a bottle of chilled champagne, and watch the sun set over the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

 

Eat

The Clifton Sausage – The perfect place to enjoy exquisitely cooked West Country favourites (including cider!) in a warm and cosy setting. http://www.cliftonsausage.co.uk/clifton/

Sleep

The Avon Gorge Hotel – Near-perfect service coupled with panoramic views of the Avon Gorge. http://www.theavongorge.com/

Drink

Hyde and Co. – A 21st century speakeasy and home of the best cocktails in Bristol.  Get there early as the exclusive space = no guaranteed entry! http://www.hydeandcobristol.net/