CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 05/03/2013

A fusion of East meets West – Woolrich X NANAMICA

Spring, Spring what you mean that far off distant memory ? I really don’t care if John Kettley, the weatherman, is telling me Spring is officially here, someone need to first tell the weather that. Its baltic and the heating is on full wack at Clothes-Make-the-Man HQ, still ! With this in mind this lil international collaboration not only caught my attention, but also gave me a nice, warm feeling.

The highly desired casual wear brand, specific known for their brilliantly insulating Parkas, Woolrich have teamed up with the equally minded Japanese brand NAMAMICA. They have designed 2 new versions of the traditional mountain parka in 60/40 nylon available in a total black version with contrasting gold zip, and a two-tone electric blue version with orange shouldering and personalized label. The jackets have been made in limited numbers and will be sold exclusively in the London Woolrich store and NANAMICA stores in Japan.

The Nanamica takes “utility” and “sports” as key words, bringing together experts in casual and sportswear and import items, seeking to bring products that makes everyday lives happy, comfortable and stylish. Their limited edition products created in collaboration with authentic sports brands and select items are selected according to the Nanamica ideal of what sport and work style should be. Embodying their aim to bring unique and special items that are beyond trends and can be used for a considerable period of time.Holding dear the principle of buying things that last.

anthonymcgrath405 / 04/03/2013

Lab Series PRO LS ALL-IN-ONE FACE TREATMENT. One product and you’re done !

Can this be true, are the good folk in the white lab jackets, over at Lab Series now trying to tell us we only now need one grooming product ? So your actually offering us simple, fast, effective skincare, without the fuss all in one easy bottle ????? In the words of the Sean Ryder, God rest her soul, Kirsty MacColl and the other toe rag members of the Happy Mondays, in their 1989 Hit, HALLELUJAH !

“Some men only want one product to remember to apply to their skin after shaving but have several skin issues to address,” says Shaunda Swackhamer, Vice President, Product Development for Lab Series Skincare for Men. “The Lab Series PRO LS ALL-IN-ONE FACE TREATMENT provides multiple benefits in one easy to use formula that you can use after shaving or take on the go for whenever you’re feeling dry or shiny.”

In fact, from Lab Series research they found that the advanced post-shave lotion offers four skin solutions in one patent-pending, proven formula:

Razor burn? 93% felt immediate soothing
Skin tightness? 99% felt instant moisturisation
Anti-Aging? 88% saw the look of lines and wrinkles minimised
Oily skin? 93% saw shine control

So how have those geeks managed the impossible, just one product, and you’re done ???? Well, according to their information its not easy and has taken great research. The product contains two key ingredients –

MPD-8 Complex — A unique technology that soothes and calms the look of skin irritation. Consists of ingredients such as Grape Seed Extract, Pomegranate Fruit Juice, Rosemary Extract and Spike Moss Extract.

I-Matte — Absorbent powders form to provide instant shine control for a matte finish. A combination of Methymethacrylate Crosspolymer and Nylon-12 immediately absorbs oil and removes the appearance of shine for a clean look while also working to control oil throughout the day.

So fellas, what more can I say, the proof is in the pudding, so to say and the only thing you can do is go out and buy it and let us know what you think.

anthonymcgrath405 / 28/02/2013

When is a White T-shirt not just a White T-Shirt ? The Selfridges ‘NO NOISE’ White T-shirt

The famous Selfridges Main Window

The answer to, When is a White T-shirt not just a White T-Shirt ? Well, basically when it’s a Selfridges exclusive Designer T-shirt as part of their ‘NO NOISE’ initiative. No Noise centres around the re-launch of its legendary Silence Room, first created by the store’s visionary founder, Harry Gordon Selfridge, Yes him of the hugely successful Sunday night drama on ITV, in 1909. The new Silence Room presents a fresh take on the original model but with the same purpose: providing an oasis of quiet for those eager to take uno momento to pause and switch off from the hard toil of retail therapy. Designed by renowned architect Alex Cochrane, famed for his work on amongst other projects Sotheby’s and Heathrow Airport. This serene space will be created to encourage a mental detox and visitors will be asked to leave shoes, mobile phones and 21st century distractions at the door, how very zen.

For anyone who hasn’t seen the period drama, Mr Selfridge, the aforementioned retail maverick was known for not only revolutionising the way we shopped but turned the experience from a necessity into very much a leisure pass time and experience within itself. In the purist spirit of No Noise, six leading international fashion brands(Dries van Noten, Jonathan Saunders, Raf Simons, Paul Smith, Marni and Hunter Gather) have created limited- edition men’s white t-shirts – each with unique design details, such as Dries van Noten’s season-defining camo print and a bold embossed ‘X’ on Raf Simons’ style, making them covetable collector’s items.

Dries van Noten

Marni

Hunter Gather

Paul Smith

anthonymcgrath405 / 27/02/2013

Be proud of your smalls – Hamilton & Hare

The dilemma for a everyday men of what underwear to put on is pretty much a very simple one, the brands on offer to him, now thats a different kettle of fish although. But the design of the aforementioned undergarments are simple;

1) Briefs or a variation on it

2) Y-fronts or a varition on it

3) Trunk style or a varition on it

4) The Boxer Short……

Until now the Boxer Short was a humble simple design, that was until Olivia Francis while at work at the huge Global Creative Agency M&C Saatchi stumbled upon the notion that there seems to be a gap in mens underwear, sorry couldn’t resist that one. Now I know what you’re thinking, a WOMAN ! What does SHE know about MENS underwear. Well, despite not being able to wear them herself, but with an all important female perspective on the matter, she is adamant about the importance of men’s underwear and is really passionate about bringing inspiration and new thinking to the category. Olivia felt no-one was thinking about underwear as something you really wanted to buy but only as a functional, replacement piece of clothing. She set out with a new approach to treat underwear as outerwear, to consider it an important part of an outfit and treat it with the respect and attention it truly deserves.

Hamilton & Hare introduces a range of slimline tailored boxer shorts that combine Savile Row tailoring and attention to detail previously not seen in the industry. From the mother of pearl buttons to the slimming cut, these are underwear to be seen and seen in.

The boxers are unique in their slimline tailored cut, sized by trouser waist size for a more accurate fit. Working with an experienced Savile Row tailor, a menswear designer, who formally working with Raf Simons: Hamilton & Hare have produced a seriously comfortable pair of boxers that sit perfectly under an outfit but look equally sharp in their own right.

anthonymcgrath405 / 26/02/2013

Watch your cash – AskAnt

Morning Style Seekers, hope life is treating you as it should and you’re loving the one you love. It seems like ages since we’ve done an AskAnt and its rather nice that when I go out and about you good readers are actually starting to AskAnt personally your style conundrums and sartorial issues. So on to today’s subject matter and lets see what it throws at us. Well it came in the form of an email from an avid follower of the blog, Ed Morris, who wrote;

" I hope you can help me I have some spare cash, 
left over from Christmas and my birthday and I 
wanted to buy a watch with it. I'm after a chronograph 
style watch that looks a lot more expensive then 
the £200-250 mark I have to spend on it. Can you HELP !!!!!"

OK then Ed, watches are a subject close to me heart and although I feel you get what you pay for with a watch my Dad had a watch for literally years and because he cared for it, he looked after the watch and the watch looked after him. As always with matters of an AskAnt nature I’ve throughly sourced the market, not like a market stall, I’m not gonna often you anything shnide, and of course I’ve kept within your budget, so lets see what we have to offer you. First up;

So a few facts about the Rotary Aquaspeed V Link. Well it’s all in the design with original distinctive bracelet straps; this is what reaffirms Aquaspeed as a real sport inspired collection. This quartz movement chronograph comes with a rotating divers bezel, is waterproof and also comes with a lifetime guarantee. Now you literally can’t say fairer then that, a lifetime guarantee.

This lil number by, what is probably your girlfriend’s favourite designer, Marc by Marc Jacobs. This chic sports watch comes with a black silicone strap, a matte black dial with gun-hued accents and is water resistant to 5 ATM. Addirionally, Fossil make this watch on behalf of Marc Jacobs, in fact Fossil produce watches for everyone from Armani, Burberry and DKNY. Since 1984 it has grown from a small watch business to and international brand with over 400 stores worldwide, so it knows a thing or two about watches.

Now then, SEIKO invented the quartz chronograph back in 1983. This particular model has Hardlex Glass and is Water Resistant to 100m.

Now then, SEIKO, not only a market leader in this field as they invented the quartz chronograph back in 1983, but have been creating and repairing watches since 1891. This particular model not only looks the business it has Hardlex Glass and is Water Resistant to 100m.

So Ed, 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 to go to that you don’t know what to wear etc. Whatever, you query no problem is too big nor small, please just email askant@ymail.com and we’ll happily give you informed, knowledgable common sense advice.

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