CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Sims Wear, not to be mistaken for the video game, is the British menswear brand delivering elevated wardrobe essentials produced from the best wool and textiles in the British Isles.

Dedicated to quality, and to creating timeless luxury that will stand the test of time, Sims Wear is built on three pillars; the best grade fibre, the best yarn spinner, and the best knitter. The materials used are also a trio of excellence; Supima Cotton, Nomadic Cashmere, and Merino Lambswool create a collection of style and comfort crafted to last. Pieces are made to outlive trends, and everything is done in the UK, from the fibre carding and spinning, through to knitting, weaving, cutting and sewing.

The Sims Wear look is all about simple wardrobe builders, a classically British aesthetic with modern quiet elegance at its heart. Colour, cut and fabrication is key, where Margate Beach meets Marylebone via Scotland and the Yorkshire Dales.

It started with a ‘perfect’ jumper…

Founded by Rory Bennett and Billy Sims-Hilditch, the brand was born with a quest to find the perfect jumper. Billy chose a classic, super-soft navy blue cashmere crew-neck from a premium British retailer. It fit beautifully, felt great on, and went with everything. Sadly after only one year, the jumper had fallen apart at the seams. Having spent considerable amounts of time and money on the purchase, frustrated Billy set about researching what made a good jumper. This was when the Holy Trinity of knitwear, which is now intrinsic to Sims Wear, was identified, the best-in class fibre, yarn spinner and knitter. When these three are in place, something beautiful is created. The ever present chase for lower prices has meant that over the years, brands which were once associated with quality, sadly no longer live up to those standards.

Supply chain visibility is vital, at Sims Wear it is tight and well monitored, personally by the brand founders. In a further move towards sustainability, there is a Repair and Recondition service for knitwear. This means that if any unfortunate accidents befall your jumper, you can send it back to the brand to be repaired. Whether it’s patches on the elbows, or simply a hole which can be darned, most issues if caught early enough can be fixed. In the process, jumpers will also be reconditioned by de-pilling it and washing it, making sure it’s returned in exceptional condition.

Repairs are seen as a badge of honour at Sims Wear, rather than a strike against. Everything is available from www.simswear.com, or from their store at 20 Quebec St, W1H 7RQ.

With an 82% year-on-year increase in Pinterest searches for “men’s wedding guest outfit”* the demand for clear, stylish guidance and inspiration on wedding attire is at an all-time high. So, for those who have a string of invites to RSVP to, what should they consider?

To help those looking for guidance ahead of attending a wedding, Jamie Hadfield, formalwear buyer at Suit Direct has provided tips on how to navigate the complexities of wedding dress codes, ensuring they can look their best for the big day – as well as avoiding any fashion or dress code faux pás.

Black Tie dress code

A black-tie dress code leaves little room for interpretation. A tuxedo, preferably in black or midnight blue, is essential. While there are limited opportunities for personal flair, consider your dress shirt, lapel pin, and shoe choice carefully. Only black patent leather or loafers are acceptable at black tie events.

Formal dress code

While many black-tie rules apply, a tuxedo is not mandatory but often optional. I’d recommend going for a dark grey, midnight blue, or black suit, and choosing either a bow tie or a straight necktie. Your shirt must have a collar; avoid t-shirts, polo shirts, and banded collars. Depending on the wedding theme, you may express some personal style through your shirt’s colour, texture, or pattern – so if you prefer to stand out, try experimenting with pattern and colour.

Cocktail dress code

Cocktail is a semi-formal dress code and offers more flexibility. A suit or suit separates (a more formal jacket with trousers in a different colour or material in colours like navy work well, and a necktie is optional. Accessorise to reflect your style without going overboard, keeping in mind it’s still a wedding.

Casual dress code

Casual dress codes can be tricky. Consider the invitation details: the venue, timing, and likely weather. For summer weddings, chinos are ideal, while lightweight wool trousers work for winter. Printed shirts are appropriate but avoid t-shirts and ties.

Choosing the right colour suit for youMany people may go for the safer darker colours but especially for a warmer wedding choosing lighter colours may be a better option. Finding a suit colour that complements your skin tone can enhance your overall appearance and boost your confidence.

For fair skin, darker shades like navy, charcoal, and black suit cool undertones, while earthy tones like camel and olive green are ideal for warm undertones.

Medium skin tones with cool undertones look great in grey, navy, and burgundy, whereas warm undertones benefit from rich colours like caramel and forest green. Dark skin tones shine in bold colours like royal blue and emerald for cool undertones, and mustard yellow and burnt orange for warm undertones. Those with neutral undertones can wear most colours, focusing on seasonal appropriateness. Ultimately, choose colours that make you feel confident, and ensure your shirt and tie provide a complementary contrast to complete your look.

Dos and Don’ts of Wedding Guest Attire

DO’s:

· Incorporate Colour Thoughtfully: Check for a colour scheme and choose complementary, but not matching, hues.

· Ensure Proper Fit: Re-wear older items only after confirming they still fit well. Schedule any necessary alterations in advance.

· Pack Essentials: Always bring a sewing kit and lint roller for emergencies.

DON’Ts:

· Avoid Last-Minute Packing: Hang your outfit as soon as possible and use a fabric steamer to eliminate creases.

· Skip Floral Boutonnieres: Instead, opt for a stylish lapel pin and leave floral accessories to the wedding party.

· Minimize Bulky Items: Use a card holder or money clip and bring only essential keys. Find alternative storage for your phone if possible.

· Reserve Special Looks for the Groom: Unless specified, avoid wearing feature looks and white dinner jackets, which are reserved for the groom and his attendants.

WORDS BY AMANDA LEWIS

For many men around the world shaving is their biggest daily chore and a new survey released today has revealed that the average British man will spend a whopping 45 days of his life shaving.

To help men shave less, British grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge has developed a shaving range that contains the miracle ingredient Decelerine – which is scientifically proven to actually slow down the growth of hair as well as reduce the density of hair growth.

Tests have shown that Decelerine can reduce the growth of hair by up to 40%, meaning a man can get on with what he does best – manliness – without sporting a 5 o’clock shadow by lunchtime. “Let’s face it, the majority of men find shaving a chore. That’s why we have produced a shaving product that actually helps a man shave less. We estimate that by using our new product on a regular basis a man can save himself up to 18 days of shaving”

The Shaving Solution lotion combats razor rash and reduces in growing hairs.

The Cooling Moisturiser with Prickly Pear, Jojoba, Stinging Nettle and Fenugreek – yes that’s right are we are assured designed to moisturise, soothe and invigorate freshly shaved skin without stinging.

According to research, the sounds of nature could benefit a person’s mental wellbeing, relieving them from stress and bringing them a sense of calm.

With natural sounds being the most common choice for relieving stress, the experts at HAYPP wanted to find out which soothing sounds people are most drawn to. They also partnered with psychologist Dr Rebekah Wanic to provide extra insight on the effect that different sounds have, and the ideal time to listen to each.

Key Findings

Four out of the top five soothing sounds are water sounds, which combined generate over one billion YouTube views.
Research has shown that watching a fire on a screen, accompanied by crackling fire sounds, can actually help reduce blood pressure.
Rustling leaves rank at the bottom of the list, with 3,026,000 YouTube views (over 405 million less than thunderstorm sounds).
Psychologist Dr Rebekah Wanic recommends listening to birds singing, city noise, waterfalls or running streams in the morning for best mental health impact.

The world’s most preferred soothing sounds, ranked

Rank	Soothing Sound	Number of YouTube Views
1	Thunderstorm	409,000,000
2	Rainfall	399,000,000
3	Fire Crackling	197,000,000
4	Ocean Waves	151,000,000
5	Running Stream	43,000,000
6	Birds Singing	41,000,000
7	Waterfall	36,000,000
8	Chirping Crickets	24,900,000
9	City Atmosphere	18,800,000
10	Wind	17,300,000
11	Cats Purring	11,800,000
12	Rustling Leaves	3,026,000

1. Thunderstorm

Generating a whopping 409 million YouTube views,thunderstorm takes the first spot for the most popular soothing sound. Thunderstorm sounds are a typical example of what is called ‘white noise’ – a mix of frequencies allowing a person to drown out any noises that might be found disturbing.

Dr Rebekah Wanic comments: “The booming sounds that punctuate the rainfall in thunderstorms are often somewhat predictable in recorded versions and may provide a sense of comfort in that hearing them from a safe place can help you feel protected and secure.”

2. Rainfall

Following closely behind, with 399 million YouTube views (10 million less than thunderstorm), is rainfall. Soft rain sounds are an example of ‘green noise’ – a constant mid-level frequency creating a flat and steady sound.

“Habituation to repetitive noise can reduce arousal because the consistency doesn’t require alertness to respond to change. Rainfall and ocean waves are also very rhythmic and consistent, offering a soothing pattern that is predictable.”

3. Fire crackling

Third place goes to fire crackling sounds, which have accumulated 197 million YouTube views. While not really a white noise, fire sounds provide a similar effect with their continuity, helping people drown out any disturbing noises. Research has proven that watching a fire on a screen, accompanied by crackling fire sounds, can actually help reduce blood pressure.

“Crackling fire and rustling leaves may be less predictable but both offer repetition in sound frequency that can be comforting.”

4. Ocean waves

Ocean waves are fourth, with 151 million YouTube views. Often, ocean sounds can help a person recall pleasant memories and this in turn can bring that person calm. Due to the difference in wave sizes, the sound of ocean waves contains a mix of frequencies.

5. Running Stream

Rounding off the top five, generating 43 million YouTube views, is the sound of a running stream. Yet another water sound that’s preferred by many people when they need a sense of calm. Another form of white noise, running stream sounds can certainly be helpful when needing to drown out surrounding noises.

“Running streams and waterfalls follow the same type of pattern as rainfall and ocean waves, with regularity but enough change to be both calming and interesting.”

Dr Rebekah Wanic provides additional insight on the best times to listen to different soothing sounds:

“While each person is likely to have their own preferred sounds along with a preference for the best time and place for listening, considering the associations with these different sounds, I would suggest that morning would be ideal for things like birds singing, city noise, waterfalls or running streams as these would be activating to help get one going.

During the day, more steady sounds like ocean waves or thunderstorms might offer a more powerful and impactful noise to create calm that rises over the hustle and bustle. In the evening, crickets, crackling fire or purring cats might be more soothing because listening to them can help activate pleasant memories that are commonly associated with the connection between such sounds and winding down for the day.

For someone who uses background sounds to drown out unwanted ambient noise, white noise or its variations may be appropriate throughout the day or particularly useful when falling or trying to more effectively stay asleep. I would suggest that people experiment with different options to find their optimal solution.”

Images by

Shifaaz Shamoon

Geetanjal Khanna

Jonathan Bowers

Wren Meinberg

Robert Zunikoff

With all the anticipation of Oasis going back on tour after a 15-year-long hiatus, everyone is getting ready for 202, the summer of bucket hats and parkas – but just how much have Oasis shaped the fashion we still see today – and what fashion trends will we see continue to rise over the coming months in preparation?

Sarah Ewens-Smythe, Head of Buying at Jacamocomments;

“Oasis was known for wearing Parka’s bucket hats and ‘football fan fashion’ – all of which we are seeing trending again this year. Jacamo has noted a huge 40% increase in searches for parka jackets this month, as well as a 12% increase in searches for football shirts in the last quarter.

“Oasis perpetuated and cultivated several key trends in fashion during the 1990s. They were central to the Britpop movement, which was characterized by a celebration of British culture and a rejection of American dominance in music and style. The band’s look was quintessentially British, emphasising working-class roots.

Mod Revival: They brought back elements of the 1960s mod style, particularly with their use of parkas, desert boots, and mop-top hairstyles. The parka, a key element of Liam Gallagher’s look, continues to be a popular outerwear choice. Liam’s own fashion line, Pretty Green, which heavily draws on mod culture and Oasis’s own style, has kept this influence alive in contemporary menswear.
Casual Streetwear: Oasis popularised a more casual, “everyman” approach to fashion, which resonated with their fans. This look was anti-glamour, focusing on comfort and simplicity.
Football Terrace Culture: The band’s style was heavily influenced by football fan fashion, particularly in their adoption of brands like Stone Island and Adidas, which were popular on the terraces. The popularity of sportswear in everyday fashion, particularly Adidas trainers and tracksuits, can be traced back to Oasis‘s impact. This look has remained a staple in streetwear and has been revived by newer generations embracing vintage and retro styles.

“The Gallaghers, especially Liam, continue to be style icons, with their influence visible in the ongoing popularity of Britpop-inspired fashion, vintage sportswear, and the general attitude of effortless cool that they championed.”

Looking for a parka jacket for Autumn (or readily manifesting Oasis tickets for next year) – These are Jacamo’s best selling Parka Jackets available right now: