CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Be safe, Be seen – MADISON CLOTHING RELEASE HI-VIZ COMMUTER CYCLING RANGE

As cycling levels in rise again due to cash-strapped commuters driving less, leading British cycling brand Madison have released a new range of reflective cycling apparel to help keep cyclists safe and seen as Autumn approaches. Available to view and purchase online at freewheel.co.uk

Founded in 1977, Madison Clothing has been outfitting cyclists with elegant and functional apparel using the latest technologies for over four decades. Allowing wearers to fully concentrate on the ride and enjoy all the benefits that come with being on two wheels.

Resetting the standard for affordable hi-visibility apparel, Madison proudly presents a capsule range of reflective cycling jackets and gilets for men and women – each designed to provide comfort, protection against the elements and sublime low-light visibility. All styles encapsulated within the brand’s ‘Stellar’ range that’s designed and tested with the commuter cyclist in mind.

For those who enjoy the darkest of commutes or simply want maximum 360° visibility on the bike, look no further for a jacket that offers the perfect blend of performance, function and design. Constructed from waterproof and breathable mesh lined fabric that’s rated at 10k/6k. Meaning it can withstand 10,000m of water per square inch from the outside, and releases 6,000g of water vapour per square metre from the inside.

This level of breathability ensures comfortable rides during temperature downpours as seen in the UK and is further heightened by innovative rear panels that have been perforated to boost breathability but are still resistant to water ingress.

Finer details of the jacket include elasticated cuffs that securely seal over wrists and gloves, even when riding at speed, plus a soft-to-touch fabric collar to give riders a comfortable range of head movement when scanning their surroundings.

Plus, the perfect lightweight layering piece to maximize low light visibility to all other road users, the Stellar Shine Reflective Gilet steals style and design cues from its same-named jacket counterpart.

A great layering option when it’s cool and dry, the added benefit of this sleeveless hi-viz garment is wholly unrestrictive arm and hand movements when turning and signaling. Clever design features include ‘pack into pocket’ stowability, a full-length water resistant zipper for maximum air-flow in the heat and a zippered chest pocket for any small valuables.

Elasticated mesh drop pockets can be found on both hips for further storage, he mesh lined waterproof fabric keeping your core dry in any flash rainstorms you might encounter with the added protection of an elasticated dropped hem.

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Dress for Success – Moss Bros. reveals their Interview Dressing Guide for “what to wear to an interview”

With more and more people heading back to the office, interviews are taking place in person again. As this happens people are starting to wonder how exactly do you dress for an interview after 2 years of video interviews and track pants? Those well dress and ever so dapper experts over at Moss Bros. have broken it down into a handy guide. 

Searches for “what to wear to an interview” are up 16% in the past month! 

You want your interviewer to picture you doing the job that you’re interviewing for. What you wear needs to show you’re serious about the role but also that you’re a good fit for the company culture – a three-piece suit is pretty much mandatory for a City job, but wear one to a creative agency and they might mistake you for their accountant.

One-third of British men feel most professional and confident in a tailored suit! 

That said, great tailoring does wonders for your confidence across the board. We surveyed British men and over a third of them said they felt most professional and confident in a tailored suit. It follows, then, that making an effort to dress smartly will impress your interviewer and also give you a boost of confidence when it matters. 

So, back to the question in hand: what to wear to an interview? Our advice is to tailor your outfit to the kind of company that’s interviewing you. Here’s our take on what to wear for four types of interviews: corporate, business professional, business casual and creative.

WHAT TO WEAR FOR A CORPORATE INTERVIEW

The first rule of the corporate world? Wear a suit. If you’re interviewing for a role in finance, law or another hierarchal private sector company, you’re going to need to bring out your tailoring A-game.

The expectation will be for you to dress conservatively, so a three-piece suit is a smart move. Don’t just dig out your old black one though, you should step it up a little if you want to make a memorable impression with what to wear for an interview.

Searches for “3 piece suits” are up 64% in the last 6 months!

Navy is universally accepted as businesswear as well as universally flattering. You can get away with a subtle pattern, like this navy suit. It’s a modern take on the classic checked uniform but sharply cut in a slim fit.

Searches for “Navy 3 piece suit” are up 280% since the start of the year!

As for the tie? A striped one is a classic for a reason and will allow a little colour without going overboard.

WHAT TO WEAR FOR A BUSINESS-PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEW

Business professional can be decoded quite simply as ‘suits’. This is the world of 9-5 and office uniforms that haven’t quite got the business-casual memo yet. A suit is a safe bet, but you don’t need to be quite as formal as you would in a corporate environment. You’re going to want your interviewer’s attention on you rather than what you’re wearing, but that’s not to say a little pattern won’t help you stand out.

A checked suit will show a little personality but keep it to a neutral base colour to stay in line with traditional businesswear. 

“Checked suits” have seen a 63% increase this year!

Keep the rest of your outfit simple: an open-necked shirt is more relaxed than a buttoned-up shirt-and-tie combo or opt for a grandad collar shirt. Plain white looks polished and professional. 

Searches for “white grandad collar shirt” have increased 152% and searches for “white dress shirt” have increased 87% since January!

Shoe-wise, a pair of brown lace-ups will set this suit off nicely. 

WHAT TO WEAR FOR A BUSINESS-CASUAL INTERVIEW

Business casual turns formal down even more. It’s likely to be the sort of office where tailored trousers and a sweater are the norm, but you’ll have to dress more smartly when you’re meeting clients or doing a big presentation.

Here’s where your suit starts to look a little overdressed, but you’ll still be expected to err on the side of formal. Tailored separates in more casual fabrics and a little pattern clashing to stand out from the crowd are the sweet spot in this situation.

Going for a puppytooth jacket in a neutral shade will give you a more relaxed feel but due to its slim fit give the overall effect of being pulled together. Show your more daring side by clashing the puppytooth pattern with checked trousers. Navy, brown and green look great with beige. The real key to coulour pairing is to keep your shades in a similar mid-tone. 

Almost 1 million people have searched for “checked trousers” this year!

Continue your masterful use of colour in the form of a deep-toned roll neck and finish with polished burgundy shoes. 

Searches for “roll necks” are up 13% in the past several months!

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Panerai and the U.S. Navy SEALs Initiate a Partnership

Founded in Florence in 1860 as a workshop, shop and subsequently school of watch-making, for many decades Panerai supplied the Italian Navy and its specialist diving corps in particular with precision instruments.

The designs developed by Panerai in that time, including the Luminor and Radiomir, were covered by the Military Secrets Act for many years and were launched on the international market only after the brand was acquired by the Richemont Group in 1997.

Today Panerai develops and crafts its movements and watches at its Neuchâtel manufacture. The latter are a seamless melding of Italian design flair and history with Swiss horological expertise. Panerai watches are sold across the world through an exclusive network of distributors and Panerai boutiques.

Creating timepieces for the Italian Navy helped solidify the brand’s connection to the sea and pioneer covert exploration. Now the legacy continues through a capsule of three watches that draw on the heritage of the United States Navy SEALs. Each reference is from the Submersible Collection, which are characterized as instruments with specialized diving features, and developed with the approval of the elite military force.

Caliber P.900/GMT animates both the Submersible Navy SEALs Carbotech Edition and Submersible Navy SEALs Edition. The self-winding movement is equipped with central hour and minute hands, a small seconds dial at 9 o’clock, the date at 3 o’clock, and a GMT display of a second time zone. Two spring barrels store energy supplying a three- day power reserve.

Submersible Navy SEALs Carbotech Edition is limited to only 162 pieces, an edition chosen to honor the founding year of the SEALs: 1962. And the words “Navy SEALs” appear on the dial to openly spotlight the collaboration. Every aspect of the watch design merges rigorously considered details that evoke the legacy of the SEALs. The case is fashioned from Carbotech, a composite material based on carbon fiber, while forged carbon composes the dial; its variegated coloration resembles the look of camouflage.

The Navy SEALs emblem is engraved on the caseback, consisting of an eagle clutching a flintlock-style pistol, a trident, and an anchor. The image appears against a stars and stripes background framed by the words United States Navy Seals.

A sophisticated watch brimming with functions for the exploits of modern heroes, the Submersible Navy SEALs Experience Edition is limited to only 20 pieces, with each purchaser receiving access to an adventure that will immerse guests in the history of the Navy SEALs and grant rare, first-hand exposure to the rigorous physical, emotional and mental demands of SEAL training. Outfitted in authentic gear, from camouflage tactical uniforms to the MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) that SEALs eat in the field, participants will travel by helicopter and amphibious vehicles to perform exercises by SEa, Land and Air, culminating in the simulation of a historical raid. The experience concludes with a luncheon at the National UDT -Navy SEAL Museum and a commencement ceremony to honor a shared expedition. Every member of the mission will confront and transcend personal limits under the guidance of some of the world’s most tenacious warriors, along with a Panerai instrument created to withstand the most challenging environments imaginable

Being always committed to remaining at the forefront of new technology in manufacture and beyond, Panerai has partnered with Skygolpe, a widely acclaimed multidisciplinary Italian artist and visionary creative in the digital sphere, who will create NFT artworks to be delivered to clients as part of their purchase of the Submersible Navy SEALs Experience Edition.

Not only will the NFT unlock information tailored to each client’s excursion, but it will also unlock benefits, such as priority access to future initiatives, special services and events, on a rolling basis long after the experience ends. Acquiring a Submersible Navy SEALs Experience Edition will be the beginning of an adventure that won’t end but only evolve with time.

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Do men and women really need different skincare products?

Words By Randa Zaid

 

Let’s talk about sex. And why it shouldn’t have anything to do with skincare.

Men’s skin is around 20 – 25 per cent thicker than women’s skin. It contains more collagen and elastin and tends to produce more oil due to the amount of testosterone in the male body. But women also have certain levels of this hormone, it’s not exclusive to men. So, there are some minor differences, but human skin has almost the same structure regardless of gender.

Yet, wander down the aisles of the health and beauty sections of large stores and supermarkets and a different picture is painted as the packaging palette morphs from flowery pastel to darker, monochromatic, where ‘suitable for men’ labels appear.

(image by Jernej Grej)

In ancient Egypt, beauty held significant value, and x and y chromosomes were neither known about nor had any influence over the products used for self-care. Both men and women went to great lengths with their skincare routines with the emphasis on cleanliness. Taking care of the body was necessary for good health and the same products have been found in the graves of both men and women.

In modern society we have tended to view self-care as being just for women and many men haven’t wanted to be seen taking that sort of care for themselves. But that is changing. We need to get away from the idea that taking care of our skin is about preventing wrinkles or focusing on anti-ageing. It’s not about vanity, it’s about nourishing our skin and taking care of ourselves. It’s less about gender and more about being holistic. Today’s men and women are more likely to be focused on greener, cleaner formulas than gender.

(Image by Curology)

There have been concerns in the past that male skin would be sensitised due to shaving which has led to products for men being branded as lighter. But it’s unnecessary to differentiate in this way and these traditional views are rapidly disappearing. The American Academy of Dermatology has found there is no medical or scientific reason for products to be divided by gender. Products should be all about feeding the skin, regardless of gender.

The focus in any skincare routine should be the needs of your skin and not your gender. Is your skin oily, dry, sensitive or a combination? Your gender doesn’t determine your skin type and by specifying products in this way, many people might be missing out on optimising their skincare routines. Men and women eat the same food after all. They might prefer some different flavours, and some might eat more than others but many ingredients are the same and enjoyed by both. We don’t market food to feed male and female bodies differently so why do we do it when it comes to feeding our skin?

(Image by Christopher Campbell) 

GlobalData, which provides expert analysis for companies in the world’s biggest industries, reports that rising expectations from consumers are now driving up the transition to gender-neutral products and smart retailers are already re-designing their stores in a shift away from the traditional male and female sections.

Start with products that suit your skin type. Keep it simple. We really don’t need hundreds of different products. Find a routine that works for you and stick with it. The days of husbands and boyfriends having to be coerced into using a face wash or moisturiser are diminishing in our enlightened world, but if men are embracing a skincare routine for the first time it makes sense to look for natural products. Don’t make the leap from never using skincare to suddenly slapping on something with a harsh retinol base. The key ingredients to look out for are products with antioxidants and vitamins, especially A, C, D and E as well as B12 for hydration. The fewer the ingredients the better. A gentle cleanser with milk and honey or an olive oil soap won’t strip away the skin’s natural oils. A high-factor sunscreen in the morning should set you up for the day. Overnight an oil-based moisturiser will calm and nourish. And that is all anyone really needs, with perhaps a serum boost a couple of times a week for added hydration.

 (Image by Hisu Lee) 

https://hayatynatural.uk

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ASK THE EXPERTS FW22 – 2 POST OF 3

In the second of our probing of some of the greatest and most stylish minds of menswear, we set them the puzzling question of, “What is your favourite piece of clothing for Autumn/Fall 2022?”

First up this time we have Mr Damien Paul, head of menswear at MATCHESFASHION.

 

“So many to choose from! The collections were fabulous for AW22, from leather pants at Blazy’s debut at Bottega Veneta, to tonal white at Jil Sander, to s.s.DALEY’s voluminous trousers and western inspired statement denim from Y/Project in collaboration with Jean Paul Gaultier.”

How do you follow that? Well with Daniel Greengrass – Buyer/Store Manager of Wellgosh, that’s how !

“Its Got to be the daily paper vasity jacket.”

Following this is Olie Arnold, Style Director MR PORTER.

“Knitwear. All kinds, from fine gauge turtlenecks to chunky cable knits with The Elder Statesman and Dries Van Noten are always top of my list.”

Next up is Adrian Gibson of Robert Goddard.

“The item I am most excited about come from another new brand we are very excited to be working with and that is the luxury sneaker brand Android Homme. Conceptualised in Los Angeles and manufactured to very high quality in Portugal they can add a stylish accent to any outfit. The Marina Del Rey is made from quilted nylon, leather and features an oversized heel clip. Subtle but just enough detail to attract attention. Again, we have already had an amazing rection to this brand in store and are rolling out to more locations.”

ANDROID HOMME / android homme – Robert Goddard

Finally, for this post Pete Parry founder of Steranko.
“Would have to say the Folk patch shirt will be hard to beat. Stonking, jumbo cord shirts, slightly oversized and in ace colours.”