CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

In the summer months particularly,more and more couples are opting for a smart-casual dress code. Google searches for ‘casual wedding’increased by 40% over the last quarter – a trend whichhas been replicated every summer for the past fiveyears1. But how casual is too casual? M&S Menswear Director, Mitch Hughes shares tips for balancing comfort and polish to nail this famously perplexing dress code.  

Think about the venue 

Start by considering the venue the couple have chosen.While a polo shirt might be acceptable for a laid-backbeach wedding, this may not be appropriate for a religious venue. Always research the venue – they often feature images and photos on their website which could help you narrow down your choice of attire. It’s also important to consider the weather, as Mitch explains:  

“At an outside ceremony or reception, you can be baking in the sunshine. So, it’s important to choosenatural, breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen and silk blends.” 

Linen is your best friend 

A linen suit is always a classy alternative to a traditional suit or tuxedo. The fabric is much more breathable, and it offers a more casual vibe. But there are some things to consider: 

“Concerns about creases often put people off wearing linen. However, I tend to think if you leave the house mostly wrinkle-free, any creases you acquire during the day are completely acceptable – it’s part of linen’s beauty. Linen suits are also incredibly versatile. While a linen suit looks great with a shirt, a simple white T-shirtcan bring a level of sophistication to your look without being overly formal.” 

Experiment with colours and patterns 

A more casual dress code can allow you to be more experimental with colours and patterns:  

“If you are attending a wedding with a relaxed theme or dress code, this can be an opportunity to be playful with your attire. Beige, tan, or even a slate grey are less traditional colours that work well. A pastel tone like soft green, blue or coral is also worth considering if you want to stand out.” 

Dare to jean 

Whether jeans are wedding-appropriate is an incrediblyhotly debated topic. Mitch believes it can be possible to make denim work, if the dress code allows:  

“Unless the couple have expressed otherwise, a pair of smart, dark coloured jeans can fit the bill for a ‘casual’ dress code. Pair them with a white, tailored shirt and stylish blazer to give off an effortless but put-together look. If you’re not sure jeans are appropriate, a light chino is an easy-going alternative.” 

Don’t neglect accessories 

Accessories have the power to bring an outfit together and elevate your look and sunglasses are, of course, a summer wedding staple: 

“Sunglasses instantly make you look – and feel – cool.Inject some fun into your outfit with a pair of coloured frames or lenses. You could even match them withother accessories such as a pocket square, belt or tie to being a sense of cohesion to your ensemble.” 

Complete the look with the right shoes 

Whether or not you’re a dancer, most weddings involve being on your feet for long periods of time so if the dress code allows for a smart pair of trainers, go for it.Equally, if you’re not ready to ditch your formal shoes, loafers are a more comfortable twist on the classic dress shoe, as Mitch explains:  

“A white trainer may seem a strange choice for a wedding but paired with chinos or even a linen suit can work well and look suitably elevated. Play around with your trouser silhouette. Try a wider leg suit trouser thatsits stylishly over your trainers. If trainers feel toocasual, you may find a pair of classic loafers in suede of leather look more natural with a more casual suit.”

It’s been super hot of last and many people  are dehydrated and don’t even know it, says Sarah Jefferies from Emergency First Aid At Work Course

A leading health and first aid educator is warning that dehydration often shows up in subtle ways that are frequently missed.

Health Expert Sarah Jefferies, from Emergency First Aid At Work Course says:

“We tend to associate dehydration with feeling thirsty or lightheaded – but by the time you’re noticeably thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Some of the earliest signs are surprisingly easy to overlook.”

The lesser-known symptoms of dehydration include:

• Irritability or mood swings – Dehydration can affect the brain and make you more short-tempered or anxious.
• Bad breath – Saliva has antibacterial properties, and dehydration reduces its production, causing odour.
• Craving sugar or salty snacks – When hydration is low, your body may misfire hunger signals to compensate.
• Dizziness when standing up – A drop in blood pressure due to low fluid levels can cause postural dizziness.
• Dry eyes or blurred vision – Lack of fluid can affect tear production and eye lubrication.
• Dark yellow or strong-smelling urine – A classic but often ignored sign, especially if bathroom trips are infrequent.

Jefferies continues:

“Dehydration doesn’t just affect athletes or people working outside. Office workers, commuters, and even children in school are at risk. Staying properly hydrated is a simple but critical step in avoiding everything from headaches and fatigue to more serious heat-related illnesses.”

The hidden culprits in your diet

As well as not drinking enough water, some common foods and drinks can actually contribute to dehydration:

• Salty snacks and ready meals – Excess sodium pulls water from your cells and increases fluid loss.
• Caffeine-heavy drinks – Coffee, energy drinks, and some teas can act as diuretics in high quantities.
• Alcohol – Especially during warm weather, alcohol speeds up fluid loss and impacts electrolyte balance.
• High-protein, low-carb diets – These can increase your water needs, especially if you’re cutting carbs heavily.
• Fizzy drinks and sugary treats – These can spike blood sugar and lead to increased urination and fluid loss.

Top tips to stay hydrated during warmer months:

• Carry a refillable water bottle and sip regularly – don’t wait to feel thirsty.
• Eat water-rich foods like cucumber, watermelon and strawberries.
• Limit dehydrating drinks like coffee and alcohol, especially in the sun.
• Be extra mindful if you’re taking medications that affect fluid balance.

Additional images

Engin Akyurt

KOBU Agency

Nigel Msipa

Jacek Dylag

Spotlighting a bold new silhouette, Dickies, the world’s leading workwear brand, introduces the 247 Work Pant with a campaign led by diverse musical voices who reflect its versatile spirit. Launching first with content from Ezra Collective and Diego Naska, the creative captures a day in their world, unfiltered and in motion. From morning coffees to late-night studio sessions, the content offers an inside look at their routines and passions. Whether they’re working, creating or just living, the 247 Work Pant moves with them. Built to keep up, wherever the day goes.

“The campaign leans into real stories and creative communities, showing the 247 work pant in action across different moments and lifestyles.” said Filip Elerud, Global Brand Marketing Director. “It’s about versatility, ease and staying true to the brand’s workwear roots while evolving with a new generation.”

The 247 is a lighter take on Dickies’ iconic work trousers, engineered for round-the-clock wear in enzyme-washed 8.3oz cotton twill. Drawing inspiration from heritage styles like the 874 work pant and Double Knee, the collection updates these classics with a softer fabric and added phone pocket, built to meet the demands of modern life from morning to after hours.

247 continues Dickies legacy of durable and functional design, capturing the honest pace of life in the moment.

The heat has been the HOT topic of conversation, I’m sure like yourselves, in Maison McGrath for quite some time now. Primarily because we have had to, finally, get the Fans down from the attic and how can I put this, we are having quite the dilemma. Fans on at night, great, cooling, but they are waking us all up as it sounds like we are, trying, sleeping in a wind tunnel with Jet engines for company !

Take a shortcut to the latest Quiet Mark certified high performance lowest noise fans and cooling solutions, silent enough for sleeping, before you boil or go dopey from lack of sleep at night, fast-track to the most non intrusive models on the market found for you, from desktop, pedestal, tower, portable to air con units, acoustic lab tested on their highest settings to qualify for tech-leading soothing sound quality experience:

AirCraft LUME Quiet Air Circulator Fan

Big on breeze, low on noise. This fan delivers powerful, refreshing airflow at a volume you can chat, work or dream to. With a soft ambient backlight featuring three brightness settings, it’s not just cool, it sets the mood too.

Duux Whisper Flex 2 Fan

Duux’s newest fan delivers a powerful breeze that reaches up to 15 metres, all while keeping things whisper quiet. When it’s time to wind down, nightmode kicks in to silence any bleeps, reducing sleep disturbances.

MeacoFan Sefte 10” Pedestal Air Circulator

With three adjustable height settings, this fan fits perfectly on your bedside table or living room floor, and night mode ensures a peaceful sleep with lights and sounds off.

Russell Hobbs Premium Tower Fan

With it’s 85 degree oscillation, it sends a fresh breeze sweeping through every corner of the room to provide instant relief no matter where you are.

NSAuk Ultimate Fold-Away Fan

Whisper quiet, easy on energy bills and even easier to tuck away when summer’s over.

Levoit Classic Tower Fan LTF-F362

Powerful, ultra quiet and stylish cooling with 12 speeds, 4 modes, remote control and easy maintenance.

Russell Hobbs RHPDF1221-AZ Desk Fan

Powerful, ultra quiet and stylish cooling with 12 speeds, 4 modes, remote control and easy maintenance.

De’Longhi Pinguino PAC EX93 Extreme Portable Air Conditioner

The quietest Pinguino ever thanks to Arctic Whisper Extreme and Super Quiet Technologies, for up to 70% less noise.

MeacoFan Sefte 10″ Desktop Air Circulator

Precision engineered to deliver more air, create less noise and use less energy.

There’s tailoring, and then there’s tailoring with personality—and Maude & Fox sit squarely in the latter camp. Since its Dorset debut in 2012, this proudly British label has championed tweed’s timeless elegance—reimagined for modern life. Their mantra? “Urban country chic”: classic British materials, sharpened with contemporary flair, and handcrafted into pieces equally at home in London pubs or rural shoots.

Every garment begins with 100% British tweed, sourced meticulously from Yorkshire and Scotland. But that’s just the canvas. A careful half‑zip here, a fleece liner there—and suddenly you have tweed hoodies and shooting jackets with all the practicality of modern outerwear, without sacrificing charm  .

Take The Brace shooting jacket—water‑resistant, fleece‑lined, magnet‑fastened bellow pockets, and a cut that shields you from draughts. It’s no surprise it graced the pages of Papapreneur’s style guide:

“Tweed with a twist… urban country chic… contemporary styling”

What distinguishes Maude & Fox isn’t just material or design—it’s the soul behind the seams. Each piece is hand‑cut and sewn from start to finish by a single craftsperson, ensuring consistency in quality and a uniquely British eccentric charm  .

Brand founder Sue Longmore, a former landscape architect, launched the label after noticing a gap in the country‑wear market—a lack of flair, individuality, and pride of place. Despite a terrifying stock‑theft early on, the brand emerged stronger, supported by loyal customers and their own brand of British resilience.

Style Guide: Wearing the Maude & Fox THEIR  Way

1. Layer tweed hoodies under cropped coats—smart turns relaxed.

2. Pop a shooting jacket over a shirt and jeans for weekend shoots or Sunday roasts.

3. Gilets? Perfect over shirting, brilliant under heavier outerwear.

4. Don’t forget colour: Maude & Fox’s signature greens, blues, and overchecks nod to nature while modern accents keep the look fresh.

If Clothes Make the Man celebrates clothes as character, Maude & Fox wear that truth on their sleeves. Born in Britain, built in craftsmanship, and designed with that rare mix of tradition and contemporary ease—this is a brand that proves tweed is anything but stuffy. It’s bold, it’s lived-in, it’s alive.