CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

According to a new survey which has polled father-in-laws to find out how long it takes for them to approve of their son-in-law!

• The study reveals it takes father-in-laws 3 months to approve their son-in-law
• Almost one in five said they would tell their child if they didn’t approve of their partner
• Showing respect for the family is the best way to win over your partner’s dad

We’ve all been there – the sweaty palms and excited butterflies that inevitably come when you meet your partner’s parents for the first time.

A new survey1, conducted by greetings card marketplace, thortful.com, has looked to reveal the time it takes father-in-laws to approve of their son/daughter’s partner, revealing that the average amount of time is 3 months. The study quizzed 1,000 father-in-laws across the UK on how long it takes for them to approve of their son-in-law, as well as the attributes that are most important to them.

How long does it take father-in-laws to realise you are a good fit for their son/daughter? 

It was found that a quarter of father-in-laws (25%) said they actually approved of their son/daughter partner from the first moment they met them, with just less than one in 10 (9%) taking 7 months or longer to approve.

The survey also went on to reveal that almost two-fifths (37%) said that they are happy with who their son/daughter is in a relationship with. More than one in 10 (11%) went on to say that they don’t believe their son/daughter needs their dad’s approval on their partners, with it completely being their choice.

On the other hand, almost one in five (19%) said they would tell their child if they didn’t like their partner, and 16% said they have actually told their child in the past if they haven’t approved of who they are with.

The top ways to win over your father-in-law:

When asked about the most important things that their child’s partners should do to get their seal of approval, the most popular attributes were:

• Show respect to my family (24%)
• To be family orientated (24%)
• Take the time to build a relationship with me (18%)
• Be there during tough times (17%)
• Show desire to learn more about my child (15%)

Looking at some of the other important factors, 8% said that their potential son-in-law should laugh at their jokes, spend lots of money on their child (8%) and go to the pub with them (7%).

What you should avoid doing in front of your father-in-law:

When asked when their childs partner/spouse should avoid doing in order to the get their seal of approval, the top answers from the dads surveyed were:

• Being disrespectful (26%)
• Have a bad attitude (22%)
• Being fake-nice (19%)
• Forgetting manners (15%)
• Being a know-it-all (14%)
• Not speaking to our family (14%)

Some of the other attributes that are best avoided were, getting drunk (13%), swearing in front of them (13%), and having sex in the family home (10%).

More information on the study can be found here: https://www.thortful.com/blog/dads-approval/ 

As the world gets back to normal post-COVID regulations, we can finally look forward to beach holidays and big nights out when summer rolls around, all the while dreaming of obtaining that perfect golden tan.

Tanning isn’t just for the girls – over a quarter of British men aged 16–24 have already tried self-tanning, so you’re in great company. Whether you’re looking to get beach ready or to give yourself an added confidence boost, a self-tan may be the best way forward.

To get a gorgeous golden glow safely, using a self-tan is essential because you’ll be able to achieve all-over coverage without the health risks of traditional tanning.

If you’re new to the world of self-tanning, we’re here to help. We’ve put together this fool-proof guide to help you get the best bronze possible from your bottle. Follow our step-by-step guide to achieve that even, golden glow.

Moisturise: get into the habit early

For the smoothest tan application, it’s best to moisturise regularly in the build-up to your tanning session. That goes for your face and your body – but it’s best to use separate products for each. Facial moisturisers are formulated to address your specific skin concerns, like oiliness or acne, while body lotions tend to be a bit too heavy for the face and can make you break out.

We recommend moisturising your face twice a day, every day, after you wash it. For your body, apply a body lotion all over every day after you’ve showered or bathed.

Trim: 24 hours before you tan

Top tip – if you shave your facial hair, make sure you do it before you apply your self-tan. This is crucial, as it means your tanning product – whether you go for a clear tanning water or a mousse – sticks to your skin properly.

Shaving 24 hours before tanning is the optimum time. But if you’ve got a last-minute night out you need to tan for, don’t worry – you can still tan even if you’ve just shaved.

Exfoliate: 24 hours before you tan

Exfoliating your face and body is the next step. If you’re new to exfoliating, don’t panic – it’s really straightforward. Our skin is thicker than women’s skin, which means it can be a bit rougher in texture too. That’s why it’s so important to remove any dead skin, which can turn a different colour to the rest of your skin when you’re tanning, resulting in an uneven colour.

To exfoliate, you can use a body scrub with physical grains that’ll slough off that dead skin. Chemical exfoliants, meanwhile use skincare ingredients such as salicylic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid to get rid of dead skin on the surface of your skin and in your pores for smooth, soft skin that’s ready to be tanned. The latter is better for your face because scrubs can damage the more sensitive skin there.

After exfoliating, make sure you moisturise again and pay close attention to your hands, elbows, knees, and feet. These can be tricky areas to tan because the skin is even tougher here. This softens up these extra-tough areas even more for easier application and adhesion.

Dry and protect: immediately before tanning

Reduce potential streaking when you apply your tan by completely drying your body hair, stubble, hairline, and skin completely. Then, apply a thin coating of lip balm or Vaseline on your nails, eyebrows, and hairline to prevent the tan from staining or leaving weird streaks around these areas.

Apply your tan

Now it’s time for application. For sprays, apply a single, light coating all over your body from an arm’s length distance using a soft, circular motion. Once applied, take a dry towel and gently pat away any excess build-up on stubble or around your hairline.

When using mousse, a tanning mitt is the easiest way to apply the product without staining your hands. The ideal amount for a first coat is three pumps for each section of the body. After applying, use a clean, soft-textured face cloth over any hairier areas of the body to avoid any build-up at the hair follicles and to prevent the hair from changing colour.

The trick to successful self-tanning is that less is more. Start small and work your way up to a deeper tan. You can even build up a deeper tan over the course of a few days if you’re brand new to it and you want to take it slow. A bonus here is that you’ll look like you’re bronzing more naturally!

Self-tan is for everyone. It shouldn’t just be the girls who have all the fun – there’s no better way to feel great ahead of a big night out or your long-awaited party holiday than with a deep tan. Because let’s face it, pasty arms and legs don’t feel quite as good. With these tips, you’ll be able to get that perfect deep but natural-looking tan.

The countdown is officially on! With Father’s Day fast approaching this Sunday, there’s still time to get that hard to buy for dad a special something and this year, again our, now Legendary Father’s Day Gift Guide is brought to you by those good people at Harry’s. Now let’s face it, there’s never anything better than a good self-care related product, right?

For the dad that wants to improve their teeth’s whiteness and overall oral health, simply brushing their teeth isn’t enough. If you just brush, plaque and debris get left behind, which can lead to gum disease and bad breath. 

It’s important to floss daily, and what better than to use the Waterpik Cordless Plus Water Flosser – clinically proven to clean deep between the teeth and below the gum line to remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas.

Then this beautiful photo frame from The White Company comes in a smart white gift box, making it the perfect present. Made from silver-plated stainless steel with a premium white mount, it is punched from one solid piece to avoid any seams and plated with one micron of silver. It also has a backing of soft grey felt, which covers a backboard made from sustainably sourced MDF.

We have something to suit any dad. Ginsberg certainly is a God and when you look this Super cool what Dad could possibly resist this slogan sweatshirt ? This brilliant example of simple, cool, chic is by the brilliant Bella Freud.

How about Sustainable Sneakers for Fathers Day ? YY Nation’s research and development has created a unique soft but super strong material, with the added natural benefits of being antibacterial and resistant to moisture to keep your feet cool and dry. The lining is made from super soft merino wool that you can wear with or without socks. But Why Bamboo? Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth producing 30% more oxygen than the same amount of trees.

Did You Know Socks and Underwear are Among the Most Requested Items in Homeless Shelters? We didn’t. But as soon as Bombas did, they addressed this need and it became the driving force behind the their business. So, since they launched in 2013, they’ve donated one item for every item purchased… that’s more than 50 million items to date. 50 million items that specifically meet the needs of the homeless community; 50 million acts of kindness only made possible by  customers, well, like you.now of this isn’t good enough, Bombas has already donated over 50,000 socks and underwear through its partnership with leading UK homelessness charity, St. Mungo’s.

Does your Dad like to travel ?  Treat yourself and him, of course, to some fantastic laughs like these beauties from Carl Friedrik, surely a little jaunt to a tropical climb is called from, maybe Parma, Lisbon, Florence or even our very own Edinburgh. A perfect example is the Carry on by Carl Friedrik, a beautiful yet durable suitcase designed to elevate life on the go. Made with lightweight polycarbonate, an aluminium lock frame and leather detailing

For the great outdoors Dad try the Shell by Early Majority. Fully seam-taped waterproof and windproof. Removable 3-way snorkel hood can be worn folded out, snapped back, or folded away. Detachable bum bag clips on and off cleanly and securely with Fidlock magnets and can be worn separately (strap provided).

Removable double zip front panel for either close or loose fit, accommodating different layers, a bump, or a belly. Adjustable snappable cuffs secure with magnets. Two-way side zips and perforated lining for ventilation.

What about something for the novice or expert gardener the Pocket Trowel Multi Gardening Tool, from Stand Accused. This 5-in-1 garden tool has everything you need for digging, cultivating, pruning and transplanting. Made of stainless steel and beechwood.

What about I f your Dad is a BBQ king have the perfect picnics or bbqs anytime you want now and Help save the planet with this Folding Portable BBQ Grill Suitcase which is designed to be compact and easy to transport to the beach, picnic or event with the Kikkerland Folding Portable BBQ Grill Suitcase from Beaumond.

Something for the gaming Dad, Keep your favourite gaming controller protected and always ready for action with this cool and clever charging case from Orb. Compatible with most controllers*, the ABS moulded case with a protective EVA foam lining features a 5200mAh power bank, ensuring you are always primed to game. This innovative charger provides a sleek and stylish storage solution for minimising clutter. Orb Protective Controller Case with built-in power bank.

Supposedly, every Dad loves a bit of camping and the RUGD Power Brick is an all-in-one Power Bank and Camping Light that’s here to make your outdoor adventures worth it. Perfect for Campers, Hikers, Fishermen, Bikers, Content Creators, and all outdoor enthusiasts, the RUGD. Power Brick is packed with tech features to get you through your adventure & it only weighs 280 grams! Fast charge up to 50% in 30 minutes the latest Apple iPhone / iPad and Samsung devices with 2 ports; 1 x USB-C PD 18W Input and Output port and 1 x USB-A Quick Charge Output port. Super powerful Night / SOS light built with 16 LEDs at 1300 lumens & 2 Brightness Modes.1 x Carabiner to attach to your backpack or equipment. IP67 certified – Water, Dust, and Shockproof.

Be prepared and you will never get caught out again with this handy Wallet Ninja! Shaped like a credit card, this nifty little gadget has not one, not two, but EIGHTEEN tools included in it to help you make your way through life’s little mishaps with no trouble. With three screwdrivers, 3 screwdrivers; 6 hex head nuts & bolts; bottle, can & letter opener; phone stand; box cutter; ruler; and peeler, your wallet ninja is the ideal tool to take everywhere with you.

Something for every Dad, the Harry’s Chrome Edition Gift Set includes your essentials for a close and comfortable shave, as you’d expect from Harry’s, packed neatly in a gift box designed to impress. The set includes a men’s razor handle with a polished chrome finish, three razor blades, and a travel blade cover, as well as a bottle of cushioning Shave Gel, recommended by Clothes-Make-the-Man, enriched with aloe. Their Chrome Edition razor makes an ideal gift for any guy. It’s weighty, ergonomic, and modelled after fine fountain pens, so it feels just as good as it looks. Meanwhile, their men’s razor cartridges feature the details you need for a quality shave: five sharp blades, a rubber flex hinge, a lubricating strip, and a precision trimmer to keep things neat.

Now more and more of us are using or having to use ear pods, those pesky TEAM’s meetings, well the Swedish audio lifestyle brand Urbanears has released their true wireless headphones. Now check this out, Urbanears Boo is two different models, made from 97% and 91% recycled plastics* (bottles, air conditioner units and other junk).

M&S have a great selection of Father’s Day gifts and particularly this year of a personalised nature. Make a bespoke statement in this smart pure cotton hoodie, which can be embroidered with initials on the chest in white thread. Easy regular fit, with a soft brushed lining for a cosy feel. Ribbing at the cuffs and waistband help lock in warmth and a kangaroo pocket gives extra practicality.

Duchamp, the British luxury brand known for elegant tailoring is to return with a 2022 resort collection this summer, followed by an AW22 collection in September.

A new designer is at the helm; ex-Kent & Curwen Head of Design, and Gieves & Hawkes Design Director, Mark Frost, producing a launch collection evoking the lightness, joy and nostalgia of holidays. Floor tiles become shirts in a variety of styles, whilst lightweight summer ready linen and cotton poplin add an airiness throughout the range. Silhouettes and fabrication feels relaxed and ready to be lived in, tailoring is evolved and casually influenced, yet garments still utilise expert construction techniques and hand finishing to shift a focus toward comfort and versatility for the wearer. Luxury yarns are reflected playfully throughout knitwear and the inclusion of new products adds to the adaptability of the collection. This sense of approachability for the season brings a refined playfulness to the brand, in keeping with its history, whilst developing a consistent handwriting  that is recognisable as Duchamp.

High quality construction and quality fabrics also play a big part in the new Duchamp, which remains recognisable to its previous incarnation whilst effortlessly managing to be progressive.

Whilst categorically a British label, the brand is named after the French artist Marcel Duchamp and was launched in 1989 by Mitchell Jacobs, an Englishman then working as a buyer for Browns. It was originally based on a vast collection of vintage cufflinks that Jacobs had discovered in a Parisian market. The brand was born specialising at first in cufflinks, with Jacobs quoted as saying “Duchamp turned everyday objects into art and I turned everyday icons of men’s fashion into wearable art”, hence the name. The 2000s saw the brand grow to offer a full menswear collection, opening a 750 square foot flagship on Regency Street in 2006. In 2013, Duchamp began showing on schedule as part of the men’s shows at London Fashion Week.  

Mark Frost, said of the relaunch, “I’m very happy to have the opportunity to help Duchamp take its next steps and progress as a brand. I’m looking to create a contemporary wardrobe that appeals to a diverse customer base and builds on everything that has come before.”   

Tom Duncan, Brand Director for Duchamp, added, “The brand is well-known with a loyal customer base, and still has an incredible position within the luxury, casual market. With the investment that’s going into brand, product and quality it’s an exciting time to bring the brand back to market.”

As the Summer is approaching and the invites start arriving, weddings, parties, proms, even just meeting mates in a beer garden. We start to think about refreshing our wardrobe to accommodate these social outings.

After that long, bleak Winter our feet are crying out for our newness to show off in. A brand that may not automatically come to mind when you are thinking versatile trainers or sneaker, but most definitely need a little further investigation is Hugo Boss. Yes, the luxury German Fashion House ! For nearly 100 years now the brand has been dressing us men and making us look sharper than diamond headed drill ! But maybe something you haven’t looked to the brand for is their trainers.

My friend you need to rethink this, Hugo Boss have a pair of trainers to suit any occasion, taste, style or purpose and they really aren’t as expensive as you may at first think.

Like with any designer purchase it’s an investment purchase but you need to think what are you looking for in a new pair of sneakers.

The three pairs we have selected for this post, which I have to say we were spoilt for choice, have been chosen with the whole idea of versatility.

First up we have the BOSS athleisure saturn low profile mens grained leather trainers. We’ve gone for the Brown here to suit those occasions where you want a smart/casual vibe and now wanting to appear too overdressed. The scenario we are thinking here is with chinos and a semi formal shirt, ideal to see you through from work to after work drinks with colleagues.

Next up we have, BOSS athleisure ribeira tennis mens trainers. Here this trainer is perfect to be teamed with maybe a Navy or Black suit and a simple accompanying white shirt. Really simple but effective whether that be a summer wedding or dinner at a restaurant with your other half.

Last option we’ve gone for is the BOSS hugo retro inspired sock trainers icelin runn mens trainers. This is probably the most traditional style sneaker we’ve gone for here, but equally as versatile as either of the first two options. This classic Black trainer with contrasting red piping is brilliantly placed either in the gym or teamed with jeans for meeting mates.