Upgrade Your Wardrobe For Autumn/Winter – 6 of the best Tennis Sweaters

Words by Keanu Adorable

Even though most of us are basking in the sunlight this summer, the autumn leaves and winter breeze is just around the corner, and it’s time of that year again to start layering up to battle the ruthless weather – which is a perfect excuse to go treat yourself to acquire new garments. Why not upgrade your current wardrobe with a brand new sweater?  but not just any sweater, tennis sweaters.

Here at Clothes Make The Man, we love it when preppy menswear classics get a modern twist with its silhouette. These items lose its blandness, and sometimes outdated roots which give the wearer an updated yet smart look, thanks to their face-framing and shoulder-broadening diagonal collar stripes. These bold V-neck knits look just as good over jeans and a tee as they do when layered with your favourite suit or slim chinos. Even if you don’t play tennis, you can still feel like Roger Federer no matter how bad your backhand is. Here are our top 6 picks for you to check out.

Orley Wide Trim V-Neck

Gucci Webbing-Trimmed Wool Sweater

Wimbledon Ralph Lauren V-Neck Sweatshirt

Wimbledon Ralph Lauren Sweater

Dries Van Noten Contrast-Tipped Merino Wool Sweater

Dries Van Noten Sweater

 

Flower Power – The men’s Floral trend

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There is a misconception that Flowers are just for the fairer sex, in that, us men should shy away from anything of a floral print nature. Oh contraire by dear masculine friends, as for Summer of this year, all things flowery are everywhere. Our dear clothing retailers from high end designer to high Street wonders are embracing their inner flower power and in all honesty it must be shifting as retailers can’t get the floral trend pieces on the shelves quick enough for us. So as alway we do the hard work so you don’t have to so here are some of the hottest items from this Summer’s brightest trend.

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Long sleeved shirt by Banana Republic

imageMen’s jogging bottoms by Franklin & Marshall

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Floral swim shorts by Polo Ralph Lauren by Harvey Nichols

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Liberty print floral baseball cap by New Era at Selfridges

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Floral tie by Liberty

 

imageFloral patterned socks by Paul Smith at Harrods.com

 

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Floral patterned sweatshirt by Acne

 

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Floral plimsoles by YMC at Steranko.co.uk

 

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Floral print blazer by Gucci by MrPorter.com

imageFloral Rucksack by Bershka

 

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Ditsy floral pattern polo shirt by Native Youth at House of Fraser

 

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Fancy going matchy matchy this Summer then check out this lil floral combo by Farah

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Milano Moda Uomo (Milan Menswear Shows AW14)

 Ciao Ragazzi ! we follow on from the splendiferous LC:M of last week with what hopes to be equally captivating and awe inspiring Milano Moda Uomo. Unlike London the colour palette of our stylish Italian cousins seems to be of a more somber and some might say commercial and seasonally appropriate nature, that is apart from Prada, Versace ohhh and the Brit Dame Vivienne Westwood, more on that later folks.

First off  on our whistle stop round up on the Italian style capital is Ermenegildo Zegna, capably helmed by ex YSL Creative Director, Stefano Pilati, who was inspired by the fusion of City and Nature on a global scale. The city-scapes of New York, Shanghai or Milan where Zegna suits are common place, the mixing of casual elements with the formal cuts which Zegna has made its name in.

Ermenegildo Zegna

Ermenegildo Zegna

On a more ROCKIER tip was John Varvatos, who despite worked with  Black, Navy or white was channelling a very Glam rock vibe which culminated in Kings of Glam Rock “KISS” yes Kiss coming out to take a bow with the man himself.

Crazy, crazy night with John Varvatos(far right, just in case)

Crazy, crazy night with John Varvatos(far right, just in case)

Now over to a Dolce & Gabbana, who always love a theme for their shows and boy do they know how to put on a show ! Literally all we needed was good King Goffrey sat frow (front row, God get with it) giving his Royal approval to complete this Medieval Merriment. The duo paid homage to everything of this epoch and ensured more Game of Thrones then Spamalot.

Gotta say I loved the D&G balaclava, there I said it

Gotta say I loved the D&G balaclava, there I said it

And so from the King of ROCK dressing to what has to be the Queen of dressing Rock Stars, Donnatella Versace, who was in a Wild, Wild West mood, I think can only sum it up. No one could ever accuse Ms Versace of not having a sense of humour which is often lost in the Fashion industry, where people take themselves far too serious. 

Just off down the corner shop, does anyone want anything ? Yes, this was one of the more conservative looks.

Just off down the corner shop, does anyone want anything ? Yes, this was one of the more conservative looks.

Italo Zucchelli for Calvin Klein, drew on the Urban Explorer trend we are seeing rather a lot of this season, but also explored the heritage that made Calvin Klein so iconic using the names of three of their timeless fragrances in, Obsession, Eternity(my personal fave) and Escape to be emblazoned across some of its sweatshirts.

Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein

Now we all know I hate to start off on a negative and sorry for that Prada, but what was that soundtrack all about ? I needed some heavy duty Mexican painkillers for the headache after I left ! And have to say it did interfere with the enjoyment of the show, which was my favourite Prada collection of recent years. Trademark signature colours, which so shouldn’t work but so do, lil military detailing and a move away from that skinny-Malinke silhouette.

Prada

Prada

Penultimately we have the first show from Marc Jacobs since he parted company with Louis Vuitton to concentrate on his signature line. This is a man who knows a thing or two about Fashion design and this collection has to be one of his most commercial and wearable to date. Take away the styling details of the turn ups etc this a collection that every man with a modicum of taste will LOVE, honestly, I promise.

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

Ahhh and once again we reach the end of our non stop tour of some of the biggest names in men’s style and what better way to finish then with an Italian Super brand synonymous with style, class and excellent taste, of course, Gucci. While watching this show I couldn’t help thinking of two inspirations throughout it, firstly, obviously Frida Gianinni was draw towards the influences of London’s Swinging Sixties of Carnaby Street and the Beatles but secondly and somewhat more obscurely was the Hovis boy of the TV ad fame, sorry I know but couldn’t stop referring to him.

 

By'eck son it's None other then Gucci

By’eck son it’s None other then Gucci

Are you hanging up your Stocking on the Wall – Great Stocking Fillers

728x90_CMTM_BannerNot long to go now, only a couple more sleeps til the big day ! How’s the shopping going ? Only a couple of bits left to go, please says its this rather then I’ve not even started yet ? Well, we though we’d offer you some suggestions on Stocking fillers and have come up some ideas that should keep, pretty much most members of the family happy –

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It’s that time of year and festivities are in full swing, but secretly are you wondering how you’re going to make it through to the next party? As ever, Aveda is on hand, keeping energy levels high and the Christmas spirit elevated – this yuletide survival saviour ! Don’t let the dread of the morning after take you home early, Aveda’s Blue Oil Balancing Concentrate will help you see the following day and this season through feeling energized and making any after-effects of the night before a little less painful! Let everyone else be exhausted by Christmas festivities, whilst you remain totally refreshed and ready to face the next revelry.

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The ‘Walking With The Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge’ aims to raise awareness and funds to support wounded troops, and in support of this initiative, Savile Row’s finest Gieves & Hawkes is selling limited edition commemorative boot socks, with all profits going to the charity. The brave team team making the expedition to the South Pole, in awful conditions are Captain Disney, Kate Phelp, Ibrary Ali and Duncan Slater for the expedition is HRH Prince Harry, who is a patron of the charity. So do something good this Yuletide !

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A little something to delight your good lady’s Yuletide stocking is this credit card holder in this beautiful Liberty print, exclusively, no surprise, by elegant Department Store, Liberty 

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Another great stocking filler for a lady in your life, whether thats Mum, Girlfriend or daughter is this great luggage tag from Gucci. To create a special heirloom this item may be complimentary, personalised with two initials.

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A Perfect gift for mums are these elegant Soap Coffret – indulge her with 4 iconic soaps from Roger & Gallet.  Invented in 1879 the round soaps are still made using the  traditional cauldron method ensuring that the fragrance  remains down to the last fragment of soap. Beautifully  wrapped in pleated silk paper this four piece collection  includes Bois D’Orange, Rose, Fleur d’Osmanthus and Thé  Vert.

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Celebrate a Merry Hip-mas and emulate the great man, good ole St Nicolas, without losing any of your cool prowess with this great hat by Jack Spade.

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Make sure you look tip top dapper with the SuperFish FishGlue Matt Styling Gel which delivers a tough performance with an extra strong grip and the SuperFish Fishpaste Hardcore Hold Matt Effect Putty gives a matt finish to that ‘haven’t tried too hard’ tousled look.

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The Camo trend seems to be going nowhere, but can at times be a little tricky to wear. This tie from Banana Republic says yeah I’m hip, I know what I’m talking about without having you look like a TA reject.

 

 

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Milan Menswear Shows AW13

The review of the Milan Menswear shows for this coming Autumn has a truly international feel to it, no not just because it’s Milanese, but we kick off with the review with the first lady of German, no not Angela Merkel,tut, the other iron lady Jil Sander and we conclude with the colourful Canadian duo the Brothers Caten and along the way we’ll throw in a Brit and a Yank for good measure.

Jil Sander AW13

Jil Sander AW13

You know when you attend a Jil Sander show it isn’t going to be all Peacock feathers, day glo and a gangster rap sound track and do you know what ? It wasn’t this season either, but what we were treated to was a vintage collection of true, pure Sander genius. There were covert military references, no surprises there, the colour palette was masculine and continued with the slight military undertone. But what was the show’s greatest success was the fact that it offered a sensible, wearable and contemporary collection without being boring.

Dolce & Gabbana AW13

Dolce & Gabbana AW13

Moving on to designers on more home turf for Dolce & Gabbana, who surely must be expecting a call from the Vatican’s legal team, for a share of their profits ? First they took the Rosary beads and turned them into a must have male Fashion accessory now they seem to have turned their attention to the miraculous medal, ask your Catholic friends. Their theme was “devotion” and boy did they mean it. They had turned their Teatro into a shrine, so much so, I nearly genuflected when I entered. This was full on Roman Catholic iconology, either a saints image was used to decorate a garment or the models looked as those they had stepped out of the seminary. Move over Geek chic this is parish priest chic !

Burberry AW13

Burberry AW13

Told you we’d throw a Brit in for good measure and who better then Mr Christopher Bailey MBE for Burberry Prorsum, who opted for the rather nostalgic theme of “I ♥ Classics” for his Autumnal showcase and on the whole I’d agree with him. It was a beautifully wearable collection but I’m just not quite sure about the injections of animal print, whether on bags, sunglasses, macs or on all the shoes throughout the show, maybe it’ll grow on me.

Next up is the all American brand helmed by the Italian Italo Zucchelli, Calvin Klein Collection. For this season Zucchelli seems to have fused a mix of contemporary masculine tailoring and futuristic sci-fi outerwear ala Blake 7, which saw the models look like either delegates or officers at some far flung inter galactic sartorial conference.

The Missoni show and its 60th anniversary was marred with the sad news that Vittorio Missoni and his wife Maurizia Castiglioni are still missing after their plane disappeared off the coast of Venezuela last Friday. The family decided the show must go on and indeed it did. The family run business famed for its patterned knitwear, offered a collection that couldn’t fail to please, not only were the aforementioned knits on display in outdoorsy hues. But the iconic family patterns were more subtly used in the weave of the fabric used in the construction of overcoats and suiting.

Prada AW13

Prada AW13

What can I say about Prada, well I want that Blue jumper NOW ! for starters. This collection wasn’t tricksy or whimsical, apparently the design team have been working on the exact tones of colour for months and it certainly paid off for them. Sub-culture references were there, this time Teddy boys, but it wouldn’t be a Prada show without these. If I had to make one criticism of it, be it a small one, was I found the casting distracting, the models looked like the 3 stooges and their dad or some odd Slovakian version of Hollyoaks, but it wasn’t enough to detract from the show.

Gucci AW13

Gucci AW13

And so from one Italian Dynasty to another, Gucci are freakin good at what they do and Frida Giannini, is doing a sterling job as Creative Director, almost to the point of making it an impossible task to think who could ever replace her at the iconic Fashion house and who would have thought that after Tom Ford. The Gucci vision and DNA is so strong there is no mistaking a piece from this company from accessories to a tuxedo, it is undoubtably Gucci and this collection does not disappoint and can be summed u in one word, Classic, this is without a doubt Giannini’s most traditional of collections to date.

DSquared2 AW13

DSquared2 AW13

Finally, to the Dynamic DSquared2 duo of Canadian Twins Dan and Dean Caten. What a show ! Congratulations lads, the best collection to date and it all centred around 1940’s jazz clubs. But don’t let the retro theme fool you this was bang up to date and offered something everyman could buy into.