CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN
The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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I wish it would Rain – Ideal wet weather attire

The Winter of 2013/14 will be pretty much remembered for its weather, not only did we see the town of Hell Freeze over in Michigan, USA , but it will also go down in history as the wettest season we’ve ever seen, since records began. At some point over the last few weeks/months, you must have got soaked to the skin and so it got us to thinking about ways we can help you beloved reader keeping that dapper exterior and keep the drowned rat look totally at bay.  So here are a couple of the better water resistant apparel money can buy.

imageSWIMS, the Norwegian waterproof specialists, have introduced the Luca Sneaker, a comfortable shoe, featuring a myriad of fabric technology to tackle any weather condition including waterfriendly materials and breathable nylon all with an unmistakeable SWIMS edge.

imageThis brilliant British Woodland Camouflage City Gent Umbrella with Malacca Wood handle and Beech Wood shaft by London Undercover, not only will keep you dry in the event of a downpour but will ensure your stylish stakes are maintained in the urban jungle.

imageThe story of K-Way began in Paris, 1965. Leon-Claude Duhamel observed, one rainy day, attentively as people rush about in soaking wet clothing.  It was this this very day that K-Way was born: a lightweight, completely waterproof jacket that can be folded away into a small hip bag.

imageThis great compact Gents Umbrella from Marks & Spencer is ideal for throwing into your bag and forgetting about it right until you really it. Plus at the price it is, if like me, during the recent London Collections:Men where I managed to lose three, yes three, umbrellas over three days, it isn’t the end of the world.

imageThere is nothing worse then having important stuff in your bag, you know vital documents, your mobile ohhh and maybe your lunch and you get caught out in a deluge ! No one like wet documents but even more nobody likes soggy sandwiches. Well Watershed have the answer for you, used by the likes of the US Military, their bags are completely  watertight, so ensuring soggy sandwiches are a thing of the past. Ohhh and your documents stay safe and dry.

imageWe couldn’t cover wet weather gear, without mentioning the next brand as Mackintosh and their ever essential raincoats are to rainy day what fish is to chips. The traditional Mackintosh or Mac as it’s commonly worked its way into our language as, celebrates it’s 190th anniversary this year. Wonder how many people can thank Mackintosh for keeping them dry over the years ?

 

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Life is a Rollercoaster – AskAnt

Good day to you avid reader of Clothes make the man, I trust life is treating you fair and just today and I find you in good health. Today’s enquiry is rather timely, as its from a man who is looking for apparel to protect him from the ever changeable weather that causes us no end of stress at this particular time of year.

I’m not suggesting the Gold it’s just to show you the range of colours, tut

Ok then Will, straight off the first brand that automatically springs to mind is K-way, they are providers of, amongst other things, pac-a-macs & pack away ponchos in, literally, loads of colours, plus ever so tres cool, British designer Oliver Spencer swears by his. Now, the ponchos or the Roubaix as they like to call it, if you are brave enough to venture out in, will keep you super dry, no matter how damming the weather may choose to be at Alton Towers or however make times you partake in the log fume and who’ll be laughing then, Will?

Right, my second tip has to be, ensure you go for cotton chinos as they will dry quicker. If you go for jeans, yes they may initially keep you warmer but the minute you get those bad boys wet, you’ll regret ever putting them on, you won’t have a snowballs chance in hell to dry them denims out at this time of year, so you’ll be stuck soggy. Plus, wear a pair of shorts under those chinos, so if you get soaked you can whip them off & dry them under a hand dryer in the toilet & not be stood there in your smalls, try and channel your inner Nick Kaman from the iconic Levis 501 Ad, if the event so arises.
Wolverine BootsMoving on and trying not to sound like your Mother waving you off as you head into the unknown, but heed this wet weather warning. Wear layers so if you do get wet you can swap them & take wet layers off, plus thin layers keep you warmer & bring a spare T-shirt with you, just in case.
Lastly, PLEASE go for study footwear, I’m not talking, 16 holed Doc Marten boots but don’t even think of plimsoles, trainers or in any way light weight shoes, unless you cherish the thought of trench foot, mmmmmm. You are lucky sir as for this season, most footwear retailers worth their salt have produced at least one style of boot that won’t see you out of place from down the pub to a good brisk walk pre Sunday roast. See the examples here from Wolverine, Barbour and Rockport which are all multi purpose.

So Will, all that is left for me to do is to tell you, the choice is yours ??? Do let us know what your decision was and  join us again soon for another style clinic.

If you have any stylistic problems, events, that  you don’t know what to wear, after the right shows to go with that all important outfit. Whatever, you query no problem is too big nor small, please just email askant@ymail.com and I’ll happily give you informed, knowledgable common sense advice.

A.M