Liberty Archives - CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

anthonymcgrath405 / 14/11/2014

Ask the Experts – Winter Coats

You know we love a good collaboration at Clothes-Make-the-Man, but this time it’s an internal one we have Six of the Best X Ask the Experts to come together to create the Mutha of all Goddamn Posts.

If the good folks over at the Met Office are to be believed, plus the fact that ole Mentalist himself Keith Barry are predicting the coldest Winter on record, we better wrap up and what better way then getting Six of the Best Brains in the history of Menswear Buying to predict their best Winter coats of the season. I think you’ll be rather surprised by the outcome and choices, but some clear and defiant examples are given which I hope, help you dear reader. We set them the question of, “If you were to buy ONE coat this season, what would it be ?” And the answers were as follows??????

“The Parka was one of the shapes of the season and this waxed version from Our Legacy also has pop-out bomber jacket so you are getting g 2 trends for the price of one – as well as very warm winter coat.”

Ben Andrew – Menswear Buyer, Liberty

“My favourite coat for this winter is our single breasted Corsivo Corsini overcoat with faux fur collar. This coat is a real investment piece; the luxurious wool and cashmere fabric and the detachable collar means you can wear it with a formal suit or with more relaxed daywear.”

Ross Wilson – Head of Buying, House of Fraser

“This jacket from Canada Goose is a firm favourite in the Mr Porter office. Goose down filled and crafted from a durable, water-resistant shell with ribbed-knit trims to keep out the cold, it’s the perfect marriage of function and laidback luxury. A big win for Winter ’15.”

Sam Kershaw – Senior Buyer, MRPORTER.com

‘A longer-length coat should be at the top of every man’s list this season – and Haider Ackermann’s slim-shouldered, embroidered style one of the best. Wear it unbuttoned, and offset the richness of the fabric with relaxed layers – it would look incredible over sweatpants and a cashmere roll-neck.’

Stacey Smith – Menswear Buyer, MATCHESFASHION.COM

“It’s is the Odel jacket from Calvin Klein in a technical nylon twill. I really like the clean lines styling but it is still really practical with 4 front pockets and a great hood to keep out winter chills. And it is Exclusively available at HN”.

Adrian Gibson, Buyer – Men’s Casual & Formal Collections, Harvey Nichols

“ I’ve been obsessed with Arctic Parkas ever since Liam Gallagher donned one for the entire 1996 Brit Awards leading to his infamous acceptance speech having beaten Blur to “Best British Band”. They don’t come around very often and you have to have a certain degree of confidence to wear with conviction. Our Legacy to me is one of the best brands in the world and their take is as good as its going to get. Resin coated cotton, quilted lining and storm flap with full zip through. It’s a contemporary take on a military classic. “

Thom Scherdel – Buyer, The Idle Man

anthonymcgrath405 / 23/07/2014

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.

Long sleeved shirt by Banana Republic

Men’s jogging bottoms by Franklin & Marshall

Floral swim shorts by Polo Ralph Lauren by Harvey Nichols

Liberty print floral baseball cap by New Era at Selfridges

Floral tie by Liberty

Floral patterned socks by Paul Smith at Harrods.com

Floral patterned sweatshirt by Acne

Floral plimsoles by YMC at Steranko.co.uk

Floral print blazer by Gucci by MrPorter.com

Floral Rucksack by Bershka

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

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

anthonymcgrath405 / 20/12/2013

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

Not 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 –

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.

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 !

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

anthonymcgrath405 / 12/12/2013

May your Days be Merry and Bright – What have you bought your Mum this Yuletide ?

OK then, its Mum’s turn to give you guys a couple of helpful hints on what to buy one, if not THE most important lady in your life. Remember, your mum looks after you 365 days a year and we don’t get a lot of opportunities to show our appreciation for this most wonderful of creations, so follows these simple gift ideas, which should suit every budget.

We love these Faux Fox fur slipper sox from Joules – Mums expect to get slippers at Christmas and these wont disappoint.

The perfect combination to help your Mum to set the festive mood with these gorgeous scented candles that capture the essence of Christmas and create a festive atmosphere from Diptyque. Pomander: Reminiscent of a Christmas orange, sprinkled with cloves and cinnamon. Feu de Bois: This sophisticated blend of rare woods recalls the crackling of an open fire. Warm and familiar during the winter days and Opopanax: Extracted from the bush of Persia, the resin is captivating and enigmatic by the warm vanilla undertones

Keep Mum cosy in this British designed Beige Rainbow Stripe hot water bottle from the Row Pinto Collection in 100% Lambswool from Liberty London.

The Tuscan Sun Cashmere Scarf at Banana Republic – will brighten up even the most Wintery day and bring a little ray of sunshine that will delight Mum.

This is a glamorous and warm Dressing Gown from Marks and Spencer for lounging around over the Christmas holidays and you can wait on Mum for a change.

Blow her away with this hairdryer by hairdresser extraordinaire Nicky Clark at next.com

For Mums with a sophisticated sweet tooth try Cocoa Boutique’s Best of the Best Selection. Chocolate tasting experience. Includes award winning 3 star Passion Fruit, Salted Caramels and, hand finished treats from Artisan chocolatiers John Beard and Catherine Bracegirdle which brings together pralines, fruits, caramels and cheeky alcoholic truffles.

This Mesh Rondal necklace incorporates links and chains to create a piece that is light and wearable. In rhodium plated sterling silver or gold plated rings of delicately wrapped mesh from tateossian.co.uk

anthonymcgrath405 / 18/10/2013

Great British Shoes – Grenson’s pop up in Liberty Menswear

I love it when two great brands, no matter what the industries, come together to produce something a little different, but overall great. In today’s instance, it’s the genuine National treasure Department Store Liberty and the Brilliant British footwear brand Grenson.

So if your planning a little jaunt to the nation’s capital or even better if you have the pleasure of living here, ensure you plan a trip down to Liberty between now and the 3rd of November to experience the Grenson Lab. Situated in the Men’s shoe department, you can choose your own shoe and have it made specifically to your own tastes and requirements and with your own choice of colours and soles. Your shoes will be handmade in the Grenson UK factory and you can even have your own name or a message handwritten on the lining.Prices start from £380 and your shoes will take approximately fourteen weeks to make, so not only an ideal Christmas gift but will lift your spirits from that post Yuletide lull.

Tim Little Owner and Creative Director Grenson had this to say of the project when we recently bumped into him;

“We first ran our Lab back in April on the womens floor at Liberty and it was a huge success. People were coming in and getting pretty creative with their shoes, in fact the factory floor looked very colourful in May. Because of the success Liberty asked us to do it again as part of their “Get Creative” promotion, but this time to extend it to a full-up Lab in the Mens shoe department too. Once again we are looking forward to seeing some of the exciting shoes that people will create, and who knows, maybe one or two of them might end up in the collection!”

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