Make a splash – Six of the best swim shorts

Its been a LONG, cold winter, where we’ve been wrapped up like the remains of a turkey on Boxing Day. But as we keep on saying, Summer is finally here, almost as though if we keep on saying it, the good weather will stay a while longer. The men of not only the UK but across many countries, their poor legs haven’t seen day light now for almost a year, never mind go swimming !

Well, as you would have it, Clothes-Make-the-Man like to make life a little easier for our readers and so we’ve surfed the information superhighway from start to finish looking for some of the best swim shorts around, shhhh some might be on sale, so even better value, wink, wink ! Listen enough from me enjoy and get shopping, lets get out of recession, I’m sick of it !

 

These shorts from Kenzo @ Farfetch.com ensure it won't be a tight fit with this jungle print

These shorts from Kenzo @ Farfetch.com ensure it won’t be a tight fit with this jungle print

 

Say Aloha to these hibiscus print swim shorts. But maybe think twice about wearing them with one of the Hawaiian shorts we posting last week  OVERKILL

Say Aloha to these hibiscus print swim shorts by Hackett @ House of Fraser. But maybe think twice about wearing them with one of the Hawaiian shorts we posting last week OVERKILL

 

These Swim shorts will flatter pretty much any guy so before you fly off to you holiday destination, maybe invest in these from Paul Smith

These Swim shorts will flatter pretty much any guy so before you fly off to you holiday destination, maybe invest in these from Paul Smith @ mrporter.com

 

A nice take the the camo trend in these elephant print camouflage swim shorts from vilebrequin

A nice take the the camo trend in these elephant print camouflage swim shorts from Vilebrequin

 

Keeping it Classically British, not not union Jack shorts but these Spitfire, Made in Britain, shorts by Harry Elliot

Keeping it Classically British, not not union Jack shorts but these Spitfire, Made in Britain, shorts by Harry Elliot

 

These Flamingo print swim shorts by Howick @ House of Fraser are cool as long British Summer

These Flamingo print swim shorts by Howick @ House of Fraser are cool as long British Summer

Aloha indeed – 6 of the best Hawaiian shirts

Remember guys you don’t always have to be look super smart and the epitome of cool 24/7, you can relax and have a sense of humour. In the same way as Christmas Jumpers have made a return to the limelight, at the opposite of side of the year we’ve seen an item of clothing that was seen as the height of bad taste, but only a few years ago. The HAWAIIAN SHIRT ! think Elvis, think  Magnum P.I.think Ace Ventura. Check out SIX of the best below.

Say Aloha to this lil number from Ralph Lauren's Denim & Supply

Say Aloha to this lil number from Ralph Lauren’s Denim & Supply

 

A great example from Levi's Vintage Clothing @ mrporter.com

A great example from Levi’s Vintage Clothing @ mrporter.com

 

Ohhh stand out from the crowd in this TOPMAN number

Ohhh stand out from the crowd in this TOPMAN number

 

An American classic from Hilfiger Denim

An American classic from Hilfiger Denim

 

Be safe be seen in this classic Hawaiian Shirt by Quiksilver @ House of Fraser

Be safe be seen in this classic Hawaiian Shirt by Quiksilver @ House of Fraser

 

Go for that modtro(modern but retro) look with this shirt by Native Youth @ JOY

Go for that modtro(modern but retro) look with this shirt by Native Youth @ JOY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Porter and Friends – A series of exclusive collaborations

Following on from last year’s launch of a series of designer collaborations, created specifically for the internet e-tailing Colossus, Mr Porter, which included the likes of Paul Smith, YMC, Oliver Spencer and Orlebar Brown. This year sees the first in a new international crop of partnerships with Parisan designer Alexandre Mattuissi for the brand Ami. The Native New Yorker Alexander Wang, Tokyo’s Beams Plus and Antwerp’s finest Raf Simons.

Alexandre Mattuissi for Ami, has created a brand, which its fair to say, has become a destination for the Style Press and Retail Buyers alike. This range is essentially based on ‘les bords du Canal Saint Martin,’ or the area where the stylish Parisian crowd hangs out on summer nights. The 13 piece capsule collection consists of tailored blazers, jackets and trousers.

Ami EXCLUSIVELY for MrPorter.com

Ami EXCLUSIVELY for MrPorter.com

Alexander Wang‘s nine piece collection of t-shirts, sweats, varsity jackets, and leather bombers. He says of this collaboration,     “The exclusive collection for MR PORTER.COM includes some of my favourite styles from our ready-to-wear and T by Alexander Wang collections; these pieces are essentials in my everyday wardrobe. For this collaboration with MR PORTER, it felt right to make the selection really personal and effortless, by mixing ready-to-wear with T.”

Screen Shot 2013-05-14 at 13.46.57

Alexander Wang EXCLUSIVELY for MrPorter.com

Next up we have Beams Plus, hailing from the Uber Trendy Tokyo district of Harajuku, who from launching a menswear line in 1999 have grown to be a tour de force in their native Japan. This collaboration for Spring 2013 is based on the ‘Ivy Surf’ concept – collegiate meets the coast. The 6 piece capsule collection consists of polo’s, t-shirts, and shorts adorned with Japanese designer Palm Graphics’ signature palm surfer.

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Beams Plus EXCLUSIVELY for MrPorter.com

Lastly, MrPorter.com and Raf Simons have come together to create an exclusive 13 piece floral inspired capsule collection for spring 2013. Hand-painted prints have transformed staples such as t-shirts and sweats, and formalwear including a blazer and white shirt, as well as hi top sneakers. Terry Betts, Senior Buyer of Mr Porter says of the collection,

“Raf’s use of colour and Kurt Cobain-inspired grunge florals combined to make his SS13 show one of our favourites.This exclusive project started from new, uniquely-painted watercolours which were transformed onto fabric and then used to create a 13-piece collection for MR PORTER. We are very excited to be collaborating with one of the most creative designers currently working in the industry.”

Raf Simons EXCLUSIVELY for Mr Porter

Raf Simons EXCLUSIVELY for Mr Porter

 

Be hidden in the Urban Jungle – Camouflage Trend

Good day my dear and trusted style gazers, as the weather is being as predictable as my child’s nightly sleep patterns I thought I would look at a trend which can be worn rain of shine, in the words of 80’s family groovers 5Star. Camo or Camouflage as you may know it has been floating around as a menswear trend for quite a few seasons now. Hopefully, you will have been a style consumer of great foresight and have invested in a piece or two of the camo variety over the past couple of seasons. As you see from  below for Spring 2013 literally everyone has interpreted and tailored camouflage to their own likings, offering us, it in every conservable item of clothing, colour combination and from traditional Action Man-esque patterns to 21st Century state of the art stealth techno camo to even neon, floral, in your face ones.

I’ve sourced the great information Superhighway from start to finish looking for some of the better examples of this trend. Now please heed this warning, akin to not feeding the Mogwai after midnight, do not, I repeat do not wear to much of this trend at the same time or you’ll run the risk of looking like a reserve from the T.A. on civilian maneuverers, once again the maxim of less is more applies.

 

Must have piece, particularly for those pesky April showers is this Pac-a-mac from Superdry

Must have piece, particularly for those pesky April showers is this Pac-a-mac from Superdry

A great take on the camouflage print by McQ by Alexander McQueen @ MrPorter.com

A great take on the camouflage print by McQ by Alexander McQueen @ MrPorter.com

 

Camouflage sunnies just to complete that look from TOPMAN

Camouflage sunnies just to complete that look from TOPMAN

 

Look sharp mixing and matching materials with the camo trend in these Windsor Shoes by Dr Martens

Look sharp mixing and matching materials with the camo trend in these Windsor Shoes by Dr Martens

 

At ease solider in these camo print shorts by Scotch & Soda from John Lewis

At ease solider in these camo print shorts by Scotch & Soda from John Lewis

 

Camo Eastpak luggage from House of Fraser

Camo Eastpak luggage from House of Fraser

 

Formal up the trend with this blazer from Daniele Alessandrini @ FarFetch.com

Formal up the trend with this blazer from Daniele Alessandrini @ FarFetch.com

 

Get your Camo on with this Tee by Marc by Marc Jacobs @ MrPorter.com

Get your Camo on with this Tee by Marc by Marc Jacobs @ MrPorter.com

 

a unique Camouflage design by Diesel @ House of Fraser

A unique Camouflage design by Diesel @ House of Fraser

 

On manoeuvres with this Racksack by Herschel @ John Lewis

On manoeuvres with this Racksack by Herschel @ John Lewis

 

Escape from the old routine in these high tops from Converse @ Topman.com

Escape from the old routine in these high tops from Converse @ Topman.com

 

Not sure about the camo trend then add flashes of it with this tie from Mr Bathing Ape @ Coggles.com

Not sure about the camo trend then add flashes of it with this tie from Mr Bathing Ape @ Coggles.com

 

Rockin around the Christmas Tree – Office Christmas party etiquette

ZZZzzzzzzzzz

This coming Friday,  yes Friday 14th December is the most popular date for Office Christmas parties, this year. You and your colleagues from offices and places of work up and down the land will be coming, or should I say thrown, together to celebrate the Yuletide season. The Office Christmas party is up there with a UN Peace Conference or a Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, for being a potential volatile environment. Ken in Accounts getting into a fight with Bill from Marketing or Peter from Head Office being caught in the disabled toilets with Karen from HR or Susan from from the Kendal office being in tears because Nigel from I.T. who were smooching to Wham’s Last Christmas, had gone in for a snog and Susan has just got engaged to Paul and sees Nigel as just a friend. Ohhhh Office Christmas Do’s can be great fun, honest, but there are a couple of golden rules that you need to adhere to, to stop that FEAR when you awake on Saturday morning-ish.

Do: Enjoy yourself, get to know your colleagues a little better, but not too much better, if you know what I mean, cough, First aid cupboard.

Don’t be the talk of the office on Monday

Don’t: Goes without saying Don’t drink and drive, book a cab beforehand.

Do:  Treat people as you would like to be treated, remember that one, not always easy but in the long run it’s the best way.

Don’t: Be the talk of the Office on Monday Morning leave that to someone else.

Do: Be fun, til the season to be jolly.

Don’t: photocopy your bits and bobs (Or at least don’t get caught)

Don’t: Sit in the corner and sulk, It’s a party, have fun.

Do: Dance, it’s Christmas ! In the words of Noddy Holder of Slade.

Ohhhh I’ll see you in court !

Don’t: Bring a dodgy friend that may get into a fight or decide to dance on the desks.

Do: Be cordial to that person that does your head in. It is Christmas so try to put on your happy face on, if just for one night.

Don’t: Decide it’s a great time to tell your co-workers what you really think. How you are sick of him/her not pulling their weight. Speaking of weight, do not mention how he/she could do with losing a few pounds, NO !.

Do: Keep the conversation upbeat and casual, til the season to be jolly, after all.

Don’t: Get into office politics, it’s easy to fall into this trap. Work is common ground so inevitably the conversation will be work based. Try not to talk about Sandra’s boyfriend or the fact that she’s going through her third divorce.

I can feel that hangover from here

Do: Dress well, if your office is a suited one, still dress smart but wear a decent pair of jeans, don’t end up looking like Jeremy Clarkson, think more Gary Barlow or Ryan Gosling.

Don’t: Wear a novelty Christmas Clothing, it might be a party but you do want to keep your dignity and want people to see you as professional come Monday.

Do: Talk to your boss. If it’s at your boss’s house, thank him or her for having you, it’s polite.

Don’t: Decide it’s a good time to talk about a raise or Christmas bonus. Maybe bonuses were cut this year, if you are deeply upset by this, maybe you should give it a miss, yeah.

The Ideal Outfit for your Office Party

 

This Black velvet jacket by Ted Baker is not only festive and bang on trend but will have you feeling like 007 when you enter the room and play, go for it wear it with a pocket square, if someone dares, take the mick, put them in there place with a witty put down like, “Did we get dressed in the dark again” or “What are you wearing to the party tonight ?”

 

Keep it simple and this shirt from Mark & Spencer will have you looking $1000,000 even though it costs just a faction of that. Team this black shirt with the black velvet jacket for a sophisticated look. Plus it won’t show the sweat from a boogie on the dance floor or if you spill a drink down yourself. These things happen !

 

Now yes its an Office party and you want to keep an air of professionalism, but it is a party with these jeans from Albam not only are you giving a casual element to this look but you are putting it out there, “Yep I know how to dress.”

 

Finish the look with these little beauties from Grenson @ MrPorter.com. Please trust me don’t ruin this perfect outfit with novelty socks or tie, keep it simply and trust me if you go with this outfit for your your office party, you will have a great time and if you following the golden rules. I just think that promotion AND rise might just be in the bag.