CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN
The extraordinary mens blog for the modern man
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Preview of the best of the best from the High Street for Spring 2014

As I sit here watching the rain lash against the window and see people’s umbrellas blowing inside out, a shudder runs down my spine with the thought of the dirty miserable and generally crap old weather we’ve had, for what seems to have been an eternity. As a result of this and as somewhat of an escape from, I thought, right, the shops are full of Spring product and trends. So let’s cheer ourselves up by having a look at what some of our favourite brands on the high Street have on offer for us and what we can wear once the weather, finally, takes a turn for the better.

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Not particularly known for their use of colour, look who’s got a Spring in their step this season, none other then Marks & Spencer, no less.

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A brand who seem to be putting more and more emphasis of their menswear season after season, and it’s really showing, is Next. Showing how to put off the Floral trend for the more reserved male out there.

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Spring can be unpredictable, weather wise, at the best of time, but Banana Republic cater for those layering moments which you need to prepare for every eventuality.

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Next up a brand and an image who are HOT right now, River Island, if this floral ensemble doesn’t put you in the Spring mood and warm you up then nothing will. I maybe would wear from head to toe Floral but this image just shows what a big trend this flowery delight will be this season.

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A man who’s well and truly making his mark at Debenhams is Patrick Grant with his Hammond & Co range for the brand. He’s totally bringing his design flavour to Debenhams and not diluting it at all. Offering excellent quality and cut at great prices, keep it up sir !

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Errr a brand that we totally need to keep an eye on is New Look, their suiting range for Spring is sublime, mature, contemporary and sharp. Next time your lady asks you to come shopping with you where to go.

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Adding a little seasonal colour to our life’s is TOPMAN, always highly directional ditch those pinstripes and shades of grey and embrace coloured suiting for Spring.

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Showing us that the Floral trend needn’t be restricted to casual attire, H&M once again show us how it can be done in a more formal setting.

 

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All I want for Christmas – The Best of the best Christmas Jumpers

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Next Friday, yes thats right, Friday 13th, its Christmas Jumper day where by you paying £1 for the “privilege” you can wear a Christmas jumper of your very own choice. Now to assist you in making the right selection and ensuring your participation in partaking in this worthwhile cause, we’ve done the detective work so you don’t have to. Just so you know Christmas Jumpers are big business these days with many retailers recording sales in record numbers with, many styles ALREADY sold out ! Take a little look at the below gallery which should have something for everyone’s taste, maybe.

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I’ve gone with this to kick us off, from the highly questionable, but a lot of fun, funkychristmasjumpers.co.uk. Yes you can wear matching Christmas jumpers, if you so wish. This unbelievably successful website, stocks both his and hers, so come the big day you can be totally co-ordinating !!!!

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We’ve turned the dial round a bit and toned it down with this knit from Superdry available from House of Fraser. A Fairisle jumper isn’t just for Christmas and you won’t feel out of place wearing it at any point during the year.

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Whether your spending the Yuletide in Aspen or Ardwick, this Ralph Lauren Seasonal knit will have you looking your best, whether your on the slopes or slopping off for a little cat nap to escape the eating, drinking and making merry.

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This fine piece of festive knitwear must surely win the prize of most Christmassay of Christmas Jumpers ! And the winning brand is………. (drum roll please). None other then blinking New Look, for the love of old St Nick.

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Another tasteful lil number and from another American stylish Powerhouse, this time Tommy Hilfiger but exclusively for a very British Retailer in John Lewis.

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Keeping in the vein of tasteful is this example from Banana Republic, which strikes the perfect balance of Festive without being OTT and ensures this knit won’t be languishing in the back of your wardrobe for another 364 more days.

Screen Shot 2013-12-03 at 21.45.57Right so lets turn that dial up to 10 on the Christmas Richter Scale. You’ll get the point with this Holly Jumper from River Island so make sure your not being prickly come the season to be jolly.

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Some might say I’m finishing on a bit of a Turkey, but hell not me !  This Turkey of a jumper, in the best possible way, by Joules, needs no trimmings.

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Preview of the Best of the High Street for SS13

Vile, there’s no other word to describe the weather at the moment and because Summer, and hopefully nice warm weather, seems such a long way away at the moment. I thought I would cheer us all up by taking a look at the best of what the big High Street names have in store for us over the coming months, when we don’t have to wrap up in layer after layer.

 

Proving that they are more then a one season wonder, boohoo.com the new kid on the block is proving that they can play, nicely, I hope, with the big boys.

Proving that they are more then a one season wonder, boohoo.com the new kid on the block is proving that they can play, nicely, I hope, with the big boys.

 

Burton

I always feel Burton struggle a little with catering for their customer in the Spring season but they haven’t done too bad at all with this collection.

 

Camouflage is a massive trend for SS13. Before, you say anything, I'm not even contemplating advising going for a drink in head to toe camp. Well unless it's for a TA meeting. But believe it or not this highly directional look is from no other then Debenhams.

Camouflage is a massive trend for SS13. Before, you say anything, I’m not even contemplating advising going for a drink in head to toe camp. Well unless it’s for a TA meeting. But believe it or not this highly directional look is from no other then Debenhams.

 

I have to say, H&M for SS13 have really got their stuff together. They are offering us guys a greg selection from casual to more formal and as always at their unbelievable prices.

I have to say, H&M for SS13 have really got their stuff together. They are offering us guys a greg selection from casual to more formal and as always at their unbelievable prices.

 

I can't believe these images have come from no other then, get ready for it, JOHN LEWIS !!!! They've blown me away for SS13, it was a tough call to choose just one image from their selection for this season. Well done guys, please keep it up

I can’t believe these images have come from no other then, get ready for it, JOHN LEWIS !!!! They’ve blown me away for SS13, it was a tough call to choose just one image from their selection for this season. Well done guys, please keep it up

 

I know this is kinda stating the the obvious but M&S are amazing at suiting and SS13 certainly isn't an exception. Their casual wear for this season isn't bad either, but if your looking for a suit over the coming months, you'd do a lot worse then starting here.

I know this is kinda stating the the obvious but M&S are amazing at suiting and SS13 certainly is no an exception. Their casual wear for this season isn’t bad either, but if your looking for a suit over the coming months, you’d do a lot worse then starting here.

 

 

See what I mean about Camo, its everywhere, but thought New Look had captured the trend in a very wearable way. This brand both seem to be started to get their menswear and its improving season on season. So keep it up New Look you can't afford to rest on those laurels.

See what I mean about Camo, its everywhere, but thought New Look had captured the trend in a very wearable way. This brand both seem to be started to get their menswear and its improving season on season. So keep it up New Look you can’t afford to rest on those laurels.

 

Holy froly, Reiss are bloody good at what they do. What they do is produce GREAT trend driven clothes that are easy to put together and wear. My only criticism, maybe do them is slightly larger sizes, thats all.

Holy froly, Reiss are bloody good at what they do. What they do is produce GREAT trend driven clothes that are easy to put together and wear. My only criticism, maybe do them is slightly larger sizes, thats all.

 

River Island are on it when it comes to translating trends at affordable prices. What more can I say.

River Island are on it when it comes to translating trends at affordable prices. What more can I say.

 

No mean, moody, gothis images this season. Here come the sun and TOPMAN is awash with colour and celebrating all things surf. I'm starting to warm up now.

No mean, moody, gothis images this season. Here come the sun and TOPMAN is awash with colour and celebrating all things surf. I’m starting to warm up now.