Well heeled – Six of the Best Brogues

The Evenings are drawing in, Summer is starting to be nothing but a deem distance memory, hey ! Nothing to worry about Autumn & Winter offer men some of the best items to wear and show of over the coming months. Whether that be wrapping yourself up in great knitwear, getting a new winter coat, some great examples out there, but we’ll come to them later and of course the Great British Brogue, check out six of the best below –

Beautiful and a real design classic by a great British brand who know more then a thing or two about brogues, Grenson.

Brogues don’t always have to be so traditional and no surprises who have given these, his own individual spin by Paul Smith

Its not just desert boots and senible shoes that this brand is known for and a great little twist on a classic here Ernest Limit Black Leather Brogue from Clarks.

Looking for something a little different ? Now although not everyone’s cup of tea. These brogues from DrMartens won’t break the bank and with look great whatever the occasion.

Back to a classic with a twist and now for one from the Grandaddy of the brogues and a brand synonymous with not only Brogues but great footwear is Churches.

We couldn’t show you six of the best Brogues without showing you an example of a great sneaker version and this is very much one from Ted Baker

 

 

 

6 Of The Best – Striped Pieces

WORDS KEANU ADORABLE 

Stripes are a classic and versatile pattern that can add interest to your whole outfit, and we at Clothes Make The Man want you embrace this look, especially this season. Here are our top 6 pieces that would make a great addition to your summer wardrobe.

 

FOLK Striped Cotton-Jersey Longsleeve T-Shirt

“Stripes are a fail-safe way to introduce pattern into your smart-casual capsule, and this T-shirt from Folk is an effortless choice. Cut from soft cotton-jersey that feels as good as it looks, it’s rendered in versatile charcoal and white for easy pairing with any colour trousers.”

PS BY PAUL SMITH Slim-Fit Striped Cotton T-Shirt

“Unexpected flourishes of colour are a PS by Paul Smith signature. Designed with royal-blue tipping at the collar, this striped T-shirt is made from lightweight cotton and cut comfortably slim.”

ZARA Plain Oxford Shirt

“Zara continues to keep up with the latest trends with this clean, plain Oxford shirt. The sleeve with contrasting stripe is the key point of the design. This can be worn on a casual day/night out, the versatility of this piece means you could rock it with different combos – jeans with trainers or trousers with smart shoes”

NEIL BARRETT Panelled Cotton-Blend Poplin Shirt

“With a palette based in brown and tan, Neil Barrett‘s Spring ’17 collection is inspired by the American TV shows the designer watched as a child in the UK. This cotton-blend poplin shirt is designed with stacked panels at the sleeves – a recurring detail that references military uniforms.”

3.1 PHILLIP LIM Striped Shirt

“This multicoloured striped shirt from 3.1 Phillip Lim is one of the most trendiest pieces that you can rock this summer, this shirt features peaked lapels, a front button fastening, a chest pocket and short sleeves that gives that casual but luxurious vibe”

PRADA Stripe-Trimmed Cotton-Poplin Shirt

“Prada’s retro-inspired short-sleeved shirt has been made in Italy from smooth cotton-poplin. It’s tailored in a boxy profile, enhanced by the neat box pleat at the back and side slits, and is trimmed with a contrasting mustard hem.”

Tis The Season To Be Stylish – A Guide For Christmas Outings

by Keanu Adorable

Tis the season of blessings and joy, and there’s no excuse to just throw on a Christmas jumper that you dug out from the back of your closet that you got from your mum or significant other from last year or could even be the year before. Whether you’ll be roasting chestnut on the open fire or down the pub with your mates, we here at Clothes Make The Man are going to make sure you are prepared for the season’s events ahead and have your Christmas wardrobe covered.

Christmas Office Party

Dressing the part and knowing what to wear can sometimes be a tricky issue, should it be super formal or super casual, or somewhere in-between? A no brainer and the key piece of fashion advice when dressing, you should wear what the occasion dictates. If there is a dress code or theme to the party, then stick to that.. A perfectly tailored suit that’s easily adaptable or semi-formal blazers and trousers will complement cocktail looks. Keep things classic with dusky navies, subdued cobalt and muted greys. Stick to tailored suits that are fitted, but not too tight. Keep blazers figure hugging, fresh and modern and alter pants to just skim the top of the footwear.

Blazer

Shirts

Fitted dress shirts are proper, classic and safe in whites or powder blues. With that in mind, a modern or brighter patterned button down shirts can give a new edge to your outfit, provided they are not too over the top. Build on the colour of your suit with complementary shades that will look presentable and well put together.

Shoes

Great shoes should not be overlooked or underestimated. A traditional round toe leather Oxford is timeless and the shoe of choice for that smart attire look. Upgrade your style in authentic leathers and switch things up with different textures like brogue punch holes. Loafers can be considered if the event is less formal but keep them relatively classic with colours in and black, navy or brown.

Christmas Eve

Whichever style Christmas Eve you tend to have, it’s also a good time to chuck on some fresh threads and look your best. This night is one of the best times to get together with friends and have a good drink down your local or have a more traditional family gathering and a takeaway or head out for a meal, casual attire would suit best, but it’s important to add a bit of a bit of swagger too. Pieces we recommend are overcoats and roll neck sweaters that will keep you warm, these can paired with smart trousers and smart looking trainers.

 

Christmas Day

Start the day of right with with these pair of White Company Pyjamas, will make sure you get a good nights sleep for the big day, and feel the warm cheerful christmas spirit with your family.

6 of The Best – Summer Swimshorts

by: Keanu Adorable

Let’s admit it, this summer hasn’t lived up to it’s name, but is anyone really surprised? Not us! But on the off chance that the sun does show up, in all its full glory. It’s best to prepare, and what swim shorts you’re going to wear for the day trip to the seaside (or on a tropical beach abroad if you’re lucky enough). As always, we’ve done the searching so you don’t have to, ranging from high end designer options to high street and everything in-between, we’ve got you covered. Literally.

Here are our top 6 picks:

PAUL SMITH – Palm Print Swim Shorts 

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Paul Smith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VILEBREQUIN – Rolling Stones Special Edition Swimshorts 

“St. Tropez-based swimwear label Vilebrequin and The Rolling Stones have launched a limited-edition collaboration to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary Exhibitionism show. The collection features a couple of items, including this special edition ‘Moorea swim shorts’ featuring various prints of the Rolling Stones’ iconic discography, with album covers created by Andy Warhol, Robert Frank and David Bailey.’

 

DAN WARD – FLAT FRONT NYLON SWIM SHORT 

“This flat front, mid-length short is key to the DANWARD design aesthetic. Introduced in the first collection, its honed tailored look is a favourite. The style has been studied to afford the clean sharp silhouette while its semi-elasticated back waistband ensures an easier fit for all.”

DANWARD

LEO JOSEPH – CLIFTON SWIM SHORT 

“The Clifton swim short : Leo Joseph’s original, mid-length tailored swim short. Developed to put fit and tailoring back into the men’s swimwear market, it’s a modern cut with well considered details throughout. With custom soft touch and quick drying fabric, these will keep you looking stylish from beach to bar, season after season.”

LEOJOSEPH

LINEA- Deck Chair Print Swim Shorts 

“Opt for the playful yet understated aesthetic of these Linea swim shorts. The simple silhouette of this pair is accented with a deckchair pattern which adds a touch of contemporary appeal. Feel secure with the handy drawstring fastening and elasticated rear waistband.”

 

M&S COLLECTION – Quick Dry Wave Print Swim Shorts 

“For chic holiday bathing this summer, M&S Menswear has a variety of printed swimwear to suit your destination and style. All swim shorts feature Quick Dry fabric and drawstring fastenings, adding practicality to poolside looks.”  

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Paris Menswear Shows Highlights – Autumn/Winter 2015

imageWe arrive in the final destination on our round up of the male Fashion weeks for Autumn/Winter 2015. Bonjour Paris and we start the proceedings off with a brand not short on that certain  Je ne said quoi, yes Louis Vuitton and what a way to start. Kim Jones just seems to be going from strength to strength during his tenure with the Luxury Power house. He drew his inspiration this season, on a personal hero, in the shape of British Designer Christopher Nemeth who was relatively unknown outside of Japan. He interpreted four of Nemeth’s signature prints and at the same time managed to work them expertly into the Vuitton aesthetic, that only he could have achieved to such a high level. Once again leaving everyone, a baited for next season to see what magic he may conjure.

imageNext up, onto a designer who left me agog with the beauty of his collection, Junya Watanabe, who based the look of his Autumn/Winter 2015 collection on the sub culture of the ‘sappers’ the nattily dressed gentlemen from the Congo. Think, those immaculately dressed dandies of 1930’s Harlem in their Sunday Best fit for Church and an audience with God himself. Nonetheless, this was no retro obsessed collection, this was modernity personified.

imageThen to Riccardo Tisci’s Givenchy, we saw a departure from the sweatshirts and Tees which have made the Fashion brand such a favourite of the likes of Professor Green through to Kanye West in recent years and a move towards the formal roots of the Parisian house. However, this was a dark and eerie at time unnerving presentation by Tisci and the Devil was literally in the detail.

Madison Kitsune

Madison Kitsune

Paul & Joe

Paul & Joe

Ami may not have the heritage of some of the other players on the Paris schedule but it nonetheless delivers and leaves you wanting to run backstage and put an order in with them there and then, not having to wait 6 or so months before it hits the stores and websites. It offers impeccably desirable clothes that you just want. Another French brand able to entice us with such wearable and interesting ranges is Carven offering up a more boxy and sculpted silhouette this season. Relative new comers are Maison Kitsune the duo of Masaya Kuroki and Gildas Loaec, think of this like a pseudoFrench Alban, where they leave you wanting literally every piece from the collection from suiting to Tote bag. The thing all these brands have in common is their comforting lack of avant garde, there is no danger you may need the lookbook just to know have to wear an outfit from these brands but you can rest assure you still know, you look the bis when wearing their wares. This is the same with Paul & Joe, this is not a tricksy brand, where from season to season you’re not quite sure what you might see or get from them. This is a true bastion of wearable apparel.

imageKris Van Assche for Dior Homme, seemed to run his show in reverse this season opting to start the presentation with formal attire in tuxedos in various forms then moving between smart and smart casual throughout. Mixing that juxtaposition of high formal then throwing in denim, a baseball cap, trainers or maybe even all three, just because he can.

imageNext we have the Luxury house of Luxury Houses, Hermes offering a Masterclass in the modern male’s wardrobe and what it SHOULD contain for every possible eventuality, whether that be a business meeting or what to wear for that all important down time, Veronique Nichanian had it covered to a tee, T-shirt that is.

imageLike Hermes, Alber Elbaz over at Lanvin did his take on what a the contemporary man needs for his functional wardrobe. He divided it into uniform sections which included, pinstripes, tweeds in grey, country plaids, army coats and military jackets.

imagePenultimately, we have Sir Paul Smith flying the flag for British Sartorialism on the continent. Like so many brands this season he too has adopted the maxim of Orange is the new Black or maybe he’s been watching too much Netflix, either way we have seen everyone from Christopher Raeburn to Missoni, Moschino and Vivienne Westwood all take on the sunshine hue. Smith looked back to move forward this season and saught his design team to plunder his archive of decades of hoarding.

Finally we have Umit Benan who like Pablo Copolla for Bally seems to have been inspired by the films of Wes Anderson. Rather than the The Royal Tenenbaums, Benan appears to have emmerised himself in ‘The Life aquatic’ as whether is was fishing rods or bucket hats his models possessed some element of fishing paraphernalia. But at no time did Umit collection veer to the realms of silliness or gimmick.

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