Style Influences

Trend Alert! You need an Oversized Jumper.

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Now this isn’t exactly news. Oversized…well everything has been in vogue for several years now…trousers, tees, shoes you name if you should wear it oversized. This however is a little different. The limited social interactions of 2020 has been terrible for more reasons than I or any other could count but if there is one benefit it’s that nobody can judge what you wear. Whilst this has undoubtably led to some nightmare outfits and purchases it has also allowed us more freedom for self expression. Not everyone after all possesses my own mixture of arrogance and ignorance which allows me to wear what I want when I want with little fear (or knowledge) of judgement from my cohorts. This self expression is a wonderful thing and has got so many people hooked on the fashion bug. So now is the perfect time to size up! Proportion is just as fun to mess with as pattern (see earlier post on shifting) and way easier to do correctly. Not only that but doesn’t it just seem right that as the cold weather approaches in 2020 of all years that we swaddle ourselves in far more cosy fabric than necessary? I’d say so and so should you. No prying eyes to judge you here and boy is it cosy on the oversized side.

So come on over to the cosy side…you know you want to.

Winter Style Essential :- Black Commando Sole Boots

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A guide to the trending and practical footwear essential.

What if I told you there was a way to be sensible with your footwear choices and yet still wear one of AW19/20’s biggest menswear trends? You’d call me crazy? Well I must be crazy because a Black Commando Sole Boot is exactly that. It is sturdy and practical in design with the elevated sole making it perfect for winter conditions. Not only that but it was also present on runways from Prada and Botega Veneta to Fendi and Paul Smith. If that isn’t illustrious company I don’t know what is. Black Boots aren’t just trending now though, they are timeless as well. They have been stylish ever since the likes of James Dean, Marlon Brando and Steve McQueen became some of the first icons of rebellious fashion, showing how style could be ultimately very cool. Since then Black Boots have been adopted by the stylish everywhere from Parisians to Rockstars.

Find boots made out of high quality materials and a good construction and you are all set. The practical and trendy boot for the upcoming winter. Which is also versatile as hell, these bad boys can be worn with pretty much anything including a suit but look especially good leaning into the rocker vibes with slim black jeans.

After all if it’s good enough for Prada it’s good enough for us too. Right guys?

Spring Outfit #4

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Colour Block

Colour blocking is here in a big way for SS19 here is an easy way to match the trend.

Base Layers

White Jeans – A spring and summer essential the white jean has evolved from a hooray associate into a stylish staple. They just as easy to wear as black jeans only with added flair and this makes them an ideal basis to an outfit. Endlessly versatile. Endlessly stylish. Get some in a slim fit for the easy riviera vibes.

Simple Tee – Now this is the part that can be debated. Everyone has their own favourite T-shirt brand and style. I would personally recommend Uniqlo on the high street and Sunspel if you want to take things upmarket. The key here is getting a T-shirt that fits you perfectly and picking any colour you like. Navy, Red, Orange as long as you keep them simple and pick a colour that doesn’t wash you out feel free to go crazy. Just make sure to pay attention to fit. Whether you want a classic style or hyper modern slim fit make sure you get one that is just right. After all the sky is the limit.

Outerlayer

Chore Coat – A complementing Chore coat is the perfect accompanying jacket to wear with this outfit. It suits the colourful theme and is a style that is trending hugely at the moment. The key here is to go for a colour the compliments the tee you are wearing. For example if you are wearing a light blue tee opt for a jacket a few shades darker or vice versa. This keeps the colours flowing and makes the outfit seem more harmonious. Not to mention all those pockets will come in useful. For a bit more of a swerve wear a darker tee with a lighter chore coat.

Footwear

Complimenting Trainers – Now the best way of matching this to the outfit is to opt for a pair of shoes in a similar colour to either your jacket or your tee. This keeps the outfit colourful amidst the white canvas (literally) of the Jeans. Once the colour is just about matched you can vary it up with style. Anything from cutting edge chunky sneakers and sneaker socks to retro vans and Adidas feel free to express yourself.

Accessories

Black Woven Belt – This brings more summer vibes as well as an additional texture to the outfit. It’s simple laidback accessorising that helps elevate the outfit.

Style Move

Shirt Tuck – This streamlines the silhouette whilst also keeping it perfectly balanced between smart and casual. Giving it a perfect blend of retro and trending. After all of its good enough for Virgil Abloh it’s good enough for us.

Sockless – Wear no-show socks to expose some ‘mankle’ and give the look a summery vibe. This exposure of skin goes a long way to making the outfit seem sharp and contemporary as well as letting you lean into that Spring/Summer fun.

Spring Outfit #3

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Tonal Blue

Tonal dressing is a massively stylish move to utilise. It makes any outfit look pulled together and interesting. Also despite it being monochrome it also shows a great amount of originality and personality. The key with tonal dressing is to mix textures and colours whilst maintaining an overall theme of one colour. Like this example with blue.

Base Layers

Blue chinos – Now I think the perfect base for this would be some light or pastel blue chinos. Most people would say you should go darker with your trousers than your top so this subverts that. Keeping things light down below also nods to the fact that this is an outfit with the warmer climbs of spring and summer in mind. The light colour nods to the current trend for pastels in SS19 and going for a chino makes it a perfectly versatile balance between smart and casual. Seeing as it is spring you can either opt for a cropped pair or give the trousers some turn ups.

Navy Polo Shirt – Another preppy staple and smart-casual master – the polo shirt. There can be a fair amount of options here. You can go for a standard polo or mix it up with a retro inspired open collar polo which is what I would recommend. Further more you can keep things plain or experiment with a pattern. For tonal dressing additional pops of colour are always good so I would recommend opting for one with white trim. Overall a knitted polo shirt with a base colour of navy and white trim or stripes is the most stylish option here.

Outer Layers

Light Wash Denim Jacket – Introducing an additional colour and texture to the outfit as well as a casual air. This prevents the outfight from looking too formal and provides a sharp contrast with the other textures present on the outfit. It is also the lightest colour of the outfit which provides an additional blue to keep things tonal.

Footwear

Blue sneakers – Perfect to keep things both casual and in keeping with the tonal outfit would be some blue sneakers. However you also want to add an additional element of interest and colour with the sneakers. Something like Adidas Campus’ with white trim or Vans Old Skools with their two tone blue would work perfectly here. This also leans casually providing perfect contrast with the smarter polo and chinos.

Accessories

Navy Woven Belt – An additional texture to bring to the outfit whilst also keeping things tonal.

Style Moves

Shirt Tuck – This streamlines the silhouette whilst also keeping it perfectly balanced between smart and casual. Giving it a perfect blend of retro and trending. After all of its good enough for Virgil Abloh it’s good enough for us.

Sockless – Wear no-show socks to expose some ‘mankle’ and give the look a summery vibe. This exposure of skin goes a long way to making the outfit seem sharp and contemporary as well as letting you lean into that Spring/Summer fun.

Why I love stripes

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As some of you may of noticed from my photos I’m rather a fan of stripes on clothing. Whether Horizontal or Vertical, on jumpers, tees or trousers I think they are a great pattern to incorporate in your dressing. They add a further element of interest to your outfits and despite the old stories they don’t in fact make you appear broader. On top of this patterns never fail to make a look appear more interesting and unique.

Stripes of any variety are just plain classic. Horizontal stripes channel the traditional uniform of the French Navy a la Breton stripes. This adds a French edge to the outfit. Vertical stripes on the other hand bring to mind a preppy or tailored ensemble. Pinstripes for example are being taken back from Wall Street by the fashion world at the moment. Preppiness is another trend that’s going to be huge in SS19 so utilising verticals stripes will be trending hard this season.

Overall they are a simple pattern that can be used to add colour to an outfit or channel any number of style inspirations. From Parisian cool guy to the preppiest of prep these versatile patterns allow you to take the best from various style groups and utilise them yourself to suit your own personal style.

Spring Outfit #2

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Spring Blackout

Now crucial to this look is subverting expectations. That’s why we are using a dark wintery colour but using items more associated with Spring and Summer creating an interesting contrast. This outfit never fails to look sharp and stylish.

Base Layers

Black Cuban Collar Shirt – A simple black shirt. However one that is trending hard right now. Black shirts are enjoying something of a renaissance right now with many of Hollywood’s most fashionable stars opting for them. Similarly Cuban Collar shirts have been trending hard for a few years now. Combine the two for an effortless smart casual top to wear as part of this tonal outfit.

Black Pleated Cropped Trousers – Another style from yesteryear that is trending hard is the pleated trouser. Giving a classy mid-century air to the outfit this trousers are also great for spring and summer due to the extra room they provide. Keep your style with a slight taper and a crop in order to keep things modern however. Opt for a lighter fabric such as Cotten to keep this trouser spring ready and it will add an interesting new element to this monochromatic outfit. Leaning into the tonal yet not as it may seem nature of this outfit.

Outer Layer

Leather biker jacket – Now to give this outfit some rock and roll edge. Nothing is better for that than a leather biker jacket. It adds an air of Parisian nonchalance To proceedings and is just damn cool. Not to mention it’s one of the most iconic pieces in the of menswear which is never a bad thing. In this look it also adds more texture and interest which is always needed when dressing tonally.

Footwear

Minimalist White Sneakers – Now to add a vibrancy to the outfit opt for minimalist white kicks. It is spring after all. Not only does this stark contrast between black and white make you stand out but it also looks a million bucks. A small flash of white goes a long way to making the whole outfit pop. Not only this but it also stops the look from making it seem as though you are melting. Get a luxurious pair and they will add an expensive sheen to the outfit and certain brands act as a *wink wink* to those in the know.

Accessories

Black Woven Belt – Again this is to help mix up the texture. It gives the look a more laidback and casual vibe whilst also making it appear more summery.

Style Moves

Shirt Tuck – When wearing pleated trousers shirts should normally be tucked in. This streamlines the silhouette whilst also prevents it from looking like too much of a throwback. Giving it a perfect blend of retro and trending. After all of its good enough for Virgil Abloh it’s good enough for us.

Sockless – Wear no-show socks to expose some ‘mankle’ and give the look a summery vibe. This exposure of skin goes a long way to making the outfit seem sharp and contemporary as well as letting you lean into that Spring/Summer fun.

My Hairstyle

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So, many of you will have noticed from my photos on Instagram that I take great pride in my hair. It took me a lot of experimenting and research to find a style that I am truly happy with and suits me. In the end I settled on the textured, voluminous quiff that I sport today.

It was a case of one day deciding to reinvent my hair I always used to favour a more low maintenance hairstyle of my fairly unruly hair just thrown over to one side but I decided it was time for an upgrade.

I started by just looking though pictures before settling on the fact I wanted a quiff. In the end some of my main inspirations ended up being people like James Dean, Armie Hammer, Harry Styles David Beckham and of course Elvis. One of the key appeals to me was the timelessness and glamour of it all. To modernise it and after further research I decided I’d like the sides to taper (ironic given it originated in the 19th and 20th centuries). This gives the whole style a clean look and makes it far less maintenance.

After making the initial switch I continued to experiment with different styles and products. For a long while I used a pomade to really get that old school shine to my hair. However my hair is extremely thick and messy naturally so this took a lot of work. Ultimately I made the switch to using sea salt spray and a paste. This lets me harness the curls of my hair rather then combating them. The extra texture is easy to apply and looks great given the natural state of my hair. This more textured and slightly messier look is less old school and more in keeping with modern trends and I must say I’ve never been happier with my hair. I can play around with volume and texture to my hearts content and end up with some great styles which I can very slightly from day to day but keeping the overall style intact.

To style I use the salt spray first and then use a hairdryer to add volume and to style the shape of the hair. Then I’ll use a paste to hold it in place and then a spray of hairspray to add some additional strength and shine.

So there we have it, the journey I took to get my current hairstyle and how I style it.

Spring Outfit #1

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Oh hello 80s. The 80s and 90s are trending hard at the moment and this is an outfit to help lean into this trend without looking too much like a tribute act.

Base Layers

Uniqlo U Oversize White Striped Tee – Now available from the latest Uniqlo U drop as part of their 2019 Spring Summer collection. Wonderfully retro. Wonderfully on trend. Wonderfully oversized.

Light Wash Jeans – Build on the retro appeal of the retro tee with some light wash jeans. A typically 80s and 90s addition to the outfit that matches perfectly with the striped tee. It brings another element of colour to the outfit whilst giving it a more summery feel. As well as all of this Light Wash jeans are trending hard this season.

Top Layer

Light Wash Denim Jacket – Another Classic piece. Not only is light wash denim trending hard but so is doubled up denim. Match your jacket to your jeans and it creates a wonderful retro silhouette. The overdose of denim is toned down slightly by the contrasting top. Take inspiration from films such as Call Me By Your Name to help perfect this trending outfit.

Shoes

Converse High Tops – Trending since their inception in the 30s Converse have continued to be stylish for nearly a decade. They continue the wonderful retro theme of this outfit with a classic shoe. To add a modern twist maybe opt for one of converses many great collaborations such as those with Comme Des Garçons. Either way you can never go wrong with this classic shoe.

Accessories

Woven Navy Belt – Use a contrasting belt to help tone down the bold double denim either side of it. Additionally the woven belt adds an additional summery and casual air to the whole outfit.

Style Moves

Shirt Tuck – To give the outfit a more modern twist tuck the Tee into the Jeans. This streamlines the silhouette whilst also prevents it from looking like too much of a throwback.

Turn ups – Turn up or even get your jeans cropped. Show just a little ankle above the Converse High-Tops. This leans into the Spring/Summer feel of the outfit whilst again giving a slight contemporary twist. This helps make this outfit just that tiny bit more special.

My Favourite Clothing Brands Part 2

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Picking up where we left off…

Saint Laurent

A brand that oozes Parisian chic yet still maintains some edge. Ever since the brand was reinvented under Heidi Slimane it has gone from strength to strength. Meeting the perfect balance between bohemia and rock n’ roll, Saint Laurent is a master at what it does. It popularised the whole ‘skinny’ aesthetic and continues to do so to this day. Come here for the perfect meeting of French Opulence and a more modern edge.

Sandro

Another French brand. Shocking, when I attempt to dress Parisian most of the time. Sandro’s collections are just so wearable. They are one of the few major brands that produces clothes that you could wear with little difficulty in any setting no matter the dress code. This inherent wearability does not diminish the unique and stylish goods on offer however. A brand that manages to balance everyday wear with Parisian style is not to be missed.

COS

COS is a brand that has fully mastered Scandinavian minimalism. All clean lines and sleek colouring COS manages to keep things minimalist without making things to stark and boring. The odd splash of colour here and there help. As does the incredible attention to detail and fit. COS has some of the sleekest and simplest selections around and yet is never boring. As well as keeping things minimalist COS isn’t afraid to indulge in the odd trend led item such as wide leg trousers, chunky soled shoes and bomber jackets.

J.Crew

Now hopping across the pond to masters of American prep. J.Crew is a one stop shop for anything and everything preppy. From pastel coloured shorts and trousers to excellent oxford shirts and cable knit jumpers. If it’s preppy J.Crew sells it. As well as stocking some of the best chinos around, all of J.Crews offerings are great. Having great range from trending Cuban Collar shirts to everyday basics J.Crew is a must for your wardrobe.

Ralph Lauren

Another prep king. Ralph Lauren rejuvenated the American fashion game with his eponymous brand. Having multiple differing lines at various price points helps Ralph Lauren to have mastery at every level of the fashion game. The range from exquisite tailoring to your basic tee is staggering and the brand pulls all of this off with aplomb. Ralph Lauren is of course famed for its oxford shirts and these are among the best in the game, excellent fit and impeccable quality. Don’t sleep on the Polo shirts either, particularly the soft touch variety

My Favourite Clothing Brands Part 1

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Now as a man of very varied style this could consist of any number of brands, but I will try to narrow it down to my absolute favourites. This article may also consist of brands I own very little of, however if it is a brand that consistently puts out clothes, I would love to wear it has warranted an inclusion on this article. There is a great variation in price of these brands, and I will keep it narrowed down to 10 for the sake of conciseness.

Gucci

Gucci is mental and for that I love it. A brand that is truly luxury fashion, Gucci has mastery of everything from footwear and accessories to clothing. Gucci clothes possess qualities which are both timeless and bang on trend. My favourite items by the Italian Giant are its classics which have been reinvented under Alessandro Michele, think Jordaan loafers and applique shirts. A brand that masterfully combines opulence with ease of wear.

AMI

Again a brand I have a great affinity towards. AMI is what I imagine every fashionable Parisian wearing. Their items are just so wearable and yet unique. It is one of the few brands I would look at and want to buy almost everything they sell. The brand does classic Parisian but with a modern twist.

Uniqlo

My undisputed king of basics. For everything from chinos to white tees to socks Uniqlo is my first point of call. Everything is just so well made and yet so affordable. The supima cotton tees feel better than tees that cost twice as much. Uniqlo also isn’t afraid to delve into more experimental clothing through its various collaborations. Chief among which Uniqlo U. A timeless and cool capsule collection created twice a year by the former head honcho of Hermes, Christophe LeMaitre.

Allsaints

A one stop shop for Rock n’ Roll cool. Allsaints is a brand that knows what it wants to do and does it very, very well. The showpiece is of course the incredible leather jackets. In beautifully soft leather and a variety of great styles they are among the best you can buy for a reasonable price. Allsaints also does many other great items of outerwear and the winter overcoats they offer are also fantastic. Add to this some great printed Cuban collar shirt for the summer and you have great offerings for every season.

Levi’s

The original jean and still one of my favourites. Levi’s have been doing there thing for over a hundred years and have managed to stay relevant in that time. Making the successful leap from workwear to fashion Levi’s have gone from strength to strength. They offer an incredible variety of jeans in a variety of fits and their 511’s are among my favourite jeans. A ridiculous number of washes and the perfect cut. To supplement their jeans Levi’s also make the original and one of the best trucker jackets and the rest of their offering is not to be sniffed at. A retro logo helps bring in some sportswear vibes. However, the real showpiece is Levi’s denim.