Sunday, 12 October 2014

Playlist Of The Month | 2

1. SBTRKT - Temporary View ft Sampha
2. Frank Ocean - Super Rich Kids 
3. James Blake - Digital Lion 
4. Peace - White Noise (Disclosure Cover) 
5. Tame Impala - Feels Like We Only Go Backwards

Friday, 3 October 2014

Autumn Walks 4 | Shades Of Blue


THE OVERALL LOOK - A new take on a classic, classy look.
Coat - Topman (£90)
T-shirt - ACNE Studios (£80)
Belt - Topman (£12)
Trousers - ACNE Studios (£170)
Socks - Nike (£14 - Pack of Six)
Shoes - POSTE (£105) 
YOU FIRST - ACNE Studios is a high end brand that offer amazing and unique clothes. Both the T-shirt and Trousers were purchased in their London store on Dover Street. The T-shirt is sheer and has more of a satin than matte finish. It is of real quality and extremely versatile, enhancing almost any look; smart or casual. Pair it with either a pair of denim jeans for a more casual yet considered look; or some smarter trousers (as seen in these photos) to add a different facet. 
THE PERFECT RELAXED YET WELL PRESENTED LOOK - This is the perfect look for a stroll around town. It will get heads turning and not look to dressy; looking smart without being overdressed. A personal favorite place to relax in is Pie & Vinyl, Southsea, Portsmouth. What you get is pretty much in the name. With vinyl really becoming a thing again, it is the perfect place to browse endlessly. Ranging from options of older to brand new music, Pie and Vinyl is the ideal place if you like... well.. Pies and Vinyls? 

DOUBLE MONK STRAPS - Monk straps have been a favorite of any well dressed man for years. They are less smart than most dress shoes and perfect for a slightly relaxed feel. They also look good when worn in a tiny amount so you won't have to worry too much about wear. Again, these shoes look good with white socks but also look good sockless.   
SUNDAYS - Sundays weren't made for just laying around. Visit some independent shops and you will usually find some unusual and quirky things (or people) and support the local economy! This road in Portsmouth was voted 'Best Dressed Street', rather coincidental that we chose to randomly shoot here today!

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD - Recently purchase - this Vivienne Westwood Skeleton Bracelet Silver (£105) is amazing. It features the iconic Vivienne Westwood orb and moving details. It gives a modern grunge vibe but still looks surprisingly classy. When receiving/purchasing anything from Vivienne Westwood you will receive an amazing box which is definitely a keepsake too.  
THE GREAT FROG - Sticking with the grunge appeal this Skull Ring (£90) from The Great Frog is made of 'British Hallmarked 925 Silver' and is a different class in the jewelry game. It is subtle yet a real attention grabber. Skulls aren't for a lot of people, but they are and have been a real trend for the last few years. The Great Frog have a huge range of rings all made to measure. If you get a chance, visit there shop in London just off Carnaby Street (10 Ganton Street) as the rings look even more impressive than in pictures. They also have a shop in New York (72 Orchard Street) along with an online shop. 


STAPLE TROUSERS - If you are going to invest a large amount of money into trousers then they should wearable, durable and a staple item too. You don't want to find that they are out of style the next season. Stick to block, solid colours and avoid 'trends' and unorthodox fits. Paying more money for a pair of trousers will mean they will (mostly) be a better fit, an incredible material and have a totally different dimension to your cheaper purchases. These trousers were purchased from ACNE Studios and appear different colours in different lights. They feel amazing from the moment you pull them on and can be dressed up or down. They have a different feel to cheaper trousers; being a good fit and an incredibly durable feel. ACNE offer many different fits and finishes when it comes to trousers (and jeans!) so take a look on their website or visit one of there minimalistic and modern stores. The trousers shown are 'Max Satin Navy Chino Trousers' (£170).
COAT SLINGING - The Mac is back in fashion. When the weather isn't so cold, use the 'coat slinging' method to avoid getting too warm or having to carry your heavy and bulky jacket. It creates an entirely different silhouette to your look and can complete change an outfit. 

Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Item Spotlight 2 | Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême

PRODUCT OVERVIEW -  Every man should have a signature scent that allures the preying eyes; that reminds that specific someone of you and adds a 4D effect to your outfit of choice. A particularly good scent can be the finishing touch and evoke certain memories. The Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême Eau de toilette (£72) is all of the above. 

THE QUALITY - This is a fragrance that lingers all day due to the Eau Extrême formula being far more concentrated than the original. Chanel always offers particularly classy scents at pretty high prices, there is however a reason for this as with most other cheaper options the scent doesn't last anywhere near as long. 


THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT - There are 3 'notes' to every perfume - the top/head notes; middle/heart notes and base notes. Each 'note' produces different aromas over time respectively. In this featured aftershave, the notes are as follows:
  1. Top/Head Notes (perceived when first applied) - Aldehydes, Mandarin, Orange, Aquatic Note 
  2. Middle/Heart Notes (perceived when top/head notes lessen) - Black Pepper, Neroli, Cedar 
  3. Base Notes - (usually perceived after 30 mins of application) - Tonka, Vetiver, Amber, White Musk
If you would like to read more about the science behind perfume, have a read into this link on WIKIPEDIA.
OVERALL OPINION - the Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême Eau de toilette (£72) may seem like a very steep price to pay but it will a) last for a long time due to the concentration and b) offer a very unique and classy scent. Not only is the fragrance fresh and unorthodox but as you can see the bottle it comes in will look great anywhere you put it. If this scent isn't for you, other recommendations are 'Valentino' (£49.75 - 100ml) or 'Armani' (£55.50 - 75ml). 

Friday, 26 September 2014

Autumn Walks 3 | Statement Trousers


THE OVERALL LOOK - A plain look can be quickly transformed by a pair of unorthodox trousers.
T-shirt - COS (£19)
Belt - Topman (£12)
Trousers - Topman LTD (£45)
Socks - Nike (£14 - Pack of Six)
Shoes - George Cox 3705 (£175)
A CASUAL TAKE ON THE CROPPED TWEED TROUSER LOOK - If you are wearing smart standout trousers, varying tops can give a totally different feel to your outfit. For example, pairing the trousers with a t-shirt can achieve a much more relaxed outcome and a shirt viscera. Don't be afraid to try a slightly more relaxed vibe. Unfortunately, the trousers shown were bought a while ago so are no longer stocked on Topman. You can however pick up some cropped trousers from almost any fashion brand at the moment as they are certainly 'in fashion'. Wooyoungmi (£305) always stock amazing trousers with their main attributes being amazing cuts and overall quality. If you are looking for something a little more subtle but still keeping the quality cut, Balenciaga (£345) is the place to go, as the current collection consists of very little colour. Balenciaga is a perfect designer to purchase staple items from. If you are looking for a cheaper option, ASOS offer many different trouser cuts or with Topman (£35) you can buy good quality trousers in alternative colours for a great price.



CLASSIC BLACK TOP - When wearing either brightly coloured or eccentrically patterned trousers, the easiest top to complete the look is a plain, block coloured t-shirt or shirt. A t-shirt is one of the simplest items to buy as pretty much every shop on the planet sells them but if you are into the finer details when it comes to fashion, paying more will usually mean you end up with a product that will last longer and will also feel/look much nicer. COS is a good place to start for plain t-shirts as all of their clothes have amazing cuts meaning the way they 'sit' on your body is remarkable. Acne Studios (£75) is a similar brand to COS but is both better made and will be a slightly better fit.  Comme Des Garcons (£63.54) also have amazing, simple t-shirts (with a pretty cool logo). If not, anything from H&M to River Island offer cheap basic T-shirts.

COFFEE RECOMMENDATIONS - A Caramel/Vanilla latte is a bit different from the conventional cappuccino. HOWEVER, avoid the seasonal 'Pumpkin Spiced Latte' from Starbucks. It seems to be a favorite of many people; if you like the taste of plastic, then definitely give it a go.
WHITE SOCKS - A favorite of Michael Jacksons but you can't argue with how they look. They compliment any, especially black, shoes contrasting to create another element to the look. They are also incredibly versatile, comfy and durable too. Nike sports socks are unbeatable when it comes to this item. 
If you want to know more about these shoes, have a look at the item spotlight on these George Cox 3705s. 




Sunday, 21 September 2014

Playlist Of The Month | 1

1. Alt-J - Every other Freckle 
2. Bipolar Sunshine - Rivers
3. The Kooks - Down
4. The Family Rain - Carnival
5. SBTRKT - New Dorp New York

Friday, 19 September 2014

Autumn Walks 2 | The Beginning Of Those Colder Days

THE OVERALL LOOK- As the weather gets colder, explore the key trends that will keep you looking sharp while keeping warm.
Coat - Charity Shop (£30)
T-shirt - American Apparel (£30)
Jeans - Cheap Monday (£49)
Socks - COS (£5)
Shoes - Loake (860) 'British Boot Company exclusive' (£245)





SHEARLING COAT - Shearling lined coats are a big trend this fall/winter. Pair it with the right outfit, whether it's oversized or fitted; it can look amazing. A big charity shop seller at the moment, you can pick them up for cheap (Pictured - £30) or go for a higher end design with both Burberry (£3,295) and Berluti (£5,950) offering a similarly lined coat. Do however make sure you take the necessary precautions when wearing a coat like this as water may damage the hide.

DRESSING FOR THE TEMPERATURE- Sometimes, as you will probably know, the temperature in the UK (and other places!) is a bit 'in between'. Pair a warmer jacket with a cotton t-shirt (pictured tee - American Apparel - £30) for a considered and still seasonal look. A striped tee as opposed to a plain solid colour can add a different texture and dimension to the look.



BLACK JEANS - Whatever your preference in fit, you can't argue with black jeans; possibly the most versatile item of clothing you could own (along with a white oxford shirt?). You can pick up a pair of black jeans from almost anywhere depending on your budget. A good place to start is Cheap Monday (pictured - £49) who boast a huge range of different fits. A possible good place to start if you don't have a preference yet. Visiting one of their stores is suggested, but shops such as Urban Outfitters also stock Cheap Monday. Really, you can pick up a pair of black jeans from anywhere from Topman to Yves Saint Laurent.


LONG(er) HAIR - So many more men are opting for longer hair recently. It can form a frame for your face and if you choose the correct products it can look great. Kiehls is great for hair and skin products. Use Kiehl's 'Creative Cream Wax' (£16) for a great hold throughout the day. It's also non-greasy, adding for a natural effortless look.  


MAKE OR BREAK - Shoes either enhance or totally ruin an outfit so making the right choice is important. There are so many shoes to choose from but this fall/winter a very popular choice for men is chunky soled shoes; whether it's a pair of boots (another popular choice), a pair of Brogues or even Creepers. If practical is what you are looking for, the Loake Black Smooth Leather Brogue Boot (860) (pictured - £245) is a great option. They are equally as comfortable as stylish and a 'British Boot Company' exclusive, Made In England. There are 'higher end' options too with likes of Thom Browne (£840) , Givenchy (£820) and Grenson (£450).  Alternativley, Ben Sherman (£115) offer a good quality brogue boot for a lower price.

A GREAT MUSIC TASTE - A good music is important for any man; making conversation or escaping to new worlds when relaxing or working. A recommendation is The Black Keys. They come under the genre of 'rock' and have a 'blues rock' vibe.

THE DETAILS - Men can't get away with the 'in your face' jewellery that women wear; but a item here and there can make a huge impact. A silver bracelet can compliment almost any outfit, smart or casual. The pictured bracelet is 'Sterling Silver', one similar can be obtained in most jewellery stores.