CHECKMATE

August 2, 2016 · TOPICS - ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING

Bold checks and plaids are back with a bang and are clearly embraced from streets to menswear magazines all over. From traditional tartan prints to elegant Prince of Wales checks, embracing patterned fabrics is the way to show your sartorial mettle during any season. Along with paying tribute to tradition, checks and plaids are also an easy way to liven up the gent’s wardrobe, which is too often dominated by muted hues and solid tones. Featured in this post is a Prince of Wales or formally known as Glen Plaid pattern in a wool/cotton mix blend. This pattern is popular in tailoring, particularly in Italian cloths, and is a great way to inject a pattern into a conservative working wardrobe, owing to its subtle refinement and altogether more formal air. The weave has enjoyed a warm revival in recent seasons, with the motif appearing on jackets, trousers, outerwear and accessories in all manner of updated forms. Usually composed of low-key tones, the pattern consists of alternating dark and light stripes arranged to create a fine, irregular criss-cross design.

Jacket – Ring Jacket

Pants – MTM by Luxire

Shirt – Thom Browne

Pocket Square – Lanvin

Eyewear – Tom Ford

SUMMER ’16 LOOK IV

July 19, 2016 · TOPICS - ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING

An unstructured cotton blazer is a fantastic addition to any semi-casual wardrobe during the summer. They are much more forgiving and the softer shape will allow you much more flexibility when it comes to how you style it. Due to the soft, flowing way they drape, it means you don’t have to do up your jacket in order to maintain your silhouette like you would a formal, structured version. This means you can create outfits with real depth that show off multiple layers underneath. When looking to create a sense of laid back sophistication, you want to avoid the stifling, rigid construction of traditional formal blazers and find something that gives off an air of nonchalance whilst retaining a tailored cut and clean lines. You’re aiming to suggest a whiff of formality without really showing that you care that much. In this look we’ve gone for a timeless cotton/linen blend jacket complimented with hints of blue. The bold color gives the look some punch, yet the contrasting blues reins it back in.

Jacket – L.B.M 1911

Shirt – Eton

Pants – Ralph Lauren

Pocket Square – Brooks Brothers

Sunglasses – Tom Ford

SUMMER ’16 LOOK III

July 1, 2016 · TOPICS - ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING, SHOES

Blue is that one color that can be identified with every man right from being an infant. From the baby’s clothing to the room decor, the color Blue is used to define masculinity during those early years. Rising amongst this Blue family is the color Navy; a universally loved hue within men’s style, due to it being able to anchor more adventurous hues as well as make a statement on its own when combined with a unique design or texture. Not only is navy one of the most versatile colors available to men, which means it can be worn with pretty much every other piece you already have in your wardrobe, it also flatters all skin tones and is deemed acceptable for even the most conservative or formal occasions. When combined carefully as shown here, it’s important to create contrast and a sense of balance by utilising different fabrics. The color Blue is simply the foundation to getting you familiar with the basics of dressing well and realise the importance of developing a timeless and classic personal style.

Jacket – SuitSupply

Shirt – J Crew Ludlow

Pants – Luciano Barbera

Tie – John Varvatos

Pocket Square – Berg & Berg

Shoes – Peal & Co

SUMMER ’16 LOOK II

June 22, 2016 · TOPICS - ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING, SHOES

As the temperature notches up, maintaining your style during a heatwave can be challenging. Sometimes it really is too hot for anything other than a tee/vest and shorts, but that doesn’t mean it has to be ordinary. Even though it sounds obvious, fabrics like linen are not as close to your skin which then allows air to circulate more effectively, which in turn reduces sweat and overheating during the day. Following on from a more relaxed fit, there is one item in a man’s wardrobe that was made to be worn a little looser: the short sleeve polo shirt. For the beginners, a polo shirt style is simply a front fastening, button-up shirt, with a 2-3 button placket that works well with a pair of shorts, light/dark washed jeans or cotton chinos. In this post, I elected to pair a polo shirt underneath a linen blazer with cotton khaki pants and loafers for a relaxed yet dressy look for the warm weather.

Blazer – SuitSupply

Pants – Bonobos

Shirt – Lanvin

Pocket Square – Berg & Berg

Lapel Pin – FeltLOVE by Oochay

Sunglasses – Tom Ford

Shoes – Tom Ford

SUMMER ’16 LOOK I

June 8, 2016 · TOPICS - ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING, SHOES

When the warm weather rolls around, its time to reshuffle the closet by putting away the heavy wools, flannels, tweeds etc. Light and airy clothing comes to mind since you will spend most of your time outdoors. Light weight cotton, linen are some of the fabrics that will be your best friend once the temperature rises and in the light of men’s fashion, it is no different. Season basics like Polos, shorts are always a starting point, however keep the high-low contrast in mind while focusing on two things; fabric weights and complementary cuts. In today’s trend, it is simply acceptable to pair a suit with ‘clean’ low sneakers this time of the year and I must emphasize here ‘low’ no high tops please! ok let’s get back to the post. The featured look here is relaxed, comfortable and some might call “Derbyish”; I simply paired a half-lined linen jacket, cotton chinos, tassel loafers and topped with a Panama straw hat.

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