As you probably already know Primark doesn’t sell its range online. You have to go into the store to buy its clothes. It can also be a bit hit and miss with what it sells too. However the spring collection, which seems to be filtering its way into its stores now, looks like its strongest for a while.
We have already written about blue suede shoes (well navy ones, but that doesn’t have the cheesy pop culture link) already and Primark has a pair of blue Desert Boots for the give-away price of £15. Like the grey/brown trim and laces too.
Another £15 goodie that caught our eye are these waterproof hooded jackets. They are available in light (Man City esque) blue and brown and sport a white piping at the bottom. They remind me of a jacket that Lambretta sold a few years back. They look like perfect festival wear.
One way to beat off the cold is to invest in a seriously heavyweight lambswool cardigan like this gem from Ben Sherman. The Plectrum Cardigan is Porcelain White with black flecks, is made from super warm lambswool – with a little nylon and is a regular fit.
It features a shawl collar and through zip front and is finished with contrasting patch pockets and ribbed cuffs and hem.
it has just landed in the Ben Sherman online store and sells for £175.
It is now getting cold- seriously cold. Not just an odd breeze ruffling your hair, but full on Arctic howlers accompanied by temperatures that are dipping well below freezing. And let’s be honest that flat cap that has served you well through the autumn – even if it does make you look like an extra from Billy Liar – won’t cut it anymore.
Its is time to go beanie – or even bobble.
The bobble has been making a bit of a comeback in the last few years and now are the hat of choice of many a hipster. As for beanies, well every man really ought to own at least one.
You probably don’t need me to tell you but you really need to avoid hats made from cheap scratchy wool. Not only are they massively itchy they just feel very uncomfortable. It might sound ridiculous but an investment in a Cashmere hat – provided you can keep the moths at bay – is well worth it and you’ll have a hat that will last several years.
Here are five to look at from cheapies through to £50 beanie handmade by artisans in the Himalayas – I kid you not.
Brian Eno is keeping himself busy at the moment. As well as releasing a brand new album called Lux on Warp Records (his 25th studio album) the long-time Bowie collaborator, ex Roxy Music synth wizard and producer extraordinaire is now one of the faces of Alfred Dunhill’s spring/summer 2013 “Voice” campaign.
Joining mountaineer Geordie Stewart and war photographer Don McCullin in this year’s campaign, and following in the footsteps of Sir David Frost and John Hurt, the campaign sees Eno share thoughts on his art and music, all while slinking around in Alfred Dunhill gear.
Not that we’d usually pick Eno as one of our style icons, who never quite straddled the line between wacky and cool as well as his mate Bowie did. Case in point…
Still, he seems to have got his act together these days, and is looking particularly sharp for Alfred Dunhill. Catch his musings on music, life and art in the video below, and click here to see more from the campaign.
Looking for something a little lighter with Spring around the corner? Paul Costelloe’s menswear arm has just launched a new capsule collection of Blazers in time for the seasonal change.
Focussing on chirpier shades (pastel blues, soft and salmon pinks), the line looks to champion softer fabrics, with keen attention played to trimmings such as slightly angled pockets and lipped lower cuts. You’ve gotta love the little fox emblem on the lapels too, a genial touch on the increasingly casual wardrobe staple.
The polka dot shirts round I ran the other day proved very popular, so here’s another one to add to the list courtesy of Liam Gallagher’s Pretty Green label.
It is a white polo in cotton with a slightly unusual small polka dot design, it also sports the Pretty Green logo and is also available in navy. I think it more 80s than a lot of the clothes the label produces.
After giving your wallet a post-Christmas womping, updating your wardrobe for Spring/Summer 2013 can often take a backseat while waiting for that January pay packet to land. Thankfully, cheap-as-chips high street chain Primark are on hand to deliver some on-trend staples at pocket-money prices, revealing their SS13 menswear lookbook. Scroll down for a sneak peak at what’s set to hit their stores in the coming weeks.
Plenty of tropical and camo prints feature (that camo bomber jacket will serve the fleeting trend without breaking the bank at £25) while statement caps and acid washed jeans are also on the way.
Primark may not be the most desirable name on the high street, but if you’re considering diving in on a risky on-trend look, you can take a chance without feeling that empty-wallet regret a few months down the line once the look has passed.
Villain, an east London label which was founded seven years ago by John Vullo has a pretty interesting range of items on ASOS now.
Among the best is this pair of brown-ish checked trousers. In keeping with the company’s philosophy they have minimal branding but are made of high quality fibres – in this instance 51% Polyester and 49% Wool.
They are a straight fit have a concealed fly and are hand wash only. Yours for £110. The brand’s ASOS page also includes a striking pair of blue cords, some patterned shirts and a coat with an unusual collar called the Austin. They are all here.
The Quipsy Waterproof Jacket from Penguin really is stylish and functional
As the temperature drops you don’t need to make the choice between keeping warm and looking stylish. In fact, to achieve any kind of confident look staying warm is essential, as the shivering look is definitely not in fashion. There are plenty of ways to stay warm while looking great, but if you don’t know where to start these tips are a great place to begin.
Firstly, don’t be afraid of wearing thermal underwear if you’ll be outdoors for extended periods of time – these are definitely not recommended if you’re heading out for a night on the town however. Nobody can tell you’ve got them on, and with that super practical base layer you’ll be able to make more fashionable choices when it comes to the surface layers.
As far as the surface layer is concerned, it’s hard to go wrong with a Christmas sweater. Christmas sweaters might only have been worn by embarrassing uncles just a few years ago, but last winter they became super fashionable. This year, now that everyone has agreed that even the most ghastly of Christmas sweaters can be excused as stylish in an ironic sense you can be as adventurous as you like without fear of festive humiliation. Everyone from big name fashion brands to the cheapest of the high street megastores are cashing in on the trend, so there’s plenty of choice available, but if you want to guarantee originality scour your local vintage and charity shops.
As well as layering up, accessories are vital for keeping warm. When it comes to scarves, gloves, and hats there’s a simple rule to make sure you look cool while keeping warm: if your outfit is already quite busy with different colours or a festive print or pattern keep the accessories plain. If your outfit is an otherwise classic look, however, you have the choice between contrasting it with more elaborate, colourful accessories, or keeping it simple and elegant with traditional winter colours such as black or grey.
Even if you’ve found a way to keep warm, you’ll often have to contend with rain. Unfortunately most waterproof jackets leave a lot to be desired when it comes to looking good, sacrificing any sense of style for function but the Quipsy Waterproof Jacket from Penguin really is an exception. Rather than transforming you into some shoddy arctic explorer, this jacket has a casual look that suggests its wearer isn’t affected by weather like other mere mortals.
Looking good throughout winter isn’t purely about the clothes however – you need to look after your skin, and particularly your lips, which don’t respond well to the harsh weather. While lip balm isn’t the manliest thing you can keep in your pockets, chapped lips are painful and can quickly ruin any outfit.
Heritage brand Fred Perry has had a really good year courtesy of some high profile tie-ups.
If you fancy one of their polo shirts, or anything else for that matter, now is a very good time as the company has just started its winter sale.
Pictured is the £45 (down from £55) Slim Fit Twin Tipped Fred Perry Shirt, which has the company’s trademark twin tipping which runs across a slightly smaller collar and each cuff. It is also a slimmer fit and available in a variety of colours.
There are also stripey polo shirts, long sleeve polo shirts, check shirts T shirts and this rather striking £94.95 Fairisle lambswool jumper. Most are discounted by around 10-25%.
Here’s an interesting new label. Acanorum are from Sheffield and are on a mission to deliver contemporary British Art and Design on what they says is high quality clothing. The company has just gone live on Facebook and Twitter and released their first items.
The range looks promising and will soon be available at The Inherited Shop and and on ASOS too. These Ts will cost £24.99. You can keep up to date with the brand on Twitter and Facebook.
When it comes to dressing to impress during the festive season there are a number of different styles to go for, as well as a few that should be avoided at all costs. The most important thing is confidence, if you feel good in what you’re wearing it’ll show and you’ll look great too.
Dress for the occasion
Tailor what you’re wearing to what you’re doing. If it’s for you work Christmas party then jeans and a shirt are always a good option. Stick to smarter cuts and shades with dark jeans being the safest choice. If you want to put your own stamp on it then pick a shirt that shows your personality, or a funky belt. Don’t forget, smart shoes are a must! When picking from the variety of men’s shirts available stick to a colour you feel good in, there’s no point going for the latest trend if it doesn’t suit you!
For Christmas day with the family dress smartly but comfortably. There’s nothing worse than feeling restricted after your Christmas dinner. If you’re just doing some shopping then a cardigan or jacket is a good choice with jeans and canvas trainers. Smart but casual at the same time, you’ll look great and feel it too!
Pick a style and stick to it
Don’t try to mix too many different styles at once, it’s a recipe for disaster. Even the most fashion forward of guys find it difficult to get right. Whether you’re dressing alternative, fashionably or just in a style that suits you, choose neutral colours with one signature shade. For example if you pick a shirt with a red stripe, then don’t mix another colour in. Stick to dark trousers and a tie with a red accent in it where necessary.
Get the right fit
Getting clothes that fit well is absolutely essential, it’s a sure fire way to look and feel good. A too tight shirt or trousers that are too short will ruin even the sharpest style. Get properly measured or stick to a brand that you know fits you well and offers a wide range of options. If you’re into branded gear then make sure they carry your size too.
Overall, getting the best in festive style is just like any time of the year, make sure you feel great, it fits well and suits the occasion and you can’t go far wrong. Confidence always shines through so as long as you feel good and there are no glaring faux pas’ then it’ll show. If you’re not so into fashion then don’t try to get ‘the latest trend’, just nod to it. Otherwise you’ll feel uncomfortable and that shows too. Stick to wearing an on trend colour, or cut of jeans for example for a simple way to get the look.
Rather smart navy and white Retro crew neck jumper from Lambretta. Comes with Vintage textured birdseye effect to the oversized Sixties Mod Argyle pattern.
Lambretta
Not bought that Christmas jumper for the man you love yet? Or maybe your are a bloke who wants some new knitwear to help you face the sleet, snow and driving rain that is coming next month?
Here are few suggestions, some of which are in the sale.
It seemed a pretty much done deal last night that Tour de France/Olympic Time Trial Champion would win the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year. So in this parish at least it was as much about the suit he chose to wore as it was scooping the award.
Wiggins plumped for a bespoke velvet (very on trend) double-breasted suit made by Soho tailor Mark Powell. Wiggins has worn a lot of Powell’s clothes before – at the GQ awards in September, for example, he wore another Powell double breasted suit this time in grey.
Powell is a London-based tailor who has made bespoke suits for among others – George Clooney, Harrison Ford, Mick Jagger and David Bowie. Powell has worked with brands in the past including M&S and has recently launched a collection of eyewear. He says of the eyewear
‘My new ready-to-wear range, comprising 12 styles, is very retro but with a contemporary twist. A lot of designers are doing this at the moment, but mine is a nicer version.’
But then he could say that about his suits too.
If you do fancy one Powell has a ready to wear range, including some rather lovely double breasted jackets here.
In some ways Duffle Coats are now classics that in theory anyone should be able to wear at any time. However unless you buy a smart one you run two risks. 1 You might end up looking a little too much like Paddington Bear. 2 Cheap ones can look a bit scruffy and won’t do for anything approaching a formal occasion.
However for long winter walks with dog, fidgeting on cold seats at football grounds or just posing by the South Bank they are ideal. In the gallery there is a section of five rather cool Duffle coats, but before we get there here are a few things you may or may not know about them.
1 They date from WW2 where they were standard issue to much of the Navy mainly in tan rather than black.
2 Their popularity in the 1950s largely stems from the huge number of coats that were bought from military surplus stores.
3 Gloverall, a firm originally set up to sell the army surplus coats, started making their own in the late 50s and what we know today as a Duffle Coat – think leather fastenings and Buffalo horn toggles with a double faced checkback fabric – stems from their original designs.
4 They were ubiquitous on the CND marches of the 50s and early 60s worn largely by students and teamed up with French cigarettes and trad jazz records. I am sure Ian Carmichael wears one in the film Lucky Jim, but I can’t find the pic to prove it.
5 Although they have always been available they have had brief period of being very fashionable in the 80s check out the priceless pic of Harriet Harman wearing one) and the 90s (mainly thanks to the Gallagher Brothers).
6 These days they are often associated with Scottish bands – think Belle & Sebastian and Franz Ferdinand.
Pics from PA Images and Gloverall (check out their site for some more amazing Duffle shots!)
This is the original, and IMO the best Duffle Coat. Aftre the last war Gloverall bought a load of Duffle Coats from the MOD and have them in stock ever since. This has the classic buffalo horns and leather fastening, shoulder yoke panel, storm flap, side pockets, standard hem, interior pocket and hood with adjusters. And of course the tartan inner lining too. It is made from rich wool.
Gloverall
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As you probably already know Primark doesn’t sell its range online. You have to go into the store to buy its clothes. It can also be a bit hit and miss with what it sells too. However the spring collection, which seems to be filtering its way into its stores now, looks like its strongest for a while.
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