Style – Cricket Chic – how to look good when watching The Ashes
The best parody of The Smiths ever – from, err, Horrible Histories
From Paisley to Geometric – this season’s best Patterned Shirts
The 11 hottest new psych bands – Hidden Masters, Hounds Tooth, Magnetic Mind…
The upcoming Fall 2011 collection from New York’s 3.1 Phillip Lim, was revealed last week. Over all the collection is full of slick and refined tailored looks, although can appear to be a bit boxy at times. That said however, the collection is sure to appeal to any fashionistos out there.
I am absolutely obsessed with the new fall 2011 Juyan Watanabe collection! From the fabrics to the detailed stitching the Japanese designer has certainly out done himself this time.
Watanabe was originally the protege of Comme des Garçons designer Rei Kawakubo. Born in Fukushima, Japan in 1961, he attend Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo, graduating in 1984. It was around this time that he began his apprenticeship at Comme des Garçons as a patternmaker. Eventually he was promoted to chief designer of Tricot knitwear line and then quickly moved on to design for the Comme Des Garçons Homme line. In 1992 he began to work under his own name as part of Comme des Garçons.
This season sees Watanabe steering towards a more contemporary aesthetic seasons, Japanese fashion designer Junya Wathetic than we have seen from him in the past. He builds off basic Americana styles, giving them a more romantic spin. The collection features items such as duffel coats, sport coats, knit sweaters, all with modern tailoring.
Take a look at collection below. What do you think of it?
The Desert Boot was first made popular in the 1940’s and has since has been revived, replicated and reinterpreted so many times by so many different people over the years it has never really fallen out of style. The first ever Desert Boot was created by Nathan Clark, whilst serving in a Burmese military outpost with the West African Brigade, and the Clarks shoe brand still lists them as one of their most popular shoes today.
So how should you wear them this season? The Desert Boot typically comes in two different materials, leather and suede, making them easy to wear with just about everything. Although that said, do NOT wear them with a suit. Generally I prefer to see them paired with dark wash denim jeans and plain shirt.
However, as we head towards spring, another great way to wear the look is with a relaxed chino. The desert boot are generally low to mid-cut, meaning they can work great as a sort of modified deck shoe.
The Desert Boot is a cult classic, and is definitely a must have for your spring wardrobe.
H&M’s Spring/Summer 2011 lookbook video gives us a sneak peak at what to expect this spring. Andreas Löwenstam, menswear designer at H&M commented on the new collection saying: “Styling makes all the difference this spring. The blazer looks new worn with cargo shorts, and a hooded jacket is dressed up with a shirt and tailored trousers. The combination of black and khaki green is super elegant”,
Key items in the Spring/Summer collection include the blazer, white 5-pocket jeans, uniform-inspired styles, shorts, desert boots, leather belt, briefcase and rucksack. While I like some of the more tailored looks, I think they may have missed the boat with a few items. For example, I really dislike the coverall inspired jumpsuit. What do you think of the collection? Will you be picking up any pieces?
Topman has really upped their game this season, starting with the recent release of the U-Bahn collection. This look sees catwalk trends inspired by Berlin’s edgy underground scene and pays homage to post-punk. Built on tough sculpted shapes, it is all about creating a fresh silhouette littered with antiqued military detail.
Check out the gallery below, where I have chosen a few pieces that best represent this trend.
The quilted jacket is everywhere at the moment, but I liked that fact that this one features a hood, perfect for rainy days. It is available for £50
If it wasn’t for sidewalk salt in the winter we would all be slipping and sliding all over the place, however, it can make a huge mess of your shoes. Leaving those awful, highly visible, white stains behind, not to mention permanent damage to the leather.
In the last few weeks I have heard a number of people say they have thrown their shoes out due to the salt damage. Growing up in Canada, this is a problem I am all to familiar with, but there is a solution that will help your shoes see it thought to another season.
Just follow the following steps and you will have your shoes looking as good as new.
Things You’ll Need:
Warm water
White vinegar
Bowl
Paper towels
Soft cloths
Shoe polish (optional)
1) Remove any grains of salt that may be stuck to the outside by brushing your shoes down.
2) Create a mixture of two parts water and one part white vinegar. It’s OK to approximate the amounts, and just use your best judgment to make sure that you have enough to clean the both Shoes; the required amount will vary depending on the size and of the salt-stained areas.
3) Dip a folded paper towel into the water and vinegar mixture and rub the solution onto a small stained area of one shoe. After it appears that the white stains have been rubbed out, switch to a clean, soft cloth and buff the area dry. Continue moving along the surface of the shoe, cleaning one small area at a time and immediately buffing it dry with a separate cloth.
4) Let both shoes air dry for at least 30 minutes after you finish cleaning them. Check them again to see if you missed any spots. They may only show up after the leather has fully dried.
5) Polish your your after they’ve completely dried. Regular polishing throughout the winter season will help strengthen the integrity of the leather and put up an additional barrier to the harmful sidewalk salt.
The snowboarding season has just kicked off, and last week I was lucky enough to go on a last minute snowboarding trip to Switzerland. Before I left the nice people over at Thule, sent me the 56 Liter Rolling Duffel to test out.
The bag is part of the Thule Crossover Collection, which has been specifically designed for boarders and skiers. The Swedish company Thule, is the world leader in travel racking systems. The Crossover Collection marks there entry into luggage, and they have done a fabulous job.
I was very impressed with the number of highly functional features in the Crossover collection, such as the heat-molded, crush-proof SafeZone for goggles or other fragile gear, the durable molded exoskeleton exterior, and the separate spaces for helmets, gloves, clothing, ski boots, footwear, etc.
The bag also has oversized wheels for smooth mobility, and aluminum telescoping handles. Overall I found the Crossover collection to be very well thought out and perfect for transporting your equipment securely, safely and of course in style.
Although the duffel is probably a bit to large to take as carry on, I was able to sneak it on to my flight. However, if you don’t want to take your chances, they do have a rolling carry on bag as well.
The 56 Liter Rolling Duffel is available for $289.99. To check out the rest of the line go here
The past few weeks have seen snow shut down half the country, and unfortunately it is only the beginning of the cold weather. As you know, if you are going to keep warm at this time of year, its all about the layers. From thermals to snoods, they keep you staying warm and staying fashionable. A big trend so far this winter has undeniably been chunky knitwear. Whether it is a jumper or cardigan, some thick knitwear is a great addition to any winter wardrobe. However, there is one style in particular that has lead the trend with both high street stores and premium designers – The Fair Isle knit.
The Fair Isle knitting is technique named after the tiny island of Fair Isle, north of Scotland, between the Shetland and Orkney islands. Traditional Fair Isle refers to any colour work knitting using 2 alternating colours and utilises the traditional patterns of the Shetlands. The technique in recent years has been adapted by designers mixing traditional items and techniques with current trends and themes. However, they still remain true to the vintage and country inspired styles.
Fair Isle knits are a simple and classic way to bring colour and warmth to your winter wardrobe. Whats more, it is a trend that is sure to be around for at least another season, fitting well with the Urban Bohemian trend.
Rock the Fair Isle knits with dark washed jeans, military boots, a chunky scarf and camel trench coat to be right on trend. As things warm up in the spring, pair your sweater with rolled up chinos and boat shoes.
Originally published on Hippyshopper.
December is just one sleep away and we are all getting geared up for Christmas cheer and shopping. However, as November draws to a close I thought we’d give an extra cheer for all of the guys who’ve been sporting tashes for a month in support for Movember; raising funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity.
Now all the lovely ladies whose boyfriends, friends, brothers or fathers have spent a month cultivating a moustache, why not give them a pre-Christmas treat in the form of green shaving products. To make things easier, with the help of Jay Clarke, Hippyshopper has tested four of the best natural shaving creams on the market. (pssst – they are also great as stocking fillers!)
OSMIUM® Age Defend Shave (£12 for 125ml)
A deluxe plant-rich non-foaming shaving cream, the Age Defend Shave contains ingredients to protect, soften and soothe skins while ensuring an ultra-close shave. The shaving cream is free from sulphates and contains Siberian ginseng and juniper, aloe vera, chamomile and eucalyptus oil. This non-drying and calming formula is said to reduce irritation and minimise redness.
Formulated specifically for men, the OSMIUM® range is rich in plant actives, vitamins and minerals, is more than 93% natural and 99% preservative free. Developed in the UK, the products are prepared by experts in natural treatments under the highest quality standards, each product is said to be non-greasy, fast-absorbing and easy to use.
What Jay thought:
While the name sounds like three point military procedure, the name doesn’t mask it from being a decent, if not overwhelming product. It does an excellent job at soothing and preventing irritation or redness which is crucial when shaving. The shaving cream also leaves a pleasant freshness after it is rinsed off. One of the more costly products tested, my only gripe is that I was expecting something special, special aromas that will linger in my memory and long to smell again. While a good product that does everything it says on the box, it unfortunately didn’t blow me away.
Where to buy: www.osmiumformen.com
Trilogy Smooth Shave Cream (£10.00 for 150ml)
The Smooth Shave Cream by Trilogy, is a high glide and conditioning cream that contains a unique balance of natural shave primers and skin softening emollients from pure plant oils including avocado, olive, marula and wheat germ. The added benefit of aloe vera and green tea soothes as facial hair is lifted for a comfortable, close and even shave.
Trilogy Natural Actives for Men is produced with a unique combination of zinc, copper and magnesium – minerals known for their beneficial impact of the skin, and essential plant oils that assist in supporting healthier, firmer and younger looking skin.
What Jay thought:
My expectations were high: expensive looking packaging and luxurious sounding ingredients. The first thing I noticed upon applying the cream was its thickness. Like skin-friendly Tip-Ex, it forms a thick shield protecting your face, which feels soft and comforting. The aloe vera sooths and relaxes the face before shaving begins. However upon shaving I realised that it was if anything, slightly too thick, somewhat impeding the razor. I was underwhelmed by the smell, or lack thereof, for a shaving cream containing so many exotic ingredients it smelt bland. It did however do an excellent job at preventing irritation and redness, which is a major benefit of a shaving cream over a shaving gel. Overall, Trilogy shaving cream feels better on your face than it smells. As the shaving cream is part of a skincare series, I expect it to work better with the whole range. For instance, the Trilogy Post Shave Balm provides a plethora of wonderful aroma when opened. Ginger, lemon, orange – dare I say it, Cointreau Liqueur. By the time I’d massaged it into my shaven face I was eager for an edible version. It felt refreshing and is a beautifully complete product. The post shave balm is not cheap at £16, but it is a price worth paying. This is the balm for me; a fantastic product.
Where to buy: www.trilogyproducts.com
Organic Homme Wash and Shave (£11.95 for 125ml)
This two in one active-packed face wash and shaving gel from Organic Homme promises the ultimate close shave. The gel lifts the hair shafts to help prevent ‘razor burn’ and nicks and cuts. The organic aloe vera soothes, conditions and protects the skin, while plant proteins and seaweed keep the skin smooth and supple.
Organic Homme’s natural and organic products are suitable for all men including those with sensitive skin and those prone to eczema, psoriasis, acne and skin blemishes. Made without any chemical nasties, the products are based on 100% natural, organic and fairly traded ingredients.
What Jay thought:
Organic Homme’s Wash and Shave is another wonderfully citrus effort that I instinctively want to drink rather than rub over my face, perhaps doing both would be an acceptable compromise? From its sweet masculine scent to its minimalistic packaging, this product oozes sophistication. I like it a lot. As it also leaves your skin moisturised it is perfect for the cold winter months.
Where to buy: www.organichomme.com
Bulldog Organic Shave Gel (£3.49 for 175ml)
The UK’s first and largest natural skincare brand for men, all Bulldog products are body friendly and don’t contain any artificial nasties, like parabens and sulphates, artificial colours or synthetic fragrances. The products are loaded with essentials oils and natural actives.
The Organic Shave Gel, contains seven essential oils to give a smooth and moisturising shave every time: aloe vera, jojoba and konjac mannan. The shave gel is best used with liberal amounts of warm water, or better still, in a steam shower. It softens stubbornly hard facial hairs, and is formulated to work with your razor to achieve the right amount of glide to deliver a perfectly smooth shave.
What Jay thought:
I like Bulldog, the value for money is good, the packaging looks lovely, and the gel smells amazing! A cool cascade of menthol eucalyptus, ginger and aloe vera sooths your face, relaxing and silky yet firm and fit for purpose. As mentioned on the packaging, I recommend mixing warm water with the gel as it is quite thick, yet this is no bad thing. The razor glides through it seamlessly, giving a nice smooth, close shave. And best of all, it leaves a lovely cooling, refreshing after-fragrance.
The best of the shaving gels/creams here, and that’s before you factor in that it’s available at a fraction of the price of the others. This is the shaving product to have!
Where to buy: meetthebulldog.com
Here we have seven of the finest coats and jackets for this winter. Inspired by the wax jacket and cropped jacket trend these jackets and coats vary in price from £110 to £340 but they are all of the top quality and the majority of these coats are being sold at independent retailers who do a fantastic job keeping us from dieing from high street boredom. Please support them. All the links through the products and the prices of the products are available below.
Wouldn't it be nice to be able to fill up your wardrobe with all the trainers you could ever want? Or maybe splash the cash on a selection of the finest winter coats and still have enough left over to take your friends and family on an exclusive skiing trip to Gstaad? Well maybe now you can.
Brandish have teamed with Paypal who are giving away a year's salary, worth £40,000, in a weekly prize draw to help make your dreams come true. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning this superb cash prize is buy anything using Paypal and you are automatically entered into the draw. What's really great is the more you buy using Paypal the more likely you are to win.
So what are you waiting for? Time to head over to Ted Baker or ASOS to stock up your winter wardrobe. And who knows that £40,000 cash prize could soon be yours. You can enter the competition at www.paypal.co.uk/win.
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When it comes to winter jackets there is a fantastic collection this season for you to choose from. Starting with the casual ones focused on in this post, it’s hard to overlook Penfield’s efforts and with a seemingly expanded line of outerwear and a lot of stockists it is set to be the choice of many in the coming months. In the gallery below is their Summit Woodland Parka which is available at Urban Outfitters, but do not overlook other jackets in their collection most of which is available at Urban Industry.
They may now be a cliche, but quilted jackets are certainly still relevant this winter. Instead of choosing a Barbour like we all have, try Lavenham. They are cut shorted and slimmer and whilst they may cost a bit more than your standard Liddesdale they are certainly worth it in terms and quality and aesthetics. The Lavenham Raydon Quilted Jacket is available at ASOS.
Cheap Monday continue to impress with more than their denim this season and the Grey Canvas Parka in the gallery certainly proves this. Over-sized and simple, it’s nice to see a jacket so often associated with green and Mod revivalists being given a refreshing makeover.
ASOS have just unveiled a new trend for the Autumn and it actually does their own brand collection justice. It’s a well thought out, solid collection that’s accessible and well styled, continuing the outdoor trend that has lasted a few seasons it seems to have taken the best elements of some them such as Fairisle knits, but left out the worst, like mens fringed moccasins. Here is how ASOS described the collection and below is a gallery of some of the picks of the collection. View the full collection HERE.
‘Scanning the wilderness of North America, Scotland and Scandinavia, Nomad is a look grounded in the history of cross-continental adventure. Playing with ethnic patterns and texture is vital, with Navajo and Fairisle mixing like never before. It’s a look obviously influenced by the wandering tribes and their distinctive take on the functional, yet is equally at home in town. It’s time to take a journey to the great outdoors…’
Click on the picture to start the gallery including links to the products.
In the past couple of winters Fairisle knits have become a staple item to keep you warm in our cold winters. The trend also seems to be holding it’s ground with yet more garish patterns lined up for you to wear in the coming months. Alongside all of the styles below, I suggest you check out charity shops as you can get some real finds, but the problem is, first of all, you never quite get rid of the smell no matter how much you wash it, and secondly, the vintage styles tend to have very baggy arms which looks cute on women, but less desirable on men. The selections below are all available at Hip.
Hat by Y.M.C £40
Cardigan by Farah Vintage £85
Crew by Y.M.C £110
On August 12th we see the release of i-D magazine’s 30th birthday issue. Featuring covers with Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Lady Gaga famously only showing only one eye it’s set to be a great issue with a them of ‘now, then and next’.
“30 years – whoosh, more than an instant in i-D’s lifeline – it’s a generation. Three decades to be celebrated and contained in this special issue. The whole issue was created by Nick Knight 200 portraits that SHOWstudio made at the close of 2009 in Somerset House – once the home of British passports, now the central location for British Fashion Week. Nick’s celebration of identity was also a commemorative project inspired by the 5th birthday issue of i-D, where 100 portraits were featured in The Grown Up Issue. 25 years on, the gallery selection grew to 200. Happy birthday!”
Terry Jones, Editor-in-Chief, i-D
Founded by former Vogue art director Terry Jones in 1980, it’s come a long way since the first issue which was formed like a hand stapled fanzine. With a beautiful layout and it’s constant fascination with youth and the new, i-D remains as relevant as it ever has been. Outliving it’s competitors, the publication was required to scale back the amount of issues released a year from twelve to six last year, but with a loyal readership and constant reinvention including a fantastic new website i-D looks set to remain for some time yet.
These issues will be released on three separate dates:
THEN on sale 12 August
NOW on sale 23 September
NEXT on sale 11 November
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