Vintage is back. Well, er, actually it never really went away. But looking around the various Christmas in July events, it seems that many retailers – including Amazon and John Lewis – are set to give a big push to their retro-looking gadgets in the run up to the festive season. And while some of the products have, in truth, …
Top 10 vintage gadgets (Part Two): including Fuji X-M1 digital camera, Marshall Stanmore speaker, Teac LP-R500 record deck
Part Two of our Top Vintage Gadgets. Click here for Part One of our Vintage Gadget feature. 5. Fujifilm X-M1 Compact System Camera £418 There seem to be no shortage of great vintage looking cameras around at the moment, but this one is the pick of the bunch – at least in terms of looks (also worth checking out the …
This summer’s hottest plimsolls and canvas shoes
Ever wondered why the plimsoll is called that? According to Nicholette Jones’ book The Plimsoll Sensation in the 1870s it got the name because the coloured horizontal band joining the upper to the sole resembled the Plimsoll line on a ship’s hull. So just like the Plimsoll line on a ship, if water got above the line of the rubber …
Style – Cricket Chic – how to look good when watching The Ashes
We are now just a month away from the first game in The Ashes series as the under achieving Aussies face the mighty England team at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. If all goes to plan it will be business as usual with the England team notching up their third Ashes series win in a row. But then again when has …
How to dress like Jay ‘The Great’ Gatsby
In case you hadn’t noticed The Great Gatsby is back in the cinemas again with Leonardo Di Caprio playing the doomed title role alongside his Daily Buchanan, in this instance Carey Mulligan. Given that the director is Baz Luhrmann of Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet fame the film is not surprisingly rather stylised with much of the fashions that …
Style – Men’s Polo Shirts on a budget
Round about now I go on a mad search in my wardrobe for my collection of Fred Perry’s. When that search proves fruitless I normally treat myself to a polo shirt or two, one from here or here and another cheapo from a High Street store. If that’s you cunning plan too, here is a round up of some of …
Style – Summer Hats round up – Zara, Fred Perry, Ted Baker and more
In case you hadn’t noticed the sun has suddenly decide to grace us with its presence which is great news for everyone, except for those of us who are folically challenged. It is now the time of year when hat wearing shifts from begin a quirky affectation to a necessity. Fortunately there’s a pretty good selection in the stores at …
Andy Warhol Pepe Jeans Campbell Soup Jacket
Ok, so the Pop Art spotlight is very much on Roy Lichtenstein at the moment what with his retrospective at the Tate Modern in London. But when it comes to a style/art crossover then there’s only one pop art name that counts, and that’s Andy Warhol. There are literally hundreds of Warhol’s prints available on t-shirts – check this lot …
Ten great vinyl only albums – The Beatles, Velvet Underground, The Cleaners From Venus and more
Not long to wait now. Record Store Day is coming a week on Saturday and I’ll be spending that day hunting down obscure 80s indie singles and long lost psych albums. And to celebrate – well we have got in a tad early – here is a list of ten of the greatest albums that have are vinyl only and …
The return of the Stripey Jumper – and our favourites
It’s usually around this time of year when we see the high street desperately trying to shift from gloomy winter warmers, to a lighter and brighter spring look. And typically this is usually cue for the humble stripe to make an entrance, often manifesting itself in the form of the classic nautical stripe, and not-forgetting the obligatory Breton stripy jumper …
Review: David Bowie is, Victoria and Albert Museum (March 23rd to August 11 2013)
I’ve always loved David Bowie. From Ziggy Stardust via the Thin White Duke to the smartly dressed Hamlet-inspired creations of the Serious Moonlight Tour. Even the movie roles in The Man Who Fell To Earth and (very differently), Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence. These ‘characters’ shaped the style and attitude of my teenage years, while Bowie’s music of the period touched …
Dress like Steve McQueen – Barbour unveils new range
It is incredible to think that almost 35 years after his sad and premature death that Steve McQueen remains one of the most recognisable and iconic Hollywood stars. Barbour certainly thinks McQueen is a legend. The British brand has been adding to its McQueen inspired range. In keeping with McQueen’s on (and off) screen persona it is tough clothing that …
Robyn Hitchcock’s 60th Birthday Bash at London’s Village Underground
I do find it astonishing that Robyn Hitchcock isn’t celebrating his 60th birthday with his rock royalty chums at Wembley, rather than with a few hundred diehards at a lovely, but small-ish East London venue. After all what is not to like? He has a voice like Lennon, songs that recall both Barrett and Dylan, jangly guitar episodes that summon …
Style – Harringtons – a round up of this year’s best Spring casual jackets
I checked an hour or so ago and it appears that the temperature, in the south east at least, is heading for double figures tomorrow. Spring might not be here, but it is certainly on its way. And that means it is time to ditch that heavy wool coat that kept you warm all winter for something a little flexible …
Arsenal’s top transfer targets – How Arsene Wenger should spend that £70 plus million
Yesterday Arsenal issued its latest financial update – and guess what, the club is in pretty rude health. Profits might have dropped a little, but just look at that whopping £123 million reserve in the bank. And there’s also sponsorship money to be added, plus season ticket cash and maybe even Stan’s idle millions (dream on…). So the money clearly …
Apple’s iWatch – take a look at the gallery of prototypes
I have already written loads about Apple ‘s iWatch, so if you want the most recent update go here and if you want the background and to take a peek at some of its rivals then check here. Even though it hasn’t been confirmed the iWatch already exists, well in the minds of some very clever designers and Photoshoppers. Here …
Retro gadgets: ten vintage style record players
I don’t think it is just me but these days I find that I am increasing playing more vinyl than CDs. Spotify is my main source of music, but every now and then I fancy something that isn’t on the online music service and go and get a record out. There is something wonderful about spinning vinyl again. It demands …
Our survey says Arsenal are the most popular team among Britain’s biggest rock stars
Top tip. If you are starting a band now try choosing a name that begins with the letter B. Think about it. From The Beatles to Blondie via The Bee Gees, Blur and Beach Boys, so many of the greatest bands ever starts with that letter. You might also consider investing in a season ticket at The Emirates too. For …
The British films that inspired The Smiths’ record sleeves
It is incredible to think that The Smiths were together for just five short years. In that time they managed to release four official albums, a few compilations of sessions, singles and oddities and of course, a run of some of the most amazing and unique 45s ever. And one of the things that made The Smiths’ singles and albums …
Valentine’s Day – the stuff he actually wants. Gadgets, clothes and more
For her – It is Valentine’s Day in less than a week and your bloke is, as we speak, preparing an amazing day which involves chocolates, flowers, a candlelit meal and chapter seven of Fifty Shades of Grey. The last time this level of planning went into anything they called it D-Day. So shouldn’t you show him how much you …