Off to a sunny climes for an Easter break? Here’s a head to toe look to get the locals talking and keep you cool. The seersucker blazer from Topman makes a change from the blue or grey fine stripe associated with this fabric. The pink of the blazer sets off nicely the deeper red of this colour-banded vest by Jil Sander. I love these wide-legged shorts (also by Jil Sander), which will definitely air you to the best advantage if you’re heading somewhere steamy but equally, look classic enough to wear in town as well as at the beach. Finally, some classic espadrilles grounding the look with a touch of Mediterranean tradition, in black .
As a final touch you could add a Panama hat – this year’s trilby – casting a shadow over that mysterious (and possibly sunburnt) visage.
Blazer, Topman, Vest and shorts by Jil Sander from OkiNi, Espadrilles from ASOS
It’s a small fact of my life that I cannot get out of bed without the 1Xtra breakfast show, something about their cheery voices convinces me it’s worth getting up and going to work.
They now have a blog where you can see what they’re up to on the shows, so naturally I had a look and what to I see but a vision of style, Mr Tinie Tempah. Admittedly his MySpace features a picture of him with his shirt off, but in 1Xtra mode with glasses and metallic tee he looks really good.
You might have noticed my absence from Brandish for a couple of weeks, I made a trip round the West African countries of Burkina Faso and Mali.
Having never been to Africa before it was a memorable trip, and I felt it was my duty to snap some of the well-dressed men that I saw out and about for you Brandish readers. Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, but people are turned out in brilliant clothes, and the Touareg men in Mali are a vision! This is only a tiny percentage of the amazing outfits I spotted, because snapping away at people felt a lot ruder than it might in Japan or the UK for example, but hopefully it gives you a taste for African fashion.
Chris Rock was snapped recently leaving the Ivy restaurant in Hollywood sporting an outfit which demonstrates menswear at its pared-down best. I love the intense blue of the jumper, which lifts the outfit from pedestrian to notable. The suit trouser trainer pairing is a little bit late ’90s but that’s kind of endearing and perhaps a look due for a comeback?
Taking the scruffy look which Jarvis does so well and giving it a bit of spit and polish this gentleman carries off a timeless look with elegance.
The hunting green of the cape is echoed in the scarf and the navy trousers and brown shoes reinforce this further. The final touch is the way the silhouette of his outfit matches his companions perfectly, showing how to coordinate with your loved ones without looking like a dolt!
Eley Kishimoto‘s LFW parties are always a relaxed affair; so forget any fashion snootiness because last night’s bash was a friendly, vibrant do with masses of well dressed people.
On the 31st floor of Centrepoint on Tottenham Court Road we sipped cocktails and looked at all the great outfits but the London skyline view was a serious, but welcome distraction! Among the well-dressed people were Japanese journalist and Brandish fave Yu Masui, who wowed in a typically flamboyant pair of sequinned trousers and jump through to see the other stylish men who turned up.
I’m a little bit in love with Lassi from Hel Looks today; the young Finn’s outfit isn’t that extraordinary but there is nonetheless something magical about it.
I think it’s the air of smalltown desperation which reminds me of William H Macy’s character in Fargo, the coat and cap which give off this impression are, of course, from Finnish charity shop UFF. Lassi himself says: “My style is inspired sport and political history of the 70′s and the 80′s, for example distance-runner Steve Prefontaine” which is probably one of the most brilliantly obscure references I’ve ever heard of. Hats off Lassi!
Bit of a controversial choice this I’m sure, but for me this chap has got style in buckets. Coral was such a hit for women last year and the year before I hope it’s as big in menswear this year. It looks great with my other favourite colour, grey and is a surefire winner with all the washed out pastels we’re seeing at the moment.
Back to our Nipponese gentleman, his pairing of the shirt with a navy pair of shorts reveals his expert fashion nous and it’s set off wonderfully by his gold plaited belt. Now clock last years’ one hit wonder, the Wayfarer style sunnies and tell me he’s not your new style icon?
How to do class in the freezing cold… Take one well tailored grey coat, a battered but sturdy pair of boots, slim wool trousers and top it off with a pair of tinted specs. When temperatures plummet there’s nothing like a pair of thick wool trousers to keep you warm and if you really feel the cold slip on a pair of long johns.
It might take you a while to get that impressive beard but if you’ve got the basics sorted hopefully the rest will follow.
Paris Menswear Fashion Week began last Thursday and now that is has finished we are able to fully consider all the fashion inspiration from both on and off the runways. From Jefferson Hack and Alber Elbaz to male models and rake-thin boys wearing baggy cardies and vintage Chanel, the shows are an excuse for men to be outrageous and the results are often brilliant.
Look at Kanye West and friends in the image above. The mixture of neon colours and high-fashion logos with laid-black prints and over-the top fabrics gives me more than enough to drool over while I should be working/pretending to work/possibly paying attention to everyday goings on.
Keep reading Brandish everyday for more news from the fashion capitals.
Agreed, the camel coat in the foreground is very stylish and wonderfully tailored, but for me, this picture is all about the background.
Look at the slim-fit trousers, the chunky but not bulky coat and the cutaway collar. The piece de resistance for this ensemble is the colourful paisley scarf, no generic stripy confections for this man! The rich colours warm up the dark coat and add a playfulness to what is a quite a sober look. Get down your local charity shop or retro store and pick up a fancy, dandy, colourful scarf to liven up your winter outfits.
New year, new offices. In case you hadn’t already noticed from our Twitter feed we’ve relocated 15 mins down the road to the entirely different world of Soho and although we’re still adjusting I think it’s gonna be good.
What better omen for a move than finding a well-dressed young man smoking outside your offices? Even better, Frank as he is called works on our floor so he might become a regular Love the Look apparition. Frank rides a bike, hence the skinny jeans and he tells me his cool belt is from the faraway land of America. His African scarf is just a simple piece of fabric, and he has a few some he buys, some he nicks off his mum.
As you can see from the background and the lighting our new offices are mmm, corporate but who knows what other sartorial gems are hiding behind the frosted windows?
During the Christmas season, I was lovingly entrusted with a vintage copy of Truman Capote’s ‘In Cold Blood.’ The book has definitely lived up to its reputation and the two films that have been made about the creation of the book (‘Capote’ starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and ‘Infamous’ with Toby Jones) offer not only a great plot but awesome fashion.
To achieve the look, buy simple jumpers in bright colours and wear them with trenches and blazers in base colours such as khaki, black and brown. Add either jeans or cords (if you want to edge towards a more formal look,) and bold accessories. Over-sized tortoiseshell sunglasses, fedoras, three watches at a time. Why not go all-out?
As we endure the last week of 2008 and look back upon a year of fashion extremes, we still have the sartorial challenge of New Year’s Eve (NYE) ahead of us. While many opt for a loud, proud and (often) garish get-up, I am aiming to attempt a subtle luxury with the help of muted colours but opulent fabrics (velvet, silk, corduroy etc.)
The black cords above are a great base and, with a white shirt and the dove grey waistcoat pictured, they are easy to pull-off. The bow tie and vintage cuff-links are fun and appropriately over-the-top while the royal blue loafers are expensive but a great talking point.
Have fun, look great and, if you wake up the next morning to find your D&G loafers drowning in the contents of a red wine bottle, at least you know that you’re part of the ‘Walk of Shame Chic’ trend de jour!
Shawl collars have been this winter’s trend detail in menswear and they’ve been a great way of updating the now slightly pedestrian cardie.
This guy has chosen a wonderfully luminous shade of blue and teamed it with a winter-sky grey jacket which makes it glow even more. What looks like a felt baseball cap adds a modern yet minimalist touch to the look, bravo!
From:Arsenal update: David Villa - it is us or Spurs?