A great partnership
The new chapter…Fatface and Folk
Two great brands, 50 years of know how
collaboration
kəlabəˈreɪʃn/
noun
1. 1.
the action of working with someone to produce something.”he wrote a book in collaboration with his son”
1.synonyms:
1.cooperation, alliance, partnership, participation, combination, association, concer
Collaborations come and go, some are memorable and some not so.
Pretty memorable right?
Head out to E2 in London’s ‘style’ suburb of Shoreditch and you’ll be rubbing shoulders with some of the most style conscious people on the planet.
In between the carefully placed graffiti and red brick former factories is an array of cute coffee houses and some of the coolest clothing brands on the high street..except, this isn’t the high street.
Get away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street and the constant flow of shopping zombies and find yourself in a little oasis of calm, where you can actually walk in any direction you want!
You’ll have to forgive the beautiful people everywhere doing photoshoots, just take a bit of time to get used to your surroundings.
Shoreditch has some incredible architecture, the little boutiques are quite unique and even the better known brands like Club Monaco, Sunspel and Sweaty Betty have changed how their stores look and feel to fit in with the environment.
The amazing green brick frontage at ‘Labour and wait’
An emporium of delights, ranging from kitchen tools to candles to incredible workwear made in London!
There was a reason though why I found myself in the hipster capital and it wasn’t just to take in the sights…
I was here for ‘work’ (I’m using that term loosely), as work today consisted of a bit of shopping, coffee, more exploring, coffee and then a an exciting PR event at the ‘Folk‘ store on the corner of Chance Street.
It was revealed that the contemporary casual wear brand had decided to team up and do a collection/collaboration with Fatface, a brand that has 30 years of history and success under its belt.
I was excited to see what the collection looked like, but more importantly how it would work for what on paper are two quite different brands.
(Image courtesy of K.Summers)
Come in we’re ready for business!
What was instantly obvious by the number of people involved was that this was a project that both parties cared for dearly.
There was a sense of nerves, excitement and pride as we mingled with the main protagonists, which included none other than the founder of the brand Cathal McAteer.
He was overseeing the project, checking people’s thoughts on the products and offering his expertise and anecdotes to the onlookers.
He was asked a bit about how ‘Folk’ was created…
“Back in the day, I wanted to make nice clothes for my mates…well made, stylish pieces that were almost brand less, but that had a feel and fit that was timeless.
When we first started we literally used to buy our buttons from Oxfam and fabrics from wholesalers.
We pride ourselves on our fit, our feel and create signature pieces every guy should own”
How then did Fatface get involved?
Fatface has long been a staple part of the British high street (30 years to be precise!), they have a great reputation for quality, longevity and sell stylish clothes for the whole family.
Something though, has happened literally in the last few years, in that, the menswear range had become a bit ‘safe’ and a bit ‘samey’…totally outgunned by the huge growth of its incredible womenswear ranges…
Something had to give…us men are starting to shop differently, we no longer need to be spoon fed outfits, colours that compliment each other, or even which shoes to wear!
Instead, we have become dare I say it…more stylish?!
More independent?!
Whatever it is and however it came about (evolution) we need to embrace it and admit it that sometimes we do get a bit excited when we see a nice pair of shoes! (Just me then…)
That said, Fatface have adopted a new mantra…’try something different ‘
Which in the case of the collaboration with Folk is most certainly trying…a lot…of different!
This is going to be both interesting and exciting, the product launches late Autumn and will only be in 10 carefully selected stores and online…watch this space, it will not be around long, very limited numbers and only 16 pieces.
I’ll leave you with firstly some pictures of the incredible products and then a final quote from Cathal.
the collection consists of 16 pieces
100% soft merino wool cardigan £90, I loved the wool mix trousers too! (top pic)
My favourite piece! Totally awesome jersey lined Sherpa fleece £90
Its all in the detail, something both brands are synonymous with…check shirt with double stud pocket detail £65
The pricing is incredible!
Slightly more expensive than the normal Fatface range, but considering the limited number and Folk signature, finishing and detail and you get amazing, timeless pieces!
Cathal was asked what his favourite pieces were…
Firstly this beauty of a waistcoat! Wool mix high stand collar (look at the details on the back of the buttons!) £85
Indigo dye polka dot shirt, 3 contrast colour corozo nut buttons to collar (the detail!) £69
Cathal talked about his creations with an immense sense of pride, I asked him was he at all worried about the collaboration?
“At first, we had a lot of conversations, both parties have so much in common, I love what Fatface stand for and there was a mutual respect for what Folk are doing”
Were you worried that people might think you’ve sold out, was it like giving one of your children away, giving away your designs?
He smiled…( he would never give his kids away, they’re lovely, they too were at the launch!)
“This is an incredible collection, we both believe it will work…it will bring new customers to both Fatface and Folk”
That is the general thought here… if you think Fatface wasn’t for you, then you need to stop by and become part of the movement, both brands are about to go on an incredible journey…I for one will definitely want to go on it with them.
Check Fatface for release dates and product info, I’ll leave you with this quote from Albert Einstein
Until next time…
Peace and love.
Is it Spring yet?
It only feels like five minutes ago I was putting up a Christmas tree.
No sooner did I put up said Christmas tree, I was taking it down after the hullabaloo and craziness of the season.
Part of me was glad it was all over, (I’m not a fan) time to move on, time for a new season and a fresh outlook and with it some fresh looks too!
I’ve had a quick scout around and have found some really nice pieces for you, some are absolute wardrobe staples and others (mainly the footwear choices) are just too cool to not buy!
Fatface (again), supply most of the ideas for the clothing looks as they not only deliver as far as quality goes but also they seem to be the ‘go to’ destination for those classic pieces every dude should own.
As far as my footwear choices I’ve gone for the uber cool New Balance/Grenson collaboration, a combining of two iconic British brands, creating what I personally believe to some of the coolest shoes out there! 
The Grenson x NB 576 Welted (a thing of beauty…)
Bench-made in the UK with a traditional Goodyear welted sole, this limited edition 576 is made in the Grenson factory in Northampton UK. Dressed in beautiful leather and suede with brogue detailing, this extension of our classic 576 is a sophisticated collectible.
A snip at £405 😱
Ok so they aren’t exactly wallet friendly, but everything about them screams quality! They’re hand made in the U.K.!!
<<
other Grenson x NB 576 (this one is only £300)…but look at them!! 😍
Selections to follow, but first a bit of ‘info on the inspo’…
Fatface turn 30 years old this year…30!!
(See my previous posts about their humble beginnings)
Amazing?!?
Yeah right! It’s not that much of a shock to their CEO Anthony Thompson, he has a total belief in the product and more importantly the people representing the brand, not just the crew, but the also the customers who buy it too.
It’s testament to a Fatface’s continued success (and it is continued!) that the customer and the quality and reputation of the product are at the forefront of everything they do.
This season sees them go ‘simple’ but with a cheeky little smattering of ‘cool’ thrown in for good measure.
(I’m not actually sure if that was the idea, I’m not even sure they’d class themselves as ‘cool’!)
Nether the less…there are some ‘cool’ (there’s that word again!) pieces hidden in amongst the ‘classic’ gems that you definitely need to consider next time you pop in.
From left to right: White organic cotton t-shirt, Straight ‘selvedge’ denim jeans, Harris ‘shacket’, Star Patchwork scarf (from women’s dept!), Wittering Surf suede peak snap back. Shoes as mentioned earlier
From left to right: Mountain Hill padded jacket, Wittering surf Raglan t-shirt, Pembroke zip through hooded sweat, denim as before, hat as before
From left to right: Millford four pocket jacket (made with Millerain waxed cotton!), organic t-shirt, Snowdon check shirt, Calgary Crew neck jumper, denim as before
From left to right: Snowdon zip through hood, Terry stripe Henley t-shirt, Slim fit raw denim jeans, Jacksdale Gillet, shoes as before, (Boston hat by New Era)
From left to right: Minworth four pocket military jacket, Plain oxford shirt, Lowick hemp cotton Henley t-shirt, denim as before, New Era NY cap, Premium messenger bag, shoes as before.
The attention to detail and use of premium fabrics stand this current season apart, the introduction of Millerain waxed cotton and ‘hemp cotton’ add to the already impressive list of innovative products available at Fatface.
I hope you like this little taster into the new season, there’s a lot of exciting things on the horizon and you can be sure I’ll bring you them as soon as i hear anything!
Happy 30th Fatface, here to at least another 30!!
Check out the fantastic new product here.til next time…
Peace and Love ❤️
Winter is coming (Jon Snow)…
I don’t watch Game of Thrones (GOT) but, “Winter is definitely coming”
It arrived quite spectacularly literally 2 days before I wrote this post.
Hang on…rewind…’You DONT watch GOT?!?
Nope…you read it right!
I don’t, believe me, I’ve tried.
I just don’t get the same buzz watching GOT as I do watching Vikings or Peaky Blinders or for that matter freshly applied paint drying!
It is of course a matter of taste.
Sean Bean the greatest thing to come out of Sheffield other than the M67
Poor old Sean, he did it again, gets his sen (that’s Sheffield for himself) cast in an epic role, does his finest Sheffield accent (he was from the north), then gets killed off?!?
(There’s history here…it’s almost like Mr Bean gets found out to be a bit of a one accent type actor, then the producers have a meeting and he’s killed off!)
“Winter is coming and you’re telling me there’s a boycott on fur?”
For me, I find the less fictional world of Vikings far more appealing (I would though right?), now into its 5th season and (spoiler alert!) without the main protagonist Ragnar Lothbrok I thought it would struggle to keep me entertained…how very wrong was I?!
Instead, the producers have, since season 4, been steadily building the characters and personalities of Ragnar’s sons, the most standout of whom is the incredibly named ‘Ivar the boneless’ (he was born with no bones in his legs…name kind of makes sense really!) he was slightly less fortunate than his brother ‘Thörsten glue ear’ (I may have made that one up) who’s condition soon cleared up.
Ivar is single handily carrying the new season on his little boneless legs, and thus far (along with brilliant performances by Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the warrior Bishop Heahmund) is quite literally making you want more!
Team that with the fact that the awesome ‘Floki’ played by Gustaf Skarsgard is back and you’ve got yourselves another great season to watch out for!
Floki crazy but great with an axe!
This is exactly why Vikings shouldn’t attempt to shave with a battle axe!
I’m also loving the new season of Peaky Blinders not just because it’s set in Birmingham (where I work and thus have a hint of brummie in my accent) but, also because of it’s sartorial excellence (the Blinders dress to impress and kill, quite literally!)
This season starts where the last left off…if season 3 left you hanging, then Season 4 starts you…well…almost hanging!
the Blinders, a suit salesman’s dream!
The introduction of Adrien Brody as ‘Luca Changretta’ is an absolute master stroke …he’s an incredible character, evil, calculated and almost a step ahead of the normally well prepared Shelby family, he is a great foil for Cillian Murphy’s ‘Tommy Shelby’ (OBE), it’s making for a great season and is playing out like a game of chess between two masters.
So, me being me…the styleviking, I couldn’t leave you without my ode to the style of the Peaky Blinders.
If you know me (I think you should by now!) you’ll know that I quite often like to mix it up a bit, so where as my ‘day’ job requires me to wear casual ‘everyday’ wear, whenever possible, I like to smarten things up and crack out the tweed!
“you staring at my pint?!”
Tweed 2 piece in charcoal grey, worn with Edwin Japanese denim, an Irish Linen stripe shirt, accessorised with a pocket watch and a classic ‘baker boy’ hat (without the razor blade!)
I call it my ‘Blind Peaky Viking’!
Until next time…
“Stay safe, by order of the Peaky Blind Viking”
Vernal equinox has sprung!
Hello again,
The title above is just a smart ass way of saying ‘vernal’ (spring) and ‘equinox’ from the Latin equi or ‘equal’ and nox or ‘night’ meaning literally ‘equal night’ (as we now have 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night)
It means in plain English that ‘Spring has finally arrived!’
Spring in all its glory…daffodils and spring lambs awwwwwww
What does it mean for us in the fashion industry, or indeed for the everyday dudes out there?
Depends how you look at it…
Fashion retailers love Spring!
It’s when we’ve finally shook off the the remnants of Sale and heavier, darker colours and fabrics, we’re no longer going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark, we’ve had new brighter, lighter products arrive…heck, our whole mood is lifted!
Average Joe…might not even notice the change!
Honestly?!
The average customer ( you ladies aren’t included in this) will suddenly realise he has a major wardrobe change on the horizon, as he’s going to have to invest in some ‘newness’ to take him through to the summer months…
The female shopper is already five steps ahead here, she’s already grabbed several bargains in the Sale for next year, now she’s done her research online and is wearing her Springier (if there is such a word!) garments while her other half won’t let go of his trusty ‘goes with everything 80% wool sweater…
Sound familiar?
I really have no words for this ⬆️
Guys!
Trust me when I tell you, you need to buy several ‘key’ pieces in Spring that will easily take your wardrobe forward towards Summer, you can wear the following pieces equally day or night (see what I did there?) and you won’t have to break the bank.
Plus, if you know me, you know you’ll look cool with it!
My choices are as follows…
From left to right: Cotton/Linen Blazer, ‘Harrison’ Gingham Shirt, ‘Stanhope’ plain shirt and ‘Westville’ Utility Check shirt…all Fatface available here.
Left to right: ‘Fat Head’ graphic print t-shirt, Organic stub crew neck and Classic organic cotton polo shirt…all Fatface available here.
The ‘you never know what the weather is gonna do‘ section…
Left to right: Lightweight Chino shorts, ‘Cove’ flat front shorts, ‘Otterden’ Jacket, ‘Nick’ vintage sunglasses in black and tortoiseshell and ‘Southwick’ 100% linen crew neck sweater…all Fatface available here.
Next…the denim you should already have in your wardrobe (especially if you read my last post!)
again…both styles are from Fatface
Within that selection ⬆️, there are some very versatile pieces, (if you remember last time, I said that the key to creating a good wardrobe is to ensure you buy ‘classic’ garments that won’t date and that you can easily mix and match with)
So with that in mind here are the outfits I’ve selected.
In each case, you will see in the first picture the ‘day‘ outfit, (utilising some of the pieces from this post and my last) and in the second picture, I’ve tweaked the selection to make it a more appropriate ‘night‘ outfit… ‘Equinox‘
Day 🌞
Night…🌛
get the idea? In this case, I’ve simply added the cotton/linen blazer and a pair of brogues. The shirt in the first pic, would be worn completely unbuttoned, whereas for the evening, it would be fastened…
Sorry, I know…Granny is sucking eggs…
I love ❤️ the graphic t-shirt with the retro logo!!
You need this blazer in your life!!
And last but not least (featuring that blazer…again)
Obviously we’d all love to have every item featured in this post at our disposal (what’s stopping you?!)
I’m simply showing you, that with a couple of savvy purchases, you’re going to be set for vernal equinox and heading into Summer well prepared and looking sharp!
Hope you enjoyed this post.
Until next time…
Peace and love.
Behold! The capsule wardrobe…
You may recall that in my last post I wrote about showing how I pull together a capsule wardrobe…
So here goes…
I’ve gone with less than 20 clothing items, but added several accessories and 1 (yes 1!) pair of boots!
Don’t panic!
I clearly have wayyyy more than one pair of shoes (more than 50 to be precise!)
I am simply demonstrating that the items selected are super versatile, you could quite easily swap the boots for a more seasonal pair as and when required, the clothing items however, could easily last you months.
How?!
Simple really, by mixing and matching the pieces I’ve selected you can come up with hundreds of different outfit ideas that will carry you right through spring and in to Summer.
You will need to have an idea on how you want to create your own personal look, using key pieces throughout and ‘classics‘ that pretty much don’t date, you should find it easy to achieve.
So, firstly I’d like to show you the options I have chosen, followed by a small selection of outfits (I literally could’ve filled this whole post with outfit ideas!)
The bottom options were easy…from left to right Slim fit ‘selvedge‘ denim, Portland chinos in navy blue and (the most exciting!) ‘Two year two washes’ stretch slim fit denim all by Fatface available here.
If you know me, you will know that I’m passionate and slightly obsessed with 2 things…Coffee (don’t do instant or cheap) and Denim (usually Japanese, always selvedge!)
Why selvedge?
What is selvedge?
This explains it…
Initially known as ‘self-edge’, the selvedge is the narrow, tightly woven band on both edges of the denim fabric. A selvedge end prevents the edge of the denim from unravelling and shows a clean, finished look. Old shuttle looms produce denim where selvedges are closed.
Having purchased a couple of pairs of expensive selvedge jeans (both Japanese) I went through the pain barrier of only washing them twice in 12 months (storing them in the freezer to self clean) and spent over £250 for the pleasure!
Good denim isn’t cheap and cheap denim isn’t good!
How impressed was I then, when I spot the two styles of denim above both available without the ridiculous price tag, both incredible pieces that fit and look superb!
The Portland Chino is an absolute classic, I personally would wear them rolled up above the ankles, to pay homage to the effortless ‘coolness’ demonstrated by Japanese and Scandinavian street styles.
(See my last post ‘Find you own groove‘)
From left to right: Denim Jacket, Heysham popover hoody, graduated stripe crew neck, Roseville Jacket, Contrast ringer stripe t-shirt, light indigo stripe crew, indigo Breton crew neck, organic cotton t-shirt in ‘dark ink’ and Phillimore Utility denim shirt.
All items apart from the denim jacket are available from Fatface here
From left to right: Contrast ringer stripe t-shirt, Clachan fine stripe shirt in Japanese blue, Plain Oxford shirt in Redwood, Plain Oxford shirt in white and Stripe Oxford shirt.
All available from Fatface here.
last but not least…
from left to right: Military Overshirt/Jacket, Navy beanie, Organic t-shirt white, Textured scarf in Olive and Gold (actually ladies!), Burgundy beanie, Leather stitch detail belt and canvas belt.
All available from Fatface (apart from the boots!)
As the weather improves, replace the scarves and beanies with more seasonal relevant products.
The outfit builds…
Styling tips…
It’s personal preference, but I prefer my shirts buttoned to the top, unless I’m layering with a striped t-shirt (see image 7)
Remember to roll up those jeans to show off the selvedge details, you can do double denim, just make sure you layer it and choose different washes!
As for the accessories, I often wear a nice scarf, quite often a ladies scarf at that!
Be brave in your choices and dress to impress…yourself!
Hope you liked it!
Until next time…
Peace and love.
Find your own groove…
Greetings friends…
Now that I am in my 46th year of existence/existing on this beautiful planet, I’ve been thinking a lot about my legacy…(don’t worry, I’m not planning on going anywhere just yet!)
I’ve pretty much been doing the same type of job for over 25 years (yikes!) and in that time have seen many businesses go under, two recessions and still find the energy and passion to keep doing what I’m doing.
What drives me on?
Good question.
Thanks 🙂
Back in the late 80’s (probably before most of you were even born!), I fell in to the fashion industry.
As a young man, I’d joined the armed forces hoping to follow in my father’s footsteps, it all came to an abrupt end through injury, I got into retail as a stopgap.
That’s one looooonnnngggg stopgap!
I’m actually a big fan of khaki, just not all over!
There has been several occasions when I almost quit the industry, the aforementioned recessions (the first one was a lot worse and I don’t mean the one in the 1930’s!), then there was the time when shops first decided to open on a Sunday (yes, I really am that old, that I remember the days before Sunday opening!) and there has been times when I felt that I was probably ‘doing it all wrong’ because I cared too much about colleagues and customers.
In fact, I wasn’t doing it wrong, I was just working for people who really couldn’t care less as long as they made profit
I took a sabbatical, after 25 years, I took myself away from it and tried to find my own groove.
I loved fashion, style, shopping, writing, and prior to my epiphany had worked very closely with buyers and press teams to advise and showcase products.
I appeared on live ‘Google hangouts’ about men’s style and also wrote online magazine articles about the same, I’d really made a big impact with one of the high streets big players.
That said, it was also becoming quite apparent that despite all of my extra curricular effort, at store level things weren’t great.
Product quality was suffering and the cost saving exercise was really affecting the morale of my people.
Two years down the line and the very same company have announced a fall in Sales and profits, blaming lower footfall and excessive discounting on the high street (a bit of a cheek when you consider that they are one of the worst for constantly discounting and running offers!)
I have always been really interested in fashion, men’s style in particular has always intrigued me. Especially when you consider that in most cases, it’s menswear that has the biggest growth potential.
In the olden days there were no such words as ‘metrosexual’ or ‘hipsters’, guys definitely didn’t care about their skincare regime and bought clothes when the holes in their pants became obscene!
It’s interesting then to fast forward 20 years, and men’s skincare has gone from half a shelf to a whole aisle in your local pharmacy, and barbershops are popping up everywhere!
Dudes are really starting to think more about their appearance, whether it’s the way we dress or how we groom ourselves.
This guy has never even heard of Nivea for men!👆🏿
Now, you’ve probably guessed that I take my style quite seriously, or more that I’m serious about what I consider style.
I’m not a sheep.
I don’t follow fickle fashion fads (try saying that with a mouthful of wine gums!), I dress how I like, I’m not trying to impress, I’m not obsessed and to an extent don’t really care what people think about the way I dress (trust me, I get comments!)
So, where is this going?
I’ll tell you…
My style comes from loving what I do, it comes from years of experience, it comes from trial and error (yes, I even had a pair of boot cut jeans!), but mostly it comes from being comfortable with who I am and how I look.
Joking apart, I don’t have too many hang ups, we all have bad moustache days right?
Our ideas of what is ‘fashionable’ is primarily dictated by advertising and labels, the high street is awash with fad fashion, trends come and go in a flash, what was considered cool one week, is soooo ‘last week’ the next.
Charity shop chic? Wrong! This was taken at one of the high street behemoths prime locations! Seriously! Look at the outfits?!
Ok, some folk might consider the above image cool, horses for courses right?
Not for me…
My wardrobe is made up of items that I can wear year after year, ‘classics’.
I’ve also invested well too, I have bought a few ‘key’ items that can make your wardrobe versatile ( I’ll go into that more at a later date 😉)
What am I wearing?
I’m a big fan of Japanese denim and Japanese style, and also love the simplistic style of the Scandinavians ( I am a Norseman after all!)
You don’t have to break the bank and buy overpriced labels either, I’ll show you in my next blog how to achieve cool looks on a budget, I’ll also show you how to create a capsule wardrobe that will take you through a whole season!
Until next time…
Peace and love.
The times they are a changin’
The title of today’s post is very topical for several reasons…
Firstly, they are of course lyrics (from the same titled song) by Nobel Prize for literature winner and legend Bob Dylan.👇🏻
Bob…way too cool for school
Secondly
If you’ve read some of my last few pieces (thanks by the way😬) you’ll know that there are changes a’foot within the way we work and the way we have operated for sooooo long…(change is good, embrace it and the transition will be easier)
Well said Bob.
Thirdly (and this is where it all links to style…)
The biggest change is in the season.
Even the most die hard of us desperately trying to cling to summer have to admit defeat sometime and put the shorts and the flip flops away until next year…nobody wants to see this👇🏻
I’ve never understood the whole jeans and flip flops thing…
Temperatures have dropped and the evenings are drawing in, I leave for work in the dark and (thanks to working in a centre not seeing any daylight) go home in the dark.
Only 2 weeks ago we were experiencing temperatures in the high 20’s!
I stood waiting for a train early last week and there was a cold wind biting at my ankles (I do roll my jeans quite short!) and I thought to myself “time to crack out the layers”.
I’m not one for big heavy coats or huge padded pieces, I don’t care about ‘hat hair’ (don’t have much, it’s mainly on my chin!) so will wear a nice warm hat and I definitely wear a scarf and gloves when the weather requires it.
Lenny Kravitz…he likes a big scarf
That scarf is ridiculous☝🏻️😂… you’d have to be able to lift your whole body weight to carry it and it probably took the wool from at least 6 sheep!
I’ve picked a nice selection of scarves ‘n stuff for you, pulled some cheeky outfits together too…enjoy 👍🏼
Top left: Reverse knit beanie £18 Top right: Reverse knit snood £28
Wear with…
All available from Fatface…
Wear with…
Sussex four pocket wax jacket £85
Nice warm hues, with a chic beret and classic Chelsea boots teamed up with a soft feel cardigan and contrasting Breton tee…all Fatface
To prove that capes aren’t just for superheroes…
Blanket Stitch Brushed cape £32
Wear smart or casual…
Choose your mood…
A lot can be said for the company you keep and indeed the people you work for.
I’ve been in this game for well over 25 years, taking a brief hiatus last year when I ran a pub…(interesting career choice.)
I’m a lucky man, I have a loving wife (God knows how she’s put up with me for so long!), two beautiful boys and more recently have found a job and a company that I love…
Love?! 😍❤️
I’ve worked for some of the biggest retailers on the high street and I can tell you from first hand experience that some of them aren’t much for ‘loving their people’.
Richard Branson famously said…
“Clients do not come first.
Employees come first…if you treat your employees well enough, they will look after your clients.”
Sir Richard Branson…a nice dude to work for
So, after so long in this profession I feel finally like I’ve come ‘home’.
It’s not meant to be clichéd or ‘cheesy’, but I definitely feel valued where I am right now…
“Made well, worn well since 1988”
☝🏻️That’s something they’ve staked their claim on since day one!☝🏻
The reason why so many customers keep coming back?,
Yes, they’re synonymous for quality of their products, but there is also a reason why so many of their crew have worked for them for so long.
From the top down they treat people with respect…and fun is their middle name!
In the past I have written about British Heritage brands like Ben Sherman and Fred Perry, who between them have racked up over 110 years history.
Then there are Topshop, River Island (originally Chelsea Girl) and New Look on the high street that all have over 40 years of history each, all of whom have changed massively since their incarnation all those years ago.
They have all lost that ‘family heritage’ feel that they had when they first started, some would say that they’ve even got a bit big for their boots, forgetting about their people and worst still…ignoring the customer. (Check out my blog ‘Ignore me at your peril’)
Fatface encompass all that is good about heritage.
They have never forgotten their origins, have stayed true to their morals and values and continue to trade with trust, honesty and integrity.
So what defines a ‘heritage brand’?
In my opinion it is a brand that maintains its originality, it’s values are consistent, it is ethical, responsible and continues to grow and evolve, without forgetting about its most valuable resource…its people.
So, the title for this post ‘Choose your mood…’ refers to the way in which you conduct yourselves on a personal level and the public’s perception of you.
A wise man once said that it takes years to build a reputation, but with modern technology and ‘instant’ feedback through social media, it takes seconds to destroy it. Literally thousands of people can now ‘dislike’ you in seconds!
Never a truer word spoken…
We are under the microscope almost all of the time, team that with the fact that there is little or no loyalty on the high street and it makes your behaviour and your reputation super important.
Fatface have always, always had a great reputation. Their product (as stated earlier) is exceptional, quality is key and has been that way since 1988.
As far as ‘crew’ goes, (in my opinion) they’re some of the best on the high street.
Genuine, willing and ‘wanting‘ to do a great job instead of ‘having‘ to do a great job.
Trust me, it makes a huge difference!
Look at yourself in the mirror, ask yourself this…
“Am I doing the best that I can?”
“Do I inspire others?”
If you can honestly answer both questions, regardless of the outcome, then you are already on the right path…
Anthony Thompson CEO is fully aware of how important honesty and reputation are, he talks with great pride about where his company has come from and how they have sustained growth through the toughest times.
He also talks about being honest and about the need for change.
One of my favourite quotes…
Do you feel inspired?
I’ll leave you with one of my other favourite quotes…
Until next time…‘Washed in happiness, worn with pride’
Peace.
The nightwear edit…
Marilyn Monroe famously said that she wore nothing to bed but Chanel No.5
As a dude, I can’t say that I get too excited about loungewear or nightwear, but my female acquaintances on the other hand…get super excited.
They put as much effort in to buying PJ’s as they would if they were buying an outfit for a special occasion, in fact, I would go as far as saying that they put in way more effort!
Marilyn Monroe’s admittance to wearing nothing but perfume to bed certainly caused a stir back in the day, I’m sure that if she had seen the range of nightwear and loungewear I’ve selected below, she’d have changed her mind.
As ever I have selected products from the range available at Fatface.
If Fatface do Autumn/Winter well, then they are the destination for PJ’s and everything that goes with them.
This years selection is their best yet (their words!), with new improved fabrics and fits, they have pretty much cornered the market.
As I have seen the product first hand with a bunch of folk, I couldn’t help but notice the little squeals of delight and joy that a simple pair of PJ bottoms brings, it’s like a soft pair of PJ’s instantly allows the wearer to regress back to their childhood, where there was no stress, nothing to worry about and the thought of being tucked up warm in your bed with the smell of fresh PJ’s soft against your skin…wait!! It’s affecting me now!
Oooohhhh…
Top: ‘Avebury‘ rib Henley £20
Pants: ‘Upaven‘ jacquard check cuffed lounge pants £30
Slipper boots ‘Freya‘ fluffy boots (to help cheer up chilly feet!) £25
Aaaaahhhhh….
Top: ‘Fosbury‘ Lounge Sweat £30
Bottoms: ‘Chute‘ Star cuffed lounge pants £28
Slippers as before
Cantona…😬😂
The buyers and designers are really happy with this years collection, they have been hard at work changing fabrics and improving fits (again, acting on customer feedback).
What they’ve come up with are softer brushed (inside and out) cottons and new ‘cuffed’ pants for added comfort. The sweats range are also ridiculously soft feel too, like you’re wearing a hug!!
Nightwear designers hard at work!
Below are more examples of some of the wonderful new ranges available in stores or from Fatface.com
‘Winter Wonderland’
Fun prints…
Look out for some amazing products including…slippers ‘hand made in Nepal‘, pyjama sets in cute little bags and much, much more!
You’re sucking your thumbs aren’t you!
Until next week…
Peace.
Game of Groans
It’s tough being a marauding Norseman in the 21st century.
Firstly (so I’m told) it isn’t PC to pillage anymore…which is a bit of an inconvenience to me as that was all I knew in my former life (that and the other thing us Vikings are famous for…making boats of course!)
Secondly, (and this bothers me even more) men with beards and head tattoos are considered ‘cool’ or mistaken for another race called ‘hipsters‘?!
King Ragnar…definitely not hip
The world now is a strange place, you call us Vikings ‘barbaric’ and ‘savage’, yet I have seen far more troubling things now, than I ever did whilst ransacking your Christian churches.
Your politicians are more crooked than Loki’s horns, the race for the US presidency could be a lot more simple if they’d just adopt our leadership race…if you wanted to be Jarl (chief, boss man, head honcho) you just challenged the current incumbent to a battle to the death, if you win…great, you are new Jarl…if you lose, well then you are either dead or you get the ‘blood eagle’ (death would be better!)
Oh, and if you lose, your family loses too and are usually put to death.
At least it doesn’t cost billions in taxpayers money!
No tour bus, or campaign budgets needed, just quick wits and a sharp axe!!
Im sure the people will make the right decision, although I’m told that neither candidate is fit and proper to rule such a big country.
I’m a man of simple means, I like to live comfortably, I need not surround myself with fancy trinkets and the latest explosive mobile devices (oops), nor do I need the best longboat in the village.
No, I’m quite happy chilling out with my Viking pals, we can get a bit raucous, we’ve been known to smash up a ‘Billy’ bookcase or two in our time (sorry about IKEA by the way, looks like us Vikings are still trying to take over the world!)
King Ragnar and his son Bjorn Ironside discussing their football accumulators.
IKEA’s ‘Köttbullar’ or meatballs as you know them, literal translation is ‘shrunken testicles of the fallen’ taste good though eh?
Life is not a competition to see who can get the biggest house or the fastest car, it doesn’t matter how much fancy cloth you wear or if you can afford those funny pointy shoes with red painted soles…because when we die, when we reach ‘Valhalla’ or maybe somewhere similar, wealth doesn’t count for shit!
What counts more is that you can stand with conviction and say “I was a good man/woman, I stayed true to myself and (apart from that defenceless monk at Lindisvarne I slaughtered with a pick axe handle…) I pretty much treated everyone as equals.
Until next time
Peace.
Winter warmers…the knitwear focus
Hello again friends…
I hope you enjoyed my last post about one of my favourite brands Fatface.
Autumn and winter are my best seasons (nothing to do with me being a Norseman!)
I love the colours, textures and fabrics around this time of the year.
Buzz words like warm, cozy, luxurious and softness , all describe the product ‘handle’ well.
It’s this time of year that I feel some brands really come in to their own, almost like they’re made to be the destination for layering pieces and warmer feel garments. (That’s not to say that they don’t do Spring and summer well, because they do!)
Of course, they’re bound to do Autumn and winter well, the brand was born on a ski resort!
I must admit, I’m a real sucker for Nordic inspired knits (hey, I am a Viking why wouldn’t I like them!), retro ski wear and classic pullovers…
watch clip
☝🏻️i will never tire of watching that movie!
Mr Carrey and friends are also sporting rather cool retro pieces during his dream sequence…
I’m pretty sure that if you were to speak to the knitwear designers at Fatface they wouldn’t count ‘Dumb and Dumber’ as one of their influences!
They would however, definitely tell you that they have taken some inspiration from vintage knitwear found at flea markets and visits to ‘Wandering Oaken’s outpost and sauna’ from ‘Frozen’
“Big summer blow out!”
I may have made that last part up…
My only issue with this time of year and knitwear in particular, is that it’s either super itchy (wool and my skin don’t mix well) or, having bought cheap, I ended up with a sweater made of acrylic that makes me too hot and gives off enough static electricity to reanimate Frankenstein’s monster!
Frankenstein’s monster…not a fan of the roll neck
How excited was I then to find out that the buyers and designers at Fatface had listened to customer feedback (they’re very good at that) about their product being scratchy, and acted on it.
This seasons product is going to be a lot softer (buzz word), more luxurious (buzz word) with the introduction of cashmere for the ladies and merino wool for men and warmer (buzz word) with the brand new addition of thermal layers!
Excited yet?
Here’s my pick of the bunch…
For us guys…
Top: ‘Winterton Stag’ crew neck
Bottom: ‘Kirby Christmas’ crew neck both £45 buy here
Top: ‘Carlton’twisted half neck £55
Bottom: ‘Oakworth’ crew neck £45
Even though there is wool present in these sweaters, the fact that they have been ‘washed in happiness‘ (see what I did there?) makes them less itchy, so I can have all four!
For the ladies…
Only joking…he’s a little bit scratchy
Top and bottom: ‘Islay fairisle’ £45
Click here to buy!
I love this ☝🏻️ sweater in both colours, I wish there was a dudes version of it!
Top: is a coat? Is it a cardigan?…nope! It’s the fantastic ‘Hutton Coatigan’ £65
Bottom: (and proving that not just Clint Eastwood can look cool in a poncho) the ‘Blythe Poncho’ at £48 will still leave you with…‘A fistful of dollars’ or…‘A few dollars more’ (sorry not sorry😂) to spend!
“I don’t get it?!”
At the time of going to press (so to speak), both the cashmere and merino products are not in store…watch this space though because trust a Viking when I tell you they’re worth the wait!
Tune in next time for the Loungewear/nightwear edition…
Peace and Love.
Washed in happiness…
The title for this edition, comes straight from the strap line of one of the UK’s most trusted and established brands.
I am talking about FatFace of course (if you didn’t already know it!)
Established in the late 80’s by 2 young entrepreneurs wanting to extend their ski holiday in ‘La Face’ (we’ll come on to that in a minute), they had the fantastic idea to knock up some slogan tees to sell out of the back of their camper van to make a quick buck (or Francs as it were then!)
With one eye on also funding future holidays to the same region, being avid skiers and with their penchant for hitting black or ‘fat’ runs (you can see where this is going…) the brand was born.
History lesson over.
La Face…not that fat
Jump forward almost 30 years and the brand is going from strength to strength, coming through 2 recessions, and Brexit, (many companies went into liquidation) and its still managed continual growth has over 200 stores in the UK and Ireland and even has 3 stores in the US!
It’s not all been easy.
How have they managed to survive?
Several reasons…
Firstly, they aren’t stupid, they have grown and expanded sensibly.
In their chief Anthony Thompson they have one of the most inspirational leaders/orators out there. He is a remarkable character who is almost single handily trying to rescue the high street from almost certain death through constant discounting and Sales.
He’s taking on the big boys too…
Anthony will not discount the FatFace Product, it devalues it and says to the customer “We don’t believe in our products enough to sell them to you full price” (powerful words indeed)
In fact, as I write this blog, Fatface have just released an audacious ‘Price promise’, one that will start its competitors twitching!
When the rest of the world went ‘Black Friday’ crazy, Fatface didn’t take part in the ‘fad’, instead they donated money to local charities, to the tune of over £200k!!
Fighting fellow shoppers to save 50% off a TV you don’t need…
The most important reason that they have such a rich heritage is simply that their product is excellent and the brand is trusted and they actually ‘care‘.
Product
Ethically sourced, superb quality and classically styled (always in fashion), customers seem to love it!
They call their garments ‘wardrobe heroes’
The wonderful ‘Washed in Happiness’ really does sum up the brand, they have a great attitude towards work/life, they are fun and they are about to embark on some exciting new challenges…watch this space!
As for the product itself…take a look!www.fatface.com
I visited stores in Birmingham and Rugby for the above images
My faves at the minute…
The ‘new’ classic, ‘Broadsands’ poacher jacket.
Love the detailing and fabric, this piece is reminiscent of classic hunting coats, waxed water resistant fabric, large ‘poacher’ pockets, removable borg collar, corduroy trim and it comes in a new modern shorter length.
This jacket (like so many other Fatface products) will age really well too!
Internal detail with the soft brushed check lining and the smartphone pocket are just two of the many cool features. (Pic below)
Buy it here
Wear it with these bad boys…
This is a really timeless but cool ‘Utility’ look, the khaki cotton shirt is a beautiful ‘peach’ finish, it can be worn buttoned up or as an overshirt, worn open with a t-shirt for layering.
The chinos (another classic must have!) are in a heavy weight cotton, modern slimmer silhouette which can be worn smart in the office or more casual with trainers/boots.
I’m loving the zip thru reverse loop sweat top, it has a real ‘washed’ worn in feel, is really soft and fits well too.
As for the desert boot (yes, it’s still here!) they’ve put a different twist on the usual suede option (which they also have by the way!) and have instead opted for a nice ‘oiled’ leather, great feel and finish…oh and a bit more resilient too.
You’ll be happy to know fellas, that Fatface don’t go for super skinny fits, that pretty much style most of us out of their market (like a lot of the high street!), instead they opt for true ‘heritage’ fits in classic shapes and colours.
That’s not to say that their products aren’t cool, they are ‘classics’, timeless pieces that will have far more longevity than most of the men’s fashion stores out there!
Tune in next time for more exciting news and further product reviews from Fatface, trust me when I say…I’ve seen the future…and its bright!
Until next time…
Peace and love.
The hipster is dead, long live…the ‘new’ hipster?!
Beards, I’m told are dead and are no longer fashionable…which is fine if
A: I grew my beard purely for fashion (which I didn’t) and
2: I don’t really give a shit what the media experts think!
Many of the anti-hirsute articles are probably written by men who can’t grow facial hair and are simply jealous (in my opinion) or by women who don’t have the capacity to grow one (all except the wonderful Harnaam Kaur aka ‘the Dame’ pictured) either way neither parties are qualified to comment!
The amazing bearded lady Harnaam Kaur, shattering the stereotypical image of the body beautiful…oh and she’s bloody lovely too!
So fellas, if you’ve grown a beard because it was ‘trendy’ ask yourself, are you just a victim of the media hype that surrounds image and how we should all look?
My bearded ‘brothers’ (of which there are many) have had beards long before the new breed of ‘lumber sexual’ models and hipsters came along, in fact, they would pretty much tell you that they have a beard because they want one, not because they’re en vogue.
Rollo from ‘Vikings’ inventor of the beard?
Whilst my beard was born out of superstition I also consider it my best feature/accessory. That may be a bit on the vain side, but since growing it I feel more confident and actually like the way I look (which itself is a bloody revelation!)
I get loads of positive comments (mostly from women!) and it’s funny when you spot another ‘beardy’ you automatically acknowledge them in the same way that classic car owners flash their lights or honk their horns.
It’s pretty much the one thing blokes are comfortable about comparing sizes with each other!
Behold the beard in all it’s heavenly glory 😂
With great beards come great responsibility
Spider-Man
I may have changed that ever so slightly 👆🏼
My beard has become a labour of love, I spend more time and money on it than any non beardy would spend on their baldy faces. There are a plethora of beard oil companies selling the ‘best’ oil for your face fuzz…literally hundreds from all over the globe!
You can get all sorts of crazy scents too, my faves at the mo Captain Fawcett’s Booze’n’Baccy (with Ricki Hall) http://www.captainfawcett.com/ and Fuzzmuzzle Beard Products Sticky Toffee beard balm http://www.fuzzmuzzle.com
Style
Pretty much the whole reason I started writing my blog was because I had a lot to say about style and in particular looks and trends that I like and that I wear.
It’s no surprise if you know me that I have a shitload of clothes and shoes…probably too many!
I recently gave 4 black refuse sacks full of shoes and clothes to charity and still have a full wardrobe!
Anyway, I have taken the liberty of sharing some style gems with you fellas, so that you can look cool on a budget and also utilise those more versatile products that you either have or need to buy!
As pictures speak louder than words I’ve made it simple (we blokes prefer visual stimulation rather than reading) below are a couple of examples of cool affordable looks that pretty much encompass key trends and classic styling…enjoy!
Edwin neppy denim blazer £30 (Depop) tweed waistcoat £20 (River Island SALE) White shirt £15 (TU Sainsburys) Edwin Japanese Selvedge Denim jeans £18 (Depop) Braces £15 (Topman) and Brogue boots £65 (Next)
Biker Jacket PU £40 (new look) Black cropped skinny jeans £30 (River Island), Short sleeved sweater £35 (Topman), Black Chelsea boots £30 and Black SnapBack £4 (both H&M)
More next week!
Until then…
Stay blessed X
New Look Menswear AW14 collection.
Hello again friends
So once again I find myself fortunate to have been invited to yet another New Look press event.
This time is was all about their new AW14 collection.
As per usual whilst down in London I took the opportunity to go to Murdock of London for a nice beard trim!
The event started at 12pm and was running until 8pm, so even with the added joy that yet another tube strike brought, I was sure that I would be able to hit the shops, and still head over to the event with plenty of time to see everything.
Carnaby Street was once the centre of British fashion…
Among the British heritage brands like Ben Sherman, Fred Perry, Dr Martens and Lyle & Scot you will also find super brands like The Kooples, Evisu, True Religion and more…
Back in the 60’s though it was a different matter, instead of the big monopoly brands, you would’ve had one off little boutiques selling the latest in ‘mod clothing’ that every respecting guy in the swinging 60’s needed to be seen in.
It hasn’t lost it’s identity or it’s appeal though, you just need to venture off the beaten track a little and see that the new breed of British ‘street wear’ brands are moving in.
Abandon Ship and Drop Dead Clothing offer great graphic print products, accessories, and quirky pieces that you won’t find in the high street giants.
Then at one end you have one of the most iconic buildings in London…Liberty’s of London
At the event then…
I have to say that, I walked in to New Look’s press room and almost had to pinch myself!
Not only did the press room look like a high end boutique, they had one of
London’s premier DJ’s playing some incredible tunes (Joy Division , Stone Roses and pretty much the rest of my iTunes playlist!) but, and this is the best bit…the product looked absolutely amazing!
New Look menswear have been on a journey…two years ago,it’s fair to say that their range was a bit uninspiring, pretty basic and not at the pinnacle of fashion.
Back to now…
I can’t really put in to words how far they have come, how good their product is and what their new buyers have brought to the table.
Instead there follows a lot of pictures of their new collection.
I challenge you not to like anything, not to look at it and think “Is that really New Look?”
I was truly in awe of it all, seriously I could’ve blown thousands!
You can see influences from Tiger of Sweden, the Kooples, Prada, Grenson, Christian Laboutin…to name but a few!
Enjoy
some seriously good footwear coming your way!
Everything from the exceptional Double Monk strap shoes, to the sumptuous leather oxfords with the contrast lining, there really is something for every man
Accessories…they’ve got it covered!
Favourite pieces here were the waxed hold alls, the ‘Kooples-esque’ black tote, and even moustache wax!!
It’s only Rock ‘n’ Roll, but I like it!…ok maybe it’s a bit more grunge inspired, but the product here was amazing, a very well put together look
A bit of Sports Lux, and some of the brilliant digital print t-shirts…and the ‘new’ sweatpants
A bit of ‘nautical’ inspiration here, check out the brushed viscose sweater, and the fantastic denim!
My favourite pieces on the day…
I can’t believe that this is PU!?
Contrast sole Desert boot
New Look or Tiger of Sweden?
Look at the colour of this fabulous mac!
That tote bag! ,those slip on tassel loafers! ,those leather double Monk shoes!…aaaarrrggghhhh!
I pretty much got blown away by the whole event and more so the amazing product.
On what I’ve seen, New Look Menswear will give everyone a run for their money!
Oh, and to top it all off, they’ve got Billy Huxley to model it all for them!…oh how they’ve progressed!
I’ll finish off by firstly thanking New Look for their hospitality and the chance to view AW14, but also to say that you deserve massive kudos for what is probably the best collection you have ever produced!
Until next time…
Peace and love x
Gentlemen it’s all in the beard…
When I say it’s all in the beard…I don’t mean my last meal!
I’ve taken to Instagram and Twitter recently, and have posted a few ‘beard selfies’.
The response has been really good!
It seems that there are some big beard fans out there, and some fans with big beards!
Followers from all walks of life, tattooists, beard product companies, (from all over the world!) , bearded fellas from all over the world, ladies from all over the world (bit of a theme going on there…)
I have to say though that I was most happy that I came across a couple of independent clothing lines, that upon liking my photos got me fully hooked on their products…(damn it! That’s exactly why they did it!!) good marketing guys…
One of my favourites was Mundane Attire
Their product is awesome!
front and back printed raglan
‘Sold to the man with the exceptional beard’ in black and white…my favourite!
The products I’ve featured are all from the Unchained collection and are available online now at www.mundaneattire.com they also ship worldwide so there’s no excuses!
It’s not just t-shirts either,on the website you can pick up a nice beanie hat, there’s sweatshirts, ladies t-shirts, and the amazing ‘Unique’ product.
Loving this coat!!
And finally this cracking t shirt,with a brilliant back print…
That’s it for the cool clothing, now on to to my latest beard grooming product.
Oliver & Jenkinson beard oil
I briefly mentioned it in my last post, I didn’t really give it enough praise!
Kudos to the creators of this awesome product.
Not only does my beard feel softer and well conditioned, but it smells great too!
3 great fragrances, Arctic Ice, Original and Cedar & Lime
There are loads of companies that produce men’s grooming products online, they can be quite expensive.
Oliver & Jenkinson are not only inexpensive (3 bottles for £15?!) ,but they’re also made in the wonderful city of Manchester!
Home of course to my beloved Manchester City!!
Available online beard oils by Oliver & Jenkinson
If you’re a bearded chap, you need this oil in your life, in fact, if you are a bearded chap and you don’t use oil to condition your face fuzz, then shame on you!
Trust me when I say this, but if you’re other half isn’t a fan of you rough wiry facial hair, crack out the beard oil and feel the difference.
Another tip here…don’t wash your facial hair with ordinary shampoo,it’s not designed for your face, so it dries your beard out!
Use a specifically designed beard shampoo and conditioner ( you’ll thank me…) then apply your beard oil whilst your beard is still damp.
Then use a nice wide tooth comb or brush to tame it.
That’s the beard done…don’t even get me started on the moustache!!
Peace and love to all.
Beard envy and the blues…
Good day to you.
Today’s post is a bit of a mismatch of thoughts and feelings with a bit of style to top it off!
It has come to my attention that my beard has become a separate entity…
Seriously, my beard really does seem to have attracted it’s own following!
I’ve had loads of really positive comments,usually around how long it has taken to grow it,and what products do you use in it (see one of my earlier posts).
The only negativity I’ve had is usually from the sportswear clad, jokers who spend their hard earned benefit cheques at Sports Direct and even my good lady!
For the record here, sportswear, the clue is in the name.
Items of clothing worn whilst partaking in sporting activities
NOT FOR STYLE
On my last visit for a beard trim and pampering at www.murdocklondon.com talking to my barber Gavin, he said the only people that give you grief about a beard are the totally unstylish and those that can’t grow one!
True.
He also said that next time my good lady makes a comment like “you should shave it off!” that I should reply…”Why don’t you shave your head!”
That’d go down well me thinks…
I’m really enjoying being a bearded gent.
There is a quote that says
Grow a beard and you become 80% hotter
I’m definitely 23% warmer!
And I also believe that 88.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot!
(If you see what I mean…)
I think what irks my good lady more than anything now, is that I spend a lot more time in the bathroom than I did when I was a hairless bald man!
High summer anyone?
Hello again folks!
I was lucky enough to be invited to view New Look’s high summer range at their press office in London.
I set off at 6am,to catch the early train to allow for missing the dreaded rush hour.
I left in thick fog,and arrived in London in glorious sunshine!
With Bob Marley’s “The sun is shining” playing in my head,I decided to take a stroll from Marylebone Station,and enjoy the weather instead of catching the tube.
To be fair,I think half of the commuters had made the same decision,as there was loads of people heading the same way as me!
Half way down Baker Street is my port of call for a nice strong coffee and a pastry to help me refuel.
I got to Oxford Street around 9am,there wasn’t many people around,but then there also weren’t any stores open yet!
On to New Look’s head quarters,in the fashion district at the back of Oxford Street.
The press room looked fantastic yet again!
This time it was like a blast of colour,one,I definitely heard “Club Tropicana” by Wham…at least I don’t think it was just in my head!
The colour palettes and prints were stunning,they reminded me of tropical holidays,ice cream sorbets,and there was a bit of animal print in there too…pretty much something for everyone.
see what I mean about tropical holidays!
Awesome printed shorts
it’s clear that the buying teams really have worked together to offer the complete package,footwear and accessories that compliment every trend/colour palette
amazing embellished sandals
ocean shades,from Caribbean to Pacific,
every shape and colour under the sun!
Now for my favourite pieces on the day…
‘Skorts’ in sorbet shades…
It would probably take a few more blogs to show you everything,but then I’d also like to leave you with some surprises!
I think you’ll agree though,there are some stunning pieces on their way!
Excited?…you should be!
Well done New Look
Until next time…
Enjoy the sun!
50 shades of grey…
Don’t worry I’m not about to start writing about that book.
Nor am I about to write a blog all about grey clothes.
Hello again,
The 50 shades of grey I’m referring to is actually our skies for the last 50 days (and more) in good old ‘Blighty’.
It’s very easy to get stuck in a rut when the weather is awful,you just want to wrap up,keeping warm and dry take priority over how you look (well I still try and look cool!)
After weeks of terrible rain,and strong wind,the sun finally made an appearance,in fact,it did more than that!
Temperatures at the weekend broke all records,and with the sun,comes the bright spring fashion and even makes us want to crack out our pasty British legs!!
(Unless of course some of you boys visit the local tanning shop!)
I’ve pulled some great products together for you,and created some cool Spring outfits ready for the forthcoming sunshine.
First up… every man needs this shirt in their wardrobe!…or one similar
The floral shirt has got to be one of your first purchases this season,wear it with jeans or shorts (when the weather gets a bit warmer!),it really is a pretty versatile piece.
Next up… I’ve chosen several tee shirt options.
Again,you’ll notice a floral element in there. Floral is massive this season for men,don’t worry guys it’s perfectly ok for you to wear it,we’ll all be wearing it!
Shorts anyone?
Awesome range,wouldn’t you agree?
Pretty much something for everyone above.
From the bright floral skater shorts,to the red paisley print chino shorts,to the more conservative plain slim chino shorts…all happy!
Accessories…
Layering pieces…you never know what the weather will bring!
I’ve featured the above floral bomber in another post,it had previously sold out…but it’s back in stock…and awesome!
Here’s some ideas for you,hope you like them!
I was a bit sneaky there!
I threw in a couple of other pieces not mentioned earlier!
However,I think you’ll agree,that they compliment the Spring look’s really well.
In each outfit you have your conversation piece,new trend pieces and good accessories too (if I may say so myself!)
So you’re pretty much set for the coming season,now is the time to start experimenting with colour,be brave!
All products featured are available in store or online at www.newlook.com
Thanks for reading!
Until next time…
Stay safe,go floral!
When I grow up I’m going to be…
So,what did I want to be when I grew up?…assuming of course that at 42 I have grown up! (I’m not entirely convinced!)
As a kid growing up in the 70’s and 80’s,I can pretty much say that I wanted to be a professional footballer…for my beloved Manchester City,and to be fair during the 80’s if I’d taken my boots to the match I’d’ve probably got a game!! (We were pretty useless before the billionaires moved in)
I played so much football as a kid that my poor mother couldn’t clean my clothes quick enough,I even on occasion played in muddy clothes from the day before…I just turned them back to front!!
I also dabbled in several different martial arts as a youth so naturally wanted to be Bruce Lee!
Legend…
The big problem with that was my big toe on my left foot,namely that I broke it 4 times in the space of 4 weeks!!
So off I slunk with my glass toe,and didn’t kick anyone or anything in anger for several years later!
You might ask “where are you going with this?”
I’ll tell you if you give me a minute!
It’s like this,since becoming a parent,I’ve realised that actually,my own parents were pretty damn good!
They weren’t pushy,and let my brothers and I follow our own paths,and even when things didn’t quite work out,they were always there to support
us.
Becoming a parent changes your whole outlook on life,it changes your priorities too.
I’m now at the point where I care nothing for material gain,nor any sort of luxuries,my focus instead is purely for the well being of my little man.
Yes I have nice clothes,and I’d like a nice holiday every now and then,but it counts for nothing…
My little boy is my whole world,and at 9 months old he has a lot to look forward to in his life.
Would I love him to become a great footballer,and live my dreams for me?
Would I love him to become a multi millionaire sportsman who’ll look after his old dad and make me comfortable in my latter years? (hmmm…sounds nice!)
The answer is quite simple…whatever he decides to do will make me happy,as long as he is happy (and doesn’t chose to play for Manchester Utd,I really would disown him then!!) I will always support him.
I jokingly say to my good lady that our boy will either be a footballer or a cage fighter! My other great passion.
(He’s far too pretty to be a cage fighter!)
You can imagine her answer!…and to be fair the images below aren’t a great advert for it!!
“Shrek scrubs up pretty well though to be fair!”
Until next time…
Stay safe.
Classic pieces for every blokes wardrobe…
Greetings fellow style fans!
Today’s post is a simple guide to the ‘classic’ pieces every self respecting stylish bloke should have in his wardrobe.
The weather here in the UK has been shocking of late,we’ve had torrential rain and gale force winds,so much so that I was considering building myself an Ark!
It feels like Spring is on it’s way though,and with it comes the newness into our stores ( in fact,Spring/summer stock has been in stores since January!!), I’ve picked some great products that you can mix and match all of them are extremely versatile and as stated earlier absolute classic pieces that won’t date.
First up…the classic mac
The above double breasted belted mac,is a great example.
I always go on about fit and this one fits like a dream!
It’s a great item,well finished with a self coloured lining,it’s a must for our unpredictable weather.
I’ve bought this one in the stone colour,it’s also available in Navy blue too!
(I may have to purchase that one as well!)
Damn you New Look!!
Next…the gingham shirt…
This has to be one of the most versatile shirts in my wardrobe,it look great worn casually with my jeans,or under one of my nice tweed numbers!
I just love a great fitting gingham shirt,New Look have got an absolute cracker out right now,available in 3 great colours (yeah thanks then…I’m gonna buy all 3 now!),and at £14.99 it’s ridiculously good value too!
Staying with shirts…the oxford has been a British Classic ever since Ben Sherman made them popular way back in 1963.
You don’t need to pay over the odds for a decent Oxford shirt though…the following are available in short or long sleeve,and in 3 colours you’ll probably want them all!
On to knitwear,and hopefully we won’t be needing to layer up too much in Spring,but as this is England you can’t guarantee that it won’t snow!
I’ve picked a nice lightweight crew neck,in 3 versatile colours (3 is the magic number after all!) they’re great for layering,or worn with just a shirt they look great.
and priced at just £14.99,you can get it in all 3 colours too!
Denim is a must!
I’ve picked the clean Skinny jean,as it looks smarter and pretty much suits most guys,the colours below offer more versatility and allow you to outfit build with the rest of the products I’ve selected with ease…
a nice grey pair to add something different 🙂
Footwear…one of my favourite subjects!
Every man should own a pair of Brogues,a pair of Desert boots and the navy blue option gives you something different instead of the usual tan or black options.
You don’t need to go for the Grenson’s or Loakes or even Clark’s Originals for that matter,New Look do a great version of all 3 styles for just £24.99 a pair?!
If you are regular followers of my blog,you will know that I’m a bit of a sucker for blazers…tweed ones in particular…below are two awesome blazers,in two different colours I wouldn’t normally chose,except they really are that good!
at £54.99,they also represent amazing value too!
As for my next item,the classic stone chino…pretty straight forward,but a wardrobe staple none the less,the ones below are only £14.99!?
Now let’s build some outfits!
Enough to get your teeth in to?
There’s so many outfits you can build with the classic items I’ve selected,they’re all great products,that fit well,and they won’t damage your bank balance too much either!!
All products featured are available in store or online at www.newlook.com ,menswear has never been so good!
Until next time…
Stay classic.
New Look’s ‘Discover Denim’ press event
Hello again,
I was recently invited to London by New Look’s social media guys for their ‘Discover Denim’ day.
Organising a press event at any time can be hard work.
Add in a tube strike and some of the worst weather in British history and you’ve got one of the worst possible combinations to keep people from coming!
But come they did!
New Look’s ‘Ugly Betty-esque’ head quarters are situated on Mortimer Street,right in the heart of the hustle and bustle.
The press team did a great job!
The press room was completely transformed into a Denim haven,big screens showing ways to wear,DJ’s,blue drinks,blue popcorn,and even blue candy floss!
Everything was blue except the mood in the room!
As the day went on,more and more bloggers braved the tornados and filed in to the safety of the denim room.
I had a good look at the new products that New Look were showcasing and have to say that their denim buyers have pretty much got everything and everyone covered!
Fabrics are luxurious,colours are sumptuous and the variety of fit,washes and garments on offer is mind boggling!
My personal favourite products on show were the ‘platinum denim’ range.
These were just stunning,the fabric is the softest denim I’ve felt,and the colour washes and finishing details on them look high end…and they only retail at £29.99!! What!?
Yep,you read it right!
New Look are synonymous for their great value,their new denim ranges don’t disappoint,in fact,I’m gonna stick my neck out and say that they’re pretty much the best on the high street right now.
Don’t just take my word for it though,get yourself down to their stores and see for yourself!
Blue popcorn!!
Now as far as fits go,you can pretty much get everything under one roof,you can go from Skinny to Supersoft super skinny,flares (yes they’re back!,and if they’re good enough for Victoria Beckham and Kim K,then they’re good enough for you!), then there’s the ‘Mom’ jeans,these are superb,a real throw back to the 80’s,a perfect retro fit,team them up with a soft blazer or boxy blouse,and a great pair of brogues and you’re ready for Spring! (When it arrives!…they really don’t look too great with flippers!)
the hatman attacking a poor defenceless denim jacket with a cheese grater..or ‘customising’ as it’s known!
As the day progressed,soft drinks turned to cocktails (blue in colour of course),fish and chips were served along side the very popular blue candy floss.
More and more bloggers and press arrived,the room took on a different atmosphere,it was more like a party now than a press event!
New Look’s social media guys were Tweeting,instagraming,facebooking,hash tagging anything and everything that was going on,in all it was a very enjoyable day.
Following on from the day New Look have also toured the country with their ‘Discover Denim’ bus,giving great advice and free jeans away in some of the big cities,check it’s progress on the website www.newlook.com
So there you have it,if it’s a great denim product you want or great advice,hit New Look online or in store,they’ve got something for everyone!
Hey and it’s even cool to do double denim,it’s official!!
Just don’t do this…
Denim overkill!
Until next time…
Stay safe.
London calling…
Greetings friends,
I was recently invited to London to view New Look’s fantastic denim range.
I was one of several bloggers that were invited to the event that New Look called their ‘discover denim’ day.
Firstly let me just say that TFL’s (transport for London’s) website stated that there would be no disruption to services on the Bakerloo line…
Today’s look…the smart beardy bloke!
Today’s look is all about sharp tailoring with a bit of a rock ‘n’ roll edge.
My tweed jacket and waistcoat are from River Island , penny collar striped shirt is from Primark , skinny jeans are from Topman, and I’ve accessorised it all with an orange silk pocket square,burgundy polka dot bow tie (both River Island) Floral socks from Topman and tan brogues from Next.
As I stated in an earlier post,it’s not just about the clothes,it’s about how you wear and style them.
To give you an example here,you definitely should have a pocket square with any blazer that has a pocket (teaching granny how to suck eggs…sorry!),you also shouldn’t fasten your waistcoat all the way either (major styling no,no!)…there is an explanation as to the reason why and it’s basically down to a rather portly (rotund,chubby,call him what you want,but he was on the large side!) member of the British royal family,Prince Edward the Prince of Wales.
He made it ‘fashionable’ not to fasten the bottom button (simply because he couldn’t!) and the rest of the gentry followed suit.
you see,my ‘look’ was all the rage in the late 1800’s!!
As for your jeans,wear them shorter to show off your cool socks,and your nice shoes,it will also give the look a cleaner sharper feel.
Until next time…
Stay safe.
Menswear preview…get your ‘geek’ on!
Hello again readers!
I’ve decided to continue with my menswear focus for this post,as it seems that us blokes don’t do style too well!
I guess that there is a minority (and I would like to include myself in here!) that almost certainly know what style is and how to dress.
It’s evident by the way guys shop and by how most menswear departments or stores are set up that,the majority of us fellas need a bit of guidance.
It’s also fair to say that most guys out there don’t read men’s style mags, (several high profile publications have even stopped printing because of this) so where do they get inspiration from?,do they even care?
Retailers in the UK are realising that the answer to the last question is actually a resounding “yes”
A lot of guys are really taking an interest in appearance,high street retailers are starting to come away from boring departmentalised stores and are creating exciting,innovative departments that showcase their products better,and offer something for both the ‘clued up’ and the ‘clueless’!
Nowhere more so than New Look,as previously mentioned in my last post,these guys have really stepped up to the plate recently,and are trying to create a real menswear package that has both style and affordability…I for one think they’ve nailed it!
My post this time is all about getting your ‘geek’ on!! (the title may have given that away!!)
What exactly does that mean?
It doesn’t mean you should crack out your favourite superhero t-shirt,or that you should wear some seriously bad shirts/tank top combos like the boys on ‘Big bang theory’ (although they do have cult status!)
Sheldon rocks the geek look,effortlessly!
Instead,getting your ‘geek’ on is more about being a bit quirky,and mixing it up a little.
Tinie Tempah,Pharrell Williams and Labrinth are style gurus among men,they also know how to rock the ‘geek’ look…
See below
Now here’s my version of the look,courtesy again from New Look’s awesome SS14 range…
from left to right…yellow and navy fisherman jacket,blue fine stripe shirt,grey knitted hat,pale blue skinny jeans,brown brogue boots and to finish off, the all important bow tie…you can pick up this whole look for under £120!!
Denim & navy contrast sleeve baseball jacket,pink contrast collar smart shirt,acid wash skinny jeans,burgundy heart stitch sweater,burgundy polka dot bow tie,and grey/navy running shoe ,all for under £125!!
For my final outfit I’ve gone for the ‘preppy/geek’ look,in this case as with the other outfits,it’s all about how you’d style the looks and not just the clothes you wear…
For example,with the denim in all cases,roll them up above the ankle and flash your ‘nerdy’ white socks or better still go without socks (frost permitting of course!) to create that geeky coolness!
Shirts are always done up to the top button,this look is all about smart and clean…
no self respecting preppy look is complete without the baseball jacket,teamed with navy blue skinny jeans,striped smart shirt,navy chunky knit cardigan,striped tie,desert boots and a great pair of clear lens preppy glasses to complete the look…all for under £130!!
So there you have it my nerdy friends!
You can find all of the above products in store or at www.newlook.com have fun shopping in between playing ‘minecraft’ or ‘magic the gathering’ or whatever it is you geeks like to do in your spare time!
(Only joking! Geek is the new cool,so keep doing whatever you’re doing!)
Until next time…
Stay safe.
The style Viking 