Style Feed http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed my-wardrobe menswear style feed Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:27:59 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Cold Snap http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/31/cold-snap/ http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/31/cold-snap/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:17:35 +0000 Admin http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/?p=3822 310112_picWell, it’s finally arrived: that dreaded cold snap. Just when we thought it was safe to start shrugging on the flyweight shirts and colourful new chinos the mercury drops once more and the freeze is set to stay, with subzero temperatures forecast to set in. Some of us already have snow. We’re all going to [...]]]> Well, it’s finally arrived: that dreaded cold snap. Just when we thought it was safe to start shrugging on the flyweight shirts and colourful new chinos the mercury drops once more and the freeze is set to stay, with subzero temperatures forecast to set in. Some of us already have snow. We’re all going to get ice.

Fear not, we’ve got plenty of stylish new season pieces on site that keep you toasty, and have rounded up the coats, knits and accessories that will keep you stylish and insulated in our COLD SNAP department. Click on SHOP NOW and browse the padded coats and gilets keeping up the finest tradition of country outerwear in looks that will outlast the winter as well as the heritage outdoors looks of Barbour To Ki To’s hunting parka and the canvas US jacket by A.P.C. X Carhartt, which has a fur lining guaranteed to keep you snug while plus it is the perfect complement to blue jeans.

Underneath, it’s all about the layers and we’ve got fine, midweight and thick knitwear perfect for trapping in the warmth while refreshing your style. Cable and Nordic patterned knits will go perfectly with the winterwear, while Breton stripes and chunky plains are your alternatives for months of wear, whether you’re rambling or heading out to sea.

Finish it off with the scarves, gloves and hats you wished you got for Christmas and you’re well equipped for this Winter and plenty to come….

]]> http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/31/cold-snap/feed/ 0 Back to Work in Style http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/30/back-to-work-in-style/ http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/30/back-to-work-in-style/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:51:08 +0000 Admin http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/?p=3810 300112_picLove it or hate it, work is where you spend the largest, and usually the most public, portion of your life. So it deserves some serious scrutiny. With month one of the New Year gone (and the phrase very “New Year” now officially redundant), now’s the time to reboot your resolve and add those touches [...]]]>

Love it or hate it, work is where you spend the largest, and usually the most public, portion of your life. So it deserves some serious scrutiny. With month one of the New Year gone (and the phrase very “New Year” now officially redundant), now’s the time to reboot your resolve and add those touches of class that will set you apart.

Here’s our top ten tips:

Shoes. A smart shoe is an office essential and a sharp black brogue courtesy of Paul Smith will cross over into weekend wear too.

Cuff links. Traditional sartorial rules are at their strictest in the workplace for many men. So show that you mean business with those added extras. Fortunately, thanks to Paul Smith you can be edgy too. These cameo skull links are perfect with a crisp white shirt and really draw the eye.

Coat. The ultimate work coat? It has to be the trench. Whether you are going for edgy with a pair of chinos and graphic T-shirt, or traditional and wearing it over your finest wool suit then there can be no compromise on coat quality. Burberry Brit, then.

Tie. You may have heard about it in hushed tones but the tie is making a comeback. Look for a slim blade, simple striking pattern and luxurious handle for ultimate impact. Like this one from D&G.

Bag. The bag you carry also carries you. Hopefully all the way up the corporate ladder. So go for lasting quality with this black leather beauty from the not-normally so serious Marc by Marc Jacobs. You deserve it.

Knit. Knitwear in the workplace? Why not. Over a shirt and tie and under your jacket it is a slick, simple layer. And if your office doesn’t demand utter formality then inject a burst of color with this merino masterpiece from A.P.C.

Shirt. Minimal and masterful and in a shade that says you’re ready to work a new Paul Smith London classic will make you feel brand new. It’s the style version of a new haircut.

Wallet. If a flash of colour is too controversial in your outfit, then pull it out at the crucial moments. London luxury leather brand Smythson, says you know style and appreciate tradition.

Scarf. Liven up your winter coat with a colourful checked scarf. Keep your work shirt plain as anything busy will clash, And that just won’t do.

Socks. Last but definitely not least, do not underestimate the sock. In the suit-toting office world of by-numbers style, it is a point of difference that you should indulge in. Polka dots in navy and white catch the eye without going over the top.

Now you’re dressed for it try to enjoy it. After all, as the historian Arnold Toynbee said, “The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.”

]]> http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/30/back-to-work-in-style/feed/ 0 New Jacket Required http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/27/new-jacket-required/ http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/27/new-jacket-required/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:28:41 +0000 Admin http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/?p=3798 270112_picThis is what a country jacket looks like when it comes from Paris. Refined but fully functioning, it is the work of the design gurus at A.P.C. If you already love the brand – and why wouldn’t you? – then that is because, like us, you appreciate the way the French studio takes classic categories [...]]]> This is what a country jacket looks like when it comes from Paris. Refined but fully functioning,
it is the work of the design gurus at A.P.C.

If you already love the brand – and why wouldn’t you? – then that is because, like us, you appreciate the way the French studio takes classic categories and redefines them. Its clean lines and refined personality are all about fuss free, sophisticated looks. Even when taking on the traditional country gent’s favourite waxed jacket, that mantra remains.
The Parisian take on the popular British heritage style ticks all the boxes. With stud fastening pocket flaps, a zip-covering placket, corduroy collar and even the checked lining, this takes the DNA of the style strips it back to its minimalist bones for a modernised update.

And best of all, this comes in A.P.C.’s slimmed down silhouette and has been finished in a traditional waxed cotton by the very same mill that produces it for UK heritage brands. The best of old and new? We think so.

]]> http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/27/new-jacket-required/feed/ 0 Style Sums http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/26/style-sums/ http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/26/style-sums/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:15:04 +0000 Admin http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/?p=3781 260112_picLayering is the ultimate tactic for flexing your sartorial muscles through whatever the weather throws at you, and at this time of year that’s crucial. If you’re in the UK, your chance of experiencing rain this weekend veers from 60% on Saturday to 20% on Sunday. Temperatures will be between 2 degrees and 8 degrees [...]]]> Layering is the ultimate tactic for flexing your sartorial muscles through whatever the weather throws at you, and at this time of year that’s crucial. If you’re in the UK, your chance of experiencing rain this weekend veers from 60% on Saturday to 20% on Sunday. Temperatures will be between 2 degrees and 8 degrees Celsius and guess what – there will be gusts of wind. (Source: weather.com) Mild, wet, dry, cold, gusty and still. It’s a typical weekend right?

So, what to wear? You’ll need an inventory of thin and mid weight layers to can calibrate your regular wardrobe for any temperature. By adding up the same elements that work for much warmer climes and times, you can construct outfits for any thermal feel with pieces that will work for later in the year.

Here are three ways to do it which add up to serious style:

  • ONE COLOUR
    Add up items of one colour, either exactly matched or just tonally “off” from each other for a stylish look. At its easiest, this means polo top, knit and jacket in moody darks for a slick casual styling, or for a more workwear influenced style, combine a classic crew T-shirt with a denim style shirt and down filled gilet.
  • PATTERN PILE UP
    This is not as “out there” as it sounds. With menswear staples like a plaid shirt, Nordic knit and camouflage jacket you can create a look at once outdoorsy and warm. And these patterned knits will be big again next year so you can expect to garner effective cost per wear from any purchase now.
  • COLOUR CLASHES
    Again, you can keep this simple and refined. It’s not about going over the top. Just a way of wearing slightly brightened colours that will work for menswear. A sliver of bold collar colour sits under a crew necked knit and with a pared down blazer on the top you can look a little more confident than your counterparts without risking going outré in any way.
]]> http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/26/style-sums/feed/ 0 Style Icon: Gary Cooper http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/25/style-icon-gary-cooper/ http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/25/style-icon-gary-cooper/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:44:19 +0000 Admin http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/?p=3770 250112_picA new book about the style of Hollywood legend and cowboy icon Gary Cooper reveals a man halfway between Savile Row (where he was a regular customer) and the Wild West. Understated and manly, Cooper’s sartorial chops were very much a blend of English heritage and Western frontier influence. The side-effect of a ridiculously successful [...]]]> A new book about the style of Hollywood legend and cowboy icon Gary Cooper reveals a man halfway between Savile Row (where he was a regular customer) and the Wild West. Understated and manly, Cooper’s sartorial chops were very much a blend of English heritage and Western frontier influence. The side-effect of a ridiculously successful Hollywood career, Cooper’s social circle took in the elegant (the Duke and Duchess of Windsor) the arty (Pablo Picasso) and the truly American (Ernest Hemingway, no less). The result is a man as happy in formal European wear as he was in the casual classics of Americana.
Though the details have changed, that remains the template of how all modern men dress, switching with ease from outdoorsy denim to luxurious linens and then to tailored cloths. (Well, hopefully.) Cooper’s style is a lesson we can all pay heed to. That new tome about him is called Enduring Style, and there’s a reason for that.

So make like “Coop” and fill your wardrobe with enduring classics. Think quality and simplicity the kind of which Sunspel delivers in its fine, light touch cotton T-shirts – perfect layers and a great easy summer top under your cardigans and knits. Classic flat fronted chinos will be big news this year and a roster of easy colours would have made Coop swoop. Get options in blue, beige and stone to flesh out your smart casual options. You get the idea? It’s all about easy to wear, fuss free garb in block neutrals. Just a touch of adventure will up the ante design-wise, so a classic theme made to work in an offbeat style will finish the look off with aplomb. Try a nautical blazer in a summer-ready ticking stripe.

By the way, Gary wasn’t his real name. Born Frank James Cooper, he changed it to mimic the birthplace of director Nan Collins, who said Gary (in Indiana) was a “rough tough sorta place”. That’s one way to get manly. But don’t expect any film stars called Peckham or Salford to emerge.

Click through for a round-up of enduring essentials.

Gary Cooper: Enduring Style by G. Bruce Boyer and Maria Cooper Janis, published by powerHouse Books.

]]> http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/25/style-icon-gary-cooper/feed/ 0 Feeling Blue http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/24/feeling-blue/ http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/24/feeling-blue/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:52:18 +0000 Admin http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/?p=3763 240112_picDo not let the January blues get you down. Embrace them. In menswear terms, the shade is the sartorial equivalent of oxygen; not only in its ubiquity but also in how it helps everything else to breathe. And just why is blue such a popular hue with men? Because like the best chaps, it is [...]]]> Do not let the January blues get you down. Embrace them. In menswear terms, the shade is the sartorial equivalent of oxygen; not only in its ubiquity but also in how it helps everything else to breathe. And just why is blue such a popular hue with men? Because like the best chaps, it is restrained, unpretentious and versatile. Which is another way of saying it goes with all the other colours. That’s great cost per wear. It works with black and white, grey, tan, browns and a whole host of neutrals plus supporting the sunny brights of red, yellow orange and more.

So when it comes to warming up your winter, think thick shirts and knit layers in the shades from mid blue to navy.
So because now is the perfect time to get knitted out with jumpers that will keep you warm and without being lung-crushers come higher spring temperatures, here’s three of our favourite blue knits. Right now is the time to invest in this Farhi by Nicole Farhi cardigan comes in an indigo shade that resonates neatly with denim and layers up for casual comfort over a T-shirt or a touch more smarty under a blazer. It’s not too busy so will work for most situations. A.P.C. Madras – one of those eternally cool brands that does very simple things with such style – is responsible for this elegantly different take on the blue mood. It’s a straight up crew neck given a twist thanks to its waffle construction. It’s a deepened, 3d texture that looks standout with chinos and a jacket or adds real edge under a blazer.

The colour of the sea, blue is a fisherman’s friend and every derivation of the classic Breton stripe will be style currency this year. Go for a mix of tradition and innovation with this double stripe blue from John Smedley. It’s a bit brighter than most but, hey, even oxygen is combustible. Click through for more blues that will zing up your ties, trousers, shirts and accessories.

]]> http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2012/01/24/feeling-blue/feed/ 0 Appetite for style http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/16/appetite-for-style/ http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/16/appetite-for-style/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:23:21 +0000 Admin http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/?p=3751 161211_picIt’s Christmas morning. You’ve just got your presents and it’s a long time until lunch. The solution? A bracing walk in the brisk Chrimbo air followed by a tempting canapé to warm up the eating muscles. First off get dressed and hope these are under the tree: your favourite new coat, the Burberry Parkgate marries [...]]]>

It’s Christmas morning. You’ve just got your presents and it’s a long time until lunch. The solution? A bracing walk in the brisk Chrimbo air followed by a tempting canapé to warm up the eating muscles. First off get dressed and hope these are under the tree: your favourite new coat, the Burberry Parkgate marries the pea coat and military trends for an unusual hybrid that is easy to wear and just that little bit different. It’s shaped close to the body, will keep you cosy and stylish and works with a lot of your existing wardrobe.

Then flash a bit of check. The iconic camel checked scarf is a recognisable dose of renewed cool Britannia and leaves you perfectly poised to tone things down a bit with the gloves. Go for Polo Ralph Lauren’s quietly cool knitted pairs. Add in your hiking boots (of course) and it just leaves you to find an innovative trouser solution. Go for these: Whillas and Gunn’s Troy trousers are a little bit military, a little bit outback and a whole lot country. Check out the walking department to see your alternatives.

Looking to impress with your culinary skills this Christmas? Well, you don’t even need to turn the oven on for this one, which comes courtesy of Julien Maisonneuve, executive chef at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. It’s his recipe for one of his favourite canapés to serve over the Christmas season don’t you know.

“Mix the digestive biscuits with the softened butter, salt, pepper and chopped dill. Spread the mixture between 10 small rings and place in the fridge. Dice the smoked salmon and mix with the lemon juice and the cream cheese. Whisk the double cream and add to the mix. Fill the prepared rings to the top and return to the fridge. When ready to serve, remove the rings and decorate with fresh dill, flowers or micro cress.”

Kai Weller, Head Bar Tender at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, recommends serving these canapés with one of the Booking Office bar’s signature cocktails, a Champagne Cobbler, which is simply orange and lemon sherbet and champagne served with winter berries, pictured here.

THE RECIPE
Smoked Salmon Mini Cheesecakes (makes 10)
10 Digestive Biscuits
100g Butter
½ Bunch of Dill
200g Smoked Salmon
200g Cream Cheese
100g Double Cream
Juice of 2 Lemons
Cress or Flowers (optional)

]]> http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/16/appetite-for-style/feed/ 0 Get Xmas party perfect http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/15/get-xmas-party-perfect/ http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/15/get-xmas-party-perfect/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:19:30 +0000 Admin http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/?p=3738 151211_picThe Look If you want to become the perfect entertainer when you host the party this Christmas then you will have to look the part. Get tuxed up in a dinner jacket that has been re-cut for the modern man in a slim fit and slick texture. D&G knows the template. Its wool, silk mix [...]]]>

The Look

If you want to become the perfect entertainer when you host the party this Christmas then you will have to look the part. Get tuxed up in a dinner jacket that has been re-cut for the modern man in a slim fit and slick texture.

D&G knows the template. Its wool, silk mix and velvet jackets are all perfect for the contemporary culture vulture. Not only the ideal coup de grace for a red carpet outfit but at great finishing touch with a crisp white shirt and jeans, over a knit or just slipped on over a T-shirt. You are at home, after all. You want to look stylish, not starchy.

THE MIXMAS DRINK
Part bar, part restaurant, part gallery, all concept, Sketch is the go-to for the in-the-know types with an hour to spare or an evening to fill. With one of the most imaginative bars in London, head barman Joseph, was our first stop when it came to asking for the best Christmas cocktails for you to mix at home. Here’s what he suggests, including Winter@Sketch, specially designed for you my-wardrobe readers. Get mixing for your Christmas guests.

WINER@SKETCH
WHAT: An enticing union of Bacardi Ork and home-made vanilla vodka, with a bitter sweet mix of apple schnapps, fresh apple juice, vinegar, lime juice and cinnamon syrup with egg white. An apple slice and a cinnamon stick to complete the look and add a little spice…

HOW: Muddle half of the fresh apple with the apple juice, add the remaining ingredients. Shake very well and double strain into rock glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and slice of apple.

BLACK STAR
WHAT: An unusual blend of blackberry, Grey Goose vodka, vanilla syrup, virgin olive oil, graced with apple juice and cranberry juice. Sketch says: The most remarkable drink on the list.

HOW: Muddle the berries, add the rest of the ingredients, shake well and double strain into chilled Martini glass. Garnish with two blackberries on a cocktail stick.

APPLE PIE MOJITO
WHAT: A manly twist on the classic with Bulleit Bourbon whiskey, fresh pressed apple juice, mint leaves and lime juice – shaken until frosty.

HOW: Bruise the mint, add all other ingredients, shake well and pour into a bowl glass, top with crushed ice and garnish with a sprig of mint, apple wedge and lime wedge.

]]> http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/15/get-xmas-party-perfect/feed/ 0 Present and Correct http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/14/present-and-correct/ http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/14/present-and-correct/#comments Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:29:54 +0000 Admin http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/?p=3717 141211_picJean therapy Every man likes to get a new pair of jeans but just what ones should we ask for? Bookmark these for your wishlist: Nudie’s dry dirt straight leg jeans are the template of denim style, coming in an unwashed finish and a close cut silhouette for perfect fit, they will complement pretty much [...]]]>

Jean therapy

Every man likes to get a new pair of jeans but just what ones should we ask for? Bookmark these for your wishlist: Nudie’s dry dirt straight leg jeans are the template of denim style, coming in an unwashed finish and a close cut silhouette for perfect fit, they will complement pretty much anything you wear them with. For a premium take on a cleverly aged wash then PRPS is your go-to for the six month raw washed versions which subtly mimic a few months of working wear on dry denim. Get them just a little long so that they take a turn up. Alternatively, for an authentic relaxed fit, then APC’s selvedge pair recalls authentic heritage fits.

Shop Jeans

Festive footsteps

Get shoes that scale the style summit this Christmas: work boots are ticking every box right now, from heritage to outdoorsy looks, while to the everyman they simply remain the manliest of shoe styles. Red Wing’s got the authenticity. Likewise, the brogue. If you have one pair, you’ll want another. Try these from Tricker’s, the doyen of the brogue in an on trend purple, which works surprisingly well with chinos and denim alike. Or then again, if it’s safety first you want, we’re yet to meet anyone who dislikes the classic Paul Smith Miller brogue. Chocolate coloured please, for ultimate versatility.

Shop Footwear

Hit the Knits

Bring some real comfort and joy to someone’s life with the addition of a hit knit this Christmas. After all, if ever there was a year to give the seasonal jumper, it’s this one. Thickly dimensioned, patterned and coloured knitwear is having the time of its life, becoming outerwear alternatives and statements of preppy, rocker and heritage invention. Make someone stand out from the crowd in this sequin embellished rock and roll skull alternative from the London based Markus Lupfer; go for the finest cable knits available from D&G, or stick to some preppy finery from Polo Ralph Lauren. Who does the collegiate thing better, after all? We love the Ivy League colourways of this cardigan and that shawl collar makes it perfect to wear on its own or under a coat. Or opt for the supreme statement of casual luxury from Vince – with this wool nylon, white and heather grey crew neck. Its ribbed collar, cuffs and hem help draw it close to the body for a thrown on fit.

Shop Knits

Coat Yourself

For a gift with real Christmas presence, a new coat will never go far wrong. The classic trench is beyond trends and remains coveted by anyone with an eye for style, and a Burberry Brit label only helps underline its value. The same equation works with the Polo Ralph Lauren pea coat – it’s a brand you can trust creating a timeless coat style that every man should own. But if you are prepared to go just a little bit offbeat then what better present than a jacket that combines the must have tweed with leather biker sleeves? Go for this hybrid biker for a style that will fill the hole under even the grandest of Christmas trees.

Shop Coats

]]> http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/14/present-and-correct/feed/ 0 Get the inside tracks from Q http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/13/get-the-inside-tracks-from-q/ http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/13/get-the-inside-tracks-from-q/#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:34:41 +0000 Admin http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/?p=3693 131211_sound_picWe asked Paul Rees, editor of Q magazine, what will be the big musical gifts this Christmas and he gave us a line up to suit any and every (credible) taste. No Aled Jones required, thanks. Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials… “The follow-up to Lungs and even more of an epic exercise in boho-pop. [...]]]> We asked Paul Rees, editor of Q magazine, what will be the big musical gifts this Christmas and he gave us a line up to suit any and every (credible) taste. No Aled Jones required, thanks.

Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials… “The follow-up to Lungs and even more of an epic exercise in boho-pop. Full of songs that make you want to run up the nearest mountain and holler along with them from the summit… and all the better for it.”

Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto… “Chris Martin and his merry men seem destined to forever attract the ire of so-called tastemakers. Ignore them. Song for song this is their best record and in Charlie Brown they’ve conjured up the year’s most euphoric anthem. Hurrah!”

Bon Iver – Bon Iver… “American songwriter returns to his log cabin in the woods to pen still more heart-stoppingly beautiful songs for an even more wonder-filled second album. Hats off beardy bloke.”

Jay Z & Kanye West – Welcome To The Throne… “In a notable achievement the hip-hop veteran and his no-spring-chicken mate here rustle up an entirely thrilling noise – net effect: like being hit in the chest by a Lear jet. This is a good thing.”

Lana Del Rey – Video Games… “Don’t buy singles any more? Start again with this utterly wonderful introduction to the self-styled “gangsta Nancy Sinatra”. Watch the homemade video for it on YouTube while you’re at it.”

]]> http://www.my-wardrobe.com/style-feed/2011/12/13/get-the-inside-tracks-from-q/feed/ 0