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Carlo Rivetti launches the 30th Anniversary of Stone Island
January 26th, 2012
View our Stone Island Spring/Summer 12 Collection HERE
Stone Island – A/W 11 – SALE
January 17th, 2012
We currently have huge reductions on Stone Islands Autumn/Winter 11 Collection in our Shrewsbury, Hanley and Newcastle-Under-Lyme stores…Dont miss out!!
Indigo Hands
January 13th, 2012
The name indigo hands refers to the artisans who still dye yarns with natural indigo in the same way that it has been done for thousands of years. They do not use gloves and their hands are forever blue, a feature that they are very proud of. Indigo is a never-ending source of inspiration. It’s the blue gold that constantly changes and appears in new shades and structures. It’s ancient and modern at the same time.
The denim used for this collection is dry in the sense that none of it touched water. The treatments are made with laser or scraping. A new fantastic woven fabric with jersey characteristics plays an important role in the top department. A deep and dark shade of blue ties all garments together.
Shop Nudie HERE
1 Day Left …..
January 11th, 2012
Project Pockets is coming to a close on the 31 January 2012, which means there are only 1 day left for all budding fashion designers to submit their entries for the chance to win their own brand page, where their collection will be displayed online for the world to see.
The brief for Project Pockets has few limitations, encouraging the designer to create unique designs that will be suited to a vast target market. It is a Menswear clothing and accessories competition and can consist of anything from socks to suits.
The competition will involve entries showing their collections, both images and samples, with the winning collection being posted online for the world to see with their own brand page! The winners collection will sit amongst the likes of Paul Smith, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren and Mulberry to name but a few!
If this is something that you or somebody you know would be interested in then please contact Matt on 01743 469737 or email matt@pockets.co.uk
ALL entries will be posted below for the public to view and vote for their favourite. Our buying team will then pick the Project Pockets winner from the top 5.
Mens Umbrellas
January 6th, 2012
Rain. The U.K is well known for its rain. It’s the curse of our fair nation. Dull, grey mornings and dark evenings hold their dreary shroud over us for month after month. But it doesn’t stop this island’s stoic populace from having a good time. Sure, we envy the perpetual sunshine of the equatorial nations. How nice it would be to bask in a warm summers glow year round. But these are not the cards we were dealt, and I’m not waiting the 6 billion years for the Sun to go super nova, its just too long. So we just get on with it, stiff upper lip and all that. We pull on our warm winter jackets and put on an extra pair of socks but there’s one thing you don’t see many men with these days. An umbrella. Thanks to that dastardly rain it too has become a stereotype of British culture. Maybe that’s why they’re so rare now, we want to get away from that bowler hatted Victorian image. But it doesn’t have to be that way; an umbrella can be a valuable weapon against the downpours and they can give you a look of style and sophistication at the same time.
Unless you want to really make a statement with your brolly, go for a black canopy. Black goes with everything so you won’t need to worry about clashing. Another choice to make is what type of umbrella you want. The two main options are solid shaft of telescopic. Telescopic umbrellas have the obvious advantage of well, being telescopic, so you can easily store it in your briefcase or glove box until its needed. The solid shaft umbrella has a much more sophisticated vibe to it and will give the user the power of flight. Well the last part isn’t true, but it will give you that look of masculine elegance and authority.
To view our range of mens umbrellas please click here
Winter Layering Explained
January 5th, 2012
The topic of this article is something we are probably all familiar with; it is an essential part of how we style ourselves, not just during the depths of winter but in both the run up to the colder months and in the weeks before the sun returns in full. The art of layering for it is something of an art is a technique in which many of you may already be well versed, looking forward with excitement to the day when you can open your wardrobe and combine all those items collected throughout the previous seasons into new and interesting looks.
But others might be less confident. If layering is an art then it must take time to master. It requires practice and careful thought, as well as a suitably stocked and season appropriate wardrobe. Whether you are part of the former or the latter group is unimportant however; in the fashion world there is always room for development. This guide is designed to help those who may be unsure, and ask questions of those who aren’t – all the while suggesting ways in which efficient, practical and sartorially elegant layering can be achieved. So without further ado, let us begin.
Obviously, layering plays a big role in the creation of our autumn/winter outfits. Layering keeps us warm and develops our looks, but also helps make the most of our whole wardrobes whichever season they are geared towards. Fine knit jumpers, lighter cotton T-shirts etc can all be used very effectively, saving you a lot of money and ensuring your wardrobe remains as transitional and versatile as possible. After all, very few of us have the disposable income to completely overhaul our wardrobes every season, so being able to use items we already own to create new, season appropriate stylish looks is always going to be a bonus.
However, the ability to effectively layer your clothes is not just a case of exercising practicality. If it was, then it wouldn’t hold such importance. Most tellingly it can actually define your outfit it isn’t as easy as pulling on any old Tee or shirt under a jumper or blazer, each item should work as a group AND as an individual. No matter what outfit you create, there will undoubtedly come a time when it becomes too warm for all of your layers, and you could look very silly when you have to strip down to the vest you ‘just threw on’ under your shirt. This appraoch doesn’t constitute stylish, considered layering; wearing a henley top or coloured tee as a base layer is a great way to make even the simplest part of your outfit more dynamic and interesting.
You should also bear in mind just how much good layering will effect the overall aspect of your look. Wearing numerous layers of varying material and cut has the potential to completely alter some of your existing staple outfits by adding depth through textures and modifying the whole shape/silhouette – as well as aiding in the development of new ones. Experimentation in this sense is a great way to inspire more confidence in the clothes you already own and even increase your enthusiasm for dressing each morning; ensuring stagnation of your personal style is avoided.
Finally, layering will also provide you with a brilliant medium for injecting or mixing colour. You are wearing more so you have a lot more choice when it comes to picking your statement piece, or you could inject flashes of colour through the inner layers – for a subtle suggestion of colour if you will. Layering also allows you to step a little further out of your comfort zone – if you want to integrate a bold new statement piece, such as a patterned shirt or bright coloured knitwear, you can be safe in the knowledge that there are multiple other pieces you can anchor it with.
The Daddy of Hairstyles – The Quiff
December 21st, 2011
Over the past year, many of the latest trends within men’s fashion and grooming seem to have taken inspiration from old Rock ‘n’ Roll & Rockabilly eras. We have seen the popularity of gingham rise in both a formal and casual context, leather jackets have returned to prominence due to biker type looks dominating the runways, and THE major hairstyle for men across the country right now is the The Quiff. After seeing the recent spring/summer 2012 runway previews, it seems like the Rockabilly influence is going to crest early next year, with many looks incorporating key pieces from the sub culture.
With the popularity of the QUIFF and many new men’s hair styles that look like they may need a little more than a quick towel dry, the time has come to hone your hair styling skills. After getting the cut, keeping the style looking right at home is crucial for this particular attention seeking hair style – and don’t worry because with practice it shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes from start to finish.
Firstly you will need to kit yourself out with some electrical equipment. We’re not suggesting you rush out to buy the new iPad 2; We’re talking hair dryer, straighteners and in addition, a styling brush or two.
The quiff is still with us for 2011 – and as with anything that’s retro – the key is to not make it look like you’re an extra for the remake of the movie Grease. By using the right styling products and trying the step by step guide below you should look more rock and roll than old rocker.
With your hair shampooed and towel dried, apply a wet styling product. Comb it through the hair to get an even coverage, and make sure you comb the hair (mainly the top), towards the front of your head.
Set your dryer to the highest temperature setting and the lowest speed – you can always increase the speed when you feel more confident. Using a vented brush sweep the hair on the top part of your head (roughly 2cm above your temples) across to one side. At the same time with your dryer follow the brush and direct the airflow through the vents in the brush and onto the hair, keeping the dryer approximately 3cm from the brush to avoid over baking your hair. When your hair is 50% dry repeat the method on the other side, working in opposite direction.
Your hair should now be almost dry, and at this point use the dryer and the brush in the same way as before except this time brush the hair upwards and slightly back away from your face and sides (above the temples) until completely dry. If your hair becomes flyaway at this point you have probably over dried it, so re-damp slightly and re-dry, reducing the time spent and stopping to check how dry the hair is at short intervals.
When you have finished drying you need perfect and personalise the look. So define your hair with a finishing product; if you use a putty, clay or hard wax, apply by rubbing a thumbnail sized amount into the palms of your hands and underside of your fingers. Start by running your palms over the hair mainly the on the top of your head. At the same time gently run your fingers through your hair – three or four times should be enough – from side to side similar to the drying method above. Finish off by sweeping your hair away from your face with your fingers or a vented brush to create the quiff.
You will need to play around with the look a bit to get it right, as unfortunately hair texture and the direction that it grows from the head is not uniform. Practice is definitely important, and just like you experiment with your clothing and “look” on a daily basis, your hair styling should not be neglected. Try practising when you are not just about to go out or hit the clubs – instead take time out of your daily schedule to find a free 20 minutes so there is not as much pressure.
Barbour SS12 To Ki To Range
December 15th, 2011
For a fifth season iconic British outdoor clothing company, Barbour, have again teamed up with Japanese designer Tokihito Yoshida to produce the limited edition Beacon Heritage range. The inspiration for the To Ki To range comes from Barbour’s rich archive along with technical innovations and an outstanding modern fit. Japanese designer, Tokihito Yoshida’s attraction to England was sparked from an early age, when his father returned from training in the UK with a toy car and a picture book of life in the country. The stories impressed the young seven-year-old, but he had no idea that one day he’d be designing his own range for one of the UK’s most loved heritage brands. This mens-only, Beacon Heritage range pays homage to Barbour’s motorcycling and military history, beautifully crafted with a wealth of extraordinary features.
Unmistakable Englishness from Paul Smith
December 14th, 2011
Paul Smith has established himself as the pre-eminent British designer and his creations could be described as an unmistakable Englishness augmented by the unexpected. Paul Smith’s accessories collections have always had the ability to anticipate and even spark off trends not only in the world of fashion but also in the wider context of popular culture. He manages to transmit a genuine sense of humor and mischief mixed with his love of tradition and the classics.
Hudson Shoes
December 9th, 2011
Conceived in 1990, the company was established to fill a gap in the shoe industry for affordable, forward thinking, high quality footwear.
In 2004 H by Hudson was launched on the unsuspecting public. This errant younger brother hit the ground running and brought the brand ethos to a wider range of consumer.
Due to popular demand, an H by Hudson ladies range was introduced in 2008. Now firmly established, it is swiftly becoming as formidable as the men’s.
To view our range of Hudson Shoes CLICK HERE