Happy Saint George’s Day.
April 23rd, 2012
Saint George is the patron saint of England and as such is celebrated on his death each 23 April. This is also celebrated as the day of birth and death of William Shakespeare. For this reason, the 23rd of April – which is also the United Nations’ World Book and Copyright Day is celebrated as “Shakespeare Day”.
The Undercut Returns
April 17th, 2012
It was only a few short years ago that it would have been considered a haircut solely for the young and the daring. Thanks to the popularity of a select TV show and the return of an interest in all things 1920s, the undercut returns to its original, classic roots.
Short back and sides.
If that’s an expression that you’re familiar with, then the odds are you a) grew up in a time when men only frequented barbers b) were raised by a man who falls into the previous category c) have had at least a half decent up bringing. Which more or less guarantees that it’s an expression that everyone reading this piece is familiar with. And yet, it’s an expression that doesn’t get used all that much anymore. As far as expressions go, it languishes in a corner of a disused room covered in only slightly more dust than (did we ever really say them) expressions such as manscaping and metrosexual. But dust be damned – you’re going to hear a lot more of short back and sides in the coming year. Your hair stylist is going to whisk scissors around your head and then do something that they probably haven’t done in a long time: they’ll ask permission to use clippers. Neigh, they’ll beg permission.
And why might that be?
To put none too fine a point on it (and to quote Peter Allen) “everything old is new again.”
The 70s are back for those with American tastes, the are swinging again for those who prefer something from the other side of the Atlantic, and women are again working their way through the 50s though will none too soon start contemplating 1920s fashion for the second time in a few years. As for us guys, we’re already there. Courtesy of Don Draper we got our 60s revival before women did, and now we’re seeing that the 20s have already made their mark on – it’s one of those rare occasions where men’s fashion is ahead of women’s.
A 1920s / 1930s men’s hairstyle revival.
There’ll be no shortage of hair cuts in 2012 that require a set of clippers, but they won’t all be influenced by the way men wore their hair in the 1920s and 1930s. Here we’re not talking about one specific style, but a variation on a theme: short back, short sides, and length through the top. In its time its had many a name, each related to the subculture indulging in it (in 1980s Scandanavia it was dubbed the synth haircut as a result of its association with synth bands of the era). But in short (not a pun, honestly) the length on top slicked backwards, meaning that the disconnect between the back, sides and top makes this an undercut hairstyle.
What to ask for.
When it comes to asking for your sides to be cut, you have two main options. The first is to have them cut with scissors over comb. The second is to have the sides cut short with clippers. Annika recommends the latter, with the clippers giving a much better effect – having the clippers on number 2 is preferential for this kind of undercut, however, number 3 will still work for those not wanting to go quite as short.
If you do have a thinner temple akin to the second photo above, you can opt to have the sides trimmed extra short at the front temple area. Specifically you’re after a number 1 cut in front of your ears, with that shortness blended into a number 2 or 3 on the rest of the sides and on the back of your head.
While it has to be left long, you have a few more options when it comes to the top. The key rule to the top is this, however: it has to be long, and more length (within reason) is better.
Unlike most other haircuts for the coming seasons that use clippers, this undercut is one that doesn’t require any blending between the sides and the top. You could, however, opt to have it the top blending with the crown depending on how your hair sits. But in short, take a picture of the style that you prefer when you go to get your haircut.
Final tip: this is a hair cut that’s depends on the sharpness of the outline, so when your hair dresser passes the mirror to the sides and back of your head, double check to see that it is precisely finished, particularly on the back of your neck and around your ears. If it’s not, ask them to touch it up. And if they don’t give you the final once over with a mirror, don’t go back.
Leather Care Tips
April 13th, 2012
Tip #1
Before you wear your jacket apply weather and stain protector, this will work in much the same way as a suede protector and will most likely come in a spray. Pay attention to the garment labels, this will tell you what you should and shouldn’t do – the information is there and it would be silly to ignore it.
Make sure you test your spray on a small area first; you really don’t want to find that you’ve damaged the leather or distorted the colour after you’ve sprayed the whole thing.
Tip #2
After you wear it, particularly if it has been in the rain, wipe off any dirt or salty deposits with a damp sponge. Leather is a porous material and it needs to breathe – wiping away dirt will not only keep it cleaner but help to unblock the pores.
Tip #3
After wiping away the dirt, always store on wide padded hangers. This will help the jacket retain its shape and ensure creases drop out of their own accord.
ALWAYS leave to dry naturally, as any external heat source will dry out the leather and lead to cracking and imperfections.
If you want to store it for any length of time, use a breathable garment bag – plastic covers will prevent the leather from breathing naturally.
Tip #4
Just as with your shoes, the leather needs treating regularly. Leather cream will help to keep the jacket soft and supple (especially softer leathers like nappa) and prevent it from drying out so much.
Once you have wiped off the dirt after use, work a bit of leather cream into the jacket before it completely dries to help it remain soft. Go back once it has dried thoroughly to give it a proper treatment.
Tip #5
When choosing your protective products, avoid anything containing alcohol or silicone and leave anything overly heavy or waxy well alone – these will only impair the leathers ability to breathe.
It would also be worth noting that this process is perfectly suitable for jackets that aren’t wholly leather; Varsity jackets with leather sleeves or part leather jackets would also benefit from some regular maintenance and protection.
Proper care will mean you have something that could last for years and will only get better with age. Truly great leather jackets are the ones with history – they have followed you for years and become a central part of your wardrobe.
John Smith’s Grand National 2012
April 10th, 2012
The Grand National (also known simply as the National) is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap steeplechase run over a distance of 4 miles and 856 yards (7,242 m), with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree’s National Course. The race has been held at Aintree each year since 1839, with the exception of 1916-1918 during the First World War when it was held at Gatwick Racecourse, 1941-1945 during the Second World War when it was called off, and in 1993 when the race was declared void owing to a false start. The next Grand National will be held on 14 April 2012.
The steeplechase is the centrepiece of a three-day meeting, one of only four run at Aintree in the racing season. It is the most valuable National Hunt event in Britain, offering a total prize fund of £975,000 in 2012. The race is popular amongst many people who do not normally watch or bet on horse racing at other times of the year.
The racecourse is triangular in shape and contains sixteen fences, all except The Chair and the Water Jump are jumped twice. The course has a reputation as the ultimate test of horse and jockey, most starters failing to complete the two circuits. Certain fences are famous for their severity, notably Becher’s Brook, The Chair, and the Canal Turn.
The most recent Grand National took place on 9 April 2011 and was won by jockey Jason Maguire on Ballabriggs, for trainer Donald McCain, Jr. and owner Trevor Hemmings.
Dress Code
Although there is no official dress code, smart is preferable and is often adopted. Aintree is a spectacle of colour for all three days of the race meeting, with many using their trip as an opportunity to showcase their favourite raceday outfits. Hats are optional too, but are frequently worn. Sports clothes and fancy dress are not permitted for the John Smith’s Grand National meeting.
For more ideas please Click Here.
Style Icon: Ryan Gosling
April 5th, 2012
It’s almost a miracle Mr Gosling did not go on to dominate Hollywood after starring in the 2004 sleeper hit The Notebook. It’s a flick we have all sat through, once more than we could care to in some cases. Despite this, it would be rude hold a grudge with Gosling as he has more than atoned with his now polished grip on all things style.
Since The Notebook, Gosling has featured in a string of low budget indie films and released a debut album with his band Dead Man’s Bones. Yet even with his lack of mainstream success (more by design than accident), he has escaped the clutches of anonymity and his undoubted ability to act has saved him from tumbling into unjust obscurity.
One distinct feature of Gosling’s [now-honed] sense of style is his silhouette. By favouring a youthful slim to skinny fit, he compliments his slim, athletic build and by keeping the accessories to a minimum, he creates a selection of refined, simplistic and truly stylish looks.
Gosling has shown himself not to be tied to anything but simple sartorialism on more than one occasion in the lookbook. Whether for a première or a night out he once again keeps accessories to a minimum, ensures the fit is spot on and keeps it all very relaxed by using the suit as the focal point; be this through detail or the colour.
A burgundy suit will be standout without being ‘in your face’. Coupled with a simple white shirt and brought together with a subtle pocket square; it makes this a perfect dinner and drinks look. Alternatively, you could utilise the jacket and team it with a pair of black trousers – by breaking up the suit the pocket square becomes optional if your ultimate goal is masculine minimalism.
Ryan Gosling has taken the scenic route to both style and Hollywood stardom. His journey, as with most, has played a massive part in shaping his personal style. His constant reinvention has often seen him adopt some rather outlandish roles (and clothes), but he is beginning to embrace mainstream success and with it his dress sense has matured dramatically.
Celebrity stylist Brad Goreski labels him as one of the best-dressed men in Hollywood at the moment, a title that pays testament to just how far he has come.
His style is hardly breaking boundaries but it is a perfect example of how a minimalistic approach can look just as refined or even better than a well accessorised outfit.
30% Off Selected Barbour Jackets
April 4th, 2012
30% off selected Barbour jackets! For a limited time only. Check them out Here
The Humble Tee
April 2nd, 2012
There will always be things we take for granted in this life; adequate plumbing, access to almost anything, anywhere at the click of a button, or even a mouse click. Many of these things form a central part of our lives, with each being very important in its own way. For the most part, they are completely un-thought of, they are just there, waiting upon our convenience. The same could also be said about certain elements of fashion. For example, jeans are a very common and well accepted part of any man’s wardrobe but I would bet that most of us don’t really think that much about wearing them, we just pull them on and as long as they go with the rest of our outfit, we’re ready to go.
This is what has happened to the humble t-shirt. Everyone owns one, we all wear them and I’ve no doubt a few will be at least 10 years old and still making regular outings – we just can’t seem to let go. We all have our favourite tee, gym tees or even tees that make up a big part of our more sartorially inclined wardrobes but I sometimes wonder just how much thought we ever truly give them.
Do we throw them on because they are easy fashion? Not technical or difficult, a casual item for when we can’t really be bothered. Or is there a lot more to the t-shirt than meets the eye?
The Casual Crusader
One of the best uses of a t shirt I have seen in recent months was by GQ’s best dressed 2012; Mr Tinie Tempah. His outfit at the Brits was certainly up there with the best of them. With his mix of clothes he has managed to create something relaxed yet refined, fashionable yet classic.
T-shirts are undoubtedly a very important part of any timeless capsule wardrobe. They’re hugely versatile and as previously mentioned, very easy to wear, but I don’t think many of us look much past the standard crew/V-neck, in plain colours. In this we are definitely missing a trick, especially in the ways we continue to wear them. The humble tee is an extremely important part of our wardrobes and it shouldn’t be underestimated.
And Finally…
A Henley or any other tee for that matter would be a great addition to any wardrobe and will immediately make a difference to every outfit; sometimes it’s the small things that matter.
