Quick update...

People, I can do nothing but apologise for the lack of posting from myself over the last couple of weeks, but I do have a very good reason for such. On Friday I passed my training week and assessment at my new job, and as of tomorrow (Monday) I start my new gig properly. For the moment, while I'm still getting used to the job and the drastic change in routine it brings with it, I'm having to give blogging the back seat. It's unfortunate because I've had a few posts half finished for a while with some good original content for you that I want to get finished and out there, but I just don't have the time at the minute. I enjoy running this blog but at the end of the day I don't get paid for this, and my job comes first. A guy gotta eat at the end of the day.

Hopefully this sabbatical will only be brief and I'll be back with you soon. Thanks for understanding.

"I'll get my dignity, Smedley..."

I completely understand that, in the midst of this wondrous heatwave we're experiencing right now, the last thing you're thinking you're thinking about is buying knitwear. Hell, even the thought of wearing a sweater is making me queasy.

However, John Smedley are currently having a sale on their A/W collection, and thus giving you a great reason to stock up for when the weather turns nasty again, and layering becomes a possibility.

Smedley are a British brand, out of the Derbyshire countryside, with over 200 years of experience of producing some of the highest quality knitwear you'll find.

Here's some of my favourites from the sale...

The rest can be found here.

Middle Of The Road - The Polo Shirt

Polo shirts are one of those items that split opinions of many stylish folk. Some think they have no place in a well put together wardrobe, whilst some believe them to be necessary. I, for one, think they're great; a stylish man's alternative to a t-shirt, if you will. You can't go wrong with a well fitting polo shirt.

Buck 'Em

An American prep classic, especially in white, but very rarely seen this side of the pond, a pair of suede bucks will always be a stylish, yet unexpected addition to your arsenal of footwear in warmer months. 

"Keep a steady flow, keep it real."

Spencer, the dude behind Proprpostur and photographer Antoine, have put together this very well done and inspiring piece of film, crammed with quotables, documenting some of Spencer's thoughts and feelings towards his reasons for doing what he does and how he goes about his blogging. Really great stuff.

"I try to capture everything as natural as possible. Living is the most beautiful thing"


"Life isn't scripted. It's not about the destination, it's about the journey and the experiences"

S.E.H. Kelly Collarless Overshirt

I can only applaud what S.E.H. Kelly has going on right now. It's very rare these days to find a brand that is based solely in Britain; That includes sourcing materials, production, the whole deal. Each one of their garments is born and bred completely within these glorious Isles. This overshirt they recently added to their line is no different, made from cotton-drill and 11-wale corduroy, both from a mill in my home county of Lancashire (RED ROSE, RED ROSE!). Very well made and so very hard-wearing, yet, the lack of collar and lining keep it fairly lightweight, great for layering. It actually gives off a more rugged, workwear inspired baseball jacket-type vibe, which is damn cool. I love this.

Pick yours up here.

New SS Shirting from Ben Sherman

My go-to brand for shirts (for no other reason than they fit me perfectly), Ben Sherman have added their new 'summer shirts' to their online store in the past couple of days. Here's a few of my favourites...

The rest can be found here.

Press: A Shop Called Wood

Wood began around 8 years a go in the heart of Manchester's Northern Quarter and has since spread its wings to here in Huddersfield and also online. Their mission has always been, and remains, about "championing original and directional clothing and accessories", with their stock always featuring high quality street/workwear. 

I was recently involved in putting together a lookbook for their latest stock, featuring gear from brands such as Penfield, Barbour and Universal Works. Hit the jump to see the video.

Loake Double Monks

By chance, I just came across a few new additions to the Loake Shoemakers line-up, and these the Cannon model, in particular caught my eye. I've taken quite a fancy to dub-monks recently, but, although the situation is improving, they're far from easy to find, unless you're ballin' with Crockett & Jones, Edward Green-type dollar. As many of us are not able to drop that kind of cash, these are a great choice. For less than £200, you get yourself English Calf leather, Goodyear welting, and what I feel is a damn good looking shoe. The Cannon shoe, which comes with toe cap stitching, is offered in both black and brown leather and will look smashing with everything from your raw denim to your trousers with that two inch cuff.

Spring Trou: White Jeans

Jake Davis Test Shots for GQ Best New Menswear Designers 2012

Today, this great series was completed. Put together by the very talented photographer/film-makers Jake Davis, these six videos showcase the people behind GQ's picks for 'Best New Menswear Designer 2012'...

Shoes You Need This Spring: Boat Shoes

Marks & Spencer: Savile Row Inspired

Early Spring Layering: Quilt & Tweed

Denim From Beginning To End

A post with a Mac & a Turtleneck...

Creative minds: Tom Ford

Tom Ford has become one of the most important names in the whole of the fashion industry. He is the designer responsible for the complete turnaround in fortunes of Gucci in the mid-nineties, moulding them into one of the largest and most profitable luxury brands in the world.  Ford is now the owner of his own eponymous clothing brand, as well as a film production company, "FADE TO BLACK".

After the jump, you will find a truly inspiring and insightful look into the professional life of this fascinating gentleman...

Universal Works 2012 F/W Collection Preview

David Keyte, owner and designer of Universal Works, talks us through how his brand came about and some of the pieces from his latest collection....

Timeless Pieces

The Leather Motorcycle Jacket

About The Brand: Loake Shoemakers

Anyone who spends any decent amount of time with me could tell you that I'm a big fan of shoes. A great pair of shoes is something that far too many men disregard far too often. Don't you realise that it's one of the first things women look at?! Coincidentally, it's actually one of the first things I look at on a woman... Shoes can make or break an outfit, for me.

Inspiration on TV: Entourage

Now I don't watch a lot of television shows. I prefer to listen to music or stick a film on. However, when I do get in to a TV series, I can get pretty obsessed. The latest case of this has been HBO's Entourage.

How To Tie A Tie

Hints of Springtime

New Collection: Gant Rugger FW12

Christopher Bastin was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden. He began working life in a record store but soon realised that clothes were more his thing. So, with a bit of luck, he managed to get a job in a denim shop and thus kickstarting his career in clothing. From there he moved on to production and also buying for a number of different brands including H&M and Acne. He worked very close to the designers at such places and picked up many thoughts and ideas from doing so. When one day he saw that Gant were looking for a shirt designer, he decided to jump right in and give it a go. Without any formal design training, and barely able to draw a straight line, Bastin has become one of the best (at least at their price point) and most well known menswear designers in America. Very inspiring...

The Sunglasses Are Out! Let Spring Commence.

New York Fashion Week In 5 Minutes

Don't Be Afraid Of Colour!

London Fashion Week: Oliver Spencer FW12

In one of my prior posts I expressed my fondness with a brand I'd recently discovered, Oliver Spencer. So, naturally, I was eager to get a look at the new collection, showcased this past Wednesday on Menswear day at London Fashion Week.

The Jawnz Wishlist: Red Wing 875 Work Boots

Being the obsessed #menswear stan that I am, I come across many 'jawnz' I like the look of and can't afford. More times than not, however, said gear is showcased by our compatriots across the pond, making them likely to only be available in the USA (or at least not very readily available in the UK). This had been, what I thought was, the case with these beautiful boots. Infact, the first time I'd ever seen them in the wild was just a couple of weeks ago....

What I'm Wearing: 17/02/12

Jacket: Ben Sherman Denim

T-Shirt: H&M

Jeans: Uniqlo "Made In Japan" Raw Selvedge (Slim)

Shoes: Clarks Desert Boots (Brown Leather)

Watch: Timex T20501PF (with NATO Strap from eBay)

Brands: Oliver Spencer

At the age of 22, Oliver Spencer, a self-taught tailor, founded Favourbrook, a traditional bespoke tailoring label. Over time, he started to broaden his horizons by making more casual garments for his favoured customers and friends. He released his first collection in 2002. His inspiration is largely drawn from hunting and military-wear, showcasing a blend of Japanese and American ideas in his very English aesthetic.

The brand has grown immensely in its (almost) ten years, opening 3 (soon to be 4 I hear...) stores in London and one in Toronto, Canada.

A decent chunk of his collection is manufactured in the UK, something that is rarely seen nowadays. Here's some of my favourites...

Check out the rest of the collection here...

Oliverspencer.co.uk

Brands: Ben Sherman S/S'12

About The Brand: Benaiah Matheson

Herschel Supply Co.