high street fashion

Mr Shaw 75 releases retro fuelled range

Posted on by dansinnott

Retro t-shirt in blue and white with 70s feel for menThe new Retro75 collection from Mr Shaw 75 introduces innovation, style and versatility to the streets of the Midlands.

Derbyshire menswear favourite Mr Shaw 75 have added 2 new tees to their locally recognised brand, by dialling back the clock and bringing a retro look bang up-to-speed.

The new range aligns with their current offering that’s interchangeable, from evening wear to slick street style. With a continued focus on local insights to what’s on trend, accessible and always in demand, the 2 new options stand out from the pack.
Retro t-shirt in blue and white with 70s feel for men
These new tees are boldly summed up as Retro75. A little bit of Retro-Future and a whole lot of class. Classic concepts are disrupted with a dash of the colour associated from a decade way back, only demanding a closer look. 

Choose from a blue or white classic fit t-shirt – uniquely branded with a fresh take on the Mr Shaw 75 logo.
Dial back your inner spirit and get retro: here.
Retro t-shirt in blue and white with 70s feel for men

Introducing: 17 London

Posted on by dansinnott

17 London Header

17 London is a brand new streetwear brand based in the UK. Its style draws on influences from both the past and present as well as social media culture.

The brand provides high quality garments at accessible prices to young millenials, allowing wearers to express themselves while wearing the brand.

Established by a creative collective, 17 London will be collaborating with up and coming, as well as established artists and designers to create exciting injection ranges to compliment its current range of dark monochromatic and graphic t-shirts, tracksuits and caps.

The attention to detail and quality put into each garment mean 17 London will suit any wardrobe for easy wearing with no boundaries.

The brand is available online and is launching in a number of high street retailers in the coming months. Already worn by some of the UK’s leading musicians as well as sports stars from the likes of Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal FC, 17 London aims to leave a major imprint on the streetwear market and fashion industry as a whole, this year and beyond.

17 London is available now from 17london.co.uk and is coming soon to a number of high street retailers.

Already gaining notability across social media and in some social circles, we tip the brand to be a hit in the last  half of 2017.

Pre-launch, take an exclusive look at their range below.

High Street Gent - 17 London Pre-launch Clothing Showcase

High Street Gent - 17 London Pre-launch Clothing Showcase

High Street Gent - 17 London Pre-launch Clothing Showcase

High Street Gent - 17 London Pre-launch Clothing Showcase

High Street Gent - 17 London Pre-launch Clothing Showcase

17 London 6

17 London 7

High Street Gent - 17 London Pre-launch Clothing Showcase

High Street Gent - 17 London Pre-launch Clothing Showcase

High Street Gent - 17 London Pre-launch Clothing Showcase

Keep up to date with the brand via 17 London.

Why are we the most stylist in world?

Posted on by dansinnott

Well Dressed Man putting his wrist watch

Quietly and without fuss, British men have become the most stylish in the world.

From our unrivalled tailoring heritage to our intuitive ability to draw on eclectic styles from elsewhere, to the fact that London is now the hub of the global menswear industry, men in Britain have never looked better.

So allow us to do a most un-British thing for a moment and blow our own trumpet, with these 8 style rules we can learn from, well, ourselves…

Less is more: A simple one this, but an important one. Look at any stylish man and you’ll notice that his outfit is actually very simple – he’s just made it look more impressive by focusing on cut, fabric and detail. Though this is a universal style truth, it’s particularly prevalent among the British. Bill Nighy, for instance, only wears navy and believes tailoring should be just that, tailored – what’s more, he wears the same pair of black rectangular Cutler & Gross spectacles every day, meaning that he permanently looks unfailingly elegant, smart and like someone you’d really quite like to be.

Tailored Items: Suits come naturally to us Brits – but that doesn’t mean we should wear them all the time. The key to keeping any outfit sharp is to ensure that no matter how soft and slouchy everything else is, at least one item in your look should be properly tailored. From a great pair of perfectly fitted trousers, to a jacket cut to suit your shape to an immaculate overcoat. One beautifully made item will mask a multitude of sins.

Mix & match: We’ve always been an eccentric bunch, us Brits. Just look at the young design talent coming up through the British fashion industry (think Craig Green, Bobby Abley and JW Anderson) and you’ll see that our creativity is unparalleled. When it comes to your own wardrobe, don’t be afraid to play with colour and pattern – a burgundy polka dot T-shirt teamed with a soft double-breasted chino suit, a popped lapel and a midnight blue silk scarf, for instance.

Stand out: Look at the streets of Milan, Paris or New York and you’ll notice that the overriding style rule is to dress like everyone else, only better. In the UK, we do things a little differently. Walk around London and you’ll notice men vying to out do each other in increasingly flamboyant ways. It’s like the eminently stylish Londoner Oscar Wilde once said “be yourself, everyone else is taken.”

…but not too much: That said, you don’t want to look clownish (frightfully un-British). If you’re going for a shirt in a floral pattern opt for something in the vein of Charles Rennie Mackintosh (see Harry here) as opposed to Charlie Sheen. Colours are, of course, great, but go for muted complimentary shades rather than clashing primaries – you’ll still look unique, just not like a crazy person.

Be Inspired: Few other countries can claim to be as wonderfully diverse as the United Kingdom, and the influence that this has had on our national style cannot be underestimated. From style at street level to the clothes produced by our greatest designers, an enormous breadth of cultural inspiration is palpable in everything we do. British designer Oliver Spencer, for instance, is seasonally inspired by the many cultures seen in and around London’s Portobello Market, where he once had a stall.

This article was based on an original piece by Esquire.

The right shirt, for the right occasion

Posted on by dansinnott

Hawes & Curtis Shoot 1

The shirt – a simple yet stylish staple item for any man’s wardrobe. But why should you stick to just the usual white formal shirt when you can add texture, dimension and colour in a number of ways with a variety of shirt styles?

If you’re looking for a shirt that has a superb fit, a recognisable finish and the class of the most dapperest gent, Hawes & Curtis is a must see. Hawes & Curtis is famous for its quintessentially British menswear and womenswear ranges. With over 100 years of heritage, Hawes & Curtis has a distinguished British past and a promising international future. The brand has stores in Germany and Dubai and has recently launched a German and Australian website. Thanks to its rapid international expansion and prominent online presence, Hawes & Curtis is an internationally recognised brand attracting customers from around the world.

It’s international success left us no option here at High Street Gent than to jump at the opportunity to feature them when they got in touch. Whilst we say thanks for the sample shirt we were sent (shown above) we’re going to run through a few other shirt options that you MUST consider from Hawes & Curtis and how, when and with what you can wear them.

Although there is a lot to consider when it comes to shirts, it’s not as hard as you think when it comes to choosing the right shirt, for the right occasion. Fresh from Hawes & Curtis we’ve pulled together the most common occasions and types of shirt, to guide you through…

FORMAL SHIRTS

Hawes & Curtis 1

Let’s start with the preppy shirt icon. The great thing about the formal shirt is that they’re made from a thicker material than your usual shirt – so perfect for the summer season and you can get away with losing the jacket in the office without looking under or half dressed. A simple white formal shirt under a patterned blazer will not cause you any complaints with your boss. However, there are many colourful styles available which can brighten up what could be considered an average outfit.

CURTIS CASUAL

Hawes & Curtis 4

Check shirts can be pretty versatile, but remember one small factor – the smaller the checks the smarter the shirt will become. So if you want something a little more sartorial choose a gingham or Prince of Wales check. The best jacket styles to wear over a smart checked shirt are either sports jackets or deconstructed jackets with relaxed shoulders teamed with neutral toned trousers and a brown brogue. If you want a more casual look simply wear the shirt with a leather jacket over or a chunky knit cardigan matched with jeans and boots.

FLANNEL/LINEN SHIRTS

Flannel shirts are the best when it comes to keeping warm since they were initially made for farmers and rangers. Their image changed and turned more towards becoming a fashionable shirt in the late 1980s to early 90s with an indie rock band vibe. There are a few ways in which you can wear the flannel shirt: open, over a loose t shirt with slim jeans and trainers for a casual look. Alternatively, button it up under a plain crew neck sweater, chinos and brogues for a smarter look. If a patterned shirt isn’t really something you like to wear then choose a shirt which consists of darker shades, or a more subtle pattern and keep the rest of your outfit fairly minimal.

WEEKEND COLLECTION SHIRTS

Denim shirts have always had a vintage aura about them and a streetwear style. However, you can also work this into a smart daywear look under a blazer if you choose the colours and styles wisely. Granted some offices would still consider the denim shirt a little too casual for work so this is something to consider before stepping out the door. You can create a subtle western vibe with stone washed jeans and a pair of neutral Chelsea or lace up derby boots. The key to teaming denim is to contrast shades e.g. a dark denim shirt with blue jeans or a stone washed denim shirt with dark wash jeans. Just avoid wearing all-denim of the same colour – you don’t want to leave the house looking like Justin Timberlake back in the 00s.

LONG SLEEVED POLO SHIRTS

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The casual side of the shirt spectrum, however a practical option for most occasions. The polo shirt is a great ‘no frills’ shirt offered in a variety of colours and best worn with jeans and rugged boots for a casual look. You can also dress them up for the office with a blazer, which again might not be acceptable for some offices but you can make this look a little smarter by combining a checked shirt under the polo shirt and throwing a blazer over the top for a layered winter style.

THE UNBUTTONING…

Hawes & Curtis Shoot 3

The red and white pinstripe shirt pictured above was sent to us by Hawes & Curtis as a sample. The smart tailoring and quality of the material does not go unnoticed when wearing one of their shirts. The crisp cuffs and collar really give the shirt an executive feel and keep you looking dapper all day. In the office I’ve received many a compliment on the shirt. It’s a fantastic fit.

It’s important to remember that we’re all different shapes and sizes, and whilst a skinny fit shirt may fit me, it may not you. It’s best practice to every now and again pop by your local tailor and get yourself measured professionally. It’s best to know your neck size, chest and waist to put into practice further a field than just shirts. If it fits well, you’ll look well. Visit here for a size guide put together by Hawes & Curtis.

The most common cuts and fits you’ll come across are extra slim, slim, tailored and classic, be sure to familiarise yourself with what works for you.

 

Festival Fundamentals

Posted on by Peter Minkoff

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Aren’t you getting thrilled about all the upcoming festivals? ‘Cos we are!

Summer alone is probably the most beautiful time of the year; add quality music to that – you’ve got yourself a paradise on earth. Tanned skin, tricky temptations, devilish inhibitions released, beautiful exhaustion, inexplicable excitement, love, good vibes, beats that are taking you higher and all the dancing may be just some of the awesome reasons why you should fall in love with every single moment of your festival time.

Don’t you think festival fashion tips for guys seem comparatively thin on the ground. Then again, do we really care?

Let’s be honest, will there be beers? Yes. Will there be sun? Hopefully. Will there be unforgettable performances you’ll bear witness to and boastingly reference at parties in the future? Most likely. So, why the hell would you care about you’ve got on?

Well you’ll have an amazing time – but, after all, a few things you need to think about prior to dispatching on your summer ride. Don’t get stressed all of a sudden – it’s nothing serious… but it’s definitely helpful! Here’s what we are talking about:

1. Protect your feet!

festival-goers

However cool you might think you look in your trainers, they are not the right footwear for a British festival. Instead, prepare for inclement weather with a pair of waterproof, slip-resistant wellies (remember, kids, mud is a great leveller).

The Independent consulted festival goers of all ages to bring you the best boots for the job – from inexpensive pairs that will keep your feet dry and mud free, to seriously hard-wearing ones that will last for a decade. Take a look here.

2. Wear the right pair of underwear

Drake and Hutch underwear

While to some of you this may be a given, there are others who aren’t really thinking in that direction. Truth is, when you are going to a festival, no matter how stylish and edgy your personal fashion is, you need to be comfortable first and then follow up with some good fashion. Naturally, a huge (and maybe base, even) part of that comfort is the type of underwear you have on. You want something you can move in, something that won’t give you a wedgie (go on, laugh) or feel unnatural on your skin. So the perfect choice is Drake & Hutch underwear. Their fabrics are  made of natural fibers and the cut flattering. Just think about it – you’ll be moving around in that underwear, dancing, walking, sweating (maybe even pee a little when the line to the bathroom is lengthy or the run to the nearest bush too long) – so you want them to be of the right, comfy kind.

…and if we’re being honest, you’re going to be in the same pair for days, aren’t you chaps? Make sure they’re decent ones!

3. Kill ‘em with style

Festivals are all about self-expression, crazy outfits and released inhibitions… and are there better ways to express yourself at occasions like these, but wear things that show your amazing personality? Put on your favourite funky tee and rock that festival fashion better than anyone around. Go for the Dedicated tees or cropped tops, that amazing graphic print or your floral boho and enjoy the ride! It would be wise to pack another shirt you’ll be changing into after you get soaking wet (there’ll be a lot of dancing involved, after all).

Remember however, the nights can get chilly, so it’s always worth chucking your favourite hoodie or sweater jumper in your bag to wrap up when the sun goes down.

4. Put on a pair of weather appropriate shorts

Bowler & Beach Festival

It’s understandable you want to rock your style and show it off at every corner, as you should. But! Be smart enough to go for clothes that are both stylish and functional. Opting for a pair of Bowler & Beach shorts instead of a pair that you would be freezing/sweating in is way smarter and way more practical. Plus, you don’t want people looking at you like you’ve gone crazy for wearing a see-through mini shorts with 60 ºF out!

If Glastonbury this year is anything to go by, it’s going to be wet, it’s going to be muddy, so you want something that will dry quickly, not be too-clingy and always breezey.

5. Bring a raincoat

Festival Goers endure the rain at main stage during T In The Park Festival

It’s true – we often associate raincoats to those huge, shapeless pieces of clothes our mums used to dress us in whenever there was even a hint of rain out. But guess what – turns out mums knew their business after all. Not only that raincoats do actually protect from the (heavy) rains but they’re also making a comeback in the fashion world! They now come in variety of cuts, colours and prints, and are definitely a piece everyone should include in their wardrobe, especially when they are going somewhere for a longer period of time. The best raincoat pieces we’ve spotted lately are on Peter’s of Kensington website, so make sure you do your buying before hitting the road.

Lastly, stay safe, wear sun cream and make some memories.

Have fun, take photos, enjoy your time and make mental images of everything you fail to capture through your lens – you’ll remember it for life!

Feel free to let us know which festivals you’re attending this year and what you will be wearing in the comments section below…

Peter

Best gifts for guys

Posted on by Peter Minkoff

They often say girls are terrible to shop for; will they like it, will they enjoy it, is it modern enough, is it passé, will they be enchanted by that present’s utility as much as with its packaging, etc. Well, guess what – guys are just as hard to please!

Luckily, we’ve managed to brainstorm a list of presents that will make even the biggest demanders happy, and we’re happy to share it with you.

Ready?
Set.
GO!

A quality aftershave

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Like you already didn’t know this… but, truth is – when we start thinking about what to buy for someone, we get wrapped into so many ideas that we often don’t remember the classic, amazing types of presents everyone adores.

If you already know your man’s preferences, choose a perfume like Gruhme that agrees with his charm, energy and oomph, and let him love every second of it! If, however, you aren’t as sure which one to buy, talk to his best friend(s) to see what he may enjoy. Each time that perfume touches his skin, he’s going to think of you. Too cute!

Collar stiffeners

For guys who are into their smart suits, tailored jackets and custom made shirts, high quality collar stiffeners are the present to buy.

All the gorgeous, dashing gentleman deserve only the best and our favorite option to go with is StiffiesTM. Why? They feature super strong magnetic buttons which will allow for collar placement into any position your man may like. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to unbutton it very quickly. 😉

A tie

Is your man a business mogul who likes his outfits and accessories that fit like a glove? Well, if so – you can’t go wrong with buying him a Brother & Gent tie. No, not just any tie; make sure your present is of enviable quality with a pattern not many gentlemen can rock. Throw in a golden pin to follow, and you’re running for making this his favorite present.

High quality underwear

No man ever has shrugged his shoulders in indifference when he was presented with a pair (or an entire pack) of Jacksy underwear that emphasizes his assets (or simply gives his assets the right support)! Buying a present like this one is easy – you already know his size (oh, come on, like we didn’t know that!) and you know what his favorite brand is, so – it really shouldn’t be hard.  

Grooming kit

No beard should ever suffer (Was this pun intended? Oh well…)! For all the boys and men out there who like their beards properly attended to and groomed well, a Manly Stuff grooming kit is the thing to get them. It’s highly likely your man’s got one of those awesome hipster beards going on, and we guarantee he’ll be over the moon when you buy him this. Add a few beard products, too – like beard oils, gels, beard comb and such stuff and you’ll capture his heart.

A modern watch

Perfect for men of all profiles, a modern watch will make even those hard to please totally melt. Depending on your man’s style, pick a Detomaso watch that will agree with his wrist size and his overall accessorize preferences. If he’s into vintage accessorize, find a watch he’ll go crazy over and inscribe it. Adorable!

Fitness Gear

No wonder your man’s got that body! With so many hours in the gym under his belt, he better be smokin’! If fitness is his thing, make sure you buy him something he will actually use – great workout gear, proteins, golden gym membership card and such gym necessities. Additionally, if he’s into outdoor sports like riding a bike, jogging or riding a motorcycle, buy him the latest fitness hit – reflective tapes. They are made in various colors, are super easy to wear with virtually any type of clothes and will make him safe during his late night runs. The best models can be bought at Brilliant Reflective page, for sure.

Whichever of the presents you opt for, make sure you present them with a huge smile and an embrace that will make your man feel loved, desired and oh-so-special!

Mobs London – from teen to gent

Posted on by dansinnott

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Mobs

MOBS LONDON is a brand new London based company specialising in lifestyle products for young men. MOBS LONDON was set up for a couple of reasons, one being a flooded gift market for young ladies and secondly a poor minimal selection of products for young men.

I can remember being 13 years old and wanting to step away from the t-shirts with cartoon characters on, the full sports-kits, childish outer-wear and dress like a grown-up…the only problem with that, was the fact that the sizes of clothing for a small man were far too big for my (still) boyish frame! Although I was 13, I definitely thought I was going on 30 and that one size fit all; the truth was the t-shirts, trousers and jackets were all too long and definitely oversized from any high street retailer! It frustrated me and it frustrated my mum!

It’s exactly the reasons mentioned above how MOBS LONDON came about. MOBS have created a brand working with UK designers and printers to produce some exclusive apparel. Alongside the MOBS LONDON brand they have high quality products which have been carefully sourced, trying wherever possible to work with manufacturers in the UK, for the purpose of the younger adult.

Mums…fear no-more, finally!

With the above in mind, in this article we’re going to look at a few of items from Mobs’ collection and show you that this brand, although aimed at young men is still appropriate for those pushing out of the target age bracket (like ourselves!) and a few ideas to style them.

Logo T-Shirt (Black) £20.00

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The beauty of a plain t-shirt is the ability to dress it up or down. For summer, grab your lumberjack shirt, throw it round and your waist. This kind of t-shirt is easy to wear in any occasion with any clothing.

Blah Hat T-Shirt £30.00

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A white tee, with a printed image is easy to wear with jeans and trainers.

Red ‘Y’ Tee £30.00

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This red tee, is perfect for summer 2016 – one of the key trends for this season is bold colours…it’s bang on trend!

All in all, MOBS is a cool, simple and well designed brand that has been created that on the whole includes chaps from the pre-teen age all the way up to us in our late twenties!

The website is easy to navigate, with lots of product photography and the quality of the items are demonstrated throughout the site. The prices are clearly listed so there are no shocks or surprises at the checkout.

It was about time someone spotted this gap in the market and filled perfectly with a brand that any age of gent would be happy to wear, tricky job, but with the bright colours, simple designs, no age restrictions are placed on these products.

Not only does the brand sell t-shirts, they sell the following items:

The one-stop shop for the younger gent was founded by the wives of Gary Barlow and Jason Donovan: Dawn Barlow, who has three children with Gary, and Angela Malloch, who has three with Donovan…after becoming frustrated while trying to find gifts for their teenage sons.

Dawn said: “We felt the market was flooded with great products for girls and, unless you want tech or novelty, nothing for the boys. It was as simple as us just saying to each other ‘Why don’t we fill the gap ourselves?’ We did a lot of market research, mostly on our boys and their friends. We found they really like to keep things simple and that was a good starting point.”

The brand remains true to it’s ethos, whilst broadening it’s horizon’s and making it an appealing brand for all.

I’m sure this is one Mum’s and Son’s are going to love!

Here’s what we got from MOBS and how it looked when it arrived:

 

 

 

One to watch: Wolf State Clothing

Posted on by dansinnott

Welcome to the new kids on the block. The tee shirt makers from the West Midlands have relaunched their brand and we’ve thrown them into our hot seat to do some digging.

We thought you chaps would want to know how you go about starting your own label, why, where you start and so we can find out the truth behind Wolf State Clothing…

Wolf State started in early 2015, with a small collection of two shirts. These shirts sold incredibly well for a small independent brand and we sold quite a few to America and Europe, which was incredible and highly inspiring.

Towards the end of 2015, they decided we needed a little bit of a rebrand, they spent around 4 months in total coming up with ideas, planning, designing and sampling.

Wolf State wanted to make sure they could deliver a quality range and for a re launch it had to special. They recently launched their re brand and have a phenomenal response, orders were being taken just a couple of hours after the site went live. “It’s such a good feeling to see people having belief in our range and supporting us.”

The chaps at Wolf State haven’t really slowed down in terms of planning and designing, they’re still really keen to progress and move the brand forward! They have a few goodies set to come out for AW16 however right now the focus is on the launch collection “Explore the Unknown”.

Question Time!

Both Adam & Ryan from wolf state took a bit of time out of their busy day to answer our top 10 questions for every start-up brand…

1.What made you start up Wolf State?

We started up Wolf State because we wanted to start something new. We wanted to create something new and exciting and to express our creativity through clothing. We’d admired brands such as Horizon Bay, Represent, and STAG clothing, and wanted to replicate with our own design.

2. Was it easy creating the brand logo/identity?

We found our brand relatively easy to come up with. The name Wolf State was decided as we are Wolverhampton based. The logo and strap-line for the launch capsule ‘Explore The Unknown’ followed as we were exploring the unknown with what we were doing.

3. How did you decide what you were going to stock?

We decided we wanted to stock three tees to give people a choice. People have different styles and opinions so we came up with three designs that were different, but all fitted with our style. We had quite a few designs knocking about, but with help from a few close mates and colleagues, we narrowed down our choice to the three now on sale.

4. Tell us a little more about “Explore the Unknown”

Like we mentioned in the 2nd question, Explore the unknown is as much a strap-line for everyone else as it is for us. Its about wanting to get up and go, do something different, try something new, which is exactly what we were doing when starting the brand.

5. You mentioned you wanted to expand. Is there anything you’re dying to create/stock?

We would like to expand. The tee’s are selling well, but we would like another line of tee’s out, potentially some hoodies and sweaters soon. We’re going to keep doing what were doing at the moment. AW16 is on the horizon though.

6. Do you each have a favourite tee that’s in stock? Which would you choose?

We both have different favourites. Ryan’s is the Original Wolf tee, whereas mine is the Explore Tee.

7.Is it exciting to see the hard work paying off?

It’s great to see people wearing and appreciating the work that’s gone into our tees. We get a sense of satisfaction knowing we have created them from scratch, from the design, sourcing the tee supplier, the printer and all the other hard work that’s gone into it.

8.How would each of you describe your style, and do you think this influences the brand?

I would describe our style as contemporary with a slight old school twist to it. We have many people who influence us; P&Co, Represent, Horizon Bay, Stand Tall Amongst Giants, Inspected.

9.Where do you see Wolf State in 2 years time?

In 2 years time, we would like to have a few lines out and be relatively established.

10. Where would you Wolf State to be in 5 years time?

In 5 years, we would like to have many lines out and to have developed the brand. We’re taking it step by step for now though, little steps.

Discount

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Adam & Ryan have been extra generous and let you guys have an exclusive 15% off discount code if you want to buy one of the Wolf State ‘Explore the Unknown’ tees.

Simply quote HIGHSTREETGENT15 at the checkout.

A huge thanks to the gents at Wolf State Clothing for answering our questions and hooking us all up with a discount. To view the full Wolf State Clothing range, please visit www.wolfstate.co.uk

One to watch!

 

#NTTMFW – What you need to know for Spring/Summer 2016

Posted on by dansinnott

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It’s been a busy week of catwalk shows, style master classes, pop-up performances and shopping offers as Nottingham Fashion Week took over the city.

Nottingham put on its very first week-long event to celebrate everything fashionable in the city – and fans flocked to various locations to check everything on offer – including us!

We managed to head along to the conclusion of the week when the anticipated Style Show Live took place and taking to the stage to host was BBC Radio 1 presenter Alice Levine. Before everyone hit the runway for the show, we managed to throw some questions at Alice as she took the hot seat, alongside show stylist Lola Royale and show co-coordinator Gaz Davies.

Alice, who many of you probably didn’t know is from Beeston, a Nottingham suburb, said: “It’s about time the city was recognised for its great fashion!”

About the Style Show, which featured pieces from well-known stores such as John Lewis, Debenhams, Primark, Topman and Hobbs. As well as Nottingham’s much loved independent brands and designers, including Gigi Bottega, Stick and Ribbon and Headcase Headwear, Alice added: “It’s a really nice showcase. If I say to people I’m from Nottingham, they always know about the shopping. This event is collaborating with what’s already here.

“When I come back I always shop – I love vintage and my favourite is the Sue Ryder store in Beeston. I’ve started bringing an empty bag with me when I come back.

“There are 50 retailers taking part in the live style shows and it’s good to see it all in motion.

What’s great is that people can watch the catwalk shows and then see in the programme where the clothes are from and go buy them.”

 

The beauty of Nottingham Fashion Week is that it is pitched at everyone perfectly. They are genuine items from our favourite high street stores, it has that achievable feel, where we know we could go out and buy it, style it and know we’re looking good for Summer. It’s one of the reasons why we wanted to take part here at High Street Gent.

At the beginning of the week there was great focus and perfect opportunity for the start-up brands and independents that Nottingham loves to display their work and ideas. We asked Alice, Lola and Gaz what they thought. Lola said: “I was over-whelmed when I went down to Made in Nottingham to see what people are achieving down there, it was humbling to see so much hard work paying off for people and some great clothing, designs and what could be future brands we know and love.” 

Alice added: “It’s part of Nottingham’s charm when it comes to fashion, the brands down there have great support and nurturing from the likes of Made in Nottingham. I saw Ratchet Clothing in there and wanted to buy it all.”

The Style Show

So you’re probably wanting us to get on with why we attended Nottingham Fashion Week, and rightly so. The style show was broken down into six key trends to consider this Spring/Summer, and here goes. Well tell you a little about each and below are some photos. If you hover over each image, you’ll be able to find out where the items each model is wearing and where it is from.

Enjoy, we hope to see you wearing them this year!

Nauticaluxe

Clothes: Joules, Shoes: Hotter
Clothes: Trespass, Shoes: Topman

Influencing everything from apparel and accessories to colour, materials and beyond, discover how seafaring aesthetics can be updated with clean shapes and unexpected details to create effortlessly elegant styles.

Bringing the seaside to the city, nautical nostalgia is refreshed with a modern twist.

Classic stripe prints incorporate colour pops and changes in direction. Sportswear inspirations emphasise the clean appearance of designs. Uneven hems and wraparound layers introduce an urban element.

Botanicals

(Left) Whole Outfit: Next, (Right) Whole Outfit: Marks & Spencers
(Left) Whole Outfit: Ted Baker, (Right) Whole Outfit: Two Seasons

(Bear with us on this one, don’t be afraid!) Botanical illustrations are key as we look at the florals in a scientific manner. Sketched imagery of other wildlife such as bugs and butterflies also comes into play as the colour palette is natural with brown undertones.

Monochrome

Spotlight Sessions
(Right) Whole Outfit: Pretty Green

Is there anything more timeless than black and white? The dominance of contrast prints is in this season. Which probably proves that monochrome is as relevant as ever, and the perfect way to work conversation prints and patterns into your wardrobe. We all default back to black & white if we’re unsure, so here’s the perfect opportunity to remain on trend.

Think Pink

Clothes: John Lewis, Shoes: Model’s Own, Glasses: Specsavers
Whole Outfit: American Apparel

Think pink…but not if you’re not very daring. There’s a variety of pinks you can wear, from a dusky pink (similar to ruining your white shirt in the wash with a red sock) or simply accessorising. For those bold movers out there, full hot pink can work if it’s what you want!

Dreamweaver

Whole Outfit: Pretty Green
Whole Outfit: Next

Think festivals. If you’re heading to a festival this year, the Dreamweaver trend is perfect for you. Think boo-hoo, think patterned, over-sized and complete hippy. Not to everyone’s choice, but you don’t have to go all out. Keep it casual.

Colour Clash

(Left to Right) Whole Outfit: Marks & Spencers, Whole Outfit: French Connection, Whole Outfit: Debenhams, Whole Outfit: Slaters
Clothes: Austin Reed, Shoes: Slaters

Our personal favourite from Saturday’s style show, it quite literally does what it says on the tin (pun definitely intended). Nothing is too colourful for this summer, buy it bright, buy it bold and make it clash.

So there we have it. There are a few ideas for you guys (and girls this time) to consider for this year. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank my photographer kate-henderson-photography.com for all the fantastic photos you can see. Please see below for a slide show of the whole event and for more ideas. Another thank you to Gemini PR and It’s in Nottingham.

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All the images you see are copywrite and owned by Kate Henderson Photography. Should you like to use an image or borrow it, please contact dan@highstreetgent.com.

 

 

Lead Not Follow: Spotlight Session #2 Ryan Atkins

Posted on by dansinnott

LNF9

After the success of last week’s spotlight session and stepping away from the advice column, keeping it fresh, we’ve thrown another familiar face into the hot seat. In the second in this new series of posts, we’ve fired a series of questions at Rugby League’s Ryan Atkins, centre/wing for Warrington.

We thought you chaps would like to find out what the people in the limelight choose when faced with options, so here we go, here’s our quick fire interview with Ryan…

  1. What would you never leave the house without?
    My phone
  2. The item of clothing you wear most is…
    Bed shorts – I do like a comfortable short to relax in.
  3. Every man should definitely own…
    A decent aftershave. Mine at the moment is Terre d’hermes
  4. What’s your biggest style pet peeve?
    Crocs
  5. Whats your preferred style of facial hair?
    It varies, I’ve recently had a beard, but at the moment, stubble.
  6. If every day had 25 hours, what would you do with that extra hour?
    I’d spend it with my girlfriend and daughter.
  7. BMW/Audi/Mercedes?
    Seeing as I’m currently driving an Audi…an Audi.
  8. What’s your current song of the moment?
    “One Dance” Drake. (My little girl really likes dancing to it at the moment).
  9. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
    When you’re criticised, don’t always take it as a negative, learn from it.
  10. What’s your guilty pleasure?
    It’s got to be those biscuits Caramel.
  11. Were you not a professional football player, what do you think you’d be doing now?
    I’d probably be a barber. Not many people know that I’ve recently qualified for some levels of barbering. I was in the local paper.
  12. Shop online or in-store?
    In-store. I love shopping and it’s easier to go into town in the week between training.
  13. What was your first car?
    It was an Emerald Green Vauxhall Astra. It had to have some body work done on it not long after I had it and the body work specialists filled the hole with newspapers. Haha.
  14. What’s your favourite clothing at the moment?
    I really like the Nike Presto trainers at the moment, keeping my eye out on all the different colours.
  15. What’s the best present you’ve ever received?
    When I was really young my Mum bought me one of those combi-track music players, you know the ones that you loaded tape cassettes and CDs into. I think it’s my most memorable present.
  16. Night in or night out?
    Night in!
  17. Jeans or Chinos?
    Jeans.
  18. Boxers or Briefs?
    Boxers.
  19. Who would you say is your style icon?
    Kanye West. But not when he goes too over the top.
  20. What’s your tipple of choice?
    Corona (has to be with lime).
  21. In your life at the moment, what excites you most?
    Everything’s cool at the moment, but I’m really looking forward to the end of the season and heading to Mexico on holiday.
  22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
    I’d to be living back in Yorkshire with my girlfriend, daughter and maybe more children. I’d also like to open my own barbers and be doing that.

A huge thanks to Ryan for sitting in the LNF hot seat with High Street Gent.

For more information regarding Lead Not Follow head back to the home page to easily navigate yourself through the different genres.

Keep your eyes well and truly peeled every Sunday from 8pm for cheeky updates and more insights from recognisable faces, to keep you all look fly…