Mens Style

How to style last year’s clothes this season

Posted on by dansinnott

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Image: Charles Tyrwhitt

Although it’s come around so fast, the AW18 season is well underway and our trends have changed with it. But, what’s in style this season? And, how can we reuse our AW17 wardrobe for this season’s fashion? In this guide, we’ll cover what’s hot for men and women this autumn-winter, perfect if your shopping for yourself or buying for your other half!

Styling menswear

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Image: Charles Tyrwhitt

One of the biggest trends of AW17 outerwear was shearling — the style of suede and wool combined in one garment. And, it’s back this year. Giorgio Armani mixed up the textures further with a shearling, suede and leather jacket that looks smart yet cosy for the colder months.

You might want to dig deeper than last year’s AW clothing with one of this season’s trends. That’s because this year it’s all about throwing it back to the ’90s. You might’ve thought you’d seen the back of shell suits and full tracksuits, but they’re back with a vengeance. On the catwalk, Prada completed the look with branded bucket hats and lightweight waterproof jackets (ideal for autumn weather).

Another garment that comes out year after year is the leather jacket. Instead of the shorter bomber style though, this season it’s all about oversized leather coats that can be paired with slim-leg jeans and winter boots. Fendi, Balenciaga and Paul Smith were all rocking the look during their AW18 shows this season.

When it comes to colours, it’s autumnal brown that’s in this season, a colour you’re bound to have knocking around in your wardrobe. From brown men’s suits to oversized ponchos and shiny leather jackets, the brown colour palette is so versatile. If you don’t want to overdo this shade, you can keep it simple with brown accessories such as hats, scarves and shoes to get in with the trend.

In recent years, we’ve seen layering really take to the main stage. It’s all about bringing together different garments in an effortlessly stylish sort of way. You might not have worn a V-neck in a few years but bring it out this year and slip it on top of a roll-neck jumper for an on-trend outfit. Other ways to layer include pairing an open checked shirt (a print that was everywhere in AW17) with a graphic t-shirt and black skinny jeans.

Styling womenswear

Similar to the menswear trends, layering is on-trend this AW18 too, with designers such as Balenciaga showing their support of the fashion technique at their shows. If you’re bold enough, the best way to layer is with contrasting colour and textures. Dig out you metallic puffa jacket from last year and wear it over a fringed jumper.

Animal print was a big part of this season’s shows. While Victoria Beckham demonstrated her love for leopard print, other designers such as Isabel Marant were all about snake patterns. The great thing about this style being in trend is that you can mix and match animal print and still create an outfit that looks well put together. Leopard print has rarely been out of the spotlight in recent years — why not pair your printed cami dress with snakeskin boots and a matching clutch?

Although glitz and glam was reserved for Christmas and New Year events last year, this season they’re acceptable throughout autumn and winter. Paco Rabanne showed off their models in oversized silver sequins that brought some much-loved sparkle to the runway. Don’t wait until late December to bring your glitter dresses out of the wardrobe, embrace them in October and November too!

Oversized and chunky knit is back for the colder seasons too. The great thing about this year’s trends though, is that you can pair your grandad knit with your summer dress and still look on-trend. Miu Miu showed off an outfit that was made up of a green floral midi dress and fluffy grey knit — no need to pack away your summer clothes just yet!

Follow our top tips for getting the most out of your wardrobe this season!  

Should You Shave Your Beard for an Interview?

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Should You Shave Your Beard for an Interview, smartly dressed man with beard reading a newspaper, bearded man, bearded in in sunglasses, man reading the newspaper, beards for business

This is a tricky one.

On the one hand, you love your beard.

Then on the other, you probably could really do with that new job.

So the question is…

Do you take the hit on your man pride by shaving off your beard, effectively playing it safe – or do you go all guns all out – bearded, confident and dressed on point?

Ultimately, we think there are three major factors at play that you have to think about:

i) What does your interviewer think of your beard (and beards in general)?

Beards have become far more socially acceptable in recent times, that’s a given since the recent beard booms and what seems to be the undying trend.

Unfortunately, there is still a slight, albeit unfair stigma still attached to them. The typical one of course being – that a guy who sports a beard is lazy, unprofessional given that he can’t even be

bothered to shave. Harsh and largely untrue given that a good beard takes a lot more upkeep than just shaving every few days.

Of course, you won’t really know if your interviewer likes beards or not, but if you happen to know who you are going to be interviewed by, this could give you a little heads up.

It might be worth hopping on to your laptop or smartphone and do some classic ‘social media stalking’, checking out LinkedIn, Facebook – you know the drill and try and figure out if he is sporting one. If he is, it’s a good sign, he’s on your side. No beard? It could go either way.

The less risky route of course is to go shaven, if this is something that concerns you we will explain a little later why you should probably reach for the razor.

ii) Does it fit in with the ‘business culture’?

In some industries facial hair is just far more widely accepted.

Finance and law, it is almost an unspoken rule that wearing facial fur is pretty much forbidden. As with most things, there are exceptions to the rule but you best bet that those guys who sport their beards in such industries are incredibly well-kempt (again, this is something we will get into a little later).

Then there are industries that pretty much require shaven faces for health and safety reasons due to large industrial machinery or where they are a little frowned upon such as in food preparation areas (where they require you to wear beard nets and trust us on this – it just ain’t a good look).

Then there are much more beard friendly industries such as gaming design and development, photography and so on. We tend to find that with most creative jobs, they almost go hand in hand.

Ultimately, what we are trying to do is to encourage you to get your research on. Head to LinkedIn and check out the company you are applying to and other competing companies, and ask yourself does it look like many of their employees are bearded?

If so, take it is a thumbs up.

If not – it’s probably something you ought to think about.

iii) What do you think of your beard?

Of course, we know you love your beard.

What we really mean here, is do you think ultimately your beard will be working against you or not?

Whether it ‘actually’ does or not in reality, what you don’t want to happen is your subconscious screwing up your interview because you are stressing that the beard is not working in your favour.

If you are cool with it and don’t think there are any issues to be had, then that’s awesome. Keep that glorious man mane of yours!

However, if you think there potentially ‘might be’ an issue whether in fact there is or isn’t,, it could end up negatively impacting on your interview performance. In which case, we recommend you play it safe and get it shaved off. At least that way, your focus is 100% on the interview on hand.

That said, if that is the case though, we would raise the following question to ask yourself:

Can you go without your beard for the sake of your job?

I’m afraid, only you can decide that one.

iv) If you’re keeping the beard for the interview

First off, that’s awesome! We know it takes a bit of guts and we tip our hats off to you for that.

Now if you do decide to keep your beard and go ahead with the interview, you need it looking its best.

Even if your interviewer likes beards and is a beard friendly job – you still can’t turn up with it being scraggly with stray hairs sticking out all over the place. Tidy it up, apply some good beard goodies and have it looking its absolute best.

Here’s a quick step by step breakdown to have your beard looking awesome:

  1. Comb out your beard.

It’s a given, but the quickest way of dealing with tricky beard knots and generally making your beard looking neater and fuller is using a proper beard comb to help bring some order and get it all into place.

  1. Splash on some beard oil or a beard balm.

Make use of a high quality beard oil by thoroughly massaging it into your beard and skin to help moisturise and conditioning as well as to give you a great smelling odor. If you are still struggling with flyaway beard hairs, reach out for a styling balm that will help to give you some hold and control over your beard.

  1. Brush the beard and shape it up.

The final touch is just to help distribute the oils that you have applied and then helped to get your man scruff in order.

If your beard is looking particularly out of place we recommend heading to your local (and trusted) beard barber, they will help shape it up – take care of any neckbeard for you and ultimately give you a style that suits both your beard and your face. All you have to do now, is carry out the few steps we’ve just mentioned.

Like we say, it’s your call.

Play it safe and get a shave or stick it to the man and face that interview with a great luscious face forest.

Either way let us know how you got on.

A Cut Above: Dress to Impress in Any Interview

Posted on by dansinnott

 

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The pressure is on. You’ve found your dream job and landed yourself an interview. Your new task? Impress the interviewer and prove you are worthy of the role. Easy? Not so much.

Interviews are intimidating. You’re sat in front of people whose sole purpose is to judge you and your abilities. Unplanned questions, spontaneous testing, unfamiliar faces, indistinguishable rooms — the whole process is unpredictable. Preparation may be the key to excelling in an interview, but with so many uncertainties, it can feel like you’re entering a minefield.

Thankfully, there is one thing you have complete control over: your look. ‘Dress to impress’ or ‘dress for success’ may seem like tired cliches, but like all good cliches, they are grounded in fact.

Dress for success: the facts behind the cliche

First impressions are important. An average interview may last around 30-45 minutes, but your interviewer will have already made their initial judgements about you within the first seven seconds. It may sound unlikely or unfair, but it’s the way the human brain functions. We’re a visual species. Have you ever come across a dark alley and immediately made a detour? Or decided against buying that Gucci watch from a market stall? We all use visual appearance to make snap judgements.

Your interviewer is no different. They will base their first judgements on your immediate appearance. A dirty, ill-fitting suit suggests that you’re lazy and disorganised, whilst a sharp, tailored suit suggests that you’re smart, well put-together, successful — regardless of if this is true or not.

Remember: you only have one chance to make a first impression. The rest of your interview will be an opportunity for an interviewer to test their judgements. It’s far easier to reaffirm positive assumptions than to try and disprove negative ones. Don’t believe it? In a survey by Adecco, they found that 75% of hiring managers identified bad fashion choices as the top mistake made in interviews.

Fake it ‘til you make it: the lab coat effect

Would you feel more comforted by a doctor wearing a lab coat than a hoodie? Or feel more safe with a policeman in full gear instead of jeans and a t-shirt? You’re not alone. Studies conducted in the 20th century found that certain clothes inspire trust and faith in a person’s ability. Clearly, fashion informs our perceptions of intelligence, capability and reliability. But, did you know that your fashion choices can have the same positive effect on you?

A study at Northwestern University found that when people wore a lab coat, they performed better in science tests, and when donning an artist’s smock, became more creative. The conclusion? Our clothes change our perceptions of ourselves. If you dress like a boss, you’ll trick yourself into feeling like a boss. Asserting confidence and assurance is essential in an interview. So, try faking it ‘til you make it!

Interview clothes basics: 6 fail-safe fashion tips

Every interview is different. We no longer live in a time when a black suit is the only appropriate outfit to wear for an interview. Tech companies and start-ups have changed business fashion. So, it’s important to take the time to do the research and find out what the company’s dress code is.

Still, there are a few fail-safe tips that you can apply to any interview. Follow these six steps to give yourself the best chance of nailing your interview and getting your dream job:

 

  • A tailored suit is the only way: A poor-fitting suit is never a good look. If you’re buying your suit from a one-size-fits-all high street shop, chances are it doesn’t fit properly. You don’t have to go to a tailor or spend a fortune; there are cost-effective online tailors to check out. Invest in a suit that really fits and you’ll always look your best.
  • Breathable fabric: No-one blames you for getting flustered in an interview, but no-one wants to see sweat stains. Invest in a good shirt made from a breathable material like wool or cotton to keep those sweat patches at bay.
  • Colour code: Bright, garish colours belong on the beach, not at an interview. Keep it simple with neutral colours: white shirts, tanned shoes, understated trousers and jacket. Remember, you’re the main show, not that statement shirt.
  • Get grooming: No matter how dapper your suit or how polished your shoes, dirty nails and scruffy facial hair will leave a bad taste in the interviewers mouth. Before an interview, go for a haircut at a trusted barber, clean shave or tidy up your facial hair, cut and buffer your nails. It’s the small things that count.
  • Make it your own: Accessorise your outfits. You need to stand out from the crowd in an interview. Simple accessorising is the easiest way to do this. A smart tie, customised cufflinks or a leather watch will add a unique flourish to your look.

Stay calm and collected. Follow these steps and remember the rule: ‘dress for success’.

Anthony Horner is the director of Empire Outlet: a luxury menswear company that provides high-quality suits and accessories for affordable prices that will not break the bank. Empire Outlet operates online and serves customers around the world.

Looking fresh this summer 2018

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The men’s style world is, thankfully, a tad less fickle than the merry-go-round realm of women’s fashion. The concept of “trends” doesn’t really resonate with most men, which is why we tend to buy items less often. That being said, for this summer there are subtle tweaks the style-literate fellow-about-town can make, should he want to add a dash of modernity alongside the standard pieces of his wardrobe, and dare I say it…compete with the fashion forward females of Derby.

Whilst the task of heading into town at the weekend may seem daunting, intu Derby makes it that little bit simpler. All the top brands are under one roof, as well as parking, restaurants and the flicks (so you can treat your girlfriend after a strenuous day of shopping for her!)

Now I love an exceptionally cut navy-blue suit as much as the next man, but it pays to update your baseline style formula, and branch out a little and it always pays to know what you’re buying from the high street is cost-worthy, and can withstand 2018.

Here are our top headline trends that you should consider this season, all bought from the fantastic intu Derby:

The Eighties (once again acceptable)

Eighties adidas shorts, bright coloured shorts, man wearing shorts, swim shorts, 80s style, intu Derby, intu Derby shopping centre, intu

From bright colours, clashing patterns to boxy suit jackets and light wash jeans with frayed hems (or gulp! Even a crease ironed in). Take your favourite elements of the Eighties trend and blend them with your existing wardrobe to create a look that feels fresh.

Footlocker in intu Derby has some of the most wearable 80’s inspired items, ready to don at any upcoming festival or holiday. Pair it with a pair of Nike trainers and a short sleeve denim shirt, you’ll be rest to bust some shapes from Ibiza to Creamfields.

Find these shorts at Footlocker for £39.99 at intu Derby here.

After the 90s comes the 00s

Man in blue shirt, All Saints shirt, Men's style, Black jeans, guy in white trainers, nike trainers style, intu Derby, intu Derby shopping centre, intu

There’s early signs of baggy cargo trousers, matching double denim, long belts that grazed the thigh and sweater-vests…expect this trend to only get bigger as the season progresses. If you’re not as brave as us on the whole Britney and Justin Timberlake double denim approach, we headed to All Saints to grab a classic cut shirt to layer up this summer. The beauty of this shirt, is that if you’re into the details, it has an alternative 3/4 length sleeve.

Layers are key, so it’s easy to start with a white t-shirt under everything (and maybe double layered tees!)

Find All Saints shirt for £69.99 at intu Derby here.

Pink and pastels aren’t going anywhere

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“Millennial pink”, that warm, blush rose colour you can’t help avoiding on your guys right now, is set to grow up next season – and is expanding into other hues. When we popped into Infinities, the set up had us blushing, at all the options to keep us on trend!

For those loungey and more casual days, grab an Adidas sweater jumper for 329.99, and stretchy jeans and head to the corner shop…

Find Infinities very impressive range of affordable athleisure at intu Derby here.

Two pocket realness

Man in blue shirt, Denim jacket, Guy stood in the garden Men's style, Black shorts, intu Derby, intu Derby shopping centre, intu

Safari jackets, field jackets and Seventies-style military shirts are back. The key detail? Double breast pockets on items with a slouchier shape, to keep things feeling modern.

New Look Men in the upper mall at intu Derby has this trend on point. We couldn’t resist the double-breasted denim jacket for £29.99, with double press-stud fastening to keep us on trend through until winter 2018.

We paired it with some black chino shorts, pink striped tee, and wicker shoes for something more smasual.

Find New Look at intu Derby here.

Floral Shirts

Floral printed shirts are not a novelty, in fact if you wear them with the right thing and at the the right time, they will set you apart from the rest of the guys. However, don’t get these confused with a Hawaiian shirt, which utilise larger summery graphics which are repeated, and don’t usually use small graphics. There’s plenty of variations in the shirt patterns that you can go for, so it’s worth having a good look around to find one you really like the look of.

There’s a couple of different ways to style the floral printed shirt. What you wear with it will determine how good the shirt looks, and whether you stand out for the right or wrong reasons, but always wear one with confidence!

Wicker Shoes

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Looking to separate yourself from the crowd, or like your shoes to have a bit of character? Latticework-inspired motifs can breathe life into even the most tired of slip-on silhouettes.

While the skater-style slip-on trainer is trending for summer 2018 (particularly minimal leather versions), a woven upper lends more of an eye-catching, dynamic finish to your footwear.

Some might argue that designs in tan and brown run the risk of looking a little like a naff wicker basket, but we say it’s a risk worth taking. The right woven style, whether in the form of a loafer , will lend your summertime tailoring looks a classic sixties feel – think Jude Law in The Talented Mr. Ripley and available from New Look Men at intu Derby for a very reasonable £7.99.

Complete your look

This season, feeling good stems from looking good. Treat your skin after a shower with Kiehls Facial Fuel. This vitamin enriched, energising, non-oily moisturiser wakens and uplifts dull fatigued skin.

For a scent that holds, the L’Occitane eau de toilette will absorb perfectly into your clothes, not damaging them, and keeps you fresh all evening.

Click & Collect

Whether searching for a fabulous shirt or a gift for that special someone, find it online at intu.co.uk. Browse from the comfort of your own home and pick up your order in centre free of charge – simply amend the delivery address at the checkout to intu Derby.

Located in the heart of Derby with great transport links, finding intu Derby is easy. Come by car and you’ll have no trouble parking with parking for 3,600 cars as well as disabled and family spaces available. If you’re coming by bus, the bus station is adjacent to the centre. By train, the nearest station is Derby and from here it’s a leisurely 10 minute walk to the centre.

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Have football fans shaped men’s style?

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Mr Shaw 75 releases retro fuelled range

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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

7 Leather Shoes That Every Man Must Own

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The average guy owns upward of a dozen different types of shoes, but do you have the essentials covered? No matter what type of work you’re in, or what you find yourself doing on a daily basis, having a wide range of different types of shoes to wear will go a long way toward ensuring that you’re dressed properly for any situation that you find yourself in.
Far too many men stock their closet with a half dozen pairs of the same type of shoe, and that’s a serious problem. You need a little diversity in your life! Below you’ll find seven shoes that should be sitting in your closet today. How many of them do you have already?

Dark Brown Oxford

The dark brown oxford is a staple of the office, and one item that every man should have at least one pair of. Not only do they go great with a suit, but they can just as easily dress down as well. When the temperature drops, you can also pick up a dark brown boot version of the oxford, which retains the classic cap-toe look, but gives you added warmth in the winter months.

Slim Black Oxford

The slim black oxford is another staple of the business world, but the great part about either the shoe or boot version of this classic piece of footwear is that you can also use it as a substitute for the patent leather shoes that you traditionally wear with a tuxedo. Not only will they be just as good looking with a tux, but you’ll get more use out of them than just the few times in your life where you need to wear a tuxedo. Just make sure to get them polished regularly.

Casual Work Boot

The casual work boot is an extremely important boot that is often overlooked by guys who are trying to up their style. After all, why would the average office worker need a casual work boot? The easy answer to this is for all the times where you’re going to get a little dirty or you need something that will keep your feet protected in inclement weather. Not only will a good casual work boot look better in those situations, but having a good pair of work boots will help you save your other shoes and boots from unnecessary damage during a rainy day or a weekend of work that necessitates wearing boots.

Chelsea Boot

The Chelsea boot is a great one to wear when the temperature drops, but when you still need something to wear that looks good in the office. These boots are laceless, so they are much better at keeping your feet and ankles warm, and you can find many great looking Chelsea boots that integrate modern soles, so they’re also extremely comfortable as well. Chelsea boots pair well with business casual clothing like jeans and cords.

Chukka’s

The Chukka, or Desert Boot, is a staple of hipster culture across the country, but it also finds its way into the closets of many men because of its classic looks and casual attitude. The latest trend is to get Chukkas in a softer material like suede, but having a leather Chukkas is a far better long-term decision. The leather Chukka is a classic, and one that can stand up to a surprising amount of punishment. You should pair these boots with a nice pair of jeans for a night out on the town.

Dress Boots

Dress boots can mean a lot of different things to a lot of people, but the general idea here is to have something that is very distinctive, but which you only wear for special occasions. In the South, this might be a nice pair of cowboy boots, and in the northern part of the country you might opt for a pair of wingtip boots. The key is to make them distinctive and a truly special part of your wardrobe.

Rugged Work Boot

Unlike the casual boot mentioned above, there are some situations that call for a serious piece of footwear that you can put into almost any situation that you find yourself in. Having a rugged work boot is less about style than it is about keeping yourself safe, but that doesn’t mean that they have to look bad. You can find plenty of work boots that look great, but that fit the rugged boot criteria. What exactly is that criteria you ask? You should be looking for a rugged boot that is waterproof, has a steel toe, and that has safety ratings for electrical shock and other hazards. The reason that we separate casual work boots from ruggedized ones is that the safety additions to many rugged boots give them less freedom of movement than more casual boots, and make them less comfortable. That being said, there are some situations which call for a greater emphasis on safety than on comfort.

Which boots described above are in your closet already? Which do you need to invest in sooner than later? Let us know in the comments.

7 Leather Shoes Every Man Should Own - High Street Gent

7 Leather Shoes Every Man Should Own – High Street Gent

Regal wrist-wear and timely apparel

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High Street Gent - Crownarch Watches

CROWNARCH

In 2016, Crownarch the International watch brand set out its vision based on one key principle; to fuse quality and luxury with affordability. Above all, Crownarch believe it is their duty to make their customers feel a sense of pride as they wear their timepiece.

OBSESSED, OVER THE DETAILS

Driven by detail and obsessed with image, Crownarch capture the  audience with their visual story-telling. Throughout the journey, the customer is taken through an experience, where  you see the watches in the surroundings of supercars, yachts and everything opulent. Subtly, Crownarch has aligned its brand with a certain lifestyle that its core customers aspire too; whilst still focusing on providing quality and value.

Crownarch introduces Chrono series as the first in its collection. These eye- catching pieces are presented in five colours, each possessing their own personality and style. They are charismatically individual, suited to both the sharply dressed city man as well as the hip and trendy college student.

High Street Gent - Crownarch Watches

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The watches feature, detailed sunray dials, coupled with handsome sleek and slender hands. The dials, available in ocean blue, silver, dark steel and black gracefully reflect light, a true feature finish, that makes for pleasurable viewing.

The most distinctive feature of the watch is its Milanese mesh strap. Available in a black, silver and rose gold finish, it has been designed with purpose and intent of solving two key areas of concern amongst wearers; that of comfort and durability.

The cross-hatch design is a pleasant alternative to the conventional leather and metal styles, making the experience of adjustment just as pleasurable as wearing the timepiece itself. The clever design of this strap allows for effortless application and removal, with just one simple adjustment. Wrist markings and the catching of arm hairs are also a thing of the past.

High Street Gent - Crownarch Watch

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Crownarch offer Free worldwide delivery / Free returns / a glossy wooden box with every purchase and all for £145.00.

Crownarch Mens Watches offer 5 Unique designs for the Modern Gent – Each watch has it’s own story. Find out more at crownarch.com.

Vintage style leather luggage that gives back!

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Gentleman's Leather travel bag leather brogues

For several months now we’ve been seeing MAHI Leather pop up around our social media platforms and if you’re one of those guys who’s darting across the country on weekends and living out of a bag, you’re going to want to hear about MAHI.

They jumped out to us because of their classic look; the products reflect an air of the sartorial gent. Think David Gandy.

It’s important that you, as a travelling man, recognise the significance of a strong, durable bag – it is to be seen as an investment and will take away a lot of the stresses found with travelling due to them achieving the three qualities we all look for when considering a travel bag: quality, capacity and portability.

As welcoming to success as they are, MAHI have a great passion for helping others and giving back – they work alongside FRANK Water Charity by donating $1.50 from every bag sale and have so far raised an incredible $7.5K.

To learn more about how MAHI’s donations help to aid FRANK in their work, click here.

Interview Time! MAHI Q&A

We’ve thrown MAHI straight in our hot seat and asked them some questions to find out a little more about the brand…

Clothes fodled with leather bag for weekend awayGents leather wash bags

• How would you describe MAHI leather? What is it in a nutshell?

MAHI Leather is a brand that offers high quality, luxury luggage and bags at an affordable price. We cut out the middle man when delivering so everyone gets a product, made to order, delivered directly from our family run workshop in India. Not only do we want to sell beautiful products, we also want to do some good along the way – every bag sold see’s $1.50 get donated to FRANK Water Charity who provide water & sanitation to the people of India. It’s our way of giving back to a country where we have found inspiration, employees and even our brand name.

• How did MAHI start and why?

MAHI is a product of our main company; we’d tried to start other companies but this one really stuck. The charity work and emphasis on our own passion and values within the brand was something that we wanted to resonate with our customers. It started off small and has really taken off over the past few years. It’s more than just selling a bag. It’s crafting something for a customer, personalising it and then getting it delivered to them directly. All the while doing some good in the process.

• What goes into deciding what you stock, to ensure it matches the MAHI values?

A lot of the time, deciding on new products and designs is a gradual process and develops alongside our brand. If one of our designers has a basic idea or is inspired by something, may be a certain style of bag, we look at ways that we can make it our own and think about the value it will add to our range. As much as we want to evolve and change, we want it to be organic and in keeping with our brand image and vibe. Basically, we wouldn’t make something or do something that wouldn’t make sense for us. In a year’s time, our look and values may have changed but that will be a very progressive thing.

• How long does it take from idea to design to sale for one of MAHI’s products?

Generally, it depends on what we’re going for, what the design is and how easy it is to get it right. We often make several attempts of perfecting a design and creating samples so that we have a product that we feel is good enough for our customers and our brand.

• What are your personal favourites that MAHI stock?

It’s definitely a tough decision. The MAHI Classic Duffle, I think, is wonderful simply because it’s so simple, stylish AND it’s actually very practical. The only thing to worry about is which colour to have it in.

• MAHI has grown really quickly and successfully with hard work, what would you say is key to making your brand successful?

I think the best things you can do as a brand is not only to know yourself, what you stand for and what you want to do, but also get to know your target audience. Also, ask people outside of the company for their thoughts – how they perceive the brand, for example. Look for a fresh pair of eyes to give you a new perspective. You’ll be surprised at how it can change the way you see the company and the direction you’re going.

• Do MAHI have any new products in the pipeline?

We’re currently brainstorming ideas for new products and running through technicalities with designs. Our main goal this year is to get a MAHI on wheels!

• What does 2017 have in store for MAHI?

Hopefully plenty of success! We really want to grow as a brand, introduce more products and raise awareness for FRANK Water Charity.

mahi-leather-header-3Leather bag for travel

We’re huge fans of MAHI at highstreetgent.com and hope to see more and more from them over the coming months and years. To shop the full MAHI Leather collection, please visit their website here.

5 Tips for wearing a snapback

Posted on by dansinnott

Man at a festival wearing sunglasses and a snapback with blue sky and music

The snapback has been round since the 1950s, but in the hip hop boom of the 1990s, they became known as an urban piece of street wear. A snapback can be worn in several styles – either with the brim upward, down or backwards.

Now an important thing to note about snapbacks, is that you run the risk of being a ‘poser’, so confidence is key when wearing one. When combined with this, the style really begins to take shape. A snapback can be combined with a simple t-shirt and jacket combo, and in this look just feels like the right way to wear it (especially with shades in the summer).

Of course, a snapback can almost be ‘accented’ – if you want people’s attention to be drawn towards it. You can choose to wear one with a vest and shorts, if you want a bold, yet simple look.

Below, we take a look at 5 tips for wearing a snapback with brand new head wear company Leodis Headwear. Leodis Headwear hope they have you sorted for ideas on how to add more to your look. A hat is something that can make an already great outfit, stand out more. So check out their tips and stock, try some on, and see how you can reinvent your look.

Top Tips

Two black snapback caps for men on a black background

1. Know How Snapbacks Are Sized

Snapbacks are typically classified as “one size fits all” or “one size fits most” because they have the adjustable band on the back. This is universal for men and women. The band, however, only allows for about 1.5 inches of adjustability. One-size-fits-all caps typically fit heads between 22 and 23.5 inches in circumference. This range includes fitted hat sizes of 7 to 7.5. Those who wear size medium hats should find that a snapback fits fine. If small hats tend to be loose or large hats tend to be tight, then a snapback might prove to be ill fitting. Shoppers should also pay attention to the snapback’s shaping. Some are fitted while others are boxy.

2. Choose a Snapback Style

Choosing a snapback style relies solely on the wearer’s individual taste. There are several styles out there, from casual and classic to hip-hop or sporty snapbacks. There is no wrong way or right way to wear a snapback as long as it reflects the wearer’s personality. The style is determined largely by the hat’s colour and embellishments. Hats with sports emblems and slogans are plentiful, but brand logos are the most popular choice.

How to Wear Different Snapback Styles

Some snapbacks lend themselves to certain styles. For example, a grey snapback with a Chicago Bulls logo is perfect for achieving a sporty style, while a pink camo snapback makes for a great female urban look. How the hat is placed on the head and how the hair is worn also play a part in achieving a certain style.

How a user decides to wear a snapback is entirely up to him or her. There are no rules, only changing trends. Snapbacks are constructed very similarly, so it is possible to achieve a different look with the same hat by wearing it a certain way.

Two men's caps on a table

3. Colour Coordinate

A snapback is an extension of an outfit, so it should color coordinate. Snapbacks come in so many colours that it is not difficult to find a hat in a spot-on matching hue. The snapback does not need to be an exact match, though. A snapback can serve as a bright pop of colour against neutral clothing. If the snapback has a sporty look with bright team colours, then it should go along with an equally sporty outfit. If a snapback is made from glossy vinyl fabric, it should go with a trendy urban outfit.

4. Properly Adjust and Position the Snapback

A snapback always looks good front-facing and placed squarely on the head. This is the classic way to wear the hat. Pull the brim upward on the head for a casual, friendly look. Pull the brim downward over the forehead for an off-putting vibe. Some people choose to wear the hat sideways or backwards, with the brim either tilted up or down, depending on their preference.

5. Play with Different Hairstyles

One of the best hairstyles to wear with a snapback is no hair at all. A bald or closely shaven head makes a great fit for the snapback style, but any hairstyle works. Snapbacks go perfectly with short hair. If hair is longer, wearers generally try to keep the hair from puffing outward from the sides of the hat, so tucking excess hair behind
the ears eliminates that problem.

Shop Leodis Headwear here…

About Leodis Headwear

Two black snapback caps for men on a black background

The birth of the brand Leodis Headwear was born out of a desire to have something a little bit different. The fundamental goal is to create original designs that break the mould when it comes to all things headwear. Their love of hats is what inspired the inception and you can be certain that every inch of care and creativity is used in every single design.

Designs

Both of the first two designs, as well as the brand name come out of immense pride of the
city in which it was founded…Leeds. The name actually dates back as early as Anglo-Saxon
times and was the original name for the city of Leeds. The owl is a bit of an emblem of Leeds so combining the two just happened naturally as part of the design process.

Next steps

Late 2016 was spent getting everything in place…making sure the website was up and
running and getting the first range together. This coming year will be focused on expanding the range of hats that Leodis offer, working with stockists to get products out in the retail space and maybe even looking at a kids range. There has been some really good feedback so far and the hats have turned out even better than had been anticipated. In addition, there are ongoing discussions with gamers, sports teams and others about how we can collaborate in a way that compliments how we wish to grow the brand, and help them achieve their own aims.

The chaps have been very kind and are giving you a discount code ‘GENT15’ so you can get a 15% discount.

Shop Leodis Headwear  here…