Look of the Week: Work

Apologies for the late posting of this blog, but I've started back at university and started a new job this week and my schedule has been all over the place!  But anyway, here we are!  Again, inspired by events around my life I've started a new job at John Lewis and as such I have to suit up accordingly.  Not a problem for me as I have a great navy suit that I wear when I need to scrub up (which doesn't happen often).  But, if I was to buy a new suit, shirt and tie, shoes etc. then this is definitely the combination I'd go for, let me know what you think!

Although this may not been the most exciting LOTW, but there are some sartorial rules to be learned.  The suit is an absolute essential item, everyone should own at least a grey or a navy suit and have it taken to the tailors for the perfect fit.  This one is from Saville Row's Richard James, its a nice dark tone without being either too dark and indistinguishable from black or too light and tacky.  If you haven't got a suit yet, get down there and buy this one.  I find purple really compliments grey so I've gone for this Turnbull & Asser bengal stripe shirt; this is an power shirt and bengal stripes will really show you mean business in the boardroom.  If this was for a wedding I would suggest a gingham check shirt in a softer colour, maybe from Emma Willis (new shirtmaker on the scene, check her out).  I love contrasting patterns so I've coupled the shirt with this fantastic tie from Alexander McQueen, pure silk with mini polka dot and skull design.  Now, you may think that the skulls on the tie may be too much in the office but I say sod it!  I tried the look with a normal polka dot tie (which you are free to do, use a grey on grey to complete the look) but it was too boring for me and at any rate, nobody will actually notice the skulls. Lesson No.1, if you're mixing patterns always adjust the thickness of the styles so you don't match them, i.e. you can mix a bengal stripe with a polka dot but not a striped tie of the same thickness or direction, or a Prince of Wales check will also match a polka dot as long as the polka dots are large and not a mirco dot.  

The watch is Junghans X Max Bill stainless steel, beautifully simple and elegant - what's not to like! Lesson No.2 A gentleman wears a metal or chain link watch in the day and a leather strap at night.

The shoes, what to say about the shoes - they're amazing.  They are from British heritage company Church's who are just round the corner from Saville Row and make handmade made to measure shoes if you were so inclined!  Don't worry, they make 'off the peg' shoes also, this pair is around £400 but worth every penny.  You could go for a lace up derby or brogue but I really love a smart black leather single monk strap, they mean business.

To finish it off a smart leather belt from Mulberry (this is also reversible to show a brown tan on the other side so twice as useful) and, as always a crisp pocket square from Turnbull & Asser (pick it up the same time as your shirt). Lesson No.3 Always match your pocket square to your shirt not your tie.  I hate seeing matching pocket squares with ties, its unimaginative and dull.  You can pick a colour from you tie or the rest of the outfit but as a rule the main colour should reflect the shirt.

There you have it, what I would wear to work!  Let me know if you like it, leave comments and all the rest!  As always if you want to book me for a styling session for you or an event contact me on styleguiser@gmail.com 

Enjoy!

Look of the Week: At the Shows

I hope you guys are well and have been enjoying the fashion shows as much as I have over the last few weeks - there's been some amazing looks, off and on the catwalk.  If you've read this blog before you'll know I always take my LOTW inspiration from events that occur around the time and this week is no exception.  I've mostly been looking at celebrity and street style photos as I love what photographers can capture with regards to individual style so I've taken note from these and put an outfit together that you could wear off to a show, a dinner or after party and look the part.  It's an fantastic mix of suiting, smart casual and individual takes on everything in between, lots of tailoring mixed with sneakers, blazers worn with jeans and brogues or smart trousers with t-shrits and blousons (as seen by Mr David Gandy himself).  You'll find the best 'looks' around worn by models, designers and celebs alike who attend these shows and I find it to be the best inspiration for my personal style.  Anyway, here's the look and my breakdown!

As you can see it's slightly influenced by the military style that is still hanging around (and quite frankly I can't get out of my head) for some reason, my attempt previous to this could be easily be seen in a barrack - but I toned in down and smartened it up for you.  Sticking to greys, navy and dark reds mainly and block colouring will always look smart and by choosing a diferent colour blazer to the trousers will make it look less like a uniform and more of a personal touch.

The blazer is a slim-fit Prince of Wales check wool-blend from Ami (£500), it's getting slightly colder now and this double breasted jacket will keep you nice and warm on that walk from the tube to the show/bar/restaurant and also because its double breasted you'll stand out in a sea of single breasted jackets.  Double breasted jackets are coming back with a vengeance and even more so this season, they are everywhere in the mens style publications.  To accompany the blazer what else but a crisp white shirt from British brands Hackett (£95) a Drake's navy knitted tie (£95) and purple and green pockets square to make the outfit pop from Etro (£60).

The trousers are from Neil Barrett (£425), they're a cotton and linen blend cargo pant and I think they are amazing.  I'm not a big fan of the cuffed trouser that's coming in to stores this Autumn (see Topman's take, hideous) but as a Cargo pant I think they really work and definitely something to make you stand out.

Ok, so down to the finer details, the belt is from Gucci (£245) and the buckle if you look closely is detailed with a bamboo style, much like they've been using on their bag handles for the past season - I think it adds nicely to the military theme without being too over the top.

The bracelet is, of course, from Miansai (£55) - who else?  Another company I can't stop using in my LOTW is Uniform Wares (£390), so I've pinched their watch again!  Sorry, but stop making such nice watches! 

Strangely, a company I haven't used before but absolutely love are Grenson (£280), these are the Stanley Burnished-leather wingtip brogue that will last you a lifetime.  I have a pair of Sid's that I've had for a while and they still look fantastic, the build quality is second to none and they're British.

So there you go - a look I'd love to wear to a show, a creative meeting or just for a Wednesday!  As always I welcome any comments or feedback you may have and if you have an occasion you'd like me to do a look of the Week for get it touch through StyleGuiser@Gmail.com

Enjoy!

Look of the Week: Autumn

First off, let me apologise for not posting a Look of the Week last wednesday, I have no excuse for this other than the fact I was having a small holiday on the Isle of Wight at Bestival!  It was a crazy 5 days and I feel like a need another holiday to recover!  What I did notice from being out and about for 5 days in the south of England was that the temperature and weather generally is now changing for the colder.  September is is well and truly upon us and it's getting really chilly at night and the odd shower is never far away.  On the bright side you can now go out and buy some new clothes to wrap up, get layering going again and maybe even treat yourself to a new coat (which I plan on doing ASAP)!

So, my Look this week bears in mind all the previous comments about the rubbish weather and gets you ready with the new A/W trends whilst keeping you warm and looking good!  A big trend seen on the catwalks earlier in the year was the colour orange, it was everywhere and being displayed by companies such as Richard Nicoll, Alexander McQueen and Christopher Raeburn.  Which is the reason being my trench coat choice, its a great Autumn colour and will really stand out when everything gets grey and miserable!

Ok, The jeans are overydyed slim-fit beauties from music inspired company Acne; they have a huge cult following in the music industry.  This darker pair will be well suited to winter and by next summer they'll have worn-in, faded nicely and will fit you perfectly.

I've matched the dark jeans with the amazing cotton trench coat from Hardy Amies - it'll look great on the weekend as a casual look like this one or over a suit during your working week.  Most importantly trench coats are great for layering and will keep you nice and dry during those Autumn showers.

Now, I know some men might find it hard to match a bright colour such as orange but as long as you match it with greys, blues and and purples you'll be fine.  I've used one of my favourite design companies Gitman Vintage for the cotton jacquard shirt - the pattern will add a different aspect to the outfit and make the focal area around the neck, chest and shoulders more exciting. 

Over the top of the shirt I've layered a simple knitted cotton and linen sweater from Ami, the purple will really make the orange and the blue blend together.

Another company I love is Common Projects and these suede high-tops are amazing and perfect for winter.

Accessories, I've got you a blue suede woven Anderson's belt, an Acne beanie hat (which are also on trend this A/W) and a gorgeous Uniform Wares 300 series brown watch with a silver face.

Right, so there you have it!  I really like this outfit and would love to see it put together by someone!  So if you decide to pull this one off please send me a photo and I'll put it on my blog!  As always I welcome any feedback or comments and will do my best to answer any questions you might have!

Enjoy!