FASHION: Navy Performance Suit from Dobell

The problem with working in a dressed down office is that if you plop a suit on to style some pictures you end up with everyone thinking you are off to an interview after work - that didn't deter me however when I was asked if I'd like to try a suit from Dobell - and after selecting a suit from their range it was on and off to work to gauge the reaction - instead of the office it was to an event I ran in Liverpool last week.

Who are Dobell though, and should you really be buying suits online? This is what they say about themselves online here:

Launched in 2003, Dobell has established itself as the leading online formal wear store for men and boys of all ages. From day one our strategy has been to deliver choice, quality and unbeatable value, alongside comprehensive style advice and the very best customer care. Our customers say we are getting a lot right, but we’re determined to keep on improving as we grow! 

We pride ourselves on offering the most extensive ranges of tuxedos, men’s suits, shirts, shoes and accessories, at prices up to 50 % cheaper than the high street. Leading suit and shirt brands we retail include Paul Costelloe, Tommy Hilfiger, Noose & Monkey, Esprit, Lambretta, Paul Gross, and Alexander Dobell.

If you pop over to their website you'll find a plethora of suits to suit (pardon the pun) every budget. Suits for under £150, they've got you covered, want something a little more hard wearing, they've got you covered on that too.

I opted for this Dobell Navy Blue Performance Slim Fit Suit which should cost £79.99 and it is described as being a smart, durable navy blue suit from Alexander Dobell is guaranteed to impress at job interviews, business functions and formal events. Cut in the contemporary slim fit style, it hangs beautifully and will flatter in all the right places. Simple and elegant, this single-breasted navy jacket has a double vented back section, notch lapels, two button front fastening, and jetted side pockets with flaps.  Mine came as a PR sample but after choosing a darker blue I realised I needed a pair of brown shoes to really make sure I looked the business. So with new suit sized to perfection and new shoes slipped on, this is what I ended up looking like:

POW - a really comfortable fit, which is surprising given my weird body shape (it's more hourglass due to an absence of kidneys where they should be). The material is nice to the touch (the suit is made from a high performance blend of polyester and viscose that is easy to keep clean and comfortable to wear) and the stitching doesn't look like it has been thrown together - it looks like it has come off Savile Row, and when comparing with my Ted Baker Endurance suit it's on a par I'd say, except this suit retails about £350 cheaper.

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Oh and just a little catalogue pose...

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FASHION: Canali Clothing

I am a sucker for a good suit, a nice looking shirt or even a nice luxury pair of cufflinks. The past would see me eye up a nice find and then stalk it in the days leading up to payday before rushing off to buy it. My spending behaviour hasn't changed much, but my tastes have certainly got more expensive! When I was asked if I would take a look at Canali, a purveyor of fine Italian clothing since 1934, my mind shot back to a beautiful Canal shirt I owned back in the 1990s. It cost a fortune but it lasted for years and oozed fine, quality tailoring rivalled only by a £400+ Valentino shirt I nearly bankrupted myself buying (£400 was a lot of money to me in 1995).

Canali sadly are too expensive for my humble tastes, but their clothes are just so out of this world I couldn't resist to put together a 'wish-list' of items from their amazing website to form a nice formal outfit. 

So, what did I choose from their extensive range?

Dark Blue Super 140S Impeccable Wool Venezia Suit - £1300
This elegant Venezia suit features a classic silhouette and features a subtle blue overcheck adds a layer of dynamism to the ensemble. Created from a luxurious Super 140s Impeccabile wool, this style is perfect for the man who is constantly on-the-go thanks to a series of characteristics that will leave you looking sharp from morning to night.

Blue Impeccable Cotton Dress Shirt with Houndstooth Motif - £250

Our "Impeccabile" shirts blend elegance and practicality, making them an essential addition to your wardrobe. Shirts from this line are made from a special fabric that uses body heat to naturally remove creases while a modern fit offers a refined and contemporary silhouette. This style features bold yet refined houndstooth motif that adds a dynamic touch to any ensemble.

Gun Metal Gray Cufflinks with Raised Motif £150

These classic gunmetal gray rectangular cufflinks feature a unique raised motif that adds a layer of dynamism to your more formal looks.

Dark Blue Pure Silk Tie £110

This dark blue tie comes in a luxurious pure silk and is a versatile and stylish accessory that is a must in any modern-day man's wardrobe. Wear it with your formal looks or for an elegant evening out.

Black Pure Cashmere Coat - £2150

This elegant overcoat is made from a luxurious and ultra-soft pure cashmere, making it the ideal outerwear choice to keep you warm in style throughout the colder months of the year. Distinctive details like a fly front and contrasting undercollar add unique finishing touches.

Cognac Leather Double Strap Shoes - £300

As a contemporary yet refined alternative to the classic derby shoe, this double monk strap has been buffed by hand for a truly unique and distinctive aesthetic. The leather sole features a rubber insert, adding practicality to the mix.

I really could go mad, and if it wasn't for the steadying influence of my other half when it comes to my spending I would have a field-day over at the Canali site - there is everything from casual jackets to seriously formal suits. Speaking from experience the clothes are some of the most comfortable I've ever bought and they are so hardwearing that they last for year after year, so that initial investment pays off over time.

Yes, this is a luxury brand, but when parting with your cash on Canali you can be assured you are buying quality.

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What do you think to my choices?

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FASHION: Gladstone Ankle Boot from Chatham Footwear

The footwear from Chatham has for a couple of years been expanding my horizons. First they got me wearing brown boots rather than black biker boots 24-7. After that they moved on and had me donning loafers onto my feet, something I had sworn I would never do! Both pieces of footwear were exceptionally comfortable, have been long lasting and mean I now frequently vary from wearing a wardrobe that looks like it has been chosen by a fourteen year old goth. So when I was asked if I would like to try the Gladstone Ankle Boot from the Chatham Made in Britain range I of course said yes. 

That was now nearly six months ago, I'm sure these arrived in November and slipped onto my feet they were. No breaking them in (stupid me)!

This is what Chatham say about the Gladstone Ankle Boot over at their website here:

'Gladstone Ankle Boot in Dark Brown/Navy. Hand stitched perfectly. Gladstone is the first high ankle boot in our Made In Britain collection. We've spared no expense making a comfortable, durable, stylish boot that is equally versatile as it is gorgeous. The new rugged sole unit incorporates a memory foam channel that will change the way you look at footwear.' 

As you can see from the images above, the boots are a comfy fit and go brilliantly with darker blue jeans. Personally I like these boots to knock around in during the day either at work or when out and about on errands. With the boot on I find it really noticeable how light they are on my feet in comparison to my biker boots - this makes walking much easier and the sole has something of a spring in the step.

Around the ankle the boot does provide a great level of support.

These boots cost £149. I've been wearing them a lot and as you can see from the pictures, they don't scuff or get damaged very easily and I can see them lasting for years and years. The stitching is solid and these boots give off an air of quality you rarely see nowadays. Like my biker boots, these are now firm favourites for when I want to mix up my wardrobe and my footwear.

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FASHION: Label J Parka from Jacamo

Being married to BeautyqueenUK has it’s advantages – she regularly gets asked to sample things on her blog that directly benefit me (win), and that’s always a good thing. The lovely lady was asked by Jacamo to select some clothes she would like to dress me in. Rachel decided that I needed a new coat, she seemed a bit bored with the long cashmere coats I’ve been wearing for the last twelve years and told me I needed a change. Yes boss, and after taking the path of least resistance (read agreed with her) she selected the Label J Parka from Jacamo and I waited with baited breath for it to arrive, slightly uncertain as to whether it would suit me at all.

This isn’t the first time that I’ve worn clothes from Jacamo, in fact, a couple of years ago I had the chance to try a lovely blue pea coat from the Flintoff Range. In addition to this, I’ve been a regular buyer of their jeans and the selection of tees available on the site is pleasing to me, and they are top notch in terms on quality.

The Label J Parka selected costs £65 and can be found here.

The parka is described as being 'this season's must-have piece'. It features a pretty good sized hood with a faux-fur trim, plenty of pockets with on the outside and one inside, making room for an iPhone, iPod, wallet, Oyster cards and whatever else is needed. It also features a full zip from bottom to top along with press-stud front fasteners, so I’m always warmly wrapped up and the press-studs don't pop open at any point.

Now, here are further photographs of me wearing it! 

I vaguely remember Jacamo when they started up and the adverts they had on TV featuring Johnny Vegas to highlight that they stock sizes of up to 5 XL. Thinking that the entire stock was aimed at the larger chap I stupidly ignored them for years. More fool me. You’ll find a vast array of clothing for both men and women, it’s of a very high standard and best of all they have something to suit any budget (apart from a budget of zero – obvs).

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What do you think to the choice of coat? 

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Formal accessories from House of Fraser

Who doesn't like to don some swanky clothes and look a million dollars? I'm no different and after some time tucked up in the wardrobe the old tuxedo has seen quite a bit of action this year in between very posh birthday parties and an assortment of award dinners (we didn't win sadly). One thing that strikes me every time I come to dust off the tux is that some gremlin has eaten my bow tie and every airing inevitably requires me to buy another bow tie! Step forward House of Fraser, who with their rather large collection of bow ties can always be relied upon to bail me out.

While you will see a few pictures of yours truly looking rather dapper (even if I do say so myself) I'm also going to pick out a few favourites from the House of Fraser range to suit all budgets.

So, which bow ties stand out and appeal to me? Read on.....

First up is the Skopes Silk Bow Tie at £12.95. While I'm completely useless at tying my own bow tie (I usually opt for one with a clasp to avoid frustration) it's something I have always wanted to master and this baby looks fantastic.

Second up is the Alexandre of England Pre-Tied Bow Tie at £28 (reduced from £35), guaranteed to stop you tearing your hair out in frustration!

Thirdly if you want to push the boat out and go for something extra nice we have Hugo Boss which at £59 is more than double the price of other Bow Ties but it is stunning.

Last but not least is the TM Lewin Barathea Self-Tie at £29.95.

So there you have it, a wide ranging selection of accessories for any fella who wants to impersonate James Bond or who just want to look completely on point!

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FASHION: Atom Retro - Retro, Mod & Indie Clothing

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Atom Retro asking if I would like to take a peek at their website and choose an item of clothing to style for this here blog. After deleting my initial response of “are you saying I dress like I’m stuck in the 1960s” I took a peek and was instantly hooked on the sheer amount of clothing available for both men and women and how reasonable the pricing was.

For the sake of transparency, I was gifted with my choice but as ever, I'm being incredibly objective when it comes to sharing my thoughts.

Lounging in the library at work

So, who are Atom Retro? This is what they say about themselves over the site here:

'Based in the UK and launched in 2004, Atom Retro has quickly become the one-stop shop for every sixties fan, retro lover or heritage connoisseur looking for authentic, high quality and original clothing.

We specialise in stocking iconic heritage brands such as Baracuta, John Smedley, Original Penguin, Farah Vintage, Ben Sherman and Gabicci Vintage – but we also have an eye for new and original independent designers and brands with a Retro or Indie edge such as Madcap England, Common People and Gonsalves & Hall.

Atom Retro was inspired by the Carnaby Street boutiques of the Sixties – recreated here online for the contemporary era. Reflecting classic, timeless style with Fashion that will live forever.'

They have everything you could possibly need to pull together an alternative look that will make you stand out in a crowd or simply state your own style in a unique and interesting way, without breaking the bank. Being a little conservative I opted for the Penny Dot Lane MADCAP ENGLAND Retro 60s Mod Shirt that sells for £34.99. A reasonable amount I think for a well made quality shirt. Normally when looking at casual shirts I can spend anything up to £100 so just £34.99 is not something to be sniffed at. 

Check out that retro old school phone! 

When I showed my better half my choice I could tell from the look on her face that this wasn't something she would pick for me but it has grown on her and she now likes the outfit when I combine it with dark blue jeans and my biker boots or my brown Chelsea boots from Chatham Marine.

I’ve worn the shirt twice now to work and I can categorically say I’ve never received so many positive comments about it – people love the shirt and the look, which is a shift away from my usual all black outfits for work! Navy is the new black people….Strangely, I wasn't even wearing the shirt to work today and someone commented on how cool it looked while sat in a meeting. 

Atom Retro don't just limit themselves to clothes either, you can also pick up some amazing retro stuff like this vintage record player for £169, this Dunlop flap satchel bag for £15 or these Winklepicker Chelsea boots for £89.99.

Atom Retro - well and truly bookmarked and somewhere I'll be shopping from again and again. As I've said above, I'm being objective and there are lots of retro clothes on the site that I personally could not see myself wearing, in fact I just enjoyed looking at the wide range of sometimes bizarre clothes available. Go and take a look, I think you'll find something that appeals to you.

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What do you think to my choice and the outfit?

*thanks Robbie for taking the pics!

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