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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Men's shirts from Jacamo

Shirts are an item of clothing that I used to wear nearly every day either with a suit, with jeans or with trousers and a blazer. I was really picky about my shirts then and I still am. It is very very rare that you will see me in a short sleeve shirt, I just don't find them comfortable and they remind me of a guy I used to work with who wore then, stains and all - to my former colleagues if reading, I'm "sure" you know who I mean. Any way, I digress, so long sleeve for me it is, double cuffed if I'm going to be wearing a suit. When it comes to colour, I leave that to the wife as I am colourblind, but my one rule is nothing denim and nothing lumberjack.

With that in mind, I have just de-cluttered my wardrobe and need a few new shirts to fill the gaps and Jacamo have a pretty impressive selection of men's shirts and these are the ones which have caught my eye.

While I can go casual in the office I do like a shirt for when I go out for dinner or out on the town. These shirts I think would look great with a pair of dark blue jeans and biker boots.

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  It has been a long time since ive found a French Connection shirt that I like. This floral shirt is one which I feel I can pair with smart jeans and a loose-fit blazer or on its own.
  
  
  This Mythic long-sleeve shirt from Mish Mash is perfect for your smart to formal wardrobe. Pair with jeans for a smart casual look and wear under a suit or blazer for a smarter occasion look.
• Williams and Brown London isn't a brand I am familiar with but I like the style of shirt. Something I can wear with a suit or with jeans and still look smart, perfect for work.
• Finally this Brakeburn floral short which is totally different to the offering from French Connection by way of design and cuff style. I like that it has double cuffs and can be worn with smart or casual wear.

Personally I have shopped at Jacamo before (it surprised my friend as she mistakenly thought they only sold ranges for the taller and larger man) and still love my Pea Coat and have just taken delivery of some summer wear which again is high quality (the Firetrap tee is awesome) and doesn't leave you feeling as though your wallet has been violated. If you have never visited the site I highly recommend that you do, they have men's clothing to suit a broad spectrum of styles.

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Westfield London - Suit Style

Suits used to be an obsession of mine, I still have a wardrobe full of them, from French Connection and Ted Baker to a series of lovely numbers from Tom English. Being colour blind I’ve never been one to opt for a whacky suit or louder colours, instead opting for solid colours or the boring old navy blue pinstripe. Wearing a suit was a must when I worked in financial services and also when I found myself running press offices for Councils. My latest job (which is by far the coolest) while still dealing with the media doesn’t require me to wear a suit, we go smart casual. So when I was asked by Westfield London if I would like to go in centre and find some accessories to show off my style I was apprehensive but thought in the end, why not, I will have to wear a suit again. So when I head off to conferences, how am I going to accessorise my suit?

As a bit of a closet goth I do quite like to break from the norm and I think this comes through with some of the items I bought.

As full disclosure, I was provided with a Westfield card charged with credit but alas, there are no images of me actually shopping as there was a mix up with my press pass to allow me to do so. 

That said, on with the show….

I’d never been to Westfield London before so after arriving at Shepherd’s Bush underground station the better half and I (she always comes shopping with me to help with colours) followed the signs to be greeted by a very long street of bars and restaurants - you can read the full list of places to eat here but needless to say, within ten minutes I was really hungry and after spotting a Five Guys there was no other place I wanted to go. So before the shopping I topped up my burger levels, chowed down on some amazing Cajun fries and was raring to go.

Picking up the Westfield Card was really easy - I had received codes for the card by text and found the nearest concierge desk, of which there are lots scattered throughout the centre. The process was incredibly quick and painless and the concierge couldn’t have been more helpful. Step one of the process went well.

Taking a map of the centre I was impressed with the sheer number of quality outlets there are - you have everything from run of the mill Next and River Island to Tesla and Thomas Sabo within the centre. You can see the full list of stores at Westfield here.

After a casual wander around the first floor we can stepped into Beauty Base with the wife muttering something about it being a poor mans beauty store. She came to eat her words some seconds later as like a child in a candy store I developed a crazed look, cheeky grin and moved towards the aftershave section as though I was going to hug them. Wow, the range of aftershaves on sale was immense and the prices ridiculously reasonable. I picked up a bottle of The Dreamer for myself and another bottle as a giveaway for my blog readers (you can enter the draw to win a bottle of The Dreamer until 31 May 2016 here). I didn’t use my Westfield Card, although I did think to myself “can I spin an aftershave purchase as an accessory” before opting to pay cash. 

So what did I buy to accessories my suit?

First up was a pair of cufflinks - they were only £20 from Menkind.

Second up was a bit of a chunky belt with a slight industrial twist in my view not the usual subtle number I would wear normally with a suit. This one wouldn’t look strange with a pair of jeans. This was £10 from Next. I also picked up a pack of five pairs of socks for only £12.

As I mentioned earlier, being a bit of a closet goth I really wanted to pick up some bracelets and after popping into River Island I picked up a pack of four bracelets for just £8.

We did go for a wander into Debenhams where I could have gone wild in the suit section. I saw a lovely light blue suit from the Jeff Banks range for just £250 and a few ties and pocket squares. I actually opted for two ties that came in at £25. When I took them to the checkout there was a problem with the card and it had been blocked. By this stage we had been walking around for nearly four hours taking in the vast nature of the stores on offer and rather than go back to get the card unblocked we called it a day and headed home (it was also one of the hottest days of the year so far).

I enjoyed my walk around Westfield and picked up a few things that I believe show off my style (dark and humourless - joke). The range of stores available to shoppers is jaw-dropping and I was impressed with the sheer number of luxury outlets. Personally I will be going back (if only to pick up the Jeff Banks suit for summer) and can see the pain that my new found love for Westfield London will have on my bank balance. There really is something for everyone and every individual style at Westfield London. Give it a try, you’ll lose a day of your life wandering around the stores. 

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For the avoidance of doubt, this post has been sponsored by Westfield, by way of credit on a Westfield card used to make the purchases on the day. No further payment was or will be made.

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What has 2015 taught us about being a gentleman?

Tick, tick, tick, can you hear it? That's 2015 counting down and as we enter the tail end of December it's safe to say that this year I personally have learnt a few things (I've probably forgotten quite a lot as well) and stepping back and watching the hipsters and other assorted creatures who inhabit King's Cross in London it wouldn't be out of place to say we are a culture hungry generation. Many trends have come and gone in this time, the wackiest in my view has to be those people (for some unexplainable reason) who opted to go in for the craze of spiralled vegetables (yes, apparently it's been a craze). This is all well and good, but when it comes to a truly universal and timeless style that is free from the pre-notion of fads and populist perception, being a gentleman never goes out of trend.

So what exactly constitutes being a gentleman? Foremost is setting the trend yourself, and letting others follow. A gentleman takes good care of himself with good clothing, grooming, and an overall good attitude that helps others improve themselves based on his awesome example.

I would dare say that 2015 was the year of the gentleman, with an increase in various fashions, trends and self-care rituals that made scrubbing up well an achievable option for the average man - if I can do it, anyone can! So before the year is out let’s review what we’ve learnt, and Christmas shoppers should take notes as we’ll be going through some great gifts for men this year.

Source: Lan Phantastic

Watches are back - The traditional wristwatch experienced a period out of favour with the stylish man, who at this time was getting to grips with the first generation of smartphones. These phones introduced a range of features; touch screens, wireless connectivity, easier internet browsing, and to the detriment of the watch, lock screen digital time. However, time has progressed and as people have become more acclimatised to their phones, the watch has experienced an impressive resurgence as a must-have accessory for any gentleman. 

Personally, I stick with three trusty watches - I have the massively expensive watch from Bvlgari that comes out once in a blue moon (for fear of someone hacking my arm off for it), my Armani AX number and a nice Jord Wooden number that actually makes me look far more eco-friendly than I really am.

As my migraines get worse, I have tried to shun my purely electronic existence, such as being constantly glued to my phone, in favour of living partly in the real world (I like neither so retreat into my head). As such, many gentlemen have embraced the traditional watch as a reminder of the aesthetical and technical wonder of horology. Putting together a serious watch collection should also require quality watch boxes and winders to ensure your kinetically powered watches are never a minute behind.

The beard and the bun constitute two very important 2015 trends in the world of a well-groomed gentleman. For those who can, growing a beard has become a significant fashion statement for a wide range of modern men - I've spent most of the year with a bit of a grizzler, shaved only in the interest of reviewing razors and the assortment of lotions and potions that arrive on a near daily basis. 2015 saw the majority of men choose the wild, long and rugged facial hair style over the tightly trimmed, shorter style. There’s no doubt about it; the average beard is getting longer and longer, more reminiscent of a Viking warrior, but with the added gentlemanly touch of subtle trimming and shaping for a neater and more natural look.

The popularity of the beard has also brought to prominence the man-bun (for shame). Long hair is fun, I just wish I could get my hair instantly back to being long without the fiddly period from spikes to flowing locks. Oh how I miss having my long hair that could be knocked into so many different styles, but 2015 saw an overwhelming lean towards the man-bun; similar to the lady-bun, but more suited toward the masculine jawline and facial features. Nonetheless, the man-bun is considered a gentlemanly fashion pursuit due to its historical and cultural significance; one only needs to look at photos of the Meiji period samurai to see how far the style has come since its ancient origins.

Such is the expansion of male hair and beard care that beard oils, waxes, conditioners and other bespoke grooming products for men have grown significantly in popularity over 2015. This has encouraged many men to ditch the 2 in 1 shampoo and go for something more tailored to their grooming needs.

A suit for every occasion - Need to look smart? Wear a suit. Need a more casual look? Still wear a suit. This is an attitude that has certainly surfaced in 2015, with men of different backgrounds choosing the blazer, shirt, and trousers combo as their go to style selection for both professional and more laid-back environments. This has also led to a rise in accessorising for men, allowing for various combinations and fits which can spice up a blazer and suit-trousers combo with relative ease, as well as ties and shoes to match.

If you’re looking to buy a quality suit, consider it an investment and be prepared to spend a sizeable amount on something good - think upwards of £700 for a half decent tailored number. If you’re willing to put the money in, you’ll have something which will last you for years and that you can create a wide variety of looks and styles with. Do your research and learn more about the cut, shape, and colour you’d most be interested in, and keep in mind how the suit will look with the rest of your clothing such as shirts, shoes, and other accessories.

Be the best you can be Perhaps the most important part of being a gentleman is self-improvement. Strive to be the best version of yourself in every aspect of your life and the rest should follow. Use fashion to reinforce and personify this success, so that you can look in the mirror and feel confident about yourself.

Conduct yourself using your own style, but with manners, good grace and do at least one good deed a day, trust me, it does make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.

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