For those of you who didn’t make it down you truly missed an epic night. With a bigger venue, a better style booth, 2 video corners – Learn from the ladies as well as the usual Style Talk, an exhibition corner and a cheeky cameo from Mr Hudson Laced Up will really take some effort to top. Don’t believe us? Check out the trailer of the night below….

SOUNDTRACK BY: KUNFUCHOP – “IN THE GROOVE” - http://soundcloud.com/kunfuchop

Exactly! So what are you waiting for? Email full names to RSVP@INDIVIDUALISM.CO.UK or attend the Facebook event here to be put down for the Sins Of Style party!

To find out more about our Sins Of Style night check out this post:

Instead of incorporating the comp into our style booth, we provided a whole unique setup for those who entered the best footwear competition. So below is a video of those that made it into the top 10.

Please place your votes by simply commenting below (on this blog post only) with the number you wish to win! Lets get this rolling!

This competition is sponsored by: Nike iD, Topman & Mr Hare, Palladium, Sebago & Mr Lacey (See prizes below)

VOTING CLOSES: Sunday 25th September – 11:59pm!

And just for some extra clarity, here’s the number for each of the entries, get voting with comments below:

1st PLACE:

- A custom design session with the Nike iD studios and a pair of trainers.

- £100  Topman gift voucher, Marc Hare Shoes, Topman VIP appointment.

- A box of Mr Lacey Laces and shoelace guide book

- A pair of Palladium Boots

- A pair of Sebago Shoes

2nd PLACE

- £100 Topman gift voucher  VIP appointment

- A pair of Palladium Boots

- A pair of Sebago Shoes

- A pack of My Lacey Laced and shoelace guide book

3rd  PLACED

- £50 Topman gift voucher

- A pair of Palladium Boots

- Mr Lacey shoelace guidebook

P.S: Feel free to post up the video where ever you wish. May the best kicks win! Good luck!

You can imagine our delight when Pointer dropped these bad boys for Spring/Summer 2011. A lot of footwear brands are releasing duck boots, or at least models inspired by, and it’s safe to say the majority can look a little woahhh sometimes!

But what we love about Pointer is that its whole ethos is about creating ‘simple well designed casual shoes’ which is exactly what’s been done here – a crazy understated statement, know what I mean?

Available at Flatspot

Keeping Style Yours,

Nigel.

Now I have a little problem. A problem that affects many men out there. My ankles are as big as a Twiglet; come to think about it they actually look like a Twiglet, so when it comes to sandals, I momentarily hesitate. But after one look at this sneaker/sandal concoction, all that doubt and uncertainty flew straight out the window.

This suede sneaker from OTeZI3300 is sure to get people asking the question: ‘Just what they hell are they?’  This style is known as the OTZ-1. It has an internal stretch sock membrane that contours the foot for maximum comfort, warmth and breathability while its anti-microbial cork footbed is anatomically designed to promote a healthy posture.

It comes in a variety of colours but we feel that the sand-colourway provides most value for the average chaps wardrobe. The Velcro toe-strap is a design feature that really drew us in, plus the minimal branding is something that appealed to us even more. Subtle and stylish- just how we like it.

Now onto the look……

The look we created for the OTZ-1 was a very relaxed, casual one. Starting with the shoes, we made sure we didn’t wear socks- that’s a style sin almost as bad as string bag with suits and you know what we do to those folk!

We then paired it with a pair of light, stone-wash denim shorts. Tighten that up with a brown braided belt to keep things a little nautical.

Then we went for a little light layering; a white T-shirt provides a perfect base for coloured V-necks, so we dropped a forest green sweater on top and threw a casual twill shirt in an oatmeal to help compliment the sand sneakers.

Styling: Aaron. C Photography: Coolography

Finally we rolled the shorts up, as well as the sleeves of the shirt and sweater. A loose fitting shirt keeps it looking casual and the earth tone colour palette  of greens and tans fuse the look together.

So for those fellas looking for an alternative to the classic Nike Air Rifts, our Californian friends have just the right thing. Head over to OeTZI3300 to take a closer look.

As always,

Stay stylish,

Aaron & Reuben.

To start off , we are introducing the ‘Sports Casual’ dress code. It’s a mix of sportswear and casual clothes and some would argue that it’s simply ‘Smart Casual’, but with such focus on the statement sports pieces (in this case the Nike trainers), the word ‘sports’ needed exclusive love.

With this shoot we style up some looks with some classic Nike sneaker styles, showing you a variety of ways in which you can sport them (no pun intended). So gain some Sports Casual inspiration, throw away your tracksuits bottoms and just do it  (again, no pun intended).

Boat shoes are a summer staple. You should own a pair already. Nike created a sneaker/shoe hybrid that looks the shit called Mad Jibe. Its perforated style adds a little more intrigue and when paired with nautical colours, this is a clean, no fuss look.

We made the look by teaming them with a fresh white T-shirt, topped with a plain navy fitted sleeveless cardigan. Also, the red chino shorts and a charity shop brown leather vintage belt breaks the colours up.

Remember! No socks lads, even if your legs are as hairy as mine.

These Nike Air Max are a classic and they’ve been recently re-released with better tech, (not that I really care, lol). The key with this look is that the trainers are clean. A grey cashmere crew-neck sweater underneath a sleeveless denim biker jacket provide that urban cool.

The camel denims lighten up the feel and adds a contrast to the denim top (a mix of blue denims would be as wrong as this backpack) and the rose belt is thrown in for its similar colour palette to the sneakers.

Too much colour co-ordination can look amateur but we felt that the purple was subtle enough to run with. We highlighted it with the lilac cardigan and although it’s not an exact colour match, it’s enough to show you’ve made the effort.

The grey cords provide the neutral bottom half and a classic cropped leather jacket is a no brainer; you can’t really go wrong. With the white T as the base layer, it helps the cardigan stand out a little bit more.

Styling: Aaron & Reuben Photography: Earl Alburo

YES! I looked pissed in the photo. It was the last of the day, I was hungry and as skinny as I am, I do actually eat. This shot shows you how you can style trainers in the same vein as a pair of leather boots.

The high cut style is perfect for it. We layered a grey cardigan with a sleeveless denim jacket, used a thick casual belt adds some weight to the look and it works well with the leather bag. The maroon chinos stop us going down the monochromatic look while highlighting the sneakers too.

Stay stylish,

Aaron C.

We don’t really do sportswear here at Individualism and to be honest, we’re not too sure why. Maybe it’s because it’s hardly the most elegant category in menswear or maybe it’s because wearing a hoody in East London doesn’t hold the most positive connotations. But like Will Smith’s lyrical masterpiece, we thought we’d switch it up.

This week’s ‘P.O.T.W’ comes from US brand Apolis Activism. The brand are famous for their red stitched cross which means:  ’The sign of relief and an icon for all global citizens committed to quality and change. Apolis Activism applies contemporary design, premium fabrics, and an opportunity to share the value of Trade.’

Their ideals are certainly apparent in this modish navy hooded pullover. Boasting a French twill contrast placket and pocket trim as well as natural Caruso buttons carved from Tagua Nuts (I know it sounds like some sort of India Jones relic), this piece is ticks all the right boxes.

• Comfortable
• Understated
• Stylish
• Masculine

Check out context now for a close look now.

As always,

Stay Stylish

Aaron C.

Related posts: Top 4 Polo Shirt Styles

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Right, this week my area of concern is with what we commonly call ‘sports attire’. What a great name for ‘tracksuit bottoms’…sports attire.

Being out and about in London Town has set off alarm bells in my head so many times. Who on God’s green earth has given permission to men over the age of 21 to wear tracksuit bottoms as casual wear. If you can wear tracksuit bottoms as casual wear then why not throw on a pair of trainers and rock some swimwear like this confident gentleman:

Think about it, it’s very similar. Both are performance-designed garments that should be used for SPORTS and just simply don’t look too stylish. Go on. Give it a try. Don’t be shy.

I will bet my mother’s left knee cap that there are some readers that totally disagree with me. There may even be some of you that are now offended. Now, I don’t mean to upset you. I do agree that today’s blog is one of mere ‘opinion’, but not just of mine. It’s also from those that matter to us men…WOMEN (which you can watch in a future Style Survival Skill video tip soon (I know you love my shameless plugs).

Many talk about the ‘comfortable period’ within a relationship; the time when one partner has reduced the amount of effort they put into how attractive they make themselves look. Both sexes are equally responsible for this. We start off the relationship dressing well, making an effort with grooming and looking sharp. Then a month or two down the line, things change. We have who we want and no longer feel the need to ‘attract’ our partner. We become Rab C. Nesbitt:

Some may think I’m going over the top here, but so many women have told us that a man approaching them in tracksuit bottoms makes them feel like that guy couldn’t care less about his appearance, yet alone about the thoughts of her. Now, would you go to a job interview in a hoody? No. That’s simply because we know that first impressions count. You never know who will see you when you’re out, so the idea is to maintain your standards.

I’ve slugged off tracksuit bottoms with all my might. But I’m sure no matter how many rosaries my family and I offer up to the Lord, I won’t rid the UK of tracksuit bottom wearing men. I have learned to accept that guys will always feel comfortable in them and that being in a rush will be an excuse for many.

So…

If you do chose to wear tracksuit bottoms out in public, follow some of these simple rules and make the most of a bad move (I won’t budge on my hate for tracksuit bottoms. That’s as sure as death itself):

1) Make Sure the Colour’s Work.

Don’t look like a bag of Skittles. It’s childish.

2) Wear Clean Full Tracksuits with Matching Trainers

(I stress the word “clean” because, tracksuits are not made of denim. The fabric wears out at a quickly and they will start to look worn-out and dirty very fast. A fresh, new tracksuit can portray the attitude of good self-maintenace. Oh yeah…If I see any one wearing shoes with tracksuit bottoms, I’d happily go to jail for manslaughter!)

3) Always Wear the Same Brand in One Outfit

Mixing two sports brands in the same outfit is like mixing milk with orange juice. If you haven’t tried it, do so. It’s a life-long lesson.

4) Accessories Add Unique Style

As well as adding individual flair to your outfit, accessories including bags can actually make it look like you are GOING to indulge in sports activity that day. You can use that as your excuse if you’re challenged by anyone.

Done.

Tracksuit bottoms in general aren’t advisable as casual wear, but follow some of my pointers and you’ll be looking half decent in your cottons. High-fashion designer sports brands can cost a bomb, so I’d advise you to have a look at Puma, Nike and the king of tracksuits, Adidas, for mid-range price’s.

Good luck with the sports wear and until next week…

As Always,

Stay Stylish

Aaron C.

Related posts: Vintage Blue Adidas Holdall, Adidas Store Stockholm

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