Hey Guys,

Gather round and have a look at what I’ve got to show you this week!

I’ve styled a couple of fresh and smart outfits for you and although they may be a lil’ pricey, you can’t deny the craftsmanship…these pieces are beautiful!

Hmmmm..one day, one day haha.

Admire the chunky cable knit with a sparklingly crisp white shirt, shorts and high-top boat shoes.

Though you don’t have to buy these exact garments to achieve this look…for a fresh twist, seek out similar items and match them with what you already have in your wardrobe.

Cream Cable Wool Knit Cardigan- by Jil Sander

Wine Red Velvet Bow Tie- by Lavin

Rich Brown Leather Brief With Suede Lining – by Gucci

White Cotton Shirt- by Givenchy

Blue Plaid Cotton Shirt – by J.Crew

Navy Tailored Bermuda Shorts- by Chucs

Olive Slim Leg Cotton Trousers – by J.Crew

Neutral Brown High Top Leather Boat Shoes With Hide Laces – by Rag & Bone

Dark Brown Water Resistant Leather Boat Shoes- by Quoddy

Keep it Krispy,

Tie it up peeps! It’s time for bow ties.

Hey peeps,

To celebrate the great weather we’ve been experiencing, this week we’re bringing you a slightly more simple and cleaner look, (as I do like to change it up a lil’!)

With crisp whites, a little blue, neutral greys, browns and a touch of red – this look is cool and summery but not over the top. We’re going for an outfit that is basic but still fashion-forward.

Grey Melange Cardigan With Wooden Buttons – by Uniforms For The Dedicated

Deep Red And Pink Spot Silk Bow Tie – by Paul Smith

Brown Leather Belt Featuring With Western Inspired Tooled Look – by ASOS

White Short Sleeve Shirt With A Slim Collar- by Commes Des Garcons

Light Grey Shirt With White Stripes – by Paul Smith Jeans

Dark Clean Wash Skinny Jeans – by Cheap Monday

Beige Drill Cotton Shorts With Double Button Waistband- by Camo

Brown Suede Almond Toe Boots – by Hudson

White/Off White Leather & Suede Shoes – by Mr. Hare

Keep it Krispy.

Name: Ethan

Occupation: N/A

Favourite shop: Hackett/Ralph Lauren

Never be caught in: Topman

Anyone that has a place in their heart for Hackett and Ralph Lauren, has a nice comfy chair next to Hackett and Ralph Lauren in my heart. After Ethan and I exchanged our views on quality shirts, I complimented his amazing tan leather Oxfords which he purchased in Italy.

Name: Joshua

Occupation: Jaeger Menswear Designer and Bespoke Tailor - Joshua Kane Bespoke

Favourite shop: Jaeger

Never be caught in: TheHigh Street as its too busy, enjoys quieter shopping experience

The first thing I noticed as I stepped into Starbucks -to purchase a refreshing strawberry and cream frappuccino -was Joshuas stand-out blazer, one that he made himself.

The rest of his ensemble complements his blazer wonderfully; from the blue button-down shirt and elegant watch to the slim navy tie and scissor tie bar. A very classic look with a dash of on-trend, rolled-up fitted jeans.

Name: Jee

Occupation: Assistant Buyer/Product Merchandiser for Oki-Ni

Favourite shop: Eclectic

Never be caught in: N/A

For all the street wear heads out there, youll recognise and respect Jees Nike X Hideout Air Footscape Woven sneakers. The same sneakers thathad enthusiasts lining up at 4am on the day of their release in Tokyo…I wonder if Jee was there?

Anywho, his gilet is great too, as it ties his look together really well against the navy. And the neck detail on his top -two thumbs up!

That’s why during the months when it’s supposed to be warm, it’s wise to take a jacket with you, something that’s lightweight, that will protect you from the elements but won’t make you sweat out the Thames.

Last week was the beginning of our London Series, using iconic landmarks around the capital as the backdrop for our Product of the Week shoots.

Set against the majestic Tower Bridge, we introduce to you The Carter Mac from London-based brand The Village Green. It’s the perfect summer garment – a beautifully-constructed and stylish  jacket. What more could a Londoner want? (bar sun)

Since the mac is such a timeless piece we kept the styling  minimal, allowing the jacket to steal the spotlight. We began with a plain seersucker button-down shirt.

The red patterned tie adds a pop of colour to the outfit. We threw in a burgundy vintage leather case and a  pair of slim fitting denim jeans to help keep the outfit from looking too formal.

STYLING & MODELING: AARON.C PHOTOGRAPHY: COOLOGRAPHY

We rolled up the sleeves to keep the jacket on the casual side as well as to highlight and show off the stunning seersucker lining. Finally, we popped the collar and tied the waistband to complete this cool and casual look.

All of The Village Green’s designs are currently available online at TOPMAN.COM and in their flagship store on Oxford Circus. For those fellas looking for a great fitting casual jacket this summer that doesn’t come from a mass-produced high street brand, this piece would be right up your village so to speak!

Head over to Topman now to snap yours up.

As always,

Stay Stylish

Aaron C.

Some people see things in unique perspectives. They possess a sort of matrix vision that allows them to perceive things that are hidden to us normal folk.

For some this is a natural talent/gift which they use to great effect. Others, however, have a clouded vision rather than a matrix one. (My mother attempting to paint Reuben’s white plimsolls black when he was a kid is a perfect example.)

Alyce Santoro is a natural. She, with the help of Julio Cesar, has managed to recycle recorded audio cassette tape (Sonic Fabric) and turn it into the beautiful product you see above.

The most intriguing aspect of the tie is that it will actually play audio when a tape-head is run over it.

To hear a sample, click here.

To make a purchase click here.

As Always,

Stay Stylish

Aaron C.

We’ve teamed up with topman.com to create a special ‘Style Survival Skills’ video on how to tie a bow tie for their self-tie bow tie launch.

Check it out on their Youtube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/TopmanBlog

Or Blog: http://blog.topman.com/2009/06/how-to-tie-a-bow-tie-featuring-individualismcouk.html

Stay Stylish,

Aaron C.

Related Posts: Style Survival Skills

We’ve reached the final week of our staples posts. Although these items are in week three, they are by no means less important. These staples are the foundations of a stylish man’s wardrobe. Without them, you’ll have an incomplete wardrobe and you’ll struggle to make the rest of your pieces work.

It’s a little like a football team; you need each player to be present and playing their part to win the Champions League. Your wardrobe needs to contain the best elements- it needs to be the MAN U of wardrobes. If you leave things out you’ll only end up like ARSENAL. (Arsenal fans, you may have your say in the comments section below!)

11. Polo Shirt

Polo shirts are great for summer. The may not work all year round but they give you a little choice and provide you with some breathing space from your shirts. They can be paired with shorts, jeans or dressed up a little when matched with a blue blazer.

Colours and patterns will add interest to your look and there is no specific style or colour here. It’s your time to get personal and creative, for the main forcus is the style of the piece; the humble polo shirt. 

12. White -T-Shirt 

A good quality white T-shirt can really aid your casual wardrobe. When one fits just right and is actually WHITE,  it can ooze style. A White T works best when rocked simply. If matched with a pair of jeans or shorts, a white T-shirt need not scream out ‘Look at me’, as it’s subtle style and history does it all.

Think or James Dean and you’ll catch my drift. They’re also a perfect layering piece. White T’s provide a casual alternative when worn underneath a V-neck sweater instead of the the over-used dressier shirt choice.

You’ll need them to fit just right- not too tight, not too loose. By the way, XXXXXL White T’s have NEVER looked good, even on rappers and if you live in the UK,  don’t EVER attempt to pull it of. Too tight T’s will have you looking like Simon Cowell, which is never a desireable look. 

13. A slim Dark Tie 

It’s one of the main accessories for a man. Tie widths can vary alot, however getting a medium width- slim but not too skinny- will keep you looking modern as well as stylish.

The dark tones will compliment the rest of your neutral staples and will stand out when worn with a colourful sweater. 

14. Coloured Cardigan 

Cardigans are now an essential staple for every man. There was a time where they were considered too old or grandaddy but those times have now passed.

They are- hands down- the perfect layering piece. Having one in a bright colour will also bring some much need vibrancy to your wardrobe. Cardigans can be worn underneath a grey blazer or teamed simply with a white T-shirt. Just no ‘Nu Rave’ neon colours. You’re best off sticking with a variety of blue or red tints.

15 White Canvas Trainers

Nothing makes me smile more than the sight of a fresh pair of white canvas trainers. Notice I said FRESH! There is an endless debate about whether they look better scruffy or clean. In general, the Americans like theirs fresh and the Brits prefer the ‘I’ve shat, pissed and vomited over myself but I still look Cool’ scruffy look.

Sorry, but I’m with the Yanks on this one.

The reason being, is if they are kept fresh, they can be paired with a suit. Fresh kicks look just as good with trousers and chinos as they do with jeans. So make sure your pair are crisp and try to stick to designs that have few logos.

Stay Stylish, 

Aaron C.

Related posts: Mens Staples 1, Mens Staples 2, Tie Styles, Top 5 Shoes Every Man Should Own, Cardigan Styles

P.S: Want to ask us more about staples? Then simply join the forum. There you’ll be able to ask us anything regarding men’s style. You can get all these blog posts and video tips sent to YOU for free by typing your email address here. Also, if there is a topic you want us to cover then simply write it in this little box, press send and we’ll jump on it ASAP.

Or if you prefer, we can come to you! Check out our personal 1 on 1 style consultations and discover the ‘Science Behind Style’. Just drop us a message

The great British weather is finally starting to take a turn for the better! But we can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to ditch your jeans and trousers completely and run around in shorts all week. 

We’ve all been there; we get up and have been personally-invited out by the vitalite sun, he assures us he’s not leaving till very late. Then a few hours later, we realise that Vitalite bastard Sun lied and has pissed off, leaving you to walk home with frosted balls -and I’m not talking about a new Kellogs cereal. 

So while the weather is still a bit like Liverpool’s form- up and down- we’ve set out the top five accessories you need to pick up for when the real sun comes out to play. 

1. Aviator Sunglasses

The Aviators are a classic and will never go out of fashion. Period. The great thing about these are the fact that they also break the age barrier; they’ll look as stylish on a 20-year-old as they would on a a man twice his age. 

Avoid  looking like a member of YMCA and skip the metallic Police-style ones. Instead, go with a coffee brown to add to your summer chic. Just make sure you choose a frame size that fits your face. You can buy these cheaply from most high street stores or go spend some money and get them prescription fitted.  

2. Braided Belt 

The braided belt is a great way to spice up your summer outfits. The nautical styles are by far the most suited to this season’s chino/tailored short trends. A neutral cream belt is the perfect partner to your brown aviators. They are extremely versatile and can also be matched with cargo shorts as well as a wide range of coloured chinos. 

3. Fedora

Last week, we covered fedoras, so it would be hypocritical of me to leave it out in this week’s post. The fedora is a great finishing touch to any outfit and can also be used as the stand-out piece on a simple shirt and sunglasses combo, as pictured above. Pitt looks the shit.

4. Summer Watch 

The summer watch is a neat way of adding a little colour into your summer ensemble. Many of the famous sports brands such as Adidas and Puma are creating these summer masterpieces. It’s the perfect time to go crazy with your wrist pieces.

Use the sun as an excuse to go colour mad. It’s also a nice way of co-ordinating some unusual colours into your look. 

5. Cotton Tie

Cotton ties lighten up your outfit. The aim of your summer look is to look light and cool and a cotton tie does just that. It works well with other summer fabrics such as linen and looks casual enough to even pair with a pair of chino shorts.

Plaid designs are all the rave now and they work very well with the natiucal trend, so experiment and find out what suits you.

Stay Stylish,

Aaron C.

Related posts: Suit Accessories Tie Styles  Belt Types

P.S: Want to ask us more about summer accessories? Then simply join the forum. There you’ll be able to ask us anything regarding men’s style. You can get all these blog posts and video tips sent to YOU for free by typing your email address here. Also, if there is a topic you want us to cover then simply write it in this little box, press send and we’ll jump on it ASAP.

Or if you prefer, we can come to you! Check out our personal 1 on 1 style consultations and discover the ‘Science Behind Style’. Just drop us a message