My made to measure beauty

Yesterday I took a little trip into the square mile to pick up my made to measure tab collar from the guys at Emmett. Have to say to anyone thinking of getting a shirt made up; do it! Great for keeping in the locker for that special occasion and won't cost you an arm and a leg ( made to measure shirts at Emmett start from £195) for which essentially is a luxury service. Anyway back to the tab, my inspiration Mr Samuel L Jackson in Pulp Fiction. 007 himself Daniel Craig wore his Tom Ford tab well but no one can compete with the precise nature of Sam's tab.

For more information on the made to measure service Emmett provide check out their website www.emmettlondon.com/ or contact chris@emmett.co.uk

An evening down the Row

I spent last Thursday evening in the company of some seriously dapper chaps all in the aid of the Savile Row Association and Chivas Whiskey's partnership launch. The highlight of the evening was seeing my style guru Tom Stubbs perform a masterclass in sartorial styling. Using nine of the Row's finest dressing nine varying six foot pretty boys, Mr Stubbs came up with a presentation that combined traditional heritage with a modern infusion with a touch of Tom's witty humour. 

Along with Mr Stubbs in his Thom Sweeney,  Dave and Georgie were fitting it out for best dressed.

George brought the roll neck, David brought the three piece. Honours even.

Here's what I brought to the table that evening. Thought I'd go DB with some burgundy cords and my trusty Russell & Bromley "Chelsea" lace ups. Went with all the boys done up which a few people queried. Think its different to a two button single, yes contemporary fashion has broke a lot of age old dress rulings but when it comes to the DB I think it's best to go with what you feel. I did.

My morning at Peckham Rye

A few Thursdays ago I popped down Carnaby street to meet Martin Brighty and David Walker of Peckham Rye to have a chat about the brands amazing accessories and story. Boy did I get an education! Now I've always loved Peckham Ryes accessories from their perfect contemp 6cm width ties to distinctly shaped bow ties. But after a wonderful and insightful chat from Mr Walker I then found out that the brand was a 6th generation tailors! I was there on assignment for www.mensfashionmagazine.co.uk/ where there will be an upcoming article on the full story and showcasing their hand crafted silk delights. 

Back to the product and look at the super cool prints and patterns used on the ties. A lot of these are pulled from Peckham Ryes archive. Also to the note taking a back seat to all the silk masterpieces on display the boys have a very impressive collection of pins and bars. Everyone's on a bit of silver or gold these days with their formal ensemble and Peckham Rye have a great collection to choose from. I'm looking at getting a mother of pearl tie pin for an upcoming event and knowing they do a fantastic selection is very handy indeed.

I also didn't realise what an accomplished bespoke and made to measure service they had on the go. You want it the guys will make it! With real traditional tailoring and details which again a lot of it goes back to their heritage. I really did feel like a a kid in a candy shop! Look at the details on this jacket. Know a lot of tailors will offer you a few options but not like these guys. You can go as 1930 or as 2013 as you like!

What do you guys think about the shirt? According to David it's called the "spear" collar I would imagine represents those razor sharp collar points. Very Sonny from a Bronx tale! 

Also how cool is this picture bellow. The one on the left is a missile shell from the 2nd world war and the one on the right is from Afghanistan! The shop is a mini shrine to military memorabilia from as many years back as the first world war which ties in with the brands history. David was telling me how he sorted a gentleman out who was in the forces for a wedding tie. As the guy was serving in Afghanistan Martin and David kindly didn't want paying for the tie so the gent promised he'd bring them something back on his next return. He did and it was a shell that was used where he was stationed!

Taylor Morris Eyewear

I've had a ram packed September and in that month I managed to squeeze in a chat with Hugo Taylor and Charlie Morris who have just launched Taylor Morris eyewear. These guys aren't messing around literally from a sketch on a napkin in a bar to shop floor at Harvey Nichols, Hugo and Charlie have got this going in under eighteen months! 

Don't for one minute think that this operation has been hashed up any old how. No no no these guys are serious in terms of manufacturing quality and the aesthetics of the brand. Any way you can read all about the Chelsea boys impressive debut collection next week when my article piece on Taylor Morris goes live on www.mensfashionmagazine.co.uk/ . I have to say I was very fortunate to get a gorgeous tortoise shell pair called the "Brunel" from the guys and literally I wear them all the time! Starting to act like my current style idol Nick Hart!

Also forgot to add the boys also have a great ad campaign that has the super cool Charlie Casely-Hayford in it! Check the full range out on www.taylormorriseyewear.com

Penet or Genet? That is the question

Going to treat myself to a pair of Mr Hare's this Autumn though I'm in a pickle. Which style to go for? I've always been a fan of the Miller especially with the new scotch grain leather pair Mark has released this AW. But think I'm going to go for a statement slip on in the way of the Genet or the Mr Hare's take on the penny loafer, the Penet. Decisions..

Dan Evans: style icon??

Recently I've been getting stuck into Netflix. Been getting some serious stick about certain films I've never seen. Was coming up too often in conversation so had to be addressed. Anyway watched the 3.10 to Yuma with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. Bales character had a great western look I really want to tap into for winter. Check out my take on his look starting with the amazing Barbour x Norton & sons collab long length wax. Found a cool website for fedoras as I'm planning to up my headwear game this AW and picked out this brown beauty. Not too fancy either. Seen a cool J Brand faded denim jacket to under layer with also. Might also have to grow the grizzly gruff back for added effect!

GQs Best Dressed 2014 short list

I've just seen the GQ short list for the best dressed man of 2014 and there's a few blokes who should feel a little hard done by compared to a few of the names that are in the selected 100 plus. Firstly I think Douglas Booths a bit unlucky. His style used to be the "trendy hipster" that Harry Styles is churning out at the moment. But in the last year he seems to have gone up another gear. I loved the longer hair and the contradicting gruff against his pretty boy face. Also I'm a fan of his recent shorter do and the Velvet DJ he wore to last months GQ man of the year award. As I mentioned at the time he was one of the best dressed at the awards bash. Obviously wasn't noticed? Really surprised Reg Yates isn't in the list also? Ok he has a stylist cousin and a hook up with some top drawer designers including Casley-Hayford but his modern luxe direction should have been noted. Over looked was a guy I've always thought has had style; Mr Dave Berry. Co-owner of a tailors with a growing reputation October House. Berry should've of been recognised for his consistent deployment of good tailoring. Not always easy presenting a radio show from 5am. Seeing Paddy Grant and Ozwald were picked for the designers corner, I'm shocked my current style inspiration ( more on the subject in a future post) Nick Hart isn't in the collective. 

Not an easy short list to make but I'm a little shocked these gents aren't involved when a certain few ( I Will keep that opinion to myself) are. Well done to the nominated. Think the Gandy's gotta finally win the coveted accolade of Britain's best dressed man this year.

  

A Sauvage leather masterpiece

A Sauvage has in my mind one of the coolest capsule collections around. Refined, classic new age, stylish and directional are some of the diverse descriptive's that come to mind when looking at Adrien Sauvage's pieces season after season. One of my favourite garments from this AW is this shearling sleeved leather bomber jacket. Talk about a statement leather! If you didn't know already this season is all about bi fabrications with all sorts of combinations flying about. I love the black and golden brown combination as well. I've also chosen Adrien as one of my style inspirations when dressing down this AW. Love a man who can look as good dressed up as down!

Taking inspiration from Mr Gandy's off white contrasting

I have an event this evening where I think I'm going to borrow a look. That look unashamedly comes from Mr David Gandy one of the best dressed gents around. The look that David has been displaying has a very classic element to it for which I love the way he dresses in this modern contemporary age. It's to pair an off white/ cream cardigan against a white shirt and almost use the deployment like a waistcoat. Very clever and very cool. Gandy likes the neat finish so as he does when he is wearing a t-shirt, he tucks the cardigan in to tidy and trim. I still might go for this DB option but I think Gandy's contrasting genius has the edge.