Up until now, my essentials collection has been based very much around fashion essentials, the kind of garments and accessories that build a gentleman's wardrobe to last beyond trends. However, as we decided in early 2015, there is more to being a gentleman than lapel flowers and well laced brogues. A gentleman needs to be worldly … Continue reading Essential No 8 – The cocktail set
Menswear 101 – Monk Strap Shoes
I don't do these posts often, but they started off as one of my blog fundamentals - Education in men's fashion. Not because I was an expert, because I'm certainly not, but because I realised most guys didn't know enough about what they wore to make an educated choice, so between Menswear 101 and Dressiquete … Continue reading Menswear 101 – Monk Strap Shoes
Essential no 6 – The clubmaster sunnies
The clubmaster sunglasses are a perfect example of the cyclical nature of fashion. These iconic sunglasses have a long history of fashion, originally called the brownie or browline glasses they were the most common style of eye glasses in the 1950's and early 1960's and therefore found there way onto just about everybody's face, most … Continue reading Essential no 6 – The clubmaster sunnies
Essentials No 5 – The Dress Watch
Ive always been a fan of the simple dress watch. No bells and whistles, just a leather strap and a simple clear face. In fact as time has gone by, my watches have gotten simpler and simpler, dropping all the chronographs and date windows for something that, well, just tells the time really. For ages … Continue reading Essentials No 5 – The Dress Watch
WIN: Essentials No 4 – The Back Pack
I recently picked up this Sgt Pepper brand backpack at Stuttafords, as you know I've wanted one of these old school backpacks for a while, it was even my want of the week a couple weeks ago. I liked the fact that this one was made of real leather and canvas with lot's of little details, … Continue reading WIN: Essentials No 4 – The Back Pack
Essentials No 3 – The Denim Jacket
The denim jacket was originally just that, a jacket made of denim and used as workwear dating back to the 1870's that had arrived hard on the heels of the first denim jeans - seemed an obious next step I guess. It wasnt however till 1905 that Levis Straus & Co introduced the denim jacket … Continue reading Essentials No 3 – The Denim Jacket
Essentials No 2 – The Cardigan Sweater
The cardigan's origin dates back to the 17th century as a piece of traditional fisherman's clothing, but it was not until James Thomas Brudnell (the 7th Earl of Cardigan) lead a suicidal cavalry charge against a Russian canyon killing all of his men that the garment become famous. You see, James Brudnell wore it because … Continue reading Essentials No 2 – The Cardigan Sweater
Essentials No1 – The Messenger Bag
Welcome to the essentials. A new section on WMBW where I share the items I think every man needs in his wardrobe. Or, around his wardrobe at the very least. Consider it the WMBW's guide to being equipped for anything dapper. Our first item is the messenger bag, an item that dates back to ancient … Continue reading Essentials No1 – The Messenger Bag