Whenever I feel like I need a fashion kick up the pants I go and find a little ABC of mens fashion for some inspiration. Always does the trick.
This one features ex style editor of Harpers & Queens Mr Peter York telling us why the suit was such a good invention. He makes a good point too you know.
“Fashion affects, absolutely everything” It’s true you know, it defines everything from entire decades to simple moments in time. Clever guy this Peter York.
Okay. Stay fancy.
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 noticeably Black liberationist Malcolm X.
They found there way back into popular culture when Bruce Willis wore a pair of tinted browlines on the show moonlighting creating a massive demand for the browline sunglasses. As Ray Ban already dominated the market with their Aviator and Wayfarer models, they created the clubmaster sunglasses we have today apparently named after there popularity with jazz musicians in the 50’s club scene.
In the mid 2000’s the style once again gained popularity with 50’s and 60’s fashion culture returning to the mainstream and with shows like Mad Men making everything retro cool, the club master saw a massive resurgence. Todays clubmasters come in all kinds of shapes and colours, from steel frames to wooden ones and even clubmasters that fold up into your pocket. Personally I’m a big fan of the original tortoise shell design from the late 80’s.
So what makes these an essential for me?
Well, any fashion item that has seen it’s way in and out of fashion for the better part of half a century is clearly here to stay. The outstanding design and true style will always be rediscovered. I love these guys so much, I even got myself a pair of spectacles too match, I wear them when I need too channel my inner Don Draper. It works too.
So, I’ve decided to make the browline spectacle my essential 6.5 cause really they go hand in hand. Remember classic never goes out of style.
Okay. Stay fancy.
So, I know i’ve been a little slack on the blogging front of late.
Not that you particularly care about my problems, but I’m in the process of moving into a new apartment while renovating. It’s been nothing short of a nightmare, but its nearly done and when it is, you’ll be the first to see it. Promise.
Anyway, so back to this Fancy Friday from a few weeks back, it was a classic “business” look , but of course with that little modern edge I enjoy so much.
A slim fitting, french blue shirt with a double cuff, classic green and blue preppy striped tie and a classic 2 button grey blazer with black pants. The contrast came in the tan belt and brogues, it’s what made it feel very London businessman to me.
Then, as with everything, its details details details, I wanted to keep it quite simple for this look so kept it classic, directly matched greens on the pocket square and tie, and the brown on the lapel flower so that it didn’t pop out of the neutral blazer too much but still worked with the belt and shoes. Simple silver in everything from the tie clip to the watch and small accessories.
Lets take a look at some of the details:
If you like any of the above items, here’s where they are from:
Blazer from Zara
Shirt by TM Lewin (available at selected Edgars Stores)
Tie by TM Lewin (available at selected Edgars Stores)
Tie clip and lapel flower from Suited Man
Pocket square by ASOS
Leather bracelet by Caputo and Co
Watch from Alessi
Cufflinks from Stuttafords
Pants by Ben Sherman
Shoes from Zara
Okay, stay fancy.
So you may or may not have heard the news about London based fashion giant River Island finding its way to our shores with there first flagship store opening at the Zone in Rosebank in September.
Yeah, Awesome I know.
River Island is synonymous with trend led pieces all cut to modern silhouettes, its fast fashion at its best. For you gents who’ve never had the opportunity to visit a River Island store, let me help give you an idea of what to expect, before I tell you how you can win tickets to the opening.
If that doesn’t excite you, you’re definitely on the wrong blog.
All I know is that our wardrobes are about to have a serious fashion injection.
So, this competition is a little different, it’s kinda a win win situation. For once I may get to win too, but I’ll need your help. The prize? Well, 3 of you will get to attend the “Night of Fashion” VIP event with me on the 18th September with R300 in vouchers to spend on yourselves.
So now what? Well, they’ve put me up against a whole bunch of other bloggers in a look book challenge, happening on Battle To Britain.
I took some of the pieces available in the upcoming collection and put together this african inspired “ode to the Mod”
So, now I need your vote, simple. If you think my lookbook is the best, then please put your vote down, if however you see one which you prefer, then by all means vote for that person, I’m nothing if not fair.
So how can I reward you guys? Well, all Johannesburg based followers who vote for me can win one of the 3 tickets to the VIP opening night with me, all you need to do after voting is send out a tweet or Facebook message with “I’ve just put @WhatMyBFWore one step closer in the #BattleToBritain” (If you don’t have twitter and would rather use Facebook , just update your status but use @What My Boyfriend Wore instead ) - This is the only way I can track the entries and do the draw for the 3 people who I’ll be hanging with at the VIP opening.
Massive thank you to everyone in advance who takes the time out to vote for me.
I’ll keep bringing you mens fashion news and views anyway.
Okay. Stay fancy.
I’ve been asked to take part in the #MissionSamsung blogger challenge over the next couple of weeks (hence the new badge on the right of the blog), we’ll be getting a who bunch of challenges using the new Samsung NX300.
This week is all about the shot of the day, starting with this guy under the theme of “A moment of bliss”
This is mine, it happens every morning and my day is not complete without it! That first flat white and moment of calm before my day starts, is absolute bliss.
Yesterdays challenge was the “speed shot” and seeing as I’m all about fast fashion, I decided to do a little frozen fall, after all, whats faster than gravity? Not much I don’t think. Lot’s of jumping around the office studio with my trusty assistant Justin and using the rad little flash on the NX300.
Today was about getting up close and personal. Something to show off the zoom lens of this little NX300. A little bit of mood lighting, a low aperture and my favourite Ted Baker Brogue boots just popped with detail.
Todays mission was showing off the wide angle of the lens, it’s an 18-55 lens so, it’s pretty impressive to see what you can get. I decided to go with the afternoon view outside my office, Cape Town’s sunset was playing along nicely, and the harbour is an incredible place to observe.
I’ll be uploading this post with a new shot each day, so sneak back when you can.
Okay. Stay fancy.
Before we get into the competition let me introduce you to this months tie of the month Bill - Well, technically it’s last months tie of the month, but I’m a little behind, sorry.
Slap bang on trend with its green hue I haven’t been able to stop wearing bill since it arrived in the post last month, I love the colour and I love the texture, I’ve also just been finding solid ties easier to wear as it allows you to have more fun with your other details.
Here’s Bills Story:
For those of you who haven’t seen the previous tie of the months let me give you a little rundown. I started subscribing to Friday Tie Day after running a competition a little while back. I loved the idea of a little surprise tie arriving in my post each month to build up my collection and haven’t been disappointed since. If you’re looking to do the same, the guys at Friday Tie Day have offered my readers an exclusive $20 discount here.
Because the guys at Friday Tie Day are so happy that I’m so happy with my ties they’ve given me two hampers to give away, both include Bill, as well as Chris from last month and Wyatt from the month before not to mention 5 select ties from the Friday Tie Day Archives. Take a look.
So, how do you get your hands on this bunch of amazing ties you ask?
As always my competitions are quite simple, and this will be no different. As I said, there are 2 hampers, one will be given away via Facebook, the other via twitter. You’re welcome to enter both, but you can only win in one, if by some miracle you win in both, I will redraw.
Step 1: Go like Friday Tieday on Facebook - They’re the sponsors of the rad ties and it’s the right thing to do no?
Step 2: Leave a comment underneath my Win this months Tie of The Month post on my Facebook page telling me which tie from the 8 up for grabs is your favourite. Something simple like “Dalton is my favourite tie”
Thats it.
Step 1: Go follow Friday Tieday on Twitter - They’re the sponsors of the rad ties and it’s the right thing to do no?
Step 2: Tweet what tie your favourite is, in this format “My favourite tie in the @FridayTieday give away with @WhatMyBfWore is …..” of course, you gotta enter a tie in there.
Thats it.
Dont worry folks, I’ll never force you to follow me on any of my platforms, but I do think it’s a nice think for our sponsors, if you do however wanna be kept up to date with posts and competitions go ahead and follow.
Here are the competition T&C’s
• Competition is open to anyone anywhere in the world and your prize will be shipped to you
• Competition opens on Monday 26th May 2014
• Competition closes on Friday 30th May 2014
• Winner will be drawn via random dra.org and announced on Monday the 1st of June 2014
• You may enter both competitions but can only win one
• All entrants must complete both steps in each category to qualify
Okay. Stay fancy and of course good luck.
