Christmas Gift Ideas - Uniqlo Cashmere Crew Neck - £89.90
Who wouldn't like cashmere for Christmas? This is a classic grey melange round neck sweater in that most luxurious of fibres. A winner every year.
Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino Turtle Neck Sweater - £19.90
The roll or turtle neck has become the thing to wear under your tailoring. Practical for this time of year, it looks retro and grown-up at the same time. Uniqlo's are great quality at a ridonkulously cheap price. It comes in 10 colours, we like the wine but at this price you can get more than one.
Uniqlo Crew Neck Sweater - £19.90
Uniqlo's Merino wool is the amongst best value around. Be brave with bold orange worn under suiting or outerwear. Round necks only.
TheChicGeek's Best High-Street Summer Hats
When the sun is shining a hat isn't just a fashion accessory, it's a stylish tool to keep the sun off your head. Learn more about protecting yourself from the Sun. The heat, sweat and general wear makes a new hat every year a must. That's where the high-street comes in; something cheap enough to replace easily and not panic when you lose it or it falls apart.
TheChicGeek took a walk down the high-street and picked his favourites and why;
TheChicGeek says "This is an interesting and new variation on the straw hat; one part boater, one part squared trilby. It is neat and sits stylishly between classic and contemporary".
Reiss - Lakin Bitter Chocolate Paper Trilby Hat - £39 - You could win £150 to spend at Reiss - Enter here
TheChicGeek says "The colouring and patterning of this hat gives it have a touch of the tribal. Perfect for the African looks which we've seen all over the European catwalks. Wear with lighter colours to make the whole thing more summery".
Burton - Black Pattern Trilby Hat - £12
TheChicGeek says "This is a classic take on your Panama, which is a really popular style this year. I like the dark band on this one with the strip of white".
Marks & Spencer - Contrast Band Textured Ambassador Hat With Linen - £19.50
TheChicGeek says "I really like the open weave of this hat, it almost looks like crochet. The open design makes it look lighter but be careful to limit your sun exposure through it".
Topman - Brown Open Weave Straw Hat - £12
TheChicGeek says "This is part of the 50s golfer look that was really strong from Prada. The colour and check makes it cute and perfect to slip into your back pocket".
Zara - £9.99
TheChicGeek says "This is a great alternative to the baseball cap which can appear a little 'young' on any gentleman over a certain age. The neutral colour and strong statement make this the new peaked classic hat shape".
Uniqlo - Premium Linen Army Cap - £19.90
TheChicGeek says "More Fidel than downtown San Fran, the Castro from River Island would work in most casual environments. The rope detailing and shallow shape makes this perfect for holidays".
River Island - Khaki Castro Hat - £15
Splash or Cash? - Peanuts
Charles M.Schulz's classic American comic strip is a perennial favourite. The exploits of Charlie Brown and Snoopy have jumped from page to fashion with these designs from Uniqlo and Black Peanuts at Dover Street Market.
Left - Uniqlo - Snoopy Graphic Short Sleeve T-Shirt - £9.90
Below - Black Peanuts - Sweatshirt - £305
More of this season's Splash & Cash? - Click here
The Perfect Jean
I bought some those great coloured skinny jeans from Uniqlo last year, but when I tried them on in my waste size they were a little too 'spray-on' for comfort so I opted for a size bigger and have been wearing them a little big ever since. Well now I can get a perfect pair because new for Autumn 2009, Uniqlo introduces a free 'same day' alteration service on all trousers over £19.99. The complementary same day alteration service is available to all customers who purchase any trousers or denim over £19.99 and is available in all stores. Such a brilliant idea.
Jil Sander Arrives at Uniqlo
Jil Sander has come out of fashion retirement for Japanese retailer Uniqlo. It was quite a coup for Uniqlo to bag Jil Sander. The german minimalist can no longer design under her own name hence the J+ label. The collection has a limited release, three stores in London and online. As you would expect the collection is very simple, everything is quite fitted. I like the oxford shirt, it reminds me of the ones Gitman do for Thom Browne's own label and at £24.99 great price. Also the jeans are good, Jil Sander always did great nerdy jeans, with nice detailing or creases down the front. There is a nice Prada style belted mac and also tailoring and some cashmere pieces. Definitely worth checking out.
Slim-fit Oxford Shirt - £24.99
Slim-fit jeans - £29.99
The Coat - The Duffle - Top 10
Every season a classic style steps forward as the coat of the season. This year is the turn of the duffle coat and every man should own one. The natural rope detailing highlights the toggles and a hood adds an innocence. This is a good alternative to a pea coat.
See TheChicGeek's other Big Winter Trends - Click here
THE CHIC GEEK'S PICK
Hackett - Burford - £500
PS Paul Smith - Duffle Coat - £550
Burberry Prorsum - Felt Duffle Coat - £1895
Burton - Camel Hooded Duffle Coat - £80
Bottega Veneta - Raw Wool Duffle Coat - £1305
Gloverall - Monty Navy Duffle - £265
Burberry Brit - Wool Duffle Coat - £695
+J Uniqlo - Wool Duffle Coat - £179.90
Raf Simons - Men's Oversized Montgomery Coat - £895
YMC - Navy Wool Gloverall Duffle Coat - £295
See TheChicGeek's other Big Autumn/Winter Trends - Click here
Drinks in the Country
After the weekly medical foray to work and around my city pad off the Kings Road Chelsea District, there is nothing I like better than to retreat to the countryside and on a saturday night tour several countryside pubs drinking real ale and getting drunk with the lads. What do you recommend I wear bearing in mind most of the places I frequent have well spoken clientele and matching bar staff, drive Chelsea tractors with white and yellow name tags and have several acres of back garden. I have tried the superdry t shirt and light denim jeans with trainers but it doesn't seem to bode well. On the other hand,
I really don't fancy tweed so stuck between the two...
Look forward to hearing your thorough recommendations.
Sincerely yours,
Edward J Lancaster Esq.
Hi Edward,
The Superdry T-shirt and light denims with trainers is more Walkabout then The White Hart in the country. You should look casual but English casual. This fitted T-shirt and frayed jean look has spread across the globe quicker then swine flu and to be honest is quite dated. Lets start with the shoes, go for a traditional brown English brogue, Grenson are great and really affordable www.grenson.co.uk. Add a fitted, straight leg jean in a nice indigo or rich blue. Then a cashmere or merino wool knitted v-neck, Uniqlo have some great coloured cashmere at amazing prices.www.uniqlo.co.uk
Wear over a plain T-shirt and finish with a nice Barbour waxed jacket. They are doing some really cool styles at the moment and the quality for the price is amazing. www.barbour.com
Add a smile and the locals are going to love you.
TheGeek
Boyfriend's Winter Coat
Hi there,
I was wondering if you can help me, please. I want to buy a winter coat as a present for my boyfriend. I've been on three shopping trips but to no avail. He is a shortish slim yet well built gent, any suggestions on what style/brand might suit him?
A smart coat preferably and the budget is, open to anything really, once it's stylish.
Any help you can give me would be massively appreciated.
Kellie
Hi Kellie,
Lucky boyfriend! You say he is shortish so I wouldn't go for a long coat as it usually swamps a bit and will make him look shorter. I suggest a peacoat shape, the double breasting will balance his top half and show his legs which will make him look taller. I've found this one by Jil Sander for Uniqlo, it's quilted with down so will see him through the cold weather. Hope this is smart enough.
The Geek
(+J) Wool Pea Coat (Lined Down)- £199.99