Trouser Trend - We'll Take The Check!
The checked or tartan trouser is much more versatile than you may think. What, on the hanger, may look a little over-the-top or loud, when worn, looks smart, understated and chic.
For day, team with solid-colour, chunky, round-necked knitwear - Click here and for evening, dress-up with a smart velvet jacket. Be assured when buying, this is something of a classic, which you can wear season after season. The high-street have some great versions, Zara's are particularly good, just remember, be brave and go for the larger checks. And for the peacocks amongst you, Tom Ford shows how the truly stylish do dinner dress. (Bottom).
Left - Hackett - Red Tartan Trousers - £195
Below - Jigsaw - Black Watch Tartan Trousers - £150
Left - Villain - Check Trousers - £115
Below - Marc by Marc Jacobs - Check Tartan Trousers - £206.15
Left - Zara - Checked Trousers - £29.99
How to wear for evening - One from the archive - Tom Ford A/W 2009
Marc by Marc Jacobs Check Trousers - £206.15
Buyer's Guide - My-Wardrobe - AW 12
Lee Douros, Menswear Buying Manager, My-Wardrobe.com
"I love the vibrant colour, honeycomb texture and loose, volumous fit of this Acne knit. I’m going to team it with slim raw jeans to really highlight the knits shape and texture."
Acne - Blue Honeycomb Pamuk Turtleneck Knit - £240
"This shirt by Alexander McQueen’s diffusion line, McQ, is quite mainline in its styling. It uses a strong print of fighting hummingbirds, and I like the attention to detail of the safety pin button down collar."
McQ Alexander McQueen - White Hummingbird Stencil Slim Shirt - £180
"There’s an undertone of smartening up happening in menswear at the moment, and this feeds through to accessories. I like that this briefcase is made from beautiful soft tan leather and not at all traditional and stuffy."
Marc by Marc Jacobs - Tan Smooth Leather Class Act Briefcase - £365
"I worked with Universal Works designer, David Keyte, on this exclusive unstructured blazer and we’re both really happy with how it’s come out. The Japanese herringbone is indigo overdyed meaning it will just get better and better with age and wear."
Universal Works - Indigo Japanese Herringbone Blazer - £229
"Another stand-out knit, this time from Marc by Marc Jacobs. I like the colour combination of the nutmeg gold and grey, and the mohair texture looks so warm and comfortable."
Marc by Marc Jacobs - Nutmeg Gold Striped Mohair Knit - £235
Standout Knitwear
Dress down continues, but don't fear, you can still dress up by adding a dash of something different with your knitwear.
Paul Smith has this great brightly bobbled sweater, perfect for under something tailored and Marc Jacobs has put spangly lurex into the mix in this otherwise understated piece of knitwear.
Paul Smith - Fluro Bobble-Knit Jumper - £265
Marc by Marc Jacobs - Blue Merino Lurex Oleg Sweater - £220
The Swim Short - 2012
Let's talk swimwear. Okay, so we have the typical floral/patterned variety, the smart Orlebar Brown type, we know not go anywhere near trunks or anything too clingy. We also know that those long 'boarders' look ridiculous and it's best to show a bit of leg, always above the knee.
We always go on about proportion, so judge the short to look in proportion to your width and height. If not sure, go mid-length just on the thigh.
What is new though, and something different to try, is the swim short that looks a bit like a nylon running short. It's cut shorter and has a slightly sexy, retro quality about it. It makes a change from the 'Dad' short and you don't need the body of a Maximuscle dumbbell to look good in it. In fact, it may be the reverse, probably looks better on the slimmer shape.
Gant by Michael Bastian - Hippo Swim Shorts - $148
Marc by Marc Jacobs - Two-Tone Swim Shorts - £135
American Apparel - Nylon Taffeta Swim Trunk - £20
Acne - Vector Swim Shorts - £105
Mud, Sweat and Beers - Surviving the Festival Season in Style
As Glastonbury opens its doors, here’s a quick guide to getting prepared for the festival season.
Festivals can be fun as long as you’re with the right people. Forget the music, it’s about spending quality time with your mates in the sunshine*.
Like going anywhere in this country you need an entire wardrobe - a four seasons in one day mentality of being ready for everything and hedging your bets. But this doesn’t mean you can’t look the part.
This is our brief checklist to cover all eventualities without taking the kitchen sink.
And if things do get a little too much, then drink more**.
*not guaranteed!
**TheChicGeek.co.uk promotes responsible drinking!
Travel Well
Not only are they extremely practical, but there is something really cool about a backpack at the moment. We’re not totally sure why, but maybe its because they make you look really sporty and keep your hands free.
This one by Overboard is designed for use in a variety of situations where water may be a problem, these nylon packs are a great way of keeping everything dry. The backpack is constructed from 600D Nylon Mesh Fabric with heat welded coated seams. It seals tight with a Fold Seal system backed up with additional Velcro for extra security.
From £29.99
Home Sweet Home
Join the new trend in “Glamping” by getting yourself a cool tent. You'll want your lie-ins, and that's not going to happen if you're being cooked alive and the daylight is coming through. This remarkable two-person tent doesn't need pitching - simply take it out of the rucksack-style bag and it pops into shape immediately. It has a black inner tent and flysheet to keep light out, giving you a better nights sleep, whilst excellent ventilation prevents it from getting too hot. Flash Mach II Blackout Tent - £69.99
The ‘Bed’ - A sleeping bag needs to do two things; keep you warm when you first get in and then not let you get too hot that you wake up soaking wet. Get a lightweight one from Snugpak. Made in the UK.
Staying Fragrant - The Great Unwashed
Keeping clean can be an issue. You could go French style and just spray on your favourite fragrance or try these;
Solar Shower - This is worth a bash. It gets heated by the sun - lets hope there is some sun, otherwise it could be like joining the marines. £8.79 -
Aveda soap bar - One bar does all: face, hair and body. £9.30
Cuticura Hygiene Gel - Looks a bit OCD in real life but festivals are a different story. This gel kills 99.99% of germs within 15 seconds without the need for water or towels. £1.29
available from Boots
What if it rains?
Not what, when! Keep yourself dry.
Boring, but wellies work. They can be a bugger to carry and if it’s dry you’d wished you’d never brought them, but why take the risk. British manufacturer Hunter have produced a Limited Edition Hunter Festival in Aqua with optional welly pouch - £125
Pouch - £30
Church’s have produced some great raincoats courtesy of Mackintosh. Love or hate the smell, these are the best raincoats money can buy. They have a great double-breasted one in yellow. £455
And if you do get wet, use some Absorba Balls. These balls contain crystals that are specially designed to absorb moisture from almost any piece of outdoor kit. These compact balls will naturally absorb the moisture in a matter of hours without the use of any electricity, leaving your kit dry and undamaged. Leave the balls on a radiator or out in the sun to dry the next day. £16.99 www.travelwithcare.com
When it’s dry
Wear a simple wardrobe of smart basics. Try these skinny tailored trousers in a lovely aubergine colour from Topman. £35
Put these with some bashed up vintage Gucci loafers in brown or black suede as seen at the S/S 09 Victor Glemaud in New York. There is something chavvy yet cool about this look, add a signet or sovereign ring and a neat polo-shirt tucked in.
When the sun does come out
Hat - Get a hat that you can roll up and put in your pocket. It will stop you getting sunstroke, you don’t want to end up in the St.John Ambulance tent. Now, that really isn’t cool.
Paul Smith - £60
Sunglasses - These are expensive enough to be good for your eyes yet not too scary that you aren’t frightened to damage or lose them. Perfect for the day after the night before. M: UK ‘Richardson’ - £32.00 - Boots Pharmacy Nationwide 020 8974 1642
When it gets a bit nippy
Cardigan - Easy on, easy off. Classic grey cardigan in light weight silk and cashmere will be easy to tie around your waste. £180 - Marc by Marc Jacobs
Don’t leave home without
P´9110 Crank Radio
We love everything by Porsche Design and this wind-up radio is no exception. The P´9110 translates classic energy generation technology into a new form. The crank handle is used to assure the operation of the receiver which works according to the super-heterodyne principle. The radio has an additional benefit with the an integrated charger outlet and a corresponding adapter for mobile phones. The dual white LED lamps serve as an adequate light source when on the move. A siren and red flashing LEDs attract attention in case of an emergency. Dimensions: 265 mm x 131 mm x 84 mm. $350 - Available at the American online shop and they will ship to the UK. www.porsche-design.com
Teach Me Tiger
We spotted this back in the Autumn/Winter previews and it's finally arrived. It looks like a tiger print but has been labelled up as panther, but hey, what's a big cat amongst fashionistos? This Marc by Marc Jacobs shirt is fun, something to make people smile and show not only your style but also your sense of humour. Best to wear under a jacket so people get glimpses of the print but here, in the picture, it actually looks a bit Boogie Nights disco which could be a cool look. Go cat go!
Marc by Marc Jacobs - Panther shirt - £185
