FASHION FOR HIM

Please select an article from the links below:

Scripted yet Independent Style

The impending end of winter and the imminent arrival of spring is my favourite time of every year.
On this occasion two of my great passions; film and fashion, come together to celebrate the most talented in both industries on and off the red carpets.   It started with last week's Golden Globe and Screen Actor Guild awards, continue with the relaxed Sundance film festival, upcoming Bafta, and closing the season in March is of course the highly anticipated Oscars night.

More than ever before, these two highly stylized art forms are linked, and inspiration that once originated from catwalks alone can now equally be found on screen; principally the small screen.

Contemporary TV drama has never looked so good. While the scripts attract powerful film directors like Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg into the producers' seat, the fashion is lead by renown costume designers Janie Bryant, Jenny Miles, BBC's Sue Thomson and others like BBC production designer Anna Higginson.  With their sumptuous fashion in sight , design talent and the use of rich, opulent colour and accessories they manage to captivates the viewer's imagination. 
In my professional opinion, the more sophisticated and accessible the images become, the easier it will be for individuals who search for personal signature style to identify their needs, while no longer depending solely on the catwalk phenomenon.   Here is how to use the screen as your own personal fashion guide:

The slick, suave hunk, reminiscent of 50's film glamour, Colin Firth and young co star Nicholas Hoult ( known best for “Skins”) in the film " A single man" by designer Tom Ford; a true stylish artist who raises the bar considerably when superbly combining film and fashion.
(coming soon to the UK )

The clean cut 60's look of John Hamm in AMC "Mad Men" also known as MM mania, is favourite for designers such as D&G, Donatella Versace, Isaac Mizrahi, Peter Som and Michael Kors

The modern executive look - yet quite worn out I thought - as portrayed by George Clooney in the film "Up in the air". If you go for it please avoid those ugly loafer style shoes.

The stylish yet casual professional Richard Armitage in BBC “Spooks”

The fresh summer suit the way it should be worn, by Clive Owen in the film "Duplicity"

back to top

The Cooler Days

Black & Red
Black is never really gone and this season it is everywhere as a lovely host to a wide range of bright colours such as lime, orange, and emerald /turquoise. 

Red is hotter than ever this season, stand alone or teamed with black it is an extremely timeless combination. However, choose the occasion wisely as it is the colour of passion and blood and might be too fiery for the boardroom.

Teal, violet & traffic light green
Key shades for winter 2009 but make sure they are right for your complexion.

80's return & blue-collar style
Tile shirts, twisted wool, shoulder straps & tight trousers; a comfortable look but might not suit all.

Velvet, tweed, military & YES... lace and fur for men
Correctly styled these are never really out in my mind.  Please remember... you CAN mix fabrics for a fun / fashioful effect but if you are not sure then less is very much more in this category. 
Invest cleverly in timeless garments to use as a luxurious addition to your casual collection.

Leather: now suitable for some business environments
Soft supple and colourful leather jackets and coats will revive any collection and it is the hottest addition to your casual wardrobe this autumn.

Ankle boots
In soft leather it is a smarter and trendier option if your position and company policy allows.

Ties galore
For a sophisticated, sharp and trendy look, a tie can help you seal that deal.

Touch of Tartan
In a trench coat, a scarf or socks, Tartan is hotter than ever.

back to top

What to focus on when choosing a Watch

As a style statement, the watch is an important accessory for a man. Ask any man and most will be thrilled to have more then one in their collection. With fashion and branding becoming more and more commonplace, it is surprising how many casual watches still make their way to the office. As it is with your business wardrobe collection, wearing the right watch to the office is an additional key in sending out the massage of attention to details at work.

The following can help you choose the right one for you:

The Face:
More and more designers are coming out with larger then wrist faces which by themselves are great to look at but like any other fashion accessory should be worn to enhance one’s signature style. When choosing a face first make sure it is in proportion to your wrist and then consider the setting you are going to display it in.

The Colour:
As a basic guideline, use coloured straps and/or faces when wearing casual. For your business look, keep to the shades of your overall wardrobe statement. These can vary if you are a boutique assistant or a gallery owner, the more creative your position, the more flexible the code can be. Not so with gold. This shade is associated with money and power and in an office setting can send the wrong message.

The Strap:
If you are only interested in one watch to transfer you from the office to a more casual setting, than invest in the stainless steel bracelet. Looking the part on most occasions it will last long and will sustain water without fail.

The Pocket-Watch:
Now this is where you can make a real fashion statement. Ranging in styles from new to antique pieces, and priced anywhere between less then a hundred to thousands of pounds, the pocket watch is a classy and elegant option one can wear all round. If this is where your heart lies, than don’t hesitate to make it known or ask for it in your wish list since you would probably like the idea of collecting.

In general, choose a sophisticated watch to add to your signature style in keeping with the rest of your wardrobe. If you own more then one then apply verity to allow flexibility in wear, you can than invest in few of male lovable gadgets like a compass, a night-vision feature, or any other of the digital displays 007 would have found essential.

back to top

What does “casual” mean in the office?

A large number of companies still promote a weekly casual dress day, making the definition of what constitutes casual a difficulty for some. Replacing the suit remains a challenge and the question is:

How to “dress down” while maintaining a professional look?

These general guidelines will assist in making the transition:

Examine your office setting, take your personality into account, draw your conclusions accordingly and always DressYourWay.

back to top