Posts in GUIDES
Shoes Of The Season FW20/21
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This season the star shoe is:

THE BOOTS

Here are some it shoes that everyone is talking about

Clearly this season the hottest brands are Prada and Bottega Veneta. Both of the brands have some of the most iconic shoes of the season. Not everyones cup of tea but fashion is fashion! Below you will find the ones that we feel that you have to check out.

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Bottega Veneta

THE TIRE BOOTS

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THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

And those sneakers are to die for…

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All

Time

Classic Jordans

Hottest sneaker brand

Why You Should Wear Birkenstocks!
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1. First of all, you can get Birkenstocks in a ton of different colors or styles, there are literally hundreds of options.

2. They’re good for your feet!

3. They look great without socks.

4. You'll own and wear them for decades, literally.

5. And you can even get them repaired when they start to show age.

6. They’re chunky, and look great with skinny jeans.

7. Or shorts, OMG they look great with shorts!

8. They’re made from natural, renewable, non-toxic materials

9. They look great on both men and women.

10. And make for an ideal traveling shoe, especially when going through airport security.

11. They're crazy comfortable.

12. They're perfect for wearing around the house

13. Or a day at the beach.



Men's Swim Trunks Guide & How They Should Fit
My latest favorite trunk swimsuit is this orange Tom Tailor which fits perfectly!

My latest favorite trunk swimsuit is this orange Tom Tailor which fits perfectly!

Below you will find some easy ways to find and purchase the best trunk swimsuit for you buddy.

Waist – Just tight enough that they stay up without having to use the drawstring Thigh – Not skin tight, but not too much excess material either. Mobility is important, so don't sacrifice comfort for a super slim fit!

Length – Should end somewhere between two and four inches above the top of your knee cap.

Leg Opening – This is almost as important as length because. Just like pants, if the leg opening is too wide, your legs will look thin and wimpy. It should be wide enough for your the shorts to slide up and down your legs, but narrow enough so they don't billow out.

Think about the shape you want to create. You want your swim shorts to follow the natural shape of your body, rather than masking or distorting it.

Total look by Tom Tailor

Total look by Tom Tailor

How To Match Different Patterns?
Total look: Pepe Jeans London / Sunglasses: Gucci / Shoes: YSL

Total look: Pepe Jeans London / Sunglasses: Gucci / Shoes: YSL

There are two types of pattern-heavy outfits:

The one that turns heads…

…because it's impeccable.

And the one that does the same…

…because it's atrocious!

If you can pull off patterned outfits successfully, the return can be big. Among other things, it can up your chances of catching a woman's eye in a crowd of men. But it requires a bit of courage and a fair amount of know-how. Fortunately, there are time-honored and simple rules for pairing patterns so they'll look great, and today we're going to be teaching you all of them.

#1. Keep Colors Muted

Go with colors that you already love and have in your wardrobe. I'm partial to blues like navy, indigo, cobalt, and admiral blue, plus greens like pine and juniper and browns like chocolate, cinnamon, and gingerbread. Yes, these are all real names of colors that I wear. For accent colors, I like to bring in whites, reds, perhaps a bit of orange.

Stick with colors that you know are going to work for you so you can focus on the pattern.If you're going to try out a super bold pattern that you've never worn before, don't bring in a color you're not sure about. Otherwise you'll

#2. Bring In Patterns Gradually

Base items like jackets, trousers, and shirts cost a lot more than small accessories like neckwear and pocket squares. So start with patterned accessories. They're items that you can switch out easily. Since they're less expensive, you can afford to experiment and make mistakes with them.

The next place to bring in patterns is in your shirts. A patterned shirt that doesn't work for you is a far cheaper mistake than a patterned suit that you realize, too late, you can only wear once a month. Patterned items like suits, trousers, and even shirts have to rotate through your wardrobe. You can't wear them again and again. This is why solids should form the basis of your wardrobe.

Total look: Pepe Jeans London / Sunglasses: Gucci / Shoes: YSL

Total look: Pepe Jeans London / Sunglasses: Gucci / Shoes: YSL

3. Complement, Don't Match

When two pieces match exactly- same pattern, same color – it looks boring and amateurish. Try to complement your outfit instead.

If you want to level up your style, look for colors that work well with other colors in your outfit. That's why I like colorful accessories: they allow you to choose from many different colors when putting together an outfit.



How To Style Casual The Checked Blazer
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Check blazers are everywhere this season. The season’s runways were awash with fashionable check patterns of all iterations. But that’s not why we’re telling you to embrace pattern in your wardrobe. For all its timelessness, a check blazer is a point of difference, a break from the norm and could be just what you need to spice up both your formal and casual dress.

If it’s your first foray into the pattern, then start with a casual take on the check blazer and keep it simple. By its very nature, checks carry an air of formality, especially if they’re weaved in contrasting colours. Today, the check translates perfectly to a more urban casual look. 

The Canali versions of checked blazers are perfect, worn with white jeans, a plain T-Shirt and casual loafers.The plain neutrality of the look will ensure a casual take throughout. And for those who don’t know Canali, Canali has been the paradigm of tailor-made Italian luxury and men’s elegance for more than 80 years. Since 1934, it has been promoting the values of Made in Italy excellence through its artisanal know-how, creating sartorial masterpieces of exceptional wearability and comfort in a perfect balance of elements that blends culture and history with style and taste. 

So guys go and check the treasures that Canali offers simply by visiting www.canali.com and invest in a classic checked blazer that will last forever! To shop editor’s favourite pieces just click on the pictures below. 

How To Wear A Flannel Shirt
Total  Outfit: Tom Tailor

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor

Nothing says cool and casual quite like a flannel shirt. While the garment may be simple, it’s also a wardrobe staple that every man should own. Although the name may induce thoughts of the country, it’s time to think again. Flannel has made a comeback and is now regularly spotted on the streets around the globe. lannel shirts are typically offered in check prints, but they’re also available in plain varieties. Whether you choose a plain or check style will affect how and when your wear it. Most the time, check styles of flannel shirts will have a more casual and relaxed feel, while plain versions will create a sharper, more polished appearance. As such, you should choose which to wear based on the look you’re trying to achieve. If you do pick a check flannel, be careful to balance your outfit accordingly. As the print can tend to be quite bold, it’s usually best to keep the rest of your outfit minimal and neutral.

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor

Athletic Mode
Sweater: Antony Morato

Sweater: Antony Morato

You go to the gym to look good out of the gym. Or at least, you did. What was once a private communion with your own pain has become a social space, where your efforts beneath a barbell are now the background to someone else’s mirror selfies. Which means one thing: it’s time to rethink that salt-stained band tee.

Looking good while standing in a puddle of your own sweat is no mean feat, but with the below tip, your wardrobe can at least do some of the heavy lifting for you.

Take a lesson from your wardrobe by sticking to neutrals. If all your kit is white, black or grey, it all matches. Which is one less excuse not to hit the weights.

If your gym membership is mothballed, the darker you should steer. Black is your friend. It hides sweat patches and looks good on anyone: slimming if you’re not yet in the shape you want to be; flattering if you are. I choose some of my favorite athletic items from Antony Morato.

Jacket: Antony Morato

Jacket: Antony Morato

Sweater: Antony Morato

Sweater: Antony Morato

How to wear a cardigan without looking dated.
Total Look: Antony Morato

Total Look: Antony Morato

A cardigan is a great fashion item to own due to its versatility and ability to suit a wide variety of looks. Whether you’re going for an elegant and formal outfit, a cool and casual style or even something office-appropriate, a cardigan can make an excellent option. All you need to know is how to rock one the right way so that you don’t end up looking like a grandpa. From when to don one to what to pair it with, here’s exactly how to wear a cardigan in style.

What Is A Cardigan?

While the term “cardigan” can cover many styles, it essentially refers to a knitted jumper that opens at the front. Perfect as an easy jacket in autumn or a layering essential in winter, cardigans are designed to provide warmth while still appearing refined. The classical style comes in many varieties, making this wardrobe staple ideal for almost every occasion. Although the garment may not be considered modern or exciting, it is adept at adding a polished and stylish touch to outfits.

How Should A Cardigan Fit?

Finding the right fit for your cardigan depends greatly on the look you’re trying to achieve. If you want to create a relaxed or casual appearance, try a loose style. If you’re after an outfit that appears more polished, consider fitted cardigans that lightly hug your body. No matter which style you’re going for, you should only ever choose cardigans that fit your size, or the proportions may appear awkward.

Total Look: Antony Morato

Total Look: Antony Morato

Get Back On Track For 2019
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Come wintertime, most of us excel at a few things: sipping whiskey-soaked beverages that make our insides warm and fuzzy. Trading AMRAP (as many reps as possible) workouts for AMHCAP (as many holiday cookies as possible) ones. And, in a possibly related story, putting on some weight. This can be a downer, regardless of your personal fitness goals, but especially if your 2019 resolution involved putting on a few pounds of muscle.

The bad news is that if you’re hoping to tone up and build size in the new year, you’ll need to do a lot more than just curtail your involvement in winter-induced gluttony.

1. Start with the basics

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a stellar physique. If you’re looking to put on a decent amount of size but you have no proficiency with basic movement patterns, make sure you fix that first. Focus on mastering things like loaded squats, deadlifts, lunges, and presses—all of which challenge a number of different muscle groups at once—to get started. Isolation exercises really shouldn’t be the heart of your program. In other words, biceps curls can wait.

2. Get strong to get huge

Muscle strength and muscle size are not the same thing, and if you don't pay attention to the former, you're never going to be successful with the latter. Most guys who want to put on muscle and not lose weight typically aren’t as strong as they could be.

To avoid this fate, start off with workouts that involve lower numbers of reps—between 6 and 12—and use a moderate to heavy weight. This will hit a pretty decent middle ground between training for strength and for size. Think of this phase as insurance for your body, which helps to prevent injury as you boost the intensity of your training and prepare for the serious hypertrophy (read: muscle-building) stage to come.

3. Eat, and then eat some more

When you're tearing down your body inside the gym, fueling becomes more important than ever; if you do it properly, you’ll have enough energy to recover, rebuild, and still get back in for your next workout. But we're not just talking about chicken breast, brown rice, and protein shakes. While you can salvage lean mass by eating a low-calorie, high-protein diet, you won’t see any explosive or noticeable growth.

Aspiring muscle growers prioritize nutrient-dense foods. Eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can tolerate, and shoot for unprocessed plant-based carbohydrates, including quinoa, amaranth, millet, and starchy vegetables like squash or sweet potato. Good lean proteins include beans, lentils, fish, nuts, seeds, and eggs. Yes, chicken breast is still fine. All meat is still fine! Just don't confuse a cutting diet, which are often low in calories and high in protein, with a muscle-building diet, which includes a fair portion of carbohydrates.

Two other pro tips: Chew your food thoroughly, which helps make nutrients available to the body immediately, and try to drink at least 50 percent of your body weight in ounces of water each day. Hydration is always your friend.

4. Don't cross-pollinate exercises

There are professional athletes out there who are great at more than one sport. But you, in all likelihood, are not one of them. If building muscle is really your top priority for 2019, take some time to focus on lifting weights and not doing a whole lot else. It’s possible to put on muscle while still including long endurance work, but for most people, that balancing act will be more trouble than it's worth. Those Saturday morning ten-mile runs, like biceps curls, can wait for a few weeks.

5. Consistency includes variety (and breeds success)

Routines don't become routines overnight; they become routines because people go weeks or months or years without changing a thing. To ward off boredom, it's a very good idea to mix up the weights, or change the occasional rep scheme, or combine several core movements into one. just to keep the body guessing. But always remember: proficiency before creativity. Don’t go hitting thrusters—that’s a squat into a press—before you’ve got the squat 100 percent down.

Why? “You’ll need to fall in love with the press, deadlift, squat, and more—and if you're going to do this over the long term, you'll need to fall in love with all those things more than once.

True Gentleman Always Wears a Wristwatch
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At a time when a person can easily look at the smartphone's display, a true gentleman continues to wear a wristwatch. Here are the main reasons I think true gentlemen still wearing wristwatches like me:

  • Watches are a sign of style. The watch you choose to wear can attract others' attention more than the clothes you wear. And when it comes to gentlemen, the watch is an accessory that deserves to be appreciated. The wristwatch makes it easy to get a sense of style. This is a form of self-expression - it reflects the character. Like my Rado DiaMaster Petite Seconde express my more stylish, tailored and minimal side.

  • Wristwatches are pieces of art. Wristwatch is more than a time tracking device. It is a symbol of tradition and history which carries the spirit of handmade work. I Each of the mechanisms is placed manually, and the result is a truly unique piece of art. Few are the men who realize that the wrist watch is a piece of art. Only a true gentleman always appreciates this exquisite accessory that complements his garments.

  • A wristwatch is the perfect investment. It is not actually a true financial investment. It is rather an investment in your appearance and style, and thus in your way of life.  For a long time, prestige and elegance go hand in hand with the expensive and stylish wristwatch.

How To Choose And Style A Blue Suit
Watch: Rado DiaMaster Petite Seconde

Watch: Rado DiaMaster Petite Seconde

A blue suit is perfect for warmer weather conditions, adding a splash of color and lightening up your suit wardrobe. While it is versatile and can definitely carry you through to the winter months.

Buying a suit can be a really daunting process, especially when you’re spending good money and are looking for more of an investment piece. I’ve tried to help ease the fear with some helpful tips and tricks for not only buying your suit, but also picking what to wear with a blue suit when it comes to shirts and accessories.

If it’s a perfect fit you’re after, the only advice to give is to visit a tailor. Whether you get a suit custom made or buy a suit and have it altered, if you want a suit tailored to suit you, the seamstress has to have taken your body measurements into account. Let’s face it, buying a suit from a store is never going to be perfectly fitting. However, this definitely isn’t the easiest, or most cost efficient option so don’t worry, we’ve pulled together some pretty strong advice for choosing your dream suit.

The best thing about mastering the smart-casual look is that you can go straight from the office to the bar – winner. Swap out your crisp shirt for a plain with a monochromatic bold shirt and some boots instead of brogues for a sharp but more casual style.

If you are the kind of guy who cannot live without a watch, like me, choose a nice watch with minimalistic design, blue details and readable dials. Like my Rado DiaMaster Petite Seconde. 

Watch: Rado DiaMaster Petite Seconde

Watch: Rado DiaMaster Petite Seconde

Tips on How To Take Care of Your Watch
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A watch does more than just tell the time. Often, there are personal memories associated with it, making it an incredibly sentimental object. And, if taken care of properly, you can pass your watch on to future generations. Like I am planning to do with my Rado HyperChrome Autmatic Chronograph. Watches are built to last, and it’s not difficult to properly take care of it to keep it in top shape:

1.Clean your watch as often as possible. Take a soft cloth and wipe down the band and the case to remove any dirt or dust.

2.Get your watch serviced every two or three years for a mechanical watch and three to four years for a quartz watch.

3. Know your watch’s water resistance. Most watches these days are built with some water resistance, but vintage watches tend to lose their waterproofness over time. If your watch is not water resistant, it can still handle small splashes of water, but it’s best to avoid it. And, if your watch has a leather band, avoid getting your watch wet –water weakens the leather.

4. Take care of the crystal. This is quite obvious, but it’s still important and worth mentioning. Take every precaution you can to prevent from banging the crystal of your watch against a wall or any other objects that may cause scratches.

5. Keep your watch box for storage. When not wearing your watch, it’s best to keep it in the box it came in. By setting the watch on its side or on the crystal, there is always the possibility the watch could get scratched. The watch box is made to keep the watch safe and offers protection for the watch.

6. Never open your watch by yourself. Leave this to a watchmaker. Opening your watch can expose it to dust, dirt, and other particles that can get inside the movement, so it’s best to leave this up to a professional.

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What To Wear On A Night Out
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It’s finally time to get away from your desk and enjoy a night out. No need to wear a three-piece suit, but being appropriately dressed, comfortable and stylish is ideal for any occasion, whether it’s smart or not. With so many styles and personal preferences there’s no set rule on what to wear on a night out. However, what do you wear to a club?

Choose a classic black suit! For the shirt, make sure it’s slim fit, long enough in the sleeves (no short sleeved shirts), and buttoned up to your collar bone. The trousers also need to be slim fit, as anything too loose is immediately going to look too relaxed and possibly messy. As for shoes, keep to neat lace-ups like oxford shoes and brogues. However, if that just isn’t for you, you can also try a very neat pair of suede chukka boots to keep things classy but comfortable.

Pair it up with your sleek and stylish watch! As you already know I am always wearing the Rado HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph, which I love!

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Healthy Summer Habbits
Total Outfit: Tom Tailor by Shop And Trade

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor by Shop And Trade

1. Remember your vitamin D.

If you’re being diligent with the sunscreen you might not be getting quite as much D as you think. Our bodies produce vitamin D from the sun’s UV rays. But sunscreen blocks UV absorption, and therefore prevents the production of vitamin D. Focus on getting your fill through food sources instead, like egg yolks and fatty fish like salmon, tuna, or sardines.

2. Snack on homemade pickles for something crunchy.

Instead of getting your crunch fix from a bag of potato chips or paying an arm and a leg for a jar of artisanal pickles, make your own on the cheap with cucumbers from the farmer’s market.

Fill a large jar with equal parts water and vinegar, along with a healthy pinch of salt, whole peppercorns, garlic cloves, and fresh dill. Add as many sliced cukes as will fit and marinate in the fridge for one to two days before eating. They’re a flavorful, low-calorie snack. And yes, they count as a serving of veggies!

3. Guzzle a glass of ice water before meals.

It’s an easy rule to help you stay hydrated, sure. But that’s not all. Drinking water before a meal could help you eat fewer calories, making it easier to keep your weight in check. As an added bonus? The icy cold water might give your metabolism a slight boost. Skip the sodas and add fresh lemons and cucumbers to your water so you get a little more excited about drinking it.

4. Eat your sunscreen.

There's a reason watermelon is the fruit of the summer. Yes, because nothing tastes better than a slice of the pink melon on a hot day, but it's also rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that can help protect your skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays, says registered dietitian Amy Goodson. It’s no substitute for sunscreen—but every little bit helps, right?

5. Drink pomegranate juice after a sweat session.

Outdoor summer workouts mean extra sweat, which can throw your electrolyte levels out of whack and leave you dehydrated. But pomegranate juice is loaded with potassium, an electrolyte mineral that can help you rehydrate and encourage your muscles to recover faster. 

6. Don't forget to hydrate during happy hour.

The combo of alcohol and tons of sugar means that summer happy-hour favorites like frosé and margaritas leave you bloated and dehydrated. (Not a fun combo when it’s hot and sticky outside.) Swap them for lower sugar drinks like plain rosé, gin and club soda, or a Paloma, Savage recommends. And have a glass of water withyour drink instead of in-between drinks. 

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor by Shop And Trade

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor by Shop And Trade

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor by Shop And Trade

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor by Shop And Trade

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor by Shop And Trade

Total Outfit: Tom Tailor by Shop And Trade

How To Dress In Summer
Watch: Rado HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph

Watch: Rado HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph

The sun is out, temperature is up, and you’re left wondering how to dress during this season and keep looking sharp.

You want to dress well, but you also want to stay comfortable. (And you’re absolutely right, because obvious discomfort is the most unstylish thing a man can wear.)

Well, dressing well in summer isn’t as hard as you might think.

You don’t need multiple layers to look your best. You can look great wearing just a single layer and by choosing the right accessories. And if you invest in summer-appropriate fabrics like linen and cotton, you can even still wear layers without ending up a sweaty mess. Linen is probably my favorite one and has been the warm weather cloth of choice for centuries for good reason. It’s super lightweight, breathable, and absorbs moisture exceptionally well. Adding an all time classic watch to your outfit will upgrated and will make you stand out from the crowd. I choose the HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph, an automatic watch made of plasma high-tech ceramic. A very durable watch which means I do not have to worry about it and enjoy my summertime.

Watch: Rado HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph

Watch: Rado HyperChrome Automatic Chronograph

Buying a Swimsuit
Total Look: Pepe Jeans

Total Look: Pepe Jeans

Swimsuits are, relative to a lot of menswear, forgiving garments to shop for. You don’t need an absolutely perfect tailored fit, so long as the suit stays up when you dive in (and most have a cord at the waist to help with that).

You are likely to only have one or two swim garments in your wardrobe at a time, so it’s worth finding ones you really like.

Men who are planning on hitting up beach parties and crowd scenes need to be a little pickier. And businessmen who may end up in the spa or hotel pool with co-workers and business partners have their own special concerns. Ask yourself:

Are you trying to impress anyone? If not, stop worrying. Wear whatever is comfortable and works for you.

Are you trying to look professional? Conservative (but not exaggerated) length, conventional styles (trunks or square-cuts), and dark, solid colors or restrained stripes are for you. Navy blue with brass-colored grommets and white rope ties are always safe.

Do you want to look as good as you can? If so, you’ll need a cut that flatters your body type (see below), and a color and pattern that’s eye-catching without being ridiculous. Think stripes, plaids, bright solids, or some not-too-crazy floral patterning. Larger men should avoid close-cut styles like board shorts, despite them being in fashion.

These questions will affect the color, patterning, and cut you decide to go with. My choice is this Pepe Jeans swimsuit and shirt that really flatters my body and express my personality.

Total Look: Pepe Jeans

Total Look: Pepe Jeans

Total Look: Pepe Jeans

Total Look: Pepe Jeans

Total Look: Pepe Jeans

Total Look: Pepe Jeans

How To Wear The Skate Look
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If you had any lingering doubt that 1990s street culture was back, the rise of skatewear into mainstream fashion should put the matter to rest. Because suddenly it’s everywhere. The skateboarders who Anna Wintour would have once ushered away from the steps of the Palais de Tokyo have been invited inside to model what hangs in their own wardrobes, albeit reimagined at 10 times the price.

Skate has always had a hard-bitten aesthetic, equal parts protective and anti-authoritarian. Thick twill trousers are robust enough to prevent concrete shredding too much skin, while a hoodie shields the face from cameras when skating where you shouldn’t. And though practicality remains a long way down most designers’ lists of concerns, it is as obsessed with the underground as ever. What it means for you and me is that some of the most comfortable and hard-wearing threads you can buy also happen to be the most fashionable. What it doesn’t mean is that Tony Hawk is the new Don Draper. 

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The Rise Of Skatewear

Before we get to the rules, it’s worth stating that while brands have adopted skatewear in part as a way to lend bank balance-draining clothes some much-needed authenticity, the look’s surge is not entirely cynical. In the late 1980s, the boom in VCRs turned a niche sport into a global movement, as kids were suddenly able to share tapes of their favourite skaters.

Those kids have long since hung up their decks. But they are now at the age when increased spending power and nostalgia meet. They work in places where a suit seems out of place and they want clothes that are stylish but comfortable. They want trousers with a little more room, shirts with a softer handle, even if they’re being tested in a co-working space rather than on a flat bank.

They also share taste with the new heads of many design houses. Gosha Rubchinskiy, for example, centres his shows around the crew he sessions Moscow’s streets with. Meanwhile, Vetements and Balenciaga boss Demna Gvasalia and streetwear obsessive Kim Jones at Louis Vuitton have both spearheaded collaboration with skate OGs Supreme. These men – and they are almost universally men – are channelling their own and their customers’ love of skate culture into garments that reimagine and upgrade what kids have always worn on their boards. 

All of which makes the ‘skater look’ an odd thing: at once a blatant cash-in and a genuine expression of a subculture that has influenced streetwear since the 1960s. It also means that any man can steal the look. Even if you can only heelflip in a video game.

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Hoodies

If you can’t (or at least don’t) skate, then co-opting the full Palace look smacks of desperation. “Wear the pieces that are a natural fit for you,” says Giles Farnham, head of River Island’s Style Studio. Hoodies are a skate staple, and this cultural cache means they can be used to nod to the aesthetic even if you don’t know your Eric Koston from your Eric Clapton.

Skate Shoes

The grip tape that forms a buffer between foot and board is like sandpaper. Its endless rubbing and scuffing means skaters value shoes that are affordable and hardwearing, since they’re only going to get battered anyway.

Logo T-shirts

True streetwear is simple. Because it was cheap, brands tended not to experiment too far outside staples: hoodies, sweatshirts, caps and T-shirts. Distinctiveness came not from the cut, but from branding, which meant oversized logos and knowing spins on more established iconography.

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12 Vintage Clothing Rules You Can’t Shop Without
JACKET: VINTAGE / JEANS: LEVIS / SNEAKERS: VALENTINO

JACKET: VINTAGE / JEANS: LEVIS / SNEAKERS: VALENTINO

This time in London, I found myself strolling around in the streets and craving for some good vintage pieces. I have visited many shops and ending buying the brown suede jacket that you see in the photos. I really loved it and I bought it for just 45 pounds. Returning back home I though why not writing an article about what to be careful when you vintage shopping and which essentials rules to follow.

1. When you do find something you like, remember: If it is too small, throw it back! Alas, we are here to inform you—you are not going to lose that weight.

2. On the other hand, if it happens to be too big, it can often be taken in.

3. If it’s a knit, you can hand-wash it and sometimes resize it somewhat.

4. Check for holes by holding up the garment to a strong light. (Reweavers can work magic, but they are costly.)

5. If the fabric is weak, if the beads are falling off (and isn’t that always the case with your favorite thing in the whole shop?), it better be super-cheap.

6. If it smells nasty, the dry cleaner has a process to deodorize it, which can sometimes help.

7. Stains that have been in a garment for 20 years are not coming out.

8. Always check the armpits carefully! Here lies trouble.

9. Sometimes, if the fabric is washable and the item is white, you can maybe perk it up by soaking it in bleach. (Of course, it could also totally disintegrate in bleach, but that’s part of the fun of vintage clothing!)

10. Yesterday’s outerwear can be miserably heavy—make sure you won’t end up schlepping through next winter with a refrigerator tied to your back.

11. If you are new to the world of vintage—or if the above warnings have scared you to death—consider getting your feet wet with an aging accessory.

12. Your bargaining power will increase immeasurably if you bring cash. Nothing persuades a weary seller to meet your price more than subtly waving a thick wad under his or her greedy little nose. Plus, if you leave those credit cards at home, you can only spend the amount you brought with you—a foolproof way to cut down on costly mistakes! Sure, it’s difficult—but aren’t life’s worthiest lessons the ones that can seem hardest to accept?

JACKET: VINTAGE / JEANS: LEVIS / SNEAKERS: VALENTINO

JACKET: VINTAGE / JEANS: LEVIS / SNEAKERS: VALENTINO

JACKET: VINTAGE / JEANS: LEVIS / SNEAKERS: VALENTINO

JACKET: VINTAGE / JEANS: LEVIS / SNEAKERS: VALENTINO

I Went Plant Shopping + Plant Shopping Guide
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Buying plants for your garden can be an overwhelming experience. It helps to have a list so you are less likely to come home with impulse buys for which you don’t have the space or the right growing conditions.

Choose a well-run garden center

You’ll find plants sold in many different places from small garden centres to grocery store parking lots, home centers to big box stores. Steer clear of temporary plant stands that sprout like crabgrass each spring. Yes, you can scoop up deals, but generally the selection is skimpy, the staff not well trained, and the plants not watered often enough.

 When buying plants, look for these signs of quality in a garden center:

  • A good selection of well-maintained plants arranged logically; for example, perennials for different conditions, such as sun or shade, displayed together in groups
  • Labels showing plants in bloom, how-to-grow information, and expected size and spread
  • Nursery wagons or carts to hold your purchases while you shop and aisles wide enough to maneuver them easily
  • Knowledgeable staff who can answer gardening questions, make suggestions, or who will take the time to find someone who can

Buying plants – bigger is better

With annuals, it’s fine to buy small ones – these plants grow to maturity very quickly – but with perennials, bigger is better. Often new gardeners opt for perennials in small 4-inch pots because they’re not confident they will be successful. The reasoning goes: “If the plants die, I haven’t lost as much.” But buying plants in tiny pots can be a misplaced saving because the smaller the plants, the more time you’ll have to spend nurturing them. You’ll have to watch that faster-growing plants or weeds don’t overpower them, that they don’t dry out, and that you don’t pull them out by mistake.

When buying plants, look for:

  • Balanced, healthy looking growth and well-colored leaves.
  • Avoid yellowed leaves (unless they’re supposed to be yellow); browned, stunted, or slimy leaves are signs of insect, wilting, frost or disease damage. Abundant new growth indicates a vigorous plant.
  • Healthy roots: If you can do so without damaging the plant, pop it out of its container and look at the roots. Are they root-bound – strangled mass of roots circling around and virtually no potting soil visible, or is there a good proportion of soil to roots?
  • Soil surfaces covered with weeds or moss usually indicate the plant has been in the same container a long time and may be pot-bound. Such plants will often struggle to get established in your garden.

Buying plants – colour sells

When buying plants, gardeners make a beeline to flowers in bloom. Of course, seeing the blooms is handy: it’s easier to decide whether a plant fits your color scheme. However, many perennials for sale in spring are coaxed into early blooming in greenhouses before they would normally bloom in the garden. The next season, your perennial will bloom at the normal time for the species, which is usually a bit later. The normal time for blooming should be indicated on the plant tag.

Personally when I have a choice between a perennial in full bloom or one that’s just beginning to bud, I pick the latter: I want it to bloom in my garden, not at the store.

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Men’s Fashion Guide To Wearing All Black
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Black is by far one of the most popular colors when it comes to fashion, and it’s easy to see why. The color black in fashion has traditionally been associated with class, sophistication and even mystery, which makes it amazing for smart style and formal wear. Be careful when buying your black clothing though, it’s easy to see when a piece of black clothing is low quality because after a few washes it fades to an icky grey color. When it comes to black, quality is very important.If you live in a warmer climate, I’d steer away from wearing too much black in your outfit, as it can look awkward and feel awkward. Sunny climates are meant for color! While there is nothing wrong with wearing an all black outfit, make sure black doesn’t take over your entire wardrobe like it has a tendency to. Wearing black all day every day can and will get boring. Layering your black outfits with things such as hoodies and black leather jackets makes for a great look. Sometimes when the outfit calls for it, throwing some vibrant or earth tone colors can make an all black outfit look even better.

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