That Dapper Chap: London

Tuesday, 14 March 2017

Old Spitalfields Market

Craig of That Dapper Chap visits London's Old Spitalfields Market and takes lunch at Blixen

Just a few of the great stores that you'll find at Old Spitalfields Market

There's been a market on the site of the Old Spitalfields market for nearly 400 years, needless to say much has changed since then and while you're able to buy chicken in various different foods from a wealth of street food vendors, you'll no longer see live trading as there once was when the market first set up in 1638! Once on London's outskirts, the market is now very central and is just a few minutes walk from Liverpool Street station.

Shopping in Hackett where they hold rum tasting and backgammon evenings

Lunch at Peytito

Craig of That Dapper Chap takes time out on a trip down Portobello Road to enjoy a meal at the Peyotito Mexican restaurant

The rear seating area at the Peyotito Mexican restaurant in London's Notting Hill

If you visit London, you must visit Portobello Road, with it's pretty houses and wealth of shops and antiques it's a hive of activity and one of those must see places.

After you've shopped your way down this iconic winding street you'll no doubt want to stop for a bit to eat. With Peyotito nestled on a quiet side street, it offers a warm welcome and a well deserved pit stop away from the crowds.

Making my way in to Peyotito, I couldn't wait to see the menu

Sitting on Kensington Park Road, just 2 minutes off Portobello Road, the rustic orange shop front lures you in with promises of spicy Mexican dishes and a friendly atmosphere.

Peyotito not only offer a wide and varied menu but they also pride themselves on their margaritas! And what better way to celebrate national Margarita day than to sample a couple. Well, it would be rude not to, particularly when they've just introduced a new selection including blood orange!

The Brand New Topman Store

Craig of That Dapper Chap visits the brand new Topman store in London's Knightsbridge on its opening day

The brand new Topman store in London's Knightsbridge

I was super excited to be invited to the opening day of the brand spanking new Topman store at 70 Brompton Road in London.

After seeing the people at Tom Ford in Harrods it was just a skip across the road to see exactly what the new store had to offer. Situated in the lower ground floor of the existing Topshop, which has stood there for a while now, the guys at Topman told me that men would often come out of Harrods and into Topshop while on a shopping spree and were disappointed to find only womenswear on offer. So, not wanting to miss a trick a new Topman opened it's doors.

#WEARITWELL At The Timex Watch Event

Craig of That Dapper Chap attends the Timex party to view the latest collection from this American heritage brand

The new Timex Fairfield watch with interchangeable straps

It was a real honour to be invited to the Timex party a couple of weeks ago where I got the opportunity, not only to catch up with fellow bloggers, a cheerleader and a spaceman, but to also see the awesome new collections from this heritage brand.

I teamed up with talented photographer and friend Ian Clarke of PhotoByIan for the event. Ian has snapped me on many occasions for various fashion campaigns and he took the majority of the images for this post.

Yours truly snapped by Ian Clarke while Tweeting at the Timex event

Timex are a brand that have stood the test of time and have been providing us with great wrist watches since 1854. A few years on and I find myself on a London rooftop enjoying the latest collection and panoramic views London's iconic skyline. There may also have been a cocktail or two!

London Collections: Men - Day 1

Craig of That Dapper Chap attends London Collections: Men as an accredited blogger and takes us through the events of day 1

Once again all the build up and anticipation of the largest menswear event in london comes to fruition and on Friday 8th January London Collections: Men once again opened its doors and showcased all that the British menswear industry has to offer.

This season saw me with a packed itinerary so I unfortunately had to choose which shows I wanted to see more as a lot overlapped or were logistically impossible to reach in the time between shows.

Stylists, press, editors and bloggers line up to sign in to this seasons LCM

After signing in at the stunning Victoria House in Southampton Row, this seasons LC:M hub, I took my official book and lanyard, pinned my badge to my lapel and made my way to the Barbour presentation.

Barbour

Barbour never disappoint. The inherent quality comes through in every piece and they offered us everything that we'll need for AW16: heavy knitwear, their iconic wax jackets and a collection of great shirts and accessories.

Very accessible and easy to wear I've been a Barbour fan for a while and I really like the new collection.

Chunky textured sweaters continue to be a staple items

Beautifully tailored shirts in some great fabrics

Casual styling by Barbour to keep out the cold

The latest style Barbour coat

The classic Barbour wax jacket

Another great collection from Barbour

Cottweiler

After a quick coffee break I made my way to Marylebone to see the Cottweiler show. Designers Ben Cottrell and Matthew Dainty showed us a range of intelligent and futuristic designs in metallic fabrics and sheepskin-like woollens.

Moody models in fields of wheat from Cottweiler

Futuristic designs in metallic fabrics

Fashion folk flocking to see the new Cottweiler collection

Modern fabrics in relaxed design

Impressive designs with a real edge

The new Cottweiler collection

Universal Works

Leaving the Cottweiler show it was a hop and a skip over to Blandford Street to see what Universal Works had to offer. I've always enjoyed the Universal Works show and they always offer up an interesting concept.

This season was no different and we walked in to a virtual fairground, complete with 90's dance tracks and 'all the fun of the fair' Guests enjoyed mushy peas with mint sauce and popcorn while we perused the collection.

Unstructured, relaxed and comfortable clothing for the cool and youthful won the day, and they again showed a very British and very wearable collection that could be enjoyed by anyone.

Time for the Funfair with niversal Works

Prizes for everyone at the Universal Works funfair

Relaxed but stylish

The classic funfair goldfish, its all in the details

Casual footwear from Universal Works

I enjoyed the mushy peas and they certainly filled a void in my stomach

Unstructured and easy to wear

The new Universal Works collection

Private White V.C.

So leaving the sights and sounds of the fairground behind I legged it, in the rain, over to Mayfair to the Private White V.C. store on Duke Street.

Upon entering the store I was immediately welcomed by Brutus the Bulldog who took an instant liking to my trousers, pressing his nose against my calf and following me around the store. Apparently he likes the smell of my cats!

Private White never fail to impress and I was already converted way before I stepped over the threshold. The nod to classic wartime tailoring didn't go unmissed. Designer Nick Ashley continues to offer us some great pieces and I very much need to get some in my armoury.

Arriving at he Private White V.C. store in Mayfair

Classic styling from Private White V.C.

The new Private White V.C. collection

My new buddy Brutus

I'm in love with this heavy shearling collar coat

rails of clothing from the new collection waiting to be browsed

The models take their place in the store

More elegant clothing from Private White V.C.

I managed to snap designer Nick Ashley at the event

Guests mingle, drink cocktails and enjoy the canapes

So after a fun filled day with very little to eat, cold and slightly wet, I called it a day and made my way to my London home where I had set up base for the weekend. Day one was a success on many levels. I met some great people, reconnected with my 'LCM Buddies' and saw some great menswear.

Roll on day two I thought. That was a success too and I'll report on that very soon so watch this space.

Thanks for taking time out to read this. Pop back again soon!

The Next Spring Summer 2016 Press Day

Craig of That Dapper Chap attends the Next Spring Summer 2016 Press Day and previews menswear coming our way soon.

Mannequins dressed in SS16 attire

The latest Next press day was held at the beautiful Victoria House in London's Bloomsbury. A grade II listed building built in the 1920's, Victoria House has played host to a huge number of events, and I have been here on a few previous occasions attending events as part of London Collections: Men

Yours truly in full selfie mode

Spring 16 menswear sees a real shift in trends. The smart casual look that has reigned for many a season is now a thing of the past. Formal and casual have returned to heir rue forms with much more individual identities to differentiate that work to weekend wardrobe.

A classic black briefcase

White soled brogues with contrast inserts

Formalwear takes a new direction for spring with key changes in colour, texture and silhouette. 'Past Modern' is Nexts sharp, hard edged tailoring story inspired by the rebellious attitude of the Teddy Boy and the rock and roll music. What would otherwise be a dark colour palette of charcoal greys and inky blues is given a fresh new slant with stones and neutrals.

Beautiful food was served throughout the day

When it comes to pattern, checks remain strongest; with prince of wales and windowpane still prominent, a micro gingham is introduced this season to add a new dimension. Neps and slubs are key yarns and can be seen in suiting and separates so attention to detail is a must with tailoring.

THIS jacket! Say goodbye to the bomber jacket!

Spring greens. A big colour for SS16

'The Revivalist' is the second formal story, think quintessentially British dapper gentleman. With a colour palate of fresh but earthy tomes, browns and taupes are grounded with pale blues and shades of grey.

The new menswear display at Victoria House

Hues of blues in plain and stripes

The formal trouser continues to be a key item and the pleat makes a welcome return but now as much more of a styling feature on a slim, ankle grazer cut. Team these with the reinvented blazer in a new textured fabric to give a timeless yet modern look.

Suede moccasins are big for SS16

Now down to the footnote, loafers are the must have shoes for spring. Whether its high shine leather or a soft suede, tassels or saddle detail - Be sure to complete your outfit with a pair of these.

Bacon ice cream anyone?

Casually styled mannequins at the Next SS16 press day

This season we have a return to a true casualwear with laundering and washing across all product areas. 'Neutrality' sees a utilitarian based story given an urban feeling. With a predominantly navy, black and grey colour palette this makes a great transitional story, adding highlights of oatmeal and tobacco to give it that fresh update for spring.

Suiting for spring is a staple from Next

Neutral and natural shades make a smart look

Print is a key focus, from geometric jacquards and stripes to clean texture and blurred polkadots on everything from knitwear and tees to casual shirts.

On legs the five pocket jeans are the go to style but with greyed off tones and ecru added to the mix. It's all about layering for 'Neutrality', the bomber silhouette in outerwear, knitwear and jersey is paired with longline knits and tees to create this look.

Next were showing off their floral displays at the event

A suede bomber jacket over a grey shirt

New style shoes and accessories for SS16

'Shoreline' demonstrates the emphasis on blue tones for spring. Ranging from deep dark navy, to indigo and bleached out pale shades it's the colour of the season. This story has a real coastal influence, with the Breton stripe being of huge importance, seen in all variations of width and paired down with an ankle grazing turned up chino.

Next continue to make a huge dent in the market with their suiting

Just a look I threw together

Harrington jackets are thrown over the shoulders for those windy beach days and the boat shoe is no more. It's all about a driver on the casual footwear front this season.