Real Men Wear Pink, With House Of Fraser

Craig of That Dapper Chap shares menswear from House Of Fraser to keep us in the pink this summer.

Pink is for girls right? Wrong. Real men wear pink, it's official. If you're going to do it, do it properly. I'd avoid an entirely pink look, you'll just look like you've fallen into the candy floss machine at the local fairground. Instead keep it classy and team it with something more masculine like a great blazer or smart trousers and brogues.

So, if you want to embrace your inner pink grab something from the range available from House Of Fraser. 

The Pink Edit

The Burton Long sleeve linen blend shirt £28 at House of Fraser. Wear with navy chinos, brown brogues and belt for a summer smart look. Think an evening in the beer garden.

Burton Long sleeve linen blend shirt £28

What I Wore Today - The Boden shirt and blazer

That Dapper Chap shares todays look, wearing a shirt and blazer from Boden

I've loved Boden menswear for a few years now and have amassed quite a few pieces from their range, mostly knitted ties and patterned shirts, which I have to say are exceptional. When I speak of Boden, most people are aware that they do womenswear but not many know that they also do a great range for us blokes. 

They did used to have the mens range in their little catalogues, which I looked forward to getting each season, but for whatever reason they decided to do away with it, and focus their range of menswear purely online. So, I thought I'd bring it to your attention with today's look.

As soon as I saw this blazer online I knew I had to have it. luckily I got it just before it sold out, so if you wanted to grab one, I'm afraid you're out of luck. The large check pink gingham shirt is also Boden and is made from a thick cotton. It fits really well but I did buy a size smaller than I would have from another store, as I know that Boden can be large on me. I also went a size down on the blazer, and I'm pleased that I did as I think my real size would have been far too big.

This is quite a summery look, but in true British summer fashion it poured down with rain on the day that I wore it. I had planned to go sockless but the weather dictated that socks were a must. Luckily I had a pair almost the same colour as the blazer!

I wore jeans with the shirt and blazer, slim fit and dark in colour. They're the same jeans that I wore for the 'Date Night' look in the jeans style challenge blog post. They're a real favourite of mine now and I wear them a lot.

I accessorised with a pink lapel pin and pocket square to compliment the pink of the shirt, one of my trusty trouser chains, again in a complimentary colourway, and finally some pink and green bracelets just to help pull it all together. I love this look but I just wish the weather would have been more suited to its summer styling.

Where it's all from

Burgundy loafers: Next

Green Socks: Racing Green

Smart Jeans: Next

Pink Gingham Shirt: Boden

Brompton Green Blazer: Boden

Watch: Harding

Briefcase: John Rocha

Lapel Pin: Home Made

Pocket Square: Southern Gents

Trouser Chain: Home Made

Bracelets: Home Made

Umbrella: Vintage Fox

Glasses: Specsavers

Thanks For Reading!

What I Wore Today - A Touch Of Pink

That Dapper Chap shares his daily look and today chooses to wear a hint of pink on this bright spring day

Do I take off my jacket? Do I keep it on?

Well, it was a beautiful spring day but as I type the British weather has predictably flipped from promises of warm summer sun to Autumnal style showers. Someone get me on a plane to somewhere with weather that I can rely on! Not only is it irritating for the "shall I take an umbrella?" moments but it can be so difficult to prepare what to wear in advance. I wanted to wear my new loafers the other day with a rolled up chino and no socks. On the morning it was clear that the wet weather and chilly winds had other ideas for me!  

Anyway, my typically British weather rant over I'll move on and tell you about this outfit. I've been wearing a lot of navy lately so I wanted to switch out and go for something a little more colourful. So, with spring flowers in mind I chose a look with pink accents.

The outfit layout, all ready to go

Today's wrist wear keeping it tonal

This pale pink shirt has a subtle pin stripe in it which add interest to an otherwise plain shirt. For some contrast and texture I added a knitted dark pink tie, again with a similar stripe which would run in the opposite direction. With a bolder stripe on the shirt this may not have worked but as it is a less obvious pattern I think I managed to pull it off.

A fully look at he entire outfit

The camel chinos add some neutrality, keeping it more conservative for the office but I had to have a pop of colour from the socks, again in a dark pink to compliment the tie and help bring the look together.  

A close up of todays footwear

Ready for what the day holds

The blazer is a dark burgundy colour, fully lined with patch pockets. I know that a lot of guys aren't a fan of patch pockets but I don't find them offensive and this isn't an overly formal look so I think it works here.

Accessories consisted of my usual bead bracelets and a pink lace wrist band along with a vintage tie clip, to stop my tie doing things that I didn't want it to. I also wore my beaded trouser chain which I'm becoming more and more a fan of. In addition I wore a pink flower lapel pin giving another nod to spring and a pink linen pocket square I was ready for the day. 

The pink flower lapel pin and a close up of the tie

Deep in thought pondering tomorrows look

The vintage tie pin stops the tie flying away

Heading in the right direction (for once)

A closer look at the beaded trouser chain

I was one told "always walk like you have somewhere to go" 

Burgundy tassel loafers stay with the colour accents

A look at today's watch and pocket square

WHERE IT'S ALL FROM

Burgundy high shine loafers - Next

Burgundy Ribbed Socks - Uniqlo

Camel Coloured Chinos - Next

Pink Striped Shirt - Primark

Burgundy Striped Knitted Tie - Racing Green

Tie Clip - Vintage from Ebay

Burgundy Blazer - Racing Green

Pink Linen Pocket Square - Squared Pocket UK

Pink Flower Lapel Pin - Home Made

Beaded Trouser Chain - The Modern Gentleman

Brown Leather Briefcase - Rocha JohnRocha at Debenhams

Tan Leather Belt - Primark

Watch - Daniel Wellington

Burgundy Leather Watch Strap - Bespoke by BWeiss Leather

THANKS FOR READING!

In the Pink at London Collections: Men

Thomas Pink creates a unique paper installation and showcases a Michael Caine inspired AW15 collection at London Collections: Men

The models prop up the paper bar at the Thomas Pink AW15 preview

As part of the showcasing of great brands and designers at this January's London Collections: Men, Thomas Pink, the leading Jermyn St shirt maker, unveiled its London inspired Autumn/Winter 15 Collection at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA). Included in this season’s model line-up was former Scottish international rugby union player and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Thom Evans.

Thom Evans, international Rugby player and wearer of Thomas Pink

After making our way across London on foot, picking up other attendees on the way, we were ushered upstairs to view the collection. Presented against the backdrop of a 30ft ‘long bar’ constructed entirely out of paper, each model bartender and punter showcased a different ‘Pink’ look. 

Built using crisp white 315gsm Kendal Manilla paper manufactured by James Cropper, the unique setup provided the perfect blank canvas for the brand’s expanding ready to wear offering. 

Moss green checked trousers and a pop of colourful paisley

Guests were kept well watered with the branded cocktails

the ladies tie wins in this picture

Blurring the boundaries between tradition and technology - paper and digital - guests were invited to leave ‘off the cuff’ written reviews on the paper bar using pink pens, which could then be shared via social media.

Guests leave a message on the paper bar

Florence Torrens, Creative Director at Thomas Pink, says; “Shirts will always be at the heart of what we do, but they inspire other pieces to complete the look. At Thomas Pink we’re broadening our offer to include more tailoring, outerwear and knitwear. 

Florence Torrens, Creative Director and Fred Williams

To highlight this we worked with James Cropper - the oldest traditional paper mill in the UK - and Flow Creation - a group of highly skilled paper architects - to build an installation echoing the blank canvas of a white shirt. Inspired by the architecture of the ICA building itself, we re-created elements of the room in paper to embellish the bar.”

Four models, four Thomas Pink looks

Cocktails all round, in Thomas Pink paper cups

Photographer Alistair Guy

Checked shirts in statement colours

Colour and pattern featured heavily in the collection

Frederik Willems, Head of Design at Thomas Pink, says; “Autumn/Winter 15 is inspired by a heady mix of London’s well known landmarks, motifs and characters. From Sir Michael Caine in the 1971 film ‘Get Carter’, to The Coach and Horses pub in Soho, we've drawn upon urban influences to create a collection which is daringly bold and eclectic in style. We've played with weaves and texture to develop solid colours with subtle design features and added intrigue. Checks and herringbone play a pivotal role throughout.”

Guests enjoyed cocktails mixed by Pontoon, made using Hennessy Fine de Cognac and garnished with paper foxes, whilst listening to British classics from The Clash, The Rolling Stones and Pulp. Continuing the iconic London theme, models wore Dr. Martens tasselled loafers.

In the pink, a statement colour shirt teamed with polka dot braces

Hennessy Fine de Cognac cocktails went down well with guests and models alike

Thom Evans shares a cocktail with a suitable clad model

A stunning peacock feather print shirt teamed with statement braces

Thomas Pink’s London presentation preceded its debut at Pitti Uomo in Florence and Premium International Fashion Trade Show in Berlin.

The brand’s presence marks its move into key European territories and can be cited as a significant milestone in Thomas Pink’s development as a wholesale business.

Celebrating the Thomas Pink success. Cheers! 

Colour and pattern, suitable for gentlemen of all ages

Autumn/Winter 15 takes influence from Sir Michael Caine - one of London’s sharpest dressers in the 1960’s. The monochromic palette in shades of blue and grey celebrates his pared back style, whilst typically ‘Pink’ punctuations of mustard and raspberry can be found throughout. 

Key stories in the shirting range include ‘The Davenport’, a self puppytooth and the ‘The Gibson’, a fine satin twill. This season’s hero piece is the Italian weave ‘Caldicot’ in indigo - a washed Chambray shirt in 80s two fold cotton which stylishly blurs the boundaries between formal and casual.

As the season progresses the collection references the urban metropolis that is London and celebrates its social landmarks and motifs – for example The Coach and Horses in Soho, which was frequented by Lucian Freud and legendary columnist Jeffrey Bernard. 

The colour palette switches up a notch with raspberry deepening to red, mustard to amber and hues of green emerging, whilst rich melange textures begin to play a key role in the range. Shirting in fine Italian fabrics include the ‘Edward’, a window pane check inspired by London’s iconic telephone boxes, ‘The Bedford’, a complex herringbone weave and the ‘Finlay’, a soft collar brushed poplin with amber overcheck.

Luxurious knitwear designed to be layered comprises the ‘Askew’ – a cashmere wool blend crew neck featuring an oversized tartan – and a selection of cable knits, v-necks and zip necks in luxurious cashmere, wool and merino wool blends in warm colours. Separately, Autumn Winter 15 includes a cashmere rugby jersey to mark 2015s rugby event of the year - as well as a range of accessories inspired by the great British sport.

Im in love with this bright blue coat with contrast collar

This season’s outerwear is travel focused and uses technical fabrics for maximum style and performance. The range includes an Italian made reversible jacket, a bonded wool rain coat and a deconstructed wool hopsack jacket. Autumn/Winter 15 also sees the introduction of a wool/mohair travel suit made from British fabric, which mixes high twist wool yarn with lightweight mohair fibre to create the perfect travel companion.

Ready to travel with beautiful Thomas Pink bags

Traditional British outerwear includes stalwart sports jackets fashioned out of Fox flannel with foggy yellow overchecks, traditional Covert coats with contrasting collars in jewel tones and quilted jackets in collaboration with Lavenham.

As well as eveningwear, the collection incorporates a capsule party range inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s dashing and directional sartorial style. A quirky colour palette of teal, magenta, indigo and purple compliment rich velvet accessories with silk printed peacock feathers, which sit alongside richly textured Donegal tweed and British Flannel blazers.

In shirting, spots and exaggerated Prince of Wales checks in bold saturated colours start to appear, whilst a super modern dark tartan shirt with bright highlights in an innovative ‘breathable’ fabric provides a point to the season.

It's fair to say the evening and the collection are a success. Prior to this event I was unaware, as many are, of the range that Thomas Pinks offers outside of the shirts that they are so famous for. As such, I am now very determined to get some 'Pink' into my wardrobe!

FIND THOMAS PINK

       

THANKS FOR READING!