That Dapper Chap: Retro print

Saturday, 27 September 2014

Autumn Reds

That Dapper Chap shows us todays look incorporating Autumnal reds.

While the evenings are getting noticeably cooler, the days are still somewhat warm. Even though we're right at the end of September Autumn hasn't quite made his way into our lives just yet. So, with that in mind I thought I'd wear this unlined red cotton blazer, as it will probably be the last time this year that I get to wear it.

To go with the autumnal red theme I chose a retro print shirt and a knitted tie, both adding interest and texture to the look. The boots are also burgundy and are a resent acquisition and one I am most pleased with.

You'll see under the boots I'm wearing some red and navy polkadot socks which continue the colour story with the blue of the jeans and the retro red and blue print of the shirt.

My accessories today were my Daniel Wellington watch with handmade burgundy leather strap, some burgundy and navy beads and my new favorite thing: my 'Dapper Chap' tie bar with was sent to me by instagrams greycardigan. I didn't take pictures of the watch and bracelets as I totally forgot! But I did get a picture of the tie bar.

Where's it all from?

Burgundy leather boots: Next

Red and navy polkadot socks: Corgi

Skinny fit jeans: Burton Menswear

Belt: Burton Menswear

Retro print shirt: Next

Burgundy knitted tie: Next

Unlined Cotton Blazer: Next

Tie Bar: Simple Hands

Sunglasses: Oscar Wylee

Vintage Style Bag: Next

Pocket Square: Primark

Lapel Pins: Home made

THANKS FOR READING!

Monday, 1 September 2014

The retro print shirt

That Dapper Chap shows us todays look and talk about style influences from previous decades.

Today's look started with this retro print shirt. Not only is the print retro with it's red and navy blue elliptical, interwoven pattern but the entire design is retro. Inspired directly by the 1970s it's a great modern shirt with that vintage edge.

You'll see immediately that the collar is larger than those that we're seeing from the majority of shirts on the market. When the collar is laid flat you can see that it spreads slightly too to create more of a point at the tips, something that is classically 1970s and conjures images of bearded, long haired gents in flares and sandals and with a guitar slung over their shoulder.

Is it me or have the last few years opened up the doors to a variety of styles which cover many decades of style, but taking the best of the cuts, patterns and shapes from each and making them 'now'. We've seen a huge amount of 80s inspired clothing but none of the voluminous and illuminous vulgarities that graced the streets in 1984. We're seeing heritage styles that give a gentlemanly nod to the 20's, 30's and 40's but without the harsh, thick and itchy fabrics that they used back in the day. And even though the 90s are still fresh in some of our memories, some styles from that-no-so-far-away decade are creeping back too.

One company that is offering the best mix of the decades, that I have found, is Next. In their current collection they're offering urban styles with 90s influences, 70s print shirts, like the one I'm wearing today along with thin knit buttoned and collared sweaters, 80s influenced sweaters in block patterns and wool suits and collarless grandad shirts just like those worn by our forefathers while shovelling coal in the 20s.

So whatever decade you may favor, take the best of what it had to offer in a new way. You don't have to go the whole hog and add those cordoury flares and platform shoes with your 70s print shirt. Just team it with modern items as I have, like this skinny fit blazer and chinos. It could be argued that the blazer is 60s style and that the chinos are 50s or 80s, as they were big in both eras, but whatever mix of items you wear, it doesn't matter so long as you are wearing it well and make it your own.