That Dapper Chap: accessories

Saturday, 27 May 2017

New Glasses from Glasses Direct

Craig of That Dapper Chap shares his new London Retro Fitzroy glasses

As a bespectacled bloke it's good to see so many styles available for us visually challenged folk. Most of the week I do wear contact lenses, but they tend to feel dry in hot weather so I sometimes switch to glasses, and anyone who wears glasses knows it can be so difficult to find that perfect pair.

Wedding Season - What to Wear

As wedding season starts, That Dapper Chap takes a look at what you could be wearing as a guest to that friends or family members special day.

Image courtesy of Tailor Made Portraits

After trudging to work, you sit down at your desk on an average Tuesday morning and there's a pretty little envelope on your keyboard with your name neatly written in someones highly practised calligraphy. You carefully open it, all the while looking at the other desks to see who else has one, and you find that it's an invitation to a colleagues wedding.

Courtesy of NotOnTheHighstreet

As you brush the glitter and horseshoe shaped confetti from your trousers which has fallen out of the elaborately decorated invitation, one thought springs to mind, "What on earth am I going to wear?!"

Fear not intrepid and stylish guest (or plus one) That Dapper Chap is here to help!

The Suit

If there's one occasion that you can really make an effort for it's a friends wedding. As such a suit is a good option, it saves you from that 'will these trousers go with that blazer' moment as it's there for you, all done and matching. stress over!

If you're in shape, always go for a slim or skinny fit as it'll look much more sleek and modern, and as it's a wedding it's a great opportunity to wear a colour that you may not usually opt for.

A pale blue suit will look great, add a simply patterned shirt and a bow tie and you're all set. This suit below is available HERE from Moss. I wouldn't necessarily recommend wearing chucks with yours but a navy tassel loafer would look great.

Pale blue suit by Moss £238

A three piece is a good choice for those 'in between' weather days when you may need an additional layer. The plain white shirt keeps it classic and the pale pink patterned tie keeps is wedding appropriate. Don't forget the accessories either, tie pin and pocket squares are a must for any dapper wedding guest. This suit is available from Burton Menswear, find it HERE

2 piece skinny pastel blue suit by Burton Menswear £119

Bright blue suits are still very on trend and I like the white buttons on this particular one from Moss. The tan shoes and belt add interest with the plain shirt and tie. Get yours HERE

Moss London 3 piece suit £249

If you're not a fan of bright colours Paul Smith offers an alternative with this classic and simple dark green suit. A change from navy and as it's a wedding, please avoid black. You could lift this suit with a brightly patterned bow tie and pocket square. Check it out HERE

Dark green 2 piece by Paul Smith £790

If you're not afraid of colour and 'real men wear pink' right? then check this suit out from Next. Also available in mint green, it's a beautiful 2 piece. If the wedding is on a beach in a hot country, you need to check this suit out as it also comes with shorts as an alternative to trousers! take a look HERE

Pink suit by Next £110

The suit shorts, for beach weddings in hot countries

Me wearing the mnt coloured suit from Next

Separates

If you're not a suit kinda guy, separates are a good alternative. You can go a bit more funky with a patterned or checked blazer and some smart trousers. It depends of course how formal the wedding is, but if the occasion allows why not try something a little different?

A light, checked blazer is a good choice and this one from Antony Morato is just the ticket. Wear with a white shirt and a navy knitted tie and navy trousers and your look is complete. Wear white chinos if you're not afraid of red wine or grass stains! Available HERE from ASOS.

The Antony Morato checked blazer £140

Want something a little different? Then check out this beauty from Paul Smith. In blue jungle print it's an alternative to a plain blazer. Team with a white or pale blue shirt, a plain tie and dark shoes and trousers for a classy but more unusual look. Find the blazer HERE

The Paul Smith jungle print blazer £359

I personally wouldn't wear red to a wedding but with more and more vintage and heritage style weddings it's more appropriate than it would be at a 'regular' wedding. I love this matching blazer and waistcoat from ASOS. I'd of course wear a bow tie with this look for that real heritage feel. Find this combo HERE

Seeing red from ASOS, Blazer £100

For warmer days this cotton seersucker blazer by Ralph Lauren will work well. In cool cotton and only lined at the sleeves for ease of wear, you can adopt a more preppy look. White chinos will work well as would a dark navy trouser. get yours HERE

The Ralph Lauren sports coat £345

The Shoes

Unless it's a vintage wedding where guests are encouraged to wear boots or converse trainers, footwear should be formal. A classic brogue is a great choice as is a loafer. Both can be worn with or without socks.

I'm in love with these high shine burgundy tassel loafers from Next. Perfect with a blue suit, wear them with or without socks. Find them HERE

Burgundy tassel loafers from Next £75

Suede shoes are a good choice for a wedding as they are a bit dressier and the texture is a little more luxurious. These Barker Grant suede brogues are a stunning example of a good suede shoe. Buy them HERE

The navy suede Barker Grant brogues £200

A classic brown leather brogue won't ever let you down. These are from the 'Italia' range from Next. Again, wear them with or without socks and maybe a slightly cropped trousers to show them off really well. Find them HERE

The Next brown leather brogue £75

If you like the idea of suede, take a look at these great loafers by Reiss, I need these in my life and I don't even have a wedding to go to! For a closer look click HERE

A classic tassle loafer from Reiss available at John Lewis £159

A two tone brogue looks the part too and these navy suede and tan leather brogues from Goodwin Smith will go really well with that suit. Find them HERE

Accessories

As gentlemen we now have a plethora of accessories available to us allowing us to show some personality and add individuality to our look.

Bow ties are great at weddings if you're happy to go for something different to the regular tie.

I would suggest that if you're wearing a patterned blazer to keep the tie plain and visa versa.

There's something to be said for wearing a contrasting tie and pocket square but Next are currently offering matching ties and pocket squares for those who don't have the time or inclination to search for items that go well together. Find this set HERE

The matching pink silk tie and pocket Square from Next £14

As it's a wedding why not break out some floral? Dancys of London offer a superb range of floral ties and bow ties. This one is one of my favorites from their range. Find it HERE

The Eugene floral tie from Dancys of London £30

I love paisley and if it is one of the less traditional or vintage style weddings that you're attending, a bit of paisley won't go amiss. This red and blue example from Stitches of Style can be bought HERE

The Stitches of Style red and blue paisley tie $30

Why not wear some bright green with your blue suit for some real contrast. This self tie is from Monsieur London and is a great classic piece. For this tie and many others, click HERE

The Como green silk bow tie from Monsieur London £42

You'll of course need a good pocket square to pass to a lady friend during those emotional vows, maybe you'll need it yourself, but either way make sure it's a good one! I love this patterned example from Monsieur London. See this one and others HERE

The Cora petrol blue pocket square £38

So, now you hopefully feel a bit more relaxed about your choices, so go to the stationers, buy that RSVP card and send it off in the knowledge that you're going to arrive at the wedding looking sharp and dapper. Don't forget to post a picture to Instagram and tag that_dapper_Chap and #thatdapperchap.

THANKS FOR READING!

Pocket Square Clothing - Product Review

That Dapper Chap reviews the products available from US based mens accessory brand Pocket Square Clothing.

This is a sponsored post of unbiased opinion

POCKET SQUARE CLOTHING

Pocket Square Clothing was established in 2011 as a men’s accessory brand. With no formal fashion training but with an architectural and business background, founders Rodolfo Ramirez and Andrew Cheung sought to create a lifestyle brand beyond clothing.

To date they feature a collection of handcrafted bow ties, skinny neckties and pocket squares. The brand is a reflection of the ideals behind the Urban Gentleman. This is their effort to tell a story, to inspire and be inspired, and to create a powerful connection with you through timeless pieces and I shall review some of their products for your now.

Dapper chaps wearing PSC clobber. Image courtesy of PSC

Pocket Square Clothing takes pride in its domestic manufacturing and attention to detail. Using traditional techniques, everything is carefully handcrafted by some of the oldest remaining craftsmen in the heart of Los Angeles. Each piece comes with a narrative and fully handcrafted vintage inspired packaging. The brand follows the mantra that American made is better, and that quality and attention to detail is key

PRODUCT

The Pocket Square Clothing Company offer gents like you and I a range of good quality accessories from neck ties to bow ties, pocket squares (of course), socks, lapel pins, tie bars and even leather wallets and portfolio cases.

I received four bow ties, two neckties and three pocket squares.

The Broker bow tie I received from PSC

Some of the products available from PSC

PRICE

At $56 (£37) for a neck tie the price is very reasonable. You must bear in mind of course that these items are designed and manufactured in the USA, not mass produced in the sweat shops of China or Turkey. Each item is perfectly considered and handmade with integrity.

A bow tie will cost you $56 (£37) for a self tie and $40 (£26) for a pre tied, vintage style, clip on version if you're new to bow ties or simply can't be bothered to tie one.

My green, red & blue striped bow tie(no longer available)

Pocket squares are priced at $26 (£17) and they also offer sets of three at $55 (£36)

Tie bars and lapel pins are set at $30 (£20) and socks are $19.50 (£13)

Overall I do not think these prices are unreasonable.

PACKAGING & PRESENTATION

The packaging is most impressive. My package arrived in a sturdy cardboard box and inside, each item was individually packed in its own branded dust bag. Along with this was a thank you card and a business card, showing great attention to detail and making the product feel very special.

In addition to this, each item has its own printed swing tag and the pocket squares come with a printed card sleeve

The printed dust bag and business cards

the delightful printed card sleeve which comes with every pocket square

Each product comes with an individual swing tag

PERFORMANCE

Each item is very well made and you can trust the quality that you will get from Pocket Square Clothing products. I found no poor stitching, loose threads or snags. They are all very well made, neat and well presented.

The bow ties tie well and hold their knots as do the neck ties which I thought may be an issue as the two I chose were of a thick wool (well, it is winter)

One of the thick wool ties in my collection

Two of the pocket squares I received are of very fine fabric which gives a 'floppier' feel so I had to adjust them a couple of times to get the right look as they do not have the same level of stiffness that some of my other squares have.

My PSC Pocket Squares

My 'Madras' bow tie $56 from PSC

PERTINENCY

If you're a man who likes to dress up and use accessories to create an individual look or to inject from color and personality in to your daily outfits, Pocket Square Clothing is for you. If you are a true patriot and like to buy from a trusted company that trades ethically and manufacturers in the US give PSC a look.

PSC offer a great range of colour, pattern and texture. There will be something that you like.

beautiful floral pocket square, perfect for spring

Instagrams TheDoleBoy sporting PSC

PRO’s AND CONS

I love the wide choice of products, from classic designs to bright florals, quirky designs to sedate. I know that I will be able to log on to their site and see something I want.

The quality is great and the packaging makes each item feel high end.

My own bow tie, styled with a floral shirt by Open Menswear

In addition, the fact that these items are all made in Los Angeles is a huge plus that cannot be ignored

I have genuinely struggled to find an area that I think Rodolfo and Andrew can improve on. If I could think of some constructive criticism I would write it, but I am honestly more than satisfied with my range of products, the brand and the entire package.

Gents styled in PSC. Image courtesy of PSC

PEOPLE

The team were most impressed by the packaging and the individual dust bags. They loved the colours and patterns of the bow ties and the pocket squares and said that they were of very good quality.

Your truly styling the 'Southern Gents' bow tie with a mustard shawl collar cardigan

PRECIS

Overall Rodolfo and Andrew have got it spot on. The range of products is good, their product styling and presence on social media is very savvy and their passion for what they do is clear from the products they sell and the effort they put in to give the quality that they do.

That Dapper Chap is a fan. Take a look and you will be too.