Peper Harow Introduce Leather Accessory Collection for AW15

New for AW15 Peper Harow are also thrilled to introduce their leather accessory collection. 

In beautiful printed or plain leather, styles include work bags, holdalls, wash bags and document cases, plus smaller goods including iPhone cases and belts. Each piece is handcrafted in Spain and to reflect Peper Harow's heritage bags feature zip pullers in real British cricket ball leather. The printed designs are based on a pattern taken from their best selling chevron print sock.

The Peper Harow iPhone Case £85.00

The Grenville Folio Case £195.00

Mens Belts £75.00 to £85.00

The Peper Harow Wash Bag £225.00

The Optical Print Bag £495.00

the 12 Hr Folio Bag £575.00

FIND PEPER HAROW

    

THANKS FOR VISITING. COME BACK SOON! 

Vintage Style Man Bags

That Dapper Chap answers a question about man bags, sent by a blog reader, and features some of his favorites available right now.

A couple of days ago I received an email from a blog reader asking me if I had done any product reviews on man bags, I won't go into detail about he asked, I'll let you read his email below:

Yours truly, never without a man bag

Hi Craig,

Greetings from across the pond. I love your style, enjoy reading your blog and your reviews. I recently returned from a trip to Europe and noticed everyone (ok well mostly everyone) had a manbag. I love man bags, have you reviewed any or are there any that fit in with your vintage style? I love that in your reviews you mention you are on a budget, as I've read several fashion blogs and always felt I needed to spend top dollar on everything (and they never mention themselves on a budget) and I have to live on one! . Keep up the great work and looking forward to reading more of your reviews!

Cheers,

Chris

Hi Chris, thank you for your email, while I haven't yet carried out any product reviews on any man bags, I am a fan. As our lives get busier and technology dictates our need to be available and interacting socially every minute of the day, we all need somewhere to keep our phones, laptop, iPad, MP3 player and our lunch (we still eat right? They haven't replaced food with technology I hope!)

My trusty John Rocha leather satchel

Yes, I am on a budget, just like the other 99% of 'real' blokes out there. I don't have illusions of grandeur and don't pretend to have a spare thousand pounds to throw at the latest louis Vuitton messenger bag. If I have a thousand pounds, trust me, it's going on a holiday. A holiday where I shall pack my stuff in a functional and sensibly priced bag that does what it needs to do but still looks the part!

You don't have to spend a huge amount of money to look good. This is something I've always been passionate about and something I hope I prove every day via my Instagram account.

If you're looking for a bag with a vintage or heritage look a satchel is great. Used by school children the world over you'll see images of children being evacuated during the war with their satchel in tow. 

A great vintage look, maybe loose the wellington boots if you want to recreate this
look for yourself!

Originating in Roman times the Satchel has made a welcome return and I now own a few, one being an original old school satchel which I bought via Ebay complete with the owners name and childish scribbled on the inside.

My battered vintage school satchel

The bag needs to not only look good but it must be functional and offer some versatility. Choosing one with a shoulder strap and a grab handle means that you can wear it across your body for extra safety or when you're carrying other things, and the grab handle allows you to do just that and 'grab' the thing when you need to dash off the tube after almost missing your stop (yes, I have done that)

You'll need pockets too to keep things organised, so bare all this in mind when you're choosing. It has to work for you.

So, all that said I have picked out a few of my favourite satchels and man bags that are currently available and keeping that budget in mind I've kept them all around or under £200.

Me with my black leather satchel

The ASOS Black Faux Leather Satchel

Starting at the very lowest price range I think this contrast satchel in black & brown faux leather looks the part.

Also available in brown, it's a bargain at just £25.00. Buy yours HERE

Leather-look fabric

Distressed finish

Two tone design

Fold over front 

Pin buckle strap

Removable, adjustable strap

Grab handle

Zipped inner pocket

70% Polyurethane, 30% Polyvinylchloride

H: 25.5cm/10" W: 37cm/15" D: 13cm/5"

The Next Brown Satchel

Next up and a little further up the budget price range we have another faux leather example from Next. It's very traditional in design and will fit a vintage style perfectly. It even has a small panel to write your name if you get lost! At just £40 you can buy yours HERE

Buckle fastening

Removable strap

Front pocket

Inside zip pocket for small items

100% polyurethane.

Lining 100% polyester.

25 x 39.5 x 14 cm.

The Next Leather Briefcase

So, moving slightly up the scale we now have a genuine leather example. Again from Next, it's from their Signature range. This tan leather briefcase is good value at £125 and can be found HERE

Adjustable and removable shoulder strap

Designed with two main compartments

Stationary section

Front pocket. 

Tan Leather

36 x 46 x 8 cm approx.

The Ted Baker KANTOO Bag

This is the most expensive bag I've featured but I love it so much I would consider paying the £215 price tag.

From its tonal leather down to its buckle detailing, this smart satchel with a coloured tag and geometric print lining is a style to hold in high regard this season. Get yours HERE

Two-tone leather

Top handle

Shoulder strap

Buckle detailing

Printed lining

Internal and external zip pockets

Contrast luggage tag

Ted Baker branded

Shell: 100% Bovine Leather

Lining: 100% Polyester

H29.2cm x W38.1cm x D9cm

The River Island Blue Satchel

Back down the price scale I really like this blue faux leather bag from River Island. A steal at £35.00, it's a really styling addition to your armoury. Available HERE it looks like it cost ten times more than it does.

Leather-look outer

Matte, textured finish

Flap top with pin buckle straps

Front pouch pocket

Grab handle

Adjustable cross body strap

Internal zip pocket

100% Polyurethane

H: 28cm/11" W: 35cm/14"

The River Island Brown Satchel

Next up we have the River Island brown satchel, again, not leather but it has a great heritage feel. get yours HERE for a snip at £35.00

Textured, leather-look outer

Flap top opening

Twin pin buckle straps

Front pouch pocket

Adjustable shoulder strap

Internal zip pocket

Do not wash

100% Polyurethane

The Hammond & Co Briefcase

Last but not least, I am in love with this Hammond & Co satchel by Patrick Grant. This designer brown leather clasp briefcase is available at Debenhams for £155 HERE

One internal popper pocket

Three internal pouches

One internal zip pocket

Grab handle

Clasp fastening

Outer: 100% leather

Lining: 100% polyester

HWD: 28 x 38 x 7cm

So, Chris, thanks once again for your question. I hope I've inspired you to go and buy that man bag. If you do decide to go ahead and purchase one, drop me a line and let me know. Also don't be shy, post a picture to Instagram and #thatdapperchap and @that_dapper_chap so I can see it!

THANKS FOR READING!

Meet Monsieur London

That Dapper Chap visits Monsieur London, one the most stylish of men's boutique stores in the heart of London

I stepped off the tube train at London’s Piccadilly Circus and turned up the collar on my wool suit jacket and held it tight against my chin in an effort to keep out the harsh January chill that did its best to creep into every available space.

After a short walk along Regent Street, passing huge stores with famous names and glittering window displays, I turned towards Royal Opera Arcade and spotted Monsieur London; a quaint little store nestled among the grand architecture of its surroundings. Protected and hugged by these huge buildings like a little Brother being looked after by bigger siblings.

 

Yours truly with Monsieur Londons dapper mannequins

Monsieur London is a welcome retreat from all of the huge brands that sit a stones throw away, with their mass produced stock, over smiley staff, huge displays and prices to match. Monsieur London is all about the individual; it is warm and welcoming and feels like stepping back in time to a more gentile era, when a gentleman could expect personal service and staff who know their items inside out.

 

The interior of the store, small but perfectly stocked

Everything in Monsieur London exudes class and is beautifully presented, and this includes the owner Valentin who met me with a firm handshake and a warm smile. Wearing a tweed cap and a jaunty pocket square, Valentin took me through their collections of high end, top quality men’s accessories, all of which are at astonishingly affordable prices. The concept for Monsieur London is to have a British heritage feel with a French twist.

 

The Proprietor Valentin in his tweed cap 

Where it all began

Back in 2011 you'll have found Valentin working as a Political Journalist. But bored with their Jobs, Valentin and friend Thibault resigned and decided to travel. Not satisfied with a small jaunt across to another city, the two of them decided to hitchhike from Alaska to Argentina!

Thibault and Valentin back on solid ground

While in Columbia they met a gentleman making suede lined, fine leather bags and they both fell in love with them. So much so that it planted the seed of opening a gentleman's boutique, selling high quality bags and accessories. A few months later and the friends landed in London. By this time, that small seed had been nurtured and had grown into a full concept, and Monsieur London was born online in 2013 and since then they haven't looked back. Their first store, just off Regent Street opened last year offering a wealth of fine accessories for the discerning gent.

Valentin with the bag that started it all

Thibault and Valentin are passionate about providing the highest quality products and they have their products made by hand wherever possible. Many of their products are designed in the basement of their store and they source all of the fabrics and elements that make up their products themselves. Valentin even designed the Hare/Rabbit logo himself, studying videos of running rabbits and hares on YouTube.

Is it a rabbit or is it a hare?

Neck Ties

On a small table in the middle of the store sits a range of delightful neck ties. There are a selection of pure silk ties, all made in the UK, with the silks printed in the Macclesfield UK and stitched in Robertsbridge. There are also ties in grenadine weaving, Royal Irish poplin and also ties in silk and merino wool which travel extremely well as they do not crease.

 

stripes and prints. Something for everyone

Beautiful handmade ties in fantastic printed silks

Just a few of the selection of ties available

You’ll find the current range in sumptuous autumnal colours with some brights thrown in for those that wish to make a statement. With patterns including pine cones and the Monsieur London rabbit/hare, along with a more traditional diagonal stripe, there really is something here for everyone, and also something different for those that wish to stand out from the crowd.

In store you’ll also find a range of knitted ties that are not yet available on the website, so it’s worth a visit.

All ties are handmade and are a snip at £38-£66

The selection of fine wool knitted ties

Bow Ties

If you’re more of a dandy fellow or want a change from the neck tie, why not opt for a bow tie? They are of course made in silk and are available in a range of colours and patterns. All bow ties are self tie but, to help out the first time bow tie wearer, they are available pre tied for you, so you are able to wear it straight away and then learn how to tie it later with the instructions that are included in every box. These handmade bow ties are available at £42-£44

Pocket Squares

By the window is a selection of 100% silk and 100% cotton pocket squares in a range of prints and colourways to suit every outfit. At 36” square you’ll find classic paisleys and polka dots and my personal favourite the Fontainebleau which has a slight medieval pattern and depicts running stags, made from a mix of wool and silk which gives a heavier and luxurious feel.

A wonderful array of pocket squares to choose from

Gloves

I fell in love with the Monsieur London gloves. Made in Millau in France from the finest lamb skin and lined in silk they are very soft and give a great fit as the leather will adjust to your hand when worn. The fineness of the leather results in a less bulky glove allowing the wearer to feel beyond the glove.

Some question why the gloves are lined in silk and not cashmere. This is because silk retains warmth better and gives a lighter result than a glove lined with cashmere.

Beautiful gloves in soft and supple leather

They currently stock four styles in the Bouquingan range in plain black and brown, black and brown with a contrast edge between the fingers and a plum leather for the gent that wants something a 
little different.

The plum coloured Bragelonne silk lined gloves £141

In addition to the traditional glove they also stock driving gloves in four colourways each with a dash of contrasting colour on the trim. These gloves will last you years and get better with age. At £134-£141 a pair they are a great investment.

The Treville driving gloves £134

I am not the only fan of their gloves however, and Valentin was proud to tell me of an American customer who collects gloves and now owns over four hundred pairs.  Not only does this gentleman of impeccable taste buy the range of gloves available but Monsieur London offers a bespoke service where an individual may have a pair of gloves made to any specification that they wish and he takes advantage of this service also.

Belts and Braces

I love the Monsieur London braces. Not only are they available in a fantastic range of colours and made in the UK, but they also come with both clips and leather button fastenings so the buyer can choose how he fastens his braces to his trousers. 

Easy to alter you can take them from clip to button on in a moments notice. As a bonus you'll also find the necessary buttons inside the box! If you need instructions on how to sew buttons to your trousers just take a look at the article I wrote on braces for Bespoke Unit here.

Buttoned up to avoid a loose trouser moment

The range of belts available is also very impressive. Made from British leather, they are another item made and hand stitched in the UK. And if there isnt a belt available to suit your needs, why not have a bespoke one made just for you? They'll also monogram your belt for a small fee to make it even more individual

Beautiful Belts £107-£112

Hats

Hats are the most popular items sold at monsieur London and I can see why. Made in France by one of the very last hat makers, they are available in five sizes from 56 to 60 and available in a great selection of colours. The Monsieur London Antoine hat is made from 100% wool felt with a satin lining. This hat comes with instant elegance built in.

The Antoine hat in green and cognac

Valentin himself wearing the green Antoine hat £98.00

In addition to the stunning range of felt hats, Monsieur london also offer a more summery selection and have in stock the classic Panama for £58-£95

Scarves

At this time of year every gent needs a great scarf, not only to keep out the cold and be functional but also to look good. If you're going to invest, go for quality natural fabrics like the selection valentin and Thibault have in store.  With merino and lambs wool, you cannot go wrong.

All hand loomed in Ireland, they scream quality and at just £108 they are a must have items right now.

Some of the selection of beautiful scarves in store

What's Next?

So, with a solid concept, a beautiful store and a loyal fanbase, what's next for the chaps at Monsieur london. Not wanting to rest of their laurels, Valentin and Thibault have many plans for the coming year. 

The last year has seen them travel with their concept and open pop up shops in both London and Paris. In fact the pop up in Paris went so well that they are planning to open a store there in July.

They are keeping things to themselves so far and staying true to the Monsieur London brand. There are no plans to open in other stores or sell wholesale just yet as they want to keep prices affordable for all.

Whatever happens in the future I know that with their passion, Valentin and Thibault will make it a huge success and I wish them all of the very best of British (and French) luck. I just pray for an invite to the Paris store opening!

Cheery dapper chaps Thibault and valentin plan their next adventure

Find Monsieur London

      

 

THANKS FOR READING!