One Blazer, Three Looks with Next - Look 2

Craig of That Dapper Chap shows us the second in this three part series where he creates three very different looks with one blazer.

Welcome back to the 'One Blazer, Three Looks' series where I'm showing you three completely different looks with just one blazer. For guys who travel a lot or those of us that only want to take a cabin bag on that city break, being able to create different looks with just a few select items is a necessity.

Using the grey Italian linen slim fit blazer from Next this is the second look in the series. Part one which gives you a smart office or formal look can be found HERE. So, going to the opposite end of the sartorial scale I've created a very relaxed look again using items from Next.co.uk  

One Blazer, Three looks with Next - Look 1

Craig of That Dapper Chap teams up with Next to give us three different looks with one blazer

Nearly every guy I know now has a blazer in their wardrobe, but from what I've seen most guys tend to wear it with the same thing every time they wear it. Maybe it's because it's a similar look to what they saw on the model on the website when they bought it, so they can trust that it's a look that works.

Blazers, Sport Coats and Suits Jackets - What You Need to Know

Craig of That Dapper Chap looks at the difference between Suit jackets, Blazers and Sport Coats, so we all know what's what

I’ve now lost count of the amount of times that I’ve been asked what the difference is between a blazer and a regular jacket or what makes a blazer a blazer. Add a sports coat into the mix and confusion reigns supreme. So, I’ll now hopefully dispel any fears you may have had of wearing the wrong jacket at the wrong event or heaven forbid, wearing it with the wrong thing.

The Suit Jacket

Let’s start with the regular jacket. A jacket is part of a suit. Simple as that. It is usually quite structured and well-tailored and is often made from lighter weight fabrics, although I do have a couple of heavy wool suits, modern ones tend to be made from a mix of fabrics such as wool, viscose and polyester.

As you might guess a suit jacket comes with matching trousers and sometimes a waistcoat. While I have been known to wear a suit jacket and the matching waistcoat with chinos or jeans, this is somewhat frowned upon, so if you’re unsure if it looks okay leave the jacket with its partners and wear a blazer or sports coat instead. Pockets are built in and will have either a jetted, welt or flap pocket.

Suit ny Next with matching trousers and waistcoat

The Sports Coat

A sports coat is a slightly different animal in that it is less structured and tailored than the suit jacket. As the name suggests it was traditionally worn for ‘sporting’ events, usually hunting, shooting or fishing. Traditional sports coats often had a leather patch on the shoulder where one rested ones rifle while shooting pheasants and such.

Often with patch pockets, the sports coat is a similar size and shape to the suit jacket but is usually made from a heavier fabric like tweed or corduroy. It’s seen as a more ‘casual’ jacket and doesn’t come with matching trousers. A Sport coat will sometimes have woven leather buttons and elbow patches.

A sports coat looks great with jeans or a less formal trousers like cords.

Jaeger Sport Coat £225.00 with leather buttons

In wool check fabric with elbow patches

The Blazer

Now on to the blazer.  Again a tad more on the casual side of the suit jacket it is more tailored than a sports coat, so it’s somewhere in between.  With its roots in naval soil (or water) they traditionally have brass buttons but these have been replaced these days in favour of horn or plastic buttons. Often part of a uniform, blazers are worn by various clubs and school students.

More often than not they’ll have flap pockets but patch pockets are a traditional feature too. A very versatile jacket, blazers can look great with cords, jeans, chinos or smart trousers.

The Billiard Herringbone Blazer by White Stuff £140.00

Well, I hope that's put your minds at rest and given you the information you need to impress at parties and to make sure you know what to wear and when!

Thanks for popping in, please come again.

What I Wore Today #33 Primark Outfit

Craig of That Dapper Chap show of his latest look, created entirely from the range available from Primark

I know what some people are like, they will turn up their noses at low cost menswear, with comments about poor quality and other elitist remarks. My view is that style is how the pieces are put together and not what they cost. A person can spend thousands of pounds on an outfit and look like a dogs dinner. They're happy of course, as they're dripping in designer names, would I know that, or care? No. I'd simply know that they looked a complete mess!

Dashing Tweeds SS15 Ready to Wear Collection

That Dapper Chap shows us some of the range available from the Dashing Tweeds SS15 ready to wear range.

An easy wear one button jacket has become essential for summer. Brought to popularity by the Savile Row tailor Huntsman, a single button jacket with slanted pockets is always seen as elegant. The offering from Dashing Tweeds this season is tailored in Merino, linen and Japanese yarn. 

The Bryher summer jacket £610

The Bryher fabric as seen above is woven with geometric squares and alternating polychromic cotton emanates a lighthearted summer feel with references to the work of Bridget Riley.

Team it with cream flannel trousers or white cotton jeans and you are ready to venture anywhere from Serpentine gallery galas to Ibiza jockey clubs. Find it HERE

The Samson double breasted jacket £610

The Tresco relaxed evening jacket £610

Dashing Tweeds are on a mission to expand the variety of cloths available to men. The world is in the midst of a renaissance and finally more colour and texture is returning to tailored clothes.

Their ready to wear jackets, trousers and shorts are tailored in London and available in their Mayfair store now. They have three jackets each in a different cut and also offer a made to measure service, cutting any style for you in a Dashing cloth of your choice.

A colourful summer awaits.

The cloth is also for sale to take to your tailor. The guys at Dashing Tweeds can post you swatches of designs you like.

Why not pop into the store and take a look at the range and the cloth at 26 Sackville Street, London, W1S 3HE.

Find Dashing Tweeds

   

THANKS FOR READING!

That Dapper Chap Meets Hammond & Co

That Dapper Chap takes a look at Hammond & Co clothing and creates some looks with pieces from the range.

In collaboration with Debenhams & all opinions are my own

As a dapper chap I have been an avid fan of the Hammond & Co range of menswear available at Debenhams for sometime now. Created by Patrick Grant, it's classic British style and heritage feel make it a range suitable for all gentlemen.

Patrick Grant

Hammond & Co. was founded by Robert Hammond around 1776, beginning life in the form of a celebrated London sporting tailor.

Tailors to King Edward VII, King George V, Queen Victoria, the King of Belgium, the Emperor of Austria, the King of Spain and the King of Portugal, other celebrated customers included Parisian couturier and founder of modern fashion, Paul Poiret, together with the United States of America's greatest ever military leader, General John J Pershing.

Patrick Grant, Savile Row tailor, TV personality and designer

The Hammond & Co range is now being designed by British designer and Savile Row Tailor Patrick Grant. Patrick is also well known for being a judge on TV's, The Great British Sewing Bee.

Today Patrick Grant continues to build upon Hammond & Co.'s standout heritage through the design of highly sought after collections that beautifully encompass quintessential British style.

My Look with Hammond & Co

After choosing a few items from the range, like a cat landing on my feet, I was fortunate enough to be contacted by Matt Brooke an incredibly talented photographer with a huge portfolio and wealth of experience, working with stars, famous models and brands across the globe. Was I going to turn down the opportunity to have a few shots taken? Not likely! 

Captured by photographer Matt Brooke

The Denim Jeans Style Challenge - Look Five

That Dapper Chap shares the last of five looks in the denim style challenge, creating five very different looks from just two pairs of jeans.

This is a sponsored post of honest and unbiased opinion

Welcome to the final edition in this denim jean style challenge, where I am creating five distinct styles with just two pairs of jeans from next.co.uk. If you haven't already read the details of the challenge or the very interesting denim survey results by Burton Menswear, find it HERE

All photography by the very talented Ian Clark of PhotoByIan, check out his other work HERE

The two pairs of jeans from Next.co.uk that I used for the challenge

Look Five - Weekend Style

So, here we are with the last installment in the Next jeans style challenge. This last look is another very casual styling using the rip repair denim jeans which you can find HERE for £45.00.

This look will take you from that Sunday afternoon stroll in the park, to that pub lunch with your mates. The boots keep the look masculine and are a classic brogue style in a rich brown leather. Great for this time of year with rain always on the horizon!

To keep out the spring chills I chose a textured knit cardigan with a shawl collar in a mustard colour, all three of these elements are very on trend right now.

The classic brown leather brogue boots

Chilling out on the sofa reading the Sunday papers

To keep track of the time I chose a beautiful watch with brown leather strap. The brown herringbone wool blazer stops the look from becoming too casual and also adds warmth. Don't be afraid of wearing a blazer of a chunkier cardigan, just be sure that you can move freely!

The shirt is a red and white striped cotton shirt and it has umbrellas printed on it which I thought was appropriate for this time of year here in the UK.

Keep track of the time with a great timepiece

The full look with textured shawl collar cardigan and ripped jeans

The umbrella print shirt

A closer look at the mustard cardigan

Some comfortable merino wool socks adds to the comfort of this look

This look work work well with a V-neck sweater too

Wearing a shirt makes the look smarter

A closer look at the blazer

Wearing boots and a blazer smartens this look

Photography

All photography by Ian Clark. Check out his work at HERE

Find him on Twitter HERE

Find him on Instagram HERE

The Details

Rip Repair Denim Jeans - Next £45.00

Brown Brogue Boots - Next £65.00

Umbrella Print Cotton Shirt - Ben Sherman £85.00

Textured Knit Mustard Shawl Collar Cardigan - Burton Menswear £35.00

Ochre & Green Merino Wool Socks - CNYTTAN £15.00

Herringbone Brown Wool Blazer - Primark £30.00

Brown Leather Watch - AVi-8 £295.00

Thanks for checking back. I hope that you've enjoyed this series and that I've gone some way to help you pull together some different looks to wear with your jeans.

THANKS FOR READING!

Introducing Marc Wallace

That Dapper Chap pays a visit to Marc Wallace in London's leafy Parsons Green and tells us about their new exciting store.

As I arrived via tube train at London's Parsons Green, I was greeted by a very leafy and quaint part of London that I'd never been to before. With a very 'villagey' feel and its traditional village green surrounded by quaint independent shops, bars and eateries this is certainly a part of London that I'd happily revisit

The Marc Wallace shop in New Kings Road

Suits perfectly tailored in a range of great colours

Inside the Marc Wallace shop

About Marc Wallace

After launching his first collection in 2000 Marc Wallace has since become renowned worldwide for his handmade suits and luxury accessories; Marc’s passion to challenge the direction of menswear is evident in the label’s fresh and original style. Through Marc’s hands on approach, collaborating with skilled artisans on limited edition pieces, the label continues to drive forward with inspiration and design at it’s heart.

The stunning limited edition floral suit. Not for the shy and retiring

A selection of contrasting fabric wool blazers 

All dressed up but nowhere to go. A traditional Marc Wallace look

The shop front was all ready for Christmas when I arrived, dressed as 'The Three Kings' complete with vintage hobby horses, it really was a delight to behold. On entering I was greeted by Drew as Marcs time was being taken up elsewhere and it was unfortunate that I wasn't able to say hello on this occasion. 

The shop itself is an eclectic design, mixing new and vintage pieces including old velvet covered cinema chairs and accessories. It is perfectly considered and very individual, just as your bespoke tailored suit will be.

While Drew tended to a client, discussing button variations and details on linings I toured the shop and snapped a few images.

The interior of the Marc Wallace shop in New Kings Road

Having worked with pop bands and stars of sport and television, most recently EastEnders stars, Danny Dyre and Jake Wood, Marc Wallace really has established himself as a 'must wear' designer creating tailor made suits for the noted and famous in addition to that special suit for your wedding day. 

Danny Dyer wears a stunning Marc Wallace design

From the 'English Gent' range of suits and accessories

The must have velvet blazer. Which colour is your favourite?

Marc Wallace only uses the finest quality fabrics from the UK and Italy, including silks, tweed and mohair, and he currently has a beautiful selection of sumptuous velvet blazers in stock, perfect for your New Year celebrations.

The luxurious velvet blazers all lined up

Vintage charm and accessories only add
 to that individual Marc Wallace experience

Great tailoring and contemporary colours

In addition to suits and blazers Marc Wallace can also fit you up with shirts, ties, underwear and all sorts of accessories both new and vintage, allowing you to add a very personal piece to your look.

Colourful socks will add interest and individualism to your look

The range of accessories at Marc Wallace

The New Marc Wallace Shop

As well as the shop in New Kings Road Marc Wallace also has a shop in Saville Row where he runs an appointment only system. I can now reveal that Marc has just opened a brand new shop in Bath in Broad Street.

Marc already runs a studio in George Street in Bath, for clients to visit by appointment for tailored suits and the new shop will be displaying his latest designs for all to buy, including suits, jackets, shirts and ties, as well as many accessories.

The new clothes shop in Bath has been a project Marc Wallace has been planning for a long time and he’s delighted it’s finally about to open to the public.

Bath, like London, is a very fashion conscious city and the Marc Wallace ranges are for people who want to step out and be noticed for their style. The brand has a distinct look that stands for quality.

I wish Marc and his team all the very best for the new venture and hope to return in the New Year to check out his spring/summer collection so watch this space!

Find marc Wallace

     

Yours truly. A Marc Wallace selfie

THANKS FOR READING!