That Dapper Chap: floral shirt

Sunday 26 July 2015

What I Wore Today #30

That Dapper Chap shows us what Craig wore today, including a bright blue waistcoat and trousers and a summer floral shirt.

Todays looks is all blue, well, apart from the black leather loafers that is. I do own a pair for blue suede brogues which I'm sure you've seen in other posts but I think this look called for a more formal shoe so it had to be the black loafers. Maybe I need to invest in some blue leather brogues. There were a great pair in Next but unfortunately they are no longer available in my size. Sad times.

All of todays clothing is from Next. The shirt I've had for a while and the trousers and waistcoat were purchased last year. Again I wasn't able to get the matching jacket in my size which is a pain but is does mean that I can wear the trousers and waistcoat together in the summer or in cooler weather under a cardigan or coat which is fine by me.

I was recently sent some new socks by Cal'Zineri who are an Italian brand who make a range for luxury cotton and wool socks for the professional gentleman. They offer a range of knee high black socks of different thicknesses, suitable for all seasons. Today's socks are Firenze which are perfectly suited to the summer season.

Accessories include a new handmade trouser chain, my blue Harding watch and a polka dot tie, which adds some additional interest against the floral pattern of the shirt.

Where it's all from

Black Leather Loafers: Next

Bright Blue Trousers & Waistcoat: Next (Similar here)

Floral Cotton Shirt: Next (similar here)

Blue Leather Watch: Harding

Polka Dot Tie: Primark

Black Cotton Socks: Cal'Zineri

Blue Beaded Trouser Chain: Home Made

Thanks For Reading!

The Denim Jeans Style Challenge - Look Four

That Dapper Chap shares the fourth look 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 fourth 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 Four - Date Night

So, you've plucked up the courage to ask that special person out on a date and s/he has said yes! The table is booked and the flowers have been ordered but what are you going to wear!?

For the fourth in this series of looks I'm going to show you how to wear jeans for date night. Jeans keep things more informal than it would if you were to wear a suit. Of course this very much depends on the location of the date, but if it's the cinema and a meal at a local restaurant then jeans are a very good option.

The perfect look for date night, smart but informal

My oxblood leather brogues, classic and comfortable

So, of course I chose the smart jeans from Next.co.uk and available HERE for £35.00. Keeping it classy and classic I chose a pair of oxblood leather brogues. Promise me never to wear training shoes for a date please. Shoes tell a person a lot about a man. Whatever you may want to think, first impressions do matter!

On top I opted for a statement shirt, something that says, 'I am confident and have a personality' but isn't too crazy to scare people off. This shirt is a red and blue micro floral and comes with a matching navy tie. Keeping with that red and blue theme I added a silk pocket square. This adds detail and interest to the navy velvet blazer.

polka dot socks add a bit more personality than a plain black pair would

A closer look at the pattern of the shirt and the pocket sqaure

The entire look, just add flowers and maybe a ring?

Add a beaded trouser chain for some additional individuality

I also added a beaded trouser chain, for no other reason than to add some individuality. I could have made it a functional addition by attaching my wallet or keys to it, but wanted it simply as a statement piece. This one was hand made for me by a fellow Instagrammer and I love it.

More details of this Date Night outfit

Photography

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

Find him on Twitter HERE

Find him on Instagram HERE

The Outfit

Oxblood Leather Brogues - Racing Green Now £69.00

Blue Polka Dot Socks - Rock My Socks £8.00

Smart Jeans - Next £35.00

Floral Shirt & Tie Set - Next £28.00

Navy Velvet Blazer - Burton Menswear £90.00

Watch - James McCabe Heritage £179.00

Trouser Chain - Enquiries to The Modern Gentleman

Pocket Square - Ebay

Look out for the final post in this five part series very soon.

THANKS FOR READING!

Bring out the tweed

I know it's still pretty warm in the UK but after a bit of a chill in the air yesterday I decided to bring back the tweed as I've missed wearing waistcoats and a heavy fabric. I just wished that I had known it was going to be 26 degrees today before I put it on. Note to self: check forecast before donning tweed!

This is a three piece suit and I was tempted to wear all three pieces but I'm bloody glad that I didn't now as all I'd be doing would be carrying it around like an accessory! Speaking of accessories, today's included my favorite vintage watch and this amazing vintage briefcase that I picked up at a vintage fair last year.

The bow tie is also vintage and I think that all the accessories when added to this suit go to make a very heritage look, very British and very me.