What I Wore Today - A Touch Of Pink

That Dapper Chap shares his daily look and today chooses to wear a hint of pink on this bright spring day

Do I take off my jacket? Do I keep it on?

Well, it was a beautiful spring day but as I type the British weather has predictably flipped from promises of warm summer sun to Autumnal style showers. Someone get me on a plane to somewhere with weather that I can rely on! Not only is it irritating for the "shall I take an umbrella?" moments but it can be so difficult to prepare what to wear in advance. I wanted to wear my new loafers the other day with a rolled up chino and no socks. On the morning it was clear that the wet weather and chilly winds had other ideas for me!  

Anyway, my typically British weather rant over I'll move on and tell you about this outfit. I've been wearing a lot of navy lately so I wanted to switch out and go for something a little more colourful. So, with spring flowers in mind I chose a look with pink accents.

The outfit layout, all ready to go

Today's wrist wear keeping it tonal

This pale pink shirt has a subtle pin stripe in it which add interest to an otherwise plain shirt. For some contrast and texture I added a knitted dark pink tie, again with a similar stripe which would run in the opposite direction. With a bolder stripe on the shirt this may not have worked but as it is a less obvious pattern I think I managed to pull it off.

A fully look at he entire outfit

The camel chinos add some neutrality, keeping it more conservative for the office but I had to have a pop of colour from the socks, again in a dark pink to compliment the tie and help bring the look together.  

A close up of todays footwear

Ready for what the day holds

The blazer is a dark burgundy colour, fully lined with patch pockets. I know that a lot of guys aren't a fan of patch pockets but I don't find them offensive and this isn't an overly formal look so I think it works here.

Accessories consisted of my usual bead bracelets and a pink lace wrist band along with a vintage tie clip, to stop my tie doing things that I didn't want it to. I also wore my beaded trouser chain which I'm becoming more and more a fan of. In addition I wore a pink flower lapel pin giving another nod to spring and a pink linen pocket square I was ready for the day. 

The pink flower lapel pin and a close up of the tie

Deep in thought pondering tomorrows look

The vintage tie pin stops the tie flying away

Heading in the right direction (for once)

A closer look at the beaded trouser chain

I was one told "always walk like you have somewhere to go" 

Burgundy tassel loafers stay with the colour accents

A look at today's watch and pocket square

WHERE IT'S ALL FROM

Burgundy high shine loafers - Next

Burgundy Ribbed Socks - Uniqlo

Camel Coloured Chinos - Next

Pink Striped Shirt - Primark

Burgundy Striped Knitted Tie - Racing Green

Tie Clip - Vintage from Ebay

Burgundy Blazer - Racing Green

Pink Linen Pocket Square - Squared Pocket UK

Pink Flower Lapel Pin - Home Made

Beaded Trouser Chain - The Modern Gentleman

Brown Leather Briefcase - Rocha JohnRocha at Debenhams

Tan Leather Belt - Primark

Watch - Daniel Wellington

Burgundy Leather Watch Strap - Bespoke by BWeiss Leather

THANKS FOR READING!

What I Wore - The Next Skinny Fit Suit

That Dapper Chap shares his daily look and shows off his new skinny fit suit from Next

Next have been making great affordable suits for years, dressing the likes of you and me in the latest cuts and fabrics and making sure that we look the part at that meeting, wedding or on that date.

This is my latest purchase, advertised as a 'rust' skinny fit suit which for me conjures images of rich deep oranges I'd say this is more berry coloured or deep burgundy.

Due to the weather conditions and the need for some additional warmth I also wore my checked coat, a patterned scarf and some leather gloves. I would have frozen for sure without them.

 

Under the suit I wore a burgundy and white striped shirt and a knitted burgundy and white polka dot tie which I held in place with a quirky little tie clip in the shape of a coat hanger, alluding to my love of fashion and my blogging career.

Jack Spade:Double Breasted Weller Suit Jacket Fall Jacket 

I accessorised with a matching watch strap with was made specifically for my watch by an Instagram friend. The leather loafers continue the colour palette and the lapel pin maintains the gold highlights.

I am really please with this suit, the fabric is great as it the fit. I first wore it while at London Collections: Men a could of weeks and and received some very nice comments about it. 

So with lunch packed in my leather briefcase and hand made pocket square in place I was ready for whatever the day had in store.

Where it's all from

Burgundy Leather Loafers: Vintage, from Beyond retro, London

Burgundy Socks: Uniqlo

Skinny Fit Suit: Next

Stripped, Button Down Shirt: Next

Patterned Scarf: Next

Watch: Daniel Wellington

Watch Strat: Bespoke, BWeiss Leather

Leather Briefcase: John Rocha at Debenhams

Knitted Polka Dot Tie: Ebay

Wool Check Coat: Zara

Gloves: Next

Pocket Square: Gavin Pierre-Medford

Tie Bar: Stitches Of Style

Stag Head Lapel Pin: Ebay

THANKS FOR READING!

A Twist Of Lime

I must be getting old! One late night in London for LC:M and I'm tired for two days! What's that about? I have been busy preparing a piece for the blog about my time at the Lutwyche SS15 preview but I'm waiting for photographs from my fellow attendee Viktor Mann of The Man And Glam Blog. So watch this space.

Today's look was entirely created around this tie! It's one of four that I bought while on a trip to Leeds. Instagrams Oneyounggent had one and I liked it so much that I went on a hunt for it, but I didn't expect to find four different designs!

I picked the lime colour out of the tie as an accent for today's look and pulled out a lime coloured bracelet, lapel pin, pocket square, nato band for my watch, socks and even laces for my blue suede brogues.

Shoes: Savile Row

Socks: Topman

Chinos: Next

Shirt: Primark

Tie: Primark

Blazer: Topman

Bag: Next

Watch: Timex Weekender

Bracelets: Handmade

Tie Clip: Vintage

THANKS FOR READING!

Chap Chat - Accessorising a plain suit

That Dapper Chap talks to Desmond about making that plain suit less dull.

I often get messages from gentlemen via my Instagram page asking various questions and advice about mens fashion and what to wear. Last week I had an email from Desmond and I thought I'd share his question and my reply with you.

Desmond in his plain black suit

Hi Craig,

This is Desmond of desmondckc on Instagram. I am a Hong Kong university student who will start an internship soon in a bank. As you may be aware of, I am a fan of a suit. Yet I have some problems in choosing suits for my work, and I hope I could seek your kind help in this personal matter.

In Hong Kong, officewear, especially for a junior, is always a black suit. To wear a black suit, I would like to make it less boring by wearing ties, socks and watches of different colors. But I am not sure what color fits best. Black, grey and navy are all that I could think of, which matches a black suit, meanwhile not looking too senior. Do you think these colors are appropriate? 

I am not sure if it is acceptable for a junior to have a tie with a monochrome pattern like polka dots and squares. 

Also I find brown shoes weird with a black suit, or is it normal?

I also have a grey suit, and my choices of colors for the accessories are green (emerald), navy and black. What are your comments?

I know these questions may be bothering you, but I find you an appropriate mentor through your posts and would like to consult you for professional advice. I hope I am not disturbing you from your busy agenda.

Thank you.

Desmond