That Dapper Chap: oybo

Wednesday 22 April 2015

Nautical Prep

Craig of That Dapper Chap shows us today's preppy look accessorised with items by Paul Hewitt

I've been really keen on the preppy look for a while and have occasionally erred towards that genre of styling in my daily look.

After receiving a great little parcel from Paul Hewitt, who sell some really great preppy accessories, I thought I'd use them to build a look to challenge the preppiest prepster.

Getting my preppy style on

The preppy preperation

I chose items in the same colourway and all with a nautical theme. The bright red bow tie is printed with lobsters, the red, white and blue bracelet fastens with and anchor and the nato strap on the vintage style watch is also adorned with anchors. The red and blue belt and pocket square help to bring the colour theme together.

If you like the Paul Hewitt accessories, check back on the blog again soon as I'll be carrying out a product review on their vintage style watch.

The retro print shirt

That Dapper Chap shows us todays look and talk about style influences from previous decades.

Today's look started with this retro print shirt. Not only is the print retro with it's red and navy blue elliptical, interwoven pattern but the entire design is retro. Inspired directly by the 1970s it's a great modern shirt with that vintage edge.

You'll see immediately that the collar is larger than those that we're seeing from the majority of shirts on the market. When the collar is laid flat you can see that it spreads slightly too to create more of a point at the tips, something that is classically 1970s and conjures images of bearded, long haired gents in flares and sandals and with a guitar slung over their shoulder.

Is it me or have the last few years opened up the doors to a variety of styles which cover many decades of style, but taking the best of the cuts, patterns and shapes from each and making them 'now'. We've seen a huge amount of 80s inspired clothing but none of the voluminous and illuminous vulgarities that graced the streets in 1984. We're seeing heritage styles that give a gentlemanly nod to the 20's, 30's and 40's but without the harsh, thick and itchy fabrics that they used back in the day. And even though the 90s are still fresh in some of our memories, some styles from that-no-so-far-away decade are creeping back too.

One company that is offering the best mix of the decades, that I have found, is Next. In their current collection they're offering urban styles with 90s influences, 70s print shirts, like the one I'm wearing today along with thin knit buttoned and collared sweaters, 80s influenced sweaters in block patterns and wool suits and collarless grandad shirts just like those worn by our forefathers while shovelling coal in the 20s.

So whatever decade you may favor, take the best of what it had to offer in a new way. You don't have to go the whole hog and add those cordoury flares and platform shoes with your 70s print shirt. Just team it with modern items as I have, like this skinny fit blazer and chinos. It could be argued that the blazer is 60s style and that the chinos are 50s or 80s, as they were big in both eras, but whatever mix of items you wear, it doesn't matter so long as you are wearing it well and make it your own.

Black leather kilted tassle loafers: Monk

Baton Rouge unmatched socks: Oybo

Navy slim fit chinos: Next

Retro print shirt: Next

Navy skinny fit textured blazer: Topman

Burgundy knitted tie: Next

Ties clip: vintage via eBay

Burgundy paisley pocket square: Primark

Black leather briefcase: holiday purchase in Tunisia

Lapel pins: home made

Bracelets: home made

THANKS FOR READING!

First Fairisle

Bloody bank holiday Mondays! Love them, obviously as it means an extra day off work, but bloody hell, they do mess your week up! This is the reason we're looking at #bowtiewednesday instead of the expected #bowtietuesday, which the rest of the entire world (and maybe beyond, who knows) knows and loves!

So having prepared myself for 'bow tie Tuesday', I suddenly became acutely aware that it wasn't Tuesday at all, but Wednesday! because Monday was like an extra Sunday, and Tuesday automatically became fake Monday by default. Poor 'Tuesday after bank holiday Monday', so misunderstood!

I very nearly stood on this little fella on my way to work today! I hate that knowing 'crunch' so it's lucky I saw him slithering his way to the snail factory, or wherever it is he works. We had a selfie together before going our separate ways. He wasn't too talkative so I didn't give him a business card. He had some cool stripes though. Props.

I'm loving my new bow tie and lapel pin, both from Southern Gents, please take a look at the product review I did for them and don't forget that 10% discount to That Dapper Chap readers! I was so excited to receive the Pegasus lapel pin and I'll explain why. One of the best dreams I ever had was of me 'The Black Knight' riding my Pegasus 'Valinor' through the clouds. Swooping and climbing, the wind whipping up my black cape. That was such a cool dream! Marvel fans will know!

Anyone who has followed me for a while will know of my love for fairisle, and I couldn't resist the opportunity offered by a cool morning to drag this vintage knitted waistcoat out of hibernation! There are so many more of it's brethren to wake up over the coming weeks! All snoozing gently between the fragranced drawer liners, waiting for those first leaves to turn before the get to be seen again by the world (and beyond, who knows!). So watch this space!

Leather kilted tassel loafers: Monk

Mis matched socks: Oybo

Chinos: Next

Shirt: H&M

Fairisle waistcoat: vintage from eBay

Blazer: Topman

Bow Tie: Southern Gents

Lapel Pin: Southern Gents

Pocket Square: Gavin Pierre Medford

Bag: leather briefcase, bought in Tunisia

THANKS FOR READING!

No collar required

When I saw this heritage style, collarless grandad shirt on the Next website I had to get it. As you no doubt know by now, I'm a big fan of vintage and heritage styles and this shirt is certainly evocative of a past era.

There was once a time when you didn't wash your shirt until you really needed to, but you could easily detach your collar and give it a good scrub and starch it stiff before reattaching it with little collar studs.

Okay, so this shirt doesn't have a detachable collar or even the tiny holes where you would attach one, but it's style is so reminiscent of that time that it doesn't matter. You get the look without the fuss.

The blue suit is also from Next. Since buying it I've lost a little weight so I'm going to have the trousers tailored as I love it so much that I don't want to move it on. The navy suede brogues go well with the look and I added a touch of fun with some mis-matched striped socks.

The pocket watch is true vintage, bought from eBay from a great guy on eBay who buys and refurbishes old watches. It's an army issue pocket watch from 1954. As such, I don't class it as mine as the guy who had it before me had it for way longer than I have so I'm just it's guardian until time moves on. Tick tock, tick tock.

Blue Suede Brogues: Saville Row Co

Socks: Baton Rougue by Oybo

Suit: Next

Shirt: Next

Pocket Watch: vintage army edition

Lapel Pin: Home made

Bracelets: Home made

THANKS FOR READING!

Product Review - Oybo Socks It To 'em

That Dapper Chap reviews Oybo Untuned Socks.

One Pair, Two Souls

PRODUCT

For this product review I’d like to introduce you to Oybo Socks, an Italian sock brand that packs a punch in the ever increasing bold world of socks.

Disbanded Summer

I'm loving my Disbanded Summer Socks

Oybo are different both figuratively and literally as the first thing you’ll notice is that their socks do not match! This is their USP and they sell their products as ‘untuned’ i.e. each pair of socks is a pair but each individual sock has a slightly different design to its partner.

Some of Oybo's latest collection

Me modelling Lemon Squeeze along side Sashimi

Lemon Squeeze and Pixel

The people at Oybo say "We're a small group of friends who started to do something nice for ourselves. We loved it so much we're now proposing sharing our enjoyment with connoisseurs who are serious about fashion but don't take themselves too seriously! This is to the ones who enjoying telling the whole world what they're about. And like doing it with nice details"

Modelling Pixel

The last couple of years has seen a sock revolution and you can now buy a huge range of multicoloured socks in a variety of designs. This is in direct demand from guys like me who want to inject some interest into their look on a daily basis. Wearing a bright and funky pair of socks is a sure fire way of injecting some personality and showing some individuality.

The majority of their socks are 95% cotton with 5% elastan. They recommend that they are hand washed and not tumble dried. They can also be dry cleaned.

Sashimi

I think you'll agree that Oybo have taken this a step further and introduced a funkier element to the sock revolution and its one that I'm enjoying!

Grandma

PRICE

A pair of Oybo socks will set you back 22 Euros (£17 $30). For a pair of socks this does seem a little steep but the design that has gone into each pair is worth it. You're not going to find anything similar out there and you will get noticed while wearing them.

Grandma, Versailles and Lemon Squeeze

These are a more high end sock. Buy yourself a pair as a treat or put your favourite pair on your birthday list.

Kobe Green

PACKAGING & PRESENTATION

The Oybo packaging is great, I love it and it only adds to the fact that this is a high end sock. Each pair comes lovingly joined together with a cardboard tag before it is encased in tissue paper and them placed into its own cardboard envelope. The envelope has the name of the sock hand written on it which is a very individual and personal touch.

The printed cardboard envelope

There is a lot of information on the cardboard envelope about the product, the material and washing instructions. There is also a cute little note suggesting that while we have two feet which are the same, we may have mixed feelings, so why why not wear different socks.

Each pair is beautifully folded and tagged

PERFORMANCE

A lot of Oybo socks are knee high. In the UK we're used to something that finishes mid calf at the highest. This may be a little distracting for some gentlemen and okay, maybe you don't want to be wearing a pair of Oybo socks when changing at the gym as you will get funny looks (I know this first hand)but the bonus is that they do not fall down. You pull them up in the morning and they stay there all day.

Baton Rouge, some of my personal favourites

Some of mine have been washed a few times now and while I have mentioned above they it is recommended that they are hand washed, mine have been in both the washing machine and the tumble dryer! (Sorry Oybo) I'm pleased to say though that they're still good to wear but the colour has faded and they have shrunk slightly. So yes, the recommendation to hand wash them is correct!

They are easy to wear and the summer range are cool and airy. They are not too thick and have a weave a little like a ladies hosiery. Again, in the UK we're not familiar with this but other countries are, and it's expected. I'm okay with it but it is very different to what I'm used to. The 'warmer' range such as Pixel are a nice thickness and its good to have a choice of thickness when choosing socks.

PERTINENCY

If you work in a bank and wear a grey suit every day and have to meet incredibly important people while remaining perfectly professional, maybe you should stick to a plain black sock as these babies could distract from all those graphs and PowerPoint presentations!

If your'e a guy who likes to stand out from the crowd or who does have an important job but still wants to show some personality (as a lot of us do) then these are for you!

Me, ready for the office

PRO’s AND CONS

The main thing I like about Oybo socks is the selection. They have a great range and I have never seen anything like them before. They stay up all day and they are very comfortable to wear. They do not leave you with those horrible 'sock lines' which reshape your legs and leave dents in your calves indicating that your circulation has been a tad impeded all day!

I've struggled to think of any negatives or anything that I'd change. I've already mentioned the light weave and the similarity to a ladies hosiery. This does make me a little uncomfortable but that's just me being a typical Brit and I'm already getting over it. Other than that I have no suggested improvements!

PEOPLE

Some people don't get it! Some people think that I have intentionally brought and worn different socks in some misguided attempt to make some kind of awkward social statement.

Once I made them aware of the brand and their philosophy they get it, but they are still a little uncomfortable with the concept. Its not mainstream so some people find it difficult to get their heads around.

My test group liked the designs and the quality of the socks but the majority of them would not wear them, simply because they are too different.

Grandma by the sea

PRECIS

Its apparent that I'm a fan! I'm a person that likes things that are different, that stand out, and which challenge the norm. Oybo do this and they do it well and to a very high standard.

Not everyone is as comfortable with the concept as me and the person that buys Oybo socks is making a statement and showing the world that they're happy to step out of a box.

They're aimed at the individual, the person who is happy to take a risk and the person that is often found putting two fingers up to the world and saying "Yes, I'm different and I'm happy to be"