That Dapper Chap: racing green

Sunday 23 April 2017

Debenhams launches Ben Fogle as the face of Racing Green Menswear

Craig of That Dapper Chap joins press and bloggers at the luxurious Cliveden House to celebrate the launch of Ben Fogle as the new face of Racing Green menswear at Debenhams, with a day of fine dining and classic cars

My favourite of the classic cars; a stunning Austin Healey in two tone blue and cream

Cliveden House in all its majestic glory

After meeting the Debenhams crew and the rest of the guests at Paddington station on a warm spring morning, we boarded our train and headed to Cliveden House in the stunning Taplow countryside. With guests from the Telegraph, The Guardian, Drapers Magazine, Fashionbeans along with myself, Ben from 21st Century Gent and Charlie from Man About Town, I was in good company.

Styling a look from the Racing Green SS17 collection

Craig of That Dapper Chap styles a look from the latest SS17 collection from Racing Green, available at Debenhams.

If you've followed my blog for a little while, firstly thank you, but secondly you'll know that I've worn and written about Racing Green menswear previously, once for my trip to Prague and before that on a weekend away, so we already know that I'm a fan of their clothing.

What you may not know is that You'll now find Racing Green in Debenhams as they have recently taken on the brand, hence the desire to share some of the range with you.

Racing Green in Prague

Craig wears an outfit by British menswear brand Racing Green and shows us that classic style that you can wear on any city break

The outfit flatlay as seen on Instagram

Prague has been on my wish list for years! I wanted to go at Christmas, I wanted it to snow, and I wanted the streets to be lined with Christmas markets and twinkle with lights in the magical way that only thousands of LED bulbs and some imagination and willingness to believe can conjure.

What I Wore Today - The Boden shirt and blazer

That Dapper Chap shares todays look, wearing a shirt and blazer from Boden

I've loved Boden menswear for a few years now and have amassed quite a few pieces from their range, mostly knitted ties and patterned shirts, which I have to say are exceptional. When I speak of Boden, most people are aware that they do womenswear but not many know that they also do a great range for us blokes.

They did used to have the mens range in their little catalogues, which I looked forward to getting each season, but for whatever reason they decided to do away with it, and focus their range of menswear purely online. So, I thought I'd bring it to your attention with today's look.

As soon as I saw this blazer online I knew I had to have it. luckily I got it just before it sold out, so if you wanted to grab one, I'm afraid you're out of luck. The large check pink gingham shirt is also Boden and is made from a thick cotton. It fits really well but I did buy a size smaller than I would have from another store, as I know that Boden can be large on me. I also went a size down on the blazer, and I'm pleased that I did as I think my real size would have been far too big.

This is quite a summery look, but in true British summer fashion it poured down with rain on the day that I wore it. I had planned to go sockless but the weather dictated that socks were a must. Luckily I had a pair almost the same colour as the blazer!

I wore jeans with the shirt and blazer, slim fit and dark in colour. They're the same jeans that I wore for the 'Date Night' look in the jeans style challenge blog post. They're a real favourite of mine now and I wear them a lot.

I accessorised with a pink lapel pin and pocket square to compliment the pink of the shirt, one of my trusty trouser chains, again in a complimentary colourway, and finally some pink and green bracelets just to help pull it all together. I love this look but I just wish the weather would have been more suited to its summer styling.

Where it's all from

Burgundy loafers: Next

Green Socks: Racing Green

Smart Jeans: Next

Pink Gingham Shirt: Boden

Brompton Green Blazer: Boden

Watch: Harding

Briefcase: John Rocha

Lapel Pin: Home Made

Pocket Square: Southern Gents

Trouser Chain: Home Made

Bracelets: Home Made

Umbrella: Vintage Fox

Glasses: Specsavers

Thanks For Reading!

What I Wore Today - Vintage Bow Tie Tuesday

That Dapper Chap shares his daily look. Today he goes for a vintage inspired outfit.

Full on vintage style in navy and brown

Today's look was built around this vintage waistcoat. It's predominantly navy in colour with an orangey brown check. So, with that it mind I went for a navy and brown ensemble. Because it's a true vintage item I also styled the look with other vintage elements to keep the theme specific.

The outfit flatlay as seen on Instagram

Under the said waistcoat is a slim fit plain white shirt and over the top is a simple brown cardigan to add an extra layer as it was a tad chilly today.

Today's heritage look

New vintage style glasses in newsprint grey

I wore my brand new glasses today too, something old, something new, nothing borrowed and lots blue. Again these have a very vintage styling which compliments the overall look of this outfit.

I had to have them made and shipped from the US as unfortunately they have no stores in the UK and do not even ship here! A huge thank you to Instagram's CameOnStrong for sorting the logistics for me!

Making my way back to the office

New hair, new glasses & vintage waistcoat & tie

Continuing with that vintage theme I opted for an original vintage pocket watch instead of a wristwatch, the new two tone brogues also make the look cohesive, continuing with the heritage focus and colour scheme.

Time for some vintage accessories

Leaning on a lamp post on the corner of the street

My new two tone brogues as seen on Instagram

The full look with vintage styling

A closer look at the vintage bow tie

Loving my new glasses

A close up of the pocket chain

Taking a stroll during my lunch break

A closer look at the two tone brogues

WHERE IT'S ALL FROM

Two Tone Brown Brogues - Redfoot

Brown striped socks - CNYTTAN

Navy 'Lawson' Chinos - Racing Green

Slim Fit White Shirt - H&M

Vintage checked waistcoat - Hunky Dory Vintage

Vintage Clip On Bow Tie - Ebay

Vintage Army Edition Pocket Watch - Ebay

Pocket Watch Chain - Ebay

Brown Cardigan - H&M - Similar Here

Newprint Grey Glasses - 'Watts' by Warby Parker

Brown Leather Briefcase - Rocha JohnRocha at Debenhams

THANKS FOR READING!

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.