Craig shares details of his top three shirts from Italian clothing company Canali and how he'd wear them.
A great shirt is a staple item in every mans wardrobe and we'd be lost without them. Canali, are a luxury Italian brand who offer a wide range of high quality shirting and have been doing so for over 80 years, so they know what they're talking about.
Still a family run business, they are serious about design and quality and still manufacture their clothing in Italy.
Today I want to share with you my top three shirts from Canali in this sponsored post, and show you how I'd style them with other items from their current range.
That Dapper Chap shares a few items from the summer range at Burton Menswear, perfect for that break in the sun
You've earned it! those few days away from your desk, away from the daily commute and the coffee run. Those few days when your lilly white legs get to see a few rays of sun, and you carry out that yearly complex task of choosing the right sun cream (why are there so so many!?)
One thing you won't have to worry about is what to pack in your hand luggage as Burton Menswear and That dapper Chap have sorted it for you.
The Bag
You'll need a bag to take on as hand luggage. Make it lightweight with this fold up bag in navy with teal trims and zip.
Three pairs of shorts will see you through a long weekend away. A pair of smart pink shorts for a smarter look for your evening meal or that drink in the beach bar. A pair of denim shorts for that camel ride or sight seeing and a pair of funky floral swim shorts for lazing in the pool.
So, enjoy your few days in the sun wherever you decide to go, just make sure you're not that guy who comes home wearing the white sunglasses! Wear the sun cream, even on your face!
That Dapper Chap introduces the Ben Sherman button up campaign and gives an insight into the history of this iconic brand.
That Dapper Chap buttons up
Founded in 1963 by brighton born Arthur Benjamin Sugarman,the man described as ‘always embracing the new and the different’; someone constantly searching for the best of things' his first shirt factory was set up in his home town after a stint in the US where he picked up a wife who just happened to be the Daughter of a Californian clothing producer.
Following a few very successful years Sugarman now named Ben Sherman, sold the business and moved to Australia, a few changes and a few years later and here we are today celebrating 50 years of trading and reintroducing the #buttonup style
2013 saw Ben Sherman reach the ripe old age of 50 and as with any milestone it was to be celebrated. What they did was go back to their roots and re-issue some great heritage designs including paisleys and florals giving a respectful nod to their past and sharing their culture and legacy with an entirely new generation. A generation that missed the sixties, seventies and even the eighties, all decades that Ben Sherman has walked through, head held high, sticking to their look and their values while all the time carving themselves a well formed niche and establishing themselves an an iconic British brand.
Me, buttoned up in my own Ben Sherman umbrella print shirt
I've worn the button up style for a while. Just because you're not wearing a tie it doesn't automatically mean that your top button has to be undone. Maybe its just a British thing, I don't know, but what I do know is that it makes you stand out from the crowd as a person who knows their own style and has the confidence to show it.
The 'Button Up' campaign is a clear recognition of their roots and harks back to a past era, an era of cool, of London mods, Carnaby Street and the global rise of British fashion.
That Dapper Chap views the AW15 Simon Carter Collection
If you've been following my writing before That Dapper Chap.com you'll know that I was a contributing writer for Bespoke Unit, an american based menswear and lifestyle magazine. While writing for them I was invited to an evening in the company of British Menswear designer Simon Carter. This was my first official outing as a blogger and my experience is detailed in my article for Bespoke Unit.
My return to Mayfair
As I mentioned above the last time I visited Simon Carter was my first outing as a blogger and I have to admit to being a bit nervous, I had no idea how it was going to go and no idea about what to expect. This time was different however, and while I didn't know what to expect from the AW14 collection I knew that I could expect a warm welcome and a firm handshake and that is exactly what greeted us.
Outside the Simon carter store in Londons Mayfair
I attended the evening with Viktor Man of The Man And Glam Blog. It had been an eventful evening so far, having just left the Lutwyche SS15 preview in Holborn and I knew that Viktor would be excited to see the Liberty prints that Simon uses on his shirts, and his reaction when he saw them was just as I expected.
As we've come to expect from the Simon Carter range there was an array of stunning colours and patterns in store. Simon told us that after seeing the 2013 film American Hustle he was inspired to add aspects of a 70's retro theme for AW14 and this is evident in his brightly coloured wide kipper ties. This is in direct contrast to, and a stark difference to what we are seeing in mens neckwear of late, when ties have seemed to get thinner and thinner. But as we know, what goes around comes around and with Topman putting flares on the runway during London Collections: Men the 1970's are returning. Groovy man!
A range of stunning prints
Some of the many beautiful cufflinks available online £50-£75
Modelling a stunning navy silk velvet evening jacket
As soon as we stepped into the store we were recognised by Simon, which was very nice. Considering that Simon is a man who meets many different people at many different events, he is very down to earth and his success still hasn't gone to his head. This is a very admirable trait and one which is often lost by other designers and people in his field. No sooner was the big smile and firm shake over when we were being offered a much needed glass of fizz and I was out of my own jacket and in one of Simon's latest creations.
Beautiful Liberty print shirts
With Simon Carter, surrounded by beautiful shirts
While Viktor was admiring the colourful patterns and stunning Liberty prints, as excited as a small a child in a sweet shop, Simon and I discussed his latest collection. Again very British in design, as we've come to expect and featuring fabrics such as silk velvet and corduroy to keep out those autumnal chills. I fell in love with the hunter green cord jacket and would gladly have exchanged it the one I arrived in and taken it home!
Modelling a check jacket in the comic book changing room
More of the luxurious print shirts and ties
A gorgeous hunter green corduroy blazer, perfect for Autumn
The English Field liberty print shirt from the current range £130
Just a selection of some of the amazing accessories
Since meeting Simon last year many things have changed; the range of Liberty prints, the increased range of accessories and the introduction of underwear. But I'm sure that even with all of these, Simons proudest moment was winning the Drapers Award for Menswear Brand of The year. Well deserved and receiving the recognition that he deserves. With this under his belt I am sure that there are more awards coming his way and I am excited to see whats next for Mr Carter.
