Marks & Spencer Launch the David Gandy Swimwear Range

That Dapper Chap shows us the new range of swimwear from Marks & Spencer designed by British super model David Gandy

Marks & Spencer announces the next stage in its exclusive men’s David Gandy for Autograph collection - Swimwear. Following the global success of the David Gandy for Autograph underwear debut last year, the eight piece swimwear collection, designed and modelled by the world’s only male supermodel David Gandy, is set to launch online and in over 100 stores across the UK and internationally this summer at the beginning of June 2015

The plain red swim shorts £25

  

Designed by David Gandy

David Gandy says: “The underwear collection has been really well received so launching swimwear this summer seemed like the next natural step. The shorter short and lower rise shape that we introduced for underwear has become very popular so I’ve introduced this for swimwear too and have created a collection that can be worn in the pool or as casual wear throughout summer. 

I was inspired by images of Hollywood stars wearing beautifully made swimwear in the 60s, and by my love of tailoring which I’ve incorporated in the detail by including the use of side adjusters, contrasting buttons and also the hounds-tooth print which has become a signature of the range. 

I’ve enjoyed putting the collection together and I’m excited to be able to offer a more premium range of swimwear at high street prices." Scott Fyfe, Director of Menswear, Marks & Spencer, says: “After the success of the David Gandy for Autograph underwear and loungewear collection, it made sense to expand the collection into swimwear. David is extremely knowledgeable about style, and working with our swimwear experts he has created our most premium swimwear collection yet. 

He’s designed an exclusive new fit that’s more tailored than our current range, in a spectrum of eight colours, he’s incorporated extra design finishes and innovative fabrics creating a really stand out range that I think our customers will love”.

Tailored fit, quick dry dogtooth swim shorts £25.00

A closer look at the dogtooth swim shorts

David Gandy has worked closely with M&S swimwear experts to develop a collection of eight swim shorts in navy, light blue, cobalt blue, marine, orange, red, black and hounds-tooth, all in a new exclusive slim fit shape, with a lower rise and shorter short. Bright colour and pattern are particularly popular swimwear styles at M&S, so David was keen to include a new bold colour palette, as well as his signature houndstooth print. 

David has included his love of tailoring in details such as side adjusters, contrasting buttons and a discreet hounds-tooth print on the inside of the button fly. This is the first time M&S has launched a swimwear range by waist size offering sizes from 28” to 40’’ for a more accurate fit, usually only found on tailoring. The swim shorts are made with innovative Quick Dry technology to speed drying time, as well as being sold with a drawstring water resistant bag. David Gandy for Autograph swimwear offers the most premium swimwear styles to date at M&S menswear, and all at £25.

Tailored swim shorts in plain blue

All David Gandy for Autograph Swim Shorts are available for £25 and are now available in selected UK stores and online. The swimwear will be available online and in over 100 stores across the UK and Ireland. 

THANKS FOR READING!

Vacation Styles

That Dapper Chap takes us through the styles that he wore of this summers vacation

Standing in the Coliseum in El Djem, Tunisia

At the beginning of 2014 with snow on the ground, we set off to the travel agent to book our summer vacation. Looking through brochures and reviewing locations and hotels we started to get confused. Is it just me or after a while do they all start to look the same?

We ended up booking to go to Tunisia in North Africa. We'd been there twice before and knew the deal. Guaranteed heat, great hotels and culture and difficult to beat on price.

The coliseum at El Djem, Tunisia

A couple of weeks ago I posted an article about what to take on vacation so to follow that up I'll now take you through what I did wear to show the proof in my pudding.

Arriving tired and sweaty we checked in, showered and changed for dinner. I chose a dusty pink pair of shorts and a white long sleeved shirt. The shorts are from H&M at £25 ($43), the shirt is also H&M at £10 ($17). The bow tie is vintage from Etsy at £10 ($17), the belt is Primark at just £3 ($5) and the tassel leather loafers are from Ebay seller Withamyshop at £23 ($40)

A dapper vacation look

The pool side at the hotel in Port El Kantaoui 

The next evening after a day by the pool working on the tan I again opted for a look with shorts. These pale blue cotton shorts are from Burton Menswear at £27 ($46) and a light cotton bird print shirt from Zara. The shoes are from Primark at £12 ($20)and the bow tie is again from Etsy.

Dapper in a Zara short and vintage bow tie

The beautiful Zara bird print shirt

The next look was a slightly more preppy affair with a red, white & blue check shirt from GAP at £40 ($68). The pale coloured shorts are by Primark at £12 ($20). The vintage clip on bow tie is again from Etsy. The belt and hat are both from Primark at £3 and £5 respectively. The shoes are by Converse and the sunglasses from Burton Menswear.

The next look is a floral shirt by Boden which I bought on the sale for £25 ($43)and I teamed them with a pair of charcoal coloured cotton and linen mix shorts from Primark at £10 ($17. The shoes are again by Converse. 

A relaxed holiday look

A close up of the floral print

I followed the floral look with this one which seems to be a favorite with the Instagram crowd. The white cropped trousers are from Ebay seller Withamyshop and cost just £16 ($27) to keep it very fresh I chose a bright blue light cotton shirt from H&M at £20 ($35). The belt is again from Primark at £3 and the shoes are also from Primark at £12.

White for the sand and blue for the sea

A closer look

The colour of the pool matches the shirt perfectly

The next day we spend at the Medina, haggling for bargains. The amount of fake items that you can buy in Tunisia is astounding and this will be the focus of a forthcoming blog piece. That evening I opted for a white shirt from H&M at £10 and beige shorts from Primark at £10. The brogues are by Red Tape at £25.  The bow tie is vintage and again from Etsy.

The entrance to the Medina in Sousse

Around the Medinas narrow walkways

Colourful plates at the Medina

The next look is all about this Topman printed shirt. I bought it a couple of years ago but it still looks great. I cannot remember how much it cost me but it was probably around the £25 mark. I teamed it with the same white cropped trousers as before and the tassel loafers

 

I went for a green theme the following day also with this green and turquoise checked shirt from H&M at £20 and added a bright green pair of shorts. the shorts started out as a pair of chinos but because they looked a lot like a Doctors scrubs I decided to make them in to shorts!

We visited the Coliseum at El Djem the next day and I chose to wear the light coloured shorts from Primark along with a floral short sleeved shirt, also from Primark and a straw hat by John Rocha which I found in a charity shop. For comfort I opted for a pair of red converse.

The view of El Djem from the Coliseum 

A close up of the floral shirt pattern

Waiting in the hotel for the coach

For the final look I again chose a classic white long sleeved shirt and put it with a pair of paisley patterned tailored shorts by Topman. The shorts are part of a suit. I don't know how I feel about a short suit but the jacket and the shorts are great pieces in the own right (I didn't buy the jacket though)

The belt is plain black leather and the shoes are again Converse. I wish I'd taken a pair of black tassel loafers with me but for some reason I didn't. 

A close up of the shorts

The shorts have received a lot of attention. Firstly a shop owner in Tunisia asked if he could have them when I left. When I refused to let him have them, he offered to buy them from me or swap them with goods from his shop. Again I declined as I like them so much.  In addition to this an Instagrammer commented that they are too long and suggested that I go for a shorter length for a cleaner look. I disagree with this and I'm pretty sure that the designers at Topman know what they are doing. It was made as a suit so clearly the longer length was intentionally made to creat a smater tailored look. Buy hey, each to their own!

 

Of course I did a lot of swimming and I was pleased that they had a smaller, quieter pool in which I could swim lengths. With an all inclusive holiday I needed to make sure that I was doing enough exercise to off set all the food I was consuming (not that I over indulged). Of course I needed swim shorts and I took two floral pairs by H&M and Boden along with a short short pair in navy by H&M and a pale blue pair by Next.

Shorts by H&M

Shorts by Next

So, now back in the UK, slightly darker skinned that before I left and planning what I'm going to wear to work this week. No maid service, no waiter offering my an ice cold Gin and Tonic by the pool and nobody clearing my plate after my evening meal. Sad times, but I'll just look forward to next year. Maybe it'll be Tunisia again? Who knows! The bigger question is what will I wear!

Thanks for reading!

A beach holiday? What will you pack?

That Dapper Chap looks forward to his holiday in the sun and tells us what we should consider packing in our cases.

So, you've waited all year. The vacation was booked months ago, you'd kind of forgotten what the place looks like, but now its only a month away and your excitement is renewed. But what are you going to take? Is it still okay to wear espadrilles? Will that Hawaiian shirt be okay to wear to the beach bar at night?  Well, I'm not going to dictate what you should and shouldn't wear as we're all individuals and can wear what the hell we want to but I can tell you what I'll be packing and will hopefully keep it smart and dapper, even on the beach!

Classic white trousers and a pale blue blazer

It's tempting to think "I'm on vacation, who cares what I look like" and throw a bunch of shorts and sleeveless T-shirts into a case along with a pair of tatty old sun shoes and to hell with it. But what about your reputation as a dapper gent? I'll still be posting pictures to Instagram while I'm sunning myself on my much needed fortnight in the sun! So, pay a little attention to what goes in your case this year and with some careful planning you won't need to cram in your entire wardrobe.

Shorts

The first thing I'll be packing are shorts. Chino shorts are great as they are light weight and look smart. You can roll up the legs and sun bath in them topless but still looking stylish in your sunglasses and straw hat or you can roll them down for night time, pop on a cool white linen shirt and a belt and a pair of smart brogues, ready for that tequila sunrise at the beach bar.

River Island beige chino shorts £25

A beige pair of chino shorts are classic and will look great with almost anything. I would wear these with a white polo shirt, a long sleeved patterned shirt for the evening or even a T-shirt for day time sight seeing. Add a pair of white canvas pumps during the day or leather flip flips and dress them up at night with brogues.

River Island printed shorts £30

I'm taking a few pairs of shorts in various colours and patterns, all classic looking with a tailored look like the ones below.

River Island pink shorts £30

Of course you'll need some shorts to swim in. I'd recommend some in a plain colour or a floral print such as hibiscus or tropical print. Make sure they are short and are well above the knee. These look so much classier than the calf length versions and will make you look taller and leaner.

River Island £22.00

River Island £20.00

I usually take 3 or 4 pairs of swim shorts. If you're on a beach or pool holiday it's likely that you'll be in them a lot as you'll be in and out of the sea/pool a lot so take enough to be able to rotate them so you look fresh each day. Don't forget to wash them out every night.

Shirts

The other essentials are shirts and T-Shirts. I personally only wear plain T-shirts as I think these look classier than ones emblazoned with logos, football teams or pictures. Let people see you and not the T-Shirt. A plain T-Shirt never offended anyone but I've seen plenty of horrible printed T-Shirts that offend me!

For the evening and day drips when you want to possibly be covered up from the sun I'll be packing a collection of long sleeved and short sleeved shirts in both plain and patterned lightweight cotton or linen.

New Look tropical print shirt £15.00

New Look cream linen shirt £18.00

Zara Bird print shirt £25.99

Zara Elephant Print Shirt £25.99

A plain white shirt and chino shorts

What about long trousers?

I will also take a couple of pairs of long trousers just in case I need to protect my legs from the sun or go somewhere which dictates that flesh must be covered. I have a pair of loose navy linen trousers which I team up with a white linen shirt, white pumps and a straw hat. I'll also take a lighter colour pair, maybe beige or white.

A classic look

Add a linen jacket for evenings to keep off the sea air

Shoes

You will of course need foot wear. You'll need something to potter around the pool in that you can simply kick off in a second flat, something casual but more protective and something for the evening.

For pool time I'm taking flip flops. Now, I am not a fan, but they are functional. Please make sure yours are leather and not foam and rubber as they will get hot and sticky and plus they just look plain nasty.

Old Navy leather flip flops $20.00

For the evening I will take 2 pairs of shoes, a classic brogue and a boat shoe, these can work with the long trousers or shorts (both without socks or with invisible socks as I will wear)

As a 'go between' for day or evening I will take a white pump like a low rise Converse. Again great with shorts during the day or more dressed up for the evening.

A classic brown leather brogue by Grenson £195.00

River Island Boat Shoes £45.00 

Marks and Spencer white pump £25.00

A great vacation look

Hats

I will not be seen dead in a baseball cap outside of my running (and that is only to keep the sun and the rain out of my eyes) Go for a straw hat, these are freely available and come in a range of styles and colours. 

New Look £9.00

New Look £9.00

BooHoo Man £10.00

Accessories

Of course you will need sunglasses! I'm going for a classic Tortoiseshell and also a dark grey pair of the same shape. I will also take some mirror aviators simply because they are cool!

These three will mix and match with your different outfits and offer a cohesive look to the various elements that you put together. Plus if someone steals a pair while you're in the pool sipping your Tequila Sunrise you'll have another 2 pairs to wear!

Mirror Aviators by Storm at Debenhams £35.00

ASOS Wayfarer Sunglasses £20.00

Next Tortoiseshell effect wayfarer sunglasses £14.00

You'll also need a bag. Something to keep your iPhone and iPod in while you're swimming or getting drinks from the bar and to carry your beach towel, money, sun cream and that Dan Brown novel.  Its a good idea to choose something with long handles so that they can be tied to your sun bed so you can throw all of your valuables in it and keep them safe. A thief isn't going to risk being caught trying to untie your bag when other people stupidly leave their valuables laying on their sunbeds!

Vintage tan sailcloth dufflebag - Not On The Highstreet £60.00

Fabric Tote - Cafe Press £10.00

Gant Canvass Tote £150.00

I'm also going to take a light scarf and my Daniel Wellington watch. The watch comes with a nato band that can be changed to match any outfit and the scarf will simply be to add a touch of elegance and dapper to an otherwise plain look and also to keep off any cool night breezes.

Linen scarves - Not On The Highstreet £35.00

Daniel Wellington 

LookBook

Here are a few looks that I've put together based on what I'll be wearing on my two weeks in the sun!

A casual beach or pool look

For pool or beach sun bathing

A trip into town

An evening at the bar

A day trip

From day to evening

A romantic beach side meal

A look to take you from day to evening

Beach combing

A smarter evening look

So whatever you decide to pack in your case make sure its dapper, avoid loud prints, avoid denim, avoid baseball caps and whatever you do, don't drink pints and pints of free beer and make a total arse of yourself while turning bright red in the sun as you've fallen asleep in your intoxicated state. 

If you want to show your fellow holiday makers that you are a classy gentleman, sip a Gin & Tonic and make sure you thank and tip the waiter while tipping your hat. And please post a picture to Instagram and #thatdapperchap

THANKS FOR READING!