Tuesday, 7 October 2014

Your Chance to Win

Your chance to enter your style and win with the #ThatDapperChap Instagram Contest


Are you a dapper chap? If you think you have what it takes enter this months contest, and show us your dapper style and win.

This month we've teamed up with Kjøre Project to give away a choice of phone/card clutch wallet to the lucky winner.

Worth up to €75/£60/$95 this handy wallet will keep everything you need safe and sound.



To enter:
1) Post a full body picture to Instagram
2) #thatdapperchap
3) follow @that_dapper_chap on Instagram
4) follow @kjoreproject on Instagram

In a weeks time we'll choose the three most dapper gents and the winner will get this beautiful handmade leather wallet and two runners up will receive a whopping 20% discount at www.kjoreproject.com


Not only that but all three winners will be featured on ThatDapperChap.com. Each stylish gent will have a feature about himself and his style. The feature will of course be shared on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

So,what are you waiting for? Get posting! And post as many times as you like. 

Winners will be notified via Instagram. Judges decision is final.




GOOD LUCK!!


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Sunday, 5 October 2014

Product Review - The Kjøre iPhone Wallet

That Dapper Chap opens the doors to leather crafters The Kjøre Project and reviews the best selling leather iPhone Case Wallet.

One of Kjore Projects leather bags

Read on for a 10% discount for That dapper Chap readers.

There is nothing that speaks quality more than a finely handcrafted leather accessory so I was pleased when I was contacted by Luca at The Kjøre Project to discuss his products.

Who are Kjøre Project?

Initially focussing on footwear, its been fifty years since the business began. As always things evolve and now a small group of the design team have founded kjøre project, creating a new line of accessories in a Nordic style, using the softest leather.

The phone/cards clutch wallet €65

The different colours available in the phone/cards clutch wallet €65

Kjøre project strives to create modern products that respect the past. All the styles in the heritage collection are designed and built just as they were fifty, sixty and even over eighty years ago and are all made using premium leather and are totally handcrafted.
The Kjøre Project iPad case €65-€85

A well crafted leather key chain €30

The leather survey backpack €349

The Leather

Kjøre Project only use the finest quality leather from New Zealand and Europe. Their tanning process is slow and depends on the skill and artistry of the tanners. It is the careful attention of these artisans and their refusal to compromise on materials which achieves such beautiful results.
The quality starts with the tanning process
Their handling and nurturing of the leather means that it doesn't peel or crack and develops its own patina, changing gradually in appearance and taking on and individual character.
The patina builds on a year old product making it truly unique
The scars, scratches, veins and wrinkles that give each piece in the collection makes it unique. Minor imperfections are not covered or removed as the guys at Kjøre Project feel this adds character and retains the natural integrity of the material.


The Workshop

The crafts people at Kjøre Project have access to all the machinery they may need at the leather factory but choose to make each piece by hand. In an age when items are manufactured in bulk overseas at little cost and little attention to detail this is a real selling point.
A nod to the past and  the Kjøre heritage with this vintage sewing machine
Quality products being created by hand+

The Product Review

This product review focusses solely on the leather phone/card clutch wallet.
My new favorite item

Product

While Kjøre Project produce a number of products from wallets, Ipad cases, bags and great accessories for the avid cyclist this product review is all about the phone/cards clutch wallet.

Made in Italy from top quality leather the items is entirely hand made which gives it a uniqueness that other products miss. It has 4 pockets on the front to hold your phone and cards and a sturdy zip which opens one long and one short side which gives ample access to your notes, coins and whatever else you may wish to store in it.
My wallet, easy to use and comfortable in the hand

With the largest version (suitable for the iPhone 6) measuring 15x9cm its a sensibly sized item which you can hold or just as easily place in your bag.
The sturdy top quality zip

The zip is metal and very firm so the company have added a handy thumb hold to use when opening it which is a great little detail.


Price

At €65 (£51) for the large phone/cards clutch wallet, these items are not cheap. They are at gift level so if you're a guy like me on a budget put one on your Christmas list.

Don't forget that this is all handmade high quality leather so you do get what you pay for.

Ready for whatever the day holds


Packaging & Presentation

The wallet arrived quickly and was packed in its own little dust bag and then popped into a Jiffy bag. At €65 it would have been nice to have a gift box too as it would have added to that quality feel and I think Kjøre may have missed a trick here.

The white printed dust bag

Performance

This is a nice little item. It feels great in the hand and the leather is very soft and tactile. Its does exactly what it is intended to do with simple design and great quality materials.

I was initially worried that if I was walking with the wallet in my hand that my phone may slip out and give me that embarrassing 'my-phone-has-just-smashed-into-a-million-pieces-on-the-floor' moment but it is perfectly cosy in its little pocket and even when I tipped it upside down and shook it, it didn't fall out.
The Limited Edition Ostritch Leather Wallet €79

Pertinency

Okay, these are not the most macho of items, if you're a guy who works on a construction site and drinks a fill of beer at lunchtime over a cheese sandwich, this may not be for you.

It is a very European concept for guys to hold a wallet in the same way a lady may hold a clutch bag. Guys in the UK and US are slowly coming around to this new, a-sexual, approach to carrying your daily items. Outside of France or Italy you may get a strange look or comment every now and again but if you want to be a Shepherd rather than the sheep do it, its time for change.

The limited edition Deer skin wallet €129

Pro’s & Con’s

Neat, small and well made and nice to the touch the iPhone/cards clutch wallet is a nice little product.

The only thing I would change is to include a gift box as it is a higher-end product and I would expect one, particularly as these items make great gifts.
The clutch wallet in Buffalo leather €60

People

This is a new item to most people in the UK and their initial thoughts were that they didn't understand the concept. Once I explained and showed them how to use it they came around to the idea and made some very complimentary comments.

They liked the feel or the wallet and the softness of the leather. They also commented of the quality and felt this was very high.


Précis

Overall I like the item, it's very handy, well made and very practical. The colour range and different types of leather give a good choice to the buyer.

Kjøre fan and blogger Nicola Radano of Me, Myself & I with his laptop case


Reader Discount

Take advantage of a 10% discount by entering 'dapper' at the checkout. When you do, please post a picture to Instagram and tag @thatdapperchap and @kjoreproject

Promotion

Find Kjøre Project



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THANKS FOR READING!


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Saturday, 27 September 2014

Autumn Reds

That Dapper Chap shows us todays look incorporating Autumnal reds.


While the evenings are getting noticeably cooler, the days are still somewhat warm. Even though we're right at the end of September Autumn hasn't quite made his way into our lives just yet. So, with that in mind I thought I'd wear this unlined red cotton blazer, as it will probably be the last time this year that I get to wear it.


To go with the autumnal red theme I chose a retro print shirt and a knitted tie, both adding interest and texture to the look. The boots are also burgundy and are a resent acquisition and one I am most pleased with.


You'll see under the boots I'm wearing some red and navy polkadot socks which continue the colour story with the blue of the jeans and the retro red and blue print of the shirt.




 



My accessories today were my Daniel Wellington watch with handmade burgundy leather strap, some burgundy and navy beads and my new favorite thing: my 'Dapper Chap' tie bar with was sent to me by instagrams greycardigan. I didn't take pictures of the watch and bracelets as I totally forgot! But I did get a picture of the tie bar.









Where's it all from?


Burgundy leather boots: Next

Red and navy polkadot socks: Corgi

Skinny fit jeans: Burton Menswear

Belt: Burton Menswear

Retro print shirt: Next

Burgundy knitted tie: Next

Unlined Cotton Blazer: Next

Tie Bar: Simple Hands

Sunglasses: Oscar Wylee

Vintage Style Bag: Next

Pocket Square: Primark

Lapel Pins: Home made

THANKS FOR READING!

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Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Six Looks With A Three Piece Suit

That Dapper Chap looks at ways to keep your three piece suit fresh by styling it differently to achieve different looks.

Suits available from next.co.uk


You needed a suit right?. You read my suit buying guide on SociallyShoppable.com and after trying a few on you bought the one that fits and looks the best. You now have a three piece suit! Congratulations! 

Monday morning arrives and you proudly wear your new suit to the office and receive some admiring glances and even a couple of complimentary comments. The problem now is, that suit you just paid £200, £500 or £1,000 for will never get that same reception again.

So, how do you keep it fresh, how do you retain peoples interest and make it something else and stop yourself from becoming that dull guy in the office who always wear that same suit?


Suit, Shirt and boots from Next.co.uk

Change up your three piece suit


The suit that that I am focussing on is by Next, it is a heritage style 100% wool suit in a brown check and is perfect for the coming months. Priced at £195 for all three pieces its a great suit for the cost.

Bright red lining catches the eye

A close up of the check pattern

Of course the best way to wear a three piece suit is as a three piece suit, nothing is smarter and it gives you an immediately cohesive and smart look which will see you through most occasions. 

Wear it with a tie to work or even a bow tie on #bowtietuesday or that autumn wedding or maybe you just fancy sporting a heritage look as I am in the shot below.

A dapper three piece look with a vintage bow tie

Add lapel pins and a pocket square for personality and interest.
Just because you bought it as a three piece suit it doesn't means you have to wear it as such. There's no law, you won't get arrested and there are much bigger and way more fun crimes to commit! 

Feel free to lose the waistcoat if its a warmer day and simply wear the jacket and trousers. This look is still formal but not quite so formal as wearing all three pieces together. Its a slightly more relaxed look and lets you show off your tie which you could use as an opportunity to show a bit of your personality and introduce a strong colour or pattern. But please promise me that you will NOT wear a tie with a picture or Homer Simpson or any cartoon character splashed across it for that matter. I love Daffy Duck and his speed induced crazed antics but I dont want to see him on your tie!

The Next suit sans la waistcoat, burgundy leather boots and knitted tie also by Next

Burgundy and brown make a great colour combination for the Autumn months

If you fancy a change to a tie or bow tie why not consider a neckerchief or a cravat. With the vintage movement getting wider its an option that will make you stand out from the crowd and give that suit another alternative look. 


Another way to change things up is to opt for something different below the waist. I'm not talking a sex change here! I'm not saying you shouldn't if you want to as I'm all for people being who they want to be, I'm just suggesting a less dramatic change with an alternative pair of trousers. You can easily get away with wearing the jacket and waistcoat with smart jeans and chinos as I have below.


When things turn cooler you can easily wear a sweater or cardigan instead of the waistcoat. Again use this as a way of adding some colour or a different texture.

Burnt orange cardigan by Next.co.uk. My own vintage case and vintage bow tie

Wear the jacket over your cardigan or sweater for warmth
And for winter you can go all out and add a hat and scarf. Of course you can wear an overcoat but why cover up that beautiful suit?

Bakerboy hat and fairisle scarf to keep out the chills, both by Next.co.uk

Thank you for reading this post, I hope that it has gone some way to help you in your quest to keep that suit from becoming that dull old thing that you throw on every day. Just take a minute to consider how you can make it look different and take a risk. What have you got to lose apart from the label of being 'that guy in that same old suit' 
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© That Dapper Chap

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