That Dapper Chap

Monday, 15 June 2015

Thomas Pink At LC:M

THOMAS PINK SHOWCASES SPRING/SUMMER 2016 COLLECTION AGAINST A BOTANICAL BACKDROP INSPIRED BY DAVID HOCKNEY AND CECIL BEATON

On Saturday 13th June 2015, British brand Thomas Pink - part of the Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton group - unveiled its Spring/Summer 2016 collection at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.

I'm a fan of Thomas Pink and was really pleased to receive my invitation to this years event for Londons Collections: Men. After the colourful display in January I did wonder how they could top the last presentation but I wasn't disappointed.

Presented against a botanical backdrop, more potting shed than conservatory, the collection was showcased on models and mannequins.

Florence Torrens, Creative Director at Thomas Pink, says; “We wanted to create an environment with a very British feel and were inspired by a photograph taken by artist Peter Schlesinger in 1970, in which great friends David Hockney and Cecil Beaton are caught reclining carelessly on rattan furniture surrounded by potted pelargoniums and begonias. It’s wonderfully British and off-beat botanical - perfectly capturing the mood of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection.”

Frederik Willems, Head of Design at Thomas Pink, says; “The Spring/Summer 2016 collection celebrates Britain’s charming and eccentric character – taking inspiration from themes as diverse as Brit Pop culture, architectural follies and trad seaside towns. From the 90s Brit Pop era to Dunmore Hall in Scotland with its quirky pineapple roof – the season evokes a mood of patriotism and nostalgia in equal measures.”

To mark World Gin Day and in keeping with the botanical theme, guests enjoyed gin cocktails, made using Williams Chase British gin.

Spring/Summer 2016 collection notes:

As the season commences, the collection captures the nonchalant mood of the 90s brit pop era – famed for its style-icon musicians and hedonism. Slim tailored silhouettes and a punchy colour palette - spanning indigo, pink, turquoise and citrus - merges tradition and rebellion. Fine Italian shirting encompasses mini ginghams, Bengal stripes, traditional Jermyn Street stripes and checks of varying sizes - with a strong focus on texture, a key trend for the season.

As the season progresses, the collection draws inspiration from Scotland, where, when the sun comes out, vibrant colours reflect off the magnificent landscape and blue skies inspiring a modern take on tartans and plaids with shirting and accessories in tattersalls and blown-up madras checks.

Lightweight outerwear comprises a de-constructed wool navy blazer with shirt fabric lining, a summer tweed linen blazer and a new reversible jacket in light grey ticking stripe with a shell camouflage interior – a spring summer highlight. A British summer always needs an option for rainy days, in this case a reversible rainmac in Prince of Wales check/navy. Key suiting is found in fine wool Loro Piana fabric, while chino shorts debut with bleached denim shirting.

The season finale is inspired by the archetypal seaside resort of Blackpool - with its promenade, piers, fortune-tellers, fairground rides and tattoo parlours. A colour palette of citrus, candy floss pink, turquoise, sky blue and lilac echoes the town’s bright carnival mood, perfectly captured in linen shirting. Ties, silk pocket squares and socks featuring swallow and heart motives and candy stripes perfectly capture the essence of the iconic seaside town.

Find Thomas Pink

THANKS FOR READING!

The 30 Year Sweatshirt

That Dapper Chap introduces a new concept in menswear. Say hello to the 30 year sweatshirt.

You may already have heard of Tom Cridland, menswear designer and official sponsor of Elton Johns concert tours. You may even own a pair of his colourful chinos, but what you might not know is that he has just launched his campaign on Kickstarter to give you the 30 Year Sweatshirt.

I know that just like me, asked out loud (maybe in your head if you're currently reading this on public transport "A 30 year sweatshirt, what does that mean?" Well, good reader, let me explain. Did you have a sweatshirt a few years ago? 10 years ago maybe? 20 even? has the design of that sweatshirt changed so much that it couldn't be just as wearable today? I'm pretty confident you just answered no!

A great sweatshirt is a staple item for every guy, chuck it on with your best jeans, over a shirt in cooler months or just with your favorite lounge pants for a TV movie and popcorn. The Tom Cridland 30 Year sweatshirt is a remium crewneck built to last a lifetime and backed with a 30 YEAR GUARANTEE. Yep, you read that right!

The project follows a cry for sustainable fashion, designed to lead an industry trend towards protecting our natural resources by making truly durable clothing. The 30 Year Sweatshirt is ethically made using organic loopback cotton, reflecting Toms commitment to quality, respect for the environment and responsible production ethos.

The Tom Cridland brand already has a star studded following. Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Stiller, Stephen Fry, Hugh Grant, Brandon Flowers, Robbie Williams, Nile Rodgers, Frankie Valli, Nigel Olsson, and Daniel Craig all own Tom Cridland clothing! If you want to be in that crowd the sweatshirts are available for purchase here for £55, with free shipping:

So, you now want to know what that 30 year guarantee means for you right? Just like I did. If your sweatshirt should ever rip, tear or otherwise need a repair over the next 30 years, you can send it back to Tom Cridland and they will mend it, absolutely free of charge. You can't argue with that can you!

MAKE YOUR PLEDGE HERE

The Tailored Short - Office wear or beach wear?

That Dapper Chap explores the concept of the tailored short as office wear and gives us some do's and don'ts.

It's a debate which splits opinion, should guys be able to wear shorts to the office? Men argue that as the weather gets warmer that the ladies have more options available to them, and that what they do have available is more acceptable within the office environment. In short (no pun intended) they are jealous.

The short suit. Tailored and expertly accessorised

THE DEBATE

The whole smart casual thing has never sat well with me. It could work, but it's a case of 'give them an inch and they'll take a mile'. The minute you say 'smart casual' a lot of guys see it as an opportunity to dress like they're about to go and fix up the garden. Faded jeans with torn hems and a polo shirt is not 'smart' by any stretch of anyones deluded imagination, even if "it does have a collar" Grrrrrrr.

Every summer I hear the same groans "I wish we could wear shorts" Why? Does the air conditioning not keep you cool enough at your desk? Are your legs that great that they must be shown to the world? Do summer cotton or linen trousers not combat the incredibly average summer temperatures that we experience for the two days of summer we have here in the UK? Come on guys, we're not that close to the equator!

It's all down to the fact that the majority of men have little desire to make an effort to look good, dress smartly and evoke an image of professionalism.

A tailored suit with a crisp white shirt and tie. Getting it right.

TAILORED SHORTS

Having said all this I do own and I do wear tailored shorts. I much prefer these to the standard nylon, drawstring sports shorts that 'grace' our streets as soon as the temperature rises above ten degrees, and burst into flames the second they meet a naked flame. Sports shorts should be kept for, you guessed it, SPORT. If you don't do sport, don't wear them! Have some self respect.

Me in my pink tailored shorts, floral shirt and brogues

HOW NOT TO DO IT

A friend and colleague approached me recently and asked if I'd seen an article in a local newspaper. His wry smile made it clear that I needed to take a look. Upon seeing the piece my immediate thought was that it was a joke, honestly, but reading on I realised that it was a serious piece, and I admit to be taken aback by the images that went with the it. Prepare yourself!

The article, like this, is about the possibility of wearing tailored shorts for work. Great. Lets debate, lets discuss our opinions and reasoning, lets agree to disagree if we have to. But one thing that I will NOT agree on is how they have attempted to present a positive example of how this look should be styled. Are you ready? Grab a cushion to hide behind as it's a real horror show!

The gents in their tailored shorts. Image property of EADT

A closer look at the shorts. Image property of EADT

The first thing I want to say now is that the shorts themselves are great! Great colours and great cuts. I like them and would wear them. the shorts are not the problem here.

In the article, found HERE, it states that the stylist in the store where they embarked on their fashion faux pas, questioned not only their credibility but also their shoes! I'm not surprised! He is clearly a gentleman of taste. Shoes aside (which, yes, I do have major issues with) it's the socks that make me want to pluck out my eyes with a blunt pencil. What is it about British guys and their bloody socks!? We(British men)have been ridiculed for years about our decidedly dogmatic approach to frightful footwear, particularly the tendency to wear socks and sandals. The above styling is just one step (a really really small step) away from that! Don't ask me what that's all about, I have no idea!

Office appropriate, stylish and sockless. Another example of how to get it right

Losing the socks may go some way to making the look more acceptable to me, but we also have the braces issue (yes, for me it's an issue) Again, I like and do wear braces, button on of course. Maybe it was a sartorial challenge, a concept testing and boundary breaking approach that they were after. On the other hand maybe it was just four blokes messing around in a clothing store, like kids at the dressing up box.

It doesn't work. If I'm wrong, please tell me. leave a comment below. I don't claim to know everything, or that I am right all of the time. Sometimes I get it wrong, but when I do I certainly won't post pictures of it in a daily newspaper. Slow news day? maybe?

Another example of how this look works really well

HOW TO DO IT RIGHT

There are few fundamental rules (or suggestions) that I'd like to bring your attention to when opting for an office appropriate look with shorts. Firstly, don't wear socks and please, please don't wear rubber based slip on shoes or anything that fastens with velcro like the guys from my local rag! Go for a soft leather brogue or a loafer. Both are very classic styles and lend themselves really well to a smart look with shorts.

Great use of colour and perfect for the office

A belt will make the look smarter, add detail and negate the need for braces. Braces and shorts are not a good combination and you run the risk of being split in two and offending passersby with an unsightly and ugly bulging camel toe. Trousers offer some traction at the knee and calf to prevent them sliding up too badly. Shorts don't. Beware.

Shorts, blazer, belt and brogues and great combination

The light coloured jacket gives a real summery look

Two dapper gents, perfectly attired in their shorts

A great use of bold colour, making a statement

Another dapper summer look

Nick bateman looking great in this beige summer short suit and bow tie

A well fitted shirt will work wonders, long sleeved and well ironed in a poly cotton mix to keep the look professional. A tie will look great but keep it on trend, maybe knitted and square ended. Maybe something with a preppy feel. Think Ralph Lauren.

I wouldn't be tempted to wear a waistcoat with shorts, as like the braces it's just wont compliment the look. However, a matching jacket or smart sports coat, like the one below will.

Perfect for the summer and smart enough for the office

The short suit, available from Next

Next are currently offering a few suits where you are able to buy the jacket, trousers and shorts all to match, this is a great option. The navy textured short suit above is available HERE for £105

The light stone, cotton suit below is also available in four pieces, trousers, jacket, waistcoat and shorts so you can mix and match at will. Check it out HERE

The stone cotton jacket from Next

The matching stone cotton shorts, from Next

So, it can be done and it can be done well. While you've never see me walking in to the office wearing shorts I won't hold it against you if you do, especially if you do it well. If however you wear horrid shoes, black socks and clip on braces with a dreadful tie, don't ever expect me to speak to you again!

THANKS FOR READING!

Dashing Tweeds SS15 Ready to Wear Collection

That Dapper Chap shows us some of the range available from the Dashing Tweeds SS15 ready to wear range.

An easy wear one button jacket has become essential for summer. Brought to popularity by the Savile Row tailor Huntsman, a single button jacket with slanted pockets is always seen as elegant. The offering from Dashing Tweeds this season is tailored in Merino, linen and Japanese yarn.

The Bryher summer jacket £610

The Bryher fabric as seen above is woven with geometric squares and alternating polychromic cotton emanates a lighthearted summer feel with references to the work of Bridget Riley.

Team it with cream flannel trousers or white cotton jeans and you are ready to venture anywhere from Serpentine gallery galas to Ibiza jockey clubs. Find it HERE

The Samson double breasted jacket £610

The Tresco relaxed evening jacket £610

Dashing Tweeds are on a mission to expand the variety of cloths available to men. The world is in the midst of a renaissance and finally more colour and texture is returning to tailored clothes.

Their ready to wear jackets, trousers and shorts are tailored in London and available in their Mayfair store now. They have three jackets each in a different cut and also offer a made to measure service, cutting any style for you in a Dashing cloth of your choice.

A colourful summer awaits.

The cloth is also for sale to take to your tailor. The guys at Dashing Tweeds can post you swatches of designs you like.

Why not pop into the store and take a look at the range and the cloth at 26 Sackville Street, London, W1S 3HE.

Find Dashing Tweeds

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.