That Dapper Chap

Sunday, 21 June 2015

Fathers Day - Mini Me

That Dapper Chap shows us his 'Father & Son' styling for Fathers Day with clothing provided by Next Menswear

When my Son was born we dressed him as we wanted to dress him, usually in cute dungarees and hand knitted sweaters . A few years later and he had his own ideas (not always good) and as he got older our styles differed incredibly. As I donned my tweed blazer and bow tie he was reaching for super skinny black jeans and scruffy oversized sweaters.

Harry, suited and booted in classic navy

A champagne celebration

As he got older he became more interested in classic styling. While he still wears his skinny jeans he does like to dress up too and will now often borrow my bow ties when he goes to work in our local Topman.

In a classic navy blazer and printed trousers

Boats bobbing on the historical marina

Classic tailoring from Next.co.uk

So for this Fathers Day, a table was booked at our favorite local seafood restaurant and wanting to look the part we styled ourselves using clothing from Next for a 'mini me' shoot.

Watching the world go by and enjoying the sunshine

Harry was adamant that he wanted a three piece suit. Sticking with classic navy he chose a skinny fit suit available in a full suit or to buy as separates. With the suit we wears an aqua slim fit shirt with floral tie and pocket square and a classic tan coloured leather brogue shoe.

A close up of Harry's floral print tie and pocket square

Harry in his three piece navy suit

The classic tan leather brogues

For my look I wanted separates that could look good as a single outfit but that can also be worn other ways for more formal or more casual looks. Next have some great printed blazers and trousers in stock for summer and I've been wanting to get my hands on some printed trousers for a while now.

Chilling out at the historical marina

A look at the pattern on these printed trousers

The skinny fit printed trousers are really versatile as they can be dressed up for a smarter look as I have done today or dressed very simply with white pumps and white T-Shirt. I initially chose some navy brogues to wear with this look but switched at the last minute and went for a simple black leather saddle loafer. I think I made the right choice as I think the brogues may have looked a bit bulky.

A close up of the black leather saddle loafers

Father and Son share some quality time

The patterned trousers add individuality to this look

While our sunglasses are not from Next, the brown holdall is. The perfect size for a weekend away, they have a very good range of bags and holdalls available covering a wide range of styles and prices. My navy knitted tie is also from Next and is a great staple item at just £10.

The roomy brown holdall

A versatile look for work or for play

My blazer is again classic navy and has a two button fastening with elbow patches, in a slim fit it is well cut and I know it's going to be a 'go to' item time and time again. The watch, from Harding watches continues the navy colour scheme.

The blue Jetstream watch from Harding

Like Father, like son in navy tailoring

Harry's aqua coloured shirt lifts his look and adds colour

Boats on the marina

Time for dinner at our favorite restaurant

A great Fathers Day, thanks for my Son Harry

So, thank you to Harry for a great Fathers Day, I'm now going to put my feet up and let him make me a nice cup of tea while I watch my favourite movie. I hope all you Dads out there have had a great day and that you are just as proud of your Sons and Daughters as I am of mine, whatever their personal style.

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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

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.

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The Duchamp SS16 collection

The Duchamp Spring Summer 2016 Menswear Collection for London Collections: Men

Models in full Duchamp attire

Thank you to Duchamp for inviting me to the showcase of the SS16 collection at the stunning Rosewood Hotel in London's High Holborn. It was one event that I was really looking forward to as their stunning suiting and occasionwear are some of the best I have seen.

The beautiful and historic Rosewood Hotel

Spring Summer 2016 sees Duchamp enter the second chapter of their design evolution. Under the Creative Direction of Gianni Colarossi, the Duchamp menswear collection continues to be distinguished by fabric innovation and quality, presenting the Spring Summer 2016 collection within the elegant surroundings of The Rosewood Hotel as part of London Collections: Men.

sumptuous velvets feature in evening wear

Two prominent stories form the Spring Summer journey: ‘Elegant Soft Tailoring’ and ‘Summer Eveningwear’.

Inspiration from Duchamp’s heritage run throughout the collection with a nod to the brand’s namesake Marcel Duchamp through motifs included within shirting and accessories referencing painting, sculpting, chess and gentleman’s games.

Guests enjoy refreshments

Classic daywear

Guests mingle and discuss the collection

Models wearing day wear and evening wear

The ‘Elegant Soft Tailoring’ presents Duchamp’s inherently inventive obsession with fabric, combining flamé yarns with printed and woven cottons to create jackets that take on a three dimensional appearance whilst oversized gingham in linen and cotton highlight the relaxed approach to softly tailored suits. Grey is a key colour story throughout the collection, taking on a masculine role with inverted check double breasted suits creating a contemporary business look. Elsewhere, exclusive painted checks are used across suiting and shirts for a complete look that sets a playful tone for relaxed summer dressing with a painterly ambience.

essential accessories

Freshly prepared cocktails for the guests

A beautiful grey check double breasted suit

Formal evening wear

Summer Eveningwear brings Duchamp’s classic menswear staples to life through the novel use of Italian velvet, geometric prints on 50 ounce English silk, sablé and subtle three-dimensional effects used on dinner jackets. The story is sealed with an oversized hounds tooth silk blazer, a nod to eccentric summer styling.

Inside the Rosewood Hotel

Great patterning in day wear

A suit that can take you from day to evening

The refreshments keep coming

Guests soak up the atmosphere

Models wearing evening wear

David Gandy was a guest at the presentation

Duchamp traces its origins to a chance discovery by its founder of a cache of 10,000 vintage cufflinks on a trip to a Paris flea market, inspiring him to create his own luxury men’s accessories in his native London. Further inspiration came from a book on Dadaism and the new company created was named after the French surrealist artist Marcel Duchamp. The heritage of the brand today inspires a modern take on artistic inspired accessories made in the UK, complementing a contemporary range of shirting and tailoring using prints and fabrications each exclusively designed in-house.

Delightfully moreish canapes at every turn

Guests at the Duchamp presentation

One of the models wearing Duchamp evening wear

Mr David Gandy enjoying the event

Models in full Duchamp attire

Today Duchamp has established a design philosophy centered on creating directional Menswear and Accessories, which epitomize accessible luxury and reflect the lives and aspirations of men today.

I really enjoyed the collection. The location was stunning and was a very apt setting. I think it's time I got some Duchamp in my life!