What I Wore Today - The Boden shirt and blazer

That Dapper Chap shares todays look, wearing a shirt and blazer from Boden

I've loved Boden menswear for a few years now and have amassed quite a few pieces from their range, mostly knitted ties and patterned shirts, which I have to say are exceptional. When I speak of Boden, most people are aware that they do womenswear but not many know that they also do a great range for us blokes. 

They did used to have the mens range in their little catalogues, which I looked forward to getting each season, but for whatever reason they decided to do away with it, and focus their range of menswear purely online. So, I thought I'd bring it to your attention with today's look.

As soon as I saw this blazer online I knew I had to have it. luckily I got it just before it sold out, so if you wanted to grab one, I'm afraid you're out of luck. The large check pink gingham shirt is also Boden and is made from a thick cotton. It fits really well but I did buy a size smaller than I would have from another store, as I know that Boden can be large on me. I also went a size down on the blazer, and I'm pleased that I did as I think my real size would have been far too big.

This is quite a summery look, but in true British summer fashion it poured down with rain on the day that I wore it. I had planned to go sockless but the weather dictated that socks were a must. Luckily I had a pair almost the same colour as the blazer!

I wore jeans with the shirt and blazer, slim fit and dark in colour. They're the same jeans that I wore for the 'Date Night' look in the jeans style challenge blog post. They're a real favourite of mine now and I wear them a lot.

I accessorised with a pink lapel pin and pocket square to compliment the pink of the shirt, one of my trusty trouser chains, again in a complimentary colourway, and finally some pink and green bracelets just to help pull it all together. I love this look but I just wish the weather would have been more suited to its summer styling.

Where it's all from

Burgundy loafers: Next

Green Socks: Racing Green

Smart Jeans: Next

Pink Gingham Shirt: Boden

Brompton Green Blazer: Boden

Watch: Harding

Briefcase: John Rocha

Lapel Pin: Home Made

Pocket Square: Southern Gents

Trouser Chain: Home Made

Bracelets: Home Made

Umbrella: Vintage Fox

Glasses: Specsavers

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What I Wore Today #30

That Dapper Chap shows us what Craig wore today, including a bright blue waistcoat and trousers and a summer floral shirt.

Todays looks is all blue, well, apart from the black leather loafers that is. I do own a pair for blue suede brogues which I'm sure you've seen in other posts but I think this look called for a more formal shoe so it had to be the black loafers. Maybe I need to invest in some blue leather brogues. There were a great pair in Next but unfortunately they are no longer available in my size. Sad times.

All of todays clothing is from Next. The shirt I've had for a while and the trousers and waistcoat were purchased last year. Again I wasn't able to get the matching jacket in my size which is a pain but is does mean that I can wear the trousers and waistcoat together in the summer or in cooler weather under a cardigan or coat which is fine by me.

I was recently sent some new socks by Cal'Zineri who are an Italian brand who make a range for luxury cotton and wool socks for the professional gentleman. They offer a range of knee high black socks of different thicknesses, suitable for all seasons. Today's socks are Firenze which are perfectly suited to the summer season.

Accessories include a new handmade trouser chain, my blue Harding watch and a polka dot tie, which adds some additional interest against the floral pattern of the shirt.

Where it's all from

Black Leather Loafers: Next

Bright Blue Trousers & Waistcoat: Next (Similar here)

Floral Cotton Shirt: Next (similar here)

Blue Leather Watch: Harding

Polka Dot Tie: Primark

Black Cotton Socks: Cal'Zineri

Blue Beaded Trouser Chain: Home Made

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Chester Barrie at London Collections: Men

That Dapper Chap takes us through the SS16 collection from Savile Rows Chester Barrie as part of London Collections: Men 

Rocking up at the recently refurbished Ivy restaurant, one of London's most sought after eateries, frequented by the rich and famous, I was excited to see what Chester Barrie had been working on for SS16.

The Chester Barrie Spring/Summer 2016 collection has modern luxury at its very heart. Designed with the modern yet elegant man in mind, it brings Savile Row style to a wider audience.

Highlights include rare and beautiful cloths such as baby alpaca with kid mohair and a seersucker in super 150s wool blended with silk; but the key to the collection is the use of colour. A summer palette of ink blue, soft pink, jade and stone off-set the more classic blues and greys. 

At the core of the collection are weekend sportcoats, realised in blends of linen, silk, mohair and wool with textured finishes and embracing the season’s palette, they are available in both structured and unstructured models. Ideal for every occasion.

Beyond the jacket is the modern business suit. Constructed in a variety of clear-cut wools for freshness and it is offered in glen checks, windowpane birdseyes and bold stripes, complementing the more conservative solid twills, fine herringbones and semi-plain twist weaves.

Meanwhile the luxury travel suit comes in a high-twist lightweight worsted and is softly structured, with minimal lining for comfort and performance.

Evening suits are presented in bright navy, midnight blue and black as well as a considered revival of the classic tuxedo in a proper English cream and in a textured blend of wool, silk and linen. Wider, rounded shawl-lapels are complemented with curved, turn-back cuffs on the sleeves.

Shirts are in voile, linen/cotton oxford, madras check and a new fine-gauge giro inglese and are shown in a range of collar shapes from the extreme cutaway to the rounded pin-collar. Other key under-pinning pieces include cotton/linen polo shirts in stone, aqua, midnight and cream.

About Chester Barrie - Tailors of the Unexpected:

Chester Barrie is the ultimate Modern Tailor, taking established forms and developing them; creating the unexpected. The tailor’s art is to take a piece of cloth and create a three-dimensional form, to bring it to life so that it sculpts and flatters the wearer. 

Chester Barrie’s aim is to do this, not just with the standard suit and jacket but also with a broader product range. It mixes the craftsmanship and knowledge gained over the past 80 years with a contemporary eye. 

Innovation has always been its way. Established in the 1930s Chester Barrie was one of the first to offer ready-to-wear tailoring, providing the same attention to detail and commitment to quality as the old bespoke houses on Savile Row but making great tailoring more accessible. At the time it was revolutionary. 

This belief in the best continues to this day – though much else has moved on. The way men dress has changed dramatically and so too has Chester Barrie. Lighter fabrics, innovative blends and a far softer structure have ushered in a more relaxed form of dressing, which Chester Barrie has embraced and developed. The aim is to be the modern tailor to the modern man.

    

What I Wore Today #29

That Dapper Chap shares his daily look, this time using blue and green

Summer is here so the tweed and wool suits are firmly put to the back of the wardrobe and lightweight chinos are called for. These green chinos are just the ticket for the warmer weather. They are a thinner fabric and the colour lends itself well to the season.

I love this tie. I'm a fan of knitted ties and also of blue and green as a colour combination so I had to have it. One of the greens in the tie matches that of the chinos really well and the blue goes really well with the denim blazer.

Universal Works At London Collections: Men

That Dapper Chap takes us back to LC:M for a look at the new collection from Universal Works

Universal Works

Universal Works aims to create clothing that is internationally universal whilst embodying a distinctly British feel. One that is passionate, whilst having a sense of humour; garments we want to wear. With the onus on contemporary fit and functionality, whilst being confidently understated, we offer clothing that defies the whims of fashion and reflects the personality of the owner.

Guests watch the show on the giant screen

The new SS16 collection

Since its inception Universal Works has striven to create real, honest clothing that works; always looking towards improvement in a constant process of review and refinement. We create garments we love, based on the things that make us who we are.

Models line up wearing the SS16 collection

More of the UW SS16 collection

Universal Works started in late 2008 with the debut collection launching in the Autumn/Winter of the following year. After initially selling to ten retailers, we have gained a substantial following of advocates and are now stocked from Los Angeles to Seoul.

Not Another catwalk

After last seasons 'Pass' presentation I wondered if Universal Works would be able to top it. This time at LC:M Universal Works and Alan Buxton, a Nottingham based film maker and web designer, gave us 'Not Another Catwalk' a stop motion animation to show off the Universal Works nw SS16 collection.

Universal Works first worked with Alan in 2014 when they produced two short films to release their denim line and they were very excited to team up with him again for this quirky and very unusual approach to showcase their new collection.

   

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