Monday, 9 November 2015

What I Wore Today #39 - Next Menswear in Prague

Craig of That Dapper Chap takes us on a trip to the beautiful city of Prague wearing menswear by Next



Perfect menswear for the cooler weather of Prague
We all need a break from time to time right? After spending two weeks of every year, for the last few years, in the African sun on a sun bed we thought we needed something different, something a little more cultural and inspiring.

After visiting Budapest earlier on this year, Prague was recommended as it has similar architecture to that which we enjoyed in Budapest. We were also told to make sure that we dressed for a cooler climate, so I browsed the mens collection at Next for some ideas and placed my order.


The sweater photographed in our hotel suite

The black leather boots, photographed in our hotel suite

Taking in the views near to the Old Town Square
First on my list was a heavy knit sweater with a roll neck to keep out those wintery chills. I opted for an ecru coloured textured knit. This will see me through the winter and can be worn over a t-shirt for extra warmth just as I did.


A closer look at the texture on this sweater

Wearing the roll neck sweater in the Old Town Square
After seeing fur collared winter coats on the catwalk at the Next Christmas Press Day I was smitten. Coats with shearling collars are very on trend right now, but I wanted something a little different, something that suited the city, and something that will take me through the coming party season.


A closer look at the gloves and faux fur collar


Keeping warm while enjoying the sights of the Old Town Square

Stunning buildings at every turn

The view from Starbucks at Prague Castle
I was torn between a wool trouser, something maybe tweedy and more formal and something more casual like cords. I ended up going with cords so that I could wear them smart or casual. 

Footwear had to be boots. The forecast did not say that it would snow but you never know, and I wanted to be prepared. These leather apron boots fitted the bill perfectly, with a thick sole and smarter look, they are very comfortable to wear.

A closer look at the leather boots


The view from Starbucks at Prague Castle
We were in Prague for 4 days but could easily have stayed longer. It's a stunning city, very friendly and clean. The food was great but more expensive than I expected, comparing the prices to those in Budapest. 

Prague is a little bit further along the tourist road and has become somewhat commercialised as a result. With McDonalds on every other corner and shopping malls with names such as Zara, Topman and Mango to name a few, I was a little taken aback by the number of high street names on offer. 


Archways on the way to the Old Town Square

The Church Of Our Lady Before Tyn rises in the background

Horse drawn carriages ferry tourists between the sights

Strolling around the cobbled streets, 

None of this detracted from the beautiful buildings that presented themselves at every turn, and to be honest it was convenient, if not welcoming to be able to stop at a starbucks for a coffee while walking the cobbled streets. 

Incredible views await you in Prague

At the foot of the Astronomical clock 
Statues on the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square

Breathtaking scenery on the streets of Prague
Keeping out he cold in my faux fur coat and roll neck sweater

Our time in Prague went so quickly, but we managed to see a lot in the few days that we were blessed to be there. The old town square was a delight with incredible views of The Church Of Our Lady Before Tyn.  Wenceslas square however was an absolute disappointment! 

I was expecting a history lesson and an ancient atmosphere which would transport me back a thousand years, but no, this square is nothing but an over illuminated shopping mecca. The streets are lined with more famous names than historical references which was a bit of a shock for me. 

Wenceslas Square at night, lined with big named shops 

At the Astronomical Clock 

Inside our hotel. The residence 7 Angels on Jilska

Carvings for days on this huge oak door

Taking time to take in the views

Sunglasses helped with the bright autumn sun

Autumnal colours and perfect winter wear

But all that said, I loved my time in Prague and look forward to returning, maybe in the spring or maybe in the thick of winter when snow tumbles from the skies and the streets are packed with christmas markets.

The John Lennon wall and pub were an interesting stop off, but the highlight has to be the evening Jazz Cruise on the Vltava River, seeing the sights at night, beautifully lit while enjoying great food and a glass of Czech wine cannot be beat, and I'd happily do it again every night for the rest of my life.

THE CLOTHING


Aviator Sunglasses - Primark - £2.00
Fur Hat - H&M - 12.00

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Saturday, 7 November 2015

Win a £130 voucher to spend on shoes at Frank Wright

To celebrate their 130 years in the business Frank Wright are offering readers the chance to win £130 to spend online!



About Frank Wright


Frank Wright was established in London in 1885 and originally made peg sole boots for the cavalry officers at Chelsea barracks. The brand relocated to Kettering and continued to innovate, becoming a major part of the ‘Carnaby Street’ scene in London in the 1960s. 






During the late ‘70s and ‘80s Frank Wright cemented its place amongst the youth culture of the day and became a wardrobe staple on the terrace scene. Today Frank Wright draws on influences from the rich heritage of the brand to create a collection of trend led footwear, classic designs with modern styling.

Congratulation to all the guys at Frank Wright for reaching the ripe old age of 130! Many Happy Returns!

The Busby Bison Suede derby £80.00

The Blyth Black Leather loafer £80.00

The Oval Tan Leather Lace Up Boot £110.00

The barnet II Black Leather Chukka Boot £80.00


YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!


For your chance to win a voucher worth £130 to spend online at Frank Wright follow these simple instructions:


  • Add a picture of your favorite shoes or an image of your favorite Frank Wright shoes to your instagram account.
  • Write the following comment on your post "I'm entering the Frank Wright £130 giveaway and @xxx and @xxx should too" (entering the names of two instagram friends who you think should enter.
  • Use hashtags: 
#FrankWright130
#FrankWright130Giveaway
#StyleEdit
#ThatDapperChap

Simple!

Winners will be announced on Instagram and here in a weeks time and will be contacted for a postal address where Fr4ank Wright will send your voucher.

GOOD LUCK!!




My new  Barnet II Oxblood leather boots £80.00


FIND FRANK WRIGHT



    

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Wednesday, 4 November 2015

Product Review - General Knot

Craig of That Dapper Chap reviews neckwear available from General Knot & Co




PRODUCT


General Knot & Co neckwear and accessories are designed in Bedford, New York & made exclusively in the United States.

The guys at General Knot & Co say "We create limited edition neckwear and accessories in the U.S.A., using rare and vintage fabrics collected from around the world. Our goal is to offer uniquely designed and enduring products that stand the test of time"


After years of directing creative teams for brands such as Ralph Lauren, Original Penguin, Tommy Hilfiger and Levi’s, co-founders Ann and Andrew Payne began General Knot & Co. in the Autumn of 2010 with the desire to combine a passion for design with an unyielding commitment to bringing conscientious quality manufacturing back to the United States.

The say "It is an honor and a privilege to create all GK&Co. products here in the United States, with the world’s greatest craftsmen. Those whose talents and skills have been honed through generations of shared adoration of their craft"



The GK&Co fabrics are curated through a global network of collectors who search high and low for the most amazing vintage fabric, giving it another lease on life.

Each collection of General Knot & Co. designs are made in very limited quantities, uniquely finite and never to be repeated. They hope that you enjoy them as much as they have enjoyed creating and bringing them to you.




PRICE


At between £45.00 ($68.00) and £70.00 ($108.00) for a bow tie/tie I can't tell you that these are a budget garment. They are at the higher end of the price scale, but for that price you are getting something very limited and crafted by individuals with a real passion for what they do, rather than a mass produced tie that you're going to see on another guy at some point.
The fabrics are all vintage, they are unusual, and the majority of their ties and bow ties have contrasting fabrics, or are double sided making them very unique and versatile.


My two General Knot & Co bow ties


PACKAGING & PRESENTATION


The items arrived quickly and were nicely packed in a box and wrapped with tissue paper.

In addition, each tie has its own vintage style card sleeve detailing the product information and its limited edition number. This is a nice touch and again reinforces the fact that these items are crafted with love and care.

My ties, neatly packed in their card sleeves

My GK&Co bow tie, styled with a beige suit

The light jade pickstitch wool neck tie


PERFORMANCE


What does a guy want from a tie? You want it to look good. Check. You want it to tie well. Check. and you want it to stay in place. Check.

All of the ties I received covered all of these requirements. They were all well made with no snags or loose threads and were all the correct size expected from a tie or bow tie, the bow ties of course being fully adjustable.



The 1970's carpetbagger neck tie $108.00

These are vintage fabrics and to some degree you could expect to find damage, maybe even the odd smell. I can assure you that I experienced neither of these with any of the items that I received. Please buy with confidence that the guys a GK&Co. take what they do very serious and are committed to quality.

Wearing my beige suit with a double sided GK&Co. bow tie


PERTINENCY


If you like the idea of wearing something from a unique family company and supporting everything that that means, check out General Knot & Co. 

If you are a gentleman who also enjoys the thought that your new tie has had a life before it reached you, and that you're helping the world you live in by recycling and reusing discarded items, then you should check out General Knot & Co. too.

If on the flip side you're a guy that wants a standard garment and something off the shelf that has not been anything else in an unknown previous life (I know that some people find this icky)  then maybe you should stick to the high street.


The light Jade pickstitch bow tie $78.00

The 1970's Kaleidoscope tie $108.00


PRO'S & CON'S


I genuinely love the fact that these ties have history and a soul, that they were something else before it happened upon my neck. I respect the fact that GK&Co. are recycling and doing their thing for our environment too. I also very much appreciate the individuality of each item and its limited number.

On the more negative side, I do feel that the price is a little on the high side. Lowering the price will make these products more accessible to a wider audience and one that appreciates this concept.


A closer look at my limited edition bow tie


PEOPLE


The team really liked these ties. They liked the seasonal fabrics and tones and the very individual looks. With comments like "I've never seen anything like this one before" and "I like that they are double sided" 

The were a little taken back by the price but one member of the team did comment "well you get what you pay for, if you want a cheap boring tie, go to xxxxx"

One member of the team was put off by the fact that the fabrics are vintage and didn't like the thought of not knowing where the fabric had been and who had owned it. While I don't subscribe to this view myself, I do understand that it's an issue for some people.


The jade pickstitch neck tie 


PRÉCIS


Overall, I'm a fan. The use of vintage fabrics is a great USP. The choice and attention to detail is very good and I felt good when wearing them in the knowledge that I was never going to bump into another guy wearing the same tie.

The Potomac reversible floral bow tie $68.00




Find General Knot & Co


    

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