Monday 14 December 2015

Product Review - The Crowder ATP Watch

Craig of That Dapper Chap reviews the Crowder ATP watch and tells you how to get a 20% discount when you buy.




The four Crowder watch designs
Crowder Great Britain


Meet Crowder


Founded by James Rea as a very successful Kickstarter campaign, the story of how the Crowder ATP watch came to be is a genuinely heart warming one, and I am sure that this along with a beautiful design has made the campaign the success that it is.

The watch that James inherited from his Grandfather

During World War Two, James's grandfather was issued an Army Timepiece as many British servicemen were. Many years down the line James was lucky enough to inherit his watch. James loved that his watch had a unique style compared to modern watch design and that the materials had much more character. 

The watch had a classic but minimal style, since it was a utility piece issued to all troops.

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Saturday 12 December 2015

A Styling Session With American Crew

Craig tests out three products from the range by American Crew available from Mankind.co.uk




Until recently I had not heard of American Crew and the products that they offer us gents. Apparently I'm in the minority as a lot of guys I spoke to were already familiar with the range. Where have I been!?

For this styling challenge Mankind sent me three products from the range: Boost Powder, Forming Cream and Pomade. So that I could get some top tips for you guys on how to use the products I sought help from a top barber and stylist Nick Circelli from the Adam & Eve salon.



The Boost Powder


#OMG!  how on earth have I lived without this product!? Where has it been and who has been keeping it a secret as I need to have a stern word with them! If you buy anything from Mankind make it the Boost Powder. Get it for a friend or partner and they will thank you forever!



The clue is in the name, it's a fine powder that really does give your hair a boost. Please don't get this confused with dry shampoo like I did, it isn't. This magic dust gives hair a gravity defying lift and thickness with a matte finish. It doesn't get sticky or clumpy as you might thing it could and can be restyled throughout the day. What's more it can be quickly and simply rinsed out.


Nick started by rinsing my hair in warm water before towel drying it and adding a dab of American Crew Firm Hold Gel and drying the hair with a dryer, adding the parting and styling the hair up and back. 

He then parted the hair in various sections and applied a fine dusting of the powder directly to the roots before using the tips of his fingers in a circular claw-like motion to spread the powder throughout the roots and lift and separate the hair.

Nick Circelli applying the Boost Powder to flat lifeless hair

Nick then styled my hair using a combination of fingers and brush to create a less structured more casual look. One with height and texture that wont collapse the second you walk out of the door.

The question is could I recreate the look at home and the answer is yes! I'm no hair stylist but the product is easy to use and give really good results. This is one item that is now officially a staple grooming product at That Dapper Chap.

Nick reaches for his brush to finish the style

Height and texture using the American Crew Boost Powder

A look less formal and perfect for the weekend

Give your hair height with the American Crew Boost Powder

Buy you Boost Powder HERE £14.50 for 10g



The Forming Cream


The Forming Cream is a white, slightly fibres texture product that gives texture and control to many looks both modern and classic. It provides high hold and remains pliable. It won't go crispy and gives a more natural, healthy look to the hair. Again it's a water based product that rinses out easily while providing conditioning qualities to the hair. All of this and a great clean smell too!


After rinsing the Boost Powder out of my hair, Nick again applied a dab of the Firm Hold Gel to my towel dried barnett before blowing drying it as before. Taking a dollop of the Forming Cream on his finger (see amount below) he then spread the product in both palms before evenly distributing in across my hair. 


Nick then set about pulling the style together creating a more formal and controlled look, using a comb to bring the hair up and back while creating a sharp parting. The product is quite light meaning that it allows you to retain some height in your look.

Nick combing the product through my hair

The finished look, smart and well groomed

The forming cream allows you to keep some height

The sharp parting makes for a good formal look

Buy you Forming Cream HERE £13.95 for 85g



The Pomade


If you like a classic slicked back look, the pomade is the product for you. Providing great hold and a high shine it's great for holding all hair types including very thick, frizzy or curly hair.  Like the forming cream, there's no crispiness of stiffness and the product remains pliable throughout the day.

One other thing to note is that it's water based and wont take a week of shampooing to get rid of it! In fact it rinses cleanly out of the hair! No stress, no fuss. It smells great too. Very fresh and sophisticated.


So, I was once again back at the wash basin having my hair rinsed before Nick repeated the process of gel and drying. When that was complete, he took a dollop of the Pomade (see amount below) and as with the Forming Cream, he distributed across his palms, warming the products before applying it to my hair.


After making sure there was adequate product at the root he proceeded to smooth the product over the top of my hair, making sure all of the ends were covered.  After this he took his brush and created a very sleek, smooth look that wouldn't be out of place on any red carpet of James Bond movie.

Nick makes sure that all of the ends are covered and laying flat

Combing and brushing creates this slick party look

Party perfect, slicked back hair and velvet blazer

Mr Bond the red carpet and Martini awaits

The American Crew pomade gives a sophisticated finish

Get your Pomade HERE £13.45 for 85g



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Thursday 10 December 2015

What I Wore Today #42 - The TM Lewin Shirt

Craig of That Dapper Chap shows us one of his daily looks in this #WhatIWoreToday post wearing a new shirt by TM Lewin


The styled up flat lay as seen on my Instagram page

The TM Lewin slim fit Geo print shirt £39.95
TM Lewin first opened in the famous Jermyn Street in London in 1898 and pioneered the button front shirt, since then they have built a reputation for quality menswear using some of the same techniques used all those years ago. With over 100 stores now in the UK you're never far away from being able to get yourself a great new shirt and any other piece of menswear that you may be in need of!

This wool blazer keep out the autumn chills

So, using the TM Lewin shirt as a basis for this look I went with a blue theme but wanted to bring in a bit more of a contrasting colour story with some deep red, complementing the navy and creating a bit more interest.

Since getting this blazer it's become a real favorite. It's a less formal style and has some quirky elements and design features that are missing from a lot of others out there. These little additions give the blazer a bit more personality and therefore you do too by default just by wearing it.

It's all in the details with buttons and wristwear

Walking the walk in this blue outfit for a chilly autumn day

Under the blazer I added a thick cotton waistcoat to add an additional layer against the chill in the autumnal air. Again in navy it continues the colour story and smartens the look up.  The red and blue diagonal striped tie also makes the look more formal and brings the colours directly together.

A better look at this heavy cotton waistcoat

The detail on the wool mix scarf

Maintaining that blue and burgundy theme, the scarf is another good addition and helps to tie the other elements together. The burgundy in the leather contrasting satchel again continues the theme and shows a considered effort of consistency.

Take a look at the foot of this post for details of brands and links for your to buy anything you like. See you again soon!

Complete with my new embossed satchel

A closer look at the embossing on my new satchel

All the blues with just a touch of burgundy

#CuffPorn and a close up of todays watch

The burgundy adds some contrast to an otherwise all blue outfit

Keep warm and button up

The whole look complete with burgundy accents

The polka dot socks ass some additional interest 

I love the easy construction and shape of this wool blazer

The club style tie keeps the look office appropriate


Where It's All From


'Brooksbury Grain' Burgundy Leather Shoes: Base London

Burgundy Polka Dot Socks: £5.00 pack of 6 Primark

'Lawson' Navy Cotton Chinos: Racing Green

London Slim Fit Blue Geo Print Shirt: TM Lewin

'Gents' Navy Cotton Waistcoat: White Stuff

'Welford' Navy Wool Blazer: White Stuff

'Downing' Navy & Burgundy Leather Satchel: The Cambridge Satchel Company

Burgundy & Navy Polka Dot Reversible Scarf: Next


Burgundy Leather Watch Strap: Handmade by BWeiss Leather

Mallard Duck Club Tie: Butler & Webb at Primark

Red Jasper Bracelet: Parvenu London

Other Bracelets: Home Made


Thanks for visiting, please come back soon!

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