What I Wore Today #45

Craig of That Dapper Chap shares his daily look. Today he sports purple chinos and floral tie

Today was a kind of purple day. You know, one of those days when you just need a firm injection of colour. Dump the grey and embrace something a little more solid and interesting. So, from feet up, it's all about colour with this look.

MR by Jamie Stevens: Products to combat thinning hair

Craig of That Dapper Chap talks to hairdresser of the year: Jamie Stevens about male pattern baldness and uses Jamie's new range of products designed to thicken, style and disguise thinning hair.

Time to come clean

Confession. I have thinning hair. There I said it. I've been trying to ignore it for the last few years and as it's on the top of my head at the back I can't see it, so I can live in ignorant bliss. Having said that, I'm not the tallest bloke in the world and taller guys have been known to point out my follicle challenge "you're going a bit thin on top Craig" Yes! thanks for highlighting that! You're a great friend!

exposing my secret to the world

Male Pattern Baldness

Fact: Male pattern baldness affects between 50 to 70% of all men over the age of 50. That's a lot of men!

Basically it comes down to genetics, if men in your immediate family have thinning hair or baldness it's most likely you will too. Male pattern baldness usually presents itself in a receding hairline at the temples making an M shape at the front and a bald spot at the crown. It can be slight or they can end up meeting giving you that 'monk' look.

If you've reached that 'monk' stage there's not much out there for you other than a transplant and I've seen some very successful ones. A friend of mine had one a couple of months ago and already his new hair is growing and filling that space at the front of his head. He left the UK for his and it cost him around £3,000. In the UK it can cost over £7,000.

The Norwood Hair Loss Scale. Where are you on the scale?

MR. By Jamie Stevens

A study completed by Jamie's team showed that men would rather have a small penis, have their partner cheat on them or have their entire internet history made public rather than lose their hair.

Jamie is truly passionate about combating male hair loss, so after nearly three years of development Jamie launched his range of premium products on October 19th 2015.

Available online and in 360 Boots stores across the UK, Jamie has created an entire range of cool looking products to help thicken the hair, style it and disguise those thinning patches that we have.

To start my treatment my hair was washed and conditioned using MR. Jamie Stevens thickening shampoo and conditioner. After I wash my hair I generally just grab a towel and rub my head like crazy until it's mostly dry. Back in the barber's chair Jamie told me "the classic mistake that all guys make is that they get out of the shower and rub their hair. Think how hard the surface of the towel is and think how fragile the hair here is. Don't rub, pat, then use a hair dryer" That's one easy change that we can all adopt immediately to reduce the rate of our hair loss.

After the hair cut which I have documented in a previous post HERE, Jamie applied the MR. Jamie Stevens Salt Spray. I LOVE this product! not only does it really thicken the hair, giving a soft matte look, but it smells great too. I now use it every day. Just pump spray it on and dry it in with a hairdryer. Simple.

Next comes the magical MR. Jamie Stevens Hair Fibres, these are microscopic plant extracts that are shredded and then coloured "it's like a hair transplant in a bottle" says Jamie "it comes in a pot like salt and pepper and you just sprinkle it over the area" 

The difference between Jamie's hair fibres and others out there is that they are dipped in Keratin, which is one of the most natural conditioners that the hair produces, so it's more softening. "They are actually statically charged, so when you sprinkle them on they stay there" the fibres are patted into place before being fixed with MR. Jamie Stevens fixing spray (hair spray) 

Jamie applying the hair fibres to by balding barnett

The fibres and fixing spray

Jamie told me that the hair fibres can be used on guys who have lost up to 70% of their hair with great results and at just £20 a bottle it's a great option for balding blokes.

An alternative disguise product is the MR. Jamie Stevens Disguise Spray. Available in brown, dark brown or black this is an instant fix and gives amazing results. If you have a bit more hair loss than me, you can use both the fibres and the disguise products together.

It's easy to apply but if you're doing this yourself, same with the fibres, you may need to get a strategically placed mirror so that you can see the back of your bonce while you apply it. After a couple of times applying it yourself you'll soon get used to where it needs to go and how it feels when you get it right. I can now easily do this at home.

The disguise spray is water resistant. It isn't waterproof, once you dry it in you can confidently get caught in the rain without it running down your face. Once it's applied, dried and fixed with the fixing spray, Jamie confidently tells me that "it's gym, sex, sweat and rain proof" 

Jamie is totally honest about all of his products and did say that if you run your hands through your hair you may get some colour on your fingers. In addition, you might find some colour on your pillow case in the morning, so this is something to be aware of, particularly if you spend an impromptu night in someone else's bed!

Jamie has also been swimming with this product in his hair. It didn't drop down his face but it did come off on the towel afterwards. So it's probably a good idea to shower before you get in the pool.

Next comes the styling products. MR. Jamie Stevens offers a gel, a paste, a clay and a wax. Jamie recommended the paste for me due to my hair type and took just a small amount, the size of a fingernail, and rubbed it into his palms until it was almost transparent "start at back work forward in a sweeping shoe shine motion" he said "then go in in little circular motions to distribute it throughout the hair" 

The MR. Jamie Stevens hair paste

And we're done. washed, cut, styled and thinning hair covered, using some great products. I can honestly say that I am super impressed with the products and the results that you can achieve. So, try them out for yourself and leave a comment here and let me know how you got on. Alternatively if you have any questions just drop me a line and I'll be happy to help.

Myself and Jamie at his salon in Kensington 

Find Jamie Stevens

       

Thank you so much for reading my article. Come back soon :)

Blazers, Sport Coats and Suits Jackets - What You Need to Know

Craig of That Dapper Chap looks at the difference between Suit jackets, Blazers and Sport Coats, so we all know what's what

I’ve now lost count of the amount of times that I’ve been asked what the difference is between a blazer and a regular jacket or what makes a blazer a blazer. Add a sports coat into the mix and confusion reigns supreme. So, I’ll now hopefully dispel any fears you may have had of wearing the wrong jacket at the wrong event or heaven forbid, wearing it with the wrong thing.

The Suit Jacket

Let’s start with the regular jacket. A jacket is part of a suit. Simple as that. It is usually quite structured and well-tailored and is often made from lighter weight fabrics, although I do have a couple of heavy wool suits, modern ones tend to be made from a mix of fabrics such as wool, viscose and polyester.

As you might guess a suit jacket comes with matching trousers and sometimes a waistcoat. While I have been known to wear a suit jacket and the matching waistcoat with chinos or jeans, this is somewhat frowned upon, so if you’re unsure if it looks okay leave the jacket with its partners and wear a blazer or sports coat instead. Pockets are built in and will have either a jetted, welt or flap pocket.

Suit ny Next with matching trousers and waistcoat

The Sports Coat

A sports coat is a slightly different animal in that it is less structured and tailored than the suit jacket. As the name suggests it was traditionally worn for ‘sporting’ events, usually hunting, shooting or fishing. Traditional sports coats often had a leather patch on the shoulder where one rested ones rifle while shooting pheasants and such.

Often with patch pockets, the sports coat is a similar size and shape to the suit jacket but is usually made from a heavier fabric like tweed or corduroy. It’s seen as a more ‘casual’ jacket and doesn’t come with matching trousers. A Sport coat will sometimes have woven leather buttons and elbow patches.

A sports coat looks great with jeans or a less formal trousers like cords.

Jaeger Sport Coat £225.00 with leather buttons

In wool check fabric with elbow patches

The Blazer

Now on to the blazer.  Again a tad more on the casual side of the suit jacket it is more tailored than a sports coat, so it’s somewhere in between.  With its roots in naval soil (or water) they traditionally have brass buttons but these have been replaced these days in favour of horn or plastic buttons. Often part of a uniform, blazers are worn by various clubs and school students.

More often than not they’ll have flap pockets but patch pockets are a traditional feature too. A very versatile jacket, blazers can look great with cords, jeans, chinos or smart trousers.

The Billiard Herringbone Blazer by White Stuff £140.00

Well, I hope that's put your minds at rest and given you the information you need to impress at parties and to make sure you know what to wear and when!

Thanks for popping in, please come again.

London Collections: Men - Day 3

Craig of That Dapper Chap takes us around his final day at London Collections: Men and shows us what Sunday had to offer.

Belstaff

So, on Sunday I had a bit of a lay-in. My first show was Belstaff which saw me make my way to The Ewer Street Arches for a frosty affair for their 'Heading North' presentation.

The spirit of adventure reigned and we were transported into an arctic expedition where the fur lined coats and thick sweaters were displayed against backdrops of a snow capped mountainous terrain. 

#HeadingNorth with Belsfatt

Belstaff gave us fur, lots of fur

The new Belstaff collection 

Stylish and functional outerwear for the adventurous among us

Models in snow white ready to explore

Ready for whatever the weather has to offer

Turnbull & Asser

Making my way now from Arches to vaults I headed off to the Turnbull & Asser presentation.

Established in 1885 Turnbull & Asser of London's famous Jermyn Street everything that they create is made entirely in England.

Showing beautifully tailored suits, jackets and coats in stunning patterns and checks they cater for the gentleman who isn't afraid to stand out from the crowd. This was a breathtaking collection and one I truly enjoyed.

A stunning double breasted wool blazer

Wonderful patterns in sumptuous fabrics

A truly statement piece not for the shy and retiring

Great jackets to suit any occasion

Models wear the new Turnbull And Asser collection

Classic styling the Turnbull & Asser way

Baartmans And Siegel

From classic gentleman's attire to something a little more cool and funky as I left Turnbull and Asser for another delightful duo: Baartmans And Siegel.

The 1970's theme really shone through this collection, with heavy, wide collared coats trimmed with fur in camel coloured wool and suede jackets and trousers.

Add in a few roll neck sweaters under pinstripe tailoring and the collection is complete.

My favorite piece from the collection

Pinstripes and fur collars create that 70's look

more pinstripes and a peak of leopard print fur

A subtle pinstriped bomber jacket 

It's that coat again, teamed with classic camel coloured trousers

More pinstripes in the new Baartmans and Siegel collection 

Chester Barrie

Next we have a complete change of scene as we move to the Chester Barrie presentation and the Palm Court at the stunning Waldorf Hotel.

This season their top notch tailoring was set against a red carpet backdrop. As models milled on the red carpet, suited and booted head to toe in Chester Barrie's wonderful new collection, guests mingled and watched award ceremonies which were displayed on a huge screen.

As always the collection was immaculate with coats and suiting for day and for the evening.

Models on the red carpet sporting the new Chester Barrie collection

A stylish and perfectly tailored suit in subtle grey check

Evening wear and occasion wear were the centerpieces of the show

The new Chester Barrie collection at the Waldorf Hotel

Perfect for that black tie event or an evening at the opera

Stars accept their awards on the big screen

Duchamp

Staying with tailoring, Duchamp were next on the itinerary. Set in the Grand Ballroom at the beautiful Rosewood Hotel in High Holborn, Duchamp gave us casual, contemporary and formal tailoring. 

The pieces had a lot of personality, with winter florals and tonal layers teamed with scarves and silk shirts.

There was also an artistic element to the collection with printed painterly effects and pencil sketch prints, which added a modern and individual twist to classic tailoring.

The new AW16 collection from Duchamp

Colour, pattern and texture reign supreme for AW16

Stunning winter floral prints won the day for me

Some more casual looks from Duchamp for AW16

That floral jacket has my name on it

So, that was the end of this season London Collections: Men for me. Unfortunately I had to miss Monday's shows due to other commitments, but what I did see I thoroughly enjoyed and the British Fashion Council did themselves proud once more. Roll on June!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't be a stranger!