Backpacks a New Trend in Mens Bags

Messenger bags have made bags for men a fashionable and functional accessory. The flapover messenger is not stuffy or rigid like a briefcase, and has a certain amount of street cred about it. The backpack has traditionally been associated with trekking, school children and tourists. This is all set to change though as fashionable backpacks from designer brands are offering a smart and trendy alternative to the messenger.

The commute to work can be a long and arduous one. If you are carrying heavy equipment such as a laptop and books, it can be even more tiresome. There is no doubt that carrying these items with a backpack is the most comfortable and economical way. But can a backpack look smart and trendy I hear you cry!! Well the answer is yes, as designer brands such as Calvin Klein, HUGO BOSS and Knomo bags have designed mens backpacks for exactly this purpose. They are using more sophisticated materials and designs to give a more structured and sleek look. Gone are the bright and garish designs, and in come minimalistic designs in blacks, browns and greys.

Of particular note is the Knomo waxed canvas backpack, which has a moulded protective core to cushion your laptop.

Double up this Winter with Two Jackets

With the big chill creeping upon us, we are all thinking about wearing overcoats again. Many fashionable overcoats though are not designed to keep us super warm on the coldest of days. Jackets that provide extra warmth can be bulky and look cumbersome (such as puffas and skiing type jackets). I am a huge fan of doubling up with two jackets, one thinner underlayer (such as a jean jacket) and a main overcoat over the top.

It has always been considered fashionable to wear two jackets, and this season it’s hitting the high street in stores such as G-Star Raw. A jean jacket underneath a long overcoat is my favourite pairing although you can wear zipped outer jumpers, windbreakers, summer weight jackets and hoodies as well. It has the benefit of looking great and being highly practical. Wearing two jackets will definitely keep you warm outside, whilst you can choose to wear the thinner jacket inside. In winter it can be quite cold in some museum, galleries and restaurants and so it is very useful to have a thinner jacket to wear.

You can choose to pair up two jackets of your choice, or alternatively some designer brands are offering jackets with an inside layer that can be zipped together. If you are choosing two jackets of your own choice, be careful that the colours do not clash or feel uncomfortable. A high collared under jacket always works well with a lapel overcoat.

Add Life to your Ankle-wear with Argyle Socks

Last blog I wrote about the reinvention of the double breasted suit for a new generation. I thought I would continue this theme and write about the resurgence of the argyle sock to a modern fashion garment for men. I personally really like the argyle pattern. I think it works particularly well with socks as the pattern is quite bold and can add some subtle detail that doesn’t dominate a whole look.

Traditionally the argyle pattern was adopted by golfers, and hence was not always deemed the height of sophisticated elegance. In the 80s and 90s though fashion brands such as Pringle and Burlington utilised the pattern in men’s fashion knitwear. I sense that argyle socks are becoming a fashion piece once again, with Burlington recently advertising on London buses.

Whilst argyle socks offer great versatility in classic colours such as charcoal and navy, it is the seasonal and more unusual colour combinations that really look great. One of my favourites is the hunting green by Burlington socks, which really has a trendy ‘English gent’ look about it. As we are now in Autumn, the Burlington extra soft sock will keep your toes warm and comfy. I am not a fan of completely plain socks, particularly for a casual outfit. So add some life to your ankle-wear with a pair of men’s argyle socks.

The Double Breasted Suit is Back for a New Generation

Fashion has a very interesting way of bringing back forgotten classics, reinventing them for a new generation. The double breasted suit represented the glamour age of the 1930s and 1950s, and was revitalised in the 1980s for the yuppies obsessed with power dressing. As fashion has become more casual and covenient, the double breasted suit became outdated.

I think we are starting to see the double breasted suit making a comeback though, with top designers (Tom Ford, Prada, Zegna) and the high street (Top Shop) offering their own designs. A new generation that hasn’t experienced the double breasted suit may have a new and invigorating attitude towards the garment. In many ways, bringing back an old classic is a way of subverting the garment itself.

The double breasted suit has a wonderful look of sartorial elegance, making the wearer look ultra confident and smooth. Whilst this may have been overused in the 80s (and leading to its demise), perhaps we are ready for this look again. What is interesting is whether the double breasted suit will be worn traditionally, or tweaked for the 21st century consumer. A skinny tie and trilby could add a whole new dimension to the double breasted suit.

Do England Proud by Winning a CK Underwear Modelling Competition

Got a set of rock hard pecks and washboard stomach? Look great in a pair of underwear? Then why not enter the Calvin Klein underwear male modelling competition and represent England against 8 other European countries.

Calvin Klein has released the Steel underwear (low rise trunk) in the flag colourways of competing countries in the football world cup (e.g. England has a white trunk with a red waistband and small England flag). The idea behind the competition is to represent your country and compete against the best male bodies in Europe. If you have the confidence, submit a photo of yourself wearing Calvin Klein Underwear and submit it to 9Countries9Men. The winner will earn a modelling contract.

The other European countries involved include Italy, Germany, Spain, Russia, Holland, Greece, Sweden and France. So if you fancy showing those continentals a thing or two about looking good in your Calvin Klein underwear, better start working on those sit ups and do your country proud!

Do you Prefer a Wallet with a Coin Pocket or Without?

When it comes to choosing a leather wallet, there is divided opinion amongst men if they require a coin pocket or not. Several designer brands believe that men would choose a wallet without a coin pocket, whilst a woman buying a gift would choose one with.

Traditionally the classic leather billfold wallet features two folding note compartments with two rows of credit card slots. The coin wallet does away with one side of credit card slots and replaces it with a coin pouch. A coin pouch is a really useful way of keeping your notes and coins altogether in one place, but for some men adds too much bulk. A wallet full of coins will make it look cumbersome, and the extra weight will not help the structure of the wallet. On the other hand, if the wallet doesn’t have a coin pocket, it tends to remain loose in the pocket which some may find annoying.

Wallets without a coin pocket remain slimline and crisp, ideal for sliding into a suit jacket pocket unnoticed. I have recently swapped my billfold coin wallet for one without. I prefer not having to dig around inside a coin purse for the right change, but miss a secure place to keep my coins. What do you prefer?

Jewellery for Men – Yes or No?

Jewellery for men has been around for centuries, but has had a massive resurgence with the ‘Bling’ craze that has sweeped our nation. Rings, pendants, bracelets and even medallions are considered fashionable for men. In fact, the bling craze was triggered by the Hip Hop Stars such as Puff Daddy who felt the glitzier and bigger the better. Whilst most men wouldn’t want a diamond encusted dollar sign hanging around their neck, many still enjoy wearing jewellery.

My personal preference for wearing jewellery is to keep it to a bare minimum, which means just a watch. I prefer the clean and simple look, and jewellery is an unnecessary complication that doesn’t enhance my sense of style. Whilst jewellery may not work for me, there are many men who can pull it off. It’s all about attitude and a flamboyant sense of fashion. A leather platted wrist band would look great with Boho chic, whilst a solid silver pendant may work for the showbiz man. In my opinion though, most men prefer to dress quite classically, and jewellery doesn’t really work. If you get it wrong it can make you look like a desperate wannabee, which is a risk not worth taking.

If you are trying out a piece of jewellery, make sure you go to one of the fashionable designer such as Thomas Sabo, or Tateossian. Of course, cufflinks are a different matter altogether, and for me anything goes.