VALENTINE’S STYLE M.O.T.

Happy Valentine’s Day!! How is your dating life going? Are you drowning under a deluge of cards today, or are you feeling sadly single ?

If you feel like your image is on the road to nowhere and you’re lost on the style highway, why not give yourself a yourself a treat this Valentine’s and give your wardrobe and appearance a VALENTINE’S STYLE M.O.T ?

This package gives your existing wardrobe and style a full overhaul, addressing all issues with regard to your appearance. It will include:

• Colour and Style Consultation
• Wardrobe Assessment
• Full Day shop
• “The Rubio” package at Gentleman’s Tonic

Colour and Style Consultation, and Wardrobe Assessment. We will determine which colours and shapes are the most flattering for you, and make a thorough assessment of your wardrobe as it is, which will then inform what needs to go on our shopping list. We will compile a shopping list and discuss your budget.

Based on the brief obtained from this, a pre-shop will be done for you, to assess what items can be obtained where, and know in advance the options available.

Full Day Personal Shopping  trip. We will select and put together your perfect dating wardrobe! There is no pressure to buy anything you don’t feel 100% sure about, as Sartoria Lab is not on commission from any stores, so all items will be sourced purely because they are the best choice for you.

Grooming This is an important part of your look and will play a key role in attracting women. Sartoria Lab has links with Gentleman’s Tonic, a men’s grooming salon, where we will arrange an appointment for the “Rubio” package – ‘For the Ultimate Playboy’ in you! This includes Haircut and finish, wet shave, express facial, hand treatment and Swedish massage.

Follow up A Style Profile and Colour Wallet, will be provided as a guide to keep for future reference, to get you back on the road to dating success! A monthly e-mail support will be provided for 6 months afterwards to monitor how everything is going, and provide assistance with other queries or advice you may need.

Cost – £950.00

Please contact me for further details, and don’t forget, we’re offering 10% off for the whole of February as a little Valentine’s gift, if you “like” Sartoria Lab on Facebook.

5 TOP GROOMING TIPS FROM GENTLEMEN’S TONIC

1. Make sure your hair is tidy and trimmed
2. Make sure your nails are neat and not chewed down
3. No unruly eyebrows that meet in the middle!
4. No overpowering aftershave – it should be subtle
5. And definitely, no hairy ears or nose hairs poking out!

Gentlemen’s Tonic is a unique establishment that was founded in the heart of Mayfair that affords the modern man a traditional barbershop and a variety of lifestyle and grooming services.

Their philosophy is understated, self confident and is an opportunity for clients to experience the highest level of dedicated care and attention.

Visit their website for more tips on grooming and to see all the treatments available.

 

 ”DATING WARDROBE PITSTOP” – Full Day Personal Shopping

When on the dating scene, you’ll need a variety of clothing for your dates – not just for going out to bars and restaurants, but outfits suitable for walks in the park, wandering round galleries and casual coffee dates too. It’s easy to look great in a suit, but can almost be harder to look good whilst dressing casually, and lots of guys struggle with the smart/casual dress code.

A full day’s shopping may seem like a daunting task now, but think how you’ll feel afterwards, having refreshed and restocked your wardrobe, in just one day, so you’re ready to speed off confidently around the next lap of your dating circuit!  Here’s how you’ll benefit:

• You’ll have an unbiased professional to introduce you to shops you may never have visited and brands you wouldn’t have thought of buying previously
• You’ll learn how to crack the elusive smart/casual dress code
• You’ll be shown how to combine items to maximum effect to get the most mileage from them
  
• You’ll have a set of new dating outfits suited to your colouring, figure, budget, and lifestyle
• You’ll have the option to receive a list of outfits based on what you’ve bought, so you can remember how they all work together in their various combinations

Cost:  £525.00

This is just a summary of the service – for full details, contact me and don’t forget to “like” Sartoria Lab on Facebook any time during February for your 10% discount on this service!

5 TOP TIPS TO GET INTO “THE DATING ZONE” FROM GEORGE PIRINTZI

“It’s February, and with Valentines Day just around the corner, many men’s minds turn to courtship, whether for just a bit of fun or for some serious love.

For many guys, this can also be a very stressful time as they get all shy and tongue-tied about making the first move. However, the thing is not to fluster trying to remember your best chat-up lines but to get yourself into the right mindset for attraction! Here are my top tips to get you into the “Dating Zone” this Valentine’s Day :

1. Project Confidence Confidence is a natural aphrodisiac. People are attracted to people who are assured and sure-footed so if your dating confidence locker is a bit low, try this: List all the qualities about yourself that you are proud of and that would make you a great love-catch for someone. If necessary, ask a good friend to help you – they must like you, right? so they are probably best-placed to reel-off all your wonderful qualities. But don’t over-do it, confidence is great, but smugness is a sure turn-off!

2. Be Playful Dating, flirting and going ‘out-on-the-pull’ is grown-up people’s way of playing, being silly and being self-expressed. So if you are going out after a hard day of serious work, lighten up your mood beforehand, – watch an episode of one of your favourite comedies and play one of your favourite music tracks as your prance around your bedroom getting dressed! Once out, continue your playfulness by gently teasing all and every would-be partner you come across and they’ll think you’re a really cool and happy-to-be-with guy!

3. Just have Fun You’re out on the town, so be sure to have fun! Within reason (and legal limits!), do whatever you can to enjoy yourself. If the vibe at the first place you go to is not right, move on to somewhere else. It’s your time so make the most of it and have fun. You can’t control who will be out that night and if they’re going to be in the right mood for your personality, but you are in control of your experience of the evening. So if you do end up going home alone, at least you’ll have had a fun night out.

4. Don’t Take “IT” Personally The Big IT is rejection! Okay, you’ve seen this person you really fancy and really want to get to meet them but despite your confidence, playful demeanour and great jokes they don’t seem to be interested. Well, it’s their loss! Maybe they’re having a bad day, maybe their cat died or maybe they’re just a regular miserable sourpuss with terrible judgment! You wouldn’t want to be with them anyway, right? Move on, – there are plenty of fish in the sea – “Next”!

5. Live in the Moment So you’ve met someone, they’re laughing at all your jokes, you’re sharing little knowing smiles with each other…and your mind starts trying to remember how disgustingly messy you left your bedroom and how many weeks it is since you changed your bed sheets! Rather than start panicking and planning ahead, stay focused on the present. Savour and enjoy the moment and, in the event that they bid you goodnight and goodbye, you won’t be too disappointed as you had a great time.

George Pirintzi is a writer, coach and personal development trainer. Get his FREE book on how to transform your dating life at www.HowToAttractYourIdealPartner.com

“WARDROBE TUNE UP” – Wardrobe Edit

Have you thought about what’s in your wardrobe recently? Is it getting you the results you’d like from your dating? Is it time to reassess, and steer your style in a different direction?

The “Wardrobe Tune Up” is designed to have a thorough sort out of your clothes, and assess each item to see whether it’s speed tracking you to dating success, and whether you are getting the maximum mileage from it.

Once this is done, we will be able to drive forward with clear, concise goals on what is missing and create a shopping list for a new, improved dating wardrobe that the ladies will love!

This is what you can expect to achieve from your “Wardrobe Tune Up”:

• Elimination of clothes that no longer fit, are dated, shabby or unsuited to your lifestyle, body shape or colouring
• Knowledge on why some items work for you and some don’t, which can be used to inform future purchases
• Fresh combinations (with photos) of your existing clothes to make new outfits for dating
• A shopping list with suggestions of items needed and where you may find them according to your budget
• Follow up style profile as a record for you to refer to in future

Cost: £300.00

5 TOP TIPS TO TURNING OUT YOUR WARDROBE

1. Take everything out of the wardrobe. Clean it out while it’s clear.
2. Try each thing on in turn. Does it fit? Does it need alterations or repairing? Would you happily bump into an old girlfriend whilst wearing it and feel good about yourself in it?!
3. If you answered no to any of the above questions – put it in a pile – either to get rid of, repair, take to the drycleaners etc
4. How are the things looking that made it back into your wardrobe? Do they make you feel great? Can you identify any gaps that you’d like to fill? Do you have good jackets and shoes to finish off your outfit? Do you need to update and replace your accessories?
5. Write a shopping list. Have a look through some men’s magazines or online etc and try out at least one different store when you next go shopping. Take someone (who’s style you like) with you to advise.

If you can’t face doing it yourself and need a helping hand then contact me, and don’t forget you get 10% off throughout February by “liking” Sartoria Lab on Facebook!

“DATING WARDROBE REFUEL” – Half Day Personal Shopping

Does your dating wardrobe need refuelling?! How long has it been since you’ve updated your wardrobe and your look? Even the classics change shape slightly over the years, and it’ll be a telltale sign if yours are looking dated. Why not accelerate your dating success as much as possible, and rev up your style with a half day personal shopping trip, where you can refresh the basics, and add colour and flair to a new capsule wardrobe for dating?

Book your “Dating Wardrobe Refuel” now and you will:

• Receive a questionnaire and phone call prior to the shopping trip, so all your needs will be fully understood
• Have a pre-shop done for you, before we meet, to ascertain what’s in the shops according to your needs. This can be arranged in a department store if you wish, in which case all the items will be picked beforehand for you and will be ready and waiting for you to try on in one room.
• Have items chosen for you and put into complete outfits
• Obtain a modern looking wardrobe suited to your age
• Have a capsule wardrobe put together for you, that can be dressed up or down, according to where you are going on your date
  

Cost:  £300.00

This is just a summary of the service – for full details contact me, and  don’t forget to “like” our Facebook page anytime during February to receive your 10% discount on this service!

5 TOP TIPS ON DRESSING FOR DATING

1. Make the effort. It’s polite and respectful to the girl – why should she go to all the trouble if you’re not going to?
2. Look objectively in the mirror.  Just because you’ve always worn the same look, it doesn’t mean you still should be. You don’t need to start wearing the latest fashions, but make sure the classics are updated shapes and in a good state of repair.
3. Pay attention to the quality and fit of your clothes. Are your trousers too  long or short? Are you trying to pretend you’re bigger or smaller than you are by wearing clothes that are too big or too small for you? It will have the opposite effect – clothes that fit well are far more flattering
   
4. Pay attention to your accessories. Subtle detailing such as a good leather belt, and great quality shoes can make all the difference to your outfit
5. Look at men’s style magazines. If you’re not sure of your look and need to regain some confidence then check out men’s style mags, blogs or online shopping sights such as Mr Porter – to see how they put things together, and get ideas about how you could wear some of the items shown. They usually have “wear this with” advice, and often suggest looks on what to wear for what occasion.
   

“STYLE INJECTION SHOP” – 2 Hours Personal Shopping

When you’re dating you have just a few seconds to make a first impression.  That’s right, ladies have made a judgement about you before you’ve even opened your mouth! It takes a lot longer to undo this first impression, so it’s in your interests to get it right from the beginning.

Wouldn’t you like to feel like the best dressed guy at all the singles events you attend? Well we’re here to provide you with a shortcut to looking good! The confidence you will gain from having an updated wardrobe is very appealing to women and when you feel good about yourself and how you look, you’ll interact differently with women too.

Book your  2 hour “Style Injection” Shopping trip now and you will:

• Be guided around the shops and have clothing picked out that will look great on you!
• Buy new dating outfits suited to your colouring, figure, budget, and lifestyle
• Learn how to crack the smart/casual dress code
• Receive the benefit of a frank and unbiased opinion from a professional
• Obtain knowledge on how to combine these outfits for optimal use in your wardrobe

Cost: £180.00

Location: Central London

This is just a summary of the service – for full details, contact me and don’t forget to “like” Sartoria Lab on Facebook anytime during February for your 10% discount on this service!

Now, we have 5 TOP TIPS FROM THE DATING GURU – JAMES PREECE

“As the UK’s Dating Guru, I’ve helped 1000s of singles through my weekly parties, dating seminars and coaching sessions.

Therefore I know that Valentine’s Day can be a scary time of year for some singles. If you don’t have someone to share it with then it make it a very lonely and depressing day.  But it really doesn’t need to be this way!

There are five easy dating steps that I’m going to explain here.  It’s really quite simple and if you stick to these then you’ll have a great time and might just get a date.”:

 1) Appreciate what you have. Instead of feeling frustrated for not having a significant other to spend the day, singles can spend Valentine’s Day in a constructive manner by expressing love and affection for people around them.  Be grateful for the people you have in your life, not the ones you don’t.

2) Who do you want to date?  If you aren’t clear about exactly what you are looking for then you’ll never know when you get it.  Do you want short term relationships or a long term one?  How old are they?  What personality traits do they have?  Write down a description of the end result you want and keep it in a safe place.

3) Take Action. You aren’t going to meet anyone sat at home watching Eastenders, wondering why you aren’t meeting anyone. There are so many Valentine’s singles events so sign up to one and spend the night meeting lots of possible matches.. By putting yourself out there you are telling the world you are available and ready to meet someone wonderful.

4) Enjoy Yourself. I’m amazed how many people tell me they find dating a chore and they can’t be bothered putting in the effort.  Look at each date as a chance to try something new.  It doesn’t even need to be time consuming if you keep your dates to just an hour the first time round.  If you aren’t enjoying things then you are doing something wrong.  Dating is supposed to be fun!

5) Don’t give up! This is THE most important step and one so many people fail at.  You might have to have 4 dates before you meet Mr or Miss Right or it might take 44.  But what if you gave up at 43?   You’d never know how close you got to making it work.   Every date you have is practice for making the next one even better.   If you do get a bit burned out from two much dating then take a week or two off.  Then get back into it again with renewed energy and focus.  

 If you’d like to have more dating success visit www.onlinedatingclinic.com

“STYLE SAT NAV” – 90 minutes Personal Styling

Today I would like to introduce you to our “Style Sat Nav”. This will help you navigate quickly and easily to a stylish new you, making future purchases faster and more accurate, once you understand what suits you and why.

In this 90 minute session we will give you the following direction:

Colour -  Find out which colours look great on you and how to combine them to make a dramatic improvement to your look, and really get you noticed by women! This includes a colour wallet for future reference.

Shapes -  Know which cuts, shapes, and detailing to wear to enhance your physique.

Hairstyle – Learn which hairstyle and/or facial hair will compliment your face shape, plus which shape of glasses to choose.

Following this session you will receive your own personal “Style Profile” that will give a summary of all the things discussed.

By the end of the 90 minutes you will have learnt how to:

• Enhance your looks with colour
• Use optical illusion to disguise and enhance the parts of your body that you like and dislike
• Choose the best hairstyle and glasses for your face shape
• Give direction and speed to your shopping trips

Cost: £150.00

Location – Your home (London area only)

This is just a summary of the service – for full details, contact me and don’t forget to “like” Sartoria Lab on Facebook anytime during February to receive your 10% discount on this service!

5 TOP TIPS ON MEN’S HAIRSTYLING FROM TAKA AT SANO HAIR

1. Appreciate your maturity and embrace your grey. As long as you have a good hair cut, grey hair looks distinguished and attractive.
2. Embrace change, a hair style that looked good at 20, usually doesn’t suit 20 years later.
3. Style your hair appropriately to your clothes.
4. Keep it classic, but don’t be afraid to experiment, investing in good hair products.
5. Keep facial hair well groomed and clean. Manicured men are more attractive than their scruffy counterparts!

Taka is a session hair stylist who has worked with many celebrities and on numerous shoots, and has recently opened his own salon, “SANO”. The aim of the salon is to offer a high end level of service within a creative environment without excessive pricing. I hope you enjoyed reading his top tips, contact him here to book a hair consultation or make an enquiry.

  

 

 

Introducing: “VALENTINE’S STYLE TOOL KIT”

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, no one can really avoid thinking about their significant other at this time of year……….or lack of. So, if you’re a single guy, wishing you were not, then why not buy yourself a Valentine’s gift this year, to help you along with your quest?

Like it or not, we all make assumptions about people based on their looks and this is especially true if you’re on the singles scene. I’m afraid I don’t much subscribe to the “but it’s what’s inside that counts” argument, so in order to get a head start in the dating game, over the next few days I will be introducing you to a variety of new services to improve your appearance, plus dating tips from the experts on how to make yourself irresistible to women!

Let’s look at this analogy to illustrate why your appearance is important for dating:

If you went into a showroom to buy a car, you wouldn’t automatically rush over to the rusty, mud splattered, car in the corner, exclaiming…..”wow, what a superb engine it has, and how wonderfully reliable”! Yes, you may come round to this in the end, but initially I’d like to bet that you’d be drawn to the great looking, shiny, sexy, sporty little number, dripping in all the latest gadgets.

So now imagine, if the great engine-ed, reliable car in the corner was given a good scrub, a new spray paint, and came equipped with a sat nav and a set of spanking new tires………wouldn’t this be a lot more appealing, and give the shiny, sporty little number a run for it’s money?!

Cut to our discussion on your appearance……..which car would you be equivalent to? Your outer appearance is an ideal opportunity to visually communicate who you are to others, so why not grab that opportunity and make the most of it, so your potential dates, don’t have to see past the “rust”? Also, it may seem silly, but looking like you care about yourself, gives women the confidence that you will care about them too.

All this week, in the lead up to Valentine’s Day, we’ll have top tips on how you can stride into the dating world with confidence – and will be introducing our new “Valentine’s Style Tool Kit” with various packages for single guys, plus, if you “like” us on Facebook, anytime up till the end of February, you can get 10% off any of these new services!

Testimonial from Rohan after Wardrobe Edit and Shopping Trip:

“The admiring glances won’t stop – age and sex no bar! In fact, everyone comes around at work to give me a good hard look every morning and see what I’m dressed in. I have become an expert at mixing and matching and manage to look different everyday. I can’t thank you enough – I feel so confident now and the vibes are so positive. Suddenly everyone wants to be with me, and I have to put them on hold!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is my round up of the recent Autumn Winter 2012/13 menswear shows in Milan and Paris. As a personal stylist, I’ve deliberately ignored all the skirts, leather trousers, Walter Van Beirendonck fetish type styling, and other outlandish trends around, and picked the simpler styles, as the majority of my clients are looking for beautiful wearable clothes, that fit in with their lifestyle, and that they won’t get laughed out of the pub for.

So, here it is:

Black and white tweed

I like the way this texture reminds me of a grainy black and white film, which gives it a nice retro feel. A coat in this fabric will top a suit or jeans just as comfortably, or tweed trousers can be worn with a chunky black knit and brogued boots for weekends, or a sleek white shirt, black fine knit cardigan and knitted tie for a smart casual look for the office. 

Tan

There are many tones of camel, mustard and tan around for next winter, reminiscent of the swirling 70′s wallpaper I grew up with. Try before you buy, and make sure this colour suits you before you commit -  it’s likely to look great if you have olive skin, green eyes and brown or auburn hair, and not so great if you have blue eyes and a paler, pink toned skin.

I love this tan leather jacket with a “Starsky & Hutch” vibe from Trussardi (below) or go for something altogether sleeker like Ports 1961 or Bally have.

Roll necks

Initially I wasn’t going to include this as I’m not a particular fan of the roll neck, but I decided to include it as it’s such a strong trend. And guess what? The more I saw it, the more it grew on me, and now I’m quite loving it!

Wear your roll neck with tailored trousers to satisfy the elusive smart casual look, or with jeans, blazer and loafers for the weekend. Give it a miss if you have a short neck though…it will emphasise it like mad, and diminish your neck altogether!

Velvet

There’s something deliciously exciting and luxuriously decadent about this fabric. I love the idea of the Etro orange jacket below, styled in a casual way, and shrugged on with soft navy rolled up chinos, beaten up Converse, and comfortable grey marl t-shirt. Throw on a vintage paisley Tootal scarf for an added dash of decadence.

Or go sleek and sophisticated as Louis Vuitton did, or I love it translated into a smart peacoat by Gucci too.

Fur collared coats

Refresh your wardrobe next winter and get ready to move on from the aviator jackets that have been everywhere to the smarter, more grown up fur collared coat. Make it casual and cosy, or slick and smart. Go for a narrower lapel if you have a small frame, so you’re not completely swamped by fur.

Wine and navy

What a glorious colour combination which turned up again and again on the runways. Fabulously easy to introduce into your wardrobe without looking over the top. It could be as simple as a pair of dark indigo jeans, a wine coloured sweater and some cordovan boots.

Or a wine coloured suit like the one below from Berluti is unusual, without being garish, and could be worn for an evening out to make a change from your classic dark coloured suits.

Double breasted suits

If you’re not ready to introduce this into your working wardrobe, it could be a great additon in a light grey (like the McQueen and Hardy Amies versions below) for a summer wedding. Ensure it’s neatly fitted and streamlined, and steer away from contrasting buttons if you are less than lithe. Peak lapels and pocket squares will draw attention to the shoulders and away from the stomach, so use to your advantage if need be!

Of all the many, many shows, my favourites were Gucci and Ports 1961. And yours? See them all at Style.com

 

These photos are all from the wonderful book “Endurance” (… I received it for Christmas from my lovely stepdad…thanks Peter!), which is the tale of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expedition to cross the Antarctic overland …….an epic journey if ever there was one. Their mission wasn’t accomplished, but it’s a fascinating account of their survival in the harshest of conditions.

I don’t suppose apperance was the first thing (or even the second, third or fourth) on the crew’s minds, but I think they look rather ruggedly splendid in their handknits, don’t you?!

So, even if the only endurance test you’ll be having this weekend, is battling crowds in the supermarket or exploring the local park with your kids, then here’s my pick of the knits from the last of the sales, so you too can channel your inner explorer!:

I love the textured knit of this Levi’s Vintage chunky roll neck. Add these classic, hardy Red Wing leather boots – (first introduced in 1953 as a sport boot) to carry through the look.

I’m not going to suggest accessorising with a sailor’s cap as Captain Frank Worsley has with his cream sweater, but perhaps this woollen hat from Acne would be more fitting.

According to the blurb on Mr Porter, S.N.S. HERNING have been producing knitwear for fishermen since 1931, and have developed a chunky “bubble” construction to help protect wearers from the elements. I love the chestnut colour of this one above. Just throw it on with jeans or chinos and a vintage leather belt, and no need to go near a fishing rod to appreciate wearing this sweater.

I have long been a fan of YMC’s understated, functional yet stylish clothing, and they always seem to get it spot on with their knitwear. This navy knit demonstrates it perfectly, and don’t you just love this tan leather backpack, sturdy enough for all your supplies?

At it’s original price of £845 you could have practically funded your own expedition to the Antarctic in place of buying this cashmere E. Tautz sweater……thankfully, it’s now half the price, so you can keep deliciously warm and cosy, whilst reading about Shackleton’s adventure instead!

Another of YMC’s creations with great moss stitch detailing. Slip on these shearling gloves from Ugg with it and you’ll be ready for some serious coldweather dogwallking (it’s forecast to get colder this weekend).

Hopefully you won’t be facing quite such hostile conditions as Shackleton and his men, but why not let them inspire you to face the cold and damp, and take advantage of the reduced prices of these fabulous knits?

 

Having just taken a gander around the online shops, I’ve put together a wishlist of things I would like to see under the Christmas tree…………oh, if only I were a man:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I unwrap this beautiful backpack, I would marvel at how clever Mismo have been to combine great design with functionality. Big enough to carry all my essentials, with room left for my packed lunch………in my virtual man’s life, my New Year’s Resolution would be to give up spending money on tasteless, too cold sandwiches and take my own health giving lunch. And oh look, after just a couple of weeks I’d have saved enough money to buy this gorgeous Smythson crocodile embossed leather Blackberry case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At £660 it would be an exceedingly generous person that would be leaving these under the Christmas tree for me, but I would love and cherish them for years to come (the shoes that is….and perhaps the person too!), and admire how they got better and better with age.

I would immediately start wearing  them with my comfiest, beaten up, turned up jeans and my cosy, burgundy Levi’s chunky knit sweater.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would be delighted to receive this vintage scarf as a gift, knowing that it had been cherry picked for me. I could throw it on with the above outfit, and ponder on who it had belonged to before me whilst conjuring up images of the adventures they’d had in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Socks are a staple Christmas present, and I would welcome these Pantherella ones into my wardrobe. I have been an argyle sock lover for a good number of years and these would perfectly decorate my “mankles” beneath my jeans…….and gosh, look how well they go with my new Alden shoes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My oh my – what a cheeky little number! I love the thought of how naughty I would feel wearing this, knowing that though I look sophisticated on the outside, I am secretly taking a pin up girl out for the day!

I hope you get everything on your wishlist this Christmas!