Okay, so these are not going to be for everyone - in fact when I posted a picture of something similar on my Instagram Stories and asked "Would you wear one?" with the answers being "Yes, very cool" or "No, trying too hard" - the reaction was a 50/50 split!
But I noticed loads of guys wearing them on a recent holiday in Sicily and they looked great. So for the sake of something different, that we don't see every year in menswear, I've decided to go with the "Yes, very cool" folk and choose some of my favourites.
Accessories can make such a difference to your outfit, but sometimes they get forgotten about - especially in Summer when there's less opportunity to wear them.
So I've got together some ideas for you.....and even if you don't get these exact things, it might just get you started on thinking about what you like and could wear.
After all, it not only helps make you look better dressed, but it also helps you to express your personality and develop your own style, and in turn that makes you feel more confident! And who doesn't want that?!
I've seen some great shoes in various client's wardrobes recently but there are others who just don't seem to be able to get their heads round summer shoes!
Hence, it's something I'm often shopping for with clients. Here's a selection of summer shoes that I've been buying with the guys I've taken shopping or been thinking about getting on future personal shopping trips! (Could that be with you?)
I noticed recently, there's been a lean towards buying pale blue blazers with my clients - I guess it's an obvious choice for summer.......and it looks great with varying combinations of white, dark and light blues underneath, so you can give it different looks.
Also, there's not as many grey blazers around in summer, so if you already have a navy one then a lighter blue is a great alternative to that.
Here are three that I've been getting with clients.....
Seersucker has been gathering pace in the world of menswear, and when I was prepping the other day for my client's shopping trip this weekend, I spotted it in nearly every store!
It's one of my favourite fabrics, as it's crisp and structured, doesn't screw up, and the dimpled look of the fabric gives it some interest without needing to do too much with your outfit....and who doesn't like that easy option!?
Here I've picked out some of the pieces I saw, we bought, and other pieces I think would make a great, versatile addition to your summer wardrobe.
When I do wardrobe edits for guys one of the things that's often missing, is a casual summer jacket. I find blazers, and the more functional "dog walking" style jackets in their wardrobes but not much in between.
Spring is (sort of!) here, so if that sounds like your wardrobe, then here are some suggestions of Spring Summer jackets to get you started.
It's been pretty cold in the UK this past week. No doubt, you want to shed the winter layers and you're desperate to ditch the puffa, but it's just a bit too nippy still to do so. Layers are the answer, but I find this is something my clients often struggle with.
Here are some suggestions for you.....have a look through and then see if you have anything similar and challenge yourself to find some different outfits in your wardrobe in the next couple of weeks.
Are you looking forward to shedding the winter layers and embracing your Spring wardrobe or are you dreading it?
It's easy to cover up beneath layers and coats in winter, but once the sun starts to shine it gets more difficult to hide.
You've felt comfortable wearing your dark neutral colours while the weather's been dingy and dank, but now the days are lighter and brighter, you'd like to go for more colour, but you're having a hard time figuring out which ones.
Well you're in luck, because I've got some suggestions for your Spring update.....
It's shorts season.....or at least I thought it was until I looked out the window and discovered it's raining. But with any luck you're going away somewhere warm and sunny, and you'll be needing to update your shorts.
Standard chino shorts are a go-to option for most, and I've chosen here the ones that I know have a slight variation in fit, and that I've bought with past customers on their menswear personal shopping trips.
I've been having a "linen-fest" with my clients on summer personal shopping trips for men! We've bought linen trousers, shirts, suits, t-shirts etc, so I thought I'd do a round up on here of some lovely linen pieces I found on sale at Mr Porter.
You might love or hate the crumpled effect of it, but there's no denying it's cool and comfortable to wear in summer. If you hate the creased look, then opt for a blended fabric instead which will help to disperse the wrinkling, but if you love it....then snap these pieces up whilst you can!
As summer is suddenly upon us, I've been tasked with finding clients some casual summer shoe options, that they can wear here, and for going on holiday. Mostly they prefer a closed in shoe, over sandals but want a change from trainers.......though I snuck a pair in here as sometimes you just can't beat them!
Here's what I've been recommending and clients have been buying on our personal shopping trips.....
Having recently written a blog post for Menswear Style on how to choose an outfit if you’re a guest at a wedding, I thought I’d follow it up here and show you a couple of examples of outfits I’ve put together for my clients on personal shopping trips for men recently.
I’ll talk you through how we made up the outfits and what I think makes them suitable for a wedding.
