Office Christmas party style



The date’s been confirmed, people are putting their name down and the venue has been booked.

Yes dear reader ‘tis the office Christmas party or ‘Xmas work do’ for the less formal.

The question on everyone’s lips in our office is ‘Are you dressing up?’.
My response is a rather vague ‘Sort of…’.
Deciding what to wear for the occasion can be a bit of a minefield.
‘Is that too dressy?’ ‘Is this too casual?’ ‘Why bother?’ echo in your mind.
Obviously the location of your staff party can act as a helpful aid in directing you to occupational festive success.

If your party is going to be held in a rather upmarket bar or club then I think you could wear something that you’d normally wear on a Saturday night out.
But if it’s in a pub or bowling alley I think it’d be fine to go in jeans and a casual top.

Going the extra distance and consciously making a bit of an effort with your outfit can only be a positive thing. Not only will you look and feel good but you’re bound to receive positive comments from your colleagues and maybe even that much sought after approving nod from your boss.

I can’t promise that by donning your new designer shirt will lead your boss into finally giving you that pay rise you’ve been angling for but it can’t hurt, right?

If you’re going straight from the office to the venue then there you have two options:

1) Wear your outfit during the working day then you can go straight to the party or
2) Bring a change of clothes and do a quick Clark Kent in the cubicle of your office loos.

As with many occasions you can’t fail with the tried and tested smart casual direction and go for the classic smart jeans and tailored shirt approach.
You could also choose tailored trousers if you want to really make a night of it.

Due to the cold weather it’s a good idea to add a smartly tailored jacket to keep you warm and also add a touch of suave style.
You should probably not bother with a tie or bow tie as this would formalise your look and one of the best things about work dos is the loosening of your look but do get a bit of your personality in. You could add a colourful pocket square or some jazzy cufflinks.

Finish off your outfit with some smartly polished shoes and you’re all set to look cool for yule!

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On the Fair Isle…A look at the hottest trend in men's knitwear.

The cold has set in and people are now donning their finest knits to keep warm.

This a/w has seen one of the most traditional and eye-catching knits make a much welcomed comeback.
That knit is Fair Isle.

Brought into the realms of popular men’s fashion by that original 20th century dandy the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) when he took to wearing Fair Isle sweater vests in 1921.
Named after Fair Isle, a tiny island in the north of Scotland the knitting technique uses multiple colours. The Traditional Fair Isle pattern has a limited palette of five or so colours, using only two colours per row, which are worked in the round, and limit the length of a run of any particular colour.
But more recently the term Fair Isle applies to a wide range of knits that use several colours knitted in a blocks of varying patterns.

Fair Isle knits have a classically British feel with the heritage of 1930s-1950s enthused through the knits.
The dazzling use of contrasting colours and zigzag patterns were a much needed splash of colour to menswear’s often drab colour palette. Even almost 90 years later the effect is still the same – eye-catching, fun and stylish.

Recently designers such as Ralph Lauren (always a pioneer in heritage knits and Anglophilia) have produced some authentic vintage style Fair Isle pieces ranging from classic sweater vests (or ‘tank tops’ depending on your inclination) through to modern chunky knit cardigans with shawl necks.

This recent trend doesn’t stop there – Fair Isle has been applied to scarf trims, mittens and gloves. If it’s knitted it can be Fair Isle. From top designers through to the Great British high street all have welcomed the trend with open arms.

It’s taken a while for them to cotton on to this trend which has been years in the making. Original Fair Isle jumpers in vintage outlets have been much coveted items in recent years and these wonderful second hand boutiques were often the only place to get an authentic Fair Isle. But with the new trend high on the crest of the wave of style it’s now accessible to well dressed men about town everywhere.

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The problem with backpacks...

The journey in to work is never going to be the most amazing of trips but recently I have seen something that I found truly shocking…

As I endure my daily commute, my eyes have been drawn to something so terrible that I find it hard to retell…

On more than one occasion I have had the dismay of witnessing an average businessman wearing his well-made well-tailored suit accessorised with nothing other than a shabby backpack.

Wearing a backpack when you are not hiking or in fulltime education is bad enough but to put so much effort into making yourself look professional and smart, and then to go and ruin it with a backpack is just baffling.

It is not only a crime against fashion, but does it really send out the best message? When a promotion is on the table it could just be the difference between you and Dave from accounts with the dapper briefcase.

Ok, so perhaps I am getting carried away, but detail is important both in outfitting and at work. ‘What can I use instead?’ I hear you cry, well, the obvious and most traditional bag for men of the working world has always been the briefcase. The briefcase has recently been enjoying a renaissance and all the top designers now offer their update on the menswear accessory classic.

But then there is also the satchel with a shoulder strap that makes it both incredibly stylish and practical. Then, of course there is the modern ‘man bag’, in fact there’s a wealth of stylish yet practical options for us chaps to choose from for work. There is really no excuse.

I personally like to match my bag with the rest of my leathers of that day, so for example; if I’m wearing brown leather loafers, my belt and watch will be in the same shade along with my bag for the day. It makes a subtle but confident statement. But for your first transition from backpack to grown ups bag, just a stylish bag is enough.

So men of the city I appeal to you to please bin your backpacks and invest in a new bag that you can carry off with style, let the backpack wear you no more and show Dave in accounts just who’s boss.

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How to buy men's coats

With winter well on the horizon we are all thinking about our winter wardrobes.
Especially with coats and jackets.
Buying outerwear can be a daunting experience with so many different styles and fabrics around. But it really need not be. I like to buy a new winter coat every year and 2010 is no exception.
Along the way I learned a few tips to help you get the perfect coat and the most out of your outerwear this season.

It helps to break your criteria down through questions and answers you need to ask yourself. This way through a process of elimination you’ll be left with your winning coat. Parfait!

1) Do I wear smart clothes often?/Do I want a smart coat?
If you often wear smart clothes or are after a coat for wearing to and from work then a smartly tailored coat is going to be the best choice for you. Coats like a clean lined wool coat go perfectly well over suiting as well as keeping you warm.

2) Do I wear navy trousers or black trousers more?
Colour is always a personal choice but as every well dressed man-about-town knows mixing navy with black is a no-no. So if you personally favour navy trousers then aim for colours such as browns and greens that enhance and set off blues wonderfully.
If you tend to wear black trousers then of course you can wear black coats but also grey shades make a classically striking contrast.
Grey coats can also go with navy trousers so if you wear both black and navy shades then a grey coat is the one for you.

3)What size should I get?
Obviously try your regular size first. I’ve always tried to make sure there is allowance of space for thick knitwear or suits underneath the coat so it’s wise to keep this in mind whey purchasing your winter coat. When trying on the coat the key areas to focus on are the shoulders, cuffs and chest.
Do the shoulders sit well on your frame? Make sure they are not continuing after your shoulders end. Are the cuffs touching the end of your wrist/beginning of your hand?
Sleeves that are too short make you look like you’ve had the coat for a while and you’ve outgrown it (think back to that child in your primary school class who was forever wearing ‘half-mast’ trousers and shrunken jumpers) which is never a good look.
The chest is another key area. Use your normal chest size as a guide. The fit of the chest should be neither too big nor too small.

4)What style? This is where you can let your personality and style shine through.
Keeping in mind the times you’ll be wearing the coat most will help you decide between a smart or casual design. 2010 A/W’s coats for men have two clear winners as the must-haves of the season.

The duffle coat is a timeless classic that has made a comeback in a big way.
With the essential toggle fastenings, hood and warm wool fabric the duffle coat instantly conjures up images of school days, rioting 1960s Parisian students and Paddington bear. Go for either a traditional design or one of the many updated styles on offer.

Quilted jackets first created by Barbour are the other ‘on-trend’ choice and there are a wealth of options available. With the diamond quilted design these jackets give you excellent warmth.
I often refer to mine as my ‘portable duvet’ as it’s so cosy it’s like walking around in your bedding. These jackets exude country style. The perfect choice for winter, quilted jackets look great worn with both jeans or tailored trousers for that archetypal city boy look.

Whatever your style, whatever your outerwear needs there are many coats out there for you to choose from and make your own.

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You're cordially invited…to wear corduroy!

With the autumn chill having firmly gripped the nation it’s time to reach for the warmer fabrics.
The once much maligned corduroy fabric is one of this season’s key trends and features from everything from trousers, shirts through to shoes and hats.

Corduroy has been a much loved favourite of farmers and good countrymen alike and often comes in vivid shades such as burgundy red, moss green or bottle blue.
In the USA there is even a corduroy appreciation society that involves mottos, secret handshakes and even strange rituals!

Aside from dove tailing with autumn menswear’s hot heritage trend, corduroy gives you excellent warmth with the deliciously soft cord texture of the fabric.
The velveteen-esque corduroy gives a cosy feeling on wear as well as screaming ‘touch me, touch me’ to others (making it a perfect choice for those hot dates).
Wear classic corduroy trousers with a check flannel shirt for a ruggedly rustic look or wear a corduroy shirt with jeans for a laidback style.

Mixing corduroy with other touchable fabrics like chunky knits, chambray and flannels really makes a simple yet effective statement. Perfect for keeping those autumn blues well at bay.

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You're mad if you're not a hatter!

Newsflash! Hats are back! Hurrah!

Autumn is well underway chaps.
Hats for men are enjoying a much needed renaissance. With retro styles and Mad Men inspired looks there has never been a better time for jumping headfirst into headwear.
I’m not talking about baseball caps and beanies; I mean a proper man’s hats.
A gentleman is merely a man without a good hat.

With this in mind it’s time to straighten up and fly right with the perfect headwear.
Hats are wonderfully versatile when worn with confidence and panache.
A flat cap is a great option for casual days. You can go for a classic country gent style and wear it with knitwear and a quilted or waxed jacket or modernise it with a t-shirt, casual tailored jacket and jeans for urban cool.
The trilby hat is one of the most popular styles and this is perfect for wearing with your workwear such as a suit and trench coat for a traditional city man-about-town flair or you can easily take it down the indie route by wearing it with jeans and a leather jacket.
This season the pork pie hat is the style of choice for the foppish, painfully hippest of cats. A favourite with jazz aficionados and 'Ol’ Blue Eyes' himself, Mr Frank Sinatra, the pork pie hat is perfect for those who want to get ahead of the pack.
I recently got my very first brown felt pork pie hat from a wonderful online store called Village Hats . With high quality, reasonable prices and a wealth of styles to choose from I found it to be one of the best sites for hats. The hat arrived in less than 5 days and was professionally packaged. And the hat itself fits like a dream and looks the business quite frankly.
Whatever style you go for there is a hat to suit you and your personality.

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Fall for autumn style…

The possibilities of summer are gone, and the chill of winter is on the horizon. The skies are turning grey and the wind and rain are a weekly occurrence.
It’s certainly getting colder but the warmth of summer still hangs in the air like the smell of beer long after the party is over.
With winter quite not with us and summer fast becoming a distant memory it can be pretty difficult to decide what to wear each day. Not quite chilly enough for your new duffle coat yet not warm enough to strut about town in your polo shirt.
As a self-proclaimed fan of this season over all I feel I have autumn style down to a fine art.

Tops:
Layering is your keyword here. Wear short sleeved tops like polo shirts or t-shirts under jumpers or cardigans. This keeps you warm yet if you’re in a hot bar, stuck on public transport during rush hour or the air conditioning at work is on the blink you can quickly and easily de-layer to cool off.
Plain polo shirts under patterned or colourful knits or checked short sleeve shirts under simple knits are a fool-proof look.

Bottoms:
As always, you can’t go wrong with a decent pair of jeans. To vary your autumn style try the chinos you bought for the summer and wear them with bright or strong coloured jumpers or patterned shirts for a fresh trans-seasonal approach.

Coats and jackets:
There are reasons that certain styles keep appearing on the catwalks and highstreet year after year and it’s because they work. No where is this more true then with the trench coat, the waxed jacket and the Harrington.
They shelter you from the wind and rain, keep chills at bay and give you a classic yet still strangely modern look. Trenches and Harringtons are your best friend for both spring as well as autumn and can easily be dressed up or down to suit your mood and the occasion.

Footwear:
When it comes to your feet you want something that protects from the elements.
A good pair of boots works wonders. Also deck shoes, the casual shoes of choice for men in the know, are perfect for this time of year. They were made for sailing after all! Their specially grooved outsole ensures there are no embarrassing slips on those wet shop floors or pavements. The specially treated leather (if you get a proper pair) will keep your feet perfectly dry during those blustery showers.

Accessories:
To finish off your look reach for a classic flat cap to keep your hair dry and in check during wet and windy days.

Here are some key items to see you comfortably and stylishly through this changeable season:



http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Baracuta+G9+harrington+jacket/142056292,default,pd.html



http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Barbour+Chesterhope+wax+jacket/140634662,default,pd.html

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Paul+Smith+Jeans+Trench+coat/136704895,default,pd.html

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Ralph+Lauren+Short-sleeved+polo+shirt/114501726,default,pd.html

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Marlboro+Classics+Short+sleeved+coloured+checked+shirt/133951760,default,pd.html?cgid=20000

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Kurt+Geiger+Jacks+brogue+boots/142718713,default,pd.html?cgid=0007

http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Gant+Flat+front+chino+trousers/100593834,default,pd.html?cgid=2090




http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/New+Lingwood+Donegal+hat/138205350,default,pd.html

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