But be careful Vincent, because as I learnt visiting the Brasserie Zédel near Piccadilly Circus, the French interpretation of beer is oh so different to the beer we English have come accustomed to. In particular I am referring to Blonde beer. Now had I any hair, I may have been guilty of having a Blonde moment, but I was under the impression 'Blonde' beer meant a wheat, or a pale ale.

However in Francais, Blonde is a name they band about for no apparent reason. Biere des Sans Culottes La Blonde Corsee, for example.

A vital nugget of information if you happen to be a fan of Blonde beers such as Leffe, Hoegaarden etc, and are utterly indifferent when it comes to the generic French-piss alternative they serve up at the Brasserie Zédel. Mistake numero uno

So fancying a real drink after the debacle, I migrated across the hall to Bar Américain and ordered a double whisky. Mistake numero deux. The waiter gave me a look like I just asked him to put his saucisson in my Laphroiag. "You know a single here is 50?" He pointed. "50 quid? Holy merde!" I said. "No 50mil. Your large would be 100mil, a quadruple."

I took the single, my woman ordered a Josephine and we ditched the Blondes. Back in the restaurant I order some salmon with dijon creamed leeks, my woman picks the sea bream with provencal tomatoes. 

I ask for some brown sauce and get laughed at by my woman, the waitress, and in my mind, the entire restaurant. Mistake numero trois. But let me tell you something about people who work in London restaurants, HP sauce is the bedrock of condiments and should not be sniffed at. It even has a picture of the Houses of Parliament on the label (hence the name HP).

The beer and condiments aside, the experience was actually rather pleasant. The service was on point, and the staff all had very convincing french accents. The decor was so lavish with its marble entrance vestibule and opulent architecture that I said to my woman "I feel like I am in the dining room of the Titanic." 

She agreed and we scuttled off to the underground carpark where we made love in the back of a 1912 Renault Coupe de Ville (Only joking, little Titanic reference there). My only advice to any would-be diners is to watch out for the 'Blonde' lager, it could be that monsieur may be making a faux pas.

Article by Menswear Style

Have you ever woken up naked, zip-tied to a stranger’s radiator with a pool cue extension hanging out your ass?" Ok so I admit, it was risky material for a speech at my Nephews Christening. My point being the roofie phenomenon is extensively under-reported, due to victims being under the impression that there is no point going to the police because they’re embarrassed and feel they will be blamed, or by the time they realise it has happened the substance will no longer be in their systems.

Thanks to club rules such as “no drinks on the dancefloor”, and the wonderfully condescending “no drinks outside”, spiking is more prevalent than ever due to drinks being left unattended. Spiking isn't just exclusive to women or confined to the Oxmoor Estate in Huntingdon, Essex Police reports that 11% of drink-spiking incidents involve men. Tennis Coach to the stars Steve Smith had his drink spiked whilst out with friends at a top hotel in Mayfair.

“When I awoke in the toilet, I immediately knew that I needed to find my friends," Said Steve. "Unfortunately, they had all left as they’d assumed that I had had enough and gone home. I still felt very ill, and thought my best option would be to book a room at the hotel, but the rooms were priced at £800, I simply didn’t have the money". Steve slept it off in an alley before negotiating a tricky train journey back to Ipswich the next day. "My brain felt foggy, I couldn’t formulate any real thoughts and everything was fuzzy round the edges. Honestly I haven't felt that bad since Henman lost to Goran Ivaniševic at Wimbledon in 2001, it was a horrific experience.”

Thankfully, there is now an easy-to-use detection strip, which tests for both GHB and ketamine, and can be used to put people’s minds at rest if they suspect their drink may have been spiked. Check Your Drink aims to make people more aware of the dangers of drink spiking. Drink spiking not only leads to being zip-tied to a stranger’s radiator but can also lead to vulnerability to other crimes, such as assault or robbery. 

A study of students at Bournemouth University, which was carried out by CYD, demonstrates how rife the drink-spiking phenomenon has become, with a staggering 1 in 4 having had their drink spiked themselves. CYD also conducted a survey at Bath University, which highlighted that nearly all (92%) students revealed that their main concerns surrounding spiking are when a stranger offers a drink, over half (54%) stated they would feel much safer in a bar or club if test strips were provided and 1% would much rather they skip the foreplay of having drinks and just cut straight to the sex. Admittedly that 1% was me and it was off the record.

Article by Menswear Style

There are lots of different variables associated with a successful men’s weight loss plan. However, we’ve condensed the list into 5 of the most important and key points, which contribute to sustainable weight loss for guys. Give them a go, you’ll be surprised how effective they are – read on!

EAT! 

When most people diet, they immediately drop their calorie consumption considerably to create a caloric deficit great enough to elicit weight loss. Don’t do this! It not only puts the body in a starvation mode (where in which the body’s metabolism is slowed down dramatically) but also breaks down precious muscle tissue. Muscle is precious because it is active tissue; it’s your engine, which burns off the calories you eat. So instead of depriving yourself of food, ensure you are eating 4-6 smaller meals each day, consisting of lean protein, low glycaemic carbohydrates and lots of vegetables. This will not only keep your metabolism ticking over throughout the day but also guard you from muscle catabolism.

If you are short of time (as many of us are) there are protein supplements available to help bridge these meal gaps throughout the day. Whey protein powder is a fantastic option; this is a fast-acting protein with a high absorption rate and a great option for a meal replacement during weight loss. 

Train with variation and intensity 

As mentioned, muscle is essential for increasing your body’s metabolic rate and staying lean. To put this into perspective, a pound of muscle burns 6.5 calories per hour whereas a pound of fat burns just 1.2. 

With this in mind it should become a focus to put on some lean muscle and structure your training around this. In order to do this you must break the muscle down so it can repair and grow in a process called hypertrophy. Selecting a weight which allows you to perform 4-5 sets and 8-12 reps per exercise will facilitate this adaptation and accompanied with a solid nutrition programme, will ensure you of lean muscle growth.

Training larger muscle groups – such as legs and back – will yield even greater fat loss results. Due to the large structure of these muscles, there is an increased demand for oxygen so that the muscles can create energy. In order for this to happen, the heart has to work exceptionally hard, this increase in heart rate for a prolonged period ensures energy expenditure is high and metabolism is increased throughout the day. 

Chill out! 

When the body is stressed your adrenal cortex secretes a hormone called cortisol. This primitive response to stress is a real draw back for weight loss. Not only does it dramatically increase appetite but also breaks down muscle tissue. The issue is when your appetite gets too high; you will often reach for foods that are high in both calories and sugars. If you think about your eating patterns during a stressful period in your life, chances are you can relate to this!

In order to reduce this cortisol secretion you need to take some time to relax, this includes sleep and rest. There are certain supplements which also significantly reduce this effect - such as the amino acid L-Glutamine - which studies suggests reduces cortisol-induce muscle loss. 

Ditch the simple sugars 

Simple sugars are carbohydrates with a high glycaemic index (GI) such as sweets and soft drinks. These types of foods and drinks rapidly increase your body’s blood sugar levels, however this sugar cannot stay in the blood as it can cause serious health issues to the blood vessels, which can subsequently lead to heart attacks and strokes. In order to manage this, the body releases a hormone called insulin from the pancreas. Insulin is a storage hormone and drives this sugar into the cells of the body to make energy, however if energy demand is low and the person is inactive, then this sugar is stored in adipose sites (fat cells). 

Set goals 

If you’re serious about weight loss you must start to set goals and hold yourself accountable for attaining these goals. This may sound really obvious, but often people blunder with weight loss because their idea of what this means is too vague and doesn’t generate the will-power necessary. Think of it as shooting and aiming for a target. If the target isn’t there, how are you going to hit it?! 

*Athlete, Protein bar, Fat vs Thin, Weight training images via Shutterstock

Article by Menswear Style

Founded in 1965, this year the iconic French brand celebrates it’s 50th year and Topman are delighted to be collaborating with such an esteemed revolutionary brand as K-WAY – a brand which has previously teamed with brands such as Versus Versace, Marc Jacobs, Colette, New Balance, A.P.C and DC. If you want to know where the lightweight, practical, waterproof and windproof nylon jacket originates look no further than K-WAY.

They were the first to come up with the idea that a jacket could be effortlessly folded into a small, portable pouch. It was time to ditch the umbrella. 

The collection is made up of 4 pieces all exclusively designed for and available at Topman. The most eye-catching design is a blue print, zip-thru, reversible hooded jacket. This lightweight printed nylon jacket is navy on the reverse and folds away into its front pocket. Both the Jacket and the pouch are fully waterproof.

The jacket shape then moves in a new direction in the form of an ombre, dip-dye, lightweight, nylon parka. This light grey through to light olive longer length parka has an internal drawstring, adjustable hood and fishtail. The jacket has taped seams and again is fully waterproof. 

The next option is a white zip-thru, hooded jacket. This uses a waterproof, dry handle herringbone fabric with waterproof taped seams and the jacket folds away in to a bumbag. 

The collection is completed by a grey marl coated, overhead, hooded jacket with a showerproof, clear, shiny coating and a contrast black nylon stripe across the chest and underarm. Again, the jacket folds away into a bumbag to make this the ideal rain jacket for spring. 

Prices range from £68-£85 and will be available from March 19th both in-store internationally and online at Topman.com

Article by Menswear Style

Leading British clothing brand Guide London has stepped back in time with their latest infographic, which takes a look at some of Britain’s most famous and influential fashion movements. 

Dating back to the 1950s, the piece explores some of the most iconic trends the fashion world has ever seen. From the formal ensembles that became synonymous with Teddy Boys to the laidback looks of Hippies, users are taken on a true fashion journey. 

The graphic depicts the typical clothing, accessories and hairstyles of Teddy Boys, Mods, Rockers, Hippies, Skinheads, Punks, New Romantics, Goths and Ravers.

Speaking of the graphic, Richard Benson from Guide London said: “The history of British fashion is incredibly important to us, especially as past trends are constantly being reworked for modern fashion followers. The piece is a great way of recognising the heritage of the styles and trends we wear on a daily basis.”

Article by Menswear Style

Is Vintage Clothing exclusive to vegetarians? Is it a prerequisite that in order to appreciate Vintage Clothing you must own Bob Dylan's entire back catalogue on vinyl? Why do all women quote that Marilyn Monroe "if you can't handle me at my worst you don't deserve me at my best" line on their dating profiles? Apart from the last one, these are all pertinent questions. Introducing Caspar De La Mare. Caspar is a pillar in the thrift community and owns A Dandy in Aspic, a retro clothing shop in the heart of the vintage clothing capital, Camden's Stable Market.

A Dandy in Aspic (named after the 60's spy thriller) is famously referred to as a treasure chest of authentic, handpicked vintage menswear dating from 1900-1979 sourced from all four corners of the globe. I managed to get an exclusive interview with Caspar and lifted the vintage-veil on what really constitutes Vintage Clothing.

Do you just wander in to the local Marie Curie to get your stock? 

"I like to keep that side of things hidden as it spoils the mystique. I do go abroad and I will leave no stone unturned to find quality true vintage pieces. A great deal of what I sell is unused New Old Stock that comes from shops that have closed and had leftover stock in their storerooms." 

Do the clothes have to be a certain age to be classed Vintage? What's the cut-off? 

"In terms of age : 25+ years = Classic. 50+ years = Vintage. 100+ years = Antique. However these days 1990s is considered the new vintage, not in my books though." 

Is Vintage clothing on the rise or decline? 

"In my opinion at the moment there is overkill, as the very word 'Vintage' is being used to describe anything that is not new. There are many so-called 'Vintage' shops that don't sell any true vintage and many designers are doing a 'Vintage' collection. This should be referred to as heritage or retro."

What artist or celebrity wears Vintage clothing the best? 

"Martin Freeman has a great love of the early 60's, American Ivy league-style which was adopted by the Mods here. It is a very classic sharp look." 

What's the most expensive item of vintage clothing either in your shop or that you've come across? 

"There was an incident at a London auction house that specialises in vintage clothing/textiles where a 1930s men's faux-fur teddy bear coat sold for a staggering £25,000. It was involved in a bidding war between two collectors. It's price estimate for the auction was £250 -350."

Article by Menswear Style

We have partnered up with our friends over at Shopa to offer one lucky MWS reader a chance to win £250 to spend on the Shopa platform, plus some brand merchandise from some of the retailers they currently have on Shopa. 

If you don’t know what Shopa is yet, this should help. Shopa is the next- generation social shopping site, enabling online customers to quickly discover what’s hot and what’s talked about through like-minded consumer’s recommendation. It’s where shopping gets social and is THE destination site for discovering, sharing and buying more of the things people love, all in one place. 

How to Enter

To enter, simply: Create a profile on Shopa.com and curate a collection that captures the Monochrome trend by adding your favourite pieces to a collection. Once you're happy with it, share a link to the collection on Twitter including the hashtag #ShowShopa and mention @Shopa and @MenswearStyle in the tweet so we can see. 

Competition closes at midnight on 20th March and we'll announce the lucky winner on 23rd March via Twitter! Good Luck. For more info, check out the T&Cs.

Article by Menswear Style

Entering the world of road cycling is easy, all you need to get going is a road bike and some basic cycling kit equipment. It can be an expensive investment, but how much you part with is very much your decision. Below are a few hints and tips on what to look for when buying a road bike along with some of the best road bikes for beginners. 

Hints & Tips 

Frame Materials - The two most popular materials used to construct road bike frames with are aluminium and carbon fibre. Although many people rave about how light carbon fibre is, road bikes with aluminium frames are still preferred by many, they’re also the frame material of choice for many beginner road cyclists. 

Sizing - More often than not, road bike frames are measured in centimetres and are available in a number of sizes. The best way of checking if a bike fits you is to give it a try, however this isn’t convenient for everyone. Most bike sizing guides are easy to find on manufacture websites, a few key measurements including inside leg length and height will help identify which bike size is best for you.

Gearing - The more gears your bike has the easier you’ll find pedalling. Some road bikes can have up to 30 gears, these use a triple chainset (3 front chainrings), a double chainset (2 front chainrings) is used by many and provides the rider with up to 22 gears. A compact chainset has smaller chainrings, providing a leg-friendly gear ratio suited to beginners and those riding hilly terrain. 

Best Beginner Road Bikes 

Specialized Allez - The stiff, light, race-inspired Allez consistently receives excellent reviews and is regarded as one of the best beginner road bikes around. It’s available in three colours, catering for a number of tastes and is decorated in subtle graphics. It has 16 Shimano gears and a compact chainset, making for easy pedalling on even the steepest of hills.

Giant Defy 5 - The Giant Defy 5 has the appearance of a road bike costing much more, with its sleek black and silver design. With Giant being the world’s leading aluminium frame engineers, you can ride the Defy 5 in confidence, knowing the frame is strong, lightweight and responsive; it also has endurance focused geometry allowing it to remain comfortable over long distances. Similar to the Allez, the Defy 5 has 16 Shimano gears and a compact chainset, providing a gear for every eventuality. Thanks to the endurance focused geometry the Defy 5 remains comfortable after hours in the saddle.

Kona Rove AL - Kona produce highly sought after road and mountain bikes, with their elegantly styled Rove AL being one of the most popular. The aluminium frame and fork have a warm grey colour scheme and are decorated in off-white & silver graphics, maintaining a classic appearance. The Rove also has 16 Shimano gears with a compact chainset, but stands apart from the rest as a result of having disc brakes. Road bikes with disc brakes are becoming increasingly popular as they provide reliable stopping power in all weather conditions, helping you ride with confidence. The tyres are also wider than the Allez & Defy 5, increasing your stability and control while riding.

Article by Menswear Style

For this denim focussed feature we turn to NEXT’s denim buyer to fill us in on the important details and to provide us with an expert insight. Jeans have very much stood the test of time for multiple decades and we find out why, along with what type/model of jeans every man should own. We also look at the current trends and NEXT’s forthcoming Spring/Summer 2015 denim offering featuring denim engineered to last and designed to be worn.

Why do you think denim has never gone out of fashion? 

"The Denim jean started as an American workwear garment due to the hardwearing properties of the fabric and reinforced copper rivets giving it extra strength. It then became a desirable fashion statement in the 1950’s thanks to stars like James Dean and Marlon Brando and is now a fashion staple in everyone’s wardrobe. The combination of colour and wash together give a very unique appearance and due to the high amount of hand processing, no two denim jeans made are ever exactly the same. Due to the natural indigo used to dye the denim fabric your jeans will become a reflection of how you live your life, from the whiskers on the back of the knee from sitting at your desk, to the wear marks on the seat from riding your bike... and the impression marks that form over time from what you carry in your pockets – denim is a truly unique fabric."

What is the one fit, wash and colour jeans that every man should own? 

"On the department our go-to jean is always a Raw Denim, something we see as a staple and ensure we cover in all parts of the range every season, whether this is a Skinny with stretch or Slim Fit with a Selvedge Edge. This Dark indigo is how all denim originally starts before it is washed down to create different shades and casts. The versatile nature and characteristics of this fabric mean these jeans are easily interchanged within your wardrobe and are able to compliment any outfit." 

"They look great when dressed up with a blazer, shirt and brogues but can be switched up to easily work a casual spring look of trainers and a t-shirt. However, always remember that to keep your jeans looking like new, washing your raw jeans should be a last resort. If you need to freshen them up, hang them out to air or if you are a true denim geek you can put them in your freezer for a day! If you do have to wash your jeans, always turn them inside out, wash them on the lowest temperature possible and take them out of the washing machine and hang them up as soon as the cycle finishes."

What trends should we look out for in the denim world this season? 

"The exciting thing about denim this season is the variety of colours and pure indigo casts. The Solid Blacks that were key in Winter are moving into Washed Blacks for spring and into Light Greys for Summer. This can be bleached all the way down to an achromatized white shade for high summer. The newest shade this season is the heavy green cast which has been highlighted by the major fabric mills at the Denim shows. This is a good alternative to the more common indigo shades but is just as easy to wear. Brighter blues for high summer work really well with the New Wave jersey trend on Tee’s and take the vintage rip and repair washes particularly well. The 90’s bleach is also making a comeback this summer, perfect for rolling above the ankle to show off your new kicks."

Any exciting additions to the NEXT men's denim collections? 

"Alongside the above trends which we have covered this season, we have seen a huge trend towards stretch fabrics. This has meant that wearing Slim and Skinny jeans has become a much more enjoyable experience. It is important to go for a denim which still has a good weight to it and a masculine characteristic on the face of the fabric. If you can tell a denim has stretch before you touch it... keep searching! We have skinny stretch fashion jeans at £25 all the way up to a true selvedge denim at £50, so there should be something for everyone in this seasons collection."

Article by Menswear Style

Founded in 2011,Harry Stedman is a contemporary Menswear brand based in London, England. Harry was part of the British Army and produces timeless pieces for the modern man which are influenced and inspired by places he has visited and experienced all around the world. Each country has contributed to the work he produces today with unique elements translated into his clothing, always focusing on quality over quantity.

Mr Stedman, now in his 80s has been able to live a very colourful life, filled with a number of passions, plenty of hardships and world travel. Born in Liverpool, he spent many of his early years in rural Shropshire as a Liverpudlian evacuee.

After the war he returned to his hometown among a family of seven children. However, he increasingly found the urge to escape the streets of Liverpool; following this in 1951 he had signed himself into the British Army. In the following years Harry found himself in a range of exotic and faraway locations, with his unique humour and curiosity he was led to places such as New York, Libya, Argentina and further afield. 

During his travels he was able to absorb local culture. In particular whilst in New York, he was exposed to so many different aspects of life which Liverpool couldn’t teach him; such as Rock 'n Roll and a number of sartorial discoveries. It was while here that he encountered classic dockers' workwear, the luxury of fine Brooks Brothers shirting and an endless array of music inspired styles which had not yet crept overseas to Britain.

Harry continued with this curious global lifestyle whilst bringing parts of what he discovered back home to England and portrayed this into his work, although he has never forgotten his working-class roots. 

The latest collection for Spring/Summer 2015 collection creates a type of nostalgia of when Harry would return home from long trips out at the sea. Stedman explained that his summers would consist of meeting up with his lover and heading down to the beach together. So with this in mind, the collection resembles the casual and practical nature of his youth with strong colours infused into a mixture of different textures and fabrics. Fresh, light summery shades are apparent throughout in beige and blues. 

The range of clothing at Harry Stedman is expertly crafted in countries such as UK, US and Japan, through a variety of the best manufacturing resources available. As far as the outerwear pieces go, their designs are renowned for their array of fabrics such as the orange Ventile in the mac which will be the perfect coat for the transitional period into spring and summer.

Article by Menswear Style

The snap of the latex glove pinging against the doorman's wrist, followed by the howls of surprised anguish, (or delight) will be all you can hear echoing around event arenas in the not-so-distant future. Security at festivals is so tight these days it won't be long until full-cavity searches are made compulsory and the only way to sneak your vitamins into a Kula Shaker concert is if you either tunnel like Bronson in The Great Escape or catapult yourself over the fence like Costner in that Robin Hood movie that technically wasn't as good as the Russell Crowe Robin Hood, but way more enjoyable (Timely references, thanks. Hey is Kula Shaker still going? Whatever happened to those guys?).

Now there is a brand that stands up for the silent majority who won't stand for mandatory anal violation. Weekend Offender offers unique, no-nonsense clobber with what they refer to as "an insubordinate twist."

For example if you're looking for new and inventive ways to slip your vitamin pills past the Phil Mitchell-esque lump on the door, the Weekend Offender Suarez jacket has a tiny zip pocket located on the shoulder blade. If you were wearing it to the match it has a convenient credit card stash pocket on the sleeve, velcro fastened. Ideal for keeping your oyster card or ticket stubs handy and secure. The flagship store in Soho also offers 20% discount to anyone that shows their match day ticket. Even Millwall supporters. 

Another jacket to look out for in the SS15 collection is called the Rampage. The Rampage in Grass green is shower proof and has a large Section 60 criminal justice public order, woven into the mesh lining. This is not a get out of jail free card by any means, but it will make you aware of what rights you have should you be stopped and searched by the police, or pulled over for doing 120mph the wrong way down a one way street.

Weekend Offender has become a huge hit with festival goers and football fans especially, and with iconic figures such as Liam Gallagher, Tom Hardy, Idris Elba and Samuel L Jackson seen championing the brand recently.

Article by Menswear Style

Introducing the new understated Lynx Black collection. Embracing the individual style of our city’s streets, Lynx has created a bespoke, and sophisticated grooming range to help guys look, smell and exude understated confidence. Surprisingly the new commercial for Lynx Black doesn't feature Wesley Snipes looking directly into a camera, saying "Always bet on BLACK" in a threatening manner. Nor does it feature members of Spinal Tap looking bemused at the sleek, refined packaging, saying "How much blacker can you get? The answer is none. None more BLACK."

Instead Lynx Black have collaborated with artist Novo Amor to present an Enya-esque version of Guns 'N' Roses 'Welcome to the Jungle'.

The song is a backdrop to a melange of haunting imagery depicting lawless urban street-life, before a climatic scene of calm and serenity. It's in this reveal that Black Lynx delivers its philosophy for the fragrance, as one that is subtle, yet masculine. Lynx Black will help guys’ unique style to shine through and get them noticed in an understated way. If however you doubled-down in god's casino and were blessed with height, a lustrous head of hair, have cubed pectorals and a French accent, then you already have a head start in the 'getting noticed department'.

Developed by iconic fragrance expert, Ann Gottlieb, creator of CK One, the premium new Lynx Black opens its scented symphony with fresh notes of Watermelon Ester, bergamot and frozen pear – suggesting a studied, sophisticated aroma. Combined with a blend of cedar wood and patchouli (the bushy-mint herb, not the current Tottenham Manager) the complex, yet subtle fragrance is unflagging, inferring a lusty-masculine scent without crashing the odour-orgy by being penetrating or over-bearing. 

In a world that’s louder than ever before, with horrible techno dance dribble being pumped out of every PA in every gym up and down the country, Lynx believes quiet confidence is the best way to get noticed, and is encouraging guys to embrace their own personal style. As John Lennon once said "All we are saying, is give peace and quiet a chance." 

New Lynx Black. It’s time to bring the quiet.

Article by Menswear Style

With February the 14th being the self-proclaimed most romantic day of the year, husbands, boyfriends, wives and girlfriends all over the world will be busy spoiling their other half rotten. It has developed into being one of the most important holiday days for businesses with lovers spending lots of money on presents and romantic gestures. But there is a fine line between spoiling one’s spouse and going a little OTT and we are going to take a look at some of the most mind-blowing gifts that take proving your love for someone to a whole different level! 

If you thought chocolates and a romantic dinner was enough, you might want to think again! Let’s look at the top five most extravagant gifts that have been given on Valentine’s Day: 

Brangelina 

What? An olive tree. Who? Angelina Jolie to Brad Pitt. Why is it amazing? Because the tree cost a whopping £19,000 and it was 200 years old. How was it received? With gratitude as it joined the rest of the trees in their private olive grove at their French chateau.

The Sweet Scent of Love 

What? Flowers. Who? Justin Bieber to Selena Gomez. Where from? A florist in LA. Why is it amazing? Because Bieber didn’t just buy a bunch of flowers, he purchased the entire flower shop and filled Selena’s house with flowers. How was it received? It’s young love, so of course she was over the moon!

Golden Balls with a Golden Necklace 

What? Luxurious Bulgari necklace. Who? David Beckham to Victoria Beckham. Why is it amazing? The necklace isn’t just any old piece of jewellery and at £5 million, this gift blows Angelina’s £19,000 olive tree out of the water! How was it received? How did Victoria Beckham react... with pure class and a lot of excitement of course. It was after all, an extravagant gift in every sense.

The Love Wheel 

What? An antique carousel horse. Who? Courtney Cox to David Arquette. Why is it amazing? As it is an antique, the horse is expected to be worth around £30,000, which seems like an awesome gift to get on V-Day to us. How was it received? Hand-crafted, made from solid wood and hand-painted with brass poles – it’s safe to say David was highly impressed by his gift.

Driving Down Love’s Highway 

What? A Bentley Brooklands. Who? Katy Perry to Russell Brand. Why is it amazing? The lilac coloured car is a Bentley, need we say more? How was it received? The comic received the gift with great happiness and the car is still running smoothly, even though the couple aren’t,

Surprisingly, a study recently conducted by Ladbrokes Casino for their new quiz shows that 57% of Brits don’t want to be proposed to on Valentine’s Day, as it is cliché and predictable. However, if they were given a Bentley or a multi-million dollar necklace, we are sure they wouldn’t mind being wooed next Valentine’s Day. 

*Russell, Pitt, Bieber, Beckham, Cox images via Shutterstock

Article by Menswear Style

London is the undeniable capital of fashion in the United Kingdom, so it comes to no surprise that its variety of independent vintage sellers would be some of the best in the land too. London’s vintage scene was recently featured on a list of the UK’s best spots for vintage and second hand shopping compiled with help from travel company, GoEuro! They specifically named Shoreditch, Camden, Covent Garden, Portobello and Soho as popular hotspots. However, how do these areas stack up for men’s vintage fashion? Here are some of the best picks for men’s vintage in London.

Shoreditch 

Being the IT place for the young, cool and hip, the district has a treasure trove of second hand shops to choose from. If you’re trying to find that urban ‘London Look’, most locals would agree that Shoreditch is the area to investigate. Although there are many boutiques catering for both men and women, the selection is more often than not more abundant for women. In saying that stores like Present and Blitz have a wide range of men’s vintage that is sure to have customers get lost through the racks.

Covent Garden 

Covent Garden may seem like an obvious choice when it comes to shopping in London but with the spread of generic souvenir shops taking over the market, it can be tough to find those pockets where independent boutiques may be hiding. A thrifting man's most prized find is a leather jacket in good condition for under 100 pounds. Rokit is the place to explore. They have an incredible selection of men’s jackets in a variety of colours and styles. Their range of bomber and flight jackets are especially worth the journey. If you want to go up a notch, The Vintage Showroom has a great selection of men’s clothing from all eras but located in a basement with an appointment-only policy, you’ll need to be organised getting an opening slot there.

Camden 

While Camden Market is not what it once was, A Dandy in Aspic is a testament to the glory days of the alternative scene. And the shop lives up to the name. Oscar Wilde and his crowd would have been proud to shop here (had they done any of their own shopping of course). The walls are lined with vintage suits in every conceivable colour and pattern. Seventies stripes stand beside looks that seem best suited for a yachting outing in 1945. The casual wear is nothing to scoff at either with tons of denim jackets and printed button downs that would be perfect for summer!

Soho 

East London does get all of the hipster credit in London nowadays. However, Soho-based vintage chain, Beyond Retro goes beyond the basics of second hand shopping. Tucked away in a basement location (where all good finds seem to be these days), it doesn't attract a huge crowd which makes it all the easier to find true vintage gems. While the East London branch is packed in with clothing, the Soho branch is a little bit more organized and laid back. Since the boom in vintage shopping it is fairly easy to find 80s and 90s pieces, Beyond Retro prides itself on a great selection of pieces dating back as early as the 1920s and 30s.

Portobello 

Portobello can often be flooded with tourists making it difficult to do any serious shopping but the selection is too fun to pass up on entirely. London based designer Olivia Rubin often finds herself braving the crowds in Portobello Market because of the quality of the finds. She gave TimeOut London this helpful tip: "Arriving about 10am on a Saturday morning gives you a chance to have a proper wander before the crowds arrive. It winds down about 4-5pm, although I always prefer to go in the morning – it’s more alive!" You might want to check Decadent Vintage for their selection of overcoats. Wayward is also a safe bet for a taste of old fashioned class: they sell buttons, trim and fabrics that have since stopped being manufactured. A brand new suit in a vintage fabric perhaps? Doesn't get much more hip than that!

Article by Menswear Style

Some readers may be surprised by what constitutes a status symbol amongst modern cars. In the past, the likes of Ferrari, Porsche, and Bentley would be the kinds of vehicles in which you’d see footballers arriving at the training ground. Now it appears that there’s a taste for something meatier, in particular the Audi Q7. 

The SUV is the new status car of choice for many a footballer and it’s not hard to see why. The new type of 4x4 has the performance of a sports car combined with maximum levels of luxury and comfort. Outside of the Range Rover, there are few SUVs where this is more apparent than the muscular Audi Q7.

The new Q7 is out shortly after debuting at the Detroit Motor Show and it’s clear that performance is a major selling point. The new Q7 does 0-62mph in a startling 6.3seconds which is a sheer feat of engineering for a somewhat humble 3.0litre V6 diesel in a car with this much bulk.

The shift towards SUVs probably began with cars like the Range Rover Evoque and the Porsche Cayenne. The latter in particular showcased that there was a market for performance 4x4s. The Range Rover has been a huge success in recent years, rebranding slightly with sleek designs like the elegant Range Rover LWB and the Evoque. Whether factually correct or not, large SUVs also seem less environmentally questionable than more traditional 4x4s. 

The Audi Q7 combines power and grace and in addition, the Audi brand makes it even more desirable, particularly in celebrity circles. Real Madrid recently signed a sponsorship deal with Audi whereby each player was given a car, and whereas star names like Ronaldo naturally went for the S8, the Q7 was the car of choice for Bale, Marcelo, Modric and Casillas.

Cars like the Audi R8, the Aston Martin DB9 and the Bentley Continental will always represent glitz and glamour, but monster trucks like the Q7 can provide a raw metal platform for the occupant. The sheer weight and road presence of the Q7 demand attention in a way that most other smaller supercars will struggle. If a footballer is demanding stage presence, then a big SUV is the natural choice. 

Anyone interested in cars may have recognised this culture change in the high-end market and Audi have capitalised on the demand for sporty SUVs perfectly. If Range Rover and Porsche set the ball rolling with their stealthier versions of the 4x4 then Audi have certainly joined the playing field with the Q7.

Article by Menswear Style

There is something for everyone when it comes to horse racing and you don't have to be addicted to gambling, alcohol or tweed to enjoy its fruits. Upon my arrival on the first day of The Cheltenham Festival, my first hurdle to negotiate was knowing my way around the race-card. Which tipsters advice should I keenly follow? Do I go for a jockey based on form or for sentimental reasons? Do I bet on the horse purely because its called Thomas Crapper? As I entered the Champions restaurant I was introduced to my assigned cocktail waitress that shall we say was, carrying the top weight.

I immediately opted for an entirely new approach to gambling which I have since coined; 'The Redford Method'. Inspired by the movie Indecent Proposal where Robert Redford has Demi Moore determine his bets "for luck" in an attempt to get in her knickers. Similarly, I had my cocktail waitress pick out a winner for me, and once a nag was determined I skipped down to the Tote and placed two quid on the odds-on favourite with a promised return of 34p after tax. Bosh!

The first day of The Cheltenham Festival featured the most important hurdle race of the season, the Stan James Champion Hurdle. However it was the OLBG Mares hurdle race that caused the most drama when odds on favourite Annie Power ridden by Ruby Walsh fell at the last whilst clear of the field. I watched from the stand in stunned-disbelief as Annie Power ploughed head first into the turf. 200,000 race goers looked on in horror, the bookmakers looked on in delight, and John Inverdale looked on through rose-c*nted glasses (His words, not mine). It saved bookmakers an estimated 80 million pay-out in combined accumulators and cost me an entire two pound stake and a chance of wooing my aforementioned cocktail waitress.

For those that are looking to truly enjoy every facet of a day at the races, be sure to visit the website of the course ahead of time and see what hospitality bars are available. The Champions Walk Restaurant at Cheltenham offers the chance to watch the horses take to the stage as they approach the course on the horsewalk and, for one of them, return as a hero. Guests will be welcomed with morning coffee and a champagne reception, followed by lunch consisting of a charcuterie selection, four bowl taster menu, cheese and afternoon tea. There is a complimentary bar including house wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks.

Article by Menswear Style

Some collaborations are just destined to go viral. Unfortunately some for all the wrong reasons. Like Mick Fleetwood with Sam Fox presenting the Brit Awards in 1998. Or maybe Mick Jagger pairing up with David Bowie to make the god awful 'Dancing in the Street'. Seriously, jump on Youtube and watch that video, its the worst 3 minutes of music ever recorded (yes worse than 'Touch Me' by Sam Fox).

But when Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson reprised their Zoolander roles on the runway at the Valentino show (see video below at 14:40) during Paris Fashion Week, every circuit board on every social media outlet lit up like Lowestoft Pier (I know Lowestoft Pier isn't the most famous pier I could have gone for, nor the brightest, but it works for alliteration purposes).

Fashion pundits are calling it the best catwalk stunt in years. The actors paired up and went toe-to-toe dishing up some Blue Steel face-offs as the crowd laughed and cheered. The stunt not only served as great publicity for Valentino, but proved that there is room for vertically challenged models and models whose noses' could eclipse Mount Rushmore. 

The runway walk confirms that the sequel is definitely in the works, and a release date of 2016 has been announced. This genius piece of PR has not only brought the worlds focus to Paris Fashion Week, but has completely brain washed the public into thinking that Zoolander was one of the funniest films of all time.

Zoolander at best is a fair to middling comedy that did modest numbers at the box office. Perhaps the numbers are a reflection of the fact that the film was released just two weeks after the 911 attacks and Stiller was criticized for taking out scenes that featured the twin towers in the final edit. Regardless of what my views of the film may be, it certainly shook up the event and it was a collaboration that won't leave you mentally scarred, unlike the 1,000th listen of Dancing in the Street.

Article by Menswear Style

New fashion label Travail en Famille has become the latest addition to the British scene, with a debut range of limited edition, unisex travel bags and silk and wool scarves named Terres Inconnues. The collection stems from a desire to translate their admiration for the original travellers and pioneers of yesteryear; using as inspiration both men and women - amongst them the aviator Amelia Earhart, andcosmonaut Yuri Gagarin - they retell these stories through their intricate prints, rich in meaning, detailed with symbolic flowers, maps and portraits.

How to Enter

To celebrate the new collection, we are giving away a Banksia bag worth £260. Inspired by Captain Cook’s voyage to New Zealand, the bag is constructed from nubuck, leather and bonded canvas to make it super sturdy, and at 55x25cm fits perfectly into all airlines overhead lockers, making them ideal for city breaks, holidays or toting around town. 

To be in it to win it, simply click here and enter your details before validating your entry via Twitter. It's really that simple! We will pick a winner 16th April 4pm - good luck! 

Article by Menswear Style

You maybe in the market for a bike that will offer you more than simply getting you from A to B. Or perhaps you've just seen American Flyers with Kevin Costner and thought its time to get into competitive racing. Anyone seen American Flyers? It's got that girl from Baywatch in it, the one that didn't have breast implants but has actually aged better than both Pam Anderson and Yasmin Bleeth. Anyway I digress, here are the top 5 racing road bikes recently released for 2015.

The Trek Emonda SLR 10 H1 Racing Road Bike 2015 is unquestionably the lightest road bike on the market . The weight of this bike has blown its competitors out of the water and its largely thanks to the ultra-lightweight 700 Series OCLV carbon frame. Its closest rival, the Cannondale Super Six Evo Black Inc weighs in an almost 900g heavier. Eat my stats Cannondale! The lightest bike on the grid is perfect for guys like me that boast an extraordinary range of pelvic rotation (the likes of Elvis himself would have been proud of) and superior core stability. The Trek Emonda SLR 10 H1 has the best possible cable integration to the one-piece stem/handlebar, ensuring maximum performance on the road.

The Specialized S-Works Venge DA Racing Road Bike 2015 goes like sh*t off a shovel using the latest of science, testing, aerodynamic tweaking and design. This Venge will flatten your rivals over the flats, roll over them over rollers, and spank them in the sprints. The Venge will save you 45 seconds over 40 km compared to a Tarmac. Eat my stats Tarmac! All factors of the Venge Dura-Ace provide you with a light and stiff aerodynamic performance. The S-Works Turbo tyres corners likes its on rails thanks to the superior cornering traction. The Specialized S-Works Venge DA Racing Road Bike 2015 brings you a stiff and light construction with ultimate speed performance you might believe.

The Cannondale Super Six Evo Black Inc Racing Road Bike 2015 has been designed to be the lightest, stiffest road bike on god's green earth. The BallisTec Nano carbon frame and fork combination is at the vanguard of carbon technology; combining the BallisTec Hi-Mod structure with a Nano-particle-infused resin creating a supporting matrix within the structure. This bike has more technology than Hawking's wheelchair. Both the BallisTec Nano frame and fork on this racing road bike feature SPEED SAVE vibration damping technology to reduce fatigue and increase the comfort of your rides. The Cannondale Super Six Evo is an ultra-light, race-focused bike which has been engineered to get you on that podium, spraying champers over the baying crowds and grid girls below.

The Cervelo R5 Dura Ace Di2 Racing Road Bike 2015 introduces the Rca's frame to the R-series line-up. This little number strikes the perfect balance between weight and stiffness to keep you pushing through every section of the course. It offers remarkable aero-dynamic performance at a low weight, combining with the Carbon Dropouts and the All-Carbon Tapered R5 fork to ensure the Racing Road Bike won't fold beneath you like a clowns car. The Continental Grand Prix 180 tpi 700x25c tyres produce fantastic off the line acceleration without having to compromise on high-speed stability. If like me, you feel you could easily shave a couple of seconds off your lap times had you not been farting around with the gears, then the Shimano Dura Ace Di2 drivetrain offers the pinnacle in road shifting, allowing you to focus more on the climb or sprint ahead.

The Wilier Zero 7 Dura Ace Racing Road Bike 2015 has SEI technology incorporated into the carbon 60 ton frame. The Wilier Road Bike absorbs vibrations and impacts like no other. With this increased level of versatility it allows for the frame material and design to focus on producing the perfect balance of stiffness, comfort and responsiveness at a minimal weight. The entire gear range shifts quicker than copies of Mark Cavendish's girlfriends swimwear calendar (Seriously check out Mark Cavendish's girlfriend). Mavic Ksyrium SLR wheels come equipped with Mavic tyres for high-speed stability and low-rolling resistance for an extra boost to acceleration. It's a beast of a bike.

Article by Menswear Style

The Great British Weather can be a wonderfully mercurial thing. Just ask Donald Trump when he visited Scotland in a bid to buy up some land for his luxury Scottish golf resort. His delicate wispy-combover was under constant attack from the merciless offshore winds. The House of Bruar prides itself on perfectly-crafted men’s country clothing, and believe their Scottish knitwear is all you need to take-on the unpredictable Great British weather.

For a bit of extra warmth on those breezy days check out this Mens Shooting Waistcoat. Just when you think you couldn't look any sexier carrying a gun; this fantastic waistcoat in Harris Tweed looks great with the rest of The House of Bruar's Shetland knitwear. It comes equipped with large patch pockets to store those banana clips, and a single back vent with a stand collar. Fully lined.

All of The House of Bruar country clothing is finely crafted to the masculine form and flatters any shape. Take this quality cashmere, low 'V' neck button down cardigan. Its surprisingly lightweight and so cosy, you'd want to take a nap the minute you slip it on. With two traditional low placed pockets this piece is a great fitting and classic too. Professionally dry clean, do not wring, do not let your crazy girlfriend tumble-dry it as a revenge tactic for not noticing her new haircut.

Check out these Men's Harris Tweed breeks. As Tom Cruise once said, "I feel the need, the need for tweed" (That's right baby, that's why I get the big bucks). They're cut with buckle fastening at the calf, side pockets and one hip pocket. Made from pure wool, they will go well with a Merino V Cardigan, a Tweed Bond Cap, and a tumbler filled with scotch.

It's no wonder that people wax-lyrical about this Chelsea Wax Jacket. Made in the UK using traditional British Millerain antique waxed cotton cloth, this jacket is built to last, as waterproof as waxed cotton can be, ensuring that when the heavens open, you'll stay dryer than a popcorn fart. With a checked lining, zip and stud fastening, patch pockets, storm flap, cuff tab, side studded vents and a drawstring bottom. 

The House of Bruar have carefully developed their range of men’s leather shoes to ensure that they are of the finest quality. This waxy commando shoe is styled in the classic Northampton style, made from quality leather and has impeccable hand stitching. These shoes will last a lifetime and offer you durability and comfort at Bruar’s exceptional prices. It also has the word Commandoin the title, is there any other word in the english language that exudes masculinity more?

If browse through The House of Bruar's online store you'll find a wide selection of products, from shoes to shirts and hats to hampers. You'll find this men's Chrysalis tweed shooting coat. This coat is waterproof and comes with a breathable membrane. As my Granddaddy used to say, "There's nothing worse than an un-breathable membrane." Other features include a padded lining complete with storm cuffs and collar flap. 

Finally no trip to Scotland is complete without a visit to The House of Bruar's most prestigious, independent store, conveniently situated on the A9, nine miles north of Pitlochry. There you'll be able to CHECK out this Barbour Scotland Check 1 shirt. Made from 100% cotton this smart shirt has a delicate check design. A classic shirt perfect for any occasion.

Article by Menswear Style