A year has past and yet again i'm dreaming of the perfect coat. With the unveiling of Ted's AW15 collection of Bombers, Peacoats, Statement Coats, and Quilted Jackets, I'm ready to give last year's winner to the local charity shop to make room for 1 or 2 of these standout outerwear pieces.

Ovid Leather Bomber Jacket 

Of course the cream of the crop of Bomber Jackets is this Ovid Leather Bomber Jacket. The distinct smooth finish and colour will announce your arrival, and the biker element will exude your maverick streak. Slip on this outerwear essential over a check shirt and textured jumper for extra insulation on chilly days.

Ossain Peacoat 

The front runner from the Peacoat range is this effortlessly dapper herringbone Ossain Peacoat. The devil is in the detail with this contemporary classic such as the printed lining, the buckle finish on the sleeves and the front hand warmer pockets. It has that mod-ish quality and can be layered flamboyantly with contrast floral pocket squares or neck ties.

Alamo Wool Overcoat 

The concession of Statement jackets are a personal favourite. In a sumptuous Dark Red, Ted's textured wool overcoat is ideal for city gents with classic countryside sensibilities. With crisp thinning lapels, nuanced printed lining, it takes no prisoners. Single-vented for added fit, branded buttons and a micro design pattern puts this overcoat in a different class.

Kirklan Quilted Jacket 

This Kirklan Quilted Jacket is the cat’s pyjamas from the Quilted concession. Probably the most practical of numbers with plenty of pockets for daytime essentials, and comes quilted for a touch of classic countryside cool. Falling on the casual side of smart, to be rocked with a good stone wash denim and maybe a hit of Ted's own cologne.

Article by Menswear Style

We’ve teamed up with Santamaria Shirtmakers to give away a £300 shirt and accessories package consisting of a Bespoke Monogrammed Shirt, Pearl and Onyx Cufflinks and Mother of Pearl Collar Stays. 

By combining the quality, heritage and tradition with online convenience, Santamaria have decided to offer their expertise and premium shirts online and are delighted to announce the launch of their new online store. The Santamaria website offers more than 350 of the finest Italian fabrics and the new bespoke shirt wizard gives you the ability to customise every aspect of your shirt from choosing different types of collars, cuffs, adding contrasts, monograms and more. Santamaria also offers many different ways to enter measurements so you can choose what is more convenient for you; enter a full set of body measurements, measure an existing shirt or amend a standard size. Santamaria also offers a tailored collection of timeless ready-to-wear shirts and stylish accessories.

All shirts are hand-cut and sewn in Santamaria’s factory in Spain; they create their bespoke shirts with the highest commitment to quality and detail aiming to provide you with unsurpassed comfort and fit – you will never want to buy off the rack again.

How to Enter 

Simply Click Here to be in the chance of winning a selection of Santamaria’s sartorial essentials such as: A Bespoke Monogrammed Shirt, tailored from the finest quality Canclini Italian fabrics, Elegant Pearl and Onyx Cufflinks and Mother of Pearl Collar Stays – worth £300. A winner will be picked out at random on Fri November 20th at 11.59pm – good luck!

Article by Menswear Style

Heritage sometimes needs to be played on and pushed forward and the best brands do this so well. Oliver Sweeney have done just that with ‘The Sweeney London’ Autumn/Winter ’15 collection. To celebrate the launch, Oliver Sweeney embarked on an ambitious project with a group of menswear influencers and premium footwear retailer SOLETRADER. They challenged the London-based influencers to go out, explore and document the capital to create a series of images that capture what it means to #LiveYourCity.

From fashion to food, from music to photography, they hand-selected a diverse range of creators that unlocked some of London’s hidden gems, under-the-radar locations and iconic scenes to present a vibrant, eclectic panorama of the city that Sweeney London calls home.

The Sweeney London range is designed with a youthful, independent spirit, blending the key aspects of premium quality and construction that make Oliver Sweeney shoes special with an aspirational, unconventional attitude. With smart styles that give you the confidence to fulfil your potential, to casual weekend styles for independent explorers - the range is all about tearing up the established rules and coming up with your own way of doing things. Wear them how ever you feel - casual or smart, to work or to a party.

My personal favourite model is the Abbot Navy Monk strap shoe, elegant featuring textured leather uppers and two metallic buckles. Blue detailing adds a playful edge while the thick rubber sole completes it - perfect for when you are suited up or for casual days with a white t-shirt and a pair of slim fit jeans. Why nor head off on an adventure in the Airton Tan boots, this is a combination of a classic boat shoe with a formal ankle boot. Metallic eyelets and slim laces create smart detailing while the textile heel tag and wood effect midsole finishes it nicely.

Article by Menswear Style

“So what was your opinion of Peugeot before today?” Asked the PR girl in the back seat. I suppose I should have had an answer chambered as I was flown business class from Gatwick to Porto to test drive the new Peugeot 308GTi at the Braga Circuit. Instead all I could hear was that chick from Berlin sing “Take My Breathe Away” as the 405 cruises next to a burning field of barley. God it gives me a twinge just thinking about it.

My mind rolodex-ed furiously through an awesome collection of stupid rebuttals. It could do without having so many vowels in the name, I thought. It's a bugger to spell and try typing the damn thing, not even predictive text wants to know (and I'm not alone, ever tried Hash-tagging Peugeot? It has 13,094 incorrect posts for #peugot, 3,865 incorrect posts for #peugeout). Do you know how many incorrect hashtags SAAB has? That's right, zero.

Whilst my jingoistic inner monologue blabbered on incoherently, time was passing. My “errrrrrrrrmmm” stalled matters some, climbing chromatically until my register was hit. I would like to say my answer was eagerly anticipated, by the PR girl and fellow lifestyle journalist John Robertson, but that would be outlandishly disingenuous. I had nothing in the tank. Not a god damn thing. 

In lieu of a decent excuse or a pithy one-liner, I came clean. “I think they're very nice.” I said. I could sense a heavy swell of disappointment fill the car like a dog-fart. I had revealed myself. That's right, I know nothing about Peugeot. I'm sorry Peugeot, my preconceptions of you are of a five out of ten mousey-blonde chick with a dumpy disposition that is stood next to a 6'2" hot twenty-something red-head with an incredible rack. You're not ugly, for me, you're just always over looked.

However, it's a clean slate and as I previously mentioned I'm driving the 308 GTi. This is their sportier version which has been tweaked by the Peugeot Sport team to deliver the performance version of its predecessor. It's like a not-so Ugly Betty has taken off her jam-jars, toned up at the gym and bought a few push-up bras. Before we hit the track I was given the “it's not a race” speech by one of the safety personnel. To which every journalist in the room gave a unified smirk, similar to that of a class of schoolboys hearing the word 'Cockfosters' on the underground. If it's not a race then why are we on a race track? Why do my balls shrink when a fellow car-journo skins me on the straight on his warm down lap? I'm a dude, I'm in a sports car on a track with other dudes, also in sports cars. Trust me as Bill Shankly once said, “Some people think getting overtaken by another car journalist is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” Or words to that effect.

In the cock-pit there is a noticeable difference that the steering wheel is more compact (351 x 329 mm) than the standard 308, giving you a clear line of sight to the instrument panel. The body-hugging bucket seats with red contrast stitching makes it feel like I'm driving in a luxury hammock. There is a SPORT button on the centre consol that switches the display colour from white to red, shows additional information on the central readout (power, torque, boost, lateral and longitudinal acceleration), enhances engine growl and changes the accelerator pedal mapping. As I press it I can't resist shouting "I'm dropping the hammer" ala Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder. My Shrieks were met with a muffled french voice through the radio "Perdon? Hammeeur?"

The 308 GTi 1.6L THP S&S engine is available in two versions—270 hp and 250 hp—with Torsen® limited-slip differential. That slip-differential came in handy, kicking-in as I aqua-planed through the toll booth in 3rd gear instead of fifth at about 80KPH (Or should I say, about 40 Knots). Peugeot has sold its sportier models to more than 800,000 satisfied customers and if I had 28,155 in my pocket instead of a 6-month condom, I'd be making that 800,001. As I slouched in Business class on the flight back, I couldn't help but feel like Travolta in Grease at the moment when Sandy turns up in her slutty biker gear. Peugeot had scrubbed up like Sandy and I was now on my knees, horny, begging for forgiveness for overlooking her all these years.

The Coupe Franche separation-line design exclusive to the Peugeot 308 GTi 270 contrasts the new, explosive Ultimate Red with Perla Nera Black. There are a total of six colourways available in the 308 GTi range: Ultimate Red, Magnetic Blue, Perla Nera Black, Artense Grey, Pearlescent White and Hurricane Grey.

Article by Menswear Style

Say the word “Tights” and you’ll think of a women’s wardrobe garment. Well the tights we’re talking about here are sports compression tights. Being comfortable and looking good are a token, but what about clothing that actually helps improve your performance and reduce your risk of injury? This is where things start to get interesting.

Medical compression has been around longer than your great-grandma but the popularity of sports compression is relatively new. How does it work? Well compression helps to improve blood circulation which in turn supplies more oxygen to working muscles, helping them to work harder for longer and recover faster. In addition to that, where can you find products which have technology that take care of temperature control and moisture management?.

Which brings us nicely onto SKINS' newest range of A400, with which you can perform at your best in any kind of weather without feeling too cold or too warm. How? Well, they've incorporated ADAPTIVE technology which in short has unique polymer that binds moisture keeping you warm and dry in cool conditions and then as your temperature increases it changes its properties to release stored moisture to keep you cool when it’s hot. To top it off, even an ex-astronaut has confirmed that SKINS compression gear improves your power, speed, stamina and recovery. For more on science check here

Not only is it hard enough to find sports compression tights that have been scientifically proven to help your body and performance, but also find a pair where you feel comfortable in and can perform in style. In today’s society, performing great is still the highest priority, but we live in a world where people want to perform great whilst looking at their best. Go find all the old videos of your childhood idols and compare them to the current professional athletes. All they cared about was their performance, not if their hair wasn’t sitting right or whether their training gear matched. Today, it’s a different story and one which SKINS have listened to well. They take both aspects seriously and that’s what makes them top of their game. To find out more about SKINS' values, technology and scientifically proven products visit them at www.skins.net.

Article by Menswear Style

Being described as a "legend" should never be taken lightly. Whether it be an actor, musician or designer, past or present, the title is generally only given to people who truly deserve it. It may be given for reasons of a huge achievement, a personal breakthrough or just maintaining a certain reputation. 'Legend', the most recent thrilling offering from director Brian Helgeland, is an adaptation of the lives of the notorious Kray twins. Alongside Hollywood actor Tom Hardy, rising star Charley Rothwell Palmer portrays the role of Leslie Holt, a croupier who supposedly had a relationship with Ronnie Kray and was known for introducing them to Aristocray. The film's key focus is the relationship between the two brothers and is packed full of violence, menace and 1960s suits.

MWS style caught up with this young new actor to talk about his challenging role, his life an as actor on the big screen and who he identifies as a 'legend'. The future looks very exciting for Charley as one of his next upcoming projects involves none other than action film legend, Arnold Swarzenegger! This stylish actor is definitely one worth keeping an eye on.

Your most recent work has seen you playing opposite Tom Hardy in Legend. How did you prepare yourself for this role after finding out you had the part? 

“Well knowing I was going to be working with the cream of the crop made my preparation slightly more precise. I had a lucky advantage early on in that my family knew my character, Leslie Holt, when he was alive. I collated stories, looked into his family; clothing, physical attributes he had and then tried to bring him back to life. It was exciting playing a real person. I felt I had to do him justice for those who really knew him.” 

How have you found it transitioning from the small screen into the big screen? Do you have a preference? 

“I feel like if your preparation matches your desire then it’s all the same. I just want to work with people I look up to, for me that is the most exciting prospect of progressing as an artist. Both the ‘small’ screen and the ‘big’ screen give you different joys. I guess on bigger budget projects things may run smoothly but you don’t always get the same togetherness that you can get on something smaller. But if I’m honest it doesn’t really matter the size of the operation, it’s who’s involved that makes it work.” 

Is the history behind the Krays something you were previously interested in before the film? 

“Not in the same way that some people maybe are. I am definitely interested in violent men. There is something very primal and natural about the fascination with trying to get the upper hand over another or even enjoying pain. I had read the John Pearson book, ‘The profession of violence’ which, of course, the film is based on and it’s a great insight into why the Krays are so notorious. I personally think it’s hard to separate truth and myth with certain memoirs, but of course these myths make for a great movie.”

What was the biggest challenge you faced in this role? 

“Leslie Holt was a bi-sexual man. But in those days it was obviously more than frowned upon, in some people’s eyes it was still illegal. But to add to this Leslie was, I felt, bi-sexual not out of preference but purely to further himself in life. He wanted to be king of the castle and if it meant taking a spanking off of the then king (Ronnie) then that was fine. ‘Needs must’ as they say. Trying to portray a gay man who wasn’t necessarily gay was testing. Hopefully I pulled it off.” 

How would you define a 'legend'? In your eyes, whom would you identify as a 'legend' in the film industry? 

“I guess a legend would have to be over a certain age or have a certain catalogue of work. Leonardo DiCaprio has played many fantastic roles from as early as the Gilbert Grape days. Actress wise, Marion Cottilard is my favourite actress but maybe not quite a legend yet. As a writer, Brian Helgeland who wrote and directed me in ‘Legend’ is himself, one of the greatest. Directors; Finchner, Scorcese, Fellini, Lynch and one of my recent favourites Wes Anderson who I desperately want to work with.”

You recently stated in an interview that Charlie Chaplin is one of your idols. Do you look to his method of acting for inspiration? Is there anyone else who inspires you in the current day film industry? 

“He is an idol for me as an auteur. Nobody was making films of his calibre, acting to his level of precision, scoring there own music for their films and even applying their own make up in those days and not many since. As an actor I can take certain aspects of him but that style of acting was specific to his era. If I’m honest I am in many ways the complete antithesis of his approach on the surface. Actors around now; Gary Oldman, De Niro, Jack Nicholson, Mattias Shoenarts, Tom Hardy, Edward Norton, Marion Cottilard, Mark Rylance, Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman, Ben Kingsley, Michael Fassbender and many, many more.” 

You are due to feature in a documentary with Arnold Schwarzenegger, can you tell us anymore about this? What is like working with such a legendary actor? 

“It’s a documentary that will cover the world of action heroes/superheroes in movies, from the days of early cinema, beginning with the likes of Douglas Fairbanks, Errol Flynn, right through to Superman Christopher Reeve, Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s era to the present day including people like Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Will Smith, and the actors in X Men. I won’t say too much about the documentary just yet but take someone like Fairbanks himself, he achieved some incredible feats in his time. I got involved and was approached as a result of my role in “Legend” through US Documentary Maker Mimi Freedman, who directed the Emmy-Nominated Steve McQueen – Essence of Cool and Brando.”

As a young rising star in the film industry, do you find time to do things a normal 23 year old would be doing in the city? 

“Luckily I have quite a malleable face so although people recognise me from time to time they never know what from. Everyone just says I’ve got ‘one of those’ faces, which suits me perfectly. So in answer to your question, yes I still do what I do. Not to sure If what I do is normal though.” 

What do you like to do on your days off? 

“People watch, write, go and see as much music as possible, spend time with my gracious Nan. I also love getting out of London whenever there’s a chance; it seems to instantly slow my breathing down to human speed and clears my thoughts.” 

In Legend there are some pretty dapper suits worn throughout the film. Would you consider yourself fashion conscious? 

“If I said no then I would be lying. I definitely have a slight obsession with coats and jackets.” 

Who are you favourite designers/brands at the moment? 

“I’d say I’m more into shops than specific brands. I went into a shop called ‘Present’ in Shoreditch recently and it has some beautiful pieces. They had a lovely brand I hadn’t heard of called William Fox, they had some of the most vibrant colourways I’ve seen in a long time. I do love a Hardy Amies suit. Oliver spencer also has some lovely bits as of late as do Hugo Boss.”

How would you describe your personal style on a daily basis? 

“The complete opposite of Kanye West. Not quite Nick Cave.” 

Acting obviously runs in the family, when did you realise you wanted to make a break into the industry for yourself? 

“I watched a series called ‘The Take’ and in particular Tom Hardy’s character ‘Freddie Jackson’ and thought “I can do that” and from there I applied to the Brit School. Although I had little confidence at that point, deep down I didn’t see any other choice.” 

What is it that you enjoy most about acting? Is it being given the opportunity to immerse yourself into a character or facing the different challenges of a role? 

“Both. If I’m scared or think I can’t play a certain part then that’s a good sign. The constant fear of failure is what drives me to be the best I can. But obviously I need the opportunity to be given the parts and in turn the fear, which is the hardest part. You can do an audition, know it went well and never hear another word; it’s a long life of rejection. But I love it.”

Article by Menswear Style

It’s that awkward time of year. Summer has come and gone in the blink of an eye and its time to pack away the swimming trunks, shorts and sunglasses for another year. It’s not quite cold enough for winter but we all know that the gloomy nights and Christmas festivities are just around the corner. In most cases, fitness is slipping off the high priority list.

As we adjust to the colder and darker days it is easy to forget that the summer body is in fact honed to perfection during the winter months. Autumn 2015 is the perfect time to start training so that by the time Summer 2016 rolls around your fitness goals are firmly in check. We take a look at four important fitness trends to make working out more fun, more effective and easy to incorporate into your lifestyle this season.

1. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) 

HIIT has gained a mass following this year and is the perfect way to warm you up during the winter! It is fast-paced and packed with variety meaning that you are constantly challenged and engaged during your sessions. This is the exercise of choice if you are after a ripped torso and muscle definition. Short bursts of high intensity training are followed by quick low intensity breaks where you slow down to a light jog or walk. It may be tough to start, but it’s quick. Long gone are the days of running at a medium pace on the treadmill for hours on end! With HIIT, you can achieve your fitness fix in under half an hour.

2. Recovery workouts 

These are proving to be as important to your progress as the workout itself, and rightly so! Your rest days and recovery periods are absolutely crucial in allowing your muscles to rest and strengthen, ready for your next workout. Skipping proper recovery can lead to injury and extended periods of soreness and pain. You may have noticed some strange looking equipment including foam rollers and massage balls in gyms and fitness stores. The truth is that these recovery tools have been used by serious athletes for years but they are only entering the mainstream now due to higher intensity workouts such as HIIT training leaving individuals much more sore and in need of recovery tools. Some more examples of ways to recover from your workouts can be found here.

3. Train with an expert 

If you have a very specific training goal, then it may be time to up the ante and employ the help of a personal trainer. Rather than spending money on unutilised gym memberships, receive a fitness education with focused one-hour sessions either at your gym or with a mobile personal trainer who can come to you. As cold evenings draw near, there is no better time to train from home or at your office to increase your chances of always getting a workout in.

4. Good fats 

Common sense prevails when it comes to nutrition also this season with good fats back in favour with fitness enthusiasts. Fat is no longer demonised by the fitness industry with the consumption of natural fats found in meats, nuts, oils and butter gaining positive encouragement. Sugar now faces the spotlight, as we realise low fat foods are the worst sugar culprits, causing many of us to easily exceed our recommended daily consumption levels. High fat, high protein winter comfort foods are back on the menu this season. Avoid packaged and processed foods and pay extra attention to your sugar intake if you want to get in shape this autumn and see the results!

Article by Menswear Style

Driving can be an infuriating activity. Pot holes, tailgaters, traffic jams... the list goes on. In fact it’s so rage inducing, a survey earlier this year revealed that more than 80% of UK drivers had become a victim of road rage. But which demographics are more likely to suffer from road rage? According to a 2013 study women are more likely to swear, tailgate and “flip off” their fellow drivers and 69 year-old men have been revealed as the worst offenders for road rage.

Britain was revealed as the nation with the angriest motorists according to a report released towards the end of 2014 with heavily congested roads being named as one of the main reasons. To help bring peace to our roads, Jennings Motor Group has created the Road Rage Ranker, which determines how much of a hot head you are when it comes to driving, Dale Gillespie, Digital Marketing Manager for Jennings Motor Group explains the idea behind the Road Rage Ranker:

“We all know that road rage exists but we don’t usually admit that we suffer from it, it’s always someone else’s fault! The Road Rage Ranker is designed to show you how worked up you can get whilst behind the wheel. We believe that once people see their results, they’ll realise that driving needn’t be such a stressful experience, and become safe, happier drivers for it.” 

The Road Rage Ranker works by sliding the pointer to the desired measurement of anger for each of the top ten driving habits that drive you up the wall. Your scores are then compared to polled motorists to work out your Road Rage Ranking. If you need help tackling your road rage, Jennings Motor Group has also provided its top tips for keeping calm on the road…

Use breathing tactics to keep calm– Deep, controlled breathing can help put things into perspective. 

Keep family images on your dashboard - to remind you what really matters. 

Make sure get a good night’s sleep– You’re far more like to get irritated when you’re tired. 

Don’t take it personally– Bad drivers are equally annoying to everybody. Remember that you’re not the only one! 

Keep smiling!– A friendly demeanour helps to diffuse situations and makes you feel better on the inside as well!

Article by Menswear Style

We’ve teamed up with a custom bespoke shirtmaker to offer 1 of our readers the chance to win a set of men’s shirts $1000 (£600) in value– that’ll certainly mean you won’t need to buy any new shirts for a while. An Esquire custom made shirt is quite simply the promise of better quality, better fit, and better style. A unique and premium shirt experience, Esquire Shirts Co, is the iconic American custom shirt brand, crafting limited edition shirts for the style conscious modern man. They represents a new level of style and quality, and especially an even more attainable custom made personal fit.

Every shirting product they make is crafted entirely in-house at their shirt design and production studio. It begins with their unique shirt designs - innovative and packed full of premium and fun details. They hunt the globe for cool, quality and special fabric options - Its part of their passion.

How to Enter 

To be in with a chance of winning this unmissable prize, Click Here to leave your details. A winner will be randomly picked out on Nov 20th at 11:59pm – good luck!

Article by Menswear Style

It doesn’t really seem like the fantastic feats of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics were achieved over three years ago - and now the 2016 events in Rio are growing ever closer. For maybe the first time ever in 2012 the Paralympics gained just as much attention as the main games and saw some truly stunning performances. And it’s not just in the Olympic field that sportspeople with disabilities enjoy great success - and more and more of the public’s attention. Here are brief profiles of five sports personalities who have overcome significant difficulties to achieve sporting success. 

Oz Sanchez 

An American Olympian and former marine who was paralysed following a serious motorbike crash. After his rehabilitation from the accident he took up cycling and first competed in Beijing in 2008 winning a gold and a bronze medal – a feat he repeated in London in 2012 winning a gold for the team relay and a bronze in the individual time trial.

Ben Cohen 

A key member of the English rugby union team that won the World Cup so dramatically in 2003 and over his career he scored an impressive 267 points in total. It’s a little known fact that he has a 33% hearing loss in both ears – a disability that didn’t really hinder him when he took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 where he remained in the competition until the 9th week.

Jessica Long

An American swimmer who was born with a condition called fibular hemimelia, which meant she had to have both legs amputated below the knee as a baby. But at the age of 12 she was ready to start her Paralympic career. The 2012 Paralympics were her third and she marked the achievement by taking home five gold medals, two silvers and a bronze.

Tanni Grey Thompson 

She is probably the UK’s most famous and highest profile Paralympic athlete. She was born with spina bifida and has always had to use a wheelchair. As a young athlete she started by playing wheelchair basketball but her real success came when she took up wheelchair racing, winning 16 Paralympic medals and the London Marathon six times.

Joe Swail

This professional snooker player from Northern Ireland has a severe hearing impairment but says he has used this to his advantage over a long and successful career as it helps to block out the noise of the audience and allows him to focus 100% on his game. In fact he’s enjoyed particular success at the World Championships in Sheffield where two matches are played simultaneously, and players are often distracted by the audience for the other game.

Of course some disabilities, like Cohen’s and Swail’s, can be helped by devices from places like the Hidden Hearing store and prosthetics for many other conditions are constantly advancing. Nevertheless, overcoming any handicap to become a world-beater is perhaps even more inspiring than able-bodied athletes – as we are certain to see in Rio.

Article by Menswear Style

You hear the word Detroit and you instantly think Robocop am I right? Even though the whole film was filmed in Dallas that's not the point. If you're an 80s child your brain can't help but make that lateral leap. But now Detroit has another claim to fame, a real one. Shinola is an all-American design company with studios in Detroit that tailor exclusive travel bags, handbags, totes, wallets and accessories exclusively from American-tanned leather.

Shinola have shaken up the Leather world etch a sketch by recruiting John Truex and Richard Lambertson as co-Design Directors. Truex and Lambertson first teamed up in 1998 and within two years they were recognised as the leading pioneers in precision cut leather by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and were awarded Accessories Designers of the Year. 

In 2009 the dynamic leather-clad duo joined forces with Tiffany & Co where they were assigned the task of creating a quintessentially American collection of handbags and leather accessories with global appeal. It would turn out to be their ultimate triumph and sealed their place in the Leather goods hall of fame.

Shinola aim to utilise the vast 30 year design experience of Truex (who cut his teeth in the houses of Falchi, Nine West before going on to be director of design at Calvin Klein) with Lambertson's expertise in furnishing and impeccable eye for quality-based luxury. In Shinola’s Detroit design studio, Lambertson and Truex have established an atelier with a team of local craftspeople to develop and manufacture each piece in the Shinola Leather Collection to the finest detail from exclusively American-sourced leathers.

With the brand's commitment to quality and durability, every timeless piece from their AW15 Leather Collection is destined to last a lifetime. The artisans handpicked by Truex and Lambertson have burnt calories ensuring each item is precision cut cleanly from full-grain hides that gain character with age. Much like Robocop's first directive, Shinola delivers on serving the public trust, fusing modern attitude with timeless style. And unlike Robocop, everything happens in Detroit.

Learn more about Shinola handcrafted goods by checking out their London store located at 13 Newburgh St Soho, W1F 7RS or visit the newly launched Makers Monday hub  which recognizes the growing community of makers around the world who offer well-made, thoughtful products with an emphasis on design and craft.

Article by Menswear Style

So today see's the release of Spectre. It's the moment every Bond geek has been waiting for - 2 years in fact. MWS were lucky enough to attend the Jaguar press screening at Ham Yard Hotel in Piccadilly last Friday and joined a brief Q&A with the Co-producer Andrew Noakes, Special Effects Supervisor Chris Corbould, Stunt Coordinator Gary Powell and Action Vehicles Technical Coordinator Neil Layton. Neil explained to me that the CX75 featured in the movie never made it to production, and only a handful were ever made. Yet the producers got wind of this incredible super car and insisted it be featured alongside the Aston DB10 in Spectre.

"The key to it is the suspension. In Rome this baby has got to drive on asphalt, tarmac, cobbled stones, run up vertical walls and fly 10 feet in the air and land on a concrete stairwell. It's the suspension that allows that to happen."

The film has magnificent set pieces and showcased some of the most incredible Tom Ford suits. The range from The Made-to-Measure pinstripe to the Ribbed Front Zipper is available in the Bond Capsule via the brand's website. There's that N.Peal roll neck and Crockett & Jones shoes we've already talked about and the Omega Seamaster Limited Edition watch also gets a nod - when will Bond villains learn to take the watch off Bond before tying him up? The film puts a through-line between the previous 3 films and unlike Terminator Genisys, doesn't get bogged down in exposition or plot devices. It's more exotic than Skyfall, certainly more coherent than Quantum, more cinematic than Casino Royale but perhaps not as engaging. It's too early to say just yet where it's going to sit in the pantheon of Bond films, the song certainly isn't as bad as everyone is saying, though I'm not entirely sure why we had to see a topless Danny boy in the Bond title sequence. I can only imagine Craig got himself in ridiculous shape and his first input as co-producer was to insist he got filmed with his shirt off.

In past Bond films, when 007 put a shirt on it would be specially tailored from Saville Row as he told his CIA compadre Felix Leiter in Dr No. Turnbull and Asser on Saville Row have a rich 130 year tradition of making some of the world’s finest shirts and tailored both Connery and Brosnan in the franchise. “Terence Young, the film’s director on Dr No, was a customer of Turnbull & Asser and saw our shirts as a perfect wardrobe piece for the suave character they were creating.” - Dean Gomilsek-Cole, Head of Design at Turnbull & Asser.

Christopher Waltz who plays Oberhauser, during a dark torture sequence is filmed casually wearing loafers with no socks, accentuated with some roll up charcoal chinos. It worked perfectly as a polar opposite to Bonds sophisticated look. Oberhauser clearly has no bones about dressing down, whereas even when Bond invites Moneypenny up for a swift one (drink) he's still rocking his shirt and tie, not prancing about in a pair of joggers.

As I made it out of the screening I caught eye-candy David Gandy at the lift. He asked my overall opinion and I compared it to a guy in his mid-forties with male pattern baldness having amazing sex with a 19-year old runaway stripper. It's simply too much to take in and can only be digested years later. He agreed, I think.

Article by Menswear Style

As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter - it’s time to bring out the knitwear and embrace all that winter can throw at us. You can work knitwear into both formal and informal-wear whether under a suit or with boots and jeans - here is our low down.

Roll Neck 

The stigma of the roll neck has now well and truly shifted and it’s a popular stylish knitwear choice among men of all ages. Like most knitwear this is a style that works just as well with formalwear and casualwear outfits. A chunky knit roll neck for example looks great with dark jeans and Chelsea boots. A roll neck is sophisticated so you can also swap it for your usual shirt and tie and still look smart and well-dressed in the work place. Think about colours; navy, camel and grey work well and also black dependent on the colour of your suit.

Crew Neck 

The most popular and common choice of knitwear is the crew neck. In our opinion there isn’t anything a crew neck doesn’t sit well with - it’s a staple to add to your wardrobe if you haven’t already. You can simply just throw these over a shirt and tie combo or just a t-shirt (Keep the colours simple if you want to look sleeker and smarter). Throughout the day play around with maroon, green and camel colours to add depth and texture. If teaming with a tie take note that a crew neck won’t display much of the tie and the focus is mainly on the knot.

V Neck 

Similar to the crew neck this is a basic jumper but it gives more exposure and focus on your choice of tie. With this in mind, it does work best with a tie than without - something worth noting when deciding on the look you want. Since your shirt and tie choice will be the focal point of your outfit, colour choice is important. Consider nothing too bold or bright if your shirt and tie are full of colour. Alternatively if you keep your tie and shirt fairly muted, a bold sweater can be a great way to add a pop of personality and fun to your outfit.

Shawl Collar 

Whether chunky and for your weekend wear or to wear with a shirt and tie; a shawl collar is sophisticated and a practical way to keep your neck warm all day. It’s also a smart style so it can be worn without a jacket, which makes it a great choice for the office. When it comes to colour, think about your choice of tie and shirt - keep the colours fairly neutral and muted if you want the look to remain smarter and sleeker. Worn with a flannel or oxford shirt and a knitted or woven tie gives the outfit texture and dimension. If you’re wanting to incorporate this style into casual weekend wear, choose a sweater which is chunkier, with texture in the knit to wear with dark washed jeans and boots.

Cardigan 

Cardigans are a great way to layer an outfit, not just something your grandad would wear. If worn in the right way you can look stylish. Options include Merino to lamb’s wool and they can be chunky or lightweight, longline or shawl collared. When it comes to styling, these work well over shirts (whether short or long sleeved) with jeans for a clean casual look. For office wear simply wear over a shirt and tie combo, although this can often look too casual if worn without a jacket - so maybe choose a simple lightweight cardigan colour which can be worn closed with a blazer over the top. Just remember to keep the colours and patterns minimal and sophisticated.

Article by Menswear Style

dhb is a sports clothing brand available exclusively on active lifestyle website Wiggle.co.uk. The dhb range includes a variety of cycling clothing; along with specific running and triathlon gear. This article concentrates on a few items of winter cycling clobber which we recently took for a test ride....

First up were the Roubaix bib tights from dhb's classic range. dhb state that items in this range combine subtle yet distinctive style with modern performance... we couldn't have put it much better ourselves. The tights contain very clean lines and an excellent fit compared to some of the other brands we've trialled. First things first - sizing. The size guide available on Wiggle's website is true to form. A 6'00" male of average build will be comfortable and ready to ride all day in a large.

Another pleasing aspect of the fit was the zip fastener on the stomach section of the bib tights. These fastenings have always been tricky to get right with others unzipping themselves as soon as you reach for the handlebars. The zip on these tights stayed tight shut giving you that extra confidence in the saddle. The 235g Roubaix lycra performed brilliantly - keeping us warm in the early stages of a cool and dewy winter morning, whilst being breathable as we racked up the miles and built up a sweat.

As we rubbed our hands together to generate some warmth whilst prepping our bikes for the ride, it was obvious that full finger gloves were going to be needed. Good job then that we had a pair of windproof dhb gloves to protect us from the elements. As with the bib-tights - sizing was true to form with the palm padding providing good levels of comfort throughout the ride - something that's not always been achieved with other gloves we've ridden.

The remainder of our kit was made up by items from dhb's Blok range. These garments incorporate bright colours with dhb's '+' motif, ensuring that you won't go un-noticed on the roads. As with the bib-tights tested, they're also classified as part of dhb's 'performance' range - a selection of garments designed for cycling enthusiasts to enjoy the sport all year round.

We tested a navy jersey with contrast blue and yellow sleeve tips, and a matching softshell windslam jacket. Both items incorporate fabrics that are akin to riding in cooler conditions. They're fleecy and have a soft touch to the skin but contain enough technology to wick sweat too. Size wise, they match the bib-tights - good body coverage whilst allowing for a good range of movement.

Our ride started out around 07:45am and finished up around mid-day. The weather shifted from dense fog and cool temperatures to a relatively mild autumn morning with intermittent sun. We kept both jersey and jacket on for the duration of the ride and at no point felt uncomfortably warm or sticky. dhb seem to have got the technology just right in terms of breathability and thermal performance. The fluoro yellow and blue flashes on the jacket were complimented by our fluoro yellow neck tube and arm warmers, and blue trimmed socks. Again, these items incorporate the dhb '+' motif to great effect and are definitely going to make sure you're seen.

Article by Menswear Style

This is the week to immerse yourself in all things Bond. Let Bond wash over you, invite him up to your room and allow him to unzip your dress and... you get the idea. This Wednesday take a trip to the heart of Bond for a Grub Club Exclusive, For Your Eyes Only at the Counter Vauxhall Arches just a stone’s throw across the road from MI6's HQ. Upon arrival you'll get a waiter, vertically challenged with a french accent, welcome you with a tray of Bollinger. However the manager, rakish and with three nipples, will shoot the cork off with his golden gun from across the bar before you've had the chance to shout "Goodnight? Where are you?"

Of course I jest. You will be treated to a Vauxhall Vespa Martini minus the theatrics. "I'm American, where I'm from we sip our cocktails," said Leon the manager of the venue. "So I've removed the Lillet, replaced it with cointreau and smoothed it out with some Bombay Sapphire." You will be treated to a five course dinner, starting with a Salt & Pepper Squid with Black Ink Aioli, with an additional green chilli salsa. Pedro my Portuguese waiter was most apologetic that the colour of the green chilli salsa consisting of mint, lime and jalapeno was more Tuscany Green than Vibrant Leaf. Naturally I told him he'll have to double his efforts and that I won't be tipping as a result. However the Bacon Mac and Cheese balls in breadcrumbs was as Roger himself would say "quite revealing" and a wonderful equaliser.

On to the main, my glamorous associate Ms Parker had the medium rare fillet of steak with Bearnaise sauce which was anything but 'skewered' as Danny boy would say, whilst I was presented the Pork belly with sweet potato and Boston baked beans. I also indulged in a side order of veg and avocado (Here's a little avocado trivia I picked up on the night, avocados keep your boobs from sagging apparently. If that is true they should really put that on the packaging, the sales of avocados in my village alone would double over night, and I’m talking both men and women here). On the night you'll be serenaded with all the James Bond songs, though hopefully the god awful Die Another Day Madonna song will be removed from the jukebox. I didn't see any Phuyuck on the wine list but there is a wonderful Zinfadel Californian wine which is far from scented, and worthy of even Rogers sensitive palate.

To finish you'll be treated to a poached pear, though don't forget to check the menu for other luxury dishes such as the the fried apple pie and the Asian sea bass to name but a few. All set within a beautiful 200 ft long Manhattan inspired space in Vauxhall (or Vo-Ho as its becoming known). Sales of the tickets are going fast so don't delay and be sure to check out the Christmas menus available online.

Article by Menswear Style

That every upcoming generation rejects the values of their parents, is a fact. The generations before have defined themselves through culture. Music, art, or intellectual pursuit have been their means to represent what they stand for. Rebellion is glamorous - no doubt - but for every "next" generation, the challenge has grown bigger. The 1960s was the first period of true youth rebellion. Denial of war and racism. Rise of musicians as authority. Art has turned modern and lost all of its remaining meaning. Each generation that came after has simply re-packaged this same rebellion and imitated it until the moment of Deja-vu swept away the last of excitement. Then, the internet has made things even much worse. With the instant and full access to every single piece of information, there are no sensations nor surprises. Culture has lost its ability to shock - to unify people in groups that stand for something. As a result, young people look for their rebellion in conspicuous consumption. Hipsters embrace the aesthetics of past, when pastiche and irony exhaust themselves as aesthetic forces.

There are no idols nor authorities anymore. Back in the 1960s, the girls went mad, screaming and shouting and pulling out their hair when the Beatles boys walked next to them. But even the story of a rise and fall of a rock star has been seen one too many times now. It is boring. Everything is, in fact. We have seen it all and what we have not, we will simply look up on the internet. Mad Men wouldn't earn a penny today, because there are no idols to sell. The Marlboro Man is dead, I am afraid.

With internet, everything is old news to us. We don't share passions or beliefs that would define us. Each one of us is different. Targeted marketing does not exist anymore, because there are very few common traits to target. To speak to each one of us on the individual level, brands have to replace skinny supermodels with relevant articles and useful content. Facebook instead of TV, magazines and billboards. It is a communication channel at large.

Facebook has managed one of the most successful pivots in American corporate history. In the space of two years post-IPO, the website turned into a mobile-first company, now generating full 64% of its revenue from mobile advertising. People live through small screens. They shop, read, learn and interact with the world through their smartphones. No one has time nor appetite to do random searches on the web. Google loses its status of an online gate for all of us. Instead we go directly to the source - shopping on Amazon, watching on YouTube and interacting on Facebook.

Idols are dead, so we don't buy clothes to imitate actors, singers or models. Fashion consumption has turned social instead of aspirational. Fashion brands do not have customers anymore; they have audiences. They have to lead meaningful conversation with each one of us through Facebook. Brands create Facebook pages, where people comment, interact and share their buying experiences. This enables Facebook to silently file information about us to become the ultimate tool for predictive personalised shopping. Lured by this vision, fashion brands have grown online communities on Facebook. With an annoying stoic patience, the site has let them do it, with a promise of an ad-free reach. Then, just as it became essential, the site has started charging brands for the access - it raised a paywall between them and their audience. Indeed, there is no such thing as free lunch.

Article by Menswear Style

We’ve teamed up with this fashion brand, who manufactured all of their current collections in the UK, to give away a gift voucher worth a hundred sheets to one of our lucky readers.Oscar Millennium is a quintessentially British independent menswear label that’s primary focus is minimalism and quality. With a thoughtfully curated collection of high quality everyday essentials made from unique organic and sustainable fabrics such as Bamboo, they believe they’ve created the foundations of a modern and timeless wardrobe.

Their aim is to take it back to the roots with a goal to make the best quality t-shirts available on the market. By sourcing the finest of fabrics and strictly only using high grade organic cotton they look to pursue this goal. Organic cotton is grown without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers and it is also free from genetically modified organisms. Harmful and hazardous chemicals are also prohibited in the processing of organic textiles.

How to Enter 

To be in it to win it, simply Click Here to enter your details for a chance bag this great prize. We will be picking a winner at random on Friday November the 27th – good luck everyone!

Article by Menswear Style

Instagram is a great place for men to seek style inspiration. There are tons of stylish gents who post images showing off their personal style daily. We’ve picked out 10 of our favourite sartorial chaps who’ve been inspiring us recently. 

Johannes Huebl 

This German born model never saw himself within the fashion industry but now as part of a stylish duo with his wife Olivia Palermo he is considered as one of the stylish icons of today with his everyday wear and down-to-earth appeal. Often seen in a variety of button down shirts with desert boots and a sweater, or a classic navy suit; his clothes are always well tailored which aids his stylish persona. His go to style is smart-casual and effortless - he doesn’t over-do it on the accessories and always wears a watch.

Nick Wooster

If there was a guy in his 50s who can inspire every generation of men it is Nick Wooster. His style is unique and he has trademarked his style across the globe. Particularly with the recent Wooster + Lardini collection you can see what inspires him and his personal style. Wooster is rarely seen in plain clothes, there is always a mix of patterns and textures, with patchworks or clashes of patterns. But this is what makes his style iconic - how many other men do you know that can pull off leopard skater shoes with a suit?

Matthew Zorpas

Founder of the Gentleman Blogger, Matthew has a clever way of combining the occasional street items with tailoring such as a beanie with a suit or a leather jacket and classic lace ups. He has the ability to smarten up his everyday wear and dress down his workwear, and he makes it look so effortless while doing so. Coming out at #2 of Esquire’s ‘Best dressed man’ in 2010; his style remains intact. Part of his style essentials are ties... he claims he never leaves the house without wearing one (he doesn’t believe you need an occasion to dress up).

Mariano Di Vaio

Whether he is in a suit on the streets of Milan for fashion week or spending his weekend relaxing in the Italian countryside there isn't anything this man can’t pull off. As one of the most photographed men at Pitti Uomo with a staggering 4.2m followers on Instagram he is a style icon to many young men. What makes Mariano so stylish is the way in which he wears his clothes - he wears them with confidence creating a ‘cool guy’ persona.

Khaled Nasr

When it comes to elegant style, Khaled knows how to make it work in any occasion, not just because he has great style (he does) but also that he naturally lives an elegant life. If you’re look across his Instagram account you'll see he’s not afraid to make his tailoring stand out. Despite living in the US Khaled takes his style inspiration from across the continent with an Italian flair, wide lapels, soft fabrics and relaxed shoulders.

Roberto Raro

For those who want some serious sartorial inspiration, follow the owner and founder of Italian tailoring brand Mr Raro - he knows all there is to know about real style. Roberto doesn’t follow trends or movements in fashion, his style is very unique to himself and his work, and it’s an elegance that he lives every day. Although his Instagram is predominantly based around promoting his brand, he has become the face of the brand and his clients don’t just want the clothes they want to look and live like Mr Raro. With a true Italian style in his tailoring, Roberto dresses like that of a 1950s Italian movie star on the Amalfi Coast with his equally stylish girlfriend Eleonora Sebastiani (if that isn’t inspiring enough).

Adam Gallagher

This young New Yorker sure knows how to make us jealous, not just with his wardrobe but also with his jet setting lifestyle. The style icon was awarded ‘Best Men’s Fashion Blog’ at this year’s Bloglovin awards too. Adam has a youthful American style inspired by pieces across the US but he also takes modern tailoring inspiration from Europe - in a ‘boy meets man’ style using day-to-day tailoring with trainers teamed with baseball caps and beanies. His style is relatable, cool and fresh.

Article by Menswear Style

I love sneakers. They are one of those accessories that can add such an exclusive element to your look. When it comes to finding the right pair, I have more than my fair share – but I cannot help investing in more every season. 

BERNHARD WILLHELM X CAMPER - HIMALAYA 

The German designer Bernhard Willhelm and Camper break all the rules to create a collection of different, unusual, fun-loving footwear with comfortable soles, warm leathers and colours bold enough to send anyone running. Just look at that Zigzag rubber outsole with heel reinforcement (pictured above).

JIMMY CHOO – BARCLAY 

Continuing the high top trainer trend, Barclay uses a strap detailing in place of laces. The upper is constructed in tonal materials of patent, suede and soft calf leather. It is then finished with silver buckle fastening - all made in Italy.

JORDAN AIR INCLINE 

The Jordan Air Incline sneaker delivers the plush fit and impact protection of a performance hoops shoe and the sleek design lines of a modern lifestyle favourite. Major thumbs up!

NIKE AIR MAX 90 MID WINTER 

Durability and lightweight cushioning, The Nike Air Max 90 Mid Winter trainer is made with a tough no-sew upper and large-volume Max Air cushioning for durability and impact protection. The innersleeve creates a snug fit and provides warmth in colder conditions.

ASICS GEL-LYTE III 

Introduced with the iconic split tongue, The GEL-LYTE III is a lightweight, cushioned shoe that was originally released in 1990. Get extra support from a unique density compression moulded midsole. Plus, enjoy more comfort with GEL cushioning that defines this sneaker.

REEBOK AZTEC OG 

First seen by way of Packer Shoes' celebratory, retro-inspired Instapump Fury collab - Reebok's old school Aztec is returning in OG form. Originally released back in 1979, the Aztec OG is presented in a blue nylon upper and a combination of suede and leather overlays featuring D-ring speed lacing with tonal flat laces. The shoe is sat upon a dual-density midsole and is finished with red and yellow branding to the medial and lateral side panel, plus a white leather heel panel with blue branding.

NEW BALANCE 1500 - SIZE? EXCLUSIVE 

New Balance present this size? exclusive MD1500 Deconstructed. A reengineered interpretation of the 1500, one of New Balance's most enduring and iconic classic running shoes, the MD1500 Deconstructed strips the silhouette down to its purest essence, featuring clean lines, premium materials and a lightweight REVlite midsole.

Article by Menswear Style

The new Tight Lines footwear range by Ted Baker has launched for the autumn/winter 2015 season ahead. The collection features a new innovation in rubber materials that will ensure your great outdoors adventures can be as stylish and effective as your urban city explorations.

Inspired by the simple salutation, "tight lines", which calls for good luck in angling endeavours, Ted Baker has fashioned an exquisite new collection of footwear that’s set to get the fish biting. The six styles in dark and bold colours feature rubberised leathers, water resistant suedes and the highest grade of quality rubber. Embroidered fly-fishing details, rubber soles embossed with fish, and Ted’s Deer & Trout print on the lining and sock complete the look. We picked out 2 of our favourites models to see how they hold up against a trip to the forest. As showerproof versions of classic gentlemen’s shoes, they add a refined sense of style to any alfresco activity.

BISAAN Rubberised Leather Brogues 

These brogues would look more at home in the boardroom, but since they’re rubberised they’re made for the great outdoors. We really like how they take on an understated all-black appearance with a slight burgundy colour pop in on the laces, stitching and back panel. We instantly noticed how durable they actually are – no problems against a rugged terrain. This is because Ted has layered this slick leather pair with ultra-modern rubber panels for a contemporary touch.

EPHAI Rubber Ankle Boots 

We thought these rubber ankle boots were a great Chelsea boot x Wellington boot crossover. The paisley elasticated sides bring personality and sophistication to a simple outdoors shoe. The pull tabs are not only cool in design but an essential to getting them on due to their snug and comfortable fit which also means they don’t feel clunky like other rubber outdoors boots. They’re sturdy enough to stomp across muddy fields and sophisticated enough to enter the country estate you amble upon, EPHAI offers the best of both worlds in boot form.

These are just two of our favourite models in the collection, so don’t forget to check out the Ted Baker website for the full variety of designs available in the autumn/winter 2015 ‘Tight Lines’ footwear collection - we’re sure you’ll find a sleek sartorial option for the great outdoors.

Article by Menswear Style