MANSNAPS

MANSNAPS.COM IS NOW LIVE!

2012-04-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

Please bookmark our new home www.mansnaps.com!

MANSNAPS FROM THE BEGINNING

2012-04-20T08:51:00.001-07:00

The wait is almost over! Yes, Mansnaps.com is exactly one week anyway! On April 27th, the blog as you currently know it will no longer exist and it's place will be a new jazzy website for you to look at!

Mansnaps has come a long way since I started the blog back in late September and I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported. I hope you all continue to follow at our new address!

Here is Mansnaps from the beginning...

I nervously launched Mansnaps at the end of September under the disguise of a title, Man Snaps. The title came about as I sat at home one Saturday afternoon, wanting to write about menswear on the high st. I did a bit of research and looked at other men's blogs and the titles of some of them were so long winded that by the time I'd looked at a couple, I couldn't remember the name of the first one. From that I knew that mine had to have a short name which was easy to remember, it had to make reference to the gender and also to what it was about. I eventually came up with Man (gender) and Snaps (pictures).

In October as the blog's following began to build I decided to display a picture, still with caution. The fashion world can be so brutal and I wasn't ready to face criticism over how I looked as I was finding my feet with my writing style and the format of the blog. Luckily for me, people responded well. Despite my eyes being covered by the web address it became far more relatable to followers than the title they had been looking at previously.

In November I made a brave decision and decided to reveal my identity to followers. The positive feedback from people gave me the confidence to unmask and be proud of the increasing number of followers Man Snaps was receiving.

In December, I started thinking about the future of Man Snaps and where I wanted it to go. With that came an updated visual of me and the inclusion of the strap line "a fashion blog for the everyman" and Man Snaps became "Mansnaps". Slight but important changes. The strap line brought the focus to new followers who didn't know what Man Snaps was and removing the space in the title gave the blog a more definite sounding title.

This is the current image, featured on Mansnaps.com. But for me this is more than just an updated image it's a huge achievement. When I met with the web designer back in January to discuss the future of the blog and where I wanted it to go, I never expected to get to this point so quickly. I'm so proud of the new website and I can't wait for you all to see it on the 27th!

Aon! Black

2012-04-14T14:26:00.001-07:00

By Owen Moss-Proctor
Everyone has a dark side.
No matter how we may try and hide it we still know it's there.
I invite you to show your dark side and follow the lead of Aon! Black for their autumn/winter collection…

‘Dark Dark Dark’

The collection is urbanized by light gothic styling, dark colours and an appetising black sense of style.

The brand was established in 2004, following in the roots of the brands predecessor, Army of No. Since then Aon! Black has not lost its military mantra and dedication to urban fashion and street wear. Apart from unique prints and styling, Aon! Black's garments are noticed due to their high sense of quality; each piece from the collection is charily crafted and a limited edition.

For this collection, Aon! Black continue to thrive in the world of street wear. Using their knowledge of gothic taste, they use a slightly darker more macabre edge to create innovative and clear pieces. Their 10 prominent graphic prints are available in vintage black & reversible black/white.

The brand also pride themselves on exclusivity. There are only 150 of each design, made to sell across the globe in the finest stores. Each individual t-shirt is given a number, to treasure that individuality.

So follow Aon! Black and myself, as we invite you to take a walk on the darker side of fashion by wearing ‘Dark Dark Dark’.

Visit Aon! Black at www.aonblack.com

Follow Owen's blog www.mossproctor.bogspot.com.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

2012-04-13T06:02:00.001-07:00

Mansnaps.com is just TWO weeks away from launch so make sure you keep in the loop with all the latest information by following us on Facebook!

This weeks top three picks from the high st embrace the current print trend.

This African print t-shirt is perfect for the Global Traveller look. It's an easy print to wear with jeans or chinos as well as chino shorts. If you're brave then mix with printed shorts. Check out Mansnaps contributor Owen Moss-Proctor editorial post for ideas!

Forever 21 offer affordable fashion had this vest is a prime example. The colour block print is a versatile piece, it will look great with shorts on the beach or layered under a shirt. Also the dark colour way will make it transitional through autumn as a layering piece.

I am in love with these paisley print shorts! If you're looking for something a little bit different this summer then these are perfect. Reasonably priced and a great style, these shorts will work well for print blocking or with a plain t-shirt or vest.

NEW MARK THOMAS TAYLOR LOOKBOOK

2012-04-12T11:20:00.001-07:00

Those of you who have been following the blog for some time will know that I'm a big fan of new menswear label Mark Thomas Taylor London. I'm so excited to see where the label goes next but in the meantime, check out the new lookbook!

Which pieces are you loving? I need that horse bracelet in my life!

WWW.MARKTHOMASTAYLOR.COM

TOPMAN - SUMMER SUITS

2012-04-11T15:13:00.001-07:00

Topman have recently launched their new Summer Suits collection and it's looking hot! The summer brights make a great change to the autumnal colour palette we're used to seeing with formalwear. Coral, teal, gold and blue make up the collection and look so good alongside the current 90's revival on the high st.

Whilst bright colours are the key pieces to the collection, Topman are still offering a classic black and grey option for those of you who are not quite ready to step back into the 90's.

Which colour will you go for?

WOVEN FOOTWEAR

2012-04-08T07:04:00.001-07:00

A couple of months ago I posted about the spring/summer footwear trends to look out for on the high st and one of the key fabric options for fringe detailed shoes, featured on the catwalk was woven leather. Burberry used the style heavily in their S/S12 catwalk show.

This look has now become a trend of it's own with numerous retailers adopting the 1970's inspired style and working it onto loafers, espadrilles, sandals and formal footwear options.

To get the1970s inspired look go for a woven shoe in tan. This colour will go with the current Aztec trend and the global traveller look.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

2012-04-07T09:50:00.001-07:00

It's not long now until the new Mansnaps website launches, so be sure to follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news and info on the launch!

This weeks picks of the week, come courtesy of All Saints! It's not often that I dedicate all three picks of the week from one retailer but I think this is very deserved. I was pleasantly surprised to discover colour, lots of colour, when I visited their store recently! All Saints is now so well known for being home to grey, beige and black that I was overwhelmed by their current collection. Pastel colours, light wash denims and cool prints are very much the order of the day. Don't get me wrong, All Saints style is still rugged and industrial but it's now available in a summer friendly colour palette.

First up is this colourful tourist print t-shirt. Whilst it isn't the same tourist prints you'll see in Topman or River Island, All Saints have adapted the trend without compromising their brand identity. I think the colours are really fresh and current and the beauty of not having a New York skyscraper print is that this t-shirt will be able to live past the current trend.

If you didn't know already, printed short sleeve shirts are EVERYWHERE. Aztec, Hawaiian, 80's and everything in between can be seen printed onto short sleeve shirts across the high st right now. Again, All Saints have adapted the trend to fit their own style and the end result is something quirky and easy to wear.

I originally featured this jacket in a post about denim jackets a few weeks ago. Now that their spring/summer collection is in full bloom in store, I'm loving this jacket even more. It's a great fit and although the £95 price tag might seem steep compared to some of the alternatives on the high st, the quality is worth every penny!

TAXONOMY AT TOPMAN

2012-04-05T09:34:00.001-07:00

Topman have the best turn around of fashion trends of any other men's retailer at the moment. They manage to quickly translate catwalk trends and either sell them through their own brand(s) or sign up new labels for capsule collections.

Whilst some new labels have a great premise or niche, often I'm disappointed by the final collection. Thankfully, Taxonomy's first collection has left me wanting more. Made up of six printed t-shirts, the collection has a classic, vintage feel creating Hawaiian prints that are wearable and affordable with prices just over £20 each.

I'm looking forward to seeing where the label goes next.

Here's what Topman have to say about the exciting new brand:

"A new London based brand, inspired by the big wide world. We aim to achieve better - right down the finest details; Harmoniously blending modern trends, tradtional imagery and contemporary print, to bring you a truly unique premium garment that we know you’ll love! Say aloha to classic surfer style this season with our traditional tropical prints - Cool yet casual."

UNION JACK PRINTS

2012-04-04T15:29:00.001-07:00

Rule Britannia!
The upcoming Queen's Jubilee and Olympics have resulted in a surge of patriotism across the high st. Union Jack prints are on literally everything, from t-shirts and vests to plates and bunting.

In recent years, the Union Jack print has been more commonly associated with British "Chav" culture which for the style conscious male, isn't the ideal advert. The time has come however to wipe the slate clean and where your blue, white and red with as much enthusiasm as the stars and stripes we see, season upon season in our stores.

As we start to build bridges with the Union Jack print there must be a degree of caution with your outfit choice, the last thing you want is to be branded a "Chav". So, it should go without saying that unless you are part of Team GB in the Olympics, avoid wearing sportswear with your Union Jack print. Certainly take inspiration from the Olympics but aim for a more "sports luxe" look mixing chinos, shorts with hoodies rather than jogging bottoms.

STREET STYLE - OWEN

2012-04-02T00:00:00.001-07:00

Look who it is! It's Mansnaps contributor, Owen Moss-Proctor! Owen has taken inspiration from the 90's with this look and says "I think it's my favourite era at the moment". I'm loving the white socks and chinos combination!

You can follow Owen on Twitter @mossproctor or on his blog MossProctor.

Owen is wearing:
Jacket: H&M
T-Shirt: American Apparel
Shirt: Vintage
Chinos: Topman
Socks: Umbro
Boots: Topman

PICKS OF THE WEEK

2012-03-30T04:14:00.001-07:00

Prints are big news right now. Whilst printed trousers and shorts are harder to pull off for the everyman, prints are accessible to every man.

With this in mind, this weeks top three items from the high st offer three very different printed tops.

Reverse prints are a big look right now and work particularly well with Aztec and Hawaiian prints. By printing on the inside of the item it creates a washed out look which is perfect for those of you not bold enough to wear the trends. This reverse print Aztec vest from Burton is ideal for spring/summer as it can be worn under shirts or on its own on the beach.

Bold, graphic prints are only for the brave. I love this longline banana print t-shirt from Horace at ASOS. It's really quirky and is certainly different to any other print I've seen on the high st.

Every time I see gold, turquoise and blue together on a print I immediately think of Versace and this beauty from Zara is no different. I love the vintage look to the print, I think it's a great 'every day' t-shirt. It's something than you can throw on with jeans, chinos or shorts for an instant style boost.

STREET STYLE - JAMIE FROM CARDIFF

2012-03-28T22:45:00.001-07:00

Name: Jamie
Spotted: Cardiff
Style: Loving the bright yellow shorts mixed with the shirt and bowtie!

Wearing: Shorts and cardigan from H&M, shirt, bowtie and belt from topman. Shoes from Vans

You can follow Jamie on Twitter @Jamie_daniel.

Get his look using these shorts from H&M.

Submit your street style pictures to mansnaps@live.co.uk.

CHESS LONDON LAUNCH

2012-03-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

By Adam Bennett

So I was lucky enough to get an invite to the launch of Chess London’s first collection at Home House, in London’s Portman Square last week. Glass of Moet – check. Stylish Crowd – Check. Good Venue – check. Cool – ish “miniature” food. Check.

You get the idea.

I took along a friend of mine called David who is a fantastic web designer and works a lot with the Premiership. He always dresses nicely, better than me anyway, so I thought I’d take along someone who would be seen as a Chess London client and get his take on it.

Our first impression of the clothing was good – it’s approachable, wearable, every-day sort of clothing. Classic lines, earthy colour pallete made up of what most of us wear on a daily basis – navy, white, grey and taupe. If I’m completely honest upon first impressions, it didn’t blow me away. Only when I got up close, felt the products and seen the detailing did it strike me what a cool brand this is! Then I was sold.

It looks normal but it’s not, so if you’re one for shouting about labels then it’s probably not for you. If you’re someone who enjoys comfort and quality-feeling fabrics then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t invest in a few pieces. It’s endorsed by numerous athletes and footballers (I'll try not to hang around this point too much as I’m sure that actually detracts from the want to wear it – I'm sure none of us want to dress like the average premiership footballer). Whilst these are handsome men, fashion-wise I'm not so sure.

I had a catch up with the designer of the collection, Ali who blew me away with his striking hair and gentle manner.

Ali explained that there had been a gap in the market for good fitting clothes of great quality and infinite comfort. Ali himself is athletic and so kept this in mind when designing the collection. He wanted to create something with a classic British look that wasn’t a replica of something else. He breaks it down into three aspects – quality, feel and appeal. He likes to think of Chess as sitting between bespoke and high street (every piece has a limited run and the website is going to be introducing new pieces throughout the year). Each piece can be seen as an investment due to the quality and the fact that it’s limited but it’s still affordable. For instamce, the buttons are all hand-stitched showcasing the effort they have put into getting as much quality into the brand as possible, I’ve labelled it semi-bespoke.

Aside from feeling like I’d stepped into a premiership Club Lounge, I really think that we could be seeing Chess London as a real staple-factor of the fashion conscious male’s wardrobe, alongside the likes of Uniqlo, COS, Hilfiger and Ralph. I personally, however wouldn’t mind seeing something a bit more daring in the coming collections.

To shop the full collection visit www.chesslondon.com.

Follow Adam on Twitter @benedict_adam

IT'S NICE THAT / HAWAIIAN SHIRTS

2012-03-24T01:35:00.001-07:00

ASOS latest collaboration with cult magazine It's Nice That features five contrasting print shirts.

Five hand picked artists - Jonathan Zawada, Michael Willis, Mike Perry, Mario Hugo and Hisham Bharoocha have all been asked to design graphics for five different Hawaiian shirts for the collection titled It's Nice That / Hawaiian Shirts.

The collection is bold and gives me a real 90's Ace Ventura vibe, but in a good way. I posted about Hawaiian shirts on the high st a couple of weeks and these prints are crazy in comparison, but in a good way. I don't know if I could pull one off, but I'm definitely inspired.

For more info visit www.ASOS.com.

MYO SWIMWEAR

2012-03-23T09:37:00.001-07:00

By Owen Moss-Proctor

Many great things have come from France, many of them revolving around fashion. And here is the latest, MYO, a new luxury brand of men’s resort wear.

This is a swimwear brand with a sole purpose, to be worn and rocked at the hottest beaches and summer hotspots. With a celebrity clientele including Tinie Temper & Jamie Redknapp, this exciting brand is about to make a splash!

Attention to detail is paramount at MYO. Woven in Italy, MYO uses the most exquisite fabrics in the highest quality to ensure a look and finish of bespoke French tailoring. Taking the owner back to a time of elegance and sophistication.

In a time where money is tight, I believe it’s important to shop for quality & practicality and spending a little more to get what you require is necessary. As an affordable luxury with its classic cuts and fun prints, MYO is the staple piece to the stylish guy’s summer wardrobe.

For more information or to shop the brand, check out www.myoswimwear.com

For more on Owen's designer discoveries follow his blog Mossproctor.blogspot.co.uk

PICKS OF THE WEEK

2012-03-23T00:04:00.000-07:00

If you haven't yet bookmarked Mansnaps.com please do so, the new website is launching in the coming weeks and I want you all to be a part of it.

This weeks top three picks from the high st are getting me in the mood for a holiday. Check them out below.

I love this Stars and Stripes t-shirt from Topman! Tourist prints are still going strong on the high st, with many retailers introducing the trend into their spring/summer collections. This print is the follow on from tourist prints which is a nod to patriotism. Union Jack prints are also coming through thick and fast, with inspiration coming from the Olympics and the Queen's diamond jubilee.

The sun has certainly had his hat on this week so what great timing to discover these Pull & Bear sunglasses. Okay, so they're not Ray-Bans but at this price, who cares?! The cool leopard print arms give the sunglasses a cool edge.

Yes they are pink swim shorts. I'm not denying they're bright and confidence is a must to swagger around in them, not that I'm justifying my pick. Instead, responding to some of things that are probably going through your mind. A lot of designers used pink trousers and shorts in their S/S12 collections and for those of you who are following them, these are a great buy. I've been a fan of Republic's White Label for a while now as it offers affordable, great quality fashion options and this is no exception.

MANSNAPS.COM

2012-03-21T00:09:00.001-07:00

Earlier in the year I mentioned that Mansnaps was growing and evolving and finally I can share some of what's happening with you!

Next month, April 27th to be exact, Mansnaps is relaunching at our new home Mansnaps.com. The new website is going to be huge leap forward for Mansnaps and is hopefully going to be more user friendly for our growing audience.

With this in mind, I am looking for contributing writers to join the team to cover fashion, grooming and street style posts on a adhoc/regular basis. So if you'd like to join the next phase of Mansnaps journey, please contact me at Mansnaps@live.co.uk.

To keep up to date with all the latest news over the next few weeks, follow us on Facebook by clicking HERE!

TOPMAN LTD - COLONIAL

2012-03-18T07:28:00.001-07:00

Following on from 'Sportsday' comes Colonial, phase two of Topman Ltd's spring collection.

Colonial is a mixture of statement prints and patterns with a transitional colour palette of blues, burgundy and mustard. The collection feels like a natural move on from Sportsday with some of the key staples like the coloured shorts and peg leg trousers allowing you to mix between the two looks.

Here are some of my favourite pieces from the collection.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

2012-03-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you lot but the brighter, warmer days of the past week have got me in the mood for spring!
I'm bored of wearing layers now, bring on shorts weather!

This weeks picks are inspired by the current warmer climate and something to get you all excited for Spring! Also, they are all 'value' items for their trend so you won't break the bank updating your wardrobe.

Don't forget to keep up with all the latest news, follow us on Facebook!

I posted about Hawaiian print shirts earlier in the week and Burton have just released their take on the trend. I seen the shirts at their High Summer Press Day back in January and this beauty was my favourite! I'm so glad it's finally available to buy, and the £22 price tag means its cheaper than the competition!

I love this vintage print aqua t-shirt from H&M. It's great for wearing with shirts or chinos making it great for spring or summer! H&M have maintained affordable fashion over the past few years and it's great to see that they haven't compromised on quality prints during tough economical times.

Republic's White Label continues to go from strength to strength. Through A/W they produced a value fashion offer through shirts and chinos and these chino shorts are the perfect seasonal follow up. The colour way makes the, transitional through lots of trends and the styling is great! I've worn my White Label shirt (from their A/W collection) to death so I'm hoping for similar quality from the spring/summer collection.

THE DENIM JACKET

2012-03-14T16:42:00.001-07:00

The denim jacket is back!

A long time favourite of Kanye West, the hottest jacket for spring is making an appearance in nearly every high st store. The double denim trend has been going for a couple of years now since denim shirts came back, making denim acceptable attire for your top half. What will make denim jackets easier to wear than the denim shirt however is the popularity of the chino. Men are no longer restricted to wearing denim jeans which means that for those of you who fear looking like a Bros tribute act (look up 1980's boy bands) need not worry.

As Mr West has demonstrated through his love of this latest trend, chinos and denim jackets actually work well together.

The high st has a range of washes and styles to choose from. Dark, raw denim washes will give you the greatest flexibility of a day/night jacket but light washed denim will look amazing with chinos and chino shorts through the sunny days.

If you want a vintage jacket then check out Urban Outfitters or Topman's vintage sections as they usually have loads of denim jackets to choose from. Alternatively, scout around your local charity shops. I found a great denim jacket in one of my local charity shops for just £7!

HAWAIIAN PRINT SHIRTS

2012-03-11T01:28:00.000-08:00

There's no denying the huge increase in popularity of shirts this season, thanks largely to the current Aztec trend. I featured the new shirt trends in a post back in January and this is the follow up!

Hawaiian print shirts (or tropical print shirts) are going to be a big look this spring/summer. Designers such as James Long, Givenchy and Kenzo featured the prints on shirts, trousers, shorts and jumpers in their s/s12 collections.

The look is now starting to build on the high st and already there are a range of prints to suit everyone. Note that the majority will appear on short sleeve shirts. With prints this busy it would be difficult for every man to pull off the look in a long sleeves.

Much like the Aztec prints, you will either love this look or hate it. Personally, i love the look. Menswear is more exciting now than it has been for a while and we seem to be given options which are usually reserved for women. The nautical and Aztec trends both appeared at the same time as they did for women and Hawaiian prints seem to be following suit. So why not release the chains of those check shirts and reach for something more fun?

PICKS OF THE WEEK

2012-03-09T00:06:00.002-08:00

Firstly, if you're not following us on Facebook yet, why not? Check out our page and press like to receive all the latest updates, images and videos from Mansnaps.

Secondly, what a great week! Had a fantastic time out and about promoting the blog last weekend, introduced you to Giaroye and we had two great articles about Mad Men's iconic leading character, Don Draper.

Here are my top three picks from the high st this week.

Swimwear is now starting to build across the high st as retailers focus on the spring/summer season. These shorts from River Island are definitely giving me a Versace vibe which is possibly a response to the successful collaboration between the fashion house and H&M. They're a great statement piece for the beach and a welcomed change from Hawaiian print shorts.

I think it's fair to say that H&M's latest collaboration (this time with Marni) has really taken off! Infact the website was down for the majority of the day due to the volume of traffic to the site. By the time I got online there wasn't much left of the Marni collection. Whilst I still think the collection is great, I LOVE this jacket by H&M. It's so different to anything else out there right now.

The printed shirt trend continues with this denim beauty from All Saints. The washed denim is perfect for spring/summer and the contrasting colour is really "in" at the moment.

Draper's Grooming

2012-03-07T23:41:00.001-08:00

By Adam Bennett

I loved Stephen’s Don Draper piece so much that I wanted to back it up with a grooming feature. The classic 50’s/60’s styling isn’t going anywhere and when it comes to grooming, the lines between beard or no beard are merging! On one hand we HAVE beards – a massive trend as we saw in all their frozen glory at Westwood’s menswear show in Milan and on the other, we have the clean shaven, square jawed looks at Salvatore Ferragamo (or both at Oliver Spencer’s show!)

You can put your own twist on the facial hair trend (just steer clear of the thin tram lined beards) but it’s imperative you get the hair right for fear of looking like Joey Essex! Not that I have anything against him, I just think that informed choices of hair fashion as opposed to, clone like following of perceived “cool-factor” will help you massively.

The GOOD

The BAD

Classic men’s hairdressing is what’s required! No fading or clippered barbering is going to give you the classic Draper look. Make sure your hairdresser keeps it square up top instead of rounded, you don’t want to look like a microphone when it grows out. Keeping it square is also a good way to keep that jaw line looking more emphasised. You may need a few shape-ups allowing the top to grow before you achieve the full on Draper effect! Probably best to try and find a hairdressers as opposed to a barbers for this one although in the 50’s these gents would have gone to a barbers more modern barbering seems to have moved on from these more classic looks. Then again, I’m not a barber so feel free to correct me if you think I’m wrong! There are also mixed opinions when it comes to whether this look suits guys with thinning hair, allow your stylist to make this choice. I always judge it on a case-by-case basis but most of the time keeping the hair that bit shorter around the sides can give the appearance of slightly more on top but be careful when styling. You don’t want a comb over (perhaps adapting the style more and keeping it flatter on the top would help stop giving it that appearance!)

You may need to blow dry your hair at the beginning stage but if it’s long enough it should just take some gel and a comb. A good quality gel like Bumble & Bumble (www.uk.spacenk.com) or James Forwards, The Gatsby (www.maisondanu.co.uk) should be used as to avoid the sticky crunch of the early backstreet boys.

1. Shampoo and condition your hair.
2. Towel dry your hair to get rid of most of the water
3. Whack a 50p piece amount of gel in your hair and comb it through away from the front hairline and you’re done.

**If you want a less product – heavy look then follow steps 1-3 and then blow dry the gel into the hair and use a small amount shaping paste or finishing cream over the top to shape it – I use Bumble & Bumble Brilliantinen(www.uk.spacenk.com)

CAN WE ALL LOOK AS GOOD AS DON DRAPER?

2012-03-06T10:28:00.001-08:00

By Stephen Roberts

So finally, on the 25th March and after 525 days (not that I have been counting) Mad Men returns. I truly love this show and although I do not want to be tagged with title of “Maddict” I am totally in awe of Jon Hamm or as he is more commonly known, Don Draper. It is not his womanising ways or how well he pulls off the tortured creative genius, it is his ability to wear a suit and look amazing doing it and his return is a perfect opportunity for me to write a piece about suits.

I could now make reference to many different designer websites, for example Tom Ford and make it easy for anyone to find that perfect suit. But where is the fun in that? It can be done using the high street!

I will explore the options of suits out there and how to achieve that classic look, whether you desire it for work, a wedding, or even to just look good when you step out of the house.

One thing everyone should remember when buying a suit is that it is an investment piece. Go to different shops and scout out the best style and fit for you. You need it to fit you well and every shop is different. This goes for the shirts as well. But most of all, make sure everything matches. Buy the suit and the shirt, then match the shoes, belt and accessories to complete your perfect look.

Suits

When it comes to suits, there are only two rules I can think of: The first, keep it dark, bright suits may look trendy but they aint 'classic'. The second is a bit of a personal opinion, which is to avoid pin stripes. They belong in gangster movies and on overweight businessmen only.

I have always loved Topman suits and when I look online I could pick easily 10 suits I would love to own, but I have managed to narrow it down to two choices. The first is a dark sand ‘Taylor’ single breasted suit jacket with black contrast peak lapels, which I think contrast perfectly to make the complete fashion suit for almost any occasion. The second is a brown heritage wool suit which looks so elegant and embraces this seasons love of heritage and tweed.

Of course, you don’t have to go to Topman, there are many
other shops out there. Here is a selection of some of the best out there.

Burton is much underrated and this Lambretta slim fit grey
suit is a perfect example of why we should all be shopping there more often. I love the suit from Zara because it is a bit different. Yes, it is plain black but the double breasted styling will make you stand out instantly from all other black suits. Finally, this 3 piece suit from ASOS is an absolute bargain. Three piece suits look brilliant when worn properly and this shows how it can be done well with a reasonable price tag.

Shirts

When it comes to shirts, they should be kept simple. In my opinion either a white or very pale colour work best. No one wants to see a bright, garish coloured shirt under a suit. It is no coincidence that all the models above are wearing light colours, it is simply the best way to do it.

You also don’t need to break the bank to get a good shirt, just make sure it fits. For you skinny guys out there, yes a fitted shirt looks good but if you can’t do the top button up without cutting off your air supply it is the wrong size. Take your time to try them on and look at different brands to find the best fit for your body shape.

A good tip to make a simple shirt more stylish is to make the most of one of this season’s biggest looks, the oxford shirt. I have chosen a few from many different choices including a brilliant white oxford shirt from ASOS. The different coloured buttons means you could easily wear this shirt without a jacket and still look smart. The light blue shirt from H&M is an absolute bargain and they have this shirt in a range of colours. It isn’t a bad thing to look for a bargain shirt for every day wear and this one is perfect. The white shirt from Topman with black buttons bring a touch of class to what could be just a plain white shirt, I actually own this shirt and it looks great worn with any suit. And finally, a subtle grey tinted oxford shirt from New Look, which is another bargain!

The Final Touch

So you have a suit and you have a shirt but you need to complete your look. You can't wear a suit without the necessary accessories to go along with it. This means shoes (not usually deemed an accessory, I know), belt, tie and possibly that most brilliant of fashion statements, the pocket square.

Shoes

When it comes to shoes, it has to be either black or a dark brown. Keep it simple and again, make sure it matches your suit. Please do not wear brown shoes with a black suit, this is one of the ultimate fashion faux pas and should be avoided. Your shoes should be formal, but this does not mean they can’t be fashionable. I have suggested two shoes, one brown and one black that cover two big shoe trends, the brogue and the chukka boot.

When it comes to shoes, socks have to be mentioned too. These can divide opinion. Although, I don’t personally do it, I do not see a problem with a single coloured sock. It adds a bit of risk to your style. Note, I said single colour not multi coloured. Make sure if you do it, you don’t wear white socks. Stick to an autumnal pallet and never wear “comedic” socks. Socks should not have writing or cartoon characters on them. That said, if you want to complete your Mad Men look, then you have to keep the socks black. And make sure they are long enough, no one wants to see a flash of leg when you sit down next to them.

Belts

The belt should again match your suit in style, although in certain situations, a clash of colour can work in your favour. Brown belts do look good against some dark charcoal colours but generally I would mindful of this. There are some people who believe your belt should match your shoes, I don’t agree. If it looks good and you feel confident then wear it. But keep it plain. No one wants to see superman staring back at them from your crotch.

The two belts I have suggested cover the two colour options for me; brown and black. They are also both a complete bargain for what you get. One thing to remember when buying your belt is, you get what you pay for. It is definitely worth spending a decent amount on a belt that lasts.

Ties and Pocket Squares

Finally, this is your moment to have a bit of fun. I know most of my suggestions have been quite plain and I would've loved to suggest a pink suit with neon yellow shoes but it just does not look good. However, your tie and if you choose to have one, a pocket square is definitely a chance to inject a small amount of colour into your suit. That is not to say you have to. There is nothing wrong with keeping your outfit classic. It never fails to looks good, however if you want to add some colour here are a few suggestions.

You can see from my suggestions that there is colour, but it should be worn in small doses. There is no neon, or bright colours. Any colour used should be subtle. It is a way of showing off your personality without making it glaringly obvious you are a nutcase and again make sure there are no cartoons or singing ties anywhere near your wardrobe.

So, is it possible to look as good as Don Draper using only the high street? Of course it is, you just have to follow a few simple rules.

1. Get a plain dark coloured suit that fits you and your style well.

2. Keep the shirt white or light pastel.

3. Don’t have cartoons or bright colours on any of your accessories.

And most importantly, wear it with confidence. Like Don Draper would.