Monsieur Man

Season Greetings

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 15:10:00 +0000

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Make sure you celebrate the season in style!

Love Monsieur Man

Fashionable Home

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:40:00 +0000

An apology reader’s, Monsieur Man has been somewhat M.I. A, I am currently in the process of buying and moving house, it is definitely a rather stressful and busy period. However the moment I move in there, I cannot wait to put my own stamp on things. Which got me thinking…… about the relationship between fashion and interior design: There is definitely a crossover.

It is a relatively known fact that new trends in interior design often come from fashion, and that is understandable as we want to have the latest and most interesting designs from the catwalk on our sofas, walls and curtains.

‘I’ve long believed that the eye runs naturally from the catwalk to the kitchen’ Anna Wintour, Editor of US Vogue. Well if she is saying it, it must be true!

Here are a few of Monsieur Man’s favourite crossover designs; and what we will be taking inspiration from, for our downstairs theme: Greyscale.

In our eyes Versace Home, does this best! The main sources of inspiration include neoclassic, baroque and ultra-modern styles. The collection was designed for those of you with a strong taste for details and decoration. Versace Home often uses contrasting moods, mixing classic and modern, offering a variety of sophisticated hints and inspirations for very contemporary homes.

Dining Room Style

Bedrroom Style

Living Room Style

To link home ware to menswear- Tonal greys is a huge trend on the runways for winter and looked best at Hermes, where the bomber or flight jacket is given a clean crisp contemporary look for winter and updates the fuller blouson silhouettes of past seasons. Leaner in cut, this time round it has an edgier feel when worked in to white sheepskin at Hermes.

For the bedroom style detailed rich textures and fabrics are needed, this is exactly what the rich fox trim parka at Viktor & Rolf does.

The Paul Smith ensemble reflects the living room fantastically, the trousers and parka represent where they have injected a splash of colour to the wall (painting) to break up the monochrome feel, and spot the pop art graphic shirt on the living room floor.

“There are design principles that both practices share when creating furnishings in a space or an ensemble of clothing: determining a focal point, creating the silhouette, balancing proportion and details,” says Lindy Donnelly, who established her own interior design practice in 2003 outside of San Francisco, after 18 years as a fashion designer in New York.

So there you have it, research would suggest there is definitely a correlation between fashion and interior- well who wouldn’t want a fashionable home….. next step designing mine!

Happy Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 09:56:00 +0000

Join us in celebrating the first birthday of Monsieur Man!.... A year ago today Monsieur Man was born; we have had a fun filled year and travelled to different places around the globe exploring different fashion and lifestyle trends. We hope you continue following us, and look forward to the year ahead!

Transitional style....

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 18:24:00 +0000

It’s hard to come to terms with, but I always feel the August bank holiday symbolises the end of summer for us Brits! Which also means the end of the sunny weather, which leads me onto the next blog quite nicely…. Transitional fashion, from long summer nights, to yep you guess it …dark winter evenings!

As you can now see around the shops, we are entering the final phase of the mid-summer sales, meaning the majority of high street retailers will have fully switched to their autumn/winter collections by the end of August, if they haven’t already. Soon the only summer clothes you’ll find will be buried away in a dark corner complete with red tags crying out for attention.

With this in mind, Monsieur Man, is going to show you how to deal with tricky transitional season in style, along with detailing the key pieces you should have in your wardrobe.Not only is this a period of change for retailers, it’s a time when your wardrobe undergoes some pretty substantial alterations of its own.This period provides you with the opportunity to make some changes to your look. If you’ve been thinking about revamping your personal style for a while, then this is the time to do it.

Unpredictable weather in this period with huge fluctuations in temperature, humidity, heat, wind, rain etc. makes putting together all encompassing outfits extremely difficult.Tackling this issue can be a headache. It’s always so unpredictable, so the biggest key here is: layering, allowing you to strip when the sun comes out and vice versa- this just makes for a more effective and adaptable look! Good layering also allows you to get creative by trying new combinations of pieces or experimenting with your shape.

Why not try wearing one shirt under another, using your long sleeve polos as a jumper, stacking a denim jacket under your blazer, or throwing a knitted blazer on as a make-shift piece of outerwear? .

Choosing your pieces carefully is another great way to deal with the unpredictable weather and transition into autumn. For example, a fisherman jacket is a superb lightweight alternative to heavier outerwear when it comes to tackling the UK weather– wear over a simple Henley tee and you’re set.

As it gets cooler in the evenings consider knitted tops, merino wool jumpers, denim overshirts and heavier weight trousers – exactly the kind of items available on the high street now. For an example, here is a selection of new season pieces that serve exactly the purpose I’ve outlined above:

Allsaints Gotland Grandad Jumper

Reiss Astro Woolly Merino V-neck Sweater Aubergine

He By Mango Washed Cotton Sweater

Aspesi Slim-fit Lightweight Overshirt

Reiss Townsend Flannel Check Trousers Grey

On reflection let’s not be saddened by the dark winter months ahead, let’s embrace the awesome fashion that come with A/W, once you’ve invested in a few transitional pieces you will be looking sharp in comfort – whatever the weather!

Sporting Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:45:00 +0000

The invitation arrives, and yes its that time again to get all dressed up and head off to this seasons sporting events. With the glorious British summer living up to the usual expectations of unpredictability combined with essential etiquette, it can sometimes become a rather daunting affair. Well don't let that dampen your fun, because the experts at Monsieur Man have come up with a quick round up of the events and appropriate attire to wear:

Royal Ascot: June 18th- - 22nd

If you are lucky enough to be attending the world's most famous racecourse event this week, there are some essential dress codes that must be adhered to in order to conform to her Majesty's wishes.

For general admission: A shirt and tie must be worn, preferably with a suit or jacket. A smart 1-button suit in navy or charcoal, beautifully cut by Kilgour or Richard James, will look perfect with a lavender shirt.

Royal enclosure: A black or grey morning suit, including a waistcoat is essential, but don't forget the all-important top hat, which can be found at Lock & Co, St James.

Wimbledon: June 24th-7th July

It’s strawberries, cream and zero rainfall (yeah right) this year at Wimbledon, so prepare to part with your trousers for this sizzling summer event.

Debenture Lounges - Good news here you can get away with smart casual attire and gentlemen do not need to wear jacket and tie, smart shorts are acceptable.

Members' Enclosure - Jacket and tie are appropriate for members and their guests we're afraid, and maybe an umbrellas too. Opt for a pair of Tom Ford sunglasses and a pocket hanky to accessorise.

The Polo: July 28th

Viewing one of the oldest and fastest team games this summer, at Great Windsor Park's Audi Polo, requires serious smartness. The official dress code is smart casual, which means you don't need to wear a suit but definitely no jeans, trainers or sportswear.

We would suggest a sharp pair of chinos in grey, navy or a light check from Reiss that will look fabulous with a crisp white shirt. A straw hat to shade from the sun and pair of brown brogues from Paul Smith will have you looking appropriately dapper.

Father's Day Gift Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:40:00 +0000

From tongue in cheek to the sensible, Monsieur Man has got all the tips you need to get Dad smiling this Sunday!

Wine and salami gift box, £21.95
From Carluccio's

A perfect present for scoffing at home or outdoors of a sunny evening, this gift box contains a delicious Brianzolino salami, some handmade flatbread with black truffle and a great bottle of Piedmontese wine – Dolcetto D’Alba DOC – to wash it all down.

Chocolate gift box, £35
From hotelchocolat.com

Obviously, chocolate is for life, not just for Father's Day. But if you're going down the chocolatey route, this delicious selection from Hotel Chocolat includes a bottle of port, some far-too-tasty-to-resist pralines and a very posh bar of single-estate chocolate from Madagascar.

Stationery gift set, £35
From quilllondon.com

A gorgeous luxury stationery gift set containing a gold-tipped Kaweco pocket fountain pen with a set of black ink cartridges, a notepad with a brogues motif and a brown and gold geometric notebook by Brown Paper. All packaged in a black gift box tied with black ribbon, so you can have it sent directly to your dad.

Personalised Crystal Tumbler and Jack Daniels Gift Set £24.99
From buyagift.com

This drinks set is the perfect gift for any Jack Daniels lover. The gift set comprises of a miniature Jack Daniels and a cut crystal whisky tumbler. Personalise the glass with any message up to 3 lines, 20 characters per line. This lovely unique gift set comes presented in a silk lined gift box.

Tie Bar silk knit tie, £15
TheTieBar.com

In case you can't afford the posh RL style, keep Dad in check with this skinny Tie Bar staple. Whether he can tell the difference says all you need to know about the choice.

This tongue in cheek gift is perfect for any man who lacks some finesse with his manners £14.99
From buyagift.com

Designed for diners with a gigantic appetite or the dinner table etiquette of a dog, the "Man Bowl" makes a hilarious novelty gift. Perfect for mega breakfasts, piles of pasta and mountains pudding, this microwave and dishwasher safe ceramic bowl can handle any monster portion. Although it doesn't come with a knife and fork, eating hands-free is probably a step too far.

Football & Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:06:00 +0000

With so many football shockers this month…..Sir Alex and David Beckham retiring, Wigan winning the FA Cup, then being relegated a mere two days later , got me thinking about the Life and Style of the modern day footballer. Let’s see if money can really buy you style! After all footballers are not usually known for sartorial elegance and stirring clothing choices, but every now and then we come across a baller who truly kicks it in the style stakes. For example

1. David Beckham: When you think of style and football, nine times out of ten you’re going to think David Beckham. One of the most famous footballers in the world, Becks is continuously setting trends. Whether he’s doing dressed down casual, experimenting with headgear, or rocking a suit, we think it doesn’t really get much better than Becks. The man can wear the hell out of pretty much anything, but we think he looks his best relaxed and effortlessly styled. A modern family man, Beckham leads the way in current gentleman’s fashion.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo: Over the last decade, Cristiano Ronaldo has emerged as football’s new internationally acclaimed superstar. The Portuguese player has followed in the footsteps of Beckham by becoming the new model of Armani underwear and continuously pushing the boundaries of contemporary male fashion. We think Ronaldo looks best when he is wearing his designer suits: immaculate and dapper.

3. Thierry Henry : The King of Casual. What looks great on Thierry would look questionable on anyone else, and that’s part of his charm. We love his skater boy style, but he can also dress it up when it counts. Not one to stop caring with just his clothes, Henry’s detail to suave or trendy accessories is dually noted. His red kicks to match his tee– all shows that this man is a natural street-style gentleman.

Best dressed Male at TV Bafta's

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:51:00 +0000

Last night on our screens saw television's leading men turn out on London's South Bank, for the TV Bafta awards, 2013. Take a look at our top five best-dressed men on the red carpet…

In first place comes : Jamie Redknapp, in this amazingly fitted Thom Sweeney three-piece tux, nothing to say other than perfection!

In second place reluctantly to say, because I’m not a fan of his, on Made in Chelsea. But Spencer Matthews, actually has a knack for style, and this blue sheen lapelled tux, is a winner in the evening wear realms.

In third place comes: Our host for the night, Graham Norton! Love the subtle pattern on his jacket.

In fourth place was the dashing Matt Johnson, he looks effortlessly styled in this suit, and nice to see that not everyone was wearing a bow tie.

Finally but by no means least was Dermot O’Leary. He was sporting a well-cut Rake Lounge suit, Emmett shirt, Spencer Hart bow tie and Mr Hare shoes- we love Mr Hare shoes!

Met Gala 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:27:00 +0000

Last night all the celebs were dressed to impressed at the 2013 Met Gala, in my eyes it may have been one the swankiest yet. The annual fête, which formally kicks off the Metropolitan Museum of Art's yearly Costume Institute exhibit, always brings in an array of style stars, from models to designers to Hollywood's A-list.

This year’s theme was ‘Punk: Chaos to couture’, so we were expecting to see plenty of studding, black leather and perhaps a few mohawks. The women certainly had this down to a tee, Sienna Millar and Cara D but to mention a few- rocked the stud/punk look. The men however, by the by were less extravert, nevertheless I have found a small selection of outfits from the guys that definitely didn’t disappoint.

Tom Brady looked showstopping in this light blue ultra sheen jacket and bow tie. Definitely not one to shy away from the crowd.

Gavin Rossdale, made a punk statment in this tartan from head-toe. Very ballsy!

Stella's hubby, definitely didn't shy away with this amazing leopard print jacket, don't think I've seen a more flamboyant jacket choice for a while. Absolutely love!

Grooming for the sun

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:47:00 +0000

After months of Vitamin D deprivation, It’s great that summer is nearly upon us! But the down side to this is unfortunately somewhere between hitting the beach and basking in the sun; the heat begins to slowly take its toll. To rescue your skin from the elements and keep you from getting all hot and bothered this summer, we suggest the following male summer grooming regime:

Shave: Shaving dries out your skin, especially in the sun, so try No 7 Post shave recovery balm SPF 15, £8

Moisturise: SPF is a must, and we like Korres for Men. An intensive, non-oily anti-ageing cream that offers immediate hydration whilst gradually smoothing fine lines. The high sun protection factor (SPF 15) helps prevent photo-ageing, £21.95

Exfoliate: If you do suffer from sunburn, an exfoliating scrub will wash away any impurities and flaky skin. We recommend Nivea for Men- Exfoliating face scrub, £4.59

Hair: By using a shampoo that contains UV filters, you can protect your locks from the drying sun. Try L'Oréal Paris Elvive Colour Protect Shampoo, £2.99

Sunscreen: Men account for 53% of skin cancer cases, with that in mind, make sure you always wear sun cream whilst out and about in the sun. Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Spray SPF20. Innovative, transparent, non-greasy spray that can be used at any angle, £7.24

The Great Gatsby

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:08:00 +0000

The Great Gatsby film is an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel co-written and directed by Baz Luhrmann, featuring stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, and Isla Fisher. It follows the life and times of millionaire Jay Gatsby in the height of the Roaring Twenties.From a style perceptive Monsieur Man has been following the trailers for The Great Gatsby film, (May 16th 2013 release), and we have already spotted some dapper outfits, although the best descriptive words to reflect the outfits as well as their opulent lifestyle has to be ostentatious and flamboyant.

Brooks Brothers, the all-American label known for its preppy polo’s, teamed up with two-time Oscar-winning costume designer Catherine Martin to create the 1920s wardrobe of movie's leading men: Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway and Leonardo di Caprio as Jay Gatsby. Brooks Brothers receives several mentions in the classic novel by Fitzgerald as the ultimate representation of gentleman’s purveyor of fine clothing to the American man of distinction; therefore they were the only choice! Let’s face it, movies can’t be a ‘fashion’ films if there is not a clothing line attached to it. Yesterday saw the launch of Brooks Brothers' limited edition Gatsby Collection at the brand's Regent Street flagship, with windows featuring costumes from the movie. “The Great Gatsby” collection, which includes suits, shirts, ties, waistcoats and formalwear, is an interpretation of the film’s looks rather than a stitch-for-stitch reproduction. After all, no man in the 21st century wants to waltz around town in what is little more than razzle dazzle fancy dress, the collection has therefore been created into a wearable 2013 perfect summer trend based look.

With the executive producer being none other than Jay-Z and his beautiful wife Beyoncé covering Amy Winehouse’s classic 'Back to Black' track, the film is bound to have great panache as well as an outstanding sound track and of course exquisite style!

We can’t wait to watch this Baz Luhmann’s epic remake!

A new concept in eyewear

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:25:00 +0000

Warby Parker was founded with a rebellious spirit and a lofty objective: to create boutique-quality, classically crafted eyewear at a revolutionary price point, while leading the way for socially conscious businesses. They have partenered with non-profit organisation Vision Springs, to ensure that for every pair sold, a pair is distrusted to someone in need. With their business mantra being: We all have the right to see. They really do stay true to this mission statement.

So with warmer climates around the corner (hopefully) Monsieur Man wanted to share with you, Warby Parker new and exciting 2013 Summer collection.

The inspiration behind this collection, stemmed from a vision of mid-century bohemia and weekend long house parties. Thus resulting is a plethora of different designed frames, all of which encompass an arty twist and of course are easy to wear, Ideal for long summer’s days and nights.

The summer collection is broken down into a number of different product lines, all using retro 21^st century boy names as product codes: Which ones are your favs?

WATTS

An oversized, rounded eyeframe lends the Watts a charmingly learned look. Slim temple arms and a keyhole bridge add a dose of midcentury cool.

BAXTER

Baxter keeps it simple. With a smooth out edges of an angular frame, added signature Warby Parker plaques, and slimmed down the temple arms to make a frame for all seasons.

BOYD

A medium-sized pair with sloping, ultra-flattering lines, the Boyd is a pair of frames with nice flow.

ARTHUR

The Arthur frame’s bold browline, keyhole bridge, and slim temple arms ensure that no encounter leaves you unnoticed.

NORTHCOTE

Slightly oversized but still subdued, the Northcote is angular and effortless. Mostly work, a little play.

THEO

You don’t always want to make a big statement. Theo’s slim temple arms and lean, mean shape create a basic look—perfect for getting back to brass tacks.

AINSWORTH

Have to be my favourite pair: Elderberry, purple frames with green arms, they remind me of ribenna, and will be a great accessory add on to your summer outfit.

To view more of their other collections, check out their these links eyeglasses and ‪sunglasses.

Body Art

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Tattoos, traditionally reserved to social outcasts, bikers, runaways, criminal gangs and sailors, they adopted this ancient art form as an important facet of their cultural identity. However, in this day and age, tats have made a breakthrough into the mainstream, and are seen a trend. Men and Women around the world use their bodies as a canvas for a particular style of body art.

So today, we thought we’d talk about tattoos in men's fashion.

Since the sailor days, tattooing has gone from strength to strength, rising through the style ranks and growing in acceptability. Tattoo parlours are popping up everywhere on the high streets, and no longer restricted to basements and alleyway. The likes of advertising and the fashion world have embraced the tattoo revolution, with poster campaigns full of inked individuals splashed across billboards. A quick look at the latest campaigns from the likes of Urban Outfitters, Zara and Topman reveals a plethora of tattooed models showing off the season’s latest trends. H&M, although has to be the most famous, were David Beckham graces the billboards with his heavily inked body. He has also made a recent appear in China, showing off his newly acquired tat!

The most shocking tattoo story that I have come across to date though is the new male cosmetic craze within Nigeria, a bizarre male beauty fad- pink lip tattoos for men. I just don’t get it!!! Apparently the concept of tattooing one's lower lip pink comes from the belief among men that it heighten one's attractiveness???

Furthermore, the rise in popularity and acceptability of tattoos does come with its downsides. By becoming increasingly mainstream, this ancient art form begins to lose its charm and the individualism.

Ozzy Osbourne summed it up really-

“If you want to be an individual, don't get a tattoo. Every bugger’s got one these days.”

So it therefore could be argued that with so many going under the needle in order to achieve an individual look, the nonconformists are becoming the conformed.

What do you think, do tattoos in today’s mainstream society, show individualism?

Less is more: maximum style, minimum effort!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 09:24:00 +0000

Staranise: Our resident men's stylist, Kemi is in the UK reporting on the hottest men's fashion styles outside the office this summer!

Albert Einstien once said that if you can’t explain something simply, you just don’t understand it well enough. This runs truth to fashion, as much as physics. Simplicity can be a difficult to grasp with menswear, but fashion should make life easier, not more complicated. This season is a good time to start keeping things simple!

Stylish simplicity demands consideration on the wearer part: considered dressing!

First of all concentrate on your staples, for instance your white poplin shirts, straight cut jeans, v neck sweaters, blazers, brogues. Basically you need to indentify the items that suit you and you feel most comfortable in. Once this is established, these form the basis of your wardrobe that delivers maximum style for minimum effort.

As you hunt for your staples, don’t forget about the current trends!For example Louis Vuitton has extended the emphasis on the nautical theme; a classic pea coat, brenton striped tops, deck/boat shoes and a fishermans jacket.

Bright neon colours is another trend to watch out for, Salvatore Ferragamo showcased this best. Other new menswear directions include sleeker lines in suiting, the Tom Ford effect, add a pocket square instead of a tie for a bit of change.

The overall key to simplicity is to establish your own style and stick to it! Just make sure you consider these four pointer before hand:

The three F’s: Fit, Function and Fabric

Buy one great piece, instead of 3 ok pieces

Play with patterns and colours

Only wear what you love!

My pick of the season has to be: Navy & Cream Striped Wool & Linen Slim Double-Breasted Jacket From Crombie- £795

Crombie jackets are expertly tailored to the same block as our suits, designed to fit you like a glove, giving a distinguished silhouette with neat shoulders, slim sleeves and shaping at the waist.
The traditional double-breasted jacket is now firmly re-established as a statement piece for the modern age. The natural lustre of the wool-linen mix, combined with the subtle thin pinstripe pattern, gives this garment and undeniably dashing English look.

Spring inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:47:00 +0000

Brighten up your week, with some Spring style suggestions....

Out With The Old, In With The New

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 08:16:00 +0000

Spring is around the corner! The flowers are blooming, the birds are serenading. Spring is a time of fresh starts, and clear outs: A wardrobe detox is an emotionally and psychical process. With outfits and clothes that you have built up over many months (or years), spending a small fortune on doubt, but there comes a day when you have to make that decision. A ruthless overhaul can give new energy to your style! As there is nothing like starting the ‘new’ with a wardrobe full of clothes you actually like, wear and need for the coming months.

I have found that the best and easiest way to tackle a clients wardrobe is to first of all empty all the clothes onto the bed separating them into three piles- Yes, No and Maybe. The no garments should be put into a bag, and ready to be sent to a suitable charity. The yes pile stays to one side, and the maybe pile is what you need to tackle. Ask yourself these simple questions:

•Have you worn this garment in the past year?
•Does it fit me now?
•Is it comfortable to wear?
•Do I look good in it? (Is it your colour and flattering to your bodyshape?)
•Do I feel good in it?
•Do I own too many of the same thing?
•Does it fit into my current lifestyle?

After this is done, you should refold and put back neatly your newly selected clothes.Not only does clearing out your wardrobe give you a huge mental lift but it also allows you to move forward in developing your own fashion style to enable you to feel more confident and self-assured.

Happy spring cleaning folks....

De-clutter your life: Spring Clean

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:46:00 +0000

Clutter depletes your energy and sabotages your efficiency, causing you to waste time despite your best intentions. If you feel like you never have time for anything and balance has gone out the window then its time to do a life inventory.

Removing the clutter involves more than a tidy up and a trip to Ikea, It also consists of ridding your life of the unnecessary components clogging it up. This includes your social, personal and professional life. Essential-ism is key here, so to move yourself on to a healthier, more liberated self, follow these little pointers:

De-clutter socially - Keeping in touch with everyone can be draining. Stop stretching yourself to the limit and learn to say no. Reduce those energy-zapping mates and focus on smaller get-togethers with the must-sees.

Clean up your environment - If your work and living space is a mess and finding the remote has become a mission, then sort it out. Arm yourself with storage solutions and purge redundant files, stop stubbing your toe on useless furniture and clear out that wardrobe. (In my business, we call this a wardrobe detox. Please stay tuned for details!)

Finally de-clutter your head - this may be a night on the tiles for some or a spot of downward dog for others. Either way, it is important to relax and wind down to clear your mind, becoming centred and balanced, all of which are necessary to succeeding in day to day life.

So now that you're de-cluttered the path is clear, the sky is your limit and you have goals to achieve.

Good Luck.

Mother & Son

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:56:00 +0000

So it’s Mother’s Day, on Sunday! The one day of the year when we finally take a moment to honor the immense and continuing sacrifices that mothers make, all around the world!

In what ways can men celebrate mothers? If you live with your mother, start with bringing her breakfast in bed , and then continue with doing all of the cooking, cleaning and household that day! For any man who has a mother in his life, whether it is his own mother, the mother of his children, or simply a mother he knows, performing those tasks is a good starting point. But there is so much more that you can do… on Sunday and every day! It turns out that what dads and kids think mums want for Mother’s Day doesn’t match up with what they actually want. Go figure! In April, 2012 found that 48% of women want a spa day for Mother’s Day, making it their top choice for a gift. 72% of men that responded to the survey said they think mums want flowers, making it their top pick. Quite the disconnect.

Here are Monsieur Man’s tips on making Mothering Sunday a great day for the mum in your life:

1. On Sunday, make sure that you are treating your own mother with respect and kindness.

2. On Sunday, make sure that you are treating the mother of your children with respect and kindness.

3. On Sunday, make your mum feel young, invigorated and excited, why not give her a reason to dress up? And take her out for the day.

4. You can be original with your gifting ideas:

- Create a photo album of old memories

- Make a tribute video

-Offer her some spa treatment

-Plan a weekend getaway for her

-Make her dinner

-Enroll her in an interesting class

-Fail safe flowers and chocolates!

Just treat your mum like the Queen of the world, she will be touched and feel extremely appreciated! (Don’t forget to extend this gesture all year round, everyday all day for ever, she is the reason after all, why you are in this world!)

Skirts you Sir

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 15:18:00 +0000

Men in skirts- really- Talk about reverse androgynous.

Skirts have become an emerging trend embraced by men, brave men might I add. Evident at London Fashion Week 2013, when JW. Anderson A/W collection, Not for girls certainly turned some heads.

And of course there is Kanye West when he donned a Givenchy skirt on his Watch the Throne tour, sorry Kanye, we really believe that skirts on men will never be mainstream- phew!

I figure it’s Beau Brummell’s fault. Still. He was an iconic gentleman in Regency England in the 1770s who is widely credited with introducing the modern man’s suit-and-tie. (Kudos to JT new song) There’s even a statue of him on Jermyn Street in London.

A man in a skirt however , is a great PR stunt as you will get instant attention, for example David Beckham’s 1998 look-at-me strategy- spotted in a sarong. Although our overall feeling towards the man skirt, is still more negative than positive. No doubt this garment requires huge **** to pull off, as it is a deliberate provocation, which also explains why it’s seen on catwalks in men’s fashion shows. To conclude the skirt is more of a shock statement in modern masculinity than a real-life clothing option!

A night at the Oscars

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:44:00 +0000

February is most definitely the busiest month on the celebs calender. With the Grammy, Brits, and Baftas recently passed, last night herald the 85th Academy award winning Oscars, to which all the A listers were on top form!

There was a clear formula for the guys this year at the Oscars, as they were all (bar baby faced Eddie Redmayne and Channing Tatum) sporting some impressive facial fuzz. It's official... the beard is back. Bringing your mum as a date to the Oscars was almost as fashionable as having a beard, as showcased by Bradley Cooper and Chris Pine. Having a girlfriend as your personal stylish was also a hot look this year, check out Jennifer Aniston ensuring Justin's bow tie was on straight!

Overall all the men show off their impeccable sense of style! We loved the sharp black tuxes that were so common in Hollywood’s hunks, including Bradley Cooper and Channing Tatum. It’s a classic look that never disappoints. Daniel Day-Lewis, has to be Monsieur Man best dressed winner- in a midnight blue tux, he proved that it's all in the detail , don’t you just love that pocket square, and black trimmed lapel?

Boys at the Brits!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:27:00 +0000

Last night herald the 33rd edition of the infamous Brit Awards! Emil Sande was definitely the woman of the hour, but who in your eyes took home the best dressed male?

James Corden?

Harry?

Frank Ocean?

JT?

Louis Smith?

Nick Grimshaw?

Or was it Robbie?

PHERES GQ style shoot!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:07:00 +0000

Last month, I assisted PHERES, on their on- location shoot in London, take a look at the fabulous images captured, guess it helped we used a lovely A&F model!

Look One- A great English heritage 3 piece suit, teamed with a divine creme cashmere coat- pure luxury!

Look two- A checked blazer with tailored matching waistcoat, teamed with a quirky bow tie, which i love! Topped with a very extravagant pocket square, and gentlemen s umbrella- this is a great after dark city look!

Look Three- Check out those elbow patches!

Look Four-A gorgeous weekend tweed look, with a hint of countryside romance- very GQ esk!

PHERES, Natalia, Matt, Brend Trend photography, Monsieur Man

All dressed up in Black and White

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:13:00 +0000

Last night herald the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards, held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The A-listers were all dressed to the nines, although some outfits were interesting!

We liked Neyo's style last night, contemporary with a suave twist. Sporting his signature fedora, teamed with a silver blazer, and a great silky black animal print shirt. (not the biggest fan of the boots)

The overall trend for the evening was most definitely black and white monochrome!

JT, just took it to another level. I have the biggest Faux Pas with men in white socks, that reason alone has deemed him to the worst dressed list.

The power couple beside him, knew how to work monochrome to its best. Go B, and Jay!!

Happy Valentine's From Emma Willis

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 12:09:00 +0000

Men, I presume you have your romantic gifts at the ready, but there is still the question, of what you are going to wear this Valentine ’s Day.

Fear not, we have just the solution, well moreover Emma Willis on Jermyn Street has. A Quintessential Luxurious English shirt maker in the heart of Mayfair, opened it’s doors in 1999, providing men with exclusive Italian and Swiss Cotton silks and linens shirts, that adhere to traditional English shirt making techniques.

So this Valentines choose from her range of Swiss cotton shirts, the Valentines day favourite is £190 ice pink shirt available in slim or classic fit.

To compliment this shirt perfectly opt for £1,500 9ct Gold acorn cufflinks handmade in London exclusively for Emma Willis.

In the collection, Emma has also included £120 merino wool shooting socks, hand woven in a Victorian sock loom in their Gloucestershire workroom. Choose from either raspberry colour or harebell this valentines.

If you are feeling especially triumphant why not try these luxurious ‘Love Heart’ Swiss cotton boxer shorts, for £50.

This exceptional valentines collection, makes for great outfit ideas for you men, and special gifts ideas for you ladies.

www.emmawillis.com

How To Style it: Scarves (For Neonpunch)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:43:00 +0000

Kemi Olaofe tells us how to wear scarves.

The Overhand/Ascot Knot

Baby its cold outside! This is the perfect time to wear a scarf. Scarves do an excellent job of protecting a man’s neck, they keep you warm, and most importantly they look good!
Scarves can add a strong element of style, especially when they introduce colour to an otherwise plain outfit. It is a good rule of thumb to keep the rest of the outfit simple so it isn’t competing with the scarf for attention.
With so many styles of scarves out there how do you know which one to buy? Well Monsieur Man breaks it down for you:

Standard (left) and Pashimina scarves (right) to add to your wardrobe

Standard Scarves

Refer to most of the scarves that men typically use every day. They are made of wool, silk or cotton, rectangular in shape and generally 60 – 70 inches long and 15 – 25 inches wide. Like this standard two tone grey and black one from H&M.

Pashmina Scarves
Can also be called Pashiman shawls. Pashmina is a type of fine cashmere wool, usually found in Nepal, Pakistan or Northern India. Pashmina scarves are generally longer when compared to other types of scarves (usually about 80 inches). They are also soft and light weight in construction. Take this dark green Loro Piana cashmere scarf with fringing; it uses the softest Italian cashmere. Wear this deep green scarf with navy or brown hues for a sophisticated colour palette.

Chunky Winter Scarf (left) and Snood (right) to save you from the cold

Chunky Winter Scarves
Chunky scarves come oversized and in thicker knits. They are often much longer and wider than your typical winter scarf. They can be wrapped multiple times around your neck and shoulders in order to create a real statement, and will quite obviously keep you very warm. Due to the knit, there is a lot of fabric choice, textures and construction techniques available. We love this understated classic design from Paul Smith, in a versatile navy blue and brown.

Snoods

A snood is a tube shaped scarf with no loose ends. There is no specific tie for snoods, all you have to do is wrap them around your neck. Visit Lovarzi, a UK leading scarf store. Order online to get yours delivered to HK.

Neatly tied Parisian (left) and Fake Knotted polkadot scarf (right)

Believe it or not there are 6 ways to tie a scarf:

1. The Drape, or The Simplest Way To Wear A Scarf
2. Overhand Knot (or Ascot)
3. The Fake Knot
4. The Once Round
5. The Twice Round
6. The “Parisian” or French or European Knot

Your scarf can be used reinforce the look you are going for (smarter knots for a more formal outfit and vice versa) or you could pick your favourite and make it a trademark of your personal style. It is this attention to detail that will help you very subtly stand out from the crowd.