Style Blog

What is it about chinos that make them such a good choice for menswear this year? With the Summer soon approaching, or at least hopefully given the weather, it’s worth thinking about the benefits of chinos, and how you can make the most of them - what trends should you focus on, and how can you best wear chinos with other items? Moreover, what are some of the things you should avoid when wearing chinos?

The style associated with chinos is generally laid back  and capable of being adapted to different occasions; the more casual chinos you can find on the high street have visible stitching, and are mostly to be worn when relaxing - they can still be paired, though, with Oxford shirts and smart blazers, as well as with printed T shirts. More high quality chinos, which can be found through brands like Officers Club, are designed to last longer, and to be suitable as work attire.

Remember, you don’t want to look too casual - part of the appeal of chinos is their versatility, and their ability to add a smart touch to most outfits - if you’re going for a more traditional look, than black and navy chinos are best, as they can fit in well with a smart suit jacket or blazer; brightly coloured chinos, by comparison, give you a lot of room to experiment with different styles, and can be paired with T shirts and most other outfits without drawing too much attention away from items.

The choice available for chino styles and colours is broad, and you can go with rust colours and mustard, or with regular fit and tan shades - chino shorts can also be worn, and are a particularly good idea for the beach. Regular and boot cut chinos can similarly be combined if you want a sharper look that’s more similar to the lines you can get with a good pair of slim fit jeans, and can be paired with smart shoes.

It’s worth, then, thinking about having a few different pairs of chinos that you can mix and match; brighter coloured chinos can be paired off with neutral shirts and boat shoes, while darker and less striking chinos are ideal for wearing with leather jackets. Try to avoid clashing colours, and always get your sizing right before settling on a pair of chinos. Striped shirts and plenty of colour can make chinos can stand out, so consider adding a few pairs to your wardrobe this Spring and Summer to see whether you can get out of the habit of wearing the same old jeans styles.

With summer approaching we can already see the weather improving and parts of the south of England have even been promised a heat wave is on its way! Phew, and we thought we were going to be stuck in the cold, miserable winter months for the rest of the year.

So, now Mr. Sunshine has peaked his head out and put his hat on isn’t it time we started to think about upgrading our wardrobe from winter to summer? We certainly think so. Throw your thick North Face coat to the back of the wardrobe and forget about it for another year, its time to think about, colours, patterns, t-shirts, dresses, shorts and anything else summer related!

Summer fashion gives us so much more choice than winter fashion does, we can experiment with colours and patterns we wouldn’t even dream of in the winter months. The high street is becoming filled with a fantastic range of summer wear which is just irresistible. Brands such as Carhartt and other streetwear brands are giving us a sporty yet stylish way to enjoy summer this year. Carhartt is available at iConsume.co.uk.

As well as Carhartt, Vans and Converse have fantastic new and bright designs for us to choose from, these shoes are the perfect choice for both men, women, boys and girls and are guaranteed to look great and feel great no matter what your outfit choice if for that day. The summer is all about having fun in the sun, so make sure you explore you colour choices and brighten up your day with a bright and colourful outfit.

With the men’s fashion market enjoying a midyear boom thanks to online sales, many retailers are taking advantage of new male focused fashion lines and showing men exactly how to style their look this summer. Trends may come and go but all top designers know that when it comes to making a statement, it’s the classic looks that will go the distance. Over the last few years the demand for stylish menswear has been increased thanks to the influence of icons such as David Beckham. Beckham’s take on classic men’s wear with a hint of modern style has led to the creation of his own menswear line for H&M, along with a horde of copycats looking to recreate the footballers look. The rise in online sales reflects the fact that shoppers and bargain hunters can now view a never ending stream of fashion updates and celebrity style spots. 68% of male shoppers now use their laptops to purchase clothing whilst a further 15% rely on their smart phones to make a purchase, ideal for those shopping on the go.

Retailers such as Frank Wright have noticed a boom in the demand for stylish menswear, with style hunters choosing to stick with classic styles in on trend colours. Menswear used to occupy a secondary space in the industry however 2013 is set to be the year where men’s fashion leaps into the forefront. Unlike women’s fashion, the male market has less disposable fashion trends, highlighting the demand for classic looks with contemporary twists.

With summer just around the corner, men’s fashion is set to become bigger than ever and we can’t wait to see what stylish looks will be coming off the catwalk and into our wardrobes.

Making the right first impression is crucial when meeting a potential employer for an interview for the first time. If you are trying to bag your dream job, it is important that you prepare yourself for the upcoming occasion so you know exactly how to approach the situation. To give yourself the best possible chance at getting the job you have always wanted, you must make sure you carry yourself correctly, have a positive attitude and are friendly and approachable.

First impressions are everything and even though we try not to, we usually judge people on their appearance before they have even spoken. Here we have put together a guide on how to dress for an interview that is sure to help you shine above the other applicants.

Outfit

Victoria Beckham’s 39^th birthday is quickly approaching which makes us eager to look back and reminisce on her sense of style from her early years in the Spice Girls and how it has transformed. It is hard to believe that the girl who was once part of the cheesiest girl band in pop is now a highly respected and successful fashion designer who styles celebrities for some of the biggest events in the world. Victoria Beckham has became a style icon in her own right over the decades, however we just can’t help but take a look at her best and worst fashion choices since she rose to fame.

1999

Opting for a coordinating ensemble of red barely-there sandals and a red leather-look bandeau dress, posh spice added a black choker to add a gothic feel to her look. Although barely-there sandals are making a comeback this summer, we don’t think we will be copying this full outfit.

With the SS13 fashion weeks out of the way we can see that a style which has become very popular in recent years, the country style looks. Many equestrian inspired and country inspired materials and designs have made it down the catwalk during the London, New York, Pairs and Milan catwalks.

What have these catwalk taught us then? What are the best country looks and how do we go about creating them? There are a few rules you should stick to when going for the classic country style look. Firstly keep to a soft, neutral colour palette propels you into the luxury zone. Choose a cream blouse or navy coat, they are much more flattering and country looking than stark black and white.

When you want a casual weekend look, work around a stylish gilet. Make it sheepskin and you've got the big fashion look at the moment. A gilet cleverly pulls separates together to give you endless variation. Whether it’s a gilet or a coat faux fur, sheepskin, leather and suede are all major players for the country-meets-city look this season. Try mixing textures together and keep accessories to a minimum to not overpower your look.

The catwalks were also full of prints this season, which is great as these prints create a fantastic country look. If you love prints, then the choice is yours. From tiny traditional paisleys to punchy dramatic animal prints, they're a powerful addition to any winter wardrobe. Tone a bold-printed dress down with a long, chunky knit for that great in-between weather look.

Victoria Beckham has definitely brought back the trouser suit for women; a well fitted tweed suit is just about the most useful outfit in anyone's wardrobe. It's worth making a major investment in a tweed suit to get great style and cut. Wear the jacket with jeans for a dress-down day.