A is for Alumo - Alumo is a Swiss cotton-manufacturing firm based in Appenzell and is one of the world's leading producers of the highest quality two-fold cotton shirting fabrics.
B is for Bespoke - Bespoke, when applied to tailoring means that the buyer has total control over the fabric used, the features and fit, and the way the garment should be made. More generally, bespoke describes a high degree of customisation by the end-user in the production of the garments. The difference between bespoke and made-to-measure is that the latter alters a standard sized pattern to fit the customer.
C is for Cotton - The defining feature of a high quality shirt is that it is made from 100% cotton. Wrinkle-free or stretch fabrics may be more convenient, however, will contain varying quantities of polyester.
D is for Darts - Dress shirt darts are two parallel stitches sewn vertically to provide a better fit and give the shirt a better shape so that it enhances the shirt wearer's figure. The purpose of darts is usually to make a slim fit dress shirt.
E is for Epaulette - The Epaulette (Epau Loops) is the ornamental shoulder strap parallel to the shoulder seam that buttons up near the collar. It was originally used by the military.
F is for Fused Collar / Cuff - A Fused collar is when the interlining is glued to one or both layers of the collar/cuff fabric. The interlining is a harder piece of material that acts as a skeleton to make the collars and cuffs rigid and stiff. English shirtmakers prefer to sew the interlining whilst Italian shirtmakers prefer a fused collar and cuff.
G is for Gusset - The Gusset is the triangular piece of fabric at the bottom of the side seam to add strength and relieve stress from tight fitting clothing
H is for Herringbone - Herringbone is a type of weave. It is usually found in twill fabric and is called herringbone because it resembles the skeleton of a herring fish. Tweed cloth is most often woven with a herringbone pattern.
I is Ironing - It is essential that a shirt be ironed before it is worn. Here is our guide on how to iron a dress shirt.
J is for Jermyn Street - Jermyn Street is a street near Piccadilly Circus that links Regent Street with St. James Street, the home of the most famous shirt-makers in the world. Jermyn Street sums up the style and origins of the English tradition of shirt-making although these days, none of the Jermyn Street shirtmakers stock shirts that are sewn by hand.
K is for Karl Lagerfeld - Karl Lagerfeld's signature look is a dress shirt with an extremely high rigid white collar - and apparently he has thousands of them.
L is for Length - More particularly, Sleeve Length.With your arm at your side and your shirt cuff buttoned, you should just be able to touch the tip of your shirt sleeve with your middle finger folded back against your palm. Additionally, you should be able to stretch your arms out without the sleeve traveling more than a half-inch up your wrist.
M is for Mother of Pearl - The Mother of Pearl button is used on a lot of high quality shirts and comes from the inside of an oyster shell. Although it is stronger than plastic, it is also more likely to degrade after repeated exposure to laundry detergent.
N is for Neck / Collar - There are a large range of collar shapes that are suitable for different face shapes, different occasions or worn with different neck ties. But as a general rule, your collar should be high enough to protrude about half an inch above the collar of a suit jacket. If you wear your shirt with a tie, the collar’s points should still be able to touch the shirt’s front with the tie fastened.
O is for Oxford - Oxford cloth, the coarsest shirting fabric, is actually quite soft and comfortable. The Oxford is considered a more casual fabric and its most natural form is the button-down collar.
P is for Placket - The Placket refers to the piece of fabric running down the centre of a shirt that holds the buttons and buttonholes. Plackets are almost always made of more than one layer of fabric, and often have interfacing in between the fabric layers to give support and strength to the placket fabric because the placket and the fasteners on it are often subjected to stress when the garment is worn
Q is for Q...?
R is for Ribbed Twill - Ribbed Twill has a diagonal structure that is similar to the material used in chinos. The lightly shimmering look of ribbed twill gives plain shirts an interesting accent.
S is for Sea Island Cotton - Sea Island Cotton is the most expensive cotton and has about 140 threads to the inch, giving it a softer, silkier feel. Stripes or checks in this material have a clearer definition and deeper and stronger colours.
T is for Two-Ply - Two-ply fabric means that two yarns have been intertwined into one before being woven. It does not mean that there are two pieces of fabric layered on top of each other. Two-ply fabric is stronger and smoother than single-ply.
U is for Undershirt - The Undershirt is the shirt that some men wear under their dress shirts and there's a lot of debate as to whether or not an undershirt should ever be worn. Whatever your stance is, make sure that your undershirt is not an outer-shirt and that it fits you correctly!
V is for Viyella - Viyella is a mixed weave that combines the warmth of wool and the comfort of cotton. Viyella is mainly used for the production of Tattersall check shirts.
Written by: Joe Button | 31st Jan 2012
You may not always want to wear a shirt, but sometimes certain occasions call for more formal attire and every guy in the room shows up in a shirt and tie, blending into the crowds of beautiful cocktail dresses. Here are a few ways you can spruce up your formal attire and not look like every other guy in the room (and maybe even outshine the ladies).
#1 Wear a suit (that fits)
No – we don’t mean show up in your wedding suit. There’s a difference between that and the pick-up-artist suit that Barney Stinson wears in every episode of How I Met Your Mother. Choose the latter if you’re going to suit up – even if you’re not there to pick up!
#2 Lose the tie
A tie these days doesn’t automatically spruce up your whole look. A fitted shirt does. If you’re going to go tie-less, make sure you shirt fits you like a glove. If your shirt is swimming around you, you end up looking like you put in no effort and chose to look sloppy.
#3 Go for a tie bar & textured tie
A textured tie takes the formality out of wearing one and a tie bar ensures your tie doesn’t fly back into your face! Having that little tie bar streamlines your whole look because it straightens your tie and makes your torso appear longer.
#4 Do up all the buttons & wear a bow tie
As geek is the new chic, looking like a college professor isn’t always a bad thing. This button-up shirt and bow tie look is extremely popular especially if you’re on the slimmer side of things.
#5 Wear a vest
Don’t write it off before you consider that it slims down your waist and makes your arms look bigger. Enough said.
Written by: Joe Button | 09th Jan 2012
OK - so it's already the first week of January and if you've set up impossible new year's resolutions like "I will swim, run, kayak and box every day for the next 365 days" and already failed, fear not for it's not too late to do a revised version of these 2012 resolutions so that they're actually achievable. Here are 5 easy peasy new year's resolutions that will keep you stylish and grounded for the rest of the year.
#1 Make good first impressions - Research has shown that first impressions are made within the first 50 MILLISECONDS of meeting a new person so if you've got an important interview or are starting a new job this year, make sure you are dressed appropriately. Always ensure that you plan ahead so that you know what to wear to an interview the day before (instead of searching frantically 2 hours beforehand) and make sure that everything fits you perfectly because ill-fitted clothing can come off looking very sloppy.
#2 Quality not quantity - We're probably all guilty of buying cheap things on impulse but this year, make sure that what you're buying is worth your buck. Don't go buying 10 polyester shirts that don't breathe and last 2 washes. Make sure your shirts are 100% cotton and not treated with potentially harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. Investment in quality will create greater savings in the long run (not to mention it will look infinitely better!).
#3 Spend less time Facebook Stalking - Don't obsess over how pretty, how rich, how many holidays, how big a ring so and so has - most people are filtering their Facebook profiles to show the world the good bits. Do what makes you happy, spend more time hanging out with your friends and family instead of facebook stalking people you hardly know. Keeping up with the Joneses is a never ending journey.
#4 Do something that's completely out of your comfort zone - No one is perfect and there's probably something you've always been afraid to do because you've been too self conscious, embarrassed or scared you're going to screw up. Just go and do it - chances are you're probably not as terrible as you thought you'd be and you'll feel fantastic about it afterwards!
#5 Put in some effort to always look your best - true, no one you know will see you with you hair unbrushed when you're just going to the corner store but if you keep this up, you'll start getting into the habit of lounging out in your pj's all day which might make you feel terrible about yourself. Do a tiny bit each day to give yourself that confidence booster when you look in the mirror.
Here at Joe Button, we've got a lot of things lined up for the new year! We'll be introducing a range of new fabrics and making some changes as requested by all of you. Make sure to stay tuned throughout the year - we can't wait to show you what we've been working on!!
Written by: Joe Button | 28th Dec 2011
2011 is almost over and what a year it's been!! But before it's completely over, we just wanted to share with you some of our favourite things and memorable moments from this special year.
Best Fashion Trend of 2011 - The Peter Pan Collar because there's rarely a trend that both women and men can share and still look glamorous and dapper.
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Best Movie of 2011 - Midnight in Paris: Late era Woody Allen may be a bit of a hit and miss but Midnight is a definite hit that's drenched in old school charm with the true artists of the past two centuries coming to life just as you would have imagined them.
Best Photo App of 2011 - We know you're thinking Instagram, but we're going to go with Camera+ because the filters are just a little bit more amazing.
Best Dressed Personality on TV in 2011 - Don Draper does not ever have a flawed moment. He is just perfection.
Best Fashion Blogger of 2011 - We're going to go with a local talent Nicole Warne, the young woman behind Gary Pepper Vintage whose fashion blog wows us every time. She shows us that style is not about how expensive your pieces are, but how well you put them together.
Best Youtube Vid of 2011 -No, not Rebecca Black although number of views would certainly have suggested otherwise. Our fave this year is Shit Girls Say - guys either roll their eyes or roll on the floor laughing because of how much they think this resembles their girlfriends...and girls laugh because they know it's ever so slightly true.
Most Popular Shirt Associated With Celebrity in 2011 - Jake Gyllenhaal and his blue chambray shirt. We have gotten so many requests to copy Jake's shirt so here is our version if you're one of the many seeking for it desperately.
Cutest Girl of 2011 - We know the world is obsessed with Miranda Kerr, but for us it's the quirky red haired Emma Stone!
Written by: Joe Button | 08th Dec 2011
Gone are the days when tweed made you look like you were trying too hard to be your grandfather. And gone are the days when only men could pull off a brown tweed jacket. Check out these girls in their button-down shirts, tweed vests, bow-ties and hats, brogues and thick specs looking as vintage and stylish as ever.
Written by: Joe Button | 21st Nov 2011
We saw this awesome visual guide in Effortless Gent of the Yes vs No of Casual Shoes for men. We totally agree with the well edited selection except the thongs (flip-flops). It's probably because we're Aussie and completely biased but they're a staple of summer and yes they look COMPLETELY normal with jeans! What do you guys think?
Image via Effortless Gent
Written by: Joe Button | 08th Nov 2011
Earlier this year, Tom Ford sat down with the Editor in Chief of AnOther Magazine, Jefferson Hack and gave his view on what it takes to be a modern gentleman. Lesson learnt? There are some things money can't buy.
1. You should put on the best version of yourself when you go out in the world because that is a show of respect to the other people around you.
2. A gentleman today has to work. People who do not work are so boring and are usually bored. You have to be passionate, you have to be engaged and you have to be contributing to the world.
3. Manners are very important and actually knowing when things are appropriate. I always open doors for women, I carry their coat, I make sure that they're walking on the inside of the street. Stand up when people arrive at and leave the dinner table.
4. Don't be pretentious or racist or sexist or judge people by their background.
5. A man should never wear shorts in the city. Flip-flops and shorts in the city are never appropriate. Shorts should only be worn on the tennis court or on the beach.
Photo by Craig McDean
Written by: Joe Button | 13th Feb 2012
We often have female customers telling us they don't know what goes best with their Joe Button shirts. They don't just want to do the shirt + pants thing because they think it might make them look too masculine - but that's clearly a bit of a misconception judging from the photo below. Last year, Creative Director of Celine, Phoebe Philo introduced the "Five Perfect Pants" as something that every girl needs to have in her wardrobe and she couldn't have been more right.
From left to right:
1. The Pleated Tapered Leg - aka the new skinny pant silhouette
2. The Men's Straight Leg - aka boys style fit for girls
3. The High-Waisted Wide-Leg - aka signature Phoebe Philo
4. The Cropped Tube Leg - aka the modern-day Audrey Hepburn
5. The Tapered leg - aka the classic slim fit
Looking at the photograph, you'll notice that there is nothing boring about the shirt and pants look. When you're designing your own shirt - mix it up a little! Show a bit more neck by giving yourself a mandarin collar or design a round white collar instead of your usual point collar; get a different coloured placket or contrasting cuffs. It adds a bit more character without taking away any class from this classic combo.
Image via Celine
Written by: Joe Button | 04th Oct 2011
Back in the days when we used to walk around in a suit all day, there was one thing we always noticed - guys at work wearing the same shirts. Don't get us wrong - wearing a plain white shirt is certainly not a crime, but your chances of getting noticed by the big boss that day might also be pretty slim. The key to differentiating yourself from your peers at work is not to show up to work wearing a bright yellow shirt with pink flowers printed on it - yes you will get noticed (and also fired on the same day). The secret is to concentrate on the finer details of your attire so that you are memorable whilst still adhering to your company's dress code. Don't be overly flamboyant with your clothes at work - it doesn't always go well with your boss and you're giving them a reason to think they're paying you too much. Go for subtle differences so that your white shirt is not just a plain white shirt. Here are 5 Dos and Don'ts that will help you stand out from the crowd at your workplace:Subtle Dos- Contrast the inner collar or cuff of your shirt. It shows you have a bit of creativity and personality.
- If you're wearing a suit, make sure the shoulder line is well sculpted. You'll notice this feature on suits worn by most newsreaders - it immediately captures the viewers' attention.
- Get different coloured stitching on your pearl coloured buttons.
- Pay attention to the yoke at the back of your shirt. A split yoke is probably more formal whilst a single yoke is suited for more casual occasions.
- Wear cufflinks - but not large bling ones that hurt the eye! Go for cufflinks made of good inlaid material like Mother-of-pearl or onyx.
Subtle Don'ts- Don't wear a belt with a flashy buckle. It makes you look like a bit of a try-hard!
- Make sure you clean your shirts properly - inside your collar and the edges of your cuffs. Don't think people don't notice - they do!
- Don't wear a white tie (especially not on a black shirt) - it looks tacky!
- Make sure your clothes fit you. Oversized suits and pants that are too long just look plain bad.
- Polish your shoes and make sure they're not dirty or scruffy!
Written by: Joe Button | 26th Sep 2011
We're not sure if you've noticed but this season, it's all about bold colour blocking - and yes, this goes for the boys as well. Before you dismiss the idea completely, take a look at these trendy looks featuring bright denims - electric blues, scarlet reds and bright yellows. Yes we agree - it's a big step to take and no, it's not the biggest statement you'll ever make in your life and yes, people do wear it and still manage to look awesome. We do, however, have a few tips to help you pull off this look:
- If there's anything that will ONLY look good with a button down shirt - it's bright denims. Make sure your shirt is fitted and the colours and patterns are more on the conservative and plain side of things to off-balance your bright-coloured bottoms. The last thing you want to be wearing is a pair of yellow denims with a hot pink number on top - you WILL look disastrous.
- Roll up your pants so your ankles are showing
- Pick your shoes wisely. Make sure they're subtle in colour but sleek in style. Think brown leather / suede loafers, cool sneakers, black alpargatas...NOT black dress shoes
Written by: Joe Button | 14th Sep 2011
Should you put a pocket / pockets on a dress shirt? We always tell our customers - put pockets on your shirt if you want pockets - that's the beauty of custom! With that being said, we still wanted to visit the arguments for and against pockets on dress shirts.
Dress shirts with no pockets - Generally preferred by the corporate Wall Street types. A dress shirt without pockets is often considered to be more formal, not in the rigid sense, but it's less distracting to the eye and makes for a sleeker look. Proponents of the no pocket look will say that it really stuffs up the clean lines that they're striving for with a dress shirt especially when worn with a tie. Off-the-rack shirts with pockets can also be a problem because the pockets are usually one size fit all and can look out of proportion especially if you're buying a slim fit shirt. You can also tell if the shirt is poorly made if the pattern on the pockets is not aligned to the rest of the shirt.
Dress shirts with pockets - Pockets are functional - cigarettes, business cards, pens (as long as they're not leaking) - and in the last few years, they've also become ultra trendy. A really popular look this season is the double pockets on chambray with a small collar - see Leonardo DiCaprio's spread in GQ yesterday. Pockets also add a bit of personality to a shirt and if you're not going to a black tie event, which is most of the time for us, why would you need to look so formal all the time?
What are your thoughts on the pockets vs no pockets?
Customise your Joe Button pockets here.
Written by: Joe Button | 04th Sep 2011
Whilst we don't encourage outright stealing, we're certainly not against extended loan periods. Girls do it all the time - from their friends, sisters, mothers etc - so it's about time we advise the guys on the top timeless items they can "borrow" from their fathers & grandfathers.
Tortoise Shell / Horn-rimmed Glasses
Irrespective of whether or not you actually need spectacles, if some ancient family member has a pair of vintage tortoise shell / horn-rimmed glasses just lying around - we suggest you take them. Punch out the lenses and take them to your optometrist to get the right prescription for you. Whilst the most popular kind is still a thick rim around the entire lens, a lot of 1950s originals were the browline kind (as pictured). This is also a great money saver and no modern day re-make of the classic will ever look the same.
The Fountain Pen
Fountain pens are high quality, carefully crafted writing instruments that are not very commonly used these days firstly because we have become a generation of computer addicts who rarely find the occasion to wield a pen but also because they have become very uneconomical to produce. The mere fact that we barely even use a pen these days is even more reason for that one writing instrument we do use to be special. We know that a Mont Blanc pen hanging out of your shirt pocket screams money but that's not necessarily what you want to be showing. Restoring an old Parker 51 in the family... now that screams class.
The Pocket Watch / Fob Watch
A classy man knows that good taste in style is all about subtlety and if you have a vintage timepiece like a Waltham pocket watch, do anything but hang it around your neck for the world to see. There's a pocket on every man's suit vest which you may have thought was for your mobile phone, but is actually for the pocket watch. Attach the fob of your pocket watch to your lapel or waistcoat for that hint of old school charm.
Vintage Pocket Squares
You can often tell that a pocket square is vintage because the patterns are a bit simpler than the outlandish ones on the market these days. The best ones are the simple florals, polka dots, or just plain white silk or linen just like the ones seen on Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan and Winston Churchill.
Argyle Sweaters
The argyle pattern seems to have been in fashion for the last 200 years with Pringle, the iconic Scottish argyle brand still a favourite today (See 1960s Pringle advert below). The checked pattern adds a bit of character to an otherwise plain outfit. And if not a sweater, get yourself a pair of argyle socks (we advise against your grandfather's vintage argyle socks for this one).
Written by: Joe Button | 29th Aug 2011
Since it's back to school season, we thought we'd share with you a little treasure that sits on the Joe Button shelf (The New York Times described it as a treasure of fashion insiders).Some time during the 1960s, a Japanese photographer named Teruyoshi Hayashida took a little journey through all the Ivy League schools in the US, where he spent some time capturing (in a series of extremely grainy photographs) the preppy school life and style of the Ivy students. This culminated into the publication of a book, Take Ivy, which subsequently became a cult classic and led to a fashion explosion of the American "Ivy Style" in the Ginza district of Tokyo around 1965.
The popularity of this book is a true testament to the timeless appeal of this style and if you look closely, although the photographs were taken in the '60s, there is an uncanning resemblance to the prep style we've seen resurface (large checks, tartan, plaid shorts etc). Enjoy! It really is a prep style bible.
Photos by Teruyoshi Hayashida
Written by: Joe Button | 13th Sep 2011
We admit we devote a fair amount of our time to the geek chic look - only because we're big geeks ourselves and were ecstatic when being geeky became cool. Here are our favourite online stores that will help achieve the perfect geek chic look.
The best style for a geek chic shirt is a chambray, gingham or a check with a narrow, small or button-down collar. And get it with pockets! Daniel wears a grey chambray with a button-down collar, black buttons and pockets.
Canvas Shoes: www.toms.comToms make a modernised version of alpargatas which were originally peasant shoes originating from the Pyrenees. We first noticed them on a trip to Argentina almost 5 years ago and then discovered that they sold them in the US but with a charitable twist - for every pair you buy, Toms give a free pair to someone in need. The company has grown exponentially in the last few years and now ship worldwide.
Warby Parker is a New York startup founded by four Wharton MBA students with the goal of offering high quality vintage inspired frames online for a fraction of the cost of high-end brands. They have some pretty cool collaborations including one with Steven Alan.
Brand spanking new site that do hand-made bow ties in San Francisco. They're launching their first range this week, but from what we've seen on their blog, it's a definite winner.
A chic geek will never go out wearing black or brown business socks. Topman have a really cool range of socks in nautical stripes, bright bold colours or in this case, an alligator.
Vintage Watch: steal it from your grandad
Written by: Joe Button | 13th Sep 2011
We often get asked why our shirts are more expensive than other shirts available online and we always give people the same answer: we’re not that keen on comparisons because it’s like comparing apples to oranges. We can only guarantee that our shirts are made from 100% European cotton and our tailors go through a very intensive process that includes several rounds of quality control to ensure that our shirts are produced to the highest standards. So how do you even differentiate between a good and bad quality shirt? Here’s a list of the basics that will get you running to your wardrobe checking to see if your shirts tick all the boxes:
- 100% Cotton: None of those poly-whatevers, just pure 100% of the good stuff. 100% cotton shirts lets you breathe, it's more comfortable and it lasts a LOT longer.
- Wrinkle-Free = Poly-cotton blend / Easy-Iron = Treated with Chemicals: Even the best quality easy-iron shirt means it's been treated with chemicals, namely formaldehyde, which can cause skin irritation in certain people. Don't be fooled - you may think you're saving time by purchasing an easy-iron shirt but you're actually making a big compromise on quality.
- Two-ply Cotton: Good quality shirts are usually two-ply cotton which means two threads woven through the shirt, making it stronger, softer and less see-through!
- Thick Buttons: You don't notice the nice thick buttons on a good quality shirt until you get one where the buttons are thin, flimsy and snap off easily. Remember to always look for the small details.
- Pattern Matching: Your shirt is made of separate panels of fabric. On a well-tailored stripe or check shirt, the stripes and checks should be aligned at the seams as opposed to being messy and erratic.
- Tight Stitching: The best place to check the quality of the stitching on the shirt is the collar. There's no hiding bad tailoring here - the stitching should be even and tight, especially around the point of the collar.
- Removable Collar Stays: Removable collar stays are one of the classic signs of a good quality shirt. Collar stays stop the collars from rolling in at the points. Collar stays should be removed when you wash and iron your shirt, otherwise you will see shiny spots develop at the points of your collars.
Just quietly: Joe Button ticks all the boxes because we're a little bit (insert word of choice) retentive about quality.
Written by: Joe Button | 13th Sep 2011
We know we've been jabbering on about ties a lot recently but it's only because there's been so many great varieties available in menswear this season. In spite of this, people still often associate the shirt & tie look with being boring, old or uncreative which is completely untrue given the range of options out there!
We've been fawning over this relatively new Brooklyn based brand TheHill-Side which makes neckties, scarves and handkerchiefs from unconventional materials such as selvedge chambray, hemp/cotton selvedge denim, left-hand twill, cotton duck, and waxed canvas. On top of this, each piece is hand-made and looks fabulous with any dress shirt or even as head or neckwear for the ladies (see below). We're eagerly awaiting the release of TheHill-Side's AW11 range but in the meantime, take a look at a few of the snaps from the SS11 lookbook.
Written by: Joe Button | 07th Aug 2011
In the last few years, there seems to have been a shift towards ditching the good old tie. When we first started working in an office, most of the junior guys wouldn't be caught dead without a tie. These days, it's almost like you're the class dork if you go to work everyday wearing a tie. In some hospitals, male doctors have even been advised against wearing ties for fear it may be carrying infectious diseases! In any case, there's no doubt every man needs to wear a tie at some point - it's part of the whole chivalrous charm and women often find the tie thing very sexy (though we've been told, a few glances from a squealing female at the bar isn't worth 8 hours of discomfort).
Having the right pattern, colour, texture and proportion is very important when you're matching ties and shirts - otherwise it's better to just go without one! Today we'll give you the first of many tips to get that combo spot on.
Colour
- Different shirt and tie combinations work for different people depending on their complexion, size and the impression they're trying to give.
- For a conservative, yet sophisticated look, pair blue and green toned semi-solid ties onto solid blue shirts. If you're wearing a suit, navy, black or charcoal solids also look classy on a plain white shirt.
- For a more attention-grabbing look, pair bold colours with a plain shirt, for example a red tie, known as the "power" tie, with a white shirt.
- Men with light hair and fairer skin look better with low contrasting tie and shirt combinations. If you have light complexion and hair, you would look best in pastel and monochromatic colour combinations.
- Men with dark hair and lighter skin look better with high contrasting tie and shirt combinations.
Pattern
- Don't try and match the pattern of the tie to the pattern of the shirt. Never wear a thin-striped tie and a thin-striped shirt together. Instead, try a poka dot, solid or diagonal thick striped tie.
- The easiest way to match a heavily patterend tie is to make sure that you pair it with a plain solid shirt and vice versa.
Stay tuned for Part II - Texture and Proportion
Written by: Joe Button | 01st Aug 2011
A few years ago, most guys wouldn't have been caught dead in a bow tie. Why would you, in your right mind, want any physical resemblance to your high school teacher / 1920s physician?! In the last couple of years however, bow ties have become the "it" thing in fashion often worn with thick rimmed spectacles, snug fitting gingham shirts and your grandfather's vintage (ancient) suspenders. Last year, the UK retailer Topman reported a 94% increase in monthly sales with the large spike being attributed to the new Dr Who's affinity towards bow ties.
We know a lot of guys still think bow ties should only ever be black and worn specifically for black tie events and weddings. What do you guys think of them? Dig them or adamant that you're going to regret seeing those pictures of yourselves in about 2 years time...?
Written by: Joe Button | 21st Jul 2011
We always get mixed reviews about the monogram feature on our shirts. Some love it while others hate it - there seem to be no in-betweeners. Here's a classic Sartorialist photo taken in Florence of a middle-aged man in a suit that fits him like a glove in that royal blue very few people can pull off (pre-requisite: grey hair both facially and on head). If you look away from the suit onto the left panel of his shirt, you'll see a very subtle navy monogram - what do you guys think of it?
Written by: Joe Button | 19th Jul 2011
We've been following Hanneli Mustaparta's style blog for a while now. Hanneli is to the fashion blogging world what Angelina Jolie is to Hollywood. Last year her site was deemed by US Vogue as one of the nine most influential blogs in the world! The best thing we love about Hanneli, aside from her eclectic elegance, is that she is often her own muse - she styles and shoots herself! - and her fearless experimentation with different colours and styles in a single outfit. We recently spotted her in a Shopbop exclusive pairing some classic shirts with rainbow denim - the looks were jaw-droppingly fantastic!
Written by: Joe Button | 09th Jan 2012
Most women know how to dress for their body type – it was etched into our minds by those quintessential teen magazines that lined every girl’s bookshelf. Most men however, did not grow up reading Dolly or Cosmo so it’s no surprise when we see a man walking down the street wearing a fine dress shirt from the latest range of an expensive label, yet something just doesn’t look quite right. The reason? The collar of his shirt doesn't suit his features.
You may be one of the lucky ones who happen to be freakishly good looking and can pull off anything from a potato sack to a bed sheet, but there remain a fair few of us mere mortals who have to consider whether or not the latest fashion trends suit our body types and face shapes.
You’ll be happy to know that there’s a perfect collar style for everyone! Here’s a quick lesson on which collars will complement your features the best!
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The point collar is a traditional collar and suits a man with a rounder or smaller face.
| | The cutaway collar is a widespread collar and most suited for those with a long / narrow face or a shorter neck. | | The narrow collar is most suited to those with an oval or round face. |
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A spread collar is most suited to those with a more angular features on their face.
| | The button down collar is quite similar to the point collar. Avoid it if you have a square/angular face. | | The small collar suits those with a smaller face and more delicate features. Avoid this collar if you have a larger face. |
This one doesn't really count but we thought we'd put it in anyway...
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Modern Vintage Glasses: www.warbyparker.com
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