Outfit Post December '12

Ok, so by now I think we can safely say that the military 'camo' look has re-established itself once again in the domain of popular fashion.

However if, like me you're getting a bit tired of the seeing the same army surplus gear everywhere you look, you may rather start to deconstruct the trend and look at other ways of getting a military air.

You don't have to look as though you're setting of into the forest to bunker down on a watch patrol. Subtle combinations will go a long way to defining a more complete look.

Below I've set out a combination of piece's with military inspiration but on a much more subdued tip, looking for an 'off-duty officer' more than a commando.

The fedora is maybe a bit eccentric and probably not for all but it set's the look off nicely and recounts a 1940's swagger.

NB: (I've seen the O2 ad with Gary Oldman too many times and I'm subconsciously trying to incorporate fedora's and trilby's into my outfits).

Add a camouflage bandana as a pocket square.

PS: Tartan, comeback.

1. Pure Wool Fedora
2. Lambswool Scarf
3. Chesterfield Coat
4. Denim Jacket
5. Crew Neck Roll Sleeve T-Shirt
6. Chino Flat Front Trousers
7. Lincoln Tassle Loafers

Loveable Brogues

A British classic but with so many different style's to choose from and additions such as commando/crepe/Dianite soles, a point in the right direction and a helping hand is well received.

Renewed interest in heritage British brands has seen a resurgence for shoemakers such as Grenson and Loake which have helped expand the lines and give more varied designs. Both now offer an extensive choice, whilst retaining their reasonable pricing. It's great to see brands like this back in the fore and it's constantly astounding to consider the craftsmanship that goes in to creating such a thing of beauty as a wing tip brogue.

Below are my top picks for the winter with a few American alternatives thrown in for good measure:

1. Loake Royal Burgundy
2. Mark McNairy Commando Sole Country Brogue Loden Green
3. Florsheim Longwing Black
4. Grenson Sid Burgundy
5. Grenson USN Officer Brogue Black
6. Grenson Archie Tan
7. Loake Braemar Tan
8. Grenson Commando Sole Archie Dark Brown
9. Dr. Martens 3989 Cherry Red
10. Loake Badminton Dark Brown Grain

Strange Times

What a funny old economic condition we find ourselves in of late, ey.

I don't know about you but the prospect of spending a four figure sum on a watch holds very little appeal, however a phone just will not cut it. For the meantime at least my aspirations of vintage Rolex Submariners or even Omega Seamasters will have to be put on hold.

In my search for affordable time keepers I managed to find a whole host of watches under £400, so accordingly here's a run down of the most stylish attainable wrist accessories out there:

1. Swatch Wonder Zebra
2. Rotary Les Originales Limited Edition
3. Rotary Originales
4. Timex Originals Easy Reader
5. Timex Originals Indiglo Camper
6. Mondaine Evo
7. Casio Classic
8. Swatch Hiding Grey
9. Casio Alarm Chronograph

Outfit Post November '12

Every now and then it's nice to have a little helping hand when it comes to getting dressed, some assurance that you're making the right choices.

So by way of an outfit post hopefully I can give you a rough guide and some pointers, sort an online stylist if you will.

The aim will be to put together affordable outfits without designer price tags but maintaining the simple rules about fit and cut that I have tried to impart so far.

Any questions are well received and if you want to know where to get the items I will post website links under each snap shot.

H&M x MMM

If you haven't already got a look at the collaboration everyone's talking about, don't waist another minute.

Released in store and online in the UK on the 15th November (prepare for ridiculous queue length) there are a wealth of 'must haves'.

Below I've picked my key pieces.

Macs on Macs on Macs on Macs

Layering is perfect for the Autumn/Winter transition in cooler climes, as the weather turns and sight of the sun becomes less and less likely it can be difficult to decide what to leave the house in.

Great big coats aren't always practical and riding the tube and other public transport which are almost always overcrowded can be akin to stepping into a sauna, your arctic parka suddenly begins to cook you from the inside and you arrive at your destination in a cold dank sweat, nice.

Layering lighter jackets is a way of keeping warm without overcompensating.

A denim jacket is a versatile piece of kit and thicker gauge check shirts are a good layer over a lighter shirt or t-shirt.

Wool overcoats work well with denim and on a smarter occasion they sit perfectly over a shirt and jumper.

Military style jackets are also a good accompaniment for denim and if your buying second hand military garb it's not often that you get a perfect fit, layering underneath can fill out the silhouette and create a much more complimentary figure.

Gem's

Not of the precious kind but valuable all the same.

I'm constantly surprised at how often, living in such a vast cityscape as London it probably shouldn't be such, I stumble upon something literally amongst my immediate surroundings which until that moment had gone completely unnoticed.

I've not got the best eyesight and I'd much rather wear glasses over contact lenses, just don't fancy sticking that filmy lens in my eye.

The opticians is trivial at the best of times, especially the national franchises that line high street's and shopping destinations. I also find that the majority of modern frames stocked offer about as much variation as a Drum & Bass DJ line-up. The multitude of narrow oblong lens frames is mind numbing and what's even harder to swallow is the price they want to charge you for the pleasure of making everyone look the same, so unless you go for designer frames which typically end up setting you back the same as a very good pair of shoes (I know were I'd rather spend the money), you're buggered.

So when I sat on the glasses, I'd had since the age of 16, whilst on a night in the pub I was dreading the impact on my wallet and my credibilty.

Whilst I was out for a run the following day something caught my eye and there it was, the answer to my problem.

Charles Frydman my optician now for over a year has been in the same shop for years, probably more years than I have amassed in my life, and those years of experience are a breath of fresh air in a stagnent market.

He has a great range of retro frames thick plastic and more delicate metal frames too and at a snip of the price of anything else I've come across.

He also works with a frame makers Anglo American Optical and can order specific frames if there's nothing for you in store.

I often get comments about my fames, which are as sturdy today as they were a year ago when I first got them. A great service and always good to help the independent businesses as a consumer.

Here's hoping Charles is in that shop for a long time to come.