Lock, Stock n Hot Smokin’ Summer Knitwear

If the summer really is taking it’s time to kick-in – or you’re deciding to take your holiday in the UK this time round as foreign holidays are becoming increasingly more expensive – then classic styles in lightweight cotton knitwear are available in a variety of fresh summer colours. Classic knitwear has recently seen a huge resurgence in popularity which has been reflected in Two Stoned Brand’s latest, limited edition ‘08 collection. Classic V-neck tank top and sweater styles with cleverly built in shirt details, reflect a brand with it’s finger firmly on the pulse of inspirational mens clothing.

Spring 2008 arrives with the subtle glamour and elegance of old Hollywood…

Spring 2008 arrives with the subtle glamour and elegance of old Hollywood, and a classic all-American stylish look for weekend wear. I’ve highlighted for you my top ten trends for the season for both work and casual. Men of any age will definitely find a few stylish new items to try for spring to look modern and handsome, whatever their lifestyle calls for this season.

1). Work Wear

This season you will find a refined style in men’s tailored clothing. The suit of the season will be a glen plaid print in shades of grey. Tan suits and sport coats in a tropical weight or linen fabric will be moving to centre stage as we transition into warmer weather. I always love a lighter colour sport coat with a silk blend for those dressier occasions. You can’t go wrong with a basic Navy blazer this season to look nautical and spring forward with a dash of style. Pair your refined suit or sport coat with a luxury dress shirt made out of pima cotton to look sophisticated and elegant. The tie of the season is taking on a romantic feel with lots of botanical flower prints, offering you a new alternative to your solids and stripes.

2). Modern Blazers

For a casual Friday or a weekend look, consider purchasing the new lightweight and un-constructed blazer which is comfortable and adds a touch of style to casual pants or jeans. This season the modern blazer will be seen with appliqués on the back and down the front. Cargo blazers with big pockets that button will have a casual feel. This season, coordinate your un-constructed blazer over a new graphic knit or a pinstripe woven, for a more formal look for those casual workdays.

3). All American Polo’s

The American icon, the polo shirt, which is classic and preppy, will be the focus of the season. All of the men’s status vendors, like Polo and Lacoste (with the logo on the shirt), are out with a broad spectrum of new colours and stripes this season, making this classic item new again. This spring it is all about bright bold colours. Buy a polo in a bright, saturated hue – like yellow, orange, green, blue, red, pink or lavender – to give you that updated look. Check out those luxurious polo’s made out of mercerized cotton, or a silk/cotton blend. They always look elegant when worn with shorts, khaki’s or jeans. Wear it layered under a blazer for a more modern look when wearing business casual.

4). Opposites Attract

Try a multi-vertical striped shirt this season with it’s sleeves rolled back to show the new contrasting pattern in the cuff. You will see many printed shirts with contrasting collars or cuffs, showing two different patterns or colours, but coordinated to look very modern. This kind of shirt would look very stylish worn with dark denim, to add some colour and print to the ensemble.

5). Shorts, Shorts And More Shorts

The season arrives with shorts in a variety of styles. The newest looks of the spring will be cargo, flat front chino’s, and Bermuda plaid shorts with a belt. All of these shorts will come in great washed neutrals and the new plaids. You will see menswear-inspired patterns with metal hardware details that demand some attention. Wear these shorts with a graphic tee or a novelty woven. For swimwear or shorts to wear on the beach, try the new board shorts in plaid and floral prints.

6). New Wovens

In spring 2008 the woven shirt takes on a whole new look. You will find military inspired patches and appliqués on the shirts, as well as tonal embroidery everywhere, from the front and back to the cuffs. You will find short sleeve woven shirts with graphic details on the back of the shirt, and lots of prints available for that modern look. If you love plaid and various types of prints, you will find this new styling for the classic woven refreshing. Try one of the new washed woven shirts worn with plaid shorts to create a new look.

7). Graphic Pockets

Denim is a great way to express your style on casual days. It’s comfortable, and this season denim will be full of graphic details. You will find detailing and embroidery on the curved back pockets to add some style and create a great exit pant. The new Ed Hardy jean even has his signature in large print on the derrière. These new jeans look great when worn with a woven shirt that includes subtle graphics.

8). Sitting on the Dock Of The Bay

This season the shoe of choice is the casual boat shoe. This looks great when worn with shorts, jeans or khaki’s for those weekend occasions. Extremely casual, classic and comfortable they are making a big return for spring/summer 2008. You can’t go wrong with the classic Sperry Top-Sider but boat shoes will also be the focus for many updated shoe vendors. Wear this boat shoe with the classic polo and great flat front chino shorts for an all-American weekend look.

9). Classic Whites

When warmer weather approaches, men like a change of pace in lighter tones. You will find the fresh white colour returning in linen pants, shorts, jeans, knits, silk shirts and casual blazers; great to wear on a warm weather vacation or a casual evening out. Get out of your drab dark winter colours and have your wardrobe be versatile and stylish for all seasons.

10). Top Gun Style

Every man loves great sunglasses that are indicative of his personal style, while protecting his eyes from the summer sun. This season it is all about aviator sunglasses. They are modern and come in a variety of styles from numerous vendors. Find a pair that works with your face size and shape. This is a must-have accessory item for all men this season.

I hope when you shop this season for your business and casual wardrobe, you will find a few modern trends that work for you. I’ve shared with you some tips on how to wear the latest trends and coordinate them to look stylish as you venture into the warm weather.

Sarah Hathorn is a certified image consultant, speaker, and corporate image advisor. Illustra Image Consulting works with individual men and women who wish to update their fashion and professional presence. The company also provides corporate image services to organizations that wish to enhance their corporate brand within the marketplace.
Illustra Image Consulting – Perception is Reality!
Copyright 2007, Sarah Hathorn, AICI, Certified Image Consultant
678-528-1239,http://www.illustraconsulting.com

WIN A Pair Of Designer Sunglasses!

Win a pair of GANT designer sunglasses  in our free and easy to enter competition at Urban Male Clothing 

Simply answer a multiple choice question, the answer can be found on our website, and sign up to our newsletter to win this fabulous prize worth over £70.

Competition closes on the 30th March 2008 and the winner will be posted on our website on the 2nd April 2008

Trousers for Spring 2008 … Geek or Chic

Not for those with “ankle insecurity” runway shows this season are premiering Spring 2008 the cropped trouser. A spin off from last summers Dolce & Gabbanna collection, luxurious, elegantly tailored silk suits in vibrant colours, featuring trousers cropped just above the knee. A great, cool for summer 2008 look worn with casual jackets socks and deck shoes as illustrated right, alternatively for extra vesatility, you could roll your trousers to the knee, see left, but no topping with the knotted hankie, unless you want to look like grandad going for a paddle. 

Steve runs the London based online store Urban Male Clothing retailing street clothing for the urban man searching for a unique style. From casual menswear and army surplus clothing, to skate shoes and alternative fashion.

Alternative Clothing from it’s Inception in the 70’s to the Contemporary Style of Today.

I have a long history of trying out alternative clothing, not content to follow the fashion police tribe, and their denim jeans and cargo pants. It’s not hard to understand then, how this once rebellious fashion trend, popularised by “hard core” punk bands of the 70’s and early 80’s, has grown in popularity.

Alternative punk fashion was the dress code of a music influenced urban punk subculture and was then considered rebellious and confrontational, a far cry from contemporary brands such as Addict and Iron Fist. A far cry from the days when punks and later Goths, bought their clothes from charity shops and thrift stores and wrote their slogans with a marker pen.

Vivienne Westwood, inspired by the punk phenomena, and using the influence to this day, of controversial images, patches, studded or plain leather jackets and tartan designs in her runway shows.  

These were traditional of the punk style and remain prevalent today, although the torn t-shirt and safety pin has taken a backseat. Bondage clothing, tapered jeans, and well worn, almost destroyed, leather trousers dominated the punk clothing scene as well.

Footwear for the alternative clothing scene embraced a selection of styles ranging from motorcycle boots (complete with buckles and steel toe caps) to combat boots and Doc. Martens.

With the advent of contemporary punk fashion there are various contemporary elements of style watered down from hardcore punk clothing, this type of fashion consists of jeans, ripped and customised, usually from top designers at top prices, or camos a hoodie, and a simple, screen printed, t-shirt with a flavour of rebellious anarchy.

The punk fashion scene since the advent of the original look in the 1970’s, has evolved into the mainstream, for better or worse, and since then clothing stores and even fashion designers have taken punk fashion to an entirely new level. It’s easy to see that this once controversial, rebellious fashion has now grown into a very popular style of dress.

Steve runs the London based online store Urban Male Clothing retailing street clothing for the urban man searching for a unique style. From casual menswear and army surplus clothing, to skate shoes and alternative fashion.

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