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As we head towards spring, what to wear to look stylish over the Easter break depends on where you’re going and the type of event you’re attending. Here is a guide offering ideas and inspiration to help you dress appropriately whatever the occasion.

Casual

If you’re going to a friend’s house for dinner, a country club or to a restaurant for lunch, wear an open-necked shirt, polo shirt or lightweight sweater with khakis or chinos. Accessorise with leather shoes and belt. Easter is a good time to wear fun socks and welcome in spring. Pastel argyles in yellow, baby blue or mint are a great way to match your shirt or sweater.

Smart casual

For an office party, happy hour drinks after work or a business luncheon opt for smart trousers, paired with a collared shirt and loafers.

Dressy casual

To attend church, a dinner reservation with family or a last minute invite where smart casual doesn’t apply, wear pleated trousers and a dress shirt with leather loafers, a slip-on shoe or Oxfords. Pair with a blazer or sports coat. 

Evening event

An evening social event, such as a birthday party for a friend or family member, warrants a suit in charcoal or navy with a colourful tie to add a splash of colour. This style ensures you’re on-trend for the spring/summer season. Dark jeans with a sports jacket in navy blue, khaki or brown are an alternative for a more casual venue.

Stylish but not formal

For breakfast, brunch or afternoon tea gathering, or a daytime engagement party, you can opt for a dark suit paired with a French-cuffed crisp white shirt. Again, add some vibrancy with a colourful tie.

Black or white tie

If you’re attending a charity fundraiser, ceremony, wedding or have tickets to the opera, a short or waist-length black tailcoat, black or white bow tie, white dress shirt, (cummerbund optional) and slim tailored trousers fit the bill perfectly.

Black tie with a twist

An alternative to wear to galas, weddings or formal dinners where the emphasis will be on fun rather than formality, incorporate trendy prints on your tie and wear with a dress shirt. Mix fabrics such as a silk blazer to create a formal yet interesting look.

Black tie optional

If the gala, wedding, charity auction or formal dinner is black tie optional, wear a tuxedo if you own one, if not wear a dark suit such as charcoal or black paired with a white dress shirt and a solid coloured tie and pleated trousers. Accessorise your look with a pocket square and cufflinks.

Whatever you’re doing this Easter, don’t be a slouch and dress for the occasion!

London Fashion Week occurs twice a year, the first in 2016 takes place from Friday 19 February until Tuesday 23 February – also known as LFW AW16. Organised by the British Fashion Council, it hosts the world’s best designers showcasing their Autumn-Winter 2016 collections to the global press, industry buyers, photographers, bloggers and fashion aficionados. Full schedules for each day detail who is showing where and when.

The impact of London Fashion Week

It is hugely important for the British designer community to promote their garments and increase their profile on the global stage. Also for the British fashion industry to become a world leader in creativity, business and innovation.

During the shows, the feel of the set design, the music, the ambience as well as the clothes all combine to appeal to our senses and pull us into a ‘lifestyle choice’, which we as consumers aspire to buy into.

As well as unveiling the cuts, fabrics, colour palettes and styles that will hit retailers and the high street later this year, the more out-there micro trends will also offer inspiration that can be adapted by many to make their look on-trend.

Trends to look out for

The Autumn-Winter 2016 season will be highly influenced by more delicate, graceful and androgynous looks, along with subtle fabrics such as silk and satin.

Following on from the feminine feel introduced at Gucci last year, the theme continues with 1970s patterns and fluid fabrics. Angela Missoni’s collection incorporates the rock star look with Himalayan wools. Nasir Mazhar’s all-black attires are inspired by club outfits and Goth fashion. Stephane Ashpool’s classic sportswear range in soft colours will again bring a feminine touch. Statement cardigans, boxy tailoring that evokes a poetic yet pragmatic look and updated military vibes are other key trends to check out.

Fur made a big statement in Milan Men’s Fashion Week AW16, with many designers integrating this style into their collections. Dolce & Gabbana produced huge oversized fur coats, while a more toned down version of the trend was used by Marni and Giorgio Armani with fur stoles. Also, Valentino exhibited mixed pelt gilets, and fur shorts were displayed by Boris Bidjan Saberi. New innovations in technology improve the synthetic process year on year, so it’s possible to produce faux fur with the same level of quality, warmth and feel. Therefore, this look can be replicated ethically on the high street for a fraction of the cost.

Watch the live stream

I don’t think there will much fur involved when it comes to men’s suits but it will be interesting to see what styles and cuts will be making the catwalk this year and what kind of accessories will be trending.

You will be able to catch the live stream of London Fashion Week here: https://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/live.aspx

Are you making preparations to celebrate as Valentine’s Day approaches? In addition to planning where to take your significant other, what you decide to wear is just as important. A style that’s dressed-up or dressed-down, or somewhere in between may well depend on the stage of your relationship as well as where you’re going.

Whichever you choose, to feel good you need to look good whilst also being comfortable. Too tight, too short, too big or too out-there won’t let you relax and focus on your date. You wear the clothes – not the other way around.

There are many options so you can dress to impress on this special occasion whether you’re going on a formal date, to the theatre, a dinner date or out for drinks.

Formal date
If you find yourself needing to follow a dress code, you can’t go wrong with the trusted navy suit (which should be in every man’s wardrobe) with a closed-front French cuff white dress shirt, a slim dark tie and pair of Oxford shoes. To invest in this option also means you’ll have the ‘go-to outfit’ for the majority of formal functions that arise in your diary.

Theatre date
To look your best for a trip to the theatre, a variation of the formal suit detailed above is an ideal choice. You can loosen up the look by not wearing a tie and loosening a couple of buttons. Choose a textured fabric such as tweed, cotton or hopsack in grey, khaki or brown. A simple striped shirt and brown or black loafers complete this simple but effective style.

Dinner date
Instead of the semi-casual look of jeans with a shirt, why not switch it up to the next level? A pair of slim trousers or chinos, an Oxford cloth shirt with a V-neck jumper or tailored jacket conveys you’ve taken the time and effort to look good for your date. If in doubt, stick to neutral colours because black, grey and blue are always suitable for evening events.

Drinks/Casual meal
To show you’re treating this occasion as more special than other nights out, wear something trendy and stylish such as a blazer or smart jacket. Because it doesn’t have to be formal, pick a knitted style or deconstructed cotton version with a neutral shirt and pair of casual chinos and desert boots.

With minimal planning you can aim to surpass expectations, not just meet them, with your outfit choice. Your date will be suitably impressed with the effort you’ve taken as well as your style.

I hope you have a romantic and sartorial evening!

Deciding what to wear for a job interview poses a challenge for many. It’s on a par with

making sure you’ve researched the company sufficiently and having answers ready for those

curveball questions.

Why it’s important to choose the right suit

You only have a few seconds to make a great first impression when meeting someone for the

first time. It’s human instinct to judge people on their appearance. So it’s all the more

important when attending an interview that you don’t start being adventurous with your

wardrobe or make a fashion faux pas. Before you start telling them about yourself and

highlighting your skills, knowledge and suitability for the role, your clothing plays a crucial role

in determining whether the interviewer/s will form a positive or negative opinion of you.

The psychological benefits

Dressing well increases your confidence and professionalism, especially for a job interview.

Studies have shown that formal attire enhances your thought processes, frame of mind and

makes you feel more authoritative. If you look great, you’ll feel great – and there’s a much

higher chance of being successful.

How to choose the winning suit

For a formal interview, you should aim to dress a level above what you would usually wear for

work, which obviously includes the role you’re being interviewed for. As you don’t want to look

over-dressed or fussy, a classic cut is the best option – this flawless style has been first

choice for many years and doesn’t change depending on the fashion trends that season.

It may seem easier to buy a ready-made suit, but this might not offer the best in terms of

quality, style of cut, durability or even price. Mass produced clothing doesn’t fit every

customer correctly. They are supposed to fit a ‘standard’ person, but this doesn’t always apply

as everyone’s size and shape is different. However, if you have to select this option, try to find

a seller/store that matches your figure the best. You can then use the services of a tailor to

make the alterations needed to make sure it fits you properly.

For the perfect silhouette and to accommodate individual requirements, the only choice is a

custom-made suit. This will ensure a perfect fit, a better shape to the chest, and eliminates

such problems as too long or short trousers or jacket sleeves, for example. It will be high

quality, comfortable and have much more of a personal feel.

Design

Trends come and go, but a classic suit never goes out of fashion. It is the simplest design

without the quirky details on-trend at that particular time. This usually means a single-

breasted two-piece suit with a two- or three-button cut (a three-button jacket looks better on

taller men), a notched lapel, and a single or twin back vent.

Fabric

It is very important to choose the right cloth for your suit. For many it can seem an impossible

task because of the huge selection of various fabrics on the market. Wool or wool blends

(with a synthetic fabric) are acceptable and suit all seasons.

Some blends help to keep the cost of a suit down, but they have more disadvantages than

advantages – they breathe less and don’t last as long. In most cases, they look very cheap

and will be unacceptable for formal occasions.

Colour

The most appropriate colours, and considered neutral for a job interview, are dark colours

such as navy blue or charcoal. If you want to wear black, I recommend you choose a fabric

with a pattern, such as thin pinstripes.

It’s always best to opt for a plain white or light pastel shirt with a non-patterned, single-

coloured tie. Avoid bright colours on ties as they can be a distraction for the interviewer. The

same applies to your socks because, yes, the interviewer will notice. Ideally, the tie should

complement the whole look and match the shirt as well as the suit.

How The Bespoke Tailor can help

With many years’ experience in the UK menswear and tailoring industry, I travel all over the

UK providing a bespoke service and a ‘Savile Row’ experience direct to my clients at their

office, home or other convenient location. I get to the heart of what my customers need and

work with them closely to design and create personalised suits and garments. Please contact

me on 07968 438717 or email adrian@thebespoketailor.co.uk if you would like to find out

more or to arrange a consultation.

Whatever your thoughts about the Royals and Prince Philip in particular, you have to hand it to the grand old Duke of Edinburgh on the sartorial stakes.

At 94 years of age, the Duke of Edinburgh has just been voted 12th in GQ magazine’s top 50 best dressed men in Britain of 2015, narrowly behind Benedict Cumberbatch and Harry Styles and well ahead of his grandchildren William and Harry.

This is not the first time that Prince Philip has made the list. He was ranked a couple of years ago as 26th and praise such as ‘underrated tweedy genius’ ‘time-honoured style’ and ‘services to classic British tailoring’ have been heaped upon him by those in the industry.

I can’t help but feel a little bit pleased about this vindication of the classic tailored look and fine British tailoring that the Prince upholds. Prince Philip has all his suits made by renowned tailor John Kent and he’s well known for having his existing garments altered and updated to reflect a more modern look.

Patrick Grant, the Savile Row tailor, has previously commented that Prince Philip has “always favoured a simple suit made from heavyweight British cloths: tough twills and twist worsted – never excessively fitted, and always well balanced”.

John Ray, creative director of Dunhill, said, “The Duke of Edinburgh embodies duty and decorum and comes across effortlessly in the way he dresses. He is always British, masculine and appropriate for his role.”

It just goes to show that individual style has nothing to do with age or fashion. Classic British tailoring bears the hallmark of what being well-dressed is all about and is the envy of the world. Order books from overseas clients have never been fuller for British tailors and in a fashion industry that is dominated by mass production and synthetic fabrics, classic British tailoring using the finest woven cloth in the world is in huge demand across the globe. Long may it continue!

So, the Christmas party season is with us again and over the next couple of weeks men up and down the country will be going to office parties and social events wondering what to wear. As longs as the event is not black tie, then you can’t go wrong with these tips:

1. Go Classic – Nothing wrong with going classic. Dark suit, crisp white shirt and silk tie will never let you down but you could try and mix it up a bit by layering different patterns and textures, A nice wool suit, with sharp cotton shirt and an elegantly woven lightly patterned silk tie will help you look sartorially appropriate for the occasion. Don’t just stick on your work suit. Invest in something a bit sharper and slightly less traditional.

2. Go Denim – Now I don’t mean from head to toe. A smart pair of dark blue jeans, a tucked in collared shirt and contrasting blazer is a simple, elegant and sophisticated look. You can even go with lighter jeans or distressed jeans if you’re feeling particularly adventurous but this will work better if you wear them with a dark sports jacket or blazer to provide contrast.

3. Go Turtleneck – If you fancy looking a bit different, then go turtleneck. Turtlenecks are very much in this winter but it does help if you are more on the slim side. If you are a bit more portly then they have a tendency to ride and cling so it’s not the best look. Dark turtlenecks work best and they can make a nice change from wearing a shirt, Combined with a smart woollen suit and worn casually (never tucked in), you will cut a sharp figure at any party.

Now, if the event does say black tie, then that’s exactly what it means. Don’t turn up in a blue or light grey suit. A classic tuxedo is ideal but if you don’t have one and you haven’t got time to get one, then a black suit, crisp white shirt, dark tie and pocket square is the order of the day.

Season’s greetings, and whatever you’re wearing, make the right impact!

Loathed as I am to jump on the bandwagon, Jeremy Corbyn really does need to sort out his attire. Over the past couple of weeks the press have described Jeremy Corbyn’s wardrobe has Soviet-era, fifty shades of beige, and Oxfam-chic. With suits that look more jumble sale and charity shop rather than Savile Row, the predominantly right wing press have had a field day describing Jeremy Corbyn’s wardrobe and however shallow all these observations seem, there is a strong truth in what they’re saying. The fact is, we like our leaders to look like leaders and you can’t really do this when it looks like your fashion sense has been influenced by your old Geography teacher. However endearing it may look, when it comes to establishing a presence on the world stage, I’m afraid that look won’t cut it.

Throughout history, leaders who wanted to make the right impression have had to step up their wardrobe. Now before you think that this is something that a Tailor is bound to say I am stating the above based on scientific evidence. It’s called ‘enclothed cognition’ and no, I haven’t just made that phrase up. It’s a well researched scientific fact.

Enclothed cognition is how people perceive and react to you based on what you’re wearing. For example, a medical practitioner will wear a white lab coat for a reason. The reason is because it displays professionalism, scientific know-how and creates trust. When we see a doctor who is in a white uniform we immediately feel more secure and we believe we are going to be in safe hands.

There are lots of symbolic meanings to different types of clothes – uniforms or otherwise. The robes of a judge signify justice, the robes of a priest signify faith, the lycra of an athlete or cyclist signifies fitness and speed and you will not be surprised to hear me say that the cut of a tailor-made suit signifies power and importance!

When you put on a suit you think, feel and behave differently. If that suit has been tailored to your body shape then it feels like an extension of you and the status you hold. And it’s not just you who notices it. Others will react differently to you as well.

The clothes you wear undoubtedly exert an influence on the people around you but you have to be comfortable in your own skin to carry it off. If you’re the type of person who feels awkward and uncomfortable in a suit then you probably won’t be able to carry it off because others will see that you feel awkward as well. However, if you’re the type of person who is relatively comfortable getting suited up, then the better the suit is, the more you will raise your game.

So, in summary, if you want to feel the part, then you need to look the part. People still associate power and importance in the workplace as somebody in a suit, shirt and tie. Yes, I know there are notable exceptions like Mark Zuckerberg and Richard Branson who don’t get suited up, but on the whole, if you look at the attire of world leaders across the globe, they will be dressed in tailored suits and looking every inch the person in charge.

So what should Jeremy Corbyn do? If he suddenly started to get all Armani on us, the press would rip him to shreds but to be honest, if he could ride the storm, that would soon die down. If Jeremy Corbyn was to work with a decent tailor, then that tailor would know how to work with him to make him look more the part without diminishing his personality. In fact, it is part of a tailor’s job to ensure that a person’s individuality shines through when it comes to choosing their wardrobe.

If Jeremy Corbyn was to reap the benefits of ‘enclothed cognition’ then he might just get the response that he needs to be taken seriously…..by all corners of the press.

The Savile Row experience brought to your door is precisely the bespoke service that you receive from Adrian Barrows – The Bespoke Tailor. Great Britain has always had a proud tradition of tailoring and London’s Savile Row is the most famous tailoring street in the world. Adrian Barrows is a British tailor who not only visits his clients on Savile Row but is prepared to travel across the UK and Europe to deliver his unique tailoring service. “The clients I deal with are extremely busy. They are either busy in the corporate world, celebrities or always on the move. I work to their diary and will travel to a location of their choosing to discuss their requirements – that may be on Savile Row or in the comfort of their own home. Fine tailoring is all
about getting the measurements just right – from the shape of the body to the expression of your personality. It’s about getting a fit that perfectly complements your sense of style and that brings out your individuality. I visit many of my clients in the comfort of their own home where they are more relaxed and able to discuss what they need in more detail. That is the service that I love to bring to my clients.”

With over 20 years in the tailoring industry Adrian Barrows is an award winning tailor who goes that extra mile for his clients. Adrian takes the time to get to know his clients well, what they want to achieve and draws out the true essence of their style. This is then reflected in the suits that he makes; garments that are truly bespoke which are designed for the individual and have their personality woven into them.

British manufactured cloth is the best in the world and with over 5,000 fabrics to choose from Adrian Barrows offers his clients the very best in British fine tailoring, superb choice and a prestigious service that is perfect for the ultra-busy individual.

Do you want to make the right impression?

If you do then try stepping up your wardrobe?

Now before you think that this is something that a Tailor is bound to say I am stating the above from a position of scientific fact. It’s called ‘enclothed cognition’ and no, I haven’t just made that phrase up. It’s a well researched scientific phenomenon.

Enclothed cognition is how people perceive and react to you based on what you’re wearing. For example, a medical practitioner will wear a white lab coat for a reason. The reason is because it displays professionalism, scientific know-how and creates trust. When we see a doctor who is in a white uniform we immediately feel more secure and we believe we are going to be in safe hands.

There are lots of symbolic meanings to different types of clothes – uniforms or otherwise. The robes of a judge signify justice, the robes of a priest signify faith, the lycra of an athlete or cyclist signifies fitness and speed and you will not be surprised to hear me say that the cut of a tailor-made suit signifies power and importance!

When you put on a suit you think, feel and behave differently. If that suit has been tailored to your body shape then it feels like an extension of you and the status you hold. And it’s not just you who notices it. Others will react differently to you as well.

The clothes you wear undoubtedly exert an influence on the people around you but you have to be comfortable in your own skin to carry it off. If you’re the type of person who feels awkward and uncomfortable in a suit then you probably won’t be able to carry it off because others will see that you feel awkward as well. However, if you’re the type of person who is relatively comfortable getting suited up, then the better the suit is, the more you will raise your game.

So, in summary, if you want to feel the part, then you need to look the part. People still associate power and importance in the workplace as somebody in a suit, shirt and tie. Yes, I know there are notable exceptions like Mark Zuckerberg and Richard Branson who don’t get suited up, but on the whole, if you look at the attire of business people who occupy the top boardrooms across the world, they will be dressed in designer suits and looking every inch an industry leader.

If you want to reap the benefits of ‘enclothed cognition’ then it might be time you consulted your tailor!