For Spring Summer 2012 over at Topman they’ve gone for a mish mash of clashing patterns. Tribal motifs and animal print feature heavily alongside geometric shapes on most things including crew tops and lightweight shirts. Overall there’s a distinct vintage vibe to the range with lots of detailing and a strong Eastern influenced colour palette. One of the stand out looks they are championing is shorts. Admittedly this is not any big surprise for summer. But that said these are not any traditional shorts. They seem to have gone with the motto ‘the shorter the shorts, the better’ for a real 70’s college boy feel. Personally I think I’ll be passing the short shorts but instead dipping into the vibrant shades on display. If think you’ve got the legs for it, go wild!

Despite my best intentions, once again this year is going to be another last-minute dash around the shops to get all my Christmas shopping done. Last year I did a smash & grab guerrilla style on Christmas Eve and managed to get everything within 2 hours (which I think is a record!). So if you’re still stuck for ideas for some last minute pressies for the man in your life, here’s what’s topping my list this year:

Multi-colour Mix Up Bobble Hat & Scarf
Because we all deserve to wrap up warm without sacrificing our sartorial cred. Topman have a superb collection of hats and scarves. This combo is one of my favourites for the festive season.
Hat €15, Scarf €18, Topman.

M7 Heritage Collection
Yves Saint Laurent’s M7 is the ultimate combo of sensuality and vibrancy with notes of Mandarin, Oud, Patchouli, Cistus and Myrrh. A warm and intense fragrance this is for the man’s man.
80ML €75, Brown Thomas.

Bjorn-Borg Undies
It’s fair to say the Swedes are a fairly stylish bunch so it’s no surprise they do pretty fabulous underwear. Bjorn Borg has rapidly become one of my favourites not only for their fun designs but because they are super comfy.
From €25 euro (you may even find a bargain at TK Maxx).

Vichy Hydra-mag C+
This stuff is brilliant and super handy as it’s an anti-fatigue hydrating potion that can be used on both the face and eyes for a speedy routine. Enriched with a combination of Vitamin C and Magnesium it helps fight daily aggressors which can leave the skin dull.
€17, Pharmacies Nationwide.

The Handmade Soap Co.’s limited edition Shaving Kit
Get the man in your life into a lather with this retro style limited edition Shaving Kit. Aficionados of the old-school wet shave will be in their element. This kit contains one-of-a-kind shaving treats including Shaving Soap for lathering up, a gorgeously fragrant After Shave Soothing Cream, a classic handcrafted Castle Arch shaving soap dish and the signature Handmade Soap Co. Bristle Brush… everything to pamper your man in this cut throat world.
€59.99, Pharmacies Nationwide.

@darrenKen

On these cold and windy mornings there’s nothing like the cosiness you feel when you pop on some chunky knitwear and with the hightstreet awash with some amazing patterns and designs there’s no reason not to embrace this trend.

Chunky knits featured on most of the catwalks for AW 09 and this season there’s nothing traditional about how you style knitwear. Don’t be afraid to take a few risks mixing with different textures, fabrics and colours.

One word of note – beware of the volumising power of chunky knits; they can make even the slimmest of people look like they’re bigger than they are. The best way to wear chunky knits is to acknowledge their volume and pair them with more figure hugging clothing. If you have a chunky knit cardigan, for example, pair it with skinny jeans, or leggings to create a sassy silhouette.

Chunky knits feature in most womenswear and menswear collections. The above image features a selection of mens jumpers and cardigans –

1) French Connection €90
2) French Connection €85
3) Lyle & Scott at Urban Outfitters €99
4) Top Man €46

Some three decades ago, Sylvester Stallone a.k.a Rocky Balboa made his first triumphant ascent of those famous steps in Philadelphia, a scene cemented in cinematic history for generations to come. Decked out in his grey training pants, t-shirt, hoodie and a black beanie, Rocky, the striving athlete pulled himself out of anonymity, and with him he brought what would become a mainstay of men’s casual wear around the globe – the hoodie.

The hoodie’s ubiquitous presence in this immensely influential film franchise garnered huge popularity and sowed the seeds for what has become the wonder garment of relaxed, chilled out, casual wear for man, woman and child everywhere. But the life of the hoodie, or to give it it’s full title the hooded sweatshirt, began in the 1930s, as a practical piece of clothing with the first ones created for laborers working in the frozen warehouses of upstate New York.

From it’s working class roots to big screen appearances, the hoodie has come a long way – to teams of practically every sport from football, rugby to athletics as well as surfer, skater and snowboard types and slowly maturely it made it’s way into everyday wear for the masses.

Today, the hoodie should be considered a must-have in the wardrobes of every man. The highstreet is continually updated with all manner, colour and cut of hoodie, perfect for practically any casual occasion. Mine (I have at least 6 that I wear regularly) are my saving grace ideal for creating a casual yet cool look for occasions when you’re simply not up to anything else i.e. Saturday morning brunch after a hard night out on the town.

Even high-fashion designers like Gucci, Armani, Jean Paul Gaultier and Versace, have started producing hoodies while on the highstreet shops such as Topman, Urban Outfitters and Indigo & Cloth (Dublin) are taking the essence of the hoodie and combining it with other garments to create a hoodie-hybrid. Think zip down hooded cardi’s, hooded tee’s and hooded denim/check shirts. One word of advice, unless it’s raining heavily avoid wearing the hood up in public and never team your hoodie with a cap unless you’re going for the ‘I’m going to mug you’ look.

Simply adding a hoodie is a great way of dressing down and adding a casual look to an otherwise formal ensemble. Perfect for any late summer BBQ’s that go on way into the night when the inevitable chill of the Irish summer takes hold. Forget gas-guzzling heaters, keep it simple and bring a hoodie!

I can’t remember the last time I ordered a big mug of coffee. Today it’s a tall Americano, thank you very much. What was a night at ‘the pictures’ is now termed heading to see ‘a movie’. Thankfully U.S. cultural imperialism is not all bad though. New autumn-winter clothing lines for men feature some of the hottest looks in years with glorious Americana riding roughshod all over the more fickle trends. Unashamedly male, widely accessible and wonderfully playful, for my money the only style worth embracing this ‘fall’ is that inspired by the men of Stars and Stripes.

Justin Timberlake’s clothing line, William Rast, led the stampede last year with a seriously cool contemporary take on the American classics. US fashion royalty Michael Kors was hot on his heels. Topping them both was designer Michael Bastian with his witty and uber-cool Americana celebration, bringing the look bang up to date. The look is a great one. Getting it right is as much a mind-set as a dress code.

The best way I can describe Classic Americana is that it blends the alpha-male image of a guy who’s just taken a break from chopping logs or rustling cattle, with the sophistication of the pioneering adventurer – be it an all-American aviator or an ‘easy rider’ on the open road. Icons date right back to rugged Rock Hudson types and continue with contemporaries such as Brad Pitt, Tom Brady (NFL star quarterback and hubby of Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen) and the effortlessly stylish John Meyer.

Americana is a very accessible look that will suit most guys. What’s more it’s highly likely you’ll already own many of the signature items, a wallet-friendly bonus. Note to self however, Americana is not an excuse to start wearing the stetson you’ve had buried in the back of your closet for the past decade!

Statement outerwear pieces are a big part of the look and one of the most ubiquitous items is indeed the leather jacket. Superdry has one with just the right amount of detailing in the pockets and zips. Get yourself down to Indigo & Cloth on Dublin’s South William Street to pick up any amount of additions to your look including plaid shirts and hoodies from the Lee 101 collection along with some really well cut denims. Distressed-looking leather boots (such as these, €95 from French Connection) aplenty are available from Top Man or Pepe Jeans. The look can be softened with a seersucker jacket or canvas loafers for a more indoorsy aire.

Steer clear of adding too much U.S. -inspired preppy wear though as this can fudge what should be an unfussy aesthetic. Americana is all about kicking off the suit and being ready to go for a few beers with your buds or heading off on a daytrip to the mountains.

Whether you’re anticipating mudslides at Oxygen or sunny skies in Stradbally, wardrobe-wise you do have to think somewhat practical. However this doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your eye for style in the hope of greater comfort. Over the past couple of years the focus has largely been on the fashion sensibility of the fairer sex at music festivals but this year the lens has firmly swung in the direction of men. In a phrase, the look to go for guys is ‘disheveled-chic’. Take Paolo Nutini as a base line, add a dash of Robert Downey Junior’s panache and complete with just a smidgen of Andre 3000’s far-out flair and you’ll hit the right note whoever is on stage.

There are certain essentials that will help you in your endeavor to remain stylish despite the mud.

When it comes to assembling your festival wardrobe, make footwear a priority. The aforementioned unpredictable nature of summertime means it’s a good idea to pack both a pair of light trainers along with some water resistant footwear. A simple, stylish pair of converse or canvas plimsolls (Penney’s only €6) is ideal because they are super light and won’t take up much space in your rucksack. They’ll also look great with practically anything and are cheap enough to dump or donate when you’re done. If wellies aren’t your thing, a good pair of leather boots should do the trick to keep your feet dry. The ‘Columbia’ high leg leather boot, from Dune, paired with some slim fitting jeans or khakis will add the right amount of edge to your festival look.

Easy to wear, lightweight sweaters, t-shirts and shirts are also a must. All are great for layering so you can adjust what you’re wearing easily as the temperature rises or falls from day to night. Keeping the materials light means quicker drying should you, God forbid, happen to get wet. Zip-up hoodies are always a good bet and this yellow and black nylon jacket from Topshop is essential for cooler evenings. Highstreet store Republic, who recently opened their first Irish shop in Blanchardstown shopping centre, have some really cool t-shirts and hoodies worth checking out. Don’t be afraid to go for a more daring animal print.

While it may hurt your fashion ego, I’d strongly recommend investing in a rain mac or dig out an old raincoat to take with you. Trust me, if it starts to bucket down it’ll be better than adopting a black bin bag. Shorts and three-quarter length trousers are a must – great for keeping cool if it’s warm and sunny, and also easier to keep dry if the rain begins and mud streams start to flow. Opt for something with a bit of character like these cool geometric print shorts from Republic.

Remember, there’s nothing worse then returning home from a weekend of festival frivolity looking like a lobster. So don’t forget your factor 50, those statement ‘sunnies’, and above all else, bring baby wipes!

By Darren Kennedy

With my 10-year college reunion on the not-too-distant horizon, I recently met up with one of my best buddies from Uni. We started to reminisce about the good old days when all you needed was a ten pound note in your pocket and you were sorted for a night out on the town, with enough change left for chips and a battered sausage on the way home. Back then when it came to clothes I embraced colour in all its glory, never shy of any shade. Leaving the world of scholarly pursuits behind and starting to “mature”, I noticed the colours I was wearing started becoming less vibrant and I guess you could say more subtle.

Summer is a liberating time in mens fashion. For at least two thirds of the year many men indulge in a safe, muted and somewhat sombre colour palette that tends to dominate clothing collections. While there’s nothing wrong with that per se, summer has always been a time when even the most ardent die-hard fans of black, mellow and introduce a touch of colour to their wardrobe (even the Emo kids at Central Bank manage to add a splash of colour when the sun shines!)

Here we take a look at a few essentials to inject some colour into your world this season.

SUNNIES
OK so I’m stating the obvious when mentioning sunglasses for summer. As a means of brightening up an outfit however they are a very simple touch. Ditch your darker frames, or at least put them away for a couple of months and try out some of this season’s more exuberant colours. Definitely one of my favourites are Ray Ban. Their colourful new collection‘Rare Prints’ maintains the classic wayfarer frame with an injection of fun and colour, ideal for long summer days. Irish owned Claimtheframe.com have some of the best prices you’ll find with Ray Ban starting from €92.

WRIST CANDY
What a watch can do to a look should never be underestimated and in my opinion no man’s outfit is complete without one. The most subtle of finishing touches a watch subconsciously elevates an outfit to another level. Most guys have at least one good watch which they wear the vast majority of the time and is suitable for most occasions. Summer however is a different kettle of fish when barbeques, days at the beach or even afternoons spent in the beer garden require something a bit more fun. It doesn’t involve spending a fortune either. Highstreet stores stock a super range of fun, colourful time pieces that won’t break the bank. Swatch also have lots of fun time pieces in their collection.

MAD HATTERS
Perhaps no easier way to liven up a look than the addition of some fancy head gear. Don’t worry you don’t have to go all out, even a simple straw trilby with a pop of colour does the trick and adds interest to an otherwise plain ensemble. Style aside hats offer the best protection against sunburn and even sunstroke…yes on a good day in Ireland it’s very possible. Fingers crossed there’s plenty good days on the way!

By Darren Kennedy

Mention the words ‘sailor chic’ to most guys and you are almost guaranteed they’ll instantly bawk at the mental image it conjures up – from Jean Paul Gaultier’s homoerotic sailor boy TV adverts to really dodgy fancy dress outfits. In fact last Halloween I went to a party dressed as a sailor and funnily enough the only item I had to purchase to complete the look was a commander-in-charge style hat. Everything else came from items I already had in my wardrobe. And no, I’m not admitting to owning a sailor suit. It’s just when certain items are worn together, it creates the effect. This is a critical point I’ll come back to later.

Nautical is definitely more of a style than a trend per say and it re-emerges every few years, but it never really goes away completely. In that sense many items with an ode to sailor chic can become wardrobe staples that you’ll wear year after year (even coming in handy at Halloween if you want to go there).

There’s a very valid reason for this. Fashion first fell in love with all things maritime nearly two decades ago, in the eighteen hundreds, when Queen Victoria decked out her four-year-old son in a sailor suit. The look was soon emulated by parents across Britain. Since then, nautical inspired fashion has remained in the sartorial psyche with designers such as Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Yves Saint Lauren regularly displaying catwalk collections which take inspiration from sailing uniforms. Hence today the look is still as regular as the tides.

If you have so much as taken a glance in the direction of the highstreet recently you’ll have noticed the hoards of items with classical nautical elements – a mixture of stripes, polka dots, stars, chevrons and anchor prints in tones of whites, creams, navy blue and red. The key to wearing this particular look well, and to avoid looking like a new navy recruit, is moderation with a capital ‘M’. Just because the shops are full of these elements you don’t want to try incorporating them all into the one outfit. Otherwise the resulting look will be more over-the-top-sailor-shipwreck than anything else.

There is a very fine line between fancy dress and a hint of nautical fantasy so keeping it subtle by giving a nod to the trend is the way to do it. If I had to recommend only one item, it’s a navy Breton strip jumper or sweatshirt (you can’t miss them in Topman). The most classic of pieces, it’s perhaps the ultimate in menswear when it comes to this style. Paired with some jeans or chinos and even a check shirt, it injects a chic simplicity and a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to any outfit

Although championed by womenswear, this is one of very few looks that originates from menswear. In the shops at the moment there’s lots of different variations in shades and prints being introduced to freshen up the look. The great thing about the nautical trend is its versatility, allowing it to be incorporated into outfits for any occasion, from casual right up to formal wear. It’s not all about stripes, a simple navy blazer with clean lines harps back to nautical beginnings and is a wardrobe essential and timeless investment.

By Darren Kennedy

As winter begins I always enjoy layering-up in gloves, scarf, hoodie and my new winter coat. This year I went for a high-gloss, navy, Moncler down puffa with fur-collared hood, which is the epitomy of comfort. All wrapped up there’s nothing better than heading out for a stroll on a crisp winter’s morning with my pooch-pal, Harry.

Unfortunately this pleasure is short lived, as inevitably, we all reach saturation point with having to layer-up every time we step outside. Particularly given the weather this winter, preparing to go outdoors became a chore. To get me over this hump, I dream of warmer times and I’m looking forward to the lighter days, in every sense, of Spring.

Spring 2010 looks set to be a rousing time in menswear if the catwalks are anything to judge from. It’s time to throw out the rulebook as every shape, colour and pattern are mixed together to create a visual treat often lacking in the men’s sector. Think mosaic and tile-inspired patterns, repetitive graphics, woodblock-style motifs, tie-dyes, dip-dyes, flora and fauna imagery from the likes of Christopher Kane for Topshop). The colour palette for Spring is bright and bold: fresh greens, bright blues, majestic pinks and purples, tropical orange and sunset reds in abstract and complimentary prints.

Labels such as Comme des Garcons, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Lanvin have all mixed up their prints to make for dazzling looks with printed suits and sport jackets gracing the Spring catwalks. At Dries Van Noten their looks featured plaid shirts juxtaposed with elegantly cinched macs, neatly-done-up-to-the-chin shirts and cardigans.

So, Spring 2010 is not the time to be shy. A liberating fashion wave is on the way to shake off those recesssion blues. If ever there was a time to be ostentatious and experimental with your sense of style, it’s fast approaching. Get ready for Spring!

The highstreet is bursting at its seams with handbags of every colour, size and material. From the classic clutch to shoulder bags, cross-body bags, satchels, shopper bags and purses, you’re sure to find a suitable bag for every occasion without breaking the bank. Today I thought I’d take a look at some best buys currently in stores or soon to be available. In typical form, Topshop have managed to produce some crackers! (Above M&S Two tone leather shoulder bag £25)

Cut Out Clutch from River Island £24.99

Topshop Leather ruched cross body bag £32

Topshop 3 colour leather satchel £50

Cream hobo knitted bag from River Island £39.99

A|wear Printed Clip Frame Purse €12

Topshop Stud Lattice Bag £25

I absolutely adore the latest collection, entitled ‘Marianne’, to hit Topshop. It captures the essence of late 60′s style with a real boho vibe.

Features lots of faux fur, metallic s fabrics, tarnished sequins and worn leather it’s the perfect collection to bring out the inner rock chic in you.

I recently priced an ostrich feather boa from a vintage store and it was priced at €80. True enough it’s the real deal but when you can pick up a faux fur gilet for around the same price its even better again. The platform thigh boots are just awesome and the Mongolian gilet is definitely a keeper.

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For fans who can’t get enough of the delights in-store and want to see what’s coming down the line next, this link should be one of your favourites –

http://www.topshoppodcast.com/#

…Here’s a little taster of the sartorial splendor!

Below a video from the recent opening of the first Topshop store in NYC with Kate Moss.