Posts Tagged ‘Socks’

One of the primary functions of fashion is to communicate. It can be used to show you belong to a particular subculture, or express your personality. An expensive car is a status symbol for those who have achieved a certain level of success, and designer clothes can do the same. Wearing brands such as Gucci, Prada, D…G and Hugo Boss demonstrate a level of success. Accessories are that finer bit of detail that really separate those who can afford luxury, and those who pretend. Choosing luxurious accessories is taking that extra step, and it does not go unnoticed. In this article I will look at the most luxurious designer leather wallets, and what each brand represents.

The wallet, out of all men’s accessories, has the closest association with success. If you are paying in an expensive shop or restaurant, it is important to make the correct impression. A leather wallet from a luxury designer brand will immediately show that you are a man who has achieved (of course your clothes need to match this level of luxury). Designer brands such as Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Dunhill have strong assocations with success and have the power to communicate a very strong message. Most wallets look very similar, and so the branding (i.e. use of the logo) is all important. Luxury designer wallets are also manufactured to a very high standard meaning they will not lose their shape as fast as others. There is nothing worse than removing a dog-eared wallet.

Before we take a close look at the designer brands, it is worth understanding the different styles and shapes of wallets. The classic billfold is the most popular choice, as it takes both credit cards and notes. When purchasing an expensive designer wallet, it is important to consider whether you want an integrated coin pocket or not. A coin pocket allows all types of money to be carried in one place, but can make the wallet look slightly bulky. In order to give off an impression of total luxury, the wallet needs to look perfectly clean and crisp. Although slightly old fashioned, a money clip is a unique alternative and has a serious look about it.

Some designer brands have a particular association in people’s minds with luxury and will therefore make the most impact. Louis Vuitton is possibly the most aspirational leather goods brand, famed for its instantly recognisable printed pattern. Their men’s wallets incorporate this pattern, and are sure to make a big impression. This look is bold and is for the person who likes to show off. Gucci is similar to Louis Vuitton in that it is a very opulent brand that strongly features their logo over the wallet. Prada is also connected with these ideals, but is visually more subtle and is synonymous with high quality Italian leather.

For the gentleman who truly appreciates luxury but requires an understated look, it is important to find the right brand that communicates refinement. In the UK there are several designer brands that have a global reputation for the sophisticated English look. Mulberry epitomises Classic English, focusing on high quality leather wallets (textured, moc-croc etc) rather than ostentatious designs. The distinctive tree logo is usually embossed in the bottom right corner and is a real status symbol. Dunhill has a slightly more ‘Modern British’ flavour, with simple and elegant wallet designs. The advertising campaigns featuring Jude Law have helped give this brand a smart yet fashionable and contemporary flavour. For the man who wants a luxury wallet but also show off a quirky side, Paul Smith offers this and more. Paul Smith tends to do away with the classic plain wallet, and incorporates his coloured stripe motif. Other wallets incorporate a ‘naked ladies’ lining or a painted’60s mini. The aforementioned brands tend to have a retail price of around 150. Designer Brands such as Calvin Klein and Hugo Boss offer luxury wallets at a slightly more affordable price between 50 and 80.

David Cole is a trained designer, and has worked in the mens fashion industry for 4 years since graduating. He has a particular interest in mens accessories, and runs a website called Herbert Jones Mens Accessories that offers mens wallets as well as Calvin Klein wallets and more from the top designer brands.

The leather belt adds polish to a gentlemans outfit. Whether you are going for a classic or highly fashionable appearance, the belt should enhance the look. This means that it should complement the rest of your clothes, matching the style and mood. Most men enjoy dressing in a classic yet fashionable way and therefore require a belt to suit this mode of dress. In this article I will look at the must own leather belt that every man should have in his wardrobe. It should be able to go with most of your clothes, and could be the only belt you own.

Versatility is the key when choosing a must own leather belt, but can one belt cover both formal and casual wear? The need for a dedicated suit belt has become less and less relevant for the modern man for the simple reason that it has largely been replaced by business casual. There is some debate as to exactly what business casual means, but for many men there is little difference. Jeans are perfectly acceptable for business casual, if worn with a shirt and smart shoes. It is definitely possible to find a belt that suits both styles, and possibly work with a suit.

A casual belt usually has quite a wide width (going up to 5cm) giving a chunky feel, whilst a formal belt has a more narrow width (about 2.5-3cm) for a sleek look. The must own fashion belt should fall somewhere in the middle at around 3.5cm, offering enough boldness to work well with a pair of jeans but also offer a professional look. When it comes to colour of leather, black should always be the first choice. The reason is that the belt should match the colour of your shoes, and black is the most popular shoe colour. For the ultimate in versatility, a reversible mens leather belt offers the choice of black or brown leather. Always choose matt leather over shiny leather, as the latter simply does not look good with a more casual trouser.

A must own belt should have a simple and clean look. This does not mean it should be boring or un-fashionable; a leather belt with sharp and modern lines can look exciting. In addition, there are many opportunities to choose a versatile leather belt with unique design touches so that you feel it best suits you. Subtle stitch detail or embossing can add an extra dimension to the belt, but it is best to avoid over embellished belts. Whilst studded belts for men are a fashionable accessory, they only work well with a very casual look. The buckle offers a good opportunity to add a fashion element, such as plaque buckles and elongated or sharp lines.

There are several designer brands that specialise in versatile leather belts for men. Calvin Klein is an excellent example as their house look is clean and minimalistic. Their mens belts are designed for that business casual look, with many being reversible. Hugo Boss is also well known for its sophisticated design, with a penchant for black (take a look at their Boss Black range). Many of their belts use stitching and have a wide selection of different leather treatments (smooth, textured etc). Ted Baker also cater for the everyman, but with a few stylish touches unique to the brand. For example they offer a fixed prong buckle belt and a paisley embossed belt tip. There are several brands (such as All Saints and Diesel) that have a more high fashion look suited only to trendy casual gear. It is definitely worth having a belt like this, but only if you already have a Must Own Belt.

For the best quality mens belts including mens Ted Baker belts, please go to www.herbertjones.co.uk/.

Mens bags are widely accepted as a functional and fashionable accessory. Gone are the days of the old school combination lock briefcase with its generic rectangular shape, and in comes a wide ranging assortment of bag styles for men. The more casual working environment and cosmopolitan society has driven a demand for fashionable designer bags. Men can now choose from the messenger bag, tote, briefcase, reporter bag, flat crossover bag, the backpack and much more. In this article I will look at the defining characteristics of the different mens bags available, and who they are best suited to.

The most popular style of mens bag for the 21st century is the messenger bag, a very versatile bag that has an inherently masculine appeal. The messenger has evolved from a functional bag used by couriers to an all purpose mens bag. It offers easy access to the contents without having to remove the bag which is opened and closed via a large flap. In addition the messenger bag hangs over the shoulder and lies comfortably across the body without getting in the way. The messenger allows for a large volume of contents to be stored inside, and often features various different pockets for modern essentials such as ipods and computer leads.

The messenger bag is available in many different styles, from the casual to the smart and sophisticated. A well structured messenger in leather, or leather nylon mix, is suitable for the office and work and can take a laptop computer. Some messengers are designed specifically as laptop bags, containing foam protection inside. A loosely structured messenger made from canvas or nylon is great for casual wear. The classic shape of the mens messenger bag is east west (horizontal). Some designer brands offer a north south profile which is more comfortable to wear as it does not bang from side to side as much.

The reporter bag is also an over the shoulder mens bag, but it is quite compact in size (typically 20cm wide by 25cm high). It is designed to be lightweight, ideal for travelling or staying on your feet all day. The north south profile means that it will not get in the way whilst walking, and does not become too bulky. Unlike the messenger, the reporter is not a flap-over bag and instead has a simple zip fastening on the top. The most comfortable and lightweight version of the reporter (or crossover) is the flat-bag. It is designed without any depth so that it lies flat against the body.

The Tote (or shopping bag) demonstrates how men are willing to try new styles of bags that promote their metrosexuality. The tote is shaped somewhat like a shopping bag and is carried by two carry handles. Designer brands have made an effort to give the tote bag an element of masculinity, although it may be too feminine for some. On the other hand, it is considered extremely fashionable and will show off the gentlemans sensitive side.

The briefcase has been given a major overhaul, offering a much less structured and rigid mens bag compared to the old style. Most briefcases now offer the option of carry handles or an adjustable shoulder strap. Nylon is a very popular choice of material as it is lightweight, whilst the addition of leather trim adds an air of refinement.

For the best quality mens bags including mens messenger bags, please visit www.herbertjones.co.uk/