Farewell sunny days
While Winter has finally caught up with us, the atypical seasonal weather still allowed me to sport one of my favourite looks. As I mentioned earlier, wearing a blazer in hot weather calls for the right choice of fabric. This herringbone linen blazer from Gentleman Tailors in a brownish shade with slight hints of blue is definitely one of this year’s winners: lightweight, breathable and perfectly tailored to my liking, it’s full of small outstanding details such as two toned functional cuff buttons, patch pockets and paisley inner lining for added flare. It’s a perfect match for the navy/wine check short sleeve button down, which adds depth and pattern to the look. White jeans balance the whole outfit out and look great with the greyish suede espadrilles. Accessories add the final touch through the silk pocket square capturing the shirt’s essence, braided leather belt and timeless watch.
Combining some of my best last season purchases, it exudes a sophisticated nonchalance, perfectly in tune with that relaxed summery vibe.
Herringbone linen blazer by Gentleman, checked shirt by Our Legacy, jeans by Massimo Dutti, suede espadrilles by n.d.c., sunglasses by Rayban (aviators), silver string by Goti, pocket square (vintage), belt (vintage), bracelet (street vendor) and watch by Baume and Mercier (Classima Executive)
Off to work….
Ecru linen blazer by Zara, blue candystripe button down by Our Legacy, regimental silk tie by Gentleman and vintage polka dot pocket square.
Shopping at massive retailers
As you might’ve noticed, when it comes to shopping I’m a fan of small independent boutiques. Given the choice, they’re my go to place should the need arise to purchase a specific item.
Nowadays, however, we can’t deny that some of items available at massive franchises such as H&M or Uniqlo, are worth checking out. It’s a fact that many of the times the quality of saids items is somewhat doubtful, but if you browse them thoroughly your patience will be rewarded…as will your bank account. Let’s face it, unless you’re fortunate enough to have a privileged financial status, or you’re an outstanding shopper who carefully picks his acquisitions, building a wardrobe solely on high end clothing will pose a daunting task.
The thing is, in my opinion, women are better off in this field: the overall design and quality of womenswear at those retailers is better, making it easier for them to pull of a million dollar look with only 50€ or so. When it comes to menswear though, I find it more of a challenge to put up a great look only with such pieces, as the outcome will most likely appear a bit off, be it due to cut, fabric, shape or design. So…what about us?
Well, I believe there are a few tips to successfully score great items at these stores. First, carefully scout the place and analyze the pieces that caught your eye, don’t be afraid to touch them to get a feel of the fabric, take a look at the labels, scan the seams and stitching, and of course, try them on. Face it as a challenge, finding a needle in a haystack…Secondly, stay away from strong image statement pieces: noticed the bold striped sweater on the window? So did the other 5000 guys that entered the shop; by avoiding these pieces you drastically reduce the chances of bumping into a handful of guys wearing the same as you. Furthermore, people won’t immediately know where you shop, which as I see it, is a plus. Last, but not the least, keep an open mind and try to envision the potential of each garment; some of them will look like a whole different story after being adjusted at your tailor.
That being said, some of your best bets at these stores are accessories and understated or basic pieces which will remain anonymous, such as jeans, tees, cardigans, hoodies or shirts without striking features. Here are a few options:
Oxford cotton shirts by Uniqlo
Pale blue linen blazer, cotton chinos and ties by Zara
Cotton hoodie and cardigans by H&M
