Nevermind Then

Images from Goodhood

Currently lots of stores with online presence are flipping things around and doing their own in-house lookbooks to showcase their offerings. It's a winning formula and something which makes total sense, show your best stuff off to the world in a way other than using static images. You never really get a proper feel for the fit and style of the products. Oi Polloi have a lot to answer for, with the ever popular  Deck Out, even giving characters and narratives to each look. But today I'm concentrating on Goodhood's collection, called Nevermind. The East London indi retailer is a store I'm only familiar with in the online world as I've never been to the physical store(though I did live 1 tube stop away a couple of winter's ago), but it's this sort of stuff that really draws me in. I'm a sucker for colours and patterns, as you all know. From the title and first images you instantly make the assumption that it's all inspired by Nirvana's 1991 romper stomper but I would say it's more just taking bits and bats from the early to mid 90s in general. 

The top image is clearly inspired by Kurt's signature look(though he would have been in Converse One Stars for sure) and some bits looks like they came from the My So-Called Life wardrobe. There's a nod to BritPop with sloppy cardigans worn with stripes, loose chinos with flannel and high on the head woolies with technical outerwear with skateboard shoes. 

The whole thing is making me want to dust off my Blur and Weezer albums again. Goodhood seems to mix sort-after premium brands with uber-cool cult and streetwear really well, it's not how I would normally wear things but it's acting and a great source of inspiration on these bleak grey days up north.

Things Right Now

Burt's Bees farmers Hand Salve - 

Anyone who suffers when it starts to get a bit chilly out should really give this ago, seriously good stuff. Has the added bonus of a nice medicated smell and a fella with a beard on the front. It doesn't work like a regular moisturier, it's think as anything and works instantly. Especially good for thumbs.

Ralph Lauren Double Black -

If I'm honest I really wanted the regular Polo Black version but I picked this up in Orlando for a good price. It smells quite coconuty and is extremely subtle. The matte bottle has minimal branding, you will only see a small logo on the cap. It does seem to fade after a few hours on me but you do get a waff every now and again.

J.R Watkins Lavender Hand Soup -

 Granted I did only buy this for the packaging alone, I was intrigued as well as pretty excited to see some ol' time branding. J.R. Watkins have been producing natural products since 1868 and this is one of the oldest recipes. As well as stuff for your person they do a tone of charming cleaning products too. This was another Orlando pick up. Sadly it doesn't look like they ship to Europe.

Just a few things which are ingrained into my daily routine at the moment, oh and crumpets but we all know what they look like now don't we.

Snap Shot - Lamy

Guys, I know you're as excited as I am about this news, it's been all over Twitter. I have a new pen, to be fair though it's a pretty nice one and it makes a change from the usual ever-breakable Bic Biro (though I still like them really). I chose a Lamy Safari rollerball in yellow. Design by Wolfgang Fabian in Germany, I think you're getting something pretty well made in terms of design, durability and function for under a 10er. It's safe to say I won't be lending this one out willy-nilly, cos they never come back do they?

Another one for the ever growing stationery collection.

Red Trouser Issues

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Voucher Codes to help them bring impartial reviews for their Lifestyle magazine, Most Wanted. I've seen a couple of these types of "tried & tested" posts before, namley on Wolf Whistle and Jazz Pad. The idea is to get a handful of bloggers to review  products from a few various retailers and basically see which are the best. So what did I get? Red trousers......when I first heard that I just thought "gees, am I 19 again" (nu-rave anyone) and it was sounding far less appealing.

But the whole idea was to give impartial views so I really had nothing to loose. My chosen retailer was Next, and the product was a pair of slim fit dusty red chinos. I ripped them out the bag one day after work and I was surprised to be actually warming to the idea, for the fact a) they they weren't bright red, b) they weren't tight & c) they were made from washed out soft cotton. So I gave them a go;

Up to now I've worn them 3 times. First time I just popped out for a coffee and it hit me why I liked them more than I expected, it's because the fella from Bargain Hunt, Tim Wannacott, wears some in a very similar colour! And he of course is one of my style icons. The chinos actually seem to fit into my wardrobe pretty easily, sticking them with a grey or blue oxford shirt and brogues or sneaks works pretty easily. In general the fit is quite relaxed, slim in the leg and tapering down to a 7"ish leg opening, which suits me fine. Plenty of room to move. To be honest the colour and fit reminds me more of Albam that a high street brand.

They retail at £38 which at first I thought was a bit pricey for the high street (just comparing quickly to Topman, River Island, Zara ect) but they do actually fit me really well and feel nice. They're advertised as "fits low on the waist" but they really don't, coming in a bit higher than the regular rise, which, always a good thing. 

You're also getting something pretty well made for the price, here's some closer details;

 Metal rivets and buttons, big improvement on the crummy plastic white ones you from most stores

Double pocket stitch detail on both sides, with the added bonus of a small "3rd" pocket on the left

Hopefully you can get a proper idea of the colour here, like a soft worn out red. Triple stitch detail around the waistband is a really cool touch too.

Voucher Codes asked me to use a rate them on the following qualities:

Comfort = 9/10

Style = 8/10

Price = 8.5/10

Quality = 8/10

Overall: 8.5

Pretty swish I must say.

Wearing - red chinos, c/o Voucher Codes via Next, Uniqlo grey oxford shirt, Gap jacket, Ask The Missus suede brogues, Paul Smith socks.

I hope this helps if you are in the market for some red trousers. What do you think anyway, is it working for me? Remember impartial opinions are good.

I you were interested you can probably pick up a some discount from Voucher Codes, you know how it works. Also remember to check out Most Wanted for more blogger's reviews

Urban Outfitters Menswear Press Day

I was thrilled when I was contacted by the PR people at Urban Outfitters, inviting me to a press event to showcase their latest A/W collection. Originally it was just a London thing but when I said I lived hundreds of miles away they sorted it out so I could go along to my local Manchester store for the same treatment. I don't attend many press things because everything seems to happen in the capital, so this made a really welcomed change.

I was shown around the whole menswear department, located on the large open plan top floor and mezzanine. I've been in here tones of times but lately the whole layout and brand selection seems much more consider. Currently you are led in with the new Levi's Monochrome collection which features some of the brand's most popular fits in a more stripped back and clean finishes. All displayed on the painter's style benches, nice touch. Behind the denim led in what Urban Outfitter's in-house brand, Store Leave. Apparently their collection has been met with warm reception, all built around menswear basics.

The premium brands area was really strong, with UO favourites YMC, Garbstore and Libertine Libertine now sitting along side Canadian basics by Wings & Horns and this season's new comer Evisu. I was anxious to try the denim / check shirt by Garbstore but the fit really wasn't working for me.

Trainers have taken a backseat in the store (cos we're up north and it's always soggy out) as this seaon's emphasis is on all things sensible. Nothing out the ordinary here, the footwear is always stronger online as Manchester is seen more as a sports city, so they doesn't get a massive selection. The Store Leave brogues on the right here as light as a feather.

I was really impressed with the shear amount of accessories on the go, 5 panel caps with mixed with the usual winter woolies and backpack. This place always makes me want to get my Lomo out to, anyone else get that?

Cheap Monday was merched along side Dr. Denim, outerwear by Patagonia, Lee and Edwin. Definitely one of my favs, Edwin had some really nice heavy weight chinos and knits on offer. I was pretty taken by the navy and off-white baseball cardigan. This was also the first time I'd seen Carharrt's new "Work in Progress" branding. The chunky grey swing tag looked pretty cool against the brushed check and leather  pocket logo.

Patches on anything with an elbow

                      

Suit, the brand that's really getting about at the mo seemed to be doing some nice things. It's best described as a mixture of Nigel Cabourn and Albam but on a tighter budget. The outerwear was by far the strongest, with tweeds, wax cottons and flannel checks all mix together to make some cracking "Camerman" style jackets. Jumbo cords were also doing the rounds here, along side heavyweight knits, oxford shirts in the classic colours and sweatshirts. They seems to be having the most fun with the styling down on the mezzanine too, which was nice to see. The dickie was quite charming really.

At the other end of the store they side together the more Heritage/Collegiate brands like Fred Perry, Farah Vintage, Penguin, Lyle & Scott and Franklin & Marshall. These brands usually pass me by but Fred Perry and Farah had some really interesting stuff going on, I noted a couple of washed-outs sweats, cotton/jersey oxford shirts, heavy wool trousers and low key branding on lambwool jumpers and scarfs.

Apart from the renewal section and music/book section that's your lot. I'd just like to thank the Urban Outfitters Manchester menswear team for showing around and making me feel so welcome. They did let me take a couple of bits a bobs with me, including a Store Leave wool blazers and a backpack but I'll whack that in a separate post.

*For anyone that noticed, the blog was down for a good 6 hours so I'm told. I have no idea why but thanks to everyone on Twitter for your help and concern.

Balloon Invitation

I wanted to share will you an invitation I designed for my Final Campaign at uni, a few months ago. For the people who haven't been reading the blog for too long my concept was to launch a homeware store aimed at men. This was on behalf of menswear store Oi Polloi. Featured here is the design for the store launch night invite. The idea was to get people hands on with the brand straight away. Inflate the balloon, give it a pop with the pin provided which then reveals further details of the launch night.

Now this wasn't an entirely original idea, I took the concept from the uber talented crafts extraordinaire Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Days. Anyone that's into crafts, diys, simple presentation or clever design ideas then this is the site for you. She also does the most amazing job of reconditioning furniture and other tire looking items. There doesn't seem to be an end the this ladies talents.

I think I made a pretty good job of it anyway, hopefully I can transfer these skills I've learnt into a real job soon. Anyone want me?

125 Years of Coca Cola with Jack Spade

Jack Spade have got together with Coca-Cola to celebrate 125 of the sweet sweet fizzy stuff. There's something about real Coca-Cola that evokes the good ol' times. It pretty much tastes the best as well as always seeming to look pretty cool in those little glass bottles on the shelf. Anyways, Jack Spade (who I've previously blogged about) were given free reign to dip into Cola's old slogans catalog and design the designs on their own products.

All the products use original slogans and patterns, ranging from "Ice Cold Sunshine"1932, "I'd like to buy the world a Coke"1971 to the interlocking "Cs" on the baseball cap which was originally used on official merchandise around 1910. Each item is on a pretty limited basis, with between 150 and 300 of each. As a rule I'm generally not into slogans, I usually think people look right wazzocks in them but I can properly get on board with some nostalgic ones like this.

So go on, which do you prefer, Coca-Cola or Pepsi?

Nice Things @ Togs & Clogs

Simpsons Shaving Brush

Slim Harpo, real whiskey drinking music

Captured By The Norwegians, sounds intriguing, no?

Lexon Office Collection Set

Pointer Duck Boots, perfect feet coverings for us Brits

Teapigs Green Tea with Mint, I was sold on the camel

Armor Lux noggin warmer

Toy2R Transparent Pom Bear

Now, these are some pretty cool things I must admit. Snazzy enough for me to pick them out but the main reason behind this post is to show you just how slick the store images look. It sure worked on me because I want it all. The products are all taken from (from what I can gather) this brand spanking new store called Togs & Clogs, based in Manchester, UK. The whole site is just really well done , with oodles of categories and an expanding Lifestyle section. For all you chaps (I'm pretty sure most of the girls will like it all too) who are into vintage bikes, watches, clothing, well designed stationary and  well chosen Blues music I urge you to check it out. Now this is all I know about the store, annoying they don't have a physical store as yet, I can only hope. If it's as good as this then I'm sure to have very empty pockets.

Check out the store or follow them on Twitter for the latest.