Outfit | Red Wing Boots + Becoming More Open as a Blogger

Blacksmith Boots c/o Red Wing | Albam x MR PORTER Jeans | Sunspel Sweatshirt | Barbour Jacket | Messenger Bag c/o Trakke | Ace&Tate Sunglasses | Timex Watch | CHUP Socks

Since the middle of Summer I've had a slight shift in my thinking as a blogger. I've become more open to discussing the finer details of how it all works; you know, the details that not everyone is so forthcoming with. I've talked taxes with Kristabel, the struggles of starting out as a freelancer with Jordan, negotiating for projects with John, building communities with Lucie, and the hot subject of people buying followers on Instagram with Nik.

Being more open has had a positive affect (I'm planning to write a post on this soon) on the way I work and my day-to-day life. It's given me an extra drive to collaborate with like-minded people and create solid content for brands that I am truly passionate about. Red Wing Heritage being one of those brands that I am extremely excited to be working with.

One of the recent meet-ups was in Liverpool, to celebrate the launch of Harry Stedman's new exhibition. The launch night was a success; they brought a mixed bag of people together, and it was great to finally meet the guys at Jocks&Nerds. The next day myself + Jordan had a free day to explore to city. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to give my new Red Wing Blacksmith boots their first full outing.

 Jordan has just turned freelance, read his post here

Red Wing at Weavers Door, Liverpool

The Red Wing Blacksmith boot is a little bit different to my usual style, with an overall smarter appearance than my much-loved Moc Toe boots. The durable Vibram mini-lug sole makes them a solid choice for our wet British winter, and with a 6 inches of height it makes them an ideal boot for when I travel anywhere colder.

The original idea behind the Blacksmith boot was to create a style that was rugged and hardwearing enough to withstand a day of labour, but be elegant enough to be cleaned up after work for an evening down the town. Now that's some versatility I can get on board with!

Red Wing's Rough + Tough leather breezed through a day of coffee, food and some of my favourite locations in Liverpool with no effort at all. But then again, they were built for traditional Blacksmiths, so I reckon the boots will be able to take a few spills of 92 Degrees coffee with no issues at all...! A few months of hard wear, along with the staple Albam denim, should give the Blacksmith boots the perfect patina.

It was a day well spent. Liverpool is an incredibly friendly city, and showing Jordan around some of my favourite places really did make me want to stay for longer. We're already planning to meet up in another city soon, that may not happen until little down the road, but it will give me a chance to properly wear these boots in good 'n' proper.

Thanks for reading, let me know your thoughts!

Photography by Jordan Bunker.

This post is in collaboration with Red Wing Heritage. Thank you for taking the time to support the brands + businesses that make this blog happen.

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Buckets & Spades x ohw? Collaboration

I'm really excited to share something that I've been working on for a while now. Myself and the design team at British footwear brand ohw? first got together in early 2014, and set about putting the wheels in motion to create our very own collaboration release together. Months of ongoing ideas, design meetings and sample orders led us to this - the ohw? x Buckets & Spades three-eyelet Moccasin in Sea Blue, Aquamarine + Orange!

I chose these colours because I feel they represent myself as an individual and the blog really well. We decided to go with a fully suede upper, with the added addition of the heal tab, complete with the Buckets & Spades logo. That's the bit I'm most proud of! The moccasin is finished off with contrasting reflective orange hiking laces and pyramid sole.

Wearing - Buckets & Spades x OHW? Louis Boot | ASOS Flannel Shirt | Harry Stedman Tee | Universal Works Trousers + Socks | Filson Cap | Shore Projects Watch

The boots themselves are full of cool details, which is something that initially drew me towards ohw? back in 2013, at menswear trade show Jacket Required. Colour plays a big role in my life, and with ohw? being keen to try out interesting colour combinations in their existing collection - while also giving me control over our design – made it an easy decision to want to work with them. 

The notches on at the top are known as "size markers", the original way shoemakers signified what size shoe it was  – the big notch represents five, and the small each mean one. Neat touch!

It's been very rewarding seeing my design come together over these past few months, and hopefully this is a sign of things to come, or maybe even a new direction? I've been toying with product ideas for a couple of years now, so maybe 2015 is the year I finally seize that opportunity. 

The ohw? x Buckets & Spades SS15 collaboration goes on sale 1st April exclusively online at ohw?'s store and in-store and at men's lifestyle retailer Yeuk. What do you think folks, did I go over the top with the colour or does it represent us well? Would love your feedback!

Thanks for visiting,
Mat

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Outfit | Planes, Trains + CAT Boots

Hollie wears - Zara Coat | COS Dress | Topshop Leggings | Boots c/o CAT | COS Mittens | Longchamp Bag | Zara Scarf

The best things about Christmas is getting time to spend with Hollie. I never shy away from the fact that my working life can get pretty lonely at times - I usually try to combat this by going to the gym, getting out on my bike or nipping to Hollie's parents' for a coffee. The door is always open for me there. So this gone Christmas we agreed to see each other as much as possible. Granted, it either involved grabbing coffee, beer shopping, eating Toblerone or watching John Candy's filmography on our new smart tv, but it was pretty spot on. Planes, Trains + Automobiles people!

A coffee break usually ends up with us heading out to "the wall" - the light was pretty perfect on this particular day. Hollie's on her feet all day at work so these CAT Boots have been a blessing – she's all about the comfort. Trainers, boots, sandals....anything flat really. So much so she even received this really sweet book for Christmas by Hannah Rochell. It's well worth checking out if you're into footwear design + illustration. A few weeks in and the CAT boots are still her no.1 choice.

Eeeeee I don't know, she makes it look so easy.

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Outfit | Masculine vs Feminine

Hollie Wears - Topshop Boutique Coat | J.Crew Jumper | Whistles Jeans | Boots c/o Palladium Boots | Watch c/o Skagen | Longchamp Tote Bag

It's commonly said in menswear that, "it's all in the detail", but surly that's also the case for a lot of womenswear too? If it wasn't then why would be be drawn to certain pieces, especially those that really need to be seen in person to appreciate. Maybe my enthusiasm for men's gear has rubbed off on Hollie – she always seems to have these cool subtle details within her everyday outfits. Pin-dot earrings, contrasting cuffs, self-colour patterns, unusual shapes....She blurs the lines between masculine and feminine dressing seamlessly.

The Skagen watch and Palladium boots are both perfect examples of what I mean. Both taking inspiration from styles traditionally worn by fellas, but giving them a modern androgynous vibe. The combination of the rich tan leather strap and oversized ultra-simplistic face on the Skagen watch is a winner in my books. It's all in the detail right?

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H&B London - Made In England Leather Wallet

Wearing - 55DSL Jacket via TKMaxx, Crest Jumper c/o Reiss, Levi's 511, Boots c/o UGG, Ralph Lauren Socks. Vintage Gloves.

Buying into well known and established brands is usually a good sign that you're spending your money on a quality item. But what happens when those products don't match up to their price tags? Stephen Brister found himself faced with that same problem. Over the years Brister experimented with various brands, both well known in the industry and via recommendations, but he was never happy with the quality and construction.

The conclusion was not to keep searching for the perfect wallet but to find a way of producing it by himself, and in 2012 Brister left his job in the city to pursue his passion, founding H&B London. Armed with designs for the perfect wallet buzzing around in his head, he enlisted the expert help of a small leather goods workshop in Bethnal Green, London and set to work.

The resulting product is a work of art. As soon as I opened the box I knew that a H&B wallet was the real deal. A classically designed piece which doesn't compromise on construction; the quality is something I can imagine my Grandad giving the nod of approval to. Designed to fit seamlessly into a jacket or trouser pocket and constructed in the finest Italian leather, I would go so far to say that the British Racing Green Billfold Wallet is by far the most stylish accessory I have ever owned. Currently, H&B stock a small range of leather goods and cufflinks, each piece being hand crafted with care and attention in their London studio.

Stopping off at the local for a pint also seemed like the perfect opportunity to also try out the super comfy UGG Kaldwell boots and this new wool jumper from Reiss. Looks like the classiness is rubbing off!

For more information on H&B London visit here.

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Store Visit...Red Wing Shoe Store

Red Wing Shoe Store, London.

Having a wonder around Soho in London wasn't really something I had planned until I saw Karlmond's Carnaby Street Shopping Guide. Inevitable I knew I'd walk down the iconic street at some point but I imagined it would only to be cutting through to Brewer Street (will posted about that soon). I'd seen online that Red Wing had recently opened their first UK store and ever since had been on my mental do-to list to visit the store, have a nose and of course try on a couple of pairs. 

After stopping off at Ben Sherman, Filson, Happy Socks and Levi's Vintage Clothing I headed down to Red Wing Shoe Store on Newburgh St, located on the corner of Ganton St. The superbly dressed shopkeeper let me snap away and also offered me some advice for when I was ready to purchase me first pair. Note the small workshop display located at the back of the store, filled with archive photos, tools and old boots. A really nice touch, which shares the company's rich history. As well as footwear they stocked caps, shoe care, Field Notes Drink Local notebooks and their brand new range of leather belt.

You can find the store just off Carnaby Street at - Red Wing Shoe Store, 17 Newburgh Street, W1F 7RW.

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