Conscious Thinking with Crowther/Plant

There's something special about brands who choose to make their goods in England. We love those who utilise our country's manufacturing industry, and Margate's very own Crowther/Plant are no exception.

Drawing inspiration from their coastal surroundings, designers Cat Crowther & Emrys Plant have developed a brand that champions ethical menswear. From the outset their goal was to create products that were made responsibly and have as little impact as possible. With their environmental consciousness at the forefront of what they do, Cat & Emrys are able to have control over their footprint and also encourage the British manufacturing industry. Working with recycled and organic fabrics helps maintain their sustainability as well as choosing processes like natural indigo dying, which they continue to do on location in Margate.

Their most recent collection plays host to a handful of sports-luxe garments and printed tees - inspired by Margate's chalk reefs, calm waters and burning sunset skies. With an overall natural feel, Crowther/Plant's unstructured silhouettes and Indigo pieces offer something incredibly unique.

You can find out more about the brand  over on their website and if you're visiting London Fashion Week Mens on the 6-9th of January then be sure to check out their showroom space in 180 Strand. For anyone looking to try out something from Crowther/Plant you can get  20% discount on your order by using the code "margate friends" right now too.

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The Empty Shop Manchester + Weekend Links

   

The Empty Shop is a charity concept brought to our shores via Sao Paulo, Brazil. It's an innovative way of collecting unwanted clothing and distributing them to people in need, with the idea being, "Bring Clothes to the Shop, Instead of Taking them from the Shop". All clothing will be merchandised throughout the day by local stylists and bloggers, then at the end of the day the store is emptied and all donation are given to homeless charity, The Mustard Tree.

On Monday 27th you will be able to find me helping out at The Empty Shop, in Manchester Arndale Centre, just outside Next! So if you're in the area, bring some clothes down, come say hi and donate to a great cause. More details here, click play to see how it works. Have a good one folks!

Weekend Bucket List

Amazing photos of Chicago on ice.
Some solid advice on Guest Blogging, straight from the horse's mouth.
Blur's Alex James doing his best Blue Steel at Oliver Spencer.
These ceramic cups. 
I took a look around the Private White V.C London Store.
Tales from Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Dogs on skateboards is old, it's all about kick-flipping cats.

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Close Ups @ Bank

I was recently approached by Bank to look through the current stock to pick out some of my favourite items.  I've chosen to look at some of their more colourful and interesting close ups rather than plain of product shots. Buying clothes online is a tricky business, we all know this. It's hard to get the fit right, to get a proper feel for the fabric and quality so nice and clear close ups do help a bunch.

Above are a few of my favorite pieces which are all currently online. The cycling stitched chambray shirt would be a great nod to Olympic gold medalist Wiggo and the K-Way windbreaker is possibly what every person in Britain could do with, a waterproof. Superga trainers have been a firm favourite of mine for a few years, Hollie pointed out the other day that I'd suit this colour. I'm now quite tempted as my grey ones are on their last legs.

K-Way Jacket // Eastpak Backpack // Supera Trainers // Nanny State Shirt // Rivington T-Shirt

Close ups are just about the next best thing to seeing products in person. So do you prefer, Online or Offline?

This is a sponsored post, which helps with my current job situation and tea addiction. Designer clothes at Bank Fashion

Made In....Part 2

Perfecto brogues, Grenson "Archie" - Made in England

£3 charity shop Harris Tweed blazer with turquoise and orange weave - Made in Scotland

Charity shopped numbers, Liberty and M&S ties - Made in the U.K

The old faithful vintage Woolrich cpo jacket - Made in U.S.A

Gees this has been a long time coming but today I had a bit of spare time (and some daylight) so I  took advantage and grabbed my camera for part 2 of my "Made In...." feature.

As I mentioned in part 1 I'm quite obsessed with finding out a bit of information about existing things in my wardrobe and also potential purchases. This usually involves me rummaging around for labels while sales assistants look at me like I'm about to hack the security tags off. I used to just look at the material but now it's the country of origin. Most of the things featured above are either from charity shops or vintage finds, so what does that say then? I'll be in London next week for a couple of days and I'm planning on checking out a few vintage shops for some more quality pieces.

A lot of my clothes are made in much poorer countries and it's hard to avoid when you don't have the money spend but it's nice to know a little more isn't it. Have you guys been checking out your labels since part 1? If not how about checking whatever you're wearing now? I'd be really interested to hear what everyone can see.

*The Grenson brogues are proper good, sadly they're still in unworn condition as they don't quite fit me. I had a protective sole put on too, (I'd be on my arse in no time with leather soles)before I realised! If anyone is interested in them and are a uk 8/9 do get in touch.