Buckets & Spades Wears | SS14 Edit at Cloth

Working with independent businesses is not only something which I'm extremely passionate about but it's also a great way for me to showcase stores + brands who are quietly doing amazing things; which sometimes gets overlooked in today's fast-paced world of eCommerce. Today I'm collaborating with one of those such brands - Northern Ireland based independent retailer Cloth, who have recently relaunched their online store, which shows of their lovely lifestyle photography.

I had the opportunity to work with Cloth on an Spring/Summer Edit, picking out my favourite pieces from their new collection. I'm really pleased with my choices, perfect for Britain's ever-changing weather. Here's a quick breakdown -

Nylon Bike Jacket - Universal Works

Short Sleeve Stripe Pullover Shirt - Gant Rugger

Multi-Colour Panel Sweatshirt - Folk

Canvas Toe-Cap Sneakers - YMC

Dotted Board Shorts - Lightening Bolt

1960's Stripe Tee - Levi's Vintage Clothing

Leather iPhone 5 Case - Il Bussetto

1967 505 Slim Jeans - Levi's Vintage Clothing

I'm pretty keen on that Folk Sweatshirt myself, it's definitely at the top of my wish-list for this season. All items in our edit are currently available here. You can also follow them on Twitter + Instagram. Are any pieces from my SS edit taking your fancy?

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EXCLUSIVE - Levi's Vintage Clothing SS14 @ atoo

This season's Levi's Vintage Clothing collection has just dropped at Birmingham based menswear retailer atoo, and the chaps have very kindly shot some exclusive images just for Buckets & Spades. Each season Levi's delve into their extensive archive, picking out key pieces and re-produce them with pinpoint accuracy. Levi's pay extremely close attention to the smallest detail - Sourcing correct materials for the labeling, sticking to the fits as they were originally intended and replicating construction techniques.

The collection, named "Treasure Island", features LVC's 1960 606 + 1947 501, the 1939 Gayway Souvenir Shirt (produced for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition), a Classic Sweatshirt, Short Sleeve Stripe Shirt and the soon-to-be-released suede jacket. I saw all the pieces at Jacket Required last summer and the attention to detail of the collection is this second-to-none.

The shoot took place at Parlour Hair barbershop, just down the road from the atoo's store; modeling the collection is Salon Owner, Phil.

To see the full collection click here. Images by Ming at atoo.

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EXCLUSIVE - atoo Autumn Looks

Birmingham based independent retailer atoo have been kind enough to offer some exclusive shots to Buckets & Spades of their Autumn collection. Featuring some of the store's newest arrivals, each look was shot locally and made up of pieces from their Autumn range, including Jean Machine, Jack Purcell and Armor-Lux.

I met a couple of the guys from atoo at Jacket Required, they're doing some really great stuff and have some excellent brands on board for this coming AW. It's great to see an independent standing out in a busy market.

For more about atoo visit here.

Reminder - You've still got a couple more days to enter the Osmium Giveaway.

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Buckets & Spades x Balibaris Selection

From left to right - Steven Spieldberg t shirt/Nouveau Droit indigo selvage slim jeans/La Cie du Kraft A5 notepad/Madras navy gingham shirt/Pijama fluo Ipad case/New Balance 420 "Road to London" sneaks/dark green socks

I was recently asked by Parisian retailer Balibaris to to pick out some of my favourite products from their store, and here's the result. Balibaris started out in late 2009 selling ties and other small accessories, a couple of years on and the chaps have branched out into their own range of clothing which is all produced in France and a few other countries around Europe (apart from the Japanese denim). They also stock brands like Han Kjobenhavn, Opening Ceremony and Sanders as well as having some pretty cool, low-key collaborations going on. The online store has been a big hit, so much so that they will be opening their first boutique in Rue de Marseille, Paris this coming September.

The fluo Ipad case sticks out like a sore thumb I know. Every time I go shopping these days I end up looking at the same old stuff so I'm making an extra effort to challenge my normal tastes at the moment. I reckon this would make a pretty cool additional to my daily carry-arounds. Which is your favourite item from the selection?

Thanks to Balibaris for this opportunity and their photography.