Streetwear James Bond Villains by Josh Parkin

"What would James Bond villains look like if they were into streetwear?", is the question on everyone's this lips this week. Well luckily for us, illustrator Josh Parkin has been busy envisioning some of Bond's most well known enemies for this series with size? 

The crew are wearing the likes of adidas, Stussy, Nike + Carhartt. I'd take a guess that James Bond slips into a fresh pair of Springcourts of a weekend...

See the full project here.

  More Buckets - Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest | Newsletter

Ardour Brand Coach Jacket | Made in UK

No stranger to the B+S, Ardour Brand has recently released their take on the iconic American Coach Jacket. A part of their IV Bear line, which pays homage to classic American sportwear pieces, the brand venture into outerwear for the first time. The Coach Jacket has made a resurgence over the past couple of years, and for good reason; for me being one of the most versatile styles of jacket out there.

Good for most seasons, the lightweight Coach Jacket has a out PU coated cotton/nylon outer, making it suitable for both a soggy afternoon on the bleachers or or nipping around in the summer. It also features a white twill lining, two decent sized oval pockets, one inside pocket, waxed lace drawstring hem and adjustable cuffs. Both materials and garment construction have been sourced in the UK. The chaps behind Ardour Brand share a similar love and admiration for sportwear and Americana as me, so it's exciting to see their brand grow and build a bit of momentum.

The IV Bear Coach jacket comes in two colours, Maroon + Old Gold, available here. Also see Ardour Brand x Ebbets Field Flannel Stadium Cap.

Thanks for visiting,
Mat

 Find us on - Twitter - Facebook - Bloglovin' - Instagram - Pinterest

Summer Uniform for FSHP

I was recently invited to take part in the latest installment of FSHP's Uniform feature for their website. I've picked out a few of my summer essentials from their current collection - including items from Carhartt, Blk Pine Workshop and Vans. Please do check out the full feature here.

 Find us on - Twitter - Facebook - Bloglovin' - Instagram - Pinterest

SS14 Style with Citizen

Trends hey, they're tricky things. It's been quite a while since I shopped exclusively on the high street - with each shop offering its own interpretation on this season's "popular" pieces. As I get older these predetermined trends matter less and less, but no matter what level of brand you sway towards you can still spot themes within those collections; be that in the way of prints, colours, fits or materials. Printed bucket hats a-plenty this year right?

I buy most of my clothes online; for ease and the sheer amount of choice. Twitter has became my favourite tool to discover new products, recommendations and gain opinions from friends. You'd be surprised how much interest one pair of trainers can get at 11 p.m! So for today's post I've teamed up with Citizen, to show you the styles I'll be wearing this Spring/Summer season; accompanied by a selection of watches from their brand new DRIVE Collection.

Wearing - YMC Coach Jacket, c/o Reiss Sweatshirt, Supremebeing Sweatpants, Uniqlo Socks, Nike Flyknit, c/o Citizen Eco-Drive Watch, Ray-Ban Wayfarers.

My day-to-day look usually consists of Sports + Streetwear, mixed with American classics and British casual brands. This first outfit has to be the comfiest I've ever worn - Sportwear is a big deal these days, and I've been on the hunt for a pair of sweatpants that don't make me look like a hungover student or sweaty gym-rat. This dark green pair by Supremebeing tick all the boxes - heavyweight, fleece-lined and well constructed. Check the added silicon-dipped cord too, nice touch. 

The Reiss sweatshirt works nicely with the pants, along with the YMC Giraffe print Coach Jacket and the Nike Flyknit Lunar 1+.  Worn here is the Citizen Eco-Drive AR, my favourite design out of the collection.

 

Wearing - J.Crew Shirt, Levi's T-Shirt, Dickies Shorts, TRiCKETT x Ebbets Baseball Cap, Northern Goods Co. Key Clip, Vans Slip, c/o Citizen Eco-Drive Watch (Rhodia Notepad, Lamy Pen).

It's been warm enough for shorts up in Lancashire recently, so I took the opportunity to get down to the beach + local park to shoot the second outfit. This look is my nod to American Sportswear, which I've been a collector of for a few years. The baseball cap is not just any old baseball cap; it's a custom-made design for TRiCKETT by Ebbets Field Flannels. TRiCKETT is based just down the road from me in Accrington, Lancashire, so I wear their team colours with pride!

Not so much a trend but chambray shirts are something of a staple for me, this J.Crew version is top of the playing card for me. Along with Dickies fresh take on camo, classic Vans Slip and the Citizen BRT watch, it makes it the perfect look for summer.

Wearing - Carharrt Shirt, Levi's T-Shirt, Universal Works Trousers, Uniqlo Socks, Converse 70's First String,
Crumpler Camera Bag, c/o Citizen Eco-Drive Watch

I've always had affinity towards bold colours and patterns, although I'm not quite ready for the co-ords like Kristabel yet. In fact, I've got a decent collection Hawaiian shirts, remember this Levi's one from last year? Some would say they're better left to the beach but I've never had that problem, again I think in comes from my obsession of Americana and having spent a lot of time in Florida.

This Carharrt button-down has more of a palm tree vibe that your classic Hawaiian, which I'm really digging. To carry on the American theme I decided to wear it with these red Converse, which are a 1970's reissue; featuring a bunch of original details. To add a bit of British interest I chose these regular fit navy trousers by another of my favourite brands Universal Works. The Perfect baguette smuggling partner.

As a bit of a treat we're giving one of these watches away very soon, thanks to our friends at Citizen! Look out for that one shortly. Is there any trends that you're getting into for this SS or are you more like me and tend to stick with what you know?

 Find us on  Twitter | Facebook |  Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest

Cadillac Jacket by Surf Liquor

95% of my jackets couldn't be more navy; it's pretty much the perfect colour for me. The easiest of all the outerwear colours, no matter the style of jacket it just seem to work. That is until you buy some navy chinos that aren't quite the same shade or material as said 95% jackets. 

So instead of doing the easy thing and searching for a jacket in a totally different colour, I'm taking a look at this cobalt blue + black jacket by Surf Liquor. One part Bomber, to two parts Coach jacket, this hybrid draws influence from brand founder's travels across the West Coast of America and its surf + skate culture. The palm tree lining is most welcomed. Each piece from the collection gives a nod to his time spent traveling the area looking for the perfect surf.

The Cadillac Jacket by Surf Liquor available here.

 Find us on  Twitter | Facebook |  Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest

Be The Face of JD

Have you got what it takes to become this year's main dude for sportswear retailer JD? The nationwide search is on, and this weekend is your last chance to get involved. The "King of Trainers" is looking for the new Face of JD and over the next few days the team are taking their traveling auditions to Birmingham and finishing off in London.

JD are searching for regular folk with a true sense of personal style - They're not looking for the next top supermodel, so if you think you can offer something a little bit different then head down there and give it some welly. If you impress the judges and get picked of the out then you might even get some free stuff from their latest stock, 'cos they're good like that. The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and those faces will featured across their next nationwide campaign! Check out the video below for last year's winners.

If this sounds like your sort of thing then head down to the auditions on Saturday 15th at The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham or Sunday 16th at The Old Truman Brewery, London and give it a whirl.

To find out more about the auditions + locations visit here or their Facebook Page

   

Find us on - Twitter - Facebook -  Bloglovin' - Instagram - Pinterest

Ardour Brand x Ebbets Field Flannel Stadium Cap

Batter up. Big time ballers Ebbets recently produced this rather excellent Stadium Cap for British label Ardour Brand. Ebbets Field Flannels is the top dog in this market and their custom makes-ups have been on the rise over the last couple of years, Ardour's choice of colour and letter placement is as good as it gets. The cap itself uses the traditional a 6-panel design, is made from 100% wool, fitted with a adjustable leather strap and comes in Ardour's teams colours of aztec brown and cream. Sna*back fans need not apply.

My fascination with American sportwear started at an early age when my Grandad's sister, the wonderfully name Betty Lemon, would send us over Philadelphi Flyers hockey jerseys and all sorts of cool baseball caps every year. I must have had 10 different teams hanging on my bedroom wall but there wasn't any favouritism, I really just liked the designs. Over the past couple of years I've been getting into hats again (maybe it's down to loosing my hair but it has its advantages) and I've started a collection of repro designs. Along with caps I'm forever searching ebay for jerseys, jackets and other bits of memorabilia. Another advantage of the Ardour x Ebbets Stadium cap you don't have to profess be a play-by-play expert on the history of your team.

Ardour Brand x Ebbets Field Flannels Stadium Cap available here.

This is the 800th post on Buckets & Spades, flipping heck!

 Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Bloglovin' / Pinterest

Goods by Goodhood

Serious cool 6-piece collection which marks the second series of Goods by Goodhood. The second drop features multi-print coach jackets, reversible bucket hats, screen printed button down pyramid shirts and soft cotton logo tees. Their online store features on my search history so much so that it probably should be my homepage and the second installment for me this feels like a natural progression from the first collection. And to seal the deal it's all Made in UK.

Weekend Bucket List

Purpose and Form - A new Design and Architecture blog.
The nicest looking hostel you're ever likely to see.
Colourful Irish Sporting Flags by Caman and co.
Currently saving for these Red Wing Chukkas, £7 and counting...
A look around Weavers Door of Liverpool.

This week has been a bit slow one and I'm increasingly worrying about how the bills are going to get paid. These things happen when you're working freelance so if you're in a similar position and struggling with self doubt check out this article on Creative Boom. Enjoy your weekend folks, what's on the cards?

 Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Bloglovin' / Pinterest

Cliche x Adidas Skateboards

Skate specialists Flatspot are carrying the new Cliche x Adidas range. As ever I'm regretting packing it in when I was youngster but it's too late for me now, I'm just too old to learn in my front garden. This limited edition deck pack is definitely one for the collectors.

See the whole range at Flatspot.

 Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Bloglovin' / Pinterest

Urban Outfitters S/S 13

 Last week I went for a nose around Urban Outfitters in Manchester to check out their latest offerings for this coming Spring/Summer (will it ever come, it sure doesn't feel like it. Snowing again) season. As always UO let me have free reign of shop to look around the new brands, take photos, try a ton of stuff on and ask too many questions. Here's some things that caught my eye;

Along with Farah and Shore Leave, Carharrt was one of the most dominant brands across the menswear levels. Last season I recall them having one table but now it's grown to a couple of tables, a rail as well as being interspersed across key areas of the store. Camo still dominates here, mixed in with florals, classic work and streetwear and the usual solid basics. 

Suit has made a comeback for S/S, they're generally known for their outerwear but I was more interested in their other clothing. Loads of hula prints, polka dots and florals in muted colours. It's hard to shop for shorts when it's still so cold outside but I'm off on holiday in June so it's nice to plan ahead.

Fred Perry was another dominant brand, which gets carried over from season to season. This time round they've bought more of the tailored stuff as less of the sports. You can't go wrong really, their shirting looked spot on, with paisleys and fading polka dots standing out for me. They also had a shirt with a pique polo shirt collar but the jury is still out on that one.

Lacoste Live was another newcomer, they're hadn't been a big hit of it yet but it was hard to miss the Hawaiian shirts and multicoloured knitwear. More to follow over the next few weeks.

UO regulars such as Shore Leave, Worland, Cheap Monday, Farah, Penfield and Levi's can be found doing their thing along side a few new brands in Nike Clothing, Nudie Jeans Co and Blood Brother. It's really good to hear they have taken on lots online exclusives too. Garbstore, Common People, Vanishing Elephant, Rascals and Sandqvist are all now available.

 Each time I visit the store they seems to be adding to their footwear section, this time they've thrown in loads more styles from Nike, New Balance and Grenson making an appearance. I was very taken by these navy and cream Nike Free Powerlines.

And that's your lot for this time. As I said I had some time to try some stuff on, plenty of really nice stuff in fact. It seems Shore Leave have improved some of their fits and I was also very impressed with the Farah Vintage range, which included some UO exclusive pieces. I was lucky enough to be offered a couple of pieces too, I chose a pair of Nudie Thinn Finn jeans and a navy Farah Vintage work jacket. 

I'll be sure to pop by over the next few months to check out some of new brands coming through for the rest of the season. Enjoy your weekend guys, hopefully you're not snowed in like many of us are!

 Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Blog Lovin' / Northern Goods Co.