Smart Buys, Style

Smart buy | Ami High Top Trainers

Smart buy | Ami High Top Trainers

There’s no denying it, high tops can (and often do) look juvenile. But we pay attention when we see a pair that avoid the mutton dressed as lamb look. This pair are by Ami (£258, Matches), the new French brand aiming for APC’s Parisian casualwear crown. Launched last year by Alexandre Mattiussi, who worked at the likes of Givenchy before starting it alone, they also specialise in easy to wear, affordable staples of a man’s wardrobe. If these trainers are any indication, APC should be watching their backs.

Smart Buys, Style

Label watch | O’Keeffe

Label watch | O’Keeffe

January is too early to start breaking out the summer shoes, but it’s never to early to start looking. [Read more...]

Smart Buys, Style

Smart Buy | H&M Trench Coat

Smart Buy | H&M Trench Coat

As we slowly come to terms with the fact we’re still over a fortnight from January payday, it pays to know that it’s still possible to spruce up your wardrobe for the new year without resorting to baked beans on toast for the rest of the month. Try something like this H&M trenchcoat. It’s a better choice than that mohair jumper you know you won’t wear. (£59.99, H&M)

Smart Buys, Style

Want list | Lanvin Trainers

Want list | Lanvin Trainers

What do you get given if your birthday is in January? If you’re anything like the people we know (or the people we give gifts to) you’ll get nothing but hastily rewrapped unwanted christmas gifts. Demand better this year – demand a pair of nice trainers like these from Lanvin (£305, Matches).

Smart Buys, Style

Smart Buy | Topman Pocket Square

Smart Buy | Topman Pocket Square

As the old saying goes, the devil’s in the details. And, after you’ve figured out the basics of your outfit (which, ahem, you’ve obviously done by now) it’s time to start paying attention to those details. The watch is a nice place to start, the socks are good too. But the ultimate sign of a man who pays attention is a nicely contrasting pocket square. And with this Topman version selling at a grand total of £6, we’d say it’s the fiscally responsible thing to do. (£6, Topman)

Smart Buys, Style

Smart Buy | Mauro Grifoni Blazer

Smart Buy | Mauro Grifoni Blazer

Hybrids can, and usually do, go wrong. We’ve all seen the brogue inspired trainer which, for some reason, people still insist on making. But there’s plenty of times when a hybrid can work, like on this Mauro Grifoni Blazer (£198, The Corner). It looks like a blazer and feels like a cardigan, giving you the best of both worlds. It’s also the most stylish way to dress down for this week at the office. You’ll want to wear it with the buttons undone if you’ve indulged over the last few weeks like you should have.

Smart Buys, Style

Smart Buy – Browns Corduroy Trousers

Smart Buy – Browns Corduroy Trousers

Judging from these trousers, corduroy that doesn’t look like corduroy will become the new denim. Yes, we can’t really follow that either. The issue with wide wale corduroy is that it’s near impossible to look like anything other than a retired schools inspector, especially in their traditional ‘elephantitis’ cut. These corduroy trousers (£175, Browns) avoid that problem by using a thin wale corduroy and slimming down the cut while maintaining the central crease. The only thing stopping you is that extra stone you’re still carrying around from Christmas.

Smart Buys, Style

Smart Buy | Albam Suit Shirt

Smart Buy | Albam Suit Shirt

With all the focus on casual shirts, it’s easy to forget that we do need some starch in our lives when we’re wearing a suit. Thankfully, Albam have brought out a new range of smart shirts which they’ve handily called ‘suit shirts’ (£109, Albam). Think of them as the shirt you need instead of the shirt you just want.