As the clouds begin to grey over here in Mayfair, we can’t help but notice that the fashion house windows are too.

Walking down the street, designer shop windows are signalling the end of summer style and beginning to embrace the autumn wardrobe. And like the sky, grey is seems to be the choice of colour this season. Set to take over gentleman’s fashion for Autumn/Winter 2010/11, we’re going to take a look at how to wear this season’s palette ā la mode.

For those slightly (or seriously) style challenged gents, dressing smart and on trend will never be easier. With grey the usual and obvious choice when selecting a winter jacket that needs to go with all colours and outfits, drenching the remainder of your wardrobe with a plethora of tones and textures of the monochromatic look will make you stand out, and cement your image as a Gent with style.

Pairing your suit with a grey shirt and tie allows you to instantly achieve uni-colour chic, while still being appropriate for the boardroom. Although some outfits may make you look like a villain out of an art house mafia movie, we don’t think this is such a bad thing. Attitude, presence and confidence are what fashion is all about. Mix and match tones of grey to break up the outfit and bring the style alive. Light touches of black or white help to refine the look, without disturbing the overall image too much. More creative types can infuse jeans or boots into the outfit to create a more smart-casual ensemble.

To loosen up the outfit, try wearing a grey turtleneck under a suit. Suitable for gents at leisure or for men who work in an industry where uniform can be relaxed, but retain a certain level of smartness; the turtleneck is a sophisticated alternative to a shirt. It evokes 1970’s male chic, which has been seen across all male catwalks for the autumn season, and offers the gent more freedom and comfort in his outfit. Choose a turtleneck with a different textured material to add extra dimension, and play with different tones of grey to create a stand-out outfit. The turtleneck alternative offers flair and aptitude, while still retaining gentry elegance.

Images

Top – Left to Right: Les Hommes, Dior, Ermenegildo Zegna

Bottom – Left to Right: Costume National, Z Zegna, Dunhill

Written By Lewis Corner

Post from: Gentry Style

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Marc Jacobs, BANG[Exclusively at Harvey Nichols, available nationwide from 25th August]

Smooth and warm, the scent is reminiscent of a glowing autumn day. It’s no surprise then that the cologne is created with a threesome of black, pink and white peppercorns along with the heart and base of the fragrance wrapped with primal masculine woods. The scent is refined yet comfortable, and will happily linger upon your body, with an alluring and affable quality. The bottle looks like a futurist’s hip flask. Made out of black heavyweight faceted glass, it is contrasted with metallic silver plaques on the front and back. The design's metallic edges reflect light all over, somewhat resembling a cubists interpretation of a disco-ball. It's an.. interesting.. concept..

Tom Ford, Tom Ford for Men Extreme

Rich and warm is the only way to describe this new fragrance from Tom Ford. Blended with spices, the scent is distinct but sensuous, oozing with confidence and masculinity.  Rooty and smooth, it retains an air of maturity and power. The deep flavours blend to create a soothing fragrance of prestige and male elegance. The bottle is a simplistic yet stylish dose of déjà vu, allowing you to rediscover the luxurious era of 1970’s glamour. The dashingly retro design features amber glass topped with gold, making it a truly classic piece, and one that we love.

Ralph Lauren, Polo Blue

Hailed as the new definition of casual elegance, Polo Blue is a blend of melon de cavaillon, basil verbena and washed suede. Refreshing and light, the fragrance is a cool breeze of modern masculinity. Zesty and sweet, it is an inoffensive charm assault, with an edge of contemporary sophistication. The bottle’s design is a safe and smooth affair. Made out of frosted blue glass with a silver metallic lid, it’s a bottle you’d expect from Ralph Lauren. Simple and conventional, its job is to reassure the consumer that they are buying Ralph Lauren Polo Blue, and it does just that.

Paul Smith, Extreme for Men

Keeping to Paul Smith’s style of ‘classic with a twist’, his fragrance for men is a woody, spicy scent with a dash of citrus. A blend of bergamot with rosemary, and spices nutmeg and cardamom, exudes an essence of youthful debonair. The fragrance is alluring and refined, with an effusion of style and substance. It comes in Paul Smith’s classic cubed bottle. A smart and modern design, Paul Smiths trademark coloured stripes adorn the glass sides of the bottle. Minimal yet iconic, it is a design of class and credibility that any contemporary gent would like to adorn his shelf with.

StefanoFreccari, Acqua di Genova

First made in 1853 for the Royal Family of Savoia, Acqua di Genova still has the same recipe today. With a prestigious heritage, this fragrance is light dash of citrus notes, complemented by middle notes of rose and neroli. Its base has notes of woods, giving the scent depth and distinction, making the fragrance a plethora of finely blended flavours and delivering a truly exquisite classical scent. The bottle is pure Italian elegance. Made out of clear last with ribbed detail towards the top, the lid is a metallic gold, emphasising the illustrious status of the brand. With a vintage designed label, the whole package is a luxurious product that effuses nineteenth century Italian class at its very best. 

Written By Lewis Corner

Post from: Gentry Style

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Speaking about using the art gallery as Acne’s premier space in London, Jonny Johansson, creative director; “What we have here is a gallery space that's a shop, not a gallery. Halfway through the project I kind of regretted choosing it because it's essentially a white cube, but the space felt right and there are a lot of galleries in the neighbourhood so I think it suits the area very well.”

The interior is simplistic and modern, adorned with a plethora of earthly tones, complimenting the brands grounded attitude. With this store’s opening it raises Acne’s international high street presence to over twenty sites, an impressive accomplishment for a business that only began in 1996. Starting out in advertising under the name Ambition to Create Novel Expressions, it has since expanded into furniture, television production and magazine publication. As for the fashion stores, the expansion is not stopping at London; Acne’s next store will be set in a converted garage in Paris. Comment chic!

Acne, Mayfair is located at 13 Dover Street, just round the corner from Murdock London’s Mayfair store.

Click here to read Jonny Johansson’s interview with Wallpaper*

Article Written By Lewis Corner

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The LaCie Starck is acollaboration between the technology experts LaCie and world-renowned designer Phillipe Starck. With previous projects assignments ranging from private apartments for French presidents to the Virgin Galactic Spaceport in New Mexico, who better to design a simplistic, industrial looking hard drive for the modern business world?

The curved edges and aluminium casing are more than just aesthetically appealing; they help ensure that hard drive doesn’t over-heat whilst keeping the weight down, for ultimate portability.

The embedded USB cable cleverly coils into the casing, keeping everything compact, (as well as ensuring you don’t lose the cable). It’s these thoughtful design elements that help the LaCie Starck outshine other portable hard drives.

An apt demonstration of Phillipe Starck’s continuing ability to design practical, usable and eye-catching pieces.

The LaCie Starck comes in 320GB, 500GB and 640GB sized models.

Click here to go to the LaCie homepage to find out more.

Written By Lewis Corner

Post from: Gentry Style

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Nixon Nomadic

Nixon, known for their board sport line of watches, have produced a range of ultra-chic, sturdy and beautifully designed headphones that would give any MP3 player a cutting edge.

With memory foam ear pads, a leather headband and a durable industrial styled frame, Nixon Nomadic headphones score high in the comfort stakes. Look out for the model with a built in mic, perfect for any tech-savvy iPhone owners. With both style and substance, these are the ultimate audio accessory.

AIAIAI Tracks

The AIAIAI Tracks range is designed to replicate the old 80’s styled Walkman headphones. The slim metal headband and the circular ear pads have a certain retro chic; less is definitely more.

Available in three colours (black, peach and cream) these headphones are certainly encourage the wearer to blast out new romantic power ballads. Whilst your taste in music may be questionable, the audio quality certainly won’t be.

WeSC Alp Horn Square

These unconventional headphones boast a design based on wooden horns that were the main form of communication in mountainous regions in Europe circa 1400 AD.

While the inspiration maybe centuries old, the technology in the headphones certainly isn’t. The modern 57mm power drivers and 119 dB sensitivity will blast your ears with up-to-date audio tech, letting you enjoy crisp highs and deep bass. Booms futuristic class

Skullcandy AVIATOR

As the name implies, Skullcandy have produced a set of headphones based on the classic aviator style of sunglasses. The AVIATORs combine sleek polycarbonate design with the high quality sound that Skullcandy have built their reputation on.

With a premium polished surface and a tangle free cord, the product is both modernistic andpractical. For extra protection, the headphones can be folded up and be stashed in a protective case, keeping the lens looking smooth from day one.

Beyerdynamic DT 860 Edition

If you are looking for the ultimate high quality audio experience, then Beyerdynamic DT 860 Edition headphones are for you. With a classic, yet modern design, Beyerdynamic have the looks to match the technology.

With a new diaphragm system to eliminate distorted bass and an extremely strong neodymium magnet system for detailed reproduction, slipping these on is a truly immersive audio experience – even when sat on the tube you’ll feel as though you’re in the recording studio or front row at a gig.

 
Written by Lewis Corner

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From Caulfield Preparatory's SS2010 lookbook

Celebrated for his literary evocations of prep school life, Salinger painted an often bleak and unhappy picture of upper-class American life; from suicide in A Perfect Day for Bannafish, to existential angst in Fanny and Zooey, he was highly critical of the vacuous superficiality that seemed to accompany ‘preppiness’.

Holden Caulfield, the protagonist of Salinger’s best-known work, Catcher in the Rye, certainly didn’t conform to the social conventions of upper-class prep-school life, so it’s unlikely that he would be stock-piling chinos and deck shoes. Accordingly, as we move forward into 2010, perhaps it’s best that we re-interpret the traditional preppy look, giving it more of a rebellious edge.

In terms of hair, quiffs are where it’s at for preppy gents everywhere.

This was case on the Milanese catwalks last month, with Jil Sander and Bottega Venetta showcasing a Fifties look that is more teddy-boy than all-American boy; we’re talking accentuated quiffs and a bit more attitude with your tweed blazer.

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Making shoes by hand is a dying practice, with only about 300 artisans left in the world who still use traditional methods (mostly in England and Italy). While the Italian school of shoemaking stresses surface treatment, finishes and hand-burnished colors, the English tradition epitomized by Carréducker is strongly rooted in classic shapes and styles, with an emphasis on a perfect fit.

Carréducker have an appointment-only business, which allows them to focus their energy on shoemaking rather than shop keeping. They are building a loyal clientele in London and recently held a trunk show at Leffot.

They’re also launching a ready-to-wear line that is loosely based on the center-seamed bowling shoe, and have created another model called the “Winker,” which could easily become a louche classic: it’s a traditional tweed English house shoe (also known as an opera pump) woven through with reflective thread.These days, when money seems to be mentioned in every conversation, the idea of value has gained rightful prominence.

Though these bespoke shoes are certainly expensive, the work that has gone into them — and the certainty that they will last for years to come — makes them a great buy.

And if you really dig their bespoke shoe scene, check out their extremely informative "behind-the-seams" blog.

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For formal occasions, it provides a necessarily sober punctuation. For social purposes, it can offer a more refined touch to more outlandish and casual outfits. Plus, a tie with a striking stripe not only adds a little flair but is "unclashable". It goes with black, light & dark grey and, best of all perhaps, a pinstripe.

All in all, a navy stripe tie should be one of your desert island sartorial selections.And one of the slickest and most agile navy stripes around is this gorgeous sateen silk tie from Armani. It's handmade, with exquisite jacquard lining and the perfect compliment to any number of stylish clothing combinations.

Truly, it's the best way to finish off pretty much any look you can think of.

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As London braces itself for its coldest winter in many years, the timing couldn’t be better to slip on a cosy classic…

First, a word about terminology. Flannel shirts aren’t actually made from flannel, which is officially a fabric woven from wool, with a fluffed up, nappy quality to it that makes it especially soft. Think grey flannel trousers. Flannel shirts are made from soft brushed cotton, not wool (and not cotton twill, not broadcloth, not poplin); they’re at their best in a simple check, plaid or a classic tartan. As for shirtcare, the only must-do is wash liberally because your shirt will soften and become that bit more covetable each time.

A bit like Linus’s blanket, flannel shirts are the stuff of devotion, and there’s nothing quite as satisfying or reassuring as putting on a flannel shirt you’ve owned for years. I still wear one from school (well, not so much wear, since it’s tiny, as keep it hanging in my wardrobe). So that Gentrystyle readers don’t miss out on this must-have, here’s our pick of some of the best flannel shirts on offer.

One of the longstanding authentic manufacturers of American outdoorsy wear, Woolrich Woolen Mills has recently revamped and renewed itself under the eye of Japanese designer, Daiki Suzuki. The result? ‘Garments with a purpose’ and a stylish twist. The Cruiser shirt is one among several here that will serve you well. For a similarly modern take on an old classic, LA-based clothing company Ever updates the flannel shirt nicely, with epaulets on the shoulders, in a black/grey or red/dark red plaid.

There is a sporty crossover between the Western shirt and the flannel. For the rockabilly cowboy in you, check out Rockmount Ranchwear, based in the mile-high city, Denver, Colorado. This is the real buckaroo, as worn by the Brokeback boys, among many others. The turquoise check with diamond snap buttons is an eye-catcher, but don’t shy away from the patterns, either. For another traditional shirt, east coast rather than west, seek out LL Bean, the original outdoor store from Maine. They vary the tartans offered from year to year, but the black watch pattern is available now so snap it up.

Although ‘luxury’ isn’t a word often used to describe flannel shirts, it’s the only possible word to describe Ralph Lauren's Purple Label Herringbone shirt, made from Italian cotton flannel. For a more modest option by the lesser Polo, see the pretty perfect Slim Custom-Fit Yukon flannel, in black and burgundy check. Also upmarket, try Emmett London’s double-cuffed brushed cotton herringbone shirt in a fetching, sturdy blue. The same eye for detail and fresh tailoring that make their dress shirts so brilliant are brought to bear on the more humble flannel.

Another worthy contender — and one of our favourites — is this catchy blue plaid number from Shirt by Shirt.

Looser, lighter than the rest, it's unbelievably durable and elegantly stylish… well worth the price. They call it the "Nirvana", for reasons that should be apparent…  

And by way of a further homage to Kurt Cobain, style-leader and flannel shirt-wearer, here’s Patti Smith singing ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’.

Post from: Gentry Style

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As the summer months loom, it’s time to start thinking about your summer fashion staples. The humble t-shirt has, for decades, been the centre piece to which all summer style revolves. This year is certainly no different. Gentry has picked out some great tee styles for you to ponder.

Forget the muted earthy colours of Autumn and winter, it’s time to think more mineral tones and vibrant hues for Summer 09. Fred Perry have hit the mark with this great tee. It’s geeky chic that’s sure to get you noticed. The vibrant reds and purples of the check print are in, and the cool greys make sure it doesn’t shout too loudly.  

A great garment for casual or smart occasions – a winner in our eyes.If you’re looking to add a piece of Japanese quirkiness to your wardrobe, your first stop is usually Evisu. We like the vibrant pink tone, the kooky Old Tee Face design, heck we like it all. One for casual days in the sun, by the pool or on the beach, it’s a tee that’ll make you and everyone nearby smile.

The PS range by Paul Smith carries the essence of the design labels mainline but adds a little bit of spice, perfect for the warmer months. We think this striped polo could easily be the staple of every man’s summer ensemble.  The hot red and cool sky blue are a great pairing for this Spring/Summer 09 tee and the fully cotton blend is perfect for staying cool while you’re looking cool.

For that touch of sophistication in your relaxing Summer wear, you could do far worse than browsing the John Smedley collection

It’s a brand that oozes heritage and positively screams quality. Steering clear of some of the ‘classic’ knitted pullovers, they actually have some great pieces. Gentry reckons this simple coloured tee with more neutral coloured tones would make great casual evening wear for anyone.

Any other suggestions, just let us know…

Oliver Bewers

Post from: Gentry Style

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