YOUR SAMPLES COLLECTIVE

Uniform Wares 200 Series 202BR-1 / £220.00 / #Oki-ni / No longer be embarrassed by your shabby excuse for a vintage watch…say mama let me upgrade ya

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#Rodarte Rohearte Text Sweatshirt / $155.00 / #Opening Ceremony / “Rodarte you got my heartbeat running away” Simples

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#YMC Linen and Cotton Blend Car Coat / £225 / #Mr.Porter / Perfect for those moments when you care to flash the nation, or not…

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It’s rather lovely to know that London based, men’s super E-Tailer, Mr Porter have turned one…we are certainly a better dressed army of chaps for all of their efforts.

I myself, stand in line for being a massive fan of what the brand have created, and more importantly curated. Through it’s selection of brands and excellent editorial, the men’s fashion market is a damn site more grown up, all with the help of our fairy godfather Mr.P!

To celebrate one year of service to their loyal fans, 10 fashion brands have been called upon to show some love to the brand by updating the pocket square.

The likes of Oliver Spencer, YMC, Our Legacy and Richard James, have each created a limited edition print / design that go on sale today, and with only 50 of each style on offer, i’d hurry along to the site to snap them whilst you can, quite the bargain for something that’s only priced between £40 and £55…

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Beams+ Linen Cardigan in Yellow / $380 / Union Made / Forget the Berocca, throw this B.A.D.B.O.Y on, and you’re bound to have a spring in your step…

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Levis Vintage 1967 505 Jeans in Bleached White / $225 / Union Made / For those of you are who aren’t rock stars who can wear ice white…these are the next D.O.P.E step forward

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It’s pretty easy to see why Oliver Spencer is fast climbing up the menswear mountain, to being a brand that stands tall above it’s counterparts…with simple and clean aesthetics, this no fuss approach to men’s fashion goes beyond being of the moment.

The majority of London men, want good product that lasts beyond a wash or two, and team Spencer since their humble beginnings in 2002, have provided us with a closet full of clothes that make us feel comfortable and confident when we step out. Crafted with himself in mind, “Oli” as he is known, delved deep into his own closet to find the clothing which has a feeling of quintessential Britishness, whilst capturing the influences of his travels.

As we hit 2012, Oliver Spencer is stocked globally in some of the best men’s boutiques, but more importantly, a few well placed standalone stores have popped up on home turf which bare the house logo. London’s Soho and Holborn,have welcomed with open arms, the now trademark store fronts of a dusty grey in the form of two clothing boutiques and a clever little footwear only space.

Step away from the lux store spaces, a little focus on the SS12 clothing and we are looking at a clean palette of whites and creams, which are fused with murky browns and greens, and topped with bright tomato reds and sharp blues.

The details for this collection don’t lie in tricky and almost confusing prints, instead simple stripes in varying scales and the odd polka dot crops up, as we say, these are wearable clothes that won’t scare the user, but instead encourage him to step out feeling confident in his attire!

I’m an OS boy now and you should be too, check the brand out online or pop into one of the stores to explore for yourself.

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Mark McNairy Gingham Shirt / Mark McNairy.com / $195.00 / H.A.W.T for all the right branding reasons

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RAF Simons Gold Chain Dress Shoes / Ssense.com / $1475.00 / Could these be anymore D.O.P.E

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Doing my usual style stalking of new products online, I came across the Sienna blazer on the SSense website, and I could barely barely contain my excitement, at this statement piece!

The humble blazer is not the easiest of pieces to reinvent, or simply give a new lease of life, but Philip Lim and team 3.1 have pulled off a great fete, with a single button fastening, a “plunging lapel collar” and striking peach / mustard tone, these are the kind of details that make you want to invest in a piece that isn’t exactly of an average price point ($675.00)

Crafted from 98% wool, with a contrasting silk lining, you are instantly awash in a feel of luxury, we’d keep all items that you put together with this simple, such as a clean slim / tapered black denim and sturdy black shoe and the purest of white shirts.

Additional love points for this piece come across in the general shape, which play on the signature sport stylings of the brand…a slim fit, paired with the short length in the body, perfect for the modern remake.

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Burberry Prorsum Suede Boots / Shot by YSC / February 2012

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Creative Director of Dior Homme Kris Van Assche returns to the Eastpak fold, to design a new range of bags which carry his signature clean aesthetic, whilst playing out against the functional needs of the backpack customer.

For SS12, the idea of “suppleness and sobriety” were explored when creating the 11 pieces, which come in a choice of 4 subtle colourways (black and white / beige and black / grey and white / red and white)

These are edgy and sleek bags, which deliver well on the style front and will no doubt serve well for functionality. YSC are fans of the entire collection, but if we had to pick a favourite, the shopper would get our vote. This is a collaboration that we can’t quite get enough of, and we hope for KVA to come back to Eastpak season after season.

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Westbourne Park / Taken by YSC / February 2012

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Hair is a tricky business, now i don’t mean the day to day of how you should style your manly tresses, but instead who you go to for that regular snip.

A great deal of mates complain about not being able to find a barber who is reasonable in price, offers a great service and above all, actually gives you what you want. I’m sure there are plenty of you out there, who can agree to the fact of having left the barbershop, with a cut that you were persuaded to get by the expert, which only makes you the butt of everyones jokes.

So in a quest to have happy heads of hair across the UK, i’m going to find a few barbers who cut with finesse and don’t charge you and arm and a leg…

First up, Barry the Barber

Based in the East End and operating from 86 Commercial Street (Tues to Fri) or The Tea Rooms at the Truman Brewery (Sat and Sun)…he runs a charming set-up, that oozes with the sort of character and charm that you’d expect to find in a mates house, and thats just what the service feels like. 

You’re instantly at ease from the moment that you step in, and you leave with the knowledge that you look a damn sight sharper than before.

Haircut - £23 / Shave - £20 / Beard Trim - £10

Have a look at Barry’s Tumblr for a few images of what he does…Happy Trimming :)

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A little Monkey Boot, a little Converse and the basic essence of a Common Projects shoe, but these are ultimately Marc Jacobs…

The military inspired classic hightop, comes in durable black leather with brass eyelet detail and branded with the simplest of gold wording on the heel of both boots. 

There isn’t a great deal to say about these, other than them being a perfect addition to your wardrobe as a staple item…ideal as a run-around town, or easily adaptable for smarter attire, these are a win win item and pretty darn cheap for what you get, available now form oki-ni for £220.00.

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Bloomsbury London / Street Style Shot by YSC / February 2012

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American label Thom Browne, has fast been creeping up the YSC radar, of sartorial brands with fashion clout. The preppy, yet quirky designs manage to capture the essence of the modern menswear shopper with classic pieces, that are given just a little bit of something to make them stand out.

For SS12, we love this stripy number found on the oki-ni website, which seems to combine a certain feel of Brideshead Revisited, whilst channeling every man’s inner dandy.

Striped blocks of pink, grey and light blue, morph well to give the blazer it’s stand out quality, whilst the lightweight, textured pin-cord cotton make it the ideal piece to see you through many summer months (priced at £1100).

Team with:

NN.07 / Regular James Jeans

(£139.00)

Grenson / Oscar / Suede Yellow Desert Boot

(£185.00)

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Bloomsbury London / Denim Demon Shot by YSC / February 2012

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Bloomsbury London / Vanishing Elephant Shot by YSC / February 2012

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Bloomsbury London / Supreme Being Shot by YSC / February 2012

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Bloomsbury London / Swear Shoes Shot by YSC / February 2012

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London Bloomsbury / Being-Equal Shot by YSC / February 2012

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Bloomsbury London / Kelty Bags Shot by YSC / February 2012

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Bloomsbury London / Mark McNairy AW12 Shoes Shot by YSC / February 2012

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Having only been established for a mere 2 seasons, the London based men’s trade-show Jacket Required, has amassed a legion of fans, and it’s quite clear to see why, when i visited their Bloomsbury set up today.

From it’s humble beginnings at Rochelle School in London’s trendy east end, where only 30 brands were given pride and place, to 2012, where you don’t quite know where to turn in fear of missing something exciting.

For AW12, 98 brands set up stands full to the brim of next seasons most covetable men’s items. As i wonder around, mouth agape trying to work out where to begin, you notice the camaraderie around the space, as stand holders, buyers and fashion folk, share conversation about product, their lives, the footie and how awesome the experience is.

Men’s fashion has come a long way in recent years, with many brands presenting products that have a quirk and flair that are well suited to our London pavements and far beyond, but fabric aside, JR have managed to cultivate something that works well for a number of buyers and bloggers too, by showcasing product that is exciting and not easily found unless you would usually journey to distant shores.

The well groomed and dressed, rubbed shoulders and swigged from bottles of Rekorderlig Cider, as they dove in head first, to see what the likes of Weekend Offender, Supreme Being, Swear, Mulo, Being-Equal, Tuk Tuk, Vanishing Elephant, Denim Demon, Universal Works and SO MANY more had to offer…a good selection of brands doesn’t quite cover what YSC saw, but saying that we saw product, which is going the distance to well and truly shaping the future of men’s fashion, would be true to form.

All in all, I can’t help but commend team JR and the Spin Agency, for pulling together (in one gigantic bloody room) the cream of the crop! Having the opportunity to meet the faces behind brands like Veja, Sebago, Mark McNairy, Anthony Morato, Wolsey, Holland Esquire, Edifice, Carhartt, really made all the difference in coming to understand that passion that goes into making some of the products that we can’t help but part cash with. I’m already looking forward to next season and i’ve not even yet finished processing today in my mind.

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London Savile Row / Lanvin Paris Shot by YSC / February 2012

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London Savile Row / Ozwald Boateng Shot by YSC / February 2012

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London Bond Street / Burberry Windows Shot by YSC / February 2012

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A triumphant fist punch in the air, as i discover new men’s specific accessories retailer Opumo! Long have we suffered, and I mean myself, searching through countless websites, just for a comprehensive offering of great, well crafted men’s only accessories, but there is now a light at the end of tunnel with Opumo’s launch this week.

A website that is clean in it’s presentation, easy to navigate between brands and products, tabs which are easy to understand, make for a quick, easy and above all pleasant shopping experience, which comes to you from the sunny pavements of London.

Upon first glance you’d be mistaken for thinking that this new company is part of the Mr Porter effect, but a closer look allows for a shopper to scout for edgier pieces that aren’t exactly mainstream.

Brands like J.Panther, Hasso, Mark Giusti and Hard Graft, rub seams on the same pages as they all pleasantly wait for shoppers to notice their charm, and i must admit to it being quite easy to see why this online shopping platform will soon become a destination for the male shopper.

As i make my way through the virtual aisles of Opumo, you notice the great product write up’s and  mixed priced point, which is essential for “our current financial climate” and beyond lux leather goods and canvas staples, we find socks, cufflinks and sunglasses, that all put up a strong fight for best piece against the big boys.

All in all, i can’t wait to make use of Opumo, i can see myself and a legion of fans parting with cash, and not being at all upset with what we come away with! Let’s just hope that the packaging our product is delivered in, lives up to what the super E-Tailers are giving us already…I hope so :)

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East London House Party / Shot by YSC / New Years Eve 2011

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London South Bank / Shot by YSC / Feb 2012

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Sticking with (what seems to be) our Friday theme of Stripes…a little outfit build to keep you looking sharp for the weekend ahead! 

We’ll use a dash of #Marni for the base to this look…lightweight, practical for layering in this cold weather and whilst simple, you are sure to turn heads, with these bold bands of almost autumnal coloured stripes (£340) found on the mr.porter website.

So not to take away from the standout piece above, we’d suggest moving with the grain of the season by adding a wider leg jean, that gives comfort and simple style…#Albam have been shouting about their new delivery of japanese denim, which is priced at a blooming cheap £85…

In the name of weekend comfort we’ll offer up a basic shoe, the Jack Purcell by Converse to be precise, which is one of the most comfortable shoes to see you throughout a day of wandering the streets or pub hopping (or for the more refined, a trip to the Tate). The JP’s are available from mr.porter for £45

To finish the look, we’re taking colour inspiration form one of your stripes…a lightweight duffel coat, made from bonded cotton in this great shade of red! The Burberry Brit team, seem to keep on delivering on items that have an ease to wearing them, and this piece allows you to layer up with whatever other necessities you might need (scarf, T-Shirt yada yada). Pick one up from the Burberry online store for £695.

And there you have it! We’d advise on socks and pants, but on this occasion, YSC think you can handle that! :)

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Victoria Beckham has done her damndest to shake the image of WAG and in some ways the Pop Star status…I have to admit that it was easily achieved with the strength of her WW collections, which have grown from dresses to include outwear and an exciting range of accessories! 

i-D magazine have clearly noticed her for being more than an incredible clothes horse, as they feature her as a cover star, for their SS12 “Whatever the Weather” issue.

Ton’s of folk harp on about how lucky she is to be crawling into bed with DB, but in many ways, i’d like to point out how lucky HE is! 

Gwan with your bad self Victoria :)

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Thinking about the sailors who have evidently spurned a long time love affair with stripes, here’s a picture that i found trawling the net…i think their fashionable charm shines through in the accessorising of a bobble hat and of course the stripes!

It is quite evident to see where the brands, who offer a clean selection of product, draw their inspiration.

YSC of course salute you chaps :)

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As the title suggests, Spring hasn’t quite sprung in Britain just yet…this may be down to the cold weather that has blown over, but shivering aside, YSC got to thinking about what is a clear visual representation, of the changing season, in the busy bustling city of London. 

The obvious answer here would be the Daffodil bulbs, that emerge to reveal a beautiful yellow flower (which we have all at some point presented to our mother on mothers day) but petals aside, the biggest visual outlook for spring has to be STRIPES!

The most popular choice, that will start to emerge over the next few weeks, is the breton stripe top. The breton was an item first worn by the the French Navy, who i’m sure in the 1800’s, were undoubtably unassuming of the power the clothing item they were wearing, would have on the fashion market in years to come. Down the line it would seem that Madame Coco Chanel, took these stripes, and truly elevated them to the iconic status that they now have.

As we look forward to a sun filled 2012 (we can only hope) stores are beginning to rack up their best offerings of striped shirts and T-shirts, which come in an assortment of shapes, widths and of course colours, some of our favourites come from the likes of COS (€59), Acne (£80) and GAP (£19.95)

Whilst Napoleon, who pioneered the production of the Breton, may not have liked whats currently on the market for his sailors, we say have fun and get stripe happy.

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With the most recent release of a celebrity endorsed underwear affair, i got to thinking about men and their pants…Are you a man who dares to bare with the lights still on, or do you switch them off in the knowledge, that you don’t quite match up to the image you’ve portrayed?

As David Beckham teams up with H&M to release a line of 6 or so pieces, I imagine that it will mainly be a queue of women, who took their spot at the Regent street store yesterday. These women, were no doubt, screaming to not only get a glimpse of “Golden Balls” but the hope of making their man / men, look that darned good in pants!

Gone are the days of our mothers laying out an outfit, including pants and socks on the bed, this is the dawn where we make that often bold choice ourselves. To be frank, your choice in pants say a lot about you. 

Do you choose a branded band, trunk, y-front, patterns or plain, superhero inspired theme, loose fitting cotton, or for the more daring, a jock / thong…the selections are endless, and stores such as Selfridges boast an impressive mass of tighty whiteys!

The power brands that we often find ourselves name checking are Calvin Klein, Armani, etc, but why is this? Logic would simply put it down to clever marketing and campaigns that show cavorting sexy young things, but on the other hand, it’s mainly down to wanting to look as good as the cavorting beauties, who are no doubt packed, stuffed and retouched to give them the curves you so admire.

I personally think it’s best practice to go for underwear that is simple, classic and above all clean (not in the dirt sense)…brands like British retailer Sunspel, offer good product at affordable prices that doesn’t carry the look of a former childlike you. 

Be a man and step up to the plate of good underwear, that is understated and offers a more refined image, this is perhaps the gentleman in me talking, but imagine what the paramedics would say if they had to cut your trousers off of you?!

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