Essentials Every Man Should Own

Some men may find the prospect of fashion quite daunting. Common questions asked (often inside one's head) when in the small confinements of a fitting room cubicle are probably: "Can I pull this off?", "Should I follow trends or just wear what I want to wear?", and "Do I just look like a prat?". I'll go out on a limb here and say that guys have a harder time following trends than us girls. (Though the fact a man can quite often walk into a shop, pick up what he wants, pay and leave within ten minutes is beyond me.) However with lads' mags such as GQ and FHM now with their own style sections, the predicament of trends should become less trivial.

 

From the point of view of a fashion student, and more obviously a woman, I like a man that follows trends and takes pride in his appearance, but let's be honest, not everyone can pull off a pair of braces, neon skinny jeans and glasses (the glasses-without-actual-lenses glasses. I don't know where they came from either.) It's important to feel confident in what you're wearing, so here are my five essentials that everyone can pull off, and more importantly can be worn in many ways and on different occasions. I begin with...

 

 

..The Blazer. Every man needs one, fact. Make sure it fits you well, especially on the shoulders. You can get away with owning just one blazer if it's in a versatile colour (black and navy are great) and if it crosses the casual and smart boxes. The great thing about blazers is you can wear t-shirts or shirts under them, and wear them with jeans or smart trousers. I like this blazer by Solid, which I found on ASOS. If you haven't been on ASOS, or taken to online shopping in general, ASOS is one to make the effort for.

 

Plimsolls. But nice ones. I always used to associate plimsolls with a horrible black pair that I had to wear for gym class in primary school - something to put you off for life. In recent years I have discovered that plimsolls now have evolved into groovy patterned shoes in various colours, and so my hatred has faded. Not only that but they look pretty cosy, and are easy to wear with anything. Topman have a great range of plain ones to patterned ones, depending on how adventurous you're feeling.

A classic check shirt is another essential on my list. It is so versatile and can look sharp under a tailored jacket or easy going with jeans. This is from Ben Sherman, the go-to brand if you want a range to choose from.

 A suit. Yes an obvious choice but an important one. A well-made, well fitted suit will be your best friend, as it will be there for all those special occasions where looking good is the number one priority. Weddings - check. Dinner parties - check. Day at the races - check. Business meeting - check. There are so many reasons to get a good suit, and Next have some great styles at really reasonable prices. I love the one above because it's in a charcoal grey (an update from black), it has the one button jacket which I favour over two, and the contrast satin lapels just give it the extra wow factor. But whatever suit you choose, just remember - Fits good, Looks good.

 

 

Lastly, a good pair of Calvin's will never do you wrong. I can't guarantee you will look this good wearing them, but they definitely do wonders due to the brand name. If there are any words that a girl likes to see poking out from a pair of trousers, it's Calvin Klein. Enough said.

 

So there are my essentials for the male wardrobe; no excuses now gents!

 

The Best (and Worst) of London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week is always an eventful few days. We know what to expect from some designers, we don't know what to expect from other designers (but in a good way), and then there's what we never expected. Not in a good way.

I like to make a point of what I don't like in fashion. These days it seems like people are scared to say that something wasn't great, even if a multi-millionaire designer decided it was. Like anything, fashion is open to opinion. Whilst some people like dreary, frumpy dresses (I'll explain later), some people, like myself, do not. I'm not afraid to say if I think something looks horrendous, and I would love to see more people shouting out about things that don't tickle their fancy. Step over that line of 'praise conformity' and criticise (it's much more fun).

 

To avoid sounding like a miserable fashion-phobe, I will tell you about the collections I LOVED first of all. One of my all time favourite designer brands, Burberry Prorsum, cease to disappoint me. I don't think there was one outfit in this collection that I didn't like, and there was a vast amount that I would love to own myself. They gave us classic heritage with a reinvented, modern twist. The trench was of course in their line-up, but it had been given a plasticised make-over. The prints throughout the collection were great; the heart shaped one will no doubt be sprinkled across the high street for autumn/winter.
 

 

Animal print is still in (yes!) This coat is just...amazing. Giraffe print on a classic style trench with belt. Knock a few zeros off the price and I'll wear that all winter long.

 

 

This stunning outfit is from Antonio Berardi's collection. The cobalt blue is the first attraction, and the spot print the next. The cuts and shaping are also stunning; the smooth curves and wide sleeves complement each other brilliantly. The collection was filled with innovative tailoring, structured capes and panels of contrasting fabrics.

 

 

L'Wren Scott is a new designer to me, who made a very good impression. The collection was stylish and glamorous, feminine with punch. Another vibrant blue shade made it's appearance this time accompanying gold. This outfit of a fitted pencil skirt and blouse suggested sexy work wear for an independent woman.

 

 

This dress is beautiful. It has a goddess look about it with its extravagant neck piece and Aztec looking pattern. A true catwalk piece and no doubt a red carpet dress for the coming year. 

 

So to something more barmy than beautiful...

 

 

This is by Giles Deacon. The wonderful Giles Deacon. Yet, it has me speechless. I may be the only person willing to criticise this collection, but I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one to think it's bordering on vile. (No, I don't think that's too harsh.) The hat. THE HAT. There were lots of them, all big and knitted and in colours reminding me of certain Simpsons' characters' hair. Then the dress. I guess it's not terrible, but I don't like the satin sleeves. If you think this is bad, you don't want to see the Miss Haversham-esque dresses and dreary prints. But if you do, you can see them here.

 

 

 

Okay, this is a risky one to put out there, but was anyone else a bit disappointed with Rihanna's long-waited-for collection for River Island? Well I was. It was just a bit dull. It seemed like we had seen it all before, but a lot better fitted, and with a bit more imagination. Yes, I agree it does have a visible 'Rihanna' influence (very little fabric involved) but I guess I was expecting a little more from her. Then again, she is just a singer, NOT a fashion designer. So here is her jumpsuit, which to me looks like something a mechanic would wear. That is all.

 

So there were my faves and not so faves of Fall 13 collections at LFW. I hope I haven't stepped too far over the line and encouraged Rihanna-related death threats in the next few hours...

The Ultimate Guide to Comfortable Heels

 

Before you say it, yes it is possible! Here are a few things that can transform wearing painful shoes into moments of luxury...okay that’s an exaggeration.

 

Let’s start with the shoes themselves. My first piece of advice would be to always try them on before you buy, none of this online shopping business when it comes to shoes. If you are anywhere near as fussy as I am with heels, trying on before you buy easily eliminates shoes that were never made to be comfortable. Intricate cut outs or complicated straps can be a recipe for disaster; remember everyone’s feet are different and fit into shoes differently, so for you it may be that rubbing and blisters are a definite outcome.

 

The awkward ‘walking around the shop to get a feel for the shoes’ regime is a must; yeah we look a bit stupid but it is necessary! If you can’t walk there, there isn’t much hope on cobbled streets under the mild influence of alcohol.

 

The type of shoe to choose is also important. Try to get shoes with good ankle support; ankle boots or courts with cross straps are great. A larger surface area on the soles of shoes will also help, so I find wedges great to wear. Lastly, to my confusion, there are some heels around that tilt at the front, making it inevitable to lose your balance when walking. AVOID at all costs.

 Next step is to wear your new heels in. Walk around the house, walk on different surfaces, just wear them sitting down if you want. The warmth from your feet will help to mould the shoes to the right shape, therefore when you wear them out for the first time, they will be much more comfortable and you will feel more confident walking in them.

 

Another, probably quite obvious tip is to look after your feet. Keep your feet moisturised and soft and they will feel better in new shoes. A mega important thing is to keep your toenails trimmed, seriously, when your toes are crammed together you do NOT want nails digging and cutting into other toes! Lastly, Vaseline is great when wearing strappy shoes; rubbing a bit over the area helps prevent sores forming.

 

Last but not least, the creator of shoe inserts should be blessed – I don’t know what I would do without them. Scholl or brands similar have a selection of pads to fit into your shoes, from heel shields to sore spots, or thin strips to line straps. I put a pair of heel shields into nearly every pair of heels I own, and it stops all kinds of rubbing and also stops heels from slipping when you walk. Not cheap I know, but really worth it. The gel pads for the soles of your feet are also great; it does give you that extra bit of comfort to last the whole evening.

 So I hope this guide will help all heel wearers out there to find comfort in their shoes and prevent unnecessary agony!

 

Ups, downs and keeping your options open

So this post really is going to live up to being like a diary. Here are my thoughts and experiences of trying to explore my future career, and an exciting new idea I would like to share with you all!

 

Many of you may know that fashion buying is something that I’ve been trying to get into since finishing university in June. In the fashion world, getting a job in any sector is never easy, unless you are very lucky or extremely unique and talented. For nearly a year I have focused on this single career option, working my CV, work experience and portfolio around buying. Now I have realised this isn’t the best idea.

 

So I have applied for countless vacancies for Buyer’s Admin Assistants, filled in a number of applications, racked my brain when writing cover letters and sent a great number of emails, with no luck. Recently I had started my applications for the Graduate Buying Schemes at M&S and Tesco. For those of you thinking of going for them, good luck to you, but keep in mind that they are so hard to even pass the initial stages. I encountered the numerical and verbal tests for the first time, and boy are they hard. I mean, I felt like I needed a degree to actually answer some of those questions. After hours of practise questions and the final test, I finished feeling disappointed and a bit down, and that’s something to do with my issues with failure. It’s a terrible feeling when you don’t do as well as you wanted, or you’re not good enough, but in a couple of days you learn to pick yourself up and carry on.

 

 

 The next opportunity for me came with a telephone interview for the Tesco grad scheme (telephone interviews are horrible by the way). This was another disappointment for me as it really could have gone better. I blame my terrible nervousness and my tendencies to go blank due to the previous. Another let down, but with that came an open mind and a box that I began to think outside of.

 

The realisation of how ridiculous settling for one job was appeared like the sun through the clouds. It was time to keep my options open and think of the many other opportunities that are available, not just in fashion, but in life. I am the kind of person that wants to do so many things in life; I need excitement and new prospects quite regularly. This was the point where I spent about two hours (when I should have been asleep) thinking of crazy new things that I could do and try.

 

In terms of fashion, taking my interest of blogging and writing forward would be something I would love to do, but I always dismissed it thinking that without an English or Journalism degree it would be impossible. In all honesty, I am probably just as likely to get into fashion writing as I am into buying. So what the hell, I’m applying for lots more jobs, thinking about internships and finding new things to learn to improve my skills. A month or so ago I also started writing articles for the website www.writeonstyle.com, so take a look as it’s full of talented writers and bloggers with some great style info. The experience from this could help me in future opportunities, and generally it’s something that I enjoy doing.

 

With the light bulb moment of realisation came a new exciting idea for my blog, which I am glad to tell you all about now!

 

 

 Within my blog, I’m starting up a little question zone where all my blog fans can send in questions about anything fashion related. The Secret Diary is opening its covers to find answers for your fashion history questions, trend queries and your fashion problems needing advice. I call it my ‘No more secrets’ fashion clinic. Every week I will try my hardest to answer all of your questions and put them in a blog post for all to see.

 

So for any questions you may have, you can send me an email at secretdiaryofafashionstudent@gmail.com or tweet me.

 

Trying something new is great, and it gives you a confidence boost when you need it. Don’t let job issues get you down; keep your options open and try something different. Don’t give up on what you want to do, just think of the million and one other things that might be perfect for you and go get it!

The Only Way is Berry

So Winter is upon us, although it seems to have been hanging around the entire summer...I can't say I'm a massive fan of winter clothes; it is always so much effort to pile on the layers to go outside, peel them all off again when you get back inside, regretting the decision of 4 layers over 3 when I'm positively roasting from power walking to keep warm! Don't even get me started on the hat hair situation or the 'coat or mac?' dilemma. And then having the pressure of finding the right coat and a pair of boots that will not fall apart/allow water to seep in/cost me the earth. Gahhhh.

An upside to this annoying season are the great trends; shopping makes a dreary December day significantly better. On top of that, there's always a Christmas party where a new outfit is needed. This Autumn/Winter, various shades of berry are a must, such as burgundy, grape and oxblood. It's definitely the colour of the season, and I've picked out a few of my faves to set us into the winter months, lads and ladies alike. As much as I've refused to start shopping for my winter wardrobe until I get back from holiday, I couldn't leave myself unprepared for when I get back could I?

First - ladies. Add just a bit of berry to your outfit with this Henry Holland satchel for £28. Classic style and brings in a little snakeskin too. There's some great quirky pieces by Henry Holland at the moment, so take a peek.

 

In a shade I would call 'wine', this knit jumper looks seriously cosy, and you can get it for £35 at Miss Selfridge.

 

 

Gotta love polka dots! This skirt is really adaptable for a smart work outfit or a casual skater look; simple but cute. It's from River Island for £18.

 

 



 

 

 

Hat-hair comment aside, woolly hats are amazing. Plus very necessary when the heating's not on in your freezing uni house (yes, I wore it inside all day.) The great thing about berry shades are that they go with almost anything, which is important when trying to get your hat to match with all your clothes. This is also from River Island for £13.

 

This crochet top is by Miso at Republic, and I will admit I have already bought this, but being holey and all it's not completely 'autumn/winter'. Layer it over a vest top or dress, accessorise and off you go.

This padded gilet is perfect before the weather turns really icy. If you don't mind having cold arms, gilets are great, and are actually quite warm! This one is from a brand at New Look for £60.

 

 

 

Annndddd you guessed it. These are actually stunning; River Island I expected no less from you. These raspberry peep toe wedges are those Christmas party shoes you've been looking for. Ahhhh...

 

Alright lads, a few treats for you too. A standard shoulder and elbow patched cardi for £19.99 at New Look, no effort needed here.

 

 

I like a man who can pick a good shirt, and a burgundy one would be a good choice in my books. This has a Ben Sherman feel to it with the checks, and you can get it from Topman for £22.



 

 

 

This casual jacket from Soul Cal is great for everyday wear and reasonably priced at £40.

 

 

 

 

Berry coloured shoes look great on guys, and these Ralph Lauren lace up plimsolls are the best I've found. They're £75 but they'll last you all season.

 

So there you have it, the only way really is berry!

Dress up, Britain!

There has never been a better time to support Britain and be a full-blown patriot than now, in full flow of the Olympics! It has been approaching for a while now; the media hype has got us all prepared for a once in a lifetime event that won't be forgotten! The 'British' themed trend has been booming alongside this, plastering the Union Jack across window displays, in packaging, interiors, quirky gifts, and of course fashion.

However, this isn't the first time the Union Jack has been exposed to the mainstream. Until the sixties, wearing the union jack had only been for serious patriots, so people were shocked to see musicians such as The Who boldly making a statement with their British themed fashion.

The seventies expressed a different attitude towards the British flag, as rebellion and anarchy rose up through the punk era. Most famously, The Sex Pistols made it clear how they felt towards Britain during times of hardship and unemployment.

And you're all waiting for it...The Nineties. Geri Halliwell is probably the most famous for wearing ridiculous union jack-themed outfits (I say ridiculous now but we all thought it was cool back in the day), and started a massive trend that the whole world was made aware of.

So here we are, recycling the trendy and not tired-out Union Jack once again in the 21st century. I have found my best picks of British themed fashion, not only to wear during the Olympics, but to show our ongoing support for the nation!

Firstly, this great little poncho from Topshop - probably the most useful piece needed in everyone's wardrobe this summer. Great for festivals, and would have done the job nicely if watching the women's road race on Sunday!

Love these Jimmy Choo shades, part of a British themed collection launched this year to support the Union Jack trend. Classic and cool.

There are a lot of Union Jack tees and tops around at the moment, so you are spoilt for choice. I like this one by AX Paris (you can find the brand in different highstreet stores, New Look being one of them), as it's a bit more edgy with a toned down colour palette.

Everyone needs a pair of wellies right? I know I need some new ones, and I think these are pretty cool. Again a festival must, or maybe just a must for one of those spare of the moment downpours we seem to be having. Sorry I'm moaning about the weather again. These are from Dorothy Perkins though there are many variations out there.

This cute little clutch from Alexander McQueen is great if you want to spend a little more. £1095 more to be exact. Ah well, I still love it.

A way not to work this trend...This guy from Made in Chelsea (I don't watch it but apparently his name is Ollie), looks ridiculous. Don't know what he's smiling about, but it shouldn't be anything to do with what he's wearing.

And because I can't possibly write a blog post without involving heels at some point, here are some quirky peep toes from Runway Shoes.

Here's some ideas, so dress up, Britain!

Mainstream or madness, I'll let you decide.

So, for those of you who don't know, I was lucky enough to get a placement in New Look's menswear buying department a couple of weeks ago, giving me a great insight into what I am hoping to be a future career. It did not disappoint; much of it was new to me but aspects were how I imagined it. Being in the menswear department was completely new to me however, but it gave me the opportunity to learn much more about the differences in trends and styles compared to womenswear. Hence, due to my inside knowledge of this autumn's and next summer's trends, I thought I would be kind and share it all with you! I'm sorry girls for focusing on men AGAIN, but hey, I'm sure boyfriends, brothers, friends etc would be grateful for the tips!


Flat Peak Caps (Yeh, one of those. I didn't know the proper name for them before either.)

With sportswear being a key trend at the moment with the Olympics approaching, sporty accessories are around now and here to stay for the rest of the year. These caps are being advertised profusely by celebs such as UK trendsetter Labrinth and rapper Wiz Khalifa, though Bieber obviously saw this trend coming a while back seen as he's been wearing one constantly since 2009...

I know it looks like it could be hard to pull off, but you're going to see them everywhere soon. Trust.



Leather


I don't want to scare you with the thought that all men are going to be walking around like these guys below, so I will point out now that it's merely ASPECTS of leather coming through this autumn/winter. Below is Yves Saint Laurent's edgy collection of tailored suits, jackets and trousers, with a large helping of leather.

The highstreet is pushing the leather accessories which are easier to work into outfits, such as bags, biker boots and boat shoes, though leather panelling and the classic leather jacket are there for the more confident. Topman is a great place to go for leather pieces; all the items below are currently on sale there.

Bow ties

 

Absolutely loving this trend. Before my placement I never really saw the appeal, but I have slowly grown to like them. Bow ties are going to be a must-have this autumn; just look at the celebrities already embracing the bows...



Quirky, colourful and fun, they're definitely worth a try next season. Go smart with a shirt and blazer, or casual with a short sleeve check shirt and jeans. Bow ties are no longer for just the preppy guys; they're versatile and show great character.

Onesies


Okay here's my thing. Onesies for men = giant babies. Kinda creeps me out, but I have been assured they will be popular this winter for lounging around the house. Still not convinced? No, neither am I, but thought I'd make a point of it anyway.

New Look are bringing in a range of animal themed onesies (not for everyone...) as well as some more stylish fairisle designs. Though their glow in the dark skeleton onesie is one to look out for! Topman have a range of jersey onesies, though being hoodless they actually look even more like baby grows...River Island are also in on the act, so it's got to be a sure thing right? I'll let you make your own minds up about that.