WEEKEND REPORT: IMAGE MAKERS!

Some of the best-dressed men of all time are figments of the collective imagination. However, the fact that they've only ever existed on celluloid takes nothing away from the power of their style. In many ways it's the brief duration of their existence that has immortalised their sartorial perfection, because they'll never be snapped by a paparazzo while looking out of shape and unshaven, or appear at the Oscars wearing a skinny tie and trousers that are two inches too long. These fictional characters are like a concentrated shot of style, and untroubled by the vagaries of dressing every morning they will remain elegant, sharp and well dressed, even as real men age, thicken, wear trousers with an elasticated waistband, and die. 

So what is it that we can learn from these guys? There's no single style here, even if there's a clear bias towards a better-dressed past, and the characters themselves range from intrepid and well-qualified archaeologists to impetuous stuntmen, and even extraterrestrials. However, there are a couple of common threads; the first is that we should dress in a way that expresses our personality, and the second is that feeling comfortable in one's clothes is a prerequisite for projecting charisma. These are the two things that every guy should strive for in his dress: authenticity and ease. It's hard to feel the latter if you aren't striving for the former. 

Having established these benchmarks it's time to put them into practice. So, the next time you're trying on a jacket or a pair of trousers, just ask yourself, "Is this something that Sir Sean Connery's James Bond could have worn?" (Feel free to insert the name of the fictional character who you find most sartorially inspiring.) Whether you're in the market for a new suit or a pair of swimming trunks, it's an almost foolproof test.

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OFF-DUTY ELEGANCE: OUT OF OFFICE NEEDN'T MEAN OUT OF STYLE!

Any fool can look sharp in a suit. However, as politicians the world over discover every summer, dressing down successfully is far harder than dressing up. In 1971 President Richard Nixon, keen to co-opt some of the late President John F Kennedy's youthful appeal, posed for some photographs on the San Clemente shore in California. The result was that he was widely mocked for wearing suit trousers and dress shoes on the beach. In the end his awkward appearance contrasted so unfavourably with JFK's exemplary off-duty style that the stunt did nothing but accentuate the differences between the two men. 

The reason for this is that relaxation is the key to the success of any holiday, and so the ideal vacation wardrobe should look and feel relaxed. Aside from underwear nothing that a man sports in the workplace deserves a space in your suitcase. Because we spend our days in an air-conditioned office we need to be reminded of what works on holiday, so we've dug out these old photographs to conjure up a mood of off-duty elegance. The images remind us that it's vital to get the fabric and fit of clothes right. Substantial natural fabrics (we're talking cotton and linen here) are the key, not only because they "breathe" but also because they wear well and can be thrown into the washing machine when dirty. It's hard to be relaxed around sun cream, sand and melting ice creams if everything you're wearing has to be dry-cleaned.

 As far as fit goes we believe that slightly looser clothes work best in the heat. They allow the air to circulate, and the way that they feel is conducive to relaxation. So save your slimmest trousers and close-fitting shirts for the city, and take a leaf out of Mr Gregory Peck's book and wear clothes that can move with the breeze. Colour is the final part of this puzzle, and strong light provides a great opportunity to wear brighter colours than usual. Whether that means a lavender-coloured pair of J.Crew's Stanton shorts, or a Burberry Prorsum shirt with a bold print, is down to taste. But either way the summer is the time to turn up the brightness, although if you have very pale skin it's best to wait until you've caught a tan before going for the boldest shades of orange, red and yellow. Check the gallery, below, to see seven men whose off-duty style was exemplary. 

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STYLE SETTERS: MR CARY GRANT!

Good Morning! Stay Classy!

Born in a working-class area of Bristol, in the west of England, in 1904, Mr Archibald Leach legally changed his name to Cary Grant, his professional name as an actor, in 1942. His mother suffered from depression when he was young and was committed to a mental institution. He never saw her at all during his childhood and adolescence. In fact, he thought she was dead and did not discover the truth until he had lived in the US for many years. He hated school, managed to get expelled and started his long theatrical career on the "halls" doing all the undignified things that were part of an actor's practical training in those days.

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YEAH MAN, B&W GENTLEMEN!

Dear all, this is the first part of what is going to be a looong series of b&w real gentlemen pictures! Enjoy!

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ICONS of MEN's STYLE

So..Just to make it clear before any accusation, incrimination and much more

(God knows what women are capable of!)

We (fashionspam) adore, love, appreciate, admire & cherish women!

BUT

We are going to start a series entitled

ICONS of MEN's STYLE!

(Inspired by the homonymous book by Josh Sims, 
by 40s, 50s & 60s movies & tv shows, 
and by personal favourites)

The reason is simple:

Womenswear progresses in leaps and bounds, fuelled by the readiness of women to wear what may 

at the time be perceived as the radical or outrageous. 
Not so with menswear menswear evolves, slowly. 

But from what? 

Behind nearly every item in the modern male wardrobe is a first of its kind the definitive item, 

often designed by a single company or brand for specialist use, 

on which all subsequent versions have been based 
(and originals of which are now collector items in the booming vintage market)

So, whether you like the idea or not

(We will see in the 'pageviews' statistics!)

And ladies, don't worry, any single inspirational

outfit, dress, ring, shoe, bracelet, nail, handbag

WILL BE UPLOADED DIRECTLY HERE HERE


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