Scottish Textiles

Some men find it difficult to gain weight and bulk up but that does not mean that they cannot look fashionable. There are some tricks and tips that slimmer men can use to look their best.

Many may think of shoulder pads as a fashion from the past yet many of today’s blazers still pack pads. Slimmer men should look for blazers that have some light shoulder padding. However, they should avoid opting for blazers with huge shoulder pads; a little padding can go a long way. Small shoulder pads will make a skinny man look bulkier but still in proportion.

Tailoring is a great asset in clothing for the skinnier man. Whether a man is choosing blazers or trousers, proper tailoring can ensure that clothing fits correctly and looks more flattering. Tailoring can help eliminate loose fabric under the arms or in the shoulder area. 

Skinny men should avoid very tight shirts. Shirts that are too clingy will fail to look flattering. Rather, just as with blazers, men should aim to purchase shirts that fit properly. A shirt with less elastic will prove more flattering. 

When it comes to trousers, flat-front trousers are a good bet for slim men. A classic cut and a simple flat front will flatter a skinnier man’s shape. Straight leg and boot cut pants are appropriate shapes for this body type. Skinny jeans, while currently popular, are not as safe a bet. Skinny jeans on a skinny man will only draw attention to how slim he is. 

Another tip for trousers is to look for pockets. Pockets are functional in more than one way. Pockets can help to add a little bit of volume, as can patterns, lines and cuffs.

Men with bulkier body types do not necessarily need to lose weight in order to look their best. With these fashion tips, larger men can learn how to dress for their body type.

Firstly, large men should avoid clothes that are too tight. A tight fitting shirt that looks great on some guys may just highlight lumps and bumps on others. Larger men should refrain from choosing very tight clothing and look towards looser clothing able to smooth out their bodies instead.

Another tip for larger men is to avoid clothing with sloped shoulders. Clothes with naturally sloped shoulders can draw people’s eyes down to the area of the stomach. For larger men, square shoulders are better. Square shoulders will draw people’s eyes to the chest and face.

Bold patterns should ideally be avoided by larger men. Big, bold patterns add bulk to the silhouette and draw unwanted attention to troublesome areas. Instead of bulky patterns, men should try vertical lines. Vertical lines will make the body look longer and leaner. Solid, dark colours tend to work best on the larger man as dark colours make the body look slimmer.

Men with larger frames should always be sure to empty out their trouser pockets before leaving the house. This simple task can remove considerable bulk from the silhouette. Men who carry bulky personal items, such as mobile phones and wallets, in their trouser pockets add unnecessary lumps and bumps to their physique.

Finally, larger men should opt for low-rise trousers or jeans. Low-rise trousers sit on the hips rather than the waist. However, larger men should ensure that their low-rise trousers flatter their stomach. Larger men should also avoid pleats as pleats can make the pelvis area seem larger.

Coloured denim jeans have been a popular trend for the ladies for the past few years, (you know it’s popular when it’s sported by numerous celebs). So now it it’s the turn for coloured denim to hit the mens fashion sections this spring/summer.

It’s always good to have a good pair of blue 883 Police jeans in your wardrobe, however there is nothing wrong with mixing it up this season and adding some colour. Look towards reds, greens and yellows in more earthy tones to keep with the masculinity.

Colour blocking can also be done successfully, if you don’t like making too much of a statement with your clothing then go for more muted tones rather than brights, or colour block with black, grey or brown. As a final note if you want a look which is smarter then look at coloured trousers, mustard, and greens are popular and look quite dandy with turn ups worn with an equally colourful jackets!

The foundations of designer menswear are very often overlooked when trying to define a distinct image.  Accessories add that finishing touch that will not only make you stand out, but can turn your outfit from good to outstanding.  The most important aspect of dressing is simplicity, and when dealing with accessories less really is more.  Just the simple addition of a watch or necklace could be enough to complete your look.

What Accessories to Wear

There are some accessories that are essential regardless of your outfit.  The wallet is one of the most important aspects of fashion and with hundreds of different styles, there should never be an excuse not to find something that suits your style.

Many people claim that they don’t suit hats but in most cases, this is false.  There are literally hundreds of different styles of hat.  Usually when shopping, a man will completely ignore the hat section of a shop assuming straight away, that nothing will be found.  Hat shopping can be difficult, but with a little perseverance you could find a hat that will suit any style.

One of the most recent fashion accessory trends is the men’s leather necklace.  Necklaces can be worn both under and over a t-shirt.  Most people choose to wear a necklace over a t-shirt if the clothing has minimal design, this will give the t-shirt a more interesting look.  The most recent range of Julie Ann Turner leather necklaces are currently on the rise.

Formal Fashion Accessories

Ties are probably one of the most overlooked parts of formal dressing.  The tie can add an elegant touch to your outfit.  Not wearing a tie can look great if you are going for a smart but casual look, however a tie can simply be all you need to bring your outfit to the next level.  It’s always worth having a selection of ties to choose from, this should include skinny and thick ties in a variety of colours.  This way you will be able to adapt your tie to the style of your outfit.

Watches, cuff-links and tie-pins can also be a great addition to a suit.  When buying jewellery it’s important that you keep the same contrast across the board.  Being subtle is key and there is nothing more obvious than having a mixture of colour when wearing accessories.

If you’re looking for a distinct collection of designer men’s fashion accessories, why not check out Designerwear.co.uk to spruce up your outfit.

The high street is lined with clothes of different fabrics, and it will come as no surprise to learn that the type of fabric you choose affects not only the price that you pay but also the longevity of your item.

Wool

If you’ve ever purchased an expensive suit, you may have found that it is made out of wool.  Wool is a favourite for suit creation but in order to ensure that your purchase lasts, you need to lean towards the use of super-wool.  Super-wool has a thread count of between 120 and 150 – this means that has been 120 and 150 threads woven together in any one square inch of fabric.  Super-wool is perfect for both cold winter nights and hot sunny days.  If you’re purchasing a suit for wear in winter only, opt for a thread count of around 200.  For a summer suit, a thread count of 100 is ideal. 

Cotton

Cotton is a classic material for informal suits.  However, if you travel regularly, you will find that folding your suit can cause troublesome creases.  Cotton suits are ideal for spring/summer use.  Look out for designer cotton suits from Zegna and Ralph Lauren’s Black Label. 

Linen

Linen is the ideal material for hot, summer days.  Like cotton, linen is prone to creasing your style – literally – yet linen’s creases can contribute to its appeal.  If you desire a white or cream coloured suit, linen should be your desired material. 

Velvet

Velvet is a statement fabric best suited to those who wish to turn heads.  Velvet is at its most luxurious when worn during the evening.  A velvet sports coat is easier to pull off than a full suit.  Deep purple, green and blue velvet never fail to look on trend.

Tartan has long been a favourite in the fashion world. This type of pattern can be worn in many ways, from the most formal occasions to more casual styles for everyday use. Many women love to wear tartan, although it is most popular with women of Scottish or Irish descent.

Fun Tartan Accessories

Many women choose to use a more understated look with tartan by wearing an accessory with tartan fabric. Tartan scarves have been popular for many years, and remain a popular fashion accessory. They are especially attractive when worn with sweaters or other knitwear products. There are also caps and other types of hats made from tartan fabric. You may choose a driving cap similar to those worn by men, or a warm winter hat with earflaps. Other popular tartan accessories include bows that look good with longer hairstyles.

Everyday Items

There are numerous tartan items available for everyday wear. Many are well suited to office wear. Blazer-style jackets made from tartan fabric are always a winning choice during the cold weather months. This style looks good when worn with a collared shirt, sweater and plain skirt. Some women like trousers that feature a tartan print. Since these are particularly bold, they should be worn with shirts or sweaters in plain colours. A tartan skirt is always a good addition to any wardrobe. Many women prefer the longer, straight style commonly associated with traditional highland dress. Others may prefer shorter skirts, commonly known as mini-kilts.

Formal Occasions

Tartan is good for many formal dress-up occasions. There are several types of events where tartan is suitable. Some brides who are of Scottish ancestry choose to use their family tartan as part of their wedding dress. This is especially ideal when the groom wears full Highland dress. The tartan skirt should feature a matching sash with a brooch that features the family’s clan crest. Regardless of the event, the right tartan should be chosen. One should choose their family’s tartan, if available. If not, some other tartans like the Black Watch or Irish National may be appropriate.

Tartan

Ask many mothers who go to collect their children as school finishes for the day and they will regale you with stories of fashion faux pas, one-upmanship, and rivalry which only seems to be growing in intensity between mums who are competing to ensure that they are the best dressed and sporting only the latest designs by the best designers.

With a reported two-thirds of mothers saying that they try and get one over on fellow parents when their children head back to school following the summer break, one in six making sure they have a new hairstyle to display at the school gates along with their new outfits and others ensuring that they have a new tan, the school run looks set to change forever.

A survey conducted by a leading supermarket chain found  that mums will spend an average of 25 minutes on hair and make-up before leaving the house to collect their children, a whole 7 minutes more than they take to get the children ready for school in the morning.  A spokeswoman for the famous supermarket chain said: “People are often quick to judge, and a massive number of mums feel the need to impress at the school gates and purposefully get their hair done or splash out on new clothes.  So much so that they are spending more time and money on themselves, rather than getting their kids ready to step out of the front door in their new school uniform.”

School Gates

Picture courtesy of The hills are alive

The wild animal look is hitting fashion hard this season. Bold animal prints and fluffy furs seem to be everywhere we look recently. As well as the prints and furs, the actual faces of the animals seem to be printed all over the autumn collections. Whatever the animal, it is sure to feature within the latest trends. Fashion’s gone wild!

Animal prints and furs are hitting the more urban fashion styles this season. Snakeskin prints and gorilla jackets have been extremely popular and the demand for animal-style clothes has boomed with many brands such as Firetrap, Diesel, Franklin and Marshall and Karen Millen featuring them in their collection especially fur trimmings.

Where should I wear these styles you may ask? Bold statements are perfect for a night out and are sure to make you stand out from the crowd. As for during the day, the look definitely needs to tone down, you could maybe exchange animal print for a couple of everyday accessories. Faux fur jackets and snakeskin bags could be quite easy brought into the everyday look with a pair of skinny Voi jeans.

With Christmas fast approaching, you will need a warm coat and furs are the perfect fashion alternative. As well as keeping you nice and toasty, as well as making you look smoking hot.
Just remember, when styling your animal look try to have one main piece. Too much animal print can just look overwhelming, and let’s face it, a little bit stupid. If you did want to go all out with this style, then why not try a coat with some matching shoes, or a bag. It’s suggested no more than 2 animal print items at once, especially if they are different types of prints.

It’s been quite a few months since the autumn/winter shows for this season so it no surprise that some trends have changed since then, some have made it into fashion mainstream and some haven’t so let’s have a look at what designer clothes are still with us.

Androgyny is still going strong, this girl boy fashion hit is proving popular due to its versatility, tuxedo suits, box jackets and brogues are fashion must haves and no wardrobe is complete without these.

Bold colours another designer led trend which has filtered down to the highstreet, everywhere is awash with autumnal jewel tones with plenty of burgundy, mustard yellows, petrol blue and scarlet reds.

Native influences are also going strong with Apache and Navajo patterns are all over at the moment mixed in with some western influences with fringing and fur details. Rustic pairing s for casual daywear and bright prints for evening is an easy option.

Heritage is one of my favourites this season and it’s still sticking around which is good to know. Making the most of Great British Classics, with lots of tweed, tartan and plaid, as well as knee length skirts and quilted jackets and gilets is key to get the look.

The collar is a hot trend for Autumn/Winter 2011-2012 with cute necklines featured on everything from dresses and shirts to winter coats and jumpers. The particular collar shape that is causing a huge stir on the fashion pages is the Peter Pan collar.

The cute Peter Pan shaped collar is a long standing firm favourite with vintage fashion fans, but is now flooding the Autumn/Winter collections as the ultimate style to be seen in. Alexa Chung has sported Peter Pan collars as part of her key look for years, and the collar craze is spreading fast through the fashion hot list with Michelle Williams and Hailee Steinfield recently seen sporting a cute collar.

Preppy and vintage looks are achieved by having a crisp white Peter Pan collar peeking from underneath an understated thin knit jumper, but there are also a variety of glitzy numbers hitting the market. Adding a feminine and flattering touch to some of the heavier winter trends, the collar can give a unique pretty edge to even the baggiest woollen knit. Sequined or embellished collars are proving a popular addition to the coming season’s dresses, adding an additional touch of a la mode glamour. Started by the designer collections of the likes of Louis Vuitton and DKNY, there are a vast number of Peter Pan collar adorned garments making their way to the high street, from prim neat necklines to oversized statement collars.