A forerunner in men’s fashion design for decades and a staple in every wardrobe, the humble t-shirt has undergone many restyles and innovations to emerge more popular than ever. It is worn by men of all ages and styles. From the staple tee of plain white cotton to the latest graphic and scribble artwork featuring movie and super hero designs, the t-shirt is probably the most versatile item of men’s clothing ever.
Addict clothing specialises in graphic Star Wars designs featuring limited edition artwork. It is super stylish to wear and extremely collectable.
Manufactured from a versatile mix of cotton and cotton-blend material, today’s t-shirts can be worn with anything from denims and combats to shorts or formal trousers to create different looks without too much effort.
T-shirts that are well cared for can last for years. Always refer to manufacturer washing instructions and remember when washing a graphic tee to turn it inside out before washing.
T-shirts have a special place in the hearts and minds of fashion aficionados and the trend looks set to continue for many more decades to come.
Before the mid 19th century, clothing was often made by hand. Whether this was done by order through dressmakers or tailors, or made by the individual at home, it was not merely as simple as buying a mass produced item in a high street store.
During the mid 19th century, factory production began to change the way fashion was made, and mass production of goods appeared, as technology developed increasingly. It was in America and Europe that these changes first took place, but ever since then the process has connected countries across the world. Different stages in production can mean that as a garment is made it travels through a variety of countries.
For example, a plan for some shirts could come from a designer in France. The fabric for the clothing could then be sourced in China. This fabric could then be cut and the garment made in a factory in Dubai, with finishing touches being carried out in Germany. From here the clothing could then be brought back to France, or shipped across the world to various different retail outlets for them to sell.
This process of fashion production sees a huge amount of people employed by the industry all over the globe, and in England alone, it is responsible for over 800,000 jobs. As well as this, the fashion business is responsible for making around £21 billion per year. Retail has really exploded in the past few year especially since many brands such as Firetrap, French Connection and AX Paris started selling fashions online making it much more accessible for many to get the latest styles.
Everybody wants to look perfect on the big day. A woman’s wedding day is a once in a lifetime experience that will be cherished forever, so nothing short of the best will suffice. If you are planning to marry in 2012 and want to stay on trend, then read on to discover the latest wedding fashions and ideas for this year.
Embellishment
Beautiful and delicate embellishments in all shapes and sizes are a definite trend for 2012 weddings. Inspired by Kate Middleton’s royal wedding dress and designed by Sarah Burton, embellishments in the form of beaded bodices, precious stones and net are all signs of a fashionable gown.
Vintage
Simple and vintage style silks are what the 2012 wedding dresses are all about, with designers such as Valentino drawing inspiration from former eras and adding modern day glamour.
Boho Bride
Kate Moss embodied the boho bride look during her celebrity wedding last year, she looked elegant and chic, fashioning a dress by designer John Galliano. Loose fitting dresses, layers and a simple headscarf will all bring the boho vibe to any wedding look.
This winter, novelty jumpers have been making an appearance everywhere we turn. As winter ends, do not expect these novelty knits to disappear. Although we all want to put our winter woollies to the back of the wardrobe, and say goodbye to them for yet another year in the anticipation of fresh spring days and warm summer evenings, Britain’s weather is just not that generous, and a jumper is a vital piece that plays its role all year around.
The designers have been keeping this in mind when putting together their spring/summer collections, and a statement knit has been worked in to cater for this British style dilemma. Who said a novelty jumper was only for Christmas anyway?
Matt Damon, Justin Bieber and Ferne Cotton are just a handful of the celebrities that have been keen to display their knits this winter. From animal prints, chunky designs, and even pom-poms, there is no limit to these novelty jumpers.
Some online companies will take specific orders and create you your own 100% unique and individually designed knit, which could be a great addition to your wardrobe this season and next.
Novelty knitwear
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!
So it’s the season of the jumper, normally worn as a necessity rather than as a fashion statement, however this season jumpers have come into their own. You know something is going to be hot when designers champion them on the catwalks, the likes of Missoni, Tommy Hilfiger and Givenchy all resurrected the jumper as a fashion statement.
This season you should be rocking bright knits, slouchy sweaters and in your face, patterned jumpers. Power jumpers will keep you snuggly and warm but also make you look hot, hot, hot instead of a throwback from your childhood. Many of the highstreet stores have a huge selection of jumpers, glitzy for the party season or slouchy for casualwear. Clothing from Vila offer a selection sexy jumpers, yes that’s right sexy jumpers!
This season you can easily find jumpers to work with all the trends, for day wear and for evening wear so there is no reason not to add some knitwear to your wardrobe this season.
Why not work boyfriend style slouchy, cable knits big and baggy, opt for leggings or tights and team with boots for a rugged everyday look. For a sexier look try teaming a sequined black jumper with black leather trousers, perfect for a kick-ass evening out. Motifs are also big so why not wear a jumper adorned with a furry friend, just like the celebs have been opt for horses, birds, dogs, rabbits and cats for a on trend cute look. Finally it’s time to embrace pattered jumpers, try Fair Isle or Native American patterns in great natural looking colours.
Modern mods take their style inspiration from the iconic look that is synonymous with the 1960s. The original mods were the super clean and tidy antithesis to the rough and ready rockers, and their longstanding rivalry is captured forever in the 1979 cult classic film Quadrophenia.
The essence of the modern mod style is smart, slick and angular – shirts should be crisp and clean. Ben Sherman shirts have been there from the very beginning and helped to define the mod look. Many design features including the back-collar button have their roots in this brand. Polo shirts remain a favourite for their style and versatility, or check out Fred Perry for elegance and inspiration.
Jeans should be straight and clean. Shrink-to-fit Levi 501s are the perfect homage to the roots of this iconic look, or try Ben Sherman jeans with a straight leg. If you’re stuck finding the right style check out Republic jeans to find the right mod style. The mod style is not complete without the right shoes. The original mods rode around on scooters and wore 1960s desert boots. For the modern mod of today, desert boots are back in fashion, available from well-known brands including Hush Puppies.
The blazer will always be linked to the mod look. Choose a smart, single-breasted blazer in a neutral colour. As the cold nights draw in, there is no need to sacrifice style for warmth. Paul Smith PS brings us the uber-cool fishtail parka, or alternatively, check out the darker grungier parkers offered by Firetrap.
Music is always in fashion, indeed fashion and music go together. Band motif T-shirts and sweatshirts make an effortless style statement and give a simple essence of retro cool to any outfit.
Bands and genres define generations and set trends that are never forgotten. A motif T-shirt in tribute to a beloved artist such as The Beatles, The Stone Roses, Athlete or Snow Patrol is the music-lover’s ideal staple to complete an individual, casual look. This has not been lost on designers and retailers, and now there is no need to go to a gig to pick up a T-shirt.
These T-shirts and sweatshirts are generally not designed to look smart, so keep the rest of the look fairly crisp to give it the right balance. Straight-leg jeans in dark blue denim, worn with a dark blazer will work well. Finish with a scarf with neutral colours to give a stylish, casual look without looking scruffy. For smart, lace-up trainers, check out the range by Converse.
Rockin style!
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.
When you think of velvet you think of a thick, luxurious material which is really associated with this time of year. Velvet is perfect for Christmas night outs and adding a bit of luxury to your everyday wardrobe. When choosing party dresses why not try some velvet Republic party dresses to add a touch of old school glamour.
This season velvet has graced many of the catwalks but rather than in the traditional black, designers such as Ralph Lauren, Michael Van de Ham and Peter Dundas opted for paint box colours instead. There were plenty of dresses in rich jewel colours such as; ruby red, emerald, amethyst and warm rich autumnal colours such as navy blue and mustard yellows.
Velvet really does make a statement on its own, however to give it a regal edge look for jewel embellishments or opt for chunky jewellery to make a big statement. Velvet is a heavy fabric and you don’t want to be layering it up really so if you have a gorgeous velvet skirt or even a pair of velvet trousers look to pair it with lighter materials such sheer silk and lace, plus it also gives it a lovely romantic edge.
If full on velvet isn’t for you why not opt for some soft velvet accessories, velvet wedge shoes and platforms are hot and make a change from glossy leather, team with a velvet clutch bag and you add a nice hint of luxury to a plain outfit.