Scottish Textiles

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.

There are many different types of bras to choose from.  Some suit different body shapes more than others, so this guide will help to explain the differences so that the right bra with the correct fitting can be chosen. 

A bandeau bra is for smaller sized girls, mainly A cups, as it does not provide a lot of support to the bust area.  Triangle bras are also for flatter chests and are a popular design especially amongst young teenagers.

A sports bra should be worn during exercise as it helps to provide a lot of support at the time when it is most needed.  It will ensure the chest does not move around too much during sport in order to give more comfort and to prevent pain at the same time.

Under wired bras are designed for support and comfort and can be suitable for all sizes.  These are very popular and widely available in the shops.  T-shirt bras are good for creating a smoother edge under clothing so that the outline cannot be seen easily.

Non-under wired bras provide more support in the straps, which tend to be bigger than under wired versions.  These garments can be more comfortable and ideal for general wear around the house.  The good news is that they can suit all sizes.

The bustier is more about femininity and style, making the wearer feel more confident in their choice of underwear. They are mainly only available in sizes A, B and C.

Push up bras can help to accentuate the bust and give a better cleavage. Gel bras can even help the wearer appear around two cup sizes bigger. They are ideal for women with smaller chests who want an added lift to help them feel more feminine and confident.  At the other end of the scale, minimiser bras help to make the bust look smaller on larger chests without causing pain or discomfort.

Established in Preston in 1988, Voi Jeans have become a staple of the British highstreet, ranked above the top UK brands such as Diesel and Henleys and they are one of the top 5 bestselling brands on ASOS.com. Voi clothing has become increasingly popular since its conception, a brand started by two brothers who took their inspiration from Italy, incorporating the style the Italians have and their love of denim.

The company expanded on from their denim range and started offering a whole range of garments for men and women, which include t-shirts, shirts, jumpers, and hooded tops as well as plenty of accessories for both sexes. There are numerous online retailers from where you can buy Voi clothing as well as the companies own website, if you’re looking for good deals the Designerwear for Voi clothing is one online stop for you.

With the colder months here, boots are a great type of footwear to wear.  They have many different benefits, as they can help to keep feet warm as well as providing the finishing touch to a fashionable winter look.  Boots are also ideal for walking in the snow or rain, so that feet do not get too wet.  There are various types of boots available to choose from, so finding out about the many styles and fashions as well as those that look really good is a great idea.

When choosing boots, there are different materials, heights, heels and colours to go for.  The main colours tend to be white, black, grey, tan and dark brown.  Suede, leather and fake leather are the most common materials available.  Some boots also have woolly parts on their exterior or tassels, so there are different decorative elements possible.

Knee high boots are in at the moment and look very stylish.  It is best to wear skinny jeans instead of flares with these; otherwise it will create a bulge and won’t look so slimming.  Alternatively, wear a skirt if it goes well with the boots, so many different outfits are possible.

Some women may have a preference for mid calf boots instead, these come up just below the knee, so are still quite long and look trendy, but are easier to walk in if you find knee high ones slightly restrictive.  Ankle boots are also available in the shops and help create a different style.

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 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.

If you are a keen follower of fashion, you will already be aware of the snood.  The snood is like marmite – people either love it or hate.  If you already bought one last year, the good news is, this accessory is sticking around for a little longer yet.  The snood is loved for its versatility; it is easy to wear and can be teamed up with a smart tailored suit or a simple, everyday outfit.  Some consider the snood to be unsightly in appearance and less elegant in comparison to a traditional scarf.  Yet the snood holds the added advantage of lacking in bulky knots and lumps and so contributes to a sleek image. 

The snood comes in many different colours.  You can either opt for a daring, coloured snood or a classic, no fuss snood.  If your wardrobe consists of bold statement outfits, a neutral snood would be your best bet.  Conversely, if you lack courage when it comes to wearing colour, a bold snood would brighten up your day and your outfit in one fell swoop.  Snoods are available in an array of patterns and materials so you will be sure to at least one to suit your preferences.  For effortless, signature style, snap up a snood.

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.