Loft Trading

We haven't set a date for the big day yet but I've started to think about what I might wear. I'm not into dress codes and I'm certainly not making anyone wear a daft morning suit, what year are we in? Don't get me started with a romantic "first dance", I was more thinking Chuck Berry. The last thing I want is for myself and others to feel uncomfortable on my wedding day so screw traditions.

I've got the shoes sorted, I managed to pick up some Grenson's Sid Brogues from their factory in Northampton last week. I travelled down with Togs + Clogs and a videographer from Hypebeast to shoot a film for the collaboration we've been working on for AW13. I took plenty of photos and I will post them shortly. So next it's the suit and all the rest that comes with it. For "the rest" bit I don't think I can go far from with Loft Trading. Loft's debut collection consists of neckties, pocket squares, bandanas and scarfs; all handmade in Belfast, Northern Ireland in a range of madras plaids and lightweight chambray cottons.

Each piece is individually numbered and made using a range of deadstock fabrics, no two are the same and each run is made in very small quantities. As a rule I don't like to match too much, I think a mixture of the York Street tie and the Exchange Place pocket square would work a treat.

To find out more about Loft Trading click here / Use code BUCKETS10 to receive 10% off all orders.

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The Blue Jeans

 

 

Levi's Commuter 511 - 12 months, 3 washes

Without a doubt the most worn type item of clothing in my wardrobe are jeans. Most people have their preferred brand when it comes to denim, factoring in fit, wash, quality and price; I lean towards Levi's. I've never really been in the position to splash cash willy nilly but denim is something worth spending a bit extra on. I picked up these for £79 last summer and they've have been worth every penny. Currently I have 2 pairs of jeans in rotation, these Levi's 511 from the Commuter range (above) and a pair of Nudie Thinn Finn. My peeve with the Nudie's is the pocket placement on the back, they're very low, making them look quite droopy. The Levi's fit perfectly.

The jury is still out on how you should wash your jeans; hot, cold, hand wash, machine wash, dry clean, soak before wear, wait donkey's years until they stink....it's hard to know which method to take. Lately I've had quite a few comments about how my Levi's have faded, simple answer is I wore them solid for the first 7 months (cycling a few times a week, which includes getting soaked frequently). When the time came I hand washed them in the sink using cold water and a bit of detergent. 

The Commuter's are made using some techy stuff called "Nano-Sphere", which basically makes them dirt and water repellent. I'm not sure how the dirt bit works but it definitely makes the water run right off which is why they're perfect for cycling.

Pros - Water repellent // Reflective hem detail // Stretch for comfort // Lots of detail // High rise waist

Cons - Slight dye transfer // Knees wearing fast // 

So let's talk about denim, I'd love to hear your thoughts - Are you loyal to a particular brand, what stores do you rate on the higshtreet, which method do you use for washing, how often do you wear them?

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Strike A Light

Some really lovely looking "superior safety matches" by A Fine Match Box Co. They've got bright blue tips and sweet illustrated designs on the front. I think I'm going to start a little collection you know, everywhere I go I'll try and find some interesting designs. Do you remember when companies used match boxes as business cards, I wonder if they still do? My quest starts today.

 Available at Present.

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Enjoy

Enjoy your weekend folks. Surprisingly I actually have both days off this week. After helping at the food bank this morning my plans are to get out in the fresh air and have a cycle then spend some time with Hollie. We haven't had much time since she started her new job, that's what Sunday is for.

In the meantime you can me in the usual places;

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Togs + Clogs's Classic Dog Moments

 

The team at where I work have been beavering away and have recently released the Togs + Clogs Spring/Summer 13 photoshoot, entitled Classic Dog Moments. Taken in various locations around Ancoats, Manchester this season's theme revolved around man's best friend and those quality times they share together. But this isn't just any old woofer, he's a patterned woofer! Along with the model, Gerald the Dog is wearing several patterns which feature on garments from this season's collection. He's sporting pieces from Universal Works, Armor Lux, Anerkdjent, Uniforms for the Dedicated and I Love Ugly.

Everyone is extremely pleased with the way the shoot has turned out and I'm pleased as punch to be apart of it. Who says never to work with animals! What do you guys think?

Togs + Clogs Classic Dog Moments

Photographer - Tom Cockram

Styling - John-Paul Cassidy

Gerald the Dog - Lazerian

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Well Camp

I hear the price of these things has skyrocketed over the past few years, lately I keep seeing more and more of them. Either people are doing them up or there's some pretty lavish people in my area. I nearly got hit by one when I was cycling the other day, probably my fault for staring at it too long. I guess it wouldn't be the worse way to go, out with a v-dubs bang, literally.

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Pin It Forward

Pinterest, where would I be without Pinterest? I'm pretty sure my computer would be running at snails pace with thousands of images clogging up my hard drive. As part of the Pin In Forward campaign today I'm sharing with you the expansion of the UK based platform, which works in exactly the same way as the current version but is more tailored to our shores. If you haven't used it before, Pinterest is a place you can collect and share inspiring things from around the net; storing them all on boards for each subject. Browse the live feed for interesting things to pin and collate for later.

Style

I discovered Pinterest about 3 years ago when I was studying Fashion Promotion at uni, I started using it as a quick way to to store images and ideas for my projects instead of saving them to my laptop. It slowly turned into my online scrapbook, somewhere I could refer back to, dip in and print off stuff whenever I needed. Jump to the present and I'm still using it in pretty much the same way, mainly pinning things like Design Ideas, Travel, Food, Photography, Homeware and other little odds and sods.

Design

Maybe I'm using it as type of escapism and fantasy. I'm never liking to go to some unreachable hillside in Outer Mongolia, bake a cake shaped like the Sydney Opera House or successfully master the crab pose but you never know when you might try! My most frequent pins are based around Style, Design and Products I Love (which is quite trainer heavy) but I also use to to search for recipes, workout/fitness tips and interiors.

Products I Love  (Click to find original image sources)

So if you're not already on board you can follow me here or simply sign up using this link. Next up on the #PinItForwardUK gravy train is those dapper chaps at Individualism. If you've already got an account let me know what your Pinterest handle is so I can follow your boards.

Only 4 more weekends till our Orlando Holiday pt.2! We're getting there, it's just a shame the exchange rate is a bit pants right now. Happy weekend dudes.

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The Stripe T-Shirt

 The Stripe T-shirt - Universal Works

Stripes, stripes, stripes, this t-shirt has them by the bucket-load. You want them, it's got them. I've been an avid wearer of striped tops for as long as I can remember and I won't be stopping any time soon. My sponsors Stuarts London offered me an item from Universal Works's SS13 collection and before I knew it I'd added another to the collection.

It's warm enough to pull out the short sleeves now (yes even in grey Manchester....) so I've been wearing this over the past couple of weeks. There's two types of stripes on the tee, the panel on the lower back actually wraps around to the front ever so slightly as you can see by the photo; it's not as noticeable when you're wearing it but it's a pretty cool design feature. It's all topped off with a mustard yellow ringer style neck. This is the first piece I've owned by the Nottingham based company, so far it's two thumbs up from me. Read more about the Universal Works story here.

Here's a quick summery:

Pros - 100% premium cotton // Mustard yellow accents // Variable stripes // Great quality

Cons - Sizing is very small so had to go up to a large // Slightly longer in the body

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Loveland Aleworks / Bank Holiday

It's Bank Holiday Weekend across the UK and that can only mean one thing, beer. Yes lovely lovely beer. It's the time where most people get an extra long weekend but everyone working in retail is still stuck behind the tills, I'm used to it now. I'll just be making the most of it when the clock hits 4:30, Sunday afternoon.

With beer in mind today feels like a good time to share Loveland Aleworks and some great branding by San Fran design agency Manual. Loveland are an independent microbrewery based in Colorado; Manual created the identity for the company through the vision its owner and the city's historical past as a railroad town. The taps above, which can be found in their "tasting room" are inspired by original 19th century railway signal levers. It's fair to say I'd like to drink some ale from a growler, all aboard!

What plans have you got for the weekend? Mine will mostly involve cycling and beer. Enjoy your long weekend guys, let's hope the weather holds out!

For more info and images from the project click here

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Street Subjects

Here's a few photographs I took for a street style project late last year. Sadly the feature was dropped in the end but I didn't want the images to go to waste so I thought I'd share them with you guys. All the images feature people from around the NW, England in various locations in Blackpool and Manchester. I roped Hollie in at the last minute as time was tight, persuading her with coffee and a carmel slices. She's easily won over.

I don't think I did half bad but I can't say I'll be making it into a regular feature just yet, one step at a time! How do you think I got on? 

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