Men Jewellery

No, this is not a Jersey-style gold chain or oversize bracelets à la Orange County. Today’s well-bejeweled gents are able to mix pricier pieces like a watch with a woven leather bracelet (or two) and wear necklaces with a distinct vintage vibe. Unless you're currently serving in the military, dog tags need not apply. 



   

Metal bracelets have long held a place within men’s style, with screen idols such as Marlon Brando and James Dean (see lookbook below) wearing them in commemoration following the Second World War. Their popularity is also on the rise today, with celebrities such as Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum and Liam Hemsworth spotted wearing them recently.

ID bracelets retain a sense of masculinity and convey a notion of tasteful rebellion with their sleek appearance. As they tend to be quite distinctive and chunky, metal bracelets are best worn as standalone, solo pieces. For this reason, it is also a good idea to wear it on your free, non-watch hand, rather than weighing down the same wrist with both your watch and metal bracelet.

There is the argument that metal bracelets can slip into women’s ‘bangle’ territory, but conversely, Esquire magazine recently included a stylish metal cuff in a feature entitled ‘The 10 Best Things To Wear On Your Wrist’, demonstrating that a slimline metal cuff is a versatile piece a man can successfully pull off without appearing feminine.

As with everything, it’s important to wear with confidence and – especially with metal bracelets – work under the concept that less is more. No one wants to give off the appearance of a manacled prisoner.

Men are already accustomed to wearing leather on their wrists in the form of watch straps, so a leather bracelet is perhaps not such a big leap and may be slightly more appealing, especially for those taking their first tentative steps into the world of jewellery.

The positive aspect of a leather bracelet is that it retains a sense of masculinity. Leather as a material is also refined and versatile, so – depending on the style and size of the bracelet – it can retain a sense of formality whilst at the same time appearing roguish and rebellious.

For example, a black or dark brown leather bracelet can be integrated into a smart, tailored look without jarring and, similarly, a wide leather cuff could be worn with a t-shirt and slim-fit jeans for a more edgy, rock ‘n’ roll aesthetic.

Conversely to metal bracelets, leather versions can complement and contrast nicely against timepieces (whether leather, fabric or steel bands), which means you are also given the freedom to choose which wrist you wear them on.

Long(er) Hair

  

Cuts for guys rarely stray far from the army-issue buzz or classic crop. But what about experimenting with a blow back, a quiff or growing your hair out? If you're blessed with the ability to grow longer locks, give it a try this year.

Long hair: Keeping hair long will give you a chance to create numerous styles as per your wish. Static buzz cuts are no longer on trend – long hair, which can be tousled, swept to the side or slicked back in a “Great Gatsby” style is in!

Accessorise: Men can accessorise using a bandana. For those apprehensive, bandana is both masculine and casual and can work extremely well for men who are too lazy to style their hair.

Sharp fringes and varied lengths: For an edgier look, a rise in the short, sharp fringe, is often carried well and emphasised when the sides and crown of the head are cut short. Not only is this a refreshing change but it also works well for those who wish to hide a receding hairline or simply keep their foreheads covered.

Mismatched Accessories

     


Contrary to some unwritten rule book on fashion to which most men seem to subscribe, accessories aren’t required to match. At most, they should coordinate, and in many cases they can even contrast. Try brown shoes, an orange belt and a blue watch or a rep-striped tie with a gingham pocket square.

Mismatched is not generally a term one would associate with bespoke tailoring; clean lines, pinstripes and well fitted jackets are more ‘well’-matched than ‘miss’-matched.

But in the world of men’s fashion and tailoring, we simply don’t have the luxury of the wealth of patterns, colours and styles that women have, so, as men, we must make the most of our accessories in order to stand out and make a statement.

If your braces are all leather, which I haven’t seen much of since the First World War, then they should definitely match your shoes. If it’s just that little trim on the loop ends and yoke, I probably wouldn’t stickle over it. I confess, however, that I used to be strict on the watchband issue. But then one day I had a hip epiphany in which I realized that as the Style Guy, I could do whatever I thought right. Since then I’ve occasionally worn a black leather watch strap with brown shoes and belt. People haven’t called me on this mismatch—probably since they have families, jobs and concerns about global warming—and I’m fine with it. But even if I weren’t the Style Guy, I’d have come to a transcendental state where I could occasionally breach the traditional dictum with joy and serenity. Last year, the day after Labor Day, I wore a new seersucker suit. (But I didn’t wear white shoes.) It was well over eighty-five degrees, and suddenly I was the fashion dictator, applying reason to cultural heritage and aesthetics. Somebody called me on it, and I informed him that (1) I knew it was the day after Labor Day, (2) he was wearing a T-shirt and quite agricultural-looking jeans at the office of a major fashion house, and (3) I am a law unto myself. Shouldn’t you be, too?

There’s something about a matching tie and handkerchief that is almost ‘over-coordinated’ but have you ever considered mismatching? A mismatched tie and handkerchief does something to an outfit – it gives it a bit of fizz, a quirky twist – it becomes a talking point.

At Hemingway Tailors we have a vast range of colours, materials and patterns to select from, why not try a paisley blue and red handkerchief with a navy and red spot patterened tie, or try mixing and matching colours and even textures.

Neon Sneakers

The neons of 1994 took nearly 20 years to turn up again. This go around, the powerful palette is popping up on every shoe from fashion hi-tops to functional cross-trainers. Worried about what to wear with them? See head-to-toe tonal dressing and ignore the toe part.

Running is a great way to get the aerobic exercise that every person needs to keep their heart healthy. Neon running shoes can make it that much more fun to go to the gym or hit the trail for a good run. But many people wear running shoes as everyday shoes because they are so comfortable.


With colored running shoes being widely available, you can have shoes that match any color outfit you are wearing. Many of these colorful running shoes actually come in multicolor styles and can be worn with many different outfits as well as to the gym to get a good workout. 

Suiting Meets Sportswear

Remember that whole sneaker-suit thing that started a decade ago? Well, it's back. But the newest incarnation of dressing down your dressy duds (which still includes trainers and two-pieces) also has us doing stuff like putting puffer vests under sportcoats and pairing tailored track pants with double-breasted blazers. Sure, it all sounds a little crazy, but if you try it out, you'll soon realize how cool it looks

Floral Prints

Flowers have always made consistent cameos on everything from neckwear to swimsuits. But these days, they're blooming on bigger things, like blazers, trousers and button-down shirts. Smaller-scale patterns tend to read more like a tried-and-true paisley or camo, while larger ones require real confidence to pull off. Whichever path you pick, make sure to keep your floral find in close company with solids. Lots of them.

f you’re not feeling up to splashing colourful blooms across your chest, you can always opt to give your lower half the botanical treatment.
Transfer print and intricately embroidered trousers and shorts featuring flora and foliage are stand out features of many summer collections, with international labels such as Marc Jacobs, DrieFrom the oversized bloom prints of 1990s surf wear, to today’s bold and bright micro-shorts, swimwear has always been an area where men have experimented with print and pattern.

Thanks to the extensive range of floral designs in modern swimwear, it’s never been easier to spruce-up your poolside regimen.

Premium brands such as French label Vilbrequin and Tommy Hilfiger offer a range of quality swimwear, whilst high street stalwarts River Island and ASOS stock an extensive edit at great price pointss Van Noten and Lanvin offering ornate and striking styles.



How To Wear Florals: Tips
Can’t tell your hibiscus blooms from your carnations? Alarmed at the prospect of looking like a florist’s shop front? Our quick how to wear guide will ensure you don’t stray off the garden path and into the jungle…

1. One Print Per Look
As a general rule of thumb, print overkill is best avoided. If one component of your outfit features a vibrant print, it’s best to keep the rest of your look a plain and simple affair, so opt for clean-lined separates.

One strong pattern is enough of a statement by itself. For those of a more daring disposition, clashing prints can work; just make sure the prints contrast but complement each other by pairing motifs that differ either in tone or pattern, but not both.

2. Layer For Subtlety
If you’re after a more understated approach to the look, layering is key.

Try wearing a micro-floral print shirt beneath a clean-lined navy cotton knit so just the shirt’s cuffs and collar are showing. A dark tailored jacket will also sit well layered over a painterly bloom print shirt – the jacket will break-up the arresting impact of a full torso floral hit.

This witty contrast of floral detailing against solid hues is a considered way to interpret the look.


Final Word
Whilst some of these looks may be a little too out there for the average Joe, it’s easy for the individual to interpret the trend in a way that will adhere to his own sartorial principles, whether that involves going the whole hog with a hibiscus print bomber, or taking a softer approach and donning a micro-print floral tie.

Ultimately, fashion is about expression and experimentation, it’s about raising the bar and pushing boundaries, and the rise of menswear florals illustrates this point seamlessly.

With such a great variety of bloom print apparel and accessories on offer, it’s never been easier for the modern man to incorporate a bit of floral inspiration into his wardrobe.

Style Statements To Try In 2014

                                            
   


We've got a lot of wardrobe wishes this year, but there's one style resolution we're serious about signing you up for: growing some cojones. You're no longer swimming in your blazer. Those hideous bootcut blues are all but a distant memory. Heck, maybe you've even thrown in a pocket square or cardigan for good measure. But now it's time to take some risks, and lucky for you, we're here to help you calculate exactly how to take them.