06 Oct 2010, Posted by admin in Gossip Girl, 0 Comments Tagged ASOS, braces, Chuck Bass, Double Breasted Jacket, Ed Westwick, Hawes and Curtis, M & S, Nordstrom, Pocket Square, Shoes, Suits, White shirt

Dressing Chuck Bass

The bad boy of the group, Chuck Bass is the ultimate stuck-up rich kid whose closet is packed with designer clothing (kinda like the boy version of Blair Waldorf). He likes to dress in clashing bright colours. In fact, he wears the most colourful clothes out of the three guys! He can wear a bowtie like nobody’s business, and accessorises with cuff links, braces, rugby striped scarves and handkerchiefs that are either tucked into his upper pocket or tied around his neck.

A polished look from the upper east side; Chuck’s style is Fashion forward/Classic. Double breasted jackets are retro (see pic), so he has modernised the cut to be short and slim-fitting to avoid being ‘old-fashioned’. A bright, patterned, pocket square brightens the look. He will often wear colours that do not necessarily go together. A look that says you are fashion forward but in charge.

We recreate this look at TML. Opt for a slim-fitted, navy, short double breasted jacket, with 3/3 gold buttons, and matching navy trousers. To accessorise…

Purchase a Nordstrom Medallion Silk Pocket Square for a fancy design to contrast against the classic navy. For tips on how to fold have a look at our Pocket Square Guide.

A crisp white plain shirt is a neutral base and always makes an impression. You can never have too many white shirts, so we suggest the Classic Slim-Fitted (in-keeping with the jacket) Plain Poplin White Shirt from Hawes and Curtis.

Underneath that jacket we are pretty sure Chuck would be wearing braces. Keep it nautical and go for a plain red pair from M & S.

Footwear: we recommend Trickers (hand-made in England) Regent Toe-capped Oxford Shoes from ASOS.

To get this look now please book a consultation online or by calling 020 7566 0077

Opening Hours are Monday to Sunday 9am to 8pm by appointment only.

22 Sep 2010, Posted by admin in Styling/Grooming, 0 Comments Tagged Aspinal, Chuck Bass, Ed Westwick, Gossip Girl, Guide, Handkerchief, John Lewis, Pocket Square, Savile Row Co

The Pocket Square

A Guide to the Pocket Square (Handkerchief) and folding.

The modern man wears a handkerchief in his suit pocket as a fashion accessory. Read on to discover the history of the handkerchief, where to purchase one and various ways to fold.

Few accessories for men have the ability to go from fashionable to functional in the blink of an eye like a well-folded pocket square. A true silk pocket square is best used to add a dash of colour and style to your wardrobe, and proper pocket square folds add a touch of uniqueness to your overall look. They also help you get more mileage out of a suit when travelling.

Changing the shirt and tie is a must, but a new pocket square in a neat fold rounds out the look and gives it a freshness that only this accessory can achieve.

History

Historically, white handkerchiefs have been used in place of a white flag to indicate surrender or a flag of truce; in addition to waving away sailors from port. King Richard II of England, who reigned from 1377 to 1399, is widely believed to have invented the cloth handkerchief, as surviving documents written by his courtiers describe his use of square pieces of cloth to wipe his nose.

Where to Purchase One

For a silk handkerchief we recommend Aspinal of London.

John Lewis do simple cotton handkerchiefs as a more affordable alternative.

For a variety of colourful and vibrant designs, have a look at Savile Row Co London.

Master the following pocket square folds to add a touch of class to your suits and blazers…

Things You’ll Need

Suit jacket or sports jacket with an external breast pocket.
Handkerchief

How to fold a pocket square

Over the last hundred years many different techinques of folding a pocket square have been created. Depending on your attire, as well as the fabric of the pocket square, different folding techniques are advisable. Here are some of the most common…

Corners Up

Folding a pocket square with the corners up is the most common technique. There are many different ways to fold the hanky with the corners up, and each one is only different in how many corners are visible.

One Corner Up Pocket square fold:

The fold that shows one corner is the most common way to fold a pocket square. It is especially well suited for pocket squares made from a thicker linen type fabric, as this type of material can be stiffened using a little bit starch, and ironed to keep is straight. The one corner up pocket square fold is well suited when wearing a necktie.

Two Corner Up Pocket square fold:

Folding a pocket square with two corners up gives the fabric more hold. This fold is therefore better suited for silk pocket squares than the “One corner up” method. IN fact, of all the corners up folding methods, this pocket square fold is the best for hankies made from silk, since the square and flat bottom holds well in the pocket and prevents the hanky from slipping. The clean and classy look of the two corners up fold looks great for formal black tie attire: Tuxedo, black bow tie, and white pocket square.

Three corners up Pocket Square fold:

The three three corners up give the pocket square a good hold, and the tips of the corners tend to stay straight. On the other hand, having a bottom that is not straight, might cause the pocket square to slip and become cricket. This fold is therefore best suited for a pocket square that is either made from linen, fine cotton or a thicker and stiffer silk.

The flat pocket square fold:

The flat folding method is one of the easiest ways to fold a pocket square. The pocket square is flat at the bottom and only about 1/2 inch of the fabric sticks out of the pocket. This fold is exceptionally well suited for even the finest and thinest silk fabrics. It classy look compliments particularly formal black tie attire.

The “puff” pocket square fold:

Next to the flat fold, the “puff” folding technique is one of the simplest one to master. Since the “puff” look is what is desired, fine silk pocket squares are the top pick. The finer and softer the fabric the better. The puff fold looks great when matching the pocket square color and fabric with the necktie. It is well suited for business, wedding parties, and other events during the day. For formal black tie attire, the puff fold is less suited.

Tips

If your handkerchief sags after you flute it, try ironing your handkerchief with a little starch. You don’t absolutely have to have an upright flute, but it does look better.
If your folded handkerchief is so small that it keeps disappearing into your pocket, use a little tissue in the bottom of the pocket to take up some room. Don’t use so much that it causes a bulge.
For a clean, Italian look, use a cotton or linen handkerchief and fold into a square shape. Use the long side of a playing card to approximate the width of the pocket square and use an iron to make it extra clean.
Keep dress for court appearances conservative and neat. Flashy accessories or excessively bold colors may subtly influence judges, attorneys, or juries in negative ways. When in doubt, leave the pocket square out.

06 Oct 2010, Posted by admin in Gossip Girl, 0 Comments Tagged ASOS, braces, Chuck Bass, Double Breasted Jacket, Ed Westwick, Hawes and Curtis, M & S, Nordstrom, Pocket Square, Shoes, Suits, White shirt

Dressing Chuck Bass

22 Sep 2010, Posted by admin in Styling/Grooming, 0 Comments Tagged Aspinal, Chuck Bass, Ed Westwick, Gossip Girl, Guide, Handkerchief, John Lewis, Pocket Square, Savile Row Co

The Pocket Square