Thursday, May 17th, 2012,
by
Pete,
Fashion tips, Menswear,
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We all might be forgiven for thinking that camouflage prints were on their way out, but the truth is exactly the opposite. Gone are the baggy army pants and military tops. When it comes to menswear this season, camo-print jackets in particular are making waves. The new men’s camouflage jackets are fitted, smart, and stylish.
As for the print, think of it as leopard skin for men. Do not go overboard with camouflage prints. When putting together an outfit you should limit camouflage to only one item. For example, a camouflage jacket can be paired with neutral-coloured shirts, slacks or jeans, with a tie or scarf in a matching hue. Alternatively, you could wear it under a denim or leather jacket for a layered look. The key here is in moving away from the traditionally bulky army look and more towards a fitted, chic style. There are plenty of different camouflage jackets available now that are still fashion-forward. Look for one with lapels or breast pockets, depending on your preference.
Sunday, May 13th, 2012,
by
Pete,
Travel,
No Comments
Portugal attracts many tourists every year, and it is easy to see why. Besides the natural beauty of the country, there are also many attractions to be taken in. The thriving local culture also helps to make the country an interesting and fun destination.
The Greater Lisbon region has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal. This is partially because it contains the capital city of Lisbon, which houses some of the country’s most well known attractions, such as the Lisbon Oceanarium, where a wide variety of marine wildlife may be observed. The Museu Calouste Gulbenkian is another major attraction in Lisbon, housing as it does a collection of ancient and modern art. The visually striking Jerónimos Monastery and Tower of Belém, both with roots in the 15th century, combine to make an UNESCO World Heritage site in Lisbon.
The famous Algarve area of Portugal has been a tourist hotbed since the 1960s. This area offers stunning natural scenery to travellers, with seas the colour of emerald and beaches surrounded by mountains. Fresh fish and shellfish are a staple of the local menu here, as they are in many areas of Portugal.
Madeira is another destination in Portugal with plenty of lovely natural scenery. The Romans called Madeira the Purple Islands, due to its visually distinct flower growth, which is naturally sub-tropical. Water sports, such as waterskiing and sailing are popular pastimes in this area. Luckily for travellers, there are many popular hotels in Madeira.
Picture courtesy of F H Mira
Friday, May 11th, 2012,
by
Pete,
Brands, fashion, Menswear,
No Comments
There is such a wide range of men’s designer wear available today that you may find yourself with an almost endless range of choices. What is more, all these various brands have only added to this happy state of affairs; however, certain brands can still make you stand apart in a crowd and Lot 22 is one of them.
Catering to every need
Depending on the fabric, style, cut and fit, shirts can be classified into casual and formal and both categories are available in a range of colours that were unheard of even a few decades ago. Lot 22 have shirts in every form, fit and cut and can be worn over jeans or trousers. Jeans have also evolved over time and even with the conventional blue jeans you can find acid washed, faded, crumpled and ripped versions. There are also slim fit, straight fit, loose fit, boot cut and even stretch jeans.
Jackets are another item of men’s clothing that has seen many changes and while a lightweight jacket can keep you cool in summer, the layered heavy ones are perfect for winter. T-shirts are smart and snazzy and can be worn on any occasion and men across the world love them for their comfort. A branded t-shirt will make you look comfortable and smart and a Lot 22 t-shirt is guaranteed to bring admiring looks.
As with all branded clothing for men Lot 22 have a whole range of belts, hats, knitwear, parkas, scarves and hoodies, which can be combined to create a look of elegance, while the company’s urban street-wear is hard to match. The best part of branded clothing for men is the affordability, because designers have realised that smart attire cannot stay on the runway forever.
Monday, May 7th, 2012,
by
Pete,
Cities, Travel,
No Comments
For UK residents, Greece may be experienced in several different ways. Whether travellers are stopping over in the Ionian Islands as part of a Mediterranean cruise, or fly to Greece on their own, there are many awe-inspiring sites to behold.
Athens is one of the most popular tourist cities in the world, in large part because it is home to the beginning of Western civilization. An UNESCO World Heritage site, the Acropolis is a must-see. This area features several ancient ruins, including the famous ancient temple, the Parthenon, which dates back to the 5th century BC.
Though Athens is by far the most popular of the Greek cities, there are other worthwhile destinations in Greece as well. Halkidiki, for example, is a region of the country with a variety of beach resorts, as well as the ruins of ancient cities such as Cleonae and Mende.
Another ideal holiday destination in Greece is Thassos. This island is home to many ancient ruins, as well as seemingly endless beaches. Cosy taverns line the shores of this unassuming little island.
For those who are looking for a holiday full of nightlife, Crete is an ideal destination. Once the hub of the Minoan civilization, all four of the island’s regions have hotspots that stay open into the wee hours. Dance music is common fare here, as is live music of multiple genres.
No matter what part of Greece they are visiting, there are several packages available to UK travellers.
Pictures courtesy of Loic Pinseel and MarcelGermain respectively
Friday, May 4th, 2012,
by
Pete,
Brands, Fashion tips, Womens wear,
No Comments
AX Paris clothing for women is high-quality without costing a lot of money. The brand features coats and jackets, as well as jeans and hoodies. AX Paris also produces dresses in trendy but timeless styles.
Gilets and jackets from AX Paris offer excellent value to shoppers. Padded gilets filled with polyester are an excellent layering piece for the cooler months of the year. The brand also offers more formal looking clothes such as menswear inspired blazers. For the winter months, AX Paris offers affordable outdoor-wear such as padded jackets.
AX Paris clothes are meant for layering. The company makes a number of cute knitwear shirts that can be worn underneath zip-up hoodies. For added warmth and style, a woman can put the gilet over the hoodie. The clothes are also built for comfort, such as the brand’s joggers, which are perfect for exercise as well as for relaxing on the weekend. The brand also produces cute and comfortable boots with cuffed tops and fleece lining.
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012,
by
Pete,
Designers, Fashion news,
No Comments
A new trend to take the fashion world by storm, and it’s not bright colours, pastels or nude shoes, is an ethical approach to what we are wearing.
Eco-fashion is fast growing in popularity amongst the fashion nobility, offering people the chance to dress well but with a conscious approach to the clothes they are wearing and what they are made from. It has cemented itself in the world of contemporary fashion with the Esthetica exhibition now a regular at London Fashion Week.
Esthetica is committed to showcasing and nurturing sustainable fashion and was created by Orsola De Castro and the British Design Council. Exhibitors include Lu Flux and Joanna Cave.
Sustainable or eco fashion is about creating designs with consideration for the environment, and often involves reusing old fabric and designs, commonly termed ‘upcycling’, to create new environmentally conscious pieces. This seems to be consistent with the approach of revisiting fashions from the 1920s to the 1980s and may help many who are committed to fashion cope in the tight financial climate at present.
Previous renowned eco fashion designers include Christopher Raeburn and Katharine Hamnett, famed for her political approach to promoting ethically conscious fashion back in the 1980s. As well as creating her own label, Hamnett was famed for her protest t-shirts which included messages such Preserve the World, Save the Rainforests and Save the Whales. She created the ‘Think Global’ collection which was worn by a number of high profile figures including The Beatles, Princess Diana and George Michael. She also gave a number of high profile speeches campaigning for a more responsible attitude to fashion.
Eco fashion is believed to be an upcoming red carpet trend and there are a number of organisations which have been created to encourage students to design with an eco-friendly consciousness. These include The National Association of Fashion Designers.
Monday, April 30th, 2012,
by
Pete,
Travel,
No Comments
Burgundy is an area rich and influential in culture and modern tastes, so influential it has come to be associated with the deep, red-violet hue that also lends itself to the remarkable wines of the area. A visitor to Burgundy will easily be swept away by the romantic vistas, quaint villages, and culinary delights that can all easily be accessed by car, bike, or even on foot. Easily accessed by train from Paris, a holiday rental in Burgundy provides the perfect jumping off point from which to sample all the best of the region’s offerings.
Burgundy Canal
Picture courtesy of i-shooting
Many visitors may start off in the capital of Dijon, where the lustre of the fourteenth century reign of the Dukes of Burgundy permeates the lavish architecture and decadent feel of the city. Enjoy the lively open air markets and the cycle-friendly streets and take part in the sparkling nightlife.
Immediately outside of Burgundy, visitors can immerse themselves in the idyllic French country landscapes by seeking out holiday rentals in charming villages such as Chablis and Beaune. The rich historical and artistic backgrounds of these villages provide a perfect backdrop for sampling the region’s best gourmet food and wine.
Chablis from the region
Picture courtesy of e_calamar
Friday, April 27th, 2012,
by
Pete,
Fashion tips, Womens wear,
No Comments
Denim is not limited to jeans. Shirts, dresses and vests can also be made out of denim. Women can try experimenting with style by wearing denim in other ways. It is possible to get carried away, so it is best to stick with a single piece of denim per outfit, at least to start.
Denim Dresses
Dresses can be made entirely out of denim and styled to look like jeans. Some dresses feature a denim skirt and a knit or other fabric top whilst other dresses have a denim top and a contrasting fabric skirt. An easy way to wear a denim dress is with a pair of boots and nothing else. To make the outfit slightly dressier, she can wear a pair of wedge sandals or other heels. If the dress is sleeveless, a woman can try layering a plaid button-front shirt over it for an Americana style.
Denim Shirts
Denim shirts can be paired with flirty, full skirts or a pair of chinos. If the shirt is loose and has buttons, a woman can wear it open over a fitted T-shirt. Tightly fitting denim jackets can be worn styled like a shirt.
Jackets
Some styles of denim jackets have been updated and are trendier than the traditional jeans jacket. For a stylish look, a woman can wear a cropped jacket over a pretty girly dress, Lipsy clothing have a great selection of feminine dresses which can be ‘toughened’ up with a cropped denim jacket. Jackets with angled zips that look like biker jackets are great for wearing with tight, dark-coloured pants or with a pair of chinos.
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012,
by
Pete,
Cities, Travel,
No Comments
With its storied past and vibrant present, there are several different ways to see Italy. For UK visitors and others, the type of Italian holiday they choose to embark on may considerably affect their experience in the country. Whether it is Rome, Venice, Sicily or Florence, there are many sights to see.
A popular way to see Italy is to visit Rome. This is because some of the most popular landmarks in Europe, including the Vatican and the Colosseum, are located here. These landmarks offer travellers a glimpse of history. A masterpiece from the Baroque era, the Trevi Fountain can also be found amid the grandeur of Rome.
Venice has long been known for its romantic canals, which connect the city. A gondola ride through these canals is necessary for any traveller. The beaches of the Venetian Riviera have long been famous the world over for their striking natural scenery.
Sicily is another area of Italy well known for its beaches. Its generally hot climate helps to make it an ideal spot for swimming. There is also much notable architecture in Sicily, including the Villa Romana del Casale, which dates back to the 4th century.
In Florence, travellers can take in the history of art in the area with a visit to Uffizi Gallery, or they can take a trip to one of the many wineries in the area.
Visitors may also take a drive up the Amalfi Coast, which became an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. The charming towns of Amalfi and Sorrento lay along this drive, as does the village of Positano. The beauty of Positano is so striking that it caused visitor John Steinbeck to call it a “dream place”.
There are many direct flights to Italy from the UK available, and often there are deals available if the time is right. Potential travellers should check online all they can to ensure they do not miss low plane ticket prices when they come around.
Picture courtesy of Sebastian Bergmann
Sunday, April 22nd, 2012,
by
Pete,
Fashion tips, Menswear,
No Comments
Although we may only attend very formal occasions a few times each year, a smart, well-fitted tuxedo is a must for stylish men. Unfortunately, many men have negative experiences when hiring a tuxedo. From an awkward fit to a surplus of nylon and other synthetic fabrics, and the hassle of having to take it back to the shop the next day, it is no wonder that so many people are hesitant when it comes to tuxedos. Take the time instead to buy just one tuxedo for yourself. It will be well worth the effort and investment.
There are a few key questions to consider before purchasing a tuxedo. Think about lapels, the fit, and whether you prefer a bow tie or traditional tie. Single-breasted jackets look better on broader or short men, while a tall, slimmer frame looks best with buttons set a bit lower in the jacket. Today tuxedos come in all sorts of styles, from extremely traditional and conservative to those with modern twists. Those looking for a modern, trendy tuxedo should look for a tuxedo jacket that features more than three buttons. The inner vest can be of a brighter or louder colour instead of the more usual subdued neutrals, and the trousers can be a little looser as well. Traditionalists should look for a coat with peak lapel and match it with a vest in safe tones of greys or blues. A cummerbund is entirely optional. Before saying no, give it a try and see if it feels comfortable enough. Instead of a traditional tie, finish it off with a bowtie. Despite the stereotypes, they still have not gone out of style! Even after buying the tuxedo, use a tailor to hem it and make any necessary adjustments for the perfect fit.
