Great video. Good advice, as always. The only exception I'd take is the briefcase. Unless your job requires carrying around large sheafs of paper documents, then the briefcase has become something of a victim of time and technology. A more functional, less formal, alternative would be the messenger bag. This handily holds a laptop or a tablet, a spare sweater, a couple of books, some hand sanitiser, maybe even a compact umbrella. The advantages of the (less formal) messenger bag over the briefcase are these: They have a strap, allowing them to be worn over the shoulder, keeping one's hands free for other tasks. And they look appropriate with every form of dress up to the formal dress suit. You'd look silly sitting on the Underground wearing denim and trainers carrying a leather briefcase. Not so much with a canvas messenger bag. Not saying the briefcase is wrong. If you're a barrister or an investment banker, then a good leather briefcase is essential. But if you're not: You'll get much better mileage out of a good messenger bag.
Best hats available today, Akubra out of the land down under. Will stand you in just over a ton, but fur felt so should last a lifetime. Back in the day when hats were de rigueur Akubra produced Stetson designs under licence, so today their Campdraft model is a clone of the old Stetson Open Road.
Ash some good advise, My old friend's father in Dublin once told me to buy good shoes and a good bed, as you are either standing up or lying down. Went to Lock & Co on in-between lockdowns and it was a great retail experience as my love of hats has increased with direct collation with receding hair line
Top of the list, A Watch (for example my favourite watch of all time, Rolex Explorer, one of those rare watches that is both elegant and tough, it's equally suited for the outdoors getting muddied Hiking, Wet while sailing, just a quick clean up and maybe a strap change it will look equally in place with a Suit or Dinner Jacket. Shoes (3 in mind, Dress Black Oxfords, Smart Casual Brown Brogues, Casual Boots), Jackets (Wax Barbour and a Blue Blazer/Sports Jacket), at least 1 expensive aftershave for special occasions, for example 100ml of Tom Ford or Creed Aventus. I was going to add a suit, but my last Tailored suit (from Hockerty) cost £200, I also had some minor adjustments on leg length and the shoulders (both half an inch too big ) I think an extra £35. I guess is more or less a Budget item.
I see the BLUE suits sometimes, in Philadelphia. They really stick out in an odd way, and with the Philadelphia... non-masculinity... it just doesn't seem to be doing those guys any favors.
Another cracking good video Ash. I’d add that as you say fragrance is a surprisingly poingient aspect of personal grooming. I’ve recently purchased Floris special no 127 and am impressed by how many people have commented on how clean the fragrance is. It’s not inexpensive but I’ve never had this response to a fragrance, take that for what you will. Perhaps Floris has been in business for three centuries for a reason…
Hats! Especially a good Akubra model, it’ll be great for any season, any climate, tough as nails and just a wonderful investment for not too much money!
Great video as always, as a bonus I would add, especially living in the UK, a black, full length wooden crooked handle umbrella, it makes a chap look stylish, and is guaranteed to be used..
Another fine video my friend. I have an orient mako that I wear every day. But I must say I get the most complaments on my Fathers Bulova 23 jewels automatic from 1955. I too like a fadora and still wear my grandfathes Stetson that he purchased in the late 1940s. Keep up the good work. Cheers Ron
Thanks Ron, they sound like really classic watches and the sentimentality just adds to their appeal. Its definitely a hat time of year here in the UK - my favourite time of year by far.
I'd go for a 3 piece suit, the waistcoat is, obviously, optional and straight, not sloping, pockets on the jacket. For my money the waistcoat has to be 4 pocket 6 button.
If you love Green Irish Tweed but it’s a bit spendy, you can find a very similar scent profile in Cool Water by Davidoff as well as an even closer duplication in Tres Nuit by Armaf.
@@TheChapsGuide Tres Nuit is closer to my nose so Cool Water may not be worth a go except it is cheap as chips, especially at discounters like Notino or Fragrancenet.
Personally I favour the British brand Loake - these are well constructed and reasonably priced - up to about £250 - £300 (only buy from their 1880 collection - they are the best quality). Otherwise, I also like Cheaney as a higher priced brand (up to about £500). If funds are an issue - I buy most of my shoes from Ebay, either pre-owned or brand new. Remarkable bargain can be found everyday.
Excellent advice Ash, following your advice to the letter …. I live in Bath and had a high class removals business called Moving Chaps …. So consider myself a bit of a chap .. love the channel
Thank you for taking the time to make and edit this video. Your hard work clearly pays off. I've made a note of a few of these items for further exploration. As a watchmaker I agree with the advice of getting a quality timepiece. May I add, it's better to spend more money on just one high end piece, than a comparable amount on multiple fashion brands. These will always look cheap and not last, but a decent, well chosen watch will always look smart and will last a lifetime too. I hope this helps.
The one thing I must say where you didn't put emphasis on budget as you always do are your topics about costly watches like Rolex and the Tudor BBB. Those goodies exceed by a large margin my investment capabilities.
I always try and focus on achieving style within a tight budget, but I do occasionally go beyond budget when it comes to wristwatches (which are essentially my only vice). I apologise if this is alienating, but I only feature watches occasionally to cater for those with interest in that topic. Regards
Good video. I have found that finding a versatile hat is such a conversation piece. People often ask to see them and so buying a Made in Europe (or USA) brand is definitely well worth the money spent.
Also, i know sounds old school, but invest in double sided cufflinks they can last a lifetime, beside it is a really really good addition in your dressy style especially if it is small subtle with really small gemstone or not
All excellent tips I wholeheartedly agree with. As well have just about everything on that list. Have brown leather shoes, several in fact, just no brogue ones quite as yet. But it’s in the works.
I don't entirely agree. Wristwatches are uncomfortable a good pocket watch is my preference. I would also add a decent pair of cufflinks for that white dress shirt. So many toiletries are fragranced, I'm not sure adding cologne on top is a great idea. However an effective deodorant preceded by a wash with lots of soap is essential.
Some excellent points there sir. I frequently wear cufflinks with about 50% of my shirts, but wristwatches and fragrances are very much part of my interpretation of style - its great to have a differing view though.
Tough subject for me, as I sadly have no recent experience of either, but I am exploring future collaborations with other RU-vidrs and that would be an ideal subject to start with. Thanks for the suggestions.
I’d love to invest in a three piece tweed suit. I’ve seen one in the old style wide lapels and pleated, wider legged trousers, much like the 1940s style. I’m in my 60s, so the style will suit me better than the half-mast skin-tight trousers with waistcoats that are too short etc. a good tweed overcoat too. They’re a bit pricey for me just now, but they are worth the cost as they last for a long time.
Indeed they do - now I polish them for fun. It is a Navy salute - nothing nautical intended, I just didn't want to make my sign off look too military - great spot though Jim!!
Just bought a Timex Marlin with the green dial. A modern take on a classic watch. It's automatic with a Miyota movement. Comes with a real leather strap. £191 with their 10% off first buy code. What a bargain and it proves you don't have to spend a great deal to look good. Thanks Ash.
One of my first ever vids was hat related - it looks a bit poor quality now (as hopefully I have improved my style over the last year) - but I am definitely looking to add a new hat to the collection in the coming year - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VCkoPv4rpnQ.html
@@TheChapsGuide Thank you for the link. Have yet to add a Trilby to my hats, the ones I have are Fedoras. If you are doing an follow up video on hats I would be very receptive to tips and hints on when and how to wear a hat as well as caring for a hat.
Not sure if it's style related but I have a couple of nice pens, one is a fountain pen that gets some lovely feedback from people. They get noticed more than my nice watches! 🤣
I think you are right - there is little better in life than a quality fountain pen. Being of an analogue era I love writing with a fountain pen and keep a journal for just that enjoyment - its one of my vices (if you can call it that). I use a rather modestly priced Lamy A1 pen, it performs outstandingly well for the price-point.
Well done Sir, In relation to the comment below, have stumbled upon what some might say a very good producer of finer quality leather items. That vendor is called Sagebrown, and they do make lovely leather masculine items you would be proud to call your own.
Thanks Buddy for all the videos and the work behind. What are your thoughts on black leather overcoat? (I do own one). It can easily provide the functionality and be worn under rainy condolitions since the material is robust.
Leather overcoats are very rarely seen these days - possibly due to their lack of practicality, they are neither well suited to very cold, or very wet weather. I personally prefer a cashmere/wool overcoat for cold and a gaberdine raincoat for wet.
My dare boy, i have to express my thanks. You have help me enoirisly; showing how to dress us not down as we spring forward hopefully to long hot summer. And may I say, I so enjoy your podcast tremendously. How wonderful it is to see your school boy dashing charm to make our day brighter. Good haven's old chap. I'm awfully sorry, but i can't help myself from talking. As my late dare Irish mother would say, "my dare sweet child, do be careful how you speak." God bless her, i do miss her. Look, at the time, goodness graces me, must go old boy, my driver is outside beeping his horn. Can't miss my game of golf?
What about double breasted suits and blazers? I am fairly tall and slim. Also, I like to walk and travel with my hands free, so favour a decent quality backpack over a briefcase Many quality shirts lack breast pockets, presumably to save spoiling the line. However, in the summer I go for a short sleeved shirt with a smart collar plus a breast pocket. Usually the pocket is empty, but it comes in very handy for instant access to things like tickets. Interested to hear your views on these matters. Dennis
As a lady, I find your videos incredibly useful and applicable! Your comment rings true of fashion and style not being the same thing, which I find far more apparent in women's fashion.
Thank you for the video Mr Jones, Interesting that your watch collection exceeds the value of your car. The watches are appreciating assets, the car isn't.
Thanks for another great video, Ash. Question - what are your thoughts on the number of vents on a blue blazer. I have no vent, single and double vent blazers. Is a no vent blazer out of style?
Traditionally 2 vents are typical, but 1 central vent is also commonly observed. I would say an unvented jacket may have issues with movement and when sitting, but if it works for you - go for it. But if looking to buy new, I would opt for a traditional 2 vent route.
Brown wingtip brogues and a grey fur felt fedora are two of the workhorses in my wardrobe. -These items "bookend" your sartorial style, if you will, and although quality shoes and hats can be expensive, on a cost-per-wear basis, they can wind up being extraordinarily economical. (I wear that fedora, virtually every day that it's not pouring rain, for close to six months in a calendar year.) I've got a vintage camel's hair navy overcoat from Crombie which I've worn every winter for the last thirty years, and it's just as stylish and practical now as it was the day I found it in a second-hand clothing store. (I suspect it may have been twenty years old, or thereabouts, on the day that I purchased it, so we are talking about a coat that has already been in service for half a century.) Vintage overcoats can not only be bargains, if you are lucky enough to find one in good condition and in your size, but they are often made of thicker fabric which is more carefully sewn than current models. -As an added bonus, vintage overcoats almost always extend below the knee, providing additional protection from cold weather, while newer versions are almost invariably shorter, falling only to the mid-thigh. A single-breasted medium weight grey suit, and a navy blazer, are also two workhorses of my wardrobe. And as you say, except in the warmest months, they can be worn virtually year-round, and dressed up or down, depending on one's whim, or the occasion. Personally, I don't care much for plain white shirts, as I find they are difficult to keep impeccably clean, although I concede that they are the shirt of choice for some formal occasions. I make a light blue dress shirt perform the duties that most men would assign to a white shirt, and I also like light pink, and light lavender dress shirts as well. I bought a high-quality leather map case when I first started university, and it not only served me well throughout six years of post-secondary studies, but also throughout a thirty year teaching career. -Over time, it's accumulated a few scuffs, but it also has a wonderful worn patina that makes it more characterful than it was on the day I purchased it, almost forty years ago. I bought a Rolex Datejust in gold and steel with a black dial a little more than fifteen years ago, and I've worn it just about every day since that time. -It's elegant, reliable, can be dressed up or down, and definitely makes an impression on both men and women who know something about wristwatches and care about personal style. When it comes to fragrances, I enjoy Tom Ford's Grey Vetiver in the mornings, and his Black Orchid in the evenings. Often, when out and about on weekends, I will wear Burberry's Weekend. ;-)
I don't know if I've overlooked it, Ash, but I think a great subject for a video on men's style would be the purchase of a quality umbrella. -I've got two, one in plain black, and one in a green and blue plaid, both with sturdy wooden handles, that have served me well in inclement weather for over twenty-five years. I'd consider a quality umbrella to be an essential accessory for a stylish chap.
I've been thinking about getting a nice brolly (umbrella) for my birthday in February. I was admiring some Fox umbrellas on my last trip to London. www.foxumbrellas.com/collections/gents-umbrellas
Here are some of my favourite brands: Crockett & Jones Floris Pantherella Fortnum & Mason Rover Daimler T&A A&S Chap’s Guide British Boxers Emma Willis Vogue Henley Business School Letts Accurist.
Top watch tip. NEVER have your watch lower than you're cuff. Just because you have a watch it does not need to be on display. After all you are not selling second hand cars.
Hi there chap, I’m not familiar with the term sage. Maybe you could explain that one in a video. On a different note, have you got anywhere with the reference 124270?
Nice list. Keep those wonderful shoes polished! I neither use nor need a briefcase, but am tempted … I am sad that in the US leather shoes are disappearing. Men are wearing canvas shoes with everything, even suits. Ties are also rare and unusual.
Whilst I own both and love both, the 2-button suit is undoubtedly the most versatile and will serve the wearer best in most daily situations. The DB suit is usually more formal and I wear mine in the most reserved situations in my life.
Excellent advice on all counts. Further considerations: French cuffed shirt; unique cufflinks; a decent leather belt (black and brown); silk tie(s); silk pocket square(s); black long umbrella; tweed jacket; waistcoat. As the old adage goes - dress up, as it is always easier to dress down. If you dress down, you have nowhere to go.