Nothing shouts sophistication more than a perfectly tailored camel coat. Whether you wear this over a suit or with a denim shirt and a white tee underneath you will ouse power and superiority.

Now camel isn't exactly a new colour. It has been around since...well...I'm not going try know exactly how long camel hair has been used as a fabric but lets just say a long long time. I think my grandad has a camel overcoat stashed away in a his loft somewhere.

Anyway back to the point. Camel was associated with high class city men who would wear it over their Savile row suit but today thanks to fashion houses like Burberry and Prada the camel coat is now a young mans game.

Back in 2011 GQ did an insane photo shoot with Brooklyn rapper Theophilus London, showcasing how to wear the coat in a more casual manner but still have a powerful city slick look.



 Here we have Tinie Tempah, Kanye, Oliver Cheshire, Nick Grimshaw, Labrinth and David Gandy showing us a diverse range of how to wear a camel coat from an awards nights, with a suit or even just walking the dog. This coat defines versatility.

High Street 




On the left is the immaculate double breasted 'Kanye' coat from Reiss. This coat would go well with a suit underneath such a grey or navy but would equally look well with a roll knock and denim jacket underneath to give a cool casual look.

The american apparel  in the middle is more of the winder bulky coat for the classic casual look. You would throw on a checked flannel shirt or thicker roll neck for those cold winter days. 

What would a high street look be with out the king of the high street Topman. The coat is quite a thin coat giving it the advantage of being able to be worn right up until spring. With an added detail of a black collar it gives the coat a bit more of a 60's/70's feel.  Undoubtably an advantage because this can go fantastically with a dark suit but will also sit well with dark trousers, possibly tartan and a roll neck or jumper.

I hope I have enticed you to go out and invest in a quality camel coat as you will be able to wear one from the next decade of winters I think.

As always I want to hear from you. Do you already have a camel coat? What do you wear with? Do you agree with me?

Tweet, email or Instagram me anytime.

Sam

Seen as though we have pretty much spirited our way through 2013 and have somehow arrived in 2014, lets kick off this 30 day blog challenge with 'What you should keep from 2013'.

Due to last year going so quickly, you may feel as though you are behind the times a little bit when it comes to what to wear.

You may be the guy thats wants to wear what he has seen on the latest catwalks but sometimes you have to think 'If it still looks good, why not wear it?' Who cares if it was part of an AW13 collection! I have loads of stuff from winter last year that I am certainly not going to give up just because i bought them last year.

For example Camel coats where part of AW12 and they are still flying off the shelves.

You should always want to stand out from the crowd with your own subtle style and sometimes wearing an old piece can just do that!


1. Denim Jackets

I remember buying my first denim jacket back in autumn 2012 just before I set off for university and thinking 'Christ can I pull this off?'

The one I bought was a light wash denim, very jazzy! At this time the denim jacket had just started to break it way back into the high street.

I have worn my denim in every season. In autumn and winter I wear it it dark dark jeans, casual dark flannel checked shirt and a light plain tee underneath and boots. Sometimes if it really cold you can throw a pea coat over it and it blends in well (make sure its a dark coat).

 In summer and light tee, polo or lightweight flowery shirt with chinos or shorts and boats shoes and you are good to go.

Topman                  Source unknown                        Asos

2. Patterned Shirts

 If you want to add a bit of something that will make you stand out patterned shirts are the one!

If you are going to wear a real eye catcher make sure that is the only thing you wear that will stand out. Keep everything else simple.

If you are going to wear something like a red and blue paisley wear it with dark jeans and a pea coat. Or if you want to wear one to the office, try a polka dot shirt with a grey and navy suit it allows your shirt to take centre stage.

Nick Wooster is great with bold colours. He wears dark suits with bright yellow shoes. You're thinking 'What!?!' but trust me this man pulls.it.off!

Clockwise from top left - Paul Smith, Unknown, All Saints, Chuck Bass (Gossip Girl)

3. Boots

There is not much I can say about boots other then...I love them! I love them whether they are chelsea boots, biker boots or another kind of boots. Other than ugg boots!

In early 2013 boots were everywhere thanks to our delightful weather.

Chelsea boots are huge right now especially suede, although dark tan leather ones were on many peoples feet this year at Mens London Fashion Week.

Boots can be worn on all occasions and more recently with suits. Being a student I tend to wear mine very casually. Mainly with things such as dark or black skinny fit jeans, loose tee shirt and checked flannel shirts with a coat or jacket over the top.

Don't just stick with the conventional boot mix it up with brogue or leather walking style boots.

When wearing boots, mainly chelsea boots, I like to see what Harry Styles wears his as I am pretty sure he sleeps in chelsea boots. He is always wearing them!

Harry Styles                                Prada*                                 All Saints

These are a few of the things I think you should most definitely keep from 2013. Don't always let the catwalks dictate what you think you should wear.

As always I would like to hear from you. Do you guys think I have missed anything? What else are you going to keep wearing from 2013? Or am I completely wrong?

Don't forget to email or tweet me and we now have Instagram-@Mens_Trends1.

Sam

*property of GQ Magazine. If you wish for me to take it down do not hesitate to contact me.

You get asked the question 'What colours do you wear in Autumn and Winter?' You mentally scan you 'Winter' wardrobe and immediately think black, grey, navy etc. Dull colours. Autumn is your chance to mix some colours up and stand out from the crowd. Enter Orange.

Clockwise from top left- Folk clothing, Carhartt, River Island, Belstaff, Marc Jacobs, Levis

Is it just me or has this year gone stupidly fast. I mean its 84 days till Christmas! With the year flying by its hard to keep up with trends as seasons are coming and going faster than Chelsea managers.

Winter can be a bit tricky as you need to add a bit of colour to your apparel without it being over the top. This is the time to stick to the a dark burgundy or a British racing Green to give you that colour boost from your blacks and greys.

Now summer has ended its time to pack away those short sleeve shirts, shorts and light weight loafers. Its time for a big change to the wardrobe. Being British born and bread I know that a coat is the most important garment I shall own this season. Coats can be a tricky ordeal depending on the occasion you are in. For work on rainy days you want a smart, sleek rain mac that can keep your Savile Row suits clean and dry. Once out on the town hopping from bar to bar you want a light weight bomber, leather or canvas, that doesn't make you too hot when sipping the muddled wine.

As AW13 hits us hard, what should you have in your wardrobe?

The lightweight trench coat is a must this season BUT you must get the colour right. We are just hitting Autumn, you don't need those blacks and greys weighing you down. Beige and Navy are a must, although I have seen a bit of racing green knocking about.

The kings of this piece is obviously Burberry and if you have the money defiantly buy one but if you are a student like oneself they are out of the question. High street giants like Topman, River Island, House of Fraser and M&S all have fantastic ranges of coats at low cost prices.

Topman £140

River Island £70

You have your coat but now what do you wear underneath it? Its time to go back to the 50's and 60's so dig out that old roll neck at the bottom of your wardrobe. Roll necks have been making a massive comeback in the past few years as they can been worn for all occasions be it under and suit, with a jacket and jeans but lately we have seen them sneaking through the tops of shirts.

If you don't have one of these Ralph Lauren's are fantastic. Again if you don't want to splash out Asos is the place to look at. With the colder months creeping upon us I would suggest a thicker knitted version. Other brands to look out for are Acne, Selected and Fred Perry.

Ralph Lauren £115

Asos-£20

As the rain begins to fall and the leaves overpopulate the pavements the correct footwear is in order. One word-Boots. Predominately hiking boots, these bad boys have been all over the runways this season with Topman designs really pushing these forward.

Personally I love them. Yes they are a little bit clumpy but worn in the right way they can really enhance your look. In terms of using them to increase your look I would go for a dark brown pair with maybe a little bit of red lining somewhere be it the laces or a bit of tweed detailing just to add some colour. Buy a pair of thick winter socks like a woven black and white pair , pull them just about the top of the boot and roll your jeans up so you can see the whole boot and a little bit of the sock. These go tremendously with the trench coat and roll up, finish off with a fisherman style rolled up knit black hat.

Topman £100

Merrell £160

Sam

This years colour for guys is defiantly blue. From catwalks to high street, the colour blue is being incorporated into all outfits. This can range from shirts or jackets to little accessories of blue socks or blue coloured soles of shoes.

Okay so blue isn't exactly a new colour to dominate male clothing but it had made a huge presence this year within the fashion world and designers have really explored with it.

Fashion houses like Burberry have really experimented with blue within their SS13 Prorsum collection.



Adding to their some what different metallic collection they made some statement pieces. Such as the blue trousers on the right or the mac in the middle. Although these are extreme pieces they have created some great pieces with the 'trim' of the metallic blue. For example this wool coat with a metallic blue caban collar that adds to the piece well.














This is certainly a statement maker accessory that would defiantly make you stand out from the crowd.


Now to the wearable 

Okay so they where the extreme runway pieces we see each year, but lets see how designers and high street brands have been able to use this inspiration in their own pieces.

Ted Baker

Now Ted Baker have really taken blue in their stride in their SS13 collection. From suits to lining of shoes they have really taken blue well in their new collection.



 Reiss 

I am a big fan of Reiss especially their wool collections. They have pulled out some really good pieces this season, especially their jackets.














Current Pieces to have

When I wear blue I don't tend to go over the top with it as I have a lot of blue pieces mainly darker blue. I would tend to wear on main piece being blue either a pair of chinos, coat or a tshirt mixed with pastel. So for a basic summer look I would wear blue skinny fit chinos with a pastel yellow or chalk light weight tshirt and a pair of light coloured suede chinos.

Topman £120

H&M £39.99

Asos £85

Zara £18

Levis £20

Asos £28

Urban Outfitter £60

Topman £24

Asos £30

Zara £49.99

Trickers £335

Casio watch £22

Paul Smith belt £69.99

Carlo Riva £35

 These are just a few idea that can be incorporated into smart outwear or just a casual stroll around town. I would say that you can match these blue with mainly whites, reds brown and some pastel colours. Don't be afraid step out your comfort zone because you may find yourself liking different looks.


Sam