What I want – Dries Van Noten Espadrilles

Espadrille’s. I’ve never been a fan and I really don’t like the way they look – they’re just not a type of footwear that does anything for me. Which makes the fact I keep wanting to buy these from Dries Van Noten even more perplexing.

I think it’s the striped canvas upper in its orange, blue and white colourway that does it to be honest – nice and bold and perfect for summer. Plus of all the Espadrilles I’ve seen these are the only ones that have solicited a second look, maybe I should take the plunge?

The rest follows your typical Espadrille construction – the midsole is a rope bonded with a full rubber outsole for durability and grip, with the whole thing being blanket stitched to the upper. Inside there’s a navy blue rope insole, subtle herringbone taping to provide a bit of rigidity and a suede patch for added comfort against your ankle.

Available from Shordich’s ANTHEM, so if you fancy a pair (and why wouldn’t you, they’re ace), go here: Dries Van Noten Espadrilles.

C’H’C’M x Individualized – made-­to-­measure

New York retailer C’H'C’M recently played host to an intimate made-­to-­measure shirt event, in collaboration with the USA’s largest custom shirt manufacturer, Individualized. Based in New Jersey, the company boasts over 50 years of shirt-­making experience and is considered amongst the world’s most talented and dedicated manufacturers.

The brand enjoy a cult status throughout Japan and recent seasons have seen them becoming ever more popular in the West, with C’H’C’M amongst other retailers championing the label. Over the two-day event, Individualized’s Jim Heiser was on hand to share his expertise and those who attended had the opportunity to be measured by Jim and delve into his traveling library of cloth samples.

During the event attendees could purchase a custom shirt, with the process costing under $200 and taking around five weeks for delivery. What they’ll receive is a shirt of the highest quality, made to their exact specifications. The event was such a success that C’H'C’M owner Sweetu Patel is going to offer this custom service as standard within the store, for all you lucky New York dwellers out there.

The custom service will begin to be offered in a few short months after the shop staff have received the appropriate training from Individualized and I’m sure the service will no doubt prove itself popular. For more information on the shop, go to the website here: C’H’C’M.

Shed – Lineage Of Influence Summer discount

Look what I’ve got for you. Ashton-under-Lyne’s Shed have recently started their mid-season sale, with many brands having 20% off. Due to the lads being a great bunch, they’ve kindly decided to once again give blog readers a further discount of 15% off.

So for those of you who aren’t very good at maths, you’re looking at saving yourself a whopping 35% with this double discount. All you need to do is enter ‘lineageofshed’ at the checkout to make a big saving on lots of brands.

So to grab yourselves a bargain go to the website here: Shed.

Outlier – Metakhaki cargo experiments‏

Right then, this is the week it starts to get hot in blighty and everyone gets their pasty legs out. So shorts are on the agenda and here for your consideration are a pair from technical specialists Outlier, with their experimental Metakhaki cargo shorts.

Made from their classic 60/30 fabric (which gives you full freedom of movement and durability), the production of these shorts has utilised some state-of-the art jet dying machines. These apply multiple dyes randomly onto fabric and with this the brand have created what they call a Jet Dyed Ombre.

For the first experiment they combined two colors that are both reffered to as khaki, but in reality are quite different. One is a flat tan the brand have developed as their warm weather beige/khaki color. The other is an Olive Drab modeled after the US Army’s classic WWII era OD No.3. Combined in a Jet Dyed Ombre the two colors produce what Outlier have dubbed Metakhaki.

The Cargos offer a degree of water resistance and are medium cut with an 8.5″ inseam. Features include A-framed interlapping cargo pockets for a streamlined look (which are linen lined) and tabbed belt loops. Available now from Outlier’s online shop, if you fancy a pair, go to the website here: Metakhaki cargo experiments‏.

Herring Shoes x Tricker’s Stow boot

Colourful footwear seems to be a big trend this Spring/Summer and with that in mind, here’s a look at the latest collaboration between Tricker’s and Herring Shoes, who have been handcrafting since 1966 in the factories of Loake and Cheaney.

This is the second time these two Northampton based shoe brands have collaborated with each other, with this latest partnership having been based around Tricker’s well known and loved Stow boot, which will form part of Herring’s premier collection for this new season.

Coming in a full suede upper and available in five colours, the Stow is a full brogue boot, built on Tricker’s 44975 last. It’s fully leather lined and this version features either a black or brick red British Dainite sole, attached via a natural Barbour welt, grey heel tab and round natural leather laces.

All colours are available now, so if you fancy getting yourself a pair, go to the website here: Herring Shoes. For more information on Tricker’s and their shoe ranges, go to their website here.

TukTuk new shirt styles

Casual shirt makers par excellence TukTuk have released three new shirt styles for the Spring/Summer 2012 season – consisting of a pair of long sleeve blue/white checks and a bright and brash short sleeve print emblazoned with peacocks.

Starting with the checks, first up is the ‘Wilson’ in a large windowpane check. It features a new tapered cut (done by adding a little more room to the chest area whilst taking them in slightly at the waist) to make the shirts more comfortable and features a button-fastening patch pocket and a locker loop on the back.

The second long sleeve is the ‘Pedlar’, which comes in TukTuk’s standard straight cut. As well as the blue/white check, the shirt also features finer lines of red and yellow to add a bit more interest. Once again this features a standard breast pocket and locker loop and comes with a curved hem.

Finally is the most bold of the bunch and shrinking violets need not apply – you will get noticed in this shirt, the green base with red and yellow peacocks printed over it will make sure of that. This also comes in the new tapered shape, but unlike the others features short sleeves and a button-down collar, plus a rear box pleat.

All are available now, so to buy online or for more information on the brand, go to the website here: TukTuk.

Homecore Spring/Summer 2012 collection

Homecore are a Paris based Menswear label, started back in 1992 by Alexandre Guarneri. The label was initially streetcar focussed but over the years has developed a more grown up style, but one that’s never forgotten its roots, or its sense of humour.

Above is their latest collection and it’s one that’s full of vibrant Summer shades. From colourful chinos to bright polo shirts and accessories there’s a mix of yellows, blues, reds and oranges. All of which is tempered with a more subtle palette of light greys, sky blue and navy.

It’s very much a collection of well detailed staple items, and although there’s nothing that’s mind blowing, at the same time there’s also very little that wouldn’t assimilate itself quite happily into an already existing wardrobe, which for me is the range’s main strength.

There are also some great pieces here – outerwear is simple, casual and well detailed, the shirt with the subtle two-tone geometric print is especially nice and the chinos look well cut. There’s a soft tailored feel to much of it and everything together looks like it provides the perfect casual wardrobe for Summer.

Stockists in the UK include new online Menswear shop Men of Ilk and Birmingham’s Autograph. For more information on the label go to the website here: Homecore.

Hiroshi Tsubouchi Saddle shoes

Japanese shoemaker Hiroshi Tsubouchi has been applying his trade since 1977 and is today known as one of Japans finest shoemakers. His signature is combining classic styles with more innovative details, colors and materials. Of his latest collection it was these fantastically bright Saddle shoes that immediately caught my attention.

The most striking thing is obviously the colour – that bright burnt orange sits perfectly with the natural leather lining and the tan leather of the saddle and heel tab. It’s further accentuated by the Goodyear welted red brick sole, which features a contrast white stitching that helps to break the colour up a bit.

Also stopping things getting too matchy matchy are the dark brown waxed laces and black eyelets, plus the subtle broguing also helps break up the colour a bit too. Which when it’s all added together makes for a rather handsome pair of shoes and ones that you’ll get noticed in.

These are available online from Trés Bien Shop who have a few sizes left, so if you fancy a pair go here: Hiroshi Tsubouchi Saddle shoes.

S.E.H Kelly collarless overshirt

Following on from my recent workshop visit (find that here), comes yet another new piece from the good ship S.E.H Kelly, who at the moment seem to be putting out garment after garment of well designed Menswear.

This is their collarless overshirt and is construced from a mix of Lancashire made cotton drill and corduroy. The drill outer is hard-wearing, but also lightly brushed to give it a soft handle, with the corduroy being similarly durable but also warm and soft. Both fabrics have been washed, softening them further and also giving a more relaxed appearance.

The overshirt is unlined, with the corduroy being used as facings at front-body and back-neck. It also helps to add some extra structure to the garment, whilst keeping it light enough to be worn as a mid-layer. All of the interior seams are taped with an off-white cotton and the inside is every bit as neat as the outer.

Features include a pair of large patch pockets at the front which are dual-use – they button fasten at the top and also have a lined slouch entrance at the side. The four-button placket is also fastened with real horn buttons and this relaxed fitting garment also has workwear inspired dropped shoulders (meaning the shoulder seams sit on your upper arm rather than on the shoulder).

If you’d like one of these it’s available now from their online shop, so for more information on the label, or to buy, go to the website here: S.E.H Kelly.

Ashdown Workshop

You’ve probably already heard about Ashdown Workshop. The UK leather goods brand have been making waves on the internet since they officially launched this month and here’s a further look at what this fledgling brand produce.

A small, family run business, the company was formed to create quality, handmade and handcrafted leather goods and small accessories. The brand has a desire to produce products that are purely from these shores (as they felt that this area is very much dominated by American brands) and their focus is on 100% handmade and handcrafted items.

The Initial launch product is made up of a small range of items that includes wallets, ipad cases, belts and small accessories. More pieces will be released shortly including handmade camera cases and straps and there’s a view to branch into carry goods and bags in the future as the label grows.

For more information on the brand and to see their full range of products (and to purchase via their online shop), go to the website here:  Ashdown Workshop.