Suits for success - donate your old clothes

Only time for a quickie today - A Suit That Fits is repeating it's 'Suits for Success' campaign from last year, in which people donate unwanted (clean and wearable) suits to charities that distribute them to homeless young people. They then have something to wear for job interviews and stand half a chance of getting their lives back on track.

It (and many others like it) is an excellent cause. Info on drop-off points is here:

http://www.asuitthatfits.com/shop/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1659&Itemid=461

Do have a think about donating that suit you no longer wear. You get a £50 tailored suit token by way of return and you may help turn someone's life around.

Spirit gifts for Fathers' Day

I've never been big on Fathers' Day. My mother always insisted - quite correctly, I find - that it is a concoction by a greetings card company and not the deeply-held tradition that Mothers' Day is. Also I haven't had a father since 1984, so it didn't touch me much until my daughter was born.

Many people don't actually mind about the day's origins and would like to get their dads something nice for it. This is why I've been delighted to have the Alexander and James website drawn to my attention. The principle is simple: you verify your age, you order spirit drinks and accessories and it arrives. So far, so admirable e-commerce but mundane.

Premium spirits

I tried the service ordering a 14-year-old single malt (Oban, for what it's worth). This you can get in supermarkets, but you can also source premium, several-hundred-quid tipples. The Johnnie Walker on the left will set you back £475.99, for example.

There would be little point in my spending that much on a bottle of whisky even if I could afford it; I wouldn't know what I was looking for or what I was buying. My £40-odd Oban single malt will do me nicely but if you're feeling flush and your dad's a real connaisseur then this is a good site not just for whiskies but for premium vodkas, gins, rums and of course cocktail accessories.

What I certainly had was a surprise with the speed at which my bottle arrived (two days, never mind the fact that it's not going to be opened for a while, it's one of my favourites) and the packaging. I didn't specify anything fancy but it came well padded (of course) and in Alexander and James' own box, which would be quite good enough to wrap and present as a gift box.

Overall an excellent service with a system that recommends other drinks of similar character so it's a place to explore a little next time you're buying.

Of course LifeOver35 advocates responsible drinking, both for health reasons and social elements - you don't want to drive after touching a single unit, frankly. But then if you're buying one of their premium 'costs hundreds' bottles the chances you're just going to knock it back are pretty remote!

Steptronic: comfort shoes that look good

OK, first the nasty bit - I have achieved an ingrown toenail. It's simple enough, you cut your nail too small and it goes unpleasant.

So, all my decent work shoes - Church's and soforth - suddenly don't fit. It would be wrong to say that the pair of Steptronic boots I was sent were designed specifically for that, but I do find them wearable and that's something.

This probably won't apply to most readers (I mean, why would it?) - so let's see what the PR blurb says about the construction and why these are comfortable:

"All Steptronic Footwear has a patented 100% flexible rubber sole, it's made up of ridges at a particular 45 degree angle that ensures that the shoes bends with your foot at all times, and goes back to shape easily. They also have a sheepskin lining, not the furry side as your feet would be too hot, the sheepskin is within the inner of the shoe, ensuring bounce, comfort and breathability. The company boast that they are the most comfortable shoes you will ever wear."

They are indeed very comfortable. But, as the PR person comments, the above description will leave you expecting something hideous and grandfather-ish. Here's a picture:

This is the Aldershot Black style. I went for the Bassett Brown boot. The leather is very soft, they look good with a blue or grey suit but also work with jeans.

Oh, and given the complexity of the construction I think £99 or so per pair is a pretty good price. Given that it's going to be a month or so before I'm back in ordinary boots (no, the nail isn't complicated but my diary won't let me get it seen to before mid-May) I've ordered a pair of black formal boots too.

No, they're not as formal as my usual 'meetings' footwear. But for the price they're going to get me through, and quite honestly the ones I have are a pleasure to wear.

Great hat. great service

The strange thing about social media is that so many people think they can give you advice about anything whether they know you or not. For example, I decided I wanted a hat and asked on Twitter where I could get one. One bloke said there'd be enough time for hats when I was old and ga-ga (he did apologise later).

OK, so I'm having a couple of hereditary cysts removed from my head and I wanted a hat. There can be all sorts of reasons for wanting something like this. Only, I look terrible in a woolly beanie, always have.

So I was pleased when I had Laird London recommended to me and particularly pleased by the reception I had in the shop (I went to the Covent Garden branch on New Row). The guy let me look around in my own time then asked whether he could help.

Service

I told him a little about the operation, and about how this would leave me with a few temporary bald patches. I told him that my ears stick out a little so a brim should ideally stick out a little more, but nothing too Indiana Jones or mid-life crisis. He asked a bit about what I wore and my preferred styles.

We ended up with a Trilby, very nice it is too. It's grey so I can wear it with different outfits. I opted for the budget version in wool as I don't anticipate a longer-term need; I might go back and get something in furfelt later on for £165 or so if I really take to wearing the things and, let's be honest, if I feel like splashing out that much cash on something and am in a position to do so.

Two things struck me. First the hats were good quality - these people make their own. Second and more important, the guy listened carefully to what I wanted and why, and came up with pretty much the perfect solution. I came out happy to recommend the shop to anyone; this, my friends, is how you run a business.

(There was also a decanter of whisky and a glass on the counter. I didn't ask.)

Grooming gadgets

One of the least appealing things about reaching middle age is the things your barber suddenly starts attacking. I was in the chair a few weeks ago and he solicitously started snipping not only the hair I intended but also a quick clip of nasal hair and inside the ears.

I have rewritten that first sentence three times to try and make myself sound better. It doesn't work.

So I was pleased when among all the stuff Sassoon for Men is releasing lately, including a number of beard trimmer products (as people who read this blog regularly will realise I quite enjoy being clean shaven), included the Titan Series 'hygiene trimmer'. It's nicelty designed, not too expensive, does the job, is easily washable and unlike my last one from Boots' own-brand range, it has a flat base so it stands up in the bathroom cabinet. I'm amazed more people don't think of this when designing these things.

The other gadget I've been playing with is a clever nail clipper from StylFile, the company owned by Tom Pellereau and Lord Sugar sparked by Pellereau's win on The Apprentice. Pellereau, you might remember, was a bit of a boffin and a very good thinker. Yes, he came up with the "emergency biscuit" when they were asked to design a biscuit but actually being prepared to throw any idea out and see if people react is a good thing.

This time he's attacked the concept of nail clippers. They generally have parallel blades so they more or less snap the nail off, which then flies around the room. If they had a scissor motion, he's presumably reasoned, then the nail would simply fall into the bin. And that's what he's done - very simple indeed and like all good inventions, obvious with hindsight.

Would I have put his face on the front of a beauty brand? I'll pass on that, but then I wouldn't put mine there either.

Competition: Double Denim Day from Burtons

Psst...want to win some free clothes in the form of vouchers? OK, there are two ways you can do it.

First, for £300, get over to the Burtons Facebook page and upload some pictures of yourself wearing as much denim as you can. They will pick a winner in the middle of the month and that winner will receive £300 in vouchers to spend in Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis, BHS, Evans, Topman, Outfit, Miss Selfridge - any of the Arcadia Group.

Better still, I have a £50 e-voucher to spend with the same group to give away. All you have to do is to leave a comment between now and 9am one week from today (so that's 9am, 7 March) about your worst style mistake. Sartorial errors you've made over the years, clothes you wish you hadn't worn - email a pic to Guy@Clapperton.co.uk if you like and I might publish a few.

No fee to enter, my decision is final and this is separate from the Burtons' Facebook page promotion, you can enter one, neither or both, and it won't affect any likely outcome.

Good luck!

Guest post: mistakes men make in formal settings

It's nearly time for the Oscars and last week we had the Baftas (we don't count the Brits because very few people are formal there). But what errors do blokes make when it comes to smartest bib and tucker? My thanks to Mytuxedo.co.uk for offering these six tips.


The wedding of the year has arrived. The dress attire is morning suits. This consists of a jacket with tails, and striped formal trousers, a dress shirt and a dove or beige waistcoat should be worn.

• MyTuxedo.co.uk is finding, however that many men are hesitant about stripy trousers. While it may not necessary be your cup of tea, morning suits traditionally always require striped trousers and not adhering to this dress code would definitely ensure that you look ridiculous on the day. 
• For every man that thinks it is a wise decision to wear a pleated shirt with a waistcoat, please don’t! The combination off too much pattern and material in the chest area is too much and is not a wise choice if you want to make an excellent impression on other people. 
• It is not okay to wear a coloured waistcoat with a white dinner jacket either. It makes too much of a statement and when it comes to formalwear, you want to look suave and subtle to make the right impression. Traditionally with a white dinner jacket, wear a white Marcella waistcoat, a white bow tie and black trousers.
• Dress shirts can also cause confusion with many people as well they are not aware that they need to be a looser fit then a normal shirt. This is for allowing you to tie the button at the top. So before you decide to return the loose fitting shirt for a smaller size, take this into consideration and if you are still unsure, opt for a slim fit dress shirt instead. 
• One rule that should always be considered when it comes to formalwear is patent dress shoes. Of course, you will realise that trainers are a definite no but so are ordinary black shoes. If you have a specific formal wear dress code to adhere to, then you must wear shiny patent shoes as well. On the day, make sure they are nicely shined and buffed and do not have any scruff marks. This final touch will ensure that you look your very best on the day. 

This guide will hopefully ensure that you look great at any formal event but just in case you need any more style advice, then visit MyTuxedo.co.uk for great tips and excellent formalwear 50% cheaper than the high street!

I think we can allow them the plug at the end - useful stuff, my thanks once more.