Cool Things Collection

Category: Wear

Why Chambray Shirts Never Go Out of Style

When it comes to fabrics for shirts, there’s a favourite amongst many men – chambray. Today, you’ll find a plethora of chambray (or denim) shirts on offer in a wide range of colours, with fashion designers even incorporating them into more formal attire. But what’s so special about chambray and where did it come from? Below, we take a look at the heritage of this classic piece of menswear fashion before giving you some tips on how to style it.

The Origins of Chambray Shirts

Unfortunately, exactly where chambray shirts came from is a little vague. Some suggest that Jean-Baptiste Cambray is the man behind them but others dismiss this as there’s no verification he ever did so.

Nevertheless, the ‘chambray’ is likely to come from the term ‘Cambric’, which is itself derived from Cambrai, a French town where some of these earlier pieces were crafted as workwear.

What Is Chambray?

It’s closely related to denim due to the characteristic that defines them – the white horizontal thread that is weaved through the material to give it its distinguished look.

However, it’s the way these fabrics age that gives them their real edge as, over time, the white thread becomes increasingly visible as the other fabric starts to fade. This gives these items their gorgeous fades that are celebrated by all chambray and denim lovers.

Today, chambray has been adapted in the way it’s worn and the way it looks. Originally, you would have found these shirts in an indigo colour, but now, you’ll find it in almost every colour imaginable. Some even come with coloured threads (instead of the white) for a real standout look. That said, the two different threads used have to be different colours in order for the shirt to be a real chambray.

How to Style a Chambray Shirt

From the iconic blue chambray shirt to a more vibrant green or red one, how best can you style these chambray shirts?

First, you could try a casual get-up by teaming this shirt with a pair of chinos and trainers before throwing a jacket over the top to complete the look. However, if you want to try and adapt the chambray into your formal workwear, you now can. While the original styles were rather like heavy denim, a number of designers have worked to make their chambray shirts more lightweight. This means they’ve been able to create dress shirts that work brilliantly with a more casual style of suit.

And the best bit? These shirts will transform from formal attire to casual dress in an instant. So, whether you want to fix up and look sharp or you fancy going for the rugged look, the chambray shirt is here to help.

17 June 2019
Men’s Workwear Staples – What Every Man Needs in His Wardrobe

Whether you are starting a new job, heading to an interview or you simply want to update your existing workwear collection, it helps to know what staples you should be investing in. So, what exactly does the modern working man wear? Here, you’ll discover the key men’s workwear staples every man needs in his wardrobe.

Clean white shirts

The first thing you absolutely need in your workwear wardrobe is a clean white shirt. Ideally, you’ll want a few of them, but the key is to ensure you’re buying high-quality shirts. The cheaper versions won’t look as stylish and they’ll wear out pretty quickly. Oxford shirts tend to be the most popular choice for working men. They’re made to an exceptional standard and are sure to help you look stylish.

Trench coat

The trench coat has always been in style, making it a great item of workwear to invest in. It can be layered with almost anything and has frequently been seen as a key trend for Hollywood stars. It’s important to make sure the trench coat you invest in is waterproof. A good trench coat will last throughout the seasons. They come in a range of styles, which you can check out at stores such as Aquascutum.

A knitted sweatshirt

The modern work look for men largely revolves around layered pieces. A knitted sweatshirt can provide an excellent “day-to-night” look. You can wear it over the top of a well-fitted shirt during the day, then take it off ready for drinks after work. The best colours to invest in for work are grey and navy. The UK isn’t exactly known for its sweltering weather, so a knitted sweatshirt can prove invaluable on the colder, wetter days.

A blazer

Ah the timeless blazer! Every man needs a high-quality blazer for work. They’re incredibly easy to wear and provide a stylish, sophisticated look. It’s best paired with a slim fitting pair of trousers, though they can also be worn with jeans if you work in a more casual setting. It’s easy to discount the blazer when searching for new workwear. However, even Hollywood stars are a fan of the blazer so if you want to look good, follow their lead!

A Man bag

Ok, so a man bag doesn’t sound appealing, but it’s all the rage these days! It’s the most modern staple on the list and it provides both a stylish and functional purpose. They come in a wide range of styles, so it’s easy to find one with a more masculine design. If you’re struggling to choose one, a messenger bag is an ideal choice. The above is the main workwear staples every man should have in his wardrobe.

With these key items of clothing, you’re sure to look impeccably stylish. Not only will you look good, but you’ll feel good too! Whatever your personal style, there’s sure to be something on the list above to suit it.

26 April 2018
Why A Leather Jacket is an Investment for Life
A beautifully made leather jacket could be one of the most versatile pieces you’ll ever own. You can dress it up or down, wear it in pretty much any season and it’ll never go out of fashion – I mean, they don’t call it a wardrobe staple for nothing! Here’s why a leather jacket can be an investment that will last you for years to come – and how you can find the perfect one.

Wear it with Everything

A leather jacket isn’t just for bikers – it’s a very versatile piece that’s suitable to wear in any season. Throw a hoody under one in the winter, wear it with a summer dress and wellies if you’re heading to a summer festival, or pair it with jeans in the autumn or spring. With a leather jacket, you can enjoy timeless style. Not convinced? Men – think about James Dean, Danny from Grease, Elvis Presley and the Ramones. All of them owned their look and their distinctive style was centred on their leather jackets. Women, you can channel your inner Alexa Chung, rock n roll queen Joan Jett, Katniss from the Hunger Games or even rock a white leather jacket like DI Alex Drake in Ashes to Ashes.

It’s a wardrobe staple that keeps on giving!

Choosing the Finer Details

There are so many different variations and styles of leather jacket that you can choose, whether you need a classic number to wear when riding your motorcycle or a brightly coloured one to make a fashion statement.

To find the perfect leather jacket for you, consider the details. Think about:
- The type of leather – a soft leather may be better for the summer and a stiff leather jacket with lining will probably be better suited for the colder months.
- Length – this depends on your body shape and your typical style. If you wear dresses quite often, a cropped jacket can be very flattering. But if you tend to wear jeans, one that ends on the hips might be the best wardrobe staple for you.
- Collar – something like a drape, shearling or fur can look great but also go out of fashion. A classic lapel or no collar at all will be timeless, as well as adding a classic finishing touch.
- The cut – a tapered jacket can have a more structured and grown-up shape whereas folds in the back give it a more biker style.
- Extras – too many zippers, padding and striking lining can date a jacket.
Give it Some TLC

When you know how to look after your leather jacket properly, you’ll find that it will last you for years. Which is lucky because once you’ve found the perfect one, you’ll never want to give it up!

Here are a few tips on how to make your favourite leather jacket last a lifetime:
- Hang it on a padded clothes hanger to minimise wrinkles and stretching
- If it’s been stored for a while, dust the jacket with a gentle brush or cloth
- Use leather protector or leather waterproofing products
- Occasionally apply leather conditioner
- Test whether you can clean the leather with a damp cloth. Add a single drop of water – if it stays on the surface then it’s fine to wipe with a slightly damp cloth. If the leather darkens, do not use water on it.
If you’ve been on the fence about investing in a leather jacket, it could be a decision that you won’t regret. With proper care and attention, your favourite jacket could last you a lifetime. Plus, you can wear it anytime and anywhere – which is well worth paying for!
26 April 2018
A few style tips for men on looking cool

Girls aren’t the only ones who want to look cool and stylish, guys do too! Well, you can, you just need a little advice on how to always look your best and make sure that you avoid the mistakes that ensure you immediately look uncool. We’ll give you a quick example of one of these mistakes. It’s happened, you’ve started to lose your hair, and you’re scared that soon you’re going to be the spitting image of your dad. What do you do? You could look into the many, many, many treatments for hair loss – some are effective, others aren’t – but we have a better idea. Why not try and own the look? Saying bald is unattractive is about as true as saying driving fast causes hair loss. Bald is beautiful and if you don’t believe that, just ask the winner of the 2016 sexiest man alive. Dwayne Johnson doesn’t have a single hair on his head, but you’d be hard pressed to find a lady who wouldn’t like a little one on one time. So as it turns out, bald is beautiful and once you realise that, you’re going to look cool.

Here are a few other pieces of advice on how to look great…

Effortlessly Cool

Another big lie is that guys can look great without trying. Nope, this is a big mistake and if you don’t believe that, just look at famous footballers. If they spent half as much time on perfecting their game as they did on their hair, their team might not lose quite as often. That said, even when they miss that free-kick, you can’t deny they look awesome. So perhaps guys should learn to spend a little more time in the bathroom. As it turns out, they are. In fact, a recent research study found guys spend longer in the bathroom than girls do getting ready – I find that hard to believe though. So, next time you think you can just ruffle your hair to make it look good, think again. Get yourself in front of a mirror and learn what it’s like to be a girl. Spend a few hours sorting your hair until it looks good and make sure you’ve shaved properly. Trust me, you’re going to find you get a lot more numbers when you go out if you do this.

Don’t Let Hair Grow Out Of Control

Guys often think that facial hair automatically looks cool. It doesn’t and if you don’t believe that go and research a picture of Michael Cera with a mustache. Still, think facial hair always looks cool? If in any doubt, it’s best to shave it all off.

Dress Your Age

Guys, take notes, a fully grown man wearing a superhero t-shirt isn’t cool, it’s a sign of regression. Trust us, anyone who knows you is already aware that you love comic book movies. You probably keep them updated on how many months there are until Justice League arrives. Or, if you’re a Marvel fan, when we’ll actually finally see the trailer for Infinity War. If you know you talk about these movies that often, you don’t need to literally wear them on your chest. Unless, you have the right physique for the emblem you don’t look cool, you look like Sheldon Cooper.

At a certain age, you have to start wearing button up shirts, even on casual days and dress jeans. You’ll thank us for this when you notice how many girls are taking second glances as you walk down the street. Once the reach the right age in life girls stop looking for the guy who look like a riot and start looking for the one who would be a great father or husband. A guy who looks well groomed and well dressed is always going to look cool.

Look After Your Clothes

We all know a guy who never irons his clothes and always looks like what he’s wearing was scraped off the floor. To be honest, it probably was, and you don’t want to be that guy. That guy isn’t chill and carefree. That guy is probably waiting for his mum to come around do the ironing for him. If you want to look cool, buy an iron and learn how to use it. After a couple of accidental burns, you’ll be a total pro. We think if you take this advice you’re going to start looking like the true MVP, instead of the guy on the bench.

29 August 2017
Tips to help you look high fashion on a budget

Are you an avid follower of all the latest fashion trends but your bank account is struggling to keep up? You’ll be very pleased to hear that a high fashion look doesn’t have to come with a high fashion price tag. It is possible to recreate one of your favourite looks on a budget and no one will be any the wiser.

Try discount stores

There are a whole range of stores that sell designer brands for a lot cheaper than their original retailing price. You will have to riffle through a lot of rails, but if you are prepared to search, your hard work will pay off and you will find a few gems.

Look out for big sales

To achieve your dream look on a budget you need to be prepared to play the waiting game. Keep an eye out for any big sales coming up. Black Friday for example is offered by a whole range of stores and in recent years has expanded from one day to a whole week of sales, online and in store.

Plan, plan, plan

Buying clothes well in advance is one great way to save money. Buying holiday clothes at the end of the summer when they are on sale, ready for the next summer, will save you a lot of money.

Small amendments

Making small amendments to cheaper clothes can help give them the high fashion look you are after. Replacing plastic buttons on a blazer, for example, can make it look more expensive. You could also see a tailor, which costs slightly more in the short term, but a better fit can look more expensive and you’ll wear better fitting clothes for longer.

Focus on staple items

Ensuing your wardrobe is kitted out with a few staple items is essential. A good blazer or jacket can transform an outfit and a good pair of smart trousers will give you a professional, smart look ensuring your clothes look high fashion.

Keep it simple

Keeping certain items simple and plain ensures you won’t be found out. For example, buy a bag with little detail or embellishment as this looks smart and classy, and it is often these details than can make an item look cheaper. Make sure you know what works as faux suede shoes often look more more high fashion than faux leather, which could be a give away!

Accessorise!

If you can’t afford to update your whole wardrobe to achieve the look you desire, focus on accessorising. This is a cheaper alternative and they can make or break an outfit! They are versatile, will last a few seasons and cheaper alternatives will be easy to find.

Be open minded

The most important thing to remember is to be open minded and try something new. Charity shops often have a bad reputation but if you find the right one you could find designer items for a big discount. They will be second hand, but you might just find a little gem that looks brand new.

28 June 2017
Developing A ‘Cool’ Dress Sense

Fashion changes so often that it’s so easy to get left behind and hey, no-one is blaming you! It just happens. Thanks to the Armani’s and Versace’s of the world and the exposure of the modern fashion world through television, magazines and the internet – fashion influences can be found anywhere. Thus, fashion differs and changes more extreme quicker than ever. Your shorts that worked well at the beach six years ago might look strange now. That’s fashion!

While you shouldn’t be subscribing to the views of the fashion kings, who change opinions as the wind blows, you should still be conscious about your fashion choices.

A good basic rule for cool? Classic works, nearly all the time.

Oxford shirts and chinos have stayed in style for an age, and that’s because the look works. It’s an option that hangs in the balance between formal and informal so it can be the outfit that works for any occasion.

Even printed designs and patterns for more informal occasions don’t really go out of fashion. You can even look to sneakers like the Converse Chuck Taylor or the white editions of the Adidas Stan Smith range. These sneakers have been worn for eons and are widespread and easily purchasable. These parts of your fashion collection can last for a long time if you look after them.

If you want a cool dress sense, then you need to be able to judge the occasion. Meeting your friends at the burger restaurant might not mean getting suited and booted, while you can’t wear sandals to a funeral. If you know the outfit that is suitable for the occasion, then you are halfway there.

It’s important to look to formal clothing options more often than not – stuff that can work for dinners and the office as that’s where you’ll be the most. Button down shirts always win and can be used in informal environments. Suits and suit trousers are always good to have for interviews and meetings. Of course, it pays to have a few ties handy as well! Again, it all comes down to the situation or occasion – if your office doesn’t allow formal clothes, would it make sense to weight your wardrobe with suits and blazers?

When it comes to dressing well or making the most of your wardrobe, you don’t have to buy loads of new clothes! in fact, you don’t need to do much at all except pay attention to what you are wearing. One of the best ways to improve your sense of fashion is to take on board some advice. If someone close to you is pointing out something about the way or manner in which you dress – it is worth to at least consider the words they are saying.

Taking pointers from fashion blogs and web forums is a good idea. However, don’t transform your wardrobe into someone else’s image of fashion – you’ll be the one wearing the clothes so make sure that you agree with the advice being given to you.

It’s also pretty important to wear clothes that actually fit you. Most of the time, you can purchase clothes that have a slimmer and tighter fit – this is good! Baggy clothes don’t really look great on anyone – so don’t wear them! If you have nice clothes that you want to ensure fit you – get them tailored. Fitted clothes can make anyone look a lot more fashionable.

If you’re overweight, the best way that you can improve your dress sense is to get in shape. Clothes look great on leaner bodies and tight fits are more widely available in smaller sizes. It’s important to note that variations in weight are going to make you waste money on different sizes of clothing – so get to your perfect weight and stick there. If you go up and down in weight, you aren’t going to be able to find clothing options that work for you and fit well all the time. Plus, getting into good shape is a good idea for everyone and their personal health really, isn’t it?

Improving your dress sense is also about adding flair. You can go into the 21st century with a modern watch and other cool gadgets that are wearable. You could go classic and add a classic wristwatch option – you could even go for some sunglasses and jewellery. Again dress for the occasion and accessorise with the right things to boost the appeal of your outfit.

Dressing cool can be done easily, it just takes a little bit of a backward step so you can analyse and prepare. Start dressing cooler today!

16 March 2017
Cool Gadgets To Boost Your Sport Routines

A lot of people don’t really feel the need to introduce technology to their exercise routine. After all, there are many out there who like to exercise in order to get away from all this technology! They’re sick of sitting around on their computers or smartphones. They’ve seen enough websites and YouTube videos for the day. They just want to get out there and get their blood pumping. Why introduce gadgets to the equation? But gadgets can definitely give your exercise routine a boost. Here are some great examples.

Underwater Music

Music is one of the greatest additions to exercise I can think of. There are certainly plenty of technophobes out there who still want to use an mp3 player when they’re going out for a run. It helps you keep motivated. It keeps things fun. It can give you that extra push if you decide to keep going until the end of the track. But swimmers aren’t too lucky in this regard. After all, your music device and earphones can’t exactly join you in the depths. Right? Well, there are now special goggles that allow you to listen to music as you exercise in the water called Finis Neptune. Cool!

Robot Assistance

So you’ve tired out all your usual exercise buddies. Or maybe they’re just too busy to help you out. Or maybe you don’t even have any exercise buddies because everyone around you is a little lazy. But you need to train, and you need some help doing it. What are you to do? Well, you an actually get the assistance of a robot for several sports. Table tennis robots are one of the best examples. After all, sometimes practicing against a wall simply isn’t enough!

Smart Ball

The Internet of Things is pretty cool, right? That’s the technology that’s allowing everyday objects to connect to your devices. (Usually in order to record cool information!) It’s beginning to find itself in more and more objects all the time. Well, now you can get it in a soccer ball. You can get a “smart ball” that’s Bluetooth-enabled and works with an app on your smartphone. It’s a training device that allows you to follow certain tutorials, improve your strikes and spins, and record personal bests. An undeniably amazing idea for soccer enthusiasts.

Ultimate Exercise Bike

There are loads of people out there who are looking for a good exercise bike. Well, if you’re looking for one that will wow everyone around you, then look no further. You can get exercise bikes that are absolutely loaded with technology. There’s one that comes connected to a 21.5” HD touch screen and includes awesome WiFi capabilities. The screen can be used to record your progress and set yourself tasks. It can also be used for entertainment purposes if you’re feeling like the exercise itself is a little too boring for you.

Fitness bracelet

Okay, so maybe you’ve already heard of fitness bracelets such as FitBit and have dismissed them already. But seriously, these things can be so useful. They’re not only useful for recording exercise information. They can monitor your vitals throughout the day, which can help you get even more crucial info for tweaking your routine.

21 October 2016
Award winning Optic cycling helmet has genius drop-down visor

Cycling here in the UK is statistically safer than gardening but there are

22,000 cyclist casualties in England every year.

Anything that can potentially help cycling to be safer here in the UK is a great thing. We featured the collar airbag last year and this year we want to showcase an award winning concept cycling helmet called optic from UK based DCA Design which was winner of this year’s Red Dot “Best of the Best” concept award in the mobility category. This amazing cycling integrates a cool drop-down visor into a bike helmet giving cyclists even more necessary information to make decisions quickly and safely. More than a shield for the eyes, the visor integrates information from front and rear cameras offering up a 360-degree view to the user. There’s also additional navigation tools and journey statistics. Altogether, making the Optic cycling helmet unlike any other helmet available to buy today.

Images courtesy of DCA Design

The coolest feature apart from the drop-down optical display is the rear camera which captures a full 180 degree vantage which minimises cyclists’ largest blind stop allowing eyes to be focussed to the road ahead. Obstacles are laid out before riders while the bigger picture map remains easily accessible. There are also plenty of cycling statistic tools out there right now, but none that integrate distance, speed and heart rate into such an extensive road monitoring system. Flash memory data storage and a BlueTooth card allow all information to be recorded—either for analysis or reviewing any potential incidents that happened along the way.

Should wearing a cycling helmet be law?

Cycling is statistically safer than gardening and yet it doesn’t feel like it when you’re cycling next to a lorry or car that gets too close at a busy junction. Should the UK make wearing a helmet whilst cycling compulsory? this topic has been hotly debated and UK cyclists are currently not required to wear a helmet whilst cycling. This list details countries when it is illegal to ride a bike without a helmet. There tons of research you can read online about the advantages and disadvantages of making cycling helmets compulsory such as Bike helmet laws ‘do not prevent head injuries’ but one thing is for certain – cycling helmets alone aren’t going to help make cycling safer.

Chris Boardman talks about this here on britishcycling.org.uk and the reasons why he didn’t wear a helmet on a BBC breakfast show. He draws attention to this video below from the Netherlands for an insight into why helmets aren’t the answer to keeping people on bikes safe. This video if from Utrecht in the Netherlands where helmet use is less than 0.5% and who have an incredible safety record and some of the lowest casualty rate of anywhere in the world.

However countries that have tried to bring in compulsory helmet laws such as Australia and New Zealand have actually seen a 30% to 50% drop in the number of people cycling!

Given that the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks by around 20:1 (one recent study put it at 77:1), it can be shown that only a very small reduction in cycle use is needed for helmet promotion (let alone helmet laws) to shorten more lives than helmets themselves could possibly save, regardless of how effective helmets might be. When less than 2% of people in the UK cycle regularly, bringing in a law that would actually put more people off would be a serious step back.

Law changes won’t fix the problem of cycling safety here in the UK and it sounds like it would only make things worse, but the Optic helmet from DCA Design is absolutely a step in the right direction by using technology to help cyclists make decisions quickly and safely.

4 October 2016
Pretty Green T-Shirts Are Pretty Cool

I’ve probably got at least 50 t-shirts hung up in my wardrobe at home, I love t-shirts but my wife doesn’t share this sentiment.

I don’t have many smart looking t-shirts so I recently ordered some Pretty Green t-shirts from infinities.co.uk which is a great website for men’s premium clothing. Pretty Green is a menswear fashion and lifestyle brand synonymous with music, started by former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and I really liked the quality and style of these pretty Green t-shirts, simple, comfortable, long lasting and decent price at £24.95.

12 September 2016