Get airborne with Nike

GREEN FOR go and red for well go airborne as the latest edition to the Nike Air Force 1 Uni range arrives in town.

Part of the classic vintage collection the lace up low cut leather and suede upper trainer, which sport the classic metal take to denote the shoe’s 1982 debut on the feet and streets of the UK.

The classic white Swoosh on the side, is followed by an upper colour match Nike and Swoosh on the right hand side of the sole and the heal pull.

The AF1 really is a trip down memory lane, with the chunky white non-marking sole, the only decision you will have to make is which colour way you prefer green or red?

Don't get caught short with Orlebar Brown

THERE IS one sure fire way to avoid coming up short this summer plump for Orlebar Brown shorts, the cult American label has hit town and what an impact.

The stand out designs of the OB Bulldog shorts are timeless, classic and, well, just feast your eyes on them.

The 23-piece pattern used for the shorts, which are made of quick drying polyamide with a polyester lining.

They have a non-elastic waistband, with adjustable engraved side fasteners, zip fly, two side front pockets and a zip rear one, with zip fastener and metal popper.

The Bulldog shorts come in red and navy, and the fantastic spiral blue, but this is a beach short, not a swim trunk, while the sky swim shorts are a similar design to the bulldog, coming in a lighter colour.

Rounding off the set comes the slightly longer Dane tailored board short, in navy.

The metal waistband fasteners are gone for a sleeker short design, with an internal drawstring. The Dane is more of an all round short, from surf to turf if you like.

The shorts ring of LA Seventies class, cocktails and summer pool parties.

Things are definitely heating up this year.

Adidas & Norse made for each other

GREAT COMBOS make life worth living in many ways; pie and mash, beer and summer and so it goes with Norse Projects x Daniel Frost T-shirts, which are divine and the Adidas Keglers.

This in my eyes, is a heavenly combination, like Surf and Turf, and oh, enough of the fucking stupid examples and on with the show.

The Kegler as everyone knows has a much lorded history in trainer legend and rightly show, one of the later shoes on the block, it stood the test and latest releases are stunning.

Coming in two colour ways, the white running which sports the iconic full leather upper, nubuck toe bumper, green three stripes and heal, with the tri-foil symbol and of course they sport the mid sole plugs, designed for customized comfort, but like that was ever going to be used. Style over content, as always.

The True Blue trainers are incredible as well, using a muted blue, with fluorescent yellow for the three stripes, and a black toe bumper, they are a terrific edition and will have anyone scratching their head to choose between, so just buy both.

Now from the bottom to the top, the Norse Project x Daniel Frost Ts are simply exquisite and work on so many levels together, there are three designs and of course there are other T-shirts, but I just love these.

The Mountain Walker shirt has a real Euro feel to it, almost Transalpino for the old Casuals among you.

Coming in white 100 per cent cotton with a NP woven patch at the hem the crew neck shirt sports the brightly coloured print design from the artist, with his signature on the back.

The Rock Climber shorts has a bright yellow sun print on the front, while the Running in the Bushes shirt has a contrasting green, blue and yellow almost ‘oil’ painting print on the front.

All are beautiful shirts and limited editions.

Out in the Country with New Balance

CHESHIRE’S FINEST are back with another colourful summer bonanza in the shape of the New Balance M577 Country Fair trainers, that are a piece of pure English class.

The stunning range, and let’s face it, when are NB never stunning, comes in three colour-ways, the red, which is a lovely light colour, playing the suede upper superbly against the darker red mesh and light brown leather heal pull and tongue, which sports the Country Fair tag, with a Union Flag on the heal.

For the blue, once again a nice working of lighter , almost French blue against the navy mesh finish.

And of course all the shoes come with the Encap enhanced midsole, with a thinner, less chunky sole than some 577s.

Also, well worth a mention and what isn’t from NB, the M576, an iconic trainer.

This retro style shoe has a leather upper and come in lights blue, with superb colour contrasts of white and the great heal support.

Using suede and mesh in a similar style to the 577, this is more pronounced shoe and will take any trainer fan back their youth.

Dropping these trainers with some of the lightweight Woolrich Wali or Penfield Vintage, Big Bear or Fletcher t-shirts and i reckon you are half way there.

Stunning.

THE PURE design of the rainmac has got my mind buzzing, simple, but totally effective styles, so to go with that I am plumping for the Tellason jeans range, they are mouthwateringly beautiful.

These American made jeans are made from Cone Mills white Oak selvage denim and privide clean lines, with plain stitching.

The extra heavy canvas used for the pockets helps add to the tapered lines and fit of the jean.

The Ladbroke Grove and Gustave jean both come in slim, in beautiful dark leather.

Now with fashion the bottom is always as important as the top and I just couldn’t resist selecting a top few pairs of shoes.

I have fallen for the Grenson Lawrence black leather shoe, which is sublime.

The 100 per cent leather shoe has Goodyear welted soles, sports a kittle and strap across the instep and really are stand out.

Combining a sort of distressed tan leather finish, the Jeffrey West Love Wing shoes is stunning.

The Gibson shoe, has a ‘burnished’ leather lace up top, again Goodyear welted, wing tip finish.

Or how about a total classic, the Loake Princeton, another great English shoe manufacturer, this perfect moccasin shoe comes in black or maroon, medium fit.

The name perfectly suits the shoe and would round off any boy about town’s bank holiday fashion bonanza.

So what are you waiting for?

Set for the weekend: Part 1

THERE ARE too many songs written around the importance of the weekend and Bank Holiday weekends are especially welcome, providing extra time to show off a new set of threads.

So with the British summer time being its usual unpredictable self there are some superb pieces about to make sure you look well turned out whatever the weather.

Starting from the top, a sure fire winner is a corner stone of any man’s wardrobe a rainmac, and the Crombie navy or blue waterproof piece both stirs a history or recognition and a simple appreciation of style.

The three quarter length jackets, that use the pioneering lightweight, yet soft and durable outer fabric, is all clean lines, with two hand pockets, button cuff, hidden front Corozzo button front, with one proud neck button on show.

The natural resin coat, comes in a  tailored fit, a superb beige and green inner lining, along with one pocket, on the navy mac the inner sporting red.

This piece is nothing short of perfect and is a great way to kick off some classic style this weekend.

The Matinique Cunningham trench coat is along similar lines, coming in navy or khaki.

The coat  does not sport the smooth lines of the Crombie, more a combination of lines, with the nice round edged neck strap closure, front chest pocket as well as two hands, with adjustable cuffs, it also comes in a tailored fit, with a light blue inner, with zip pocket on the navy and white with the khaki.

Hat wise, I am plumping for the magnificent Stetson range of hatteras or newsboy cap. These lightweight, 100% linen caps are beautiful, but what would you expect from the most famous hat manufacturer in America, yes, that Stetson.

The range comes in a variety of finishes, waxed, wool, corduroy, even leather and 17 variations of colour and fabric.

The hats sits perfectly alongside the aforementioned rainmacs, but then you could also check out Barbour, or the Lacoste caps, along with the Oliver Spencer

Lynmouth Bridge raincoat.

Drop the Norse Projects Fjell nylon rucksack, design in conjunction with All Capellino and you have a perfect part on of my Bank Holiday set up.

The bag comes in navy, with a beige suede base and leather straps, and is a bell shape to it, leather shoulder straps and has a fully lined 15” laptop compartment.

It is, as are the aforementioned pieces, very nice.

Special for all season

SOMETHINGS IN life catch your attention and automatically engraciate you to them, such it is with the tidy little label inside the sublime Anton botanical leaf print shirt that states: ‘The mark of true luxury is not the grand gesture, but the simple things done well’.

What a class thing to put on your garments, although to be honest when you look at the Norse Projects range it makes perfect sense.

The Botanical print shirt is a fabulous long sleeve is a soft 100 per cent cotton, with all over floral print. Button collar and front pocket, button neck and rear, the shirt is deemed part of the labels summer range, but I cannot see this being anything other than an all year round piece.

The Anton floral range the deep blue shirt which sports a floral print, but not the usual one you will have to check the fine details out, but it’s a terrific design.

Both shirts come in regular fit and once again are definitely for all seasons.

Patrick Ewing | Happy Landing this May 2013 | Retro Sneakers

Patrick Ewing a legend in his own time and a renowned basketball player was commissioned to design the perfect boot that would meet the exacting requirements of professional basketball players.

Only the finest materials had been selected to ensure the Ewing 33 Hi was not only comfortable but durable. Patrick Ewing boots were worn not only on the court to improve players performance, but such were the greatness of the designs the boots became a phenomenon off court too.

The 1980s gave birth to the signature basketball shoe as many players received their own shoe model from companies, and in 1989 Patrick Ewing took it one step further, becoming the first professional basketball player to have his own shoe company. Before becoming a professional, Patrick dominated the collegiate ranks and wound up going to New York as the top pick in the 1985 draft. The most revered and beloved player in New York history, Patrick was voted as one of the 50 greatest players of all time and his career accomplishments read as such.

As much as the players loved to wear them, the fans would wear them with pride.  Ewing Athletics. The first model he wore briefly for the 1989 season was the Rebound, but the first main release from the company was the 33 HI. This shoe would go on to become a huge seller, becoming a street staple in NYC, and eventually becoming a favorite in Europe and Asia as well. The 33 HI remained in production and a top seller for years, and was featured in many album covers and music videos of the era.

Being 12 years old back in 1989 , I clearly remember the blow up around basketball and the fashion that followed it. The two clear winners of the time were Nike Jordan's and Patrick Ewing. Myself was a fan of Patrick Ewing's whilst some of my other friends were into the Micheal Jordan’s footwear line. Although the Ewing styles were the first to hit the stores.  At the time we would wear “fat laces” and customize the laces with adding more colours to create a square Criss Cross section.

In the 2000′s as the Internet Age dawned, there became a huge online cult following and demand increased for vintage Ewing shoes from all over the world and in 2012 Patrick has relaunched Ewing Athletics.

“Our goal is to cater to our core fans who want the original models produced true to form, with authenticity and with respect to the heritage of the line” ....Ewing Athletics

Now for the very first time Patrick Ewing basketball boots  “EWING 33 Hi” make a comeback in all the original colour-ways. Available in four colours due for delivery in March, and with a further two colours due for April/May.

Brit Kit-starts summer

SUMMER MAY not actually be here, but at least the arrival of some quality Brit Kit will provide a warm glow and spark dreams of new additions to your wardrobe.

And the arrival of one of land’s finest clothing labels Paul Smith and a sterling effort from the nice new look kit of Barbour.

Having spent most of the winter so far, well at least the Festive period safely tucked up in my four-poster chugging away at countless bottle of XO Premier while releasing countless tons of buckshot from my Purdy as I battled the bastard noro virus.

Now I am struggling with a different form confusion and delirium at the plethora of summer lines around.

I clearly remember a classic line from the English comedy romp The Italian Job where Michael Caine’s character has returned from an imaginary trip to the jungle, where he has been hunting tigers, to collect his Aston Martin, which is a terrific little run around.

He produces a large handful of pound notes and is told by the garage owner: “You must have shot a lot of tigers!”

“I used a machine gun.”

There is a reason to that tale as the superb jungle print Paul Smith short sleeved shirts would be perfect for hunting tigers are anything else for that matter and I want one now.

The button down jungle print shirts, which are tailored in fit and part of the Jeans collection, are pure cotton and comes in white with the stunning print in green for the main. The branded buttons are nice finishing touch, as is the avoidance of a chest pocket.

The navy version of the shirt offers a real Copacabana feel with the brown jungle print on the shirt off-setting the navy beautifully.

Cocktails and Barry Manilow to one side, the next thing to grab my attention was the Barbour x Tokihito Yoshida Barton Hoody in navy.

This beautiful branded two chest and two hand pocket jacket comes in slim fit, with branded zip pull and boasts shoulder and elbow patches. It really is a delicious piece for any wardrobe and had draw strings to pull the hood.