A Suit, Shirt and Complementary tie

Few men will find they never have need of a suit.  If it happens that you never wear them for work, buy one in a classic plain black or dark grey, and single-breasted (which means one row of buttons, doing up on one side only).  Complement the suit with a smart, plain shirt, best in white or maybe muted blue, plus a good tie.  Avoid gaudy prints, although there is no reason to go plain if you prefer a colour or simple pattern.  A solid navy or deep burgundy is a good choice, or chunky diagonals.  Keep all items clean and well pressed, with a regular dry clean.
 
Smart, Classic Black Shoes With Matching Socks

Clean, well-fitting shoes are an essential.  Trainers have no place next to a smart suit.  Black leather will take you anywhere, but take care to keep them maintained.  Scuffs or battered heels are unacceptable.
 
Denim Jeans

For weekends, evenings or any relaxed social event, you cannot go wrong with a pair of good 883 Police jeans, but resist any urge to press creases into them.  If you are looking for a stylish image, ensure they are a good fit, clean, and without frayed hems.  Dark blue and black both work well.  Be careful with other colours.  Add a dark leather belt if required.

A Relaxed T-shirt or Shirt

Stylish men do not sport slogans.  Plain white or black t-shirts are ideal, or a plain muted colour shirt, kept clean and ironed don’t be afraid of colour though especially for summer.  Ensure they fit properly, with no straining over stomach or biceps.

A good watch

A stylish man always sports a classic timepiece, but it does not have to be expensive.  Something that can go from football game to smart dinner is perfect.

A Good Haircut

There is no point putting in the effort on the clothes if the personal grooming is amiss!

Keep an eye out on the high street with Republic clothing, for the first signs of spring. These will be spring time prints in tonal shades for spring such as the pastel palette with hits of clashing brights. As we head into summer and just in time for our holidays we will see plenty of bright tropical prints moving in mainly thanks to directional designers like Thakoon Panichgul who is a fashion favourite of Anna Wintour’s, so you know its going to be a hit.

You don’t need to worry about co-ordinating your prints, for the past few season it’s been all about clashing and this season is no different, the more prints you have the better, the bigger they are the better and the brighter they are the better.  On the catwalks designers such as Mary Katrantzou, Holly Fulton and Duro Olowu opted to show case both floral prints and animal prints which always work in perfect harmony.

To keep up with this trend look for bold print dresses, blouses, skirts and trousers and if you aren’t extrovert enough to go for clashing prints then team with simple crisp white items for summer. If you want to mix your prints then why not add a leopard print scarf to a fun floral dress or vice versa, accessories are the easiest way to work these trends so keep an eye out for print shoes and bags.

Prints

Fine gauge roll-necks are great for layering.  This makes them particularly valuable for when the weather starts to take a turn for the worse.  A thin polo neck in a dark hue can work wonders with a fitted suit in a complimentary colour.  The best way to layer and style your roll-neck during the day is to wear it underneath a classic heritage style jacket, however, if you can stand the cold weather you will be able to get away with wearing a roll-neck both on its own and underneath jackets and coats, whatever your age, shape or size.    

Roll-necks are synonymous with long sleeves and it’s perfectly acceptable to roll the sleeves up to balance the abundance of fabric at the top half of this item of clothing and make the garment more practical for everyday wear.  Don’t be tempted to tuck your roll-neck into your trousers as this will take away the casual ease of this look.   If you are not very confident with trying new looks, the high street has an array of relaxed grey and black tones available to ease you into the roll-neck revolution.

Black leggings are the only way to go.  Grey can sometimes work, depending on the rest of the outfit, but steer clear of other colours unless going to a fancy dress party.  The shoes worn with leggings are very important as they will make or break the look.  Avoid trainers at all costs, as this will look as if the wearer is in a fitness class.  Also, steer clear of high heels and flip flops. Ballet pumps and flats work well though.

Black leggings can look especially good with a black and white or grey long top or dress teamed with flat knee high boots.  This look makes for a very stylish outfit and still is feminine, as well as warm and cosy in the winter months.  The leggings should match the colour of another item worn, as this will coordinate well and make for a really fashionable look.

A top is better off being baggy, as if it is too tight then the whole outfit will also look tight.  It needs to be proportioned properly, so your body shape is balanced.  Younger women can get away with leggings whilst wearing a mini skirt, such as denim.  This creates a very simple and casual look.

Regarding colours, it is important to think about which ones you suit the wearer and the occasion.  Skin and hair colours both play a part in what shades of outfit will look good or not.  Black, is always a good choice as it looks classy, timeless and sophisticated and has a slimming effect at the same time.

There are different necklines to choose from.  V-necks should be chosen with caution, as these can sometimes look trashy if they are too low.  Necklines also depend on the event and what will be deemed acceptable.  Scoop necks and Cowl necks are always a good option to chose, as they do not show too much cleavage.

The length of the dress is always an important consideration.  For elegance, it may be worth going for dresses that end at the knee or even lower.  Different heights and body shapes may suit different lengths, so the best thing to do is to try on various dresses and see which look good.

Over-the-knee style has been gracing masses of catwalks such as ‘Chloe’s’ and were the stars of the autumn/winter catwalk shows in Milan, New York, London and Paris. The fashion item has also recently been spotted on a variety of celebrities, too. These celebrities include big names, such as: Madonna, Kate Moss, Alice Dellal, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and Daisy Lowe.

As always, high street brands like Diesel, Firetrap and Voi have quickly caught on to the shape of things to come and have created a variety of affordable versions. There are also a variety of styles when it comes to buying boots; from high-heeled tight leather, to more discreet softer colour suede’s.  The flat interpretations are also great alternatives are hugely practical; especially as it bad weather is quickly approaching.

If you only buy two things this season from Designerwear, make it knee-high boots and a warm winter coat –you can pair them together for a great, instant winter-chic look plus they look great over jeans as well with Designerwear for Police jeans for on trend styles. These boots are a must have! Fashionable, practical and warm!

In 2005, Simons was offered the role of creative director for Jil Sander, a label then owned by the Prada Group.  His first collection for the label, designed with autumn/winter 2006 in mind, sold well.  In 2006, Simons launched his menswear line, Raf by Raf Simons.  His autumn/winter collection was recognised among the most impressive lines of that season. 

Simons’ autumn/winter 2007 collection for Jil Sander was acclaimed as being appropriate for the high-powered, career-centric female.  During the showing of his autumn/winter 2008 collection in Paris, Simons was hailed for his designs inspired by the stark contrast between human softness and futuristic robotics.  In 2008, Simons collaborated with Fred Perry to produce a 12-piece collection of polo shirts and knitwear. 

Simons’ collections are indirectly influenced by youth culture.  His clothing combines strongly cut classic design with loose cut items heavily swayed by streetwear.  Simons has been hailed as an innovator by global fashion critics. 

Simons, who still lives and works out of his home country, presents new collections twice per year, typically on the catwalks of Paris.  During his first few years as the creative director at his own label, Simons’ exhibited unconventional catwalk shows, consisting of models running down makeshift streets and walking around photographers’ studios.  Fans of Simons’ work for Jil Sander include Ellen DeGeneres and Ashley Olsen.

Raf Simons

Fashion from the Sixties Today 

The mod movement has seen a resurrection with the use of the strong, feminine colours including orange, teal, bamboo and classic pastels.  Knee-high boots are an essential part of the sixties wardrobe when paired with a pair of orange or black hot pants.  Jackets with sloping shoulders and bracelet sleeves are also wardrobe essentials from this fashionable period.  Culottes or split skirts have been reinvented with tartan or inverse floral print.  The androgynous look of the sixties has been blended by the major fashion houses in a trend that looks to go well into their spring and summer collections.  In keeping with the spirit of exploration and freedom, the sixties couture line will see the use of new materials, including photo-luminescent fabrics.  Angular paisley prints and trench coats are also expected to be in vogue later this season. 

Sixties styles

This range transitions easily from day to night wear and features luxurious fabrics from all over Europe, delicate beadwork with Middle Eastern inspiration on vibrantly coloured backgrounds that capture the spirit of the Orient.  The collection is a favourite among celebrities and fashionistas all over the world.

Jewellery

The Aamaya by Priyanka couture line is best complimented by their own range of exquisite handmade jewellery, which comprises of fashion statements made of rose quartz, turquoise and citrine.  A signature aspect of their jewellery is the three-stone ring, which is made of three different semi-precious stones set in a textured gold fitting.  The popularity of the fashion culture created by Priyanka Lugiani is evident from the fact that her collections have already been featured in Vogue and Marie Claire (Germany).  In London, the line is stocked at the cult boutique Trilogy, among various other upmarket stores across Europe.

Aamaya by Priyanka

Plus at this time of year it isn’t that hard to find some shiny, sparkly clothes because they are all over. Clothing from Vila, Vera Moda, Miso and Lipsy are offering fabulous sparkly selections perfect for the festive season. Whether you go for a full out glitzy dress or low key sparkly top, there is no excuse not to mix some sparkle, glitz and glamour into your winter wardrobe.

Below we have a selection of sparkly tops, skirts, dresses and accessories from Republic which are perfect for a night out however sequins and sparkles don’t have to be restricted to evening wear. There is no reason why you can’t add some sparkle to your day wear either. For example opt for a sparkly hat, scarf or gloves to give you outer some glitz or some glittery pumps. Even layer up with a sparkly jumper, cardigan or jacket, dressed down with casual jeans or denim skirt.

Christmas Sparkle