Mens Fashion | Closet Tips Part 2: When To Save

With the beautifully warm and cheerful summer weather now well underway, you want to look cool and casual for days on the beach or barbecues with friends. Here are a few tips on where to save, yet still look stylish for summer...

(available at Uniqlo from $4.90)

Simple cotton t-shirts in bright colours work wonders for any summer outfit. Adding a splash of colour atop a pair of tailored shorts or linen trousers can really add a nice flair to your look. Whilst graphic design t-shirts can often cost a pretty penny, a plain coloured option is friendlier on the wallet. The added bonus is that rather than relying on the print as the main focal point of your outfit, a simple colour play can look great. Make sure to choose a lighter colour, whilst keeping in mind which colours work best for you.

(Topman Orange Candy Stripe Scarf - £10)

Although you may think of scarves as a winter option, a linen or fine cotton piece is just as useful for summer. A summer scarf can actually be a great way of keeping cool in the heat, whilst also adding a nice touch of interest to your outfit. Try to keep it simple, with plain light colours, or fine stripes. Whether you wrap the scarf around you twice, or simply let it hang around your neck and flutter in the wind, remember that your tying method will change the dynamics of your look.

(Topman Yellow Stitched Stripe Belt - £12)

Whether you decide to wear shorts, light wash jeans or linen trousers, adding a colourful belt can really help finish a look. Your accessories actually play an important part in keeping the colours and theme of your outfit in union. Try adding this yellow belt to a pair of light blue jeans and a white polo shirt for an unexpected twist. Or match your colourful belt to your equally colourful canvas shoes. Try to keep the belt design simple, however if you want to add patterns, make sure that they do not have to compete with the rest of your outfit.

(ASOS Oxford Plimsoles - £10)

(ASOS Striped Espadrilles - £15)

Whilst flip flops may be the footwear of choice poolside or at the beach, you are probably going to need something a tad more hard wearing for general use. Rather than sweating it out in leather shoes or chunky sneakers, try adding a simple pair of canvas shoes to your closet. The lightweight material is perfect for warmer weather. Feel free to dispense of socks when wearing espadrilles and keep your feet cool. Cheap and cheerful plimsoles come in a vast array of colours and patterns, so you are sure to find something that suits you.

Mens Fashion | Closet Tips Part 1: When To Spend

Whilst shopping, my mother is always keen to remind me that, "If you buy cheap, you buy twice". Knowing when to spend a little extra and when to save will not only help you keep a better check on your finances, it may also prove rather beneficial to your wardrobe! So with the recession in mind, here at Haute Mimi, we thought we would give you a few tips on where to spend and where to save.

Feel free to SPEND on...

A navy blue suit.
There is nothing more sexy and important in a man's closet than his suit. If one were only able to purchase a single suit, we would recommend a good navy blue. The navy blue suit is considered to be the perfect 'interview and office' suit. The colour psychologically exudes an aura of calm and it reads as dependable and trustworthy.

When worn with a crisp white shirt, plain tie and on black leather lace up shoes, the navy suit is guaranteed to look smart and presentable. Yet equally, one could pair the suit with a somewhat more casual open collar striped shirt, brown belt and penny loafers - a wonderful daytime outfit perfect for a Spring date. With regards to spending, be sure to splash out that little extra in order to have the suit altered to fit you perfectly. An ill fit will always reduce your overall look!

A pair of dark blue, slim fitting jeans.

The eternal quest for that perfect pair of jeans shall always deserve one spending a little extra. However a pair of good quality, dark blue, slim fitting denim jeans will serve you well in the meanwhile. Again, as with the navy suit, the positive factor here is the inherent versatility of the jeans.

One can easily pair them with black leather shoes, a white shirt, skinny tie and cardigan, for a smart look with a slight edge. Yet quite easily, one could also pair them with a colourful pair of high top sneakers, graphic print t-shirt and yellow nylon jacket for the weekend. The slimmer fit (or straight if you happen to have larger thighs) works well as it is instantly smarter in its profile when compared to standard jeans.

A pair of smart leather lace up shoes.
One can be forgiven for thinking that shoes are perhaps not the wisest of investments, however the truth is that one will, in most probability, be wearing these for the majority of the week. A good pair of brogue (wingtips), derby or oxford shoes will serve you well. These shoes will add the perfect polish to your outfit and are quite literally a timeless design. Our top tip with regards to smart shoes is to make friends with your local cobbler, as they will be able to help keep your shoes in perfect condition for years to come.

A smart long coat.

Again the thinking here is that for the winter months, one often finds that even the most creative of outfits end up covered by a coat. A woolen double breasted pea coat or single breasted above the knee coat; or equally a thinner trench coat are classic in their design and practical for almost any outfit. A darker colour is preferred as it will fit comfortably with formal attire. Remember that a good fit is essential to finshing your look and will help it to look timeless.

A pair of lace up leather boots.
A good pair of brown leather (or suede) lace up ankle boots are a wonderfully versatile and practical investment. Their functionality for winter months or outdoors work are not to be underestimated, and indeed their inherent ruggedness means that they will serve you for years. These can be worn in a number of smart and casual ways. For example one could easily wear them under suit trousers on icy days.

Please be sure to come back for advice on when to save and more...

Style Advice for Men By Premier Stylist Gabrielle Teare

I love styling men, I grew up in an all male family I have no sisters, and I have always bought clothes for them and all the men in my life! Men should wear great colours that suit them, cool designs and expensive shoes. Brands I like are Etro shirts, Dunhill has great shirts and coloured jumpers very good quality, Paul Smith does nice shirts, Cheeky Monkeys, Diesel, Lindeberg do great jeans.

Cheap shoes will drive women away trust me. The number of conversations women have about tasteless shoes would be a revelation to men. Several of my friends have rejected advances because of shoes!

Likewise ill matched colours such as grey jumpers with brown trousers will be noted, commented upon and score 0 points. Match the colour of your tie to your shirt yellow does not go with pink, dots do not work with stripes. If you need help hire a personal shopper or personal stylist. Your looks will improve and as people start to notice you so will your confidence.

Cashmere jumpers are lovely there are great colours out there for men, Dunhill, Aquascutum, with their new design team, Armani and Ralph Lauren all make fantastic designs. They are seriously nice to wear and soft to the touch- cuddly. Mens styling for very tall men is harder, there are many men out there over 6’4”, it has taken me ages to source clothes for them. High and Mighty is a good source but the suit quality and selection for slim men is poor. I suggest their Ralph Lauren range and to go elsewhere for bespoke tailoring for suits. The Italian suit maker Sartoria is great and reasonably priced. Segun Adelaja has clothes to dream about. Very elegant and sophisticated classic with a twist. Timothy Everest, does a range at Marks and Spencers. Shoes such as loafers try Fins for great colours in soft suede. For work shoes Church’s and Prada make nice shoes that if you are typical of the men I know will last for 10 years or more. Cost per wear becomes negligible. Womens shoes cost far more and last about 6 months!

Ties again should be expensive women notice and will comment on polyester ties go for silk and if your budget is tight have less of them. Buy Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo, to instantly upgrade your look under £100.

As for accessories for men buy what you love and aim to keep for many years the watch you choose says everything about your style. Cufflinks should be gold, if price is an issue buy one pair. The Italians and French always have fabulous accessories to impress do the same. Ingle and Rhodes bespoke the only ethical jewellers in London do a great range of cufflinks. Man bags always strike me as suspect, especially if they have a twee little strap, leave hand bags to women is my advice, computer bags and brief cases are fine. Hats are fun, to be noticed wear a hat! They look seriously nice and are very cool as well a panama in the sun looks great. They also keep your head warm as well as attracting women like flies. Forget LYNX which purports to attract every woman on the beach, purleese- just wear a hat!