Style on a Budget - The Reversible Belt

This is a fairly self explanatory one really. You are getting two belts for the price of one....or are you?

Here is the problem with this logic if you have a reversible belt odds are you are going to wear it twice as much as two different belts. Which mean that it may not last that much longer. However if you are on a budget then you will be getting two colour options for the same price.

The reversible belt also comes in handy when you are travelling as you can wear it casually during the day and then use it again as a dressier option when going out in the evening. So if you haven't got one yet add it to your shopping list. Depending on what you want you can spend a fortune on a designer one or just pick one up at Primark.

Style on a Budget - An Interesting Discovery

Sometimes you find great style and places you'd least expect it. At the start of my first term at university I noticed that the guy in the room next to me had an amazing plaid shirt. When I asked him where he had got it I was stunned by his response. He bought it in Primark for £6. I noticed something interesting as soon as I knew the shirt was from Primark it certainly seemed less desirable. It's amazing how much influence the brand name can have on the desirability of a product.

However I went into Primark anyway, and I was soon the owner of two very nice plaid shirts. The thing to take from this is that I never would have guessed that the shirt was from Primark and that despite being from a low end store it was still a good shirt. So exercise a little bit of student economics and look around for the bargains that are to be had. Instead going into a big brand store and paying a lot of money for something that really isn't all that different to what you can get from somewhere like Primark. I'm not saying that you should always take the cheaper option and you should definitely splash out on your investment pieces but when we're talking about casual shirt it doesn't seem to make sense to spend a fortune on it when you can get something that is perfectly adequate for half the price. 

The Roll Neck Jumper

The roll neck jumper is a must have for any sartorially inclined male. It keeps you warm and enhances your natural physic. What's not to like about it? In this post I will present three different types of roll neck jumpers. Every man should own at least one of these.

The (McQueen) Classic Black Roll Neck
Made a fashion staple by Steve McQueen’s tight lipped Det. Lt. Frank Bullitt, in the iconic 1968 movie, the black roll neck is a classic minimalist essential for any well-dressed man. It emphasises the jaw line and shows off the physic.

Steve McQueen with his usual effortless cool, as Frank Bullitt.

Wear it as McQueen did or layer it under a shirt as seen here.


The Cashmere Roll Neck
Equally at home under a suit jacket or as a standalone piece this slightly more upmarket version of the classic roll neck adds additional, warmth and luxury to the roll necks other properties. A cashmere roll neck is also thinnest of the available options meaning it can be layered easy. Cashmeres natural properties also make it exceptionally warm, which makes this one of my go to jumpers for early morning lectures when the weather turns cold.



The Submariners Sweater
The roll neck that started them all, the original was actually a cable knit worn by Irish fishermen. Allegedly each family had its own unique knit, meaning that if a fisherman’s body was ever washed up on shore he could be identified. Later with the advent of the submarine service the navies of the world adopted the sweater as standard issue to the men of their submarine services (see below). To save on manufacturing costs the cable knit was abandoned and the submariners sweater was born. Pared with a pea coat this wholly functional ensemble looks amazing.

The crew of a German u-boat put to sea in 1939.

So slip on a role neck, it was designed to keep sailors warm and will help you combat the cold of student houses in style. Whichever style you choose ensure it fits well and feels great.

If you have a few hours spare then embrace the submariners culture and read Peter Maas' amazing book ‘The Terrible Hours’. Or if you are more of a movie love, watch Wolfgang Peterson’s epic thriller ‘Das Boot’ (the uncut German version of course). I guarantee it will give you a chill no matter how warm a jumper you are wearing.

Five additions for the Spring Term

Here we have a list of things to add to your spring wardrobe whilst at university.

1. The rain mac. Perfect for warding of those April showers. The rain mac is an essential addition to any well dressed mans wardrobe. However be wary it is all to easy to buy an oversized mac. You want it to fit snugly over your other clothes, not hag off them. If you can get one a Burberry mac is a timeless classic (and one well out of most of our price ranges, unless you get a vintage one) if not the H&M produce a good mac at a reasonable price.  
2. The khaki shirt. This low cost casual shirt is great for longing round the house or can be dressed up a bit if needed. Buy one from an army and navy store. It will last longer and cost less than its fashionable counterpart. These shirt are also great to travel in, but you may want to consider removing any insignia or national flags from them.
3. Gloves. If you have made it this far through the year without gloves then your hands are probably suffering accordingly. You should invest in a pair of leather gloves now. As they will keep you warm and last for ever. Ideally you would buy a black and a brown pair so you can match them with your shoes and belt, but if you only buy one pair go for black as it is more versatile. 
4. Sunglasses. Coming hot on the heels of gloves this may seem like an odd item to include. However if you have ever had to walk or drive into the low-lying winter sun, you will well know the value of a good pair of sunglasses. Plus getting them now will mean you have them handy for the first day of gloriously sunny day of the year.
5. The long sleeve polo. This version on the classic polo is a must for the changeable summer season light weight enough for the spots of sun between the clouds, but the long sleeves negate the chilly air when the wind picks up.