The Material Boy #449

Below: Mr Porter has some great new arrivals this week... love the influx of colour and bold patterns
for a cheery summer style!

Mr Porter New Arrivals: Thursday Shopping Finds

New stocks have arrived at www.mrporter.com... and this week, I am really pleased and tempted by the selections! Colours colours and stripes+stripes, you get the idea of what I like!:-P

I am so tempted to get everything, from the bright teal Jil Sander trousers to the very affordable PS By Paul Smith Yellow Burnished Leather Belt (Only £79! Has a contrasting colour belt loop which I adore!). Marc By Marc Jacobs' selections are so noteworthy with bold colourful stripes or even that polka dot shirt!

(Check out my Club 21 Press Day report on Marc By Marc Jacobs selections here too! Singapore fans can shop Marc By Marc Jacobs menswear at the flagship store, Mandarin Gallery, Orchard Road)

LOVE:-) Good job in providing some Thursday Shopping Inspiration, Mr Porter:-) Give your buyers a pat in the back.

Source: MR PORTER: The Mens Style Destination

The Material Boy #441

My 'Mr Porter' Wishlist

Mr Porter, the menswear shopping portal from the people who brought you Net-a-porter.com was launched exclusively to founding members last week. Free shipping anywhere in the world was offered as part of this exclusive launch... this makes refraining from shopping a huge effort to overcome.

So here's my wishlist from the newly launched shopping site... guess which item I bought on Sunday from my wishlist:-P

1. Lanvin Silk Pocket Square with Raw Edge – £38
2. Paul Smith Yellow Striped Silk Pocket Square – £20
3. Gucci Chevron Olive Coloured T-shirt – £141.67
4. Lanvin Taupe Silk Flower Buttonhole Pin – £83
5. Oliver Peoples Thick Rimmed Optical Glasses – £158.33
6. Balmain Short Sleeve Plaid Shirt – £321

If you are a founding member and have received their shopping e-invite with an exclusive link, hurry grab something before the free shipping ends today! :-P

Source: Mr Porter

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #136

Below: It's time to take a hike! Let's do some 'urban mall mountaineering' with these fabulous hiking boots! (we do scale new heights when it comes to multi level exploration of retail stores in mega malls!)

Take A Hike, Boys! – Fall Winter 2010 Hiking Boots

Ever since I saw the pic below from The Sartorialist, I am on the lookout for hiking style boots that will achieved an urban adventurer look. Country ensembles are also gaining momentum this Fall Winter 2010 season, so these mountain trekking footwear are a must have! Italian guys have even worn hiking boots with suits for fall season which adds an unexpected twist to these outdoor shoes. Talk about being 'creative':-P (See pic below). I love it!

Below: Check out this guy below pairing what is supposed to be formal wear with footwear that was always thought to belong to the outdoors! Interesting!

Something that is in line with the boots trend for this Fall Winter season and yet has a rugged look to tread thru the 'shopping' terrains of Tokyo and Hokkaido! (I am headed to Japan in Dec! Yay!) Something that will allow me to achieve the look! I have everything already from the pic, from the military green overcoat, to the stripe t-shirt (Zara!) to the skinny white jeans, all I need now are those hiking style boots:-P

Here's some options I have gathered, from Bally to Dolce & Gabbana to Paul Smith... but I am loving the Zara ones the most. Since I love the price tag to be expected for Zara's version (SGD 199 and 229 for the top and bottom one respectively:-P) Ultimately, I intend to invest as little on winter gear and as much as I can on Tokyo shopping!:-) Call it my 'smart shopping' budgeting!:-)

Anyone else for hiking boots:-P?

Source: Bally, John Richmond, Dolce & Gabbana, Zara, Paul Smith

My MANy Bags Trendspotting #122

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Guys: It's Time For 'Booty' Call!

Oh no! Not that kind of 'call', what were you thinking?!?! This is a PG13 blog!

Yes, I am talking about the major influx of boots in all manners for guys this Fall Winter 2010 season. From riding boots, dressy boots, military boots, biker boots to hiking boots... you name it, you got it. My favourite are those gorgeous tall boots with shearling lining from Burberry Prorsum (retails for USD795) and Kris Van Assche's modern take on the military boot.

So what are you waiting for? 'Booty' calls!

Source: Paul Smith, Kris Van Assche, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hermès, Burberry Prorsum, Dior Homme, Versace, Etro

The Material Boy #399

Below: Love these pockets squares of London Maps and Polka Dots from Paul Smith... Quirky and fun:-)

Below: Examples of how pocket squares work wonders on a simple blazer. Imagine this gentlemen with his polka dot pocket square... the look will somehow lose out on some charm and colour...

Below: The lace edging adds focal point to his otherwise plain denim blazer... Pocket square works wonders!

Paul Smith 'Polka Dots' And 'London Map' Pocket Squares

I deemed the pocket square one of the most inexpensive and effective male accessory when it comes to dressing up. Adding colour, personality and perhaps some functionality (to offer to any damsels in distress during emergencies...the fairer gender will appreciate this, trust me:-P), this little piece of silk fabric does amazing wonders to a man's debonair charm. I know I like my pocket squares colourful and quirky. Something contrasting will be most ideal. A plain suit jacket simply comes alive when colours and patterns start to peek playfully out of that front pocket. It's a talking point, it's a focal point, it's a style defining accessory without all the frills.

Paul Smith being the 'English dandy' brand with all its eccentric English charm and humour have come up with some must-have pocket squares. Varying sized Polka dots, free spirited sketches of London Maps, they are playful and colourful for any day. Me want!

Source: GQ by Tommy Ton, Por Vocaçåo

Ad Campaigns And Catalogues #100

Below: Lovely accessories collection of bags and accessories from Paul Smith's Spring Summer 2010 for the modern dandy... I like this croc embossed leather briefcase! Colin Firth carries a leather briefcase in Tom Ford's movie 'A SIngle Man'...

Below: How about this lime green croc embossed leather folio case for a luxurious take on document holder? Love the wallets and card case too...

Below: Triomphe l'oeil bags that feature a 'well packed luggage' print... how fun with the shoes and folded shirts!

Below: Wallets with vintage poster girl illustration or washed bag again with Triomphe l'oeil print...

Below: Triomphe l'oeil effects is abundant in Paul Smith's collection... love this 'paint brush creating the strokes' print...

Below: Vintage washed leather belt with the belt loop in contrasting red... So Paul Smith!

Below: Cute picture frame cufflinks with doggy line drawings or Union Jack car designs...

Below: Hats add instant dandy flair... in straw with vintage print or bright yellow...

Below: With or without clothes, a dandy needs to look immaculate even when he is lounging at the pool. These swimwear are perfect to flaunt some style or 'assets'!

Below: Rainy days doe snot have to be dull, get some colours even with gloomy skies!

Paul Smith Spring Summer 2010 Mens Bags And Accessories

Watching Tom Ford's 'A Single Man' is like taking a trip down fashion runway of 1960s gentlemen styles. One of my most favoured eras in fashion, where geek chic reigns with thick rim glasses, James Dean was charmingly alive, and everyone looked like they slept with hair nets and starched suits to look perfect at every moment.

So who do you turn to if you want to mimic dandy styles without all the melancholy of Tom Ford's 'A Single Man'...

Well, none other than Sir Paul Smith, a perpetrator of quirky British sensibility and gentlemen elegance... where his world of well dressed man is always vibrant and cheery.

Check out his offerings for Spring Summer 2010, there are many drool-worthy pieces that I would grab in a heartbeat. Although his use of triomphe l'oeil effects is not a new innovation, but he makes them fun. Such as with bags that featured a well packed luggage print or scarf with paint brush creating stripe patterns. Love them! But my ultimate lust has to be that lime green croc embossed leather folio case which adds a flair of luxury (affordable) to a document holder. Or how about the croc embossed leather briefcase that somehow reminds me of Colin Firth's in 'A Single Man'?

The time to play 'dandy dress up' is now!

Source: Paul Smith

The Material Boy #378

Below: A cool summer bag from Paul Smith Jeans! Love the hibiscus print:-)

Below: Roomy interior to hold all your beach gear or weekend shopping loot?!?!:-P

Below: Love the sporty looking zipper pull in signature Paul Smith coloured stripes and a branded metal ends... there is also a Dolphin motif snap button on the side:-) Love all these small detailing.

Below: Matching hat for your bag at £130. (Yikes, so expensive!)

Below: If 'Hibiscus' print is still too girly for you... then this jungle camouflage print version will definitely be masculine enough!

Below: Matching bucket hat for £45. At least this is more reasonable:-P

Paul Smith Jeans Sam Bags And Matching Hats

If I am headed to a tropical resort destination to escape the frenzied city life, these are top on my list to bring along for my trip:-) Fun tropical prints of hibiscus or jungle camouflage in nylon are simply made for relaxed summer travel looks. Lightweight, durable and dirt resistant, these bags will hold all your beach gear while giving you the spice of resort dressing. And fret not, alpha male beach bums, these 'flowery' print by Sir Paul Smith is never girly and has refreshing colour palette that make you look stylish without sacrificing on masculine appeal in your shorts or trunks.

I love the pull tabs for the zipper which features the signature Paul Smith coloured stripes with a branded metal ends. At £80 a piece, this Paul Smith Jeans Sam Bag is not to be missed!

If you want full matching looks, there are hats in the range to fulfill the 'perfectionist' side of you:-)

After all your beach and sun tan sessions, you can still use the bag as a great weekend companion. All in all, this is a great summer bag at a fantastic price!

Gotta check out Paul Smith in Singapore this weekend:-)

Source: Paul Smith

Retail price: £80 (Sam Bag). Where to buy: Paul Smith

The Material Boy #263

Paul Smith Musa Red Check Plimsoll

I am feeling the checks lately. Gingham checks are perfect for summer. And if you are a huge fan of the checks pattern, what could be more satisfying than to see a series of different check patterns all patched up to create a fun and chic design. Paul Smith answer to that wish lies in this Musa Red Checks Plimsoll. I love the use of different checks patterned fabric in complimentary red and blue colour tones to create the shoes. Perfect to go with bright summer tees and a relaxed pair of cargo or rolled up khakis, perhaps with a bow tie. Hamptons chic with references to the good old years of elegant dressing? More importantly, fun is the keyword to dressing. This cheery shoe just has HAPPY written all over it without having you to break a bank:-P.

Source: www.my-wardrobe.com

Retail price: UK 73 pounds. Where to buy: www.my-wardrobe.com

The Material Boy #242

Paul Smith Jeans PVC Holdall

Belt tightening times calls for affordable chic. With smaller budgets to indulge in luxury goods, I am sure everyone appreciates a little cheap and chic thrill every now and then.

I first laid eyes on this lovely and fun Paul Smith Jeans PVC Holdall in the Japanese magazine, Men's Non-No G for Spring Summer 2009. The bag featured was in white, red and blue. Very striking combination of colours with a vintage bag design. It reminds me of those sport bags from the 70's. Having not versed at all with the Japanese language, I thought the bag will be expensive and looks crafted in leather to me. I was determined to find more information on this bag.

Hence, my curiosity lead me to 'surf' it out on Paul Smith's website...and happy to report, I found the bag! Not in white, but in even more fabulous Navy with yellow and white trim. Striking colours aside (with a gorgeous purple coloured lining!), the price is even more attractive than its looks. At just £115.00, I would say, this is affordable chic to add zest and fun to your summer days!

Source: Paul Smith

Retail price: UK 115 pounds. Where to buy: www.paulsmith.co.uk