Q- With summer coming up, how do I tackle Linen? I want to wear a linen suit to a wedding in August but don’t want to look like a crumpled mess. Where do I start?
A-
When we think of linen, we often to think of white, billowy fabrics and leathery old men that wander around with too much chest on show. But we shouldn’t. Yes, it’s light, cool and should be saved for summer, but when cut right and worn correctly; it’s one of the coolest fabrics around. It has a much lower thread count than cotton, so it’s very breathable, but it’s therefore much more susceptible to creasing. It can be a pain, but there are ways to tame the beast…
When you’re leafing through the linen pieces at a store, give them a scrunch to see what happens. You don’t want the cloth to pop instantly back to its original form that belies artificiality. And if you’re being fitted for a suit, be sure to do more than look in the mirror. Sit down, cross your legs, take a walk around the block – whatever; just make sure you know how it’s going to perform when you wear it in earnest. As is clear, linen is a tricky customer, so try to invest in pieces that are mixed with another fabric, preferably cotton or silk. Yes, it will lessen the breathable quality of the fabric a bit, but it’ll hang much better, keep its shape for longer and be less likely to crease.
Q- What should I keep in my desk in case I’m hungover and have overlooked… well everything…?
A-
The sharpest man in the room never overlooks the details, no matter how hungover he is! I always add a white Marcella handkerchief to the breast pocket of my jacket as it’s a fail-safe way to smarten up your look. If you have the chance to add cufflinks do – you want people to not be looking at your dark circles which hopefully you’ve covered in concealer (its 2015 it’s okay to be a bit metro). DON’T drown yourself in aftershave, it’ll only remind you of the night before and make your desperation to be seen as ‘okay’ obvious.
Q- Recently I got a side sweep to commemorate the end of Mad Men (sob) but I’m stuck. Gel just flattens it and there’s kinks and arghfhdhlwjioejnfl HELP
A-
You’ll need:
Horn comb by Murdock – £20.00
The most important thing to remember is that this cut must be perfectly square through the sides, beautifully graduated and expertly combed. If it’s not, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.
Kengo Feather by Shu Uemura – £22.00
If your hair is thick, wear it much shorter (think Montgomery Clift) and control it with moulding cream. This cut doesn’t suit curly hair.
Pankhurst styling conditioner – £15.00
For a slicker look, keep it longer on top. Wax will make it look stringy and gel won’t hold, so use a styling conditioner to keep it looking smooth.
Quattro Titanium Freestyle by Wilkinson Sword – £6.99
Have the cut cleaned up every month. Give your neck a once-over with a razor, but don’t let this style get baggy over the ears.
Do these things and you’ll be fine.
