Stylemaster

Look good, feel better

Neil Doveton, MH Fashion & Grooming Director, has spent nearly two decades helping guys look more stylish.

What is bespoke tailoring?

Bespoke, or "custom", tailoring is all about complete exclusivity and originality. It is unique to the style needs of the individual. Here’s a guideline on what you can expect at bespoke tailors. Firstly you will be advised to try on different shirt blocks – a basic sample shirt made in different shapes from ultra slim to classic. Once you have decided which block is best suited to your body shape, the next step is to consider the detailing. What kind of collar do you want – a rounded, cut away, button-down or spread collar? What about the cuffs – soft cuffs, double buttoned or cuff linked? The options are extensive – don’t panic, you will be carefully guided through the choices. Thereafter it’s a matter of looking at the finer design details, like the type of buttons and stitching you would prefer. Once you’ve decided on all this you get to choose the right fabric for your shirt design and voila, you have co-created your own garment.

I've been to Europe around fashion season and have always wondered where the best sales are, can you help me out?

After Italy and the annual Milan Menswear Collections I usually head over to London for a mid-year break, to catch up with some friends, but mostly to satiate my massive fashion appetite at the famous summer sales. Ah, the London summer sales, where the clothing prices almost compare with back home. And it's not just the price that gets me excited, it's the smorgasbord of choice. This time is special because MH Style Co-Ordinator, Azeez Jacobs, is also on board and we're frantically feasting on the sales together. We've just hot-footed our way down Oxford street dropping in and out of shops to a constant refrain of "What do you think of these?" and "Those are a must!" or "Get the scarf, man!". We both have a penchant for shoes, and the choices of fashionable footwear seem endless.

What fashion trends are heading our way this summer?

Some of highlights include the awesome Dolce&Gabbana show which, as always, is a wearable fusion of sexy and sophisticated style. They've added a new silhouette to the usual slim-cut, body contouring style by introducing looser wide-legged trousers, a trend I imagine we'll see a lot more of this season. Still teamed with close-cut and structured jackets and shirts it certainly makes for a more comfortable way to dress for summer. They've used a palette of cool summery colours: icy greys, pale blues and iced creams... flattering with a tan! Last seasons slim look still prevails, so you can still wear what you bought before. Dolce&Gabanna always add a zing and twist to their collection and this year they introduced the oriental print. Satin and silky drawstring pants, boxer shorts, shirts and gowns make for an intriguing sleepwear and leisurewear ensemble. Perhaps a touch too exotic for more conservative blokes... maybe just the boxer shorts?

Archives

Where do I find Burberry?
- Where do I find Burberry?
  
  From satin and sexy to the layered and textured collection of Burberry Prorsum which stirred the senses like an early morning walk in a musty English forest. The shades of sage greens, muddied browns, sky blues, greys and berry reds are used in various combinations for structured jackets, loose baggy knits and cardigans, slim tapered trousers, shirts and waistcoats and worn with two-toned brogues, scarves and floppy hats, and the inevitable signature trenchcoat worn belted at the waist or casually open. Burberry Prorsum is soon to launch in Cape Town at the V&A Waterfront. Any addition of Burberry to ones wardrobe is a timeless and stylish investment.
Can you recommend a good electronic hair clipper?
- My hair clipper is killing me, it's nicked me so many times and taken chunks of hair and flesh from my head. Can you recommend a good hair clipper?
  
  I love innovation. Here's one that got me eating out of it's palm! Get your head around the 360 Palm Clipper from Toni & Guy. This compact hair clipper, with 360degree rotating head that can clip and style your hair into the latest trends. It has adjustable blade lengths, a hand strap and rubberised finish for a firm non-slip grip to save you from looking like a Last of the Mohicans extra. You can even use it in the shower, so the post haircut clean-up is a complete wash out!
Where can I get a good pair of designer spec frames?
- I'm tired of wearing a pair of old out of date spectacles, where can I find a good pair of designer spectacle frames?
  
  There is nothing short sighted about Oakley's new ophthalmic eyewear range. The retro-inspired tortoiseshell Voltage range topped my list for it's classic styling. Oakley's stylish prescription frames are a good option for the spectacle wearing guy. More at www.oakley.com
Can you recommend a good pair of socks?
- I keep getting holes in my socks when I go for long walks or hikes, can you recommend a good pair of socks that I can wear with confidence?
  
  Winter's here, but that's not a reason to dig a hole and hibernate. Take a hike, mate. Literally get out into the country or go on a trail walk, but do it in comfort with Falke's Drynamix hiking socks. Protective cushioning and seamless toe make them a great choice for a professional hiker or just a laid back stroll outdoors. They look so good, back at the lodge she might even let you wear them in the sack!
How do I keep my socks together?
- I keep losing my socks, whether it's because only one gets in the laundry or that only one comes out of the laundry, how do I keep them together?
  
  Saturday is laundry day for me. I am quite anal about keeping my whites white, separating colours by hue, and hand-washing special items, but I still end up with bags of mismatched socks! Now I've discovered Sock-mates. Pull a matching pair of socks through the centre ring of the Sock-mate clip, chuck it into the washing machine, then toss into the tumble dryer or hook up to dry. Store it as is, and save yourself from another sock hunt.
How do I get a pair of customised sneakers?
- I'm bored with the regular sneakers I see in the stores these days, where can I organise a pair of customised sneakers?
  
  I had a fabulous experience cooking up a custom pair of sneakers at the Puma Mongolian Shoe BBQ event at Canal Walk in Cape Town. It's a terrific hands-on, tactile and interactive way to customise your own pair of sneakers. I was blown away by the variety of finishes: faux fur, wood-effect leather, weaved herringbone and alligator-embossed leather, to name a few.After much Libran ho-humming I played it fashionably safe with a monochromatic selection of black finishes, with a matt gold side stripe. It's a great gift idea, or just to set yourself apart from fashion clones with your own unique footwear. Your design is previewed on screen and is shipped to the store in 5-6 weeks. You can also log on to www.puma.com to build and order your sneakers.
What makes a product environmentally friendly?
- What defines a product as being environmentally friendly? Or is it just a marketing tool?
  
  There is a trend both locally and globally towards taking greater care of our resources, as well as the people and communities involved in the production process. For a company to produce organic products, they need to work with natural fibres that are grown without toxic pesticides and fertilisers. Woolworths has already launched its own organic cotton range, meaning the cotton has been grown without the use of any toxic chemicals. Woolworths has also ensured that only eco-friendly natural dyes are used in the colouring of the shirts. Smaller eco-conscious retailers, like Hemporium, are also producing natural fibre-based products. Other natural fibres include bamboo, hemp and soya bean. Levi’s has explored manufacturing with natural fibres by creating jeans using fibre created from sugarcane. But to answer your question, check the jargon buster below to see the definition of organic fibres. If you want to ensure a product is environmentally friendly, look for a SABS certification of the product’s claims.
What's better to use in my hair than gel?
- I use gel in my hair but hate the crispy look. How can I make it look more natural?
  
  Pull your head out of the Eighties, Swayze: gel is old news. A lot of gels dry the hair, leaving the scalp flaky. Instead, try a medium-weight wax or heavier pomade for a gel-like hold without the angel dust. Another benefit of wax: you can restyle throughout the day if you want to change your look. We suggest Goldwells Craftsman Hard Wax R80 selected salons
Is it bad to peel sunburnt skin?
- A buddy has a girlfriend who loves to peel his skin after he’s been sunburnt. Is this bad?
  
  She was probably hoping to find another guy underneath. Tempting as it is, pulling, picking and scraping at dead epidermis is a bad idea. You can permanently scar yourself. Instead you should brush the skin off when it’s flaking, but don’t pull at the pieces. For big pieces take clean cuticle scissors and snip the dead skin just short of the non-peeling skin so it doesn’t tear off. Use lots of moisturiser to soften up the skin and help it repair itself. We recommend Nivea For Men Moisturising Body Lotion R27 Clicks

*Men's Health does not give out contact information for experts featured in our magazine or on our web site, and queries addressed to these individuals cannot be forwarded on your behalf. If you require professional health and lifestyle advice, we strongly recommend that you contact your local service providers.

District 9 and Invictus got stuffed at the Oscars. What other great films were robbed of the Best Picture Oscar over the years?
	Citizen Kane (lost to How Green Was My Valley in 1941)
	Dr Strangelove (lost to My Fair Lady in 1964)
	2001: A Space Odyssey (wasn't even nominated, and lost to Oliver! in 1968)
	Star Wars (lost to Annie Hall in 1977)
	Apocalypse Now (lost to Kramer vs Kramer in 1979)
	Raging Bull (lost to Ordinary People in 1980)
	Raiders of the Lost Ark (lost to Chariots of Fire in 1981)
	ET (lost to Ghandi in 1982)
	Saving Private Ryan (lost to Shakespeare In Love in 1998)
	The Gangs of New York (lost to Chicago in 2002)

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