What to Wear By SuitsMen

Here at Suitsmen we have a wide range of leather bags, in all styles, colours and with every use in mind.

So if you have a particular type of bag you want to get, then we can help you find it.

 

For the Ladies…(Hang on lads we’re getting to you)

 

On www.lucyalice.co.uk, Suitsmen’s little sister site, we have a large variety of bags. All top quality and made from the best leather.

CCHA London a range of bags from handbags, clutchs, laptop bags to shopping bags.

 

The Miranda Leather Satchel is brilliant as a small bag, with a detachable shoulder strap. Small and square in shape it is ideal for a quick nip to the shops or just to keep your phone and purse in whilst nipping out. Available in Tan, Lemon Yellow, Pistachio and Tang.

   

 

The Thelma Shopping Bag and Louise Shopping Bags are similar items that just differ in pattern design. This larger bag is ideal for shopping trips, with many colour varieties, and internal pockets and zips. You won’t need any other bag.

 

The Ella City bag is perfect for nights out. With a small over the should handle, and a magnetic press stuff fastening, it looks and feels right with a smart dress or casual night out. Available in Black, Red and Bubblegum.

 

With two amazing clutches to choose from, the Ella Black Clutch and the Olivia Red Hot Clutch, it would be hard not to buy them both! The Ella Clutch looks amazing on a formal night out with the little black dress, or with a suit, its zip fastening and wrist strap mean you have no fear of losing it.

 

The Olivia Clutch is perfect with its gold chain shoulder strap and gold logo. It adds glamour to any outfit and is the perfect size for essentials on a night out.

 

The Olivia Leather shoulder bag is a larger version of the clutch with a braided leather shoulder strap and chain. Available in Hot Red or Pearl White, this is a gorgeous bag for everyday use.

 

The Lady Irene Business Handbag is ideal for work. Large enough for papers yet small enough to not look bulky. Available in Chocolate Brown, Pearl White and Tan as well as in a Black Crocodile effect giving off the ‘wow’ factor.

         

We have plenty more bags avaliable on www.lucyalice.co.uk

 

Now Lads, it’s not all about the girls….

 

The Marvin Leather Messenger Bag is brilliant for taking out with you for everyday use. Small and compact but roomy enough for your day to day needs with a fold over flap and adjustable shoulder strap.

 

The Blake Briefcases are brilliant for work; in black and tan they are smart and sophisticated whilst holding all your files! With a shoulder strap and 2 short handles you can carry it how you wish.

  

And for the long weekends away we have the Darren Holdall Cabin Bag. Not too big and bulky, but just enough. With an adjustable shoulder strap and two carrying handles it is ideal for those work meetings away. Available in Black and Tan.

It’s not just Bags, Lads…

We also have a wide variety of wallets, from coin purses to card holders; we even have the ones that hold both. In a variety of styles and colours, including the crocodile skin effect and an ostrich print effect. They are fantastic quality and will last you a lifetime!

 

 

For more information on any of the bags or the wallets visit…

For the Ladies, www.lucyalice.co.uk
For the Men, www.suitsmen.co.uk

 

Or ring 01335 361287 for answers to any questions you might have. Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page for more information and other blogs!

The Scottish Highland Dress is often worn to formal occasions in the place of the traditional black tie outfit.

 

It consists of a black barathea jacket with silver buttons and a matching or tartan waistcoat. The traditional kilt with a white shirt and shirt studs, French or barrel cuffs and a turn-down classic collar.  Also a black bow tie or white lace jabot are needed. Evening dress brogues and full dress kilt hose are worn with silk flashes or garter ties. A dress sporran with a silver chain and a black, silver mounted sgian dubh with the option of wearing a dirk.

 

The last two items being swords and knives…

(Quick explanations)

Jabot – a delicate item worn near the throat. Similar to a piece of jewellary.

Brogues – Shoes

Sporran – the Pouch worn around the waist.

 

Very different to the Jacket, Waistcoat and Pleated or plain trousers.

 

Here at Suitsmen we do offer a similar version of the Scottish Highland Dress,

By Brook Taverner and of the highest quality, the Prince Charlie has the traditional jacket with peaked lapels, satin facing, a centre vent, decorated cuffs with 3 buttons on each cuff. Braided Epaulettes and a six show button front.

 

There is also a three button waistcoat, also with lapels and a strap and buckle adjuster.

 

 

 

The Black Watch Tartan Trousers have a plain front with slanted side pockets, belt loops and hip pockets. All items are Pure New Wool and the trousers have a classic tartan pattern.

 

 

 

 

For more information visit www.suitsmen.co.uk, or call 01335 361287. Don’t forget to visit our facebook site and our other blogs!!

 

The dinner suits and ‘black tie’ events that we know now are our smartest and most formal way of dressing and celebrating in style. Whether it be a work’s party, presentation evening, wedding or the most prestigious event you have ever been to.

Or is it?

The ‘black tie’ consists of the traditional black jacket, trousers with or without a satin stripe, black waistcoat, wing collar shirt, black bow tie and patent shoes.

This however is the ‘informal’ version of ‘White Tie’.

 

White Tie

White Tie was and still is used for those events that were not to be topped by anything else. There is a strict dress code that cannot be undermined. It is not to be worn before 6.00pm; however sometimes if it went dark first there could be a slight change on the time.

Men were to wear black or midnight blue dress coats, or more commonly known as tail coats. With trousers of matching fabric with one wide stipe or two narrow stripes of satin. A white and plain stiff fronted shirt and a white wing collar (preferably detachable) however most now are just attached and are a whole shirt. A white bow-tie is worn, with a white waistcoat, black silk socks or stockings and black court shoes.

The ‘Black Tie’ and its black waistcoats, bow ties and the choice of trousers with or without satin stripes were joined by the more casual ‘Dinner Jacket’. No top and tails now…

 

  

 

Where did the Satin and Top and Tails come from?

The Tailcoat was designed with a cutaway at the front to only leave the long back hanging down, giving the ‘tails’.

The dress coat and the morning coat are the two surviving tail coats, both used throughout history for prestigious occasions and to emphasise the fashion and importance of an event.

The dress coat was generally worn to these events, and only worn in the evening. The morning coat was a principal item with morning dress. It was regarded as formal half dress and received its name through the 19th century horseback riding exercise for gentlemen. The jacket was regularly worn on horseback, with the detailing of the buttons on the back being used to hold the tails up out of the way whilst riding. (There are practical uses for the little details we see now)

 

Changes to Black Tie

There have been some slight changes to the way that black tie can be worn.

The waistcoat and jacket sometimes omitted and a red cummerbund and trousers with red piping are worn in replacement. This is called the Red Sea Rig and is general worn in tropical areas, primarily in Western diplomatic and expatriate communities.

Also for formal dining, armed forces officers and non-commissioned officers normally wear mess uniform with is equivalent to civilian black tie. The mess uniforms may vary according to the wearers’ respective branches of the armed forces.

There is also the changes with the Scottish Highland Dress, for more information on this dress code please look at our other blog, Scottish Highland Dress

 

 

 

And Finally…

So black tie, white tie, and Scottish highland dress are all traditional and run along the same lines, being worn for formal occasions and all being similar throughout history!!

Giving the occasions an edge that informal dress couldn’t bring. These outfits and rules of what to wear not only make the formal occasion that much better but they also make everyone look fantastic and feel important, especially when matched with the female partner in their full length dress.

 

Please use the links below for more information on any of the pictured suits.

Prince Charlie

Douglas and Grahame Dinner Suit

Torre Dinner Suit

Skopes Tuxedo

 

Don’t forget to visit www.suitsmen.co.uk for more tuxedo’s and our facebook site for more info, blogs, advice and competitions.

 

The time has come again for the Christmas Parties to start, the trying to impress colleagues and bosses, and looking better than everyone else.

And all Christmas Parties seem to go smoother and better when you have a comfy suit, that looks the part and makes you shine out from the rest.

Here at Suitsmen we have a range of Tuxedo’s and Dinner Suits to enable you to look fantastic at every Christmas Party and Work’s do.

 

Dinner Suits

Our cheapest Dinner Suit is still a fantastic suit, with looks and quality that will have you standing out.

The Skopes Fashion Dinner Suit is a single breasted 1 button jacket, with a satin trim around the lapel and pockets to give it the edge that many dinner suits don’t have. The trousers also have a satin trim just below the waistband.

Brook Taverner offers a Dinner Suit ideal for Balls and Work’s Parties. With its classic cut it is perfect for black tie affairs. One button and single breasted, with a traditional notched satin lapel the Jacket complements the outfit entirely especially when put with the matching trousers with satin stripe side seams.

The Daniel Grahame Dinner Suit is a smart single breasted one button jacket with satin lapels and satin jetts. The trousers are also presented with a satin stripe down the leg giving a smart and sophisticated look.

From Scott, by The Label, there is a single breasted one button, satin lapel and satin jetts suit jacket with plain fronted or pleated trousers which have a satin braid on the seam. This gives you the choice to make your suit up to your own tastes whilst making you look extremely smart.

 

If Double Breasted is more your thing…

Torre have a double breasted suit jacket, with 1 x 3 buttons and satin peak lapels. There is also a plain back on this jacket. The trousers have a single pleat, strap and buckle, side adjusters and a satin stripe. Making this the ultimate Dinner Suit.

 

The Traditional Tuxedo

This single breasted, one buttoned cream Tuxedo from Skopes will have you looking amazing at your Christmas Party. The jacket is available in black and white, and both jackets can be matched with the black tuxedo trousers. These plain fronted trousers have a satin side seam and side adjusters.

 

For Everything Else…

Not only can we provide you with the suit, but we can provide you with everything you may possibly need to make this outfit complete. Try our white dress gloves, armbands and white dress scarf. Or our range of cufflinks and shirt studs, we have a large array of bow ties and every type of shirt to suit, wing collar, pleated, plain, and classic. We also have cummerbunds and silver topped dress canes.

We have matching colours in cummerbunds and bow ties’; making sure that your outfit matches and is completely perfect.

We have suits available in Black, Cream and White so if you haven’t found the right one here, have a look at the other Dinner suits and Tuxedo’s we have to offer.

 

Ready for the Party?…

We will soon have you looking more like James Bond than you can image! Giving you a Suit and Christmas Party to remember.

 

For more information visit www.suitsmen.co.uk, and don’t forget to visit our Facebook page.

There are only 31 days left now until Christmas, and as we speak the seconds are sliding away.

How many presents have you still go to get? Have you even started yet?

The list of family members and friends gets longer every year, and the task of finding the best presents but without breaking the bank seems to get harder every year.

Christmas seems to be the most stressful time of year, but yet we continue to be completely and utterly childish with excitement, counting down the days.

Now do you have any males in your life who you are struggling on finding gifts for? Nephew, Grandson, Granddad, Dad, Uncle, Boyfriend…

Here at Suitsmen we have gifts and items for every time of man.

For those that like their knitwear…

Within the Wolsey range we have lambswool sweaters in long sleeve and as slipover jumpers.

Skopes offer a pullover with high neck and zip fastening in lambswool as well as a v-neck jumper.

Our newest member, Hawick have a large variety of knitwear, from lambswool jumpers and slipover jumpers to merino and cashmere.

If you fancy more of a pattern Hawick also offer the Argyle Patterned jumper, Fairisle Jumper and a Birdseye Patch Jumper. They even have a Cable lambswool Jumper.

 

Neckwear…

We also have a collection of scarves, Hawick offer a lambswool unisex version. As well as Folkspeare offering a variety of scarves in many different colours.

Now if scarves are not what you are looking for we also have patterned ties. With the Gold Sea, Blue Sea and Turtle patterns available. Perfect for wearing at Christmas and for many other occasions.

A Gorgeous New Shirt…

You could even buy them one of our fantastic quality shirts from the extensive range we have on Suitsmen.

The Long Sleeve Luxury Shirt from Skopes is a brilliant shirt for any occasion, especially parties and family get-togethers or to wear at the office or for formal meetings. This 100% cotton shirt is not one to be without.

The Skopes Party Shirt is another good seller with the patterns bringing out a more casual side to the shirt, making them casual but still extremely smart.

 

Accessories….including the tradition socks.

We also have 2 different watches, a metallic and leather strapped. Both very good quality watches, perfect for work and for the busy business man. But cheaper than a Rolex!

 

We have socks for every type of man. Sports socks, tradition knee length Wolsey socks, Indestructible socks, very very thick seaman and shooting socks. And all come in varying colours.

I’m positive you can find the perfect present.

And if you can’t, just give us a call on 01335 361287 and we will see if we can help find what you need!

 

Check out our Facebook Page for more info.

The earliest records of the Wolsey Business relate to a Henry Wood who was trading as a hosier in 1744.

In 1748 Henry went into partnership with a man called Job Middleton and in 1750 with a man called John Wrightman.

However Henry dissolved the partnership around 1755 as he wished to carry on with a business of his own.

He died in 1768 and the business was taken over by his widow, and then later his sons and grandsons. The company was renamed Ann Wood & Sons.

In 1842 Robert Walker became a partner in the business, and after the retirement of the last Wood family member (Richard Wood), Walker changed the name of the company to R. Walker & Sons.

The company took on the trading name of Wolsey in 1897, when its headquarters were situated near to Leicester Abby; the burial place of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, and to honour the connection the trading name of the company was changed.

It wasn’t until 1920 when the company changed its name completely to Wolsey, when R. Walker & Sons merged with W. Tyler & Sons. It was through this change that the company then started to deal directly with retailers.

The company started to quickly expand and they began to employ traveling salesmen to advertise their products around the world.

As a result of their success, Wolsey and its sister trading name of Cardinal became household names and in 1935 the company was awarded its first Royal Warrant.

Little Known Facts

• In the Mid-nineteenth century Wolsey embraced the developments of the industrial revolution and put its knitting machines        in a steam-powered factory.
• New technologies led to the manufacture of ‘unshrinkable woollens’.
• The range soon extended to outer garments too. Producing the knitwear range.
• Also, when Captain Scott and his team embarked on a journey to the South Pole. Wolsey dressed them!

Modernisation

• Wolsey has also decided to rebrand themselves. Whilst still selling the same stock, at the same quality, with the same materials, the branding name has changed to Morley.

 

(For our Wolsey products visit, www.suitsmen.co.uk, in the accessories page.)

I have known Mark for many years (sucks teeth while trying to remember when I first met him late at night on a Webmasterworld meet in London), and have always admired the way he has gone about his business.  He has without doubt, the best window blinds   website on the internet, and I have always aspired to his levels of quality, production, and customer service.

So I was very eager to see what he had been up to when he recently launched his new site www.blinds-2go.co.uk 

I really had not realised there was so much to blinds either.  It is no longer a choice of Venetian, Roman or roller, as now you can get blinds specially designed for every room in the house.  If you need something for the bathroom, then now there are specifically waterproof blinds you can buy.

Perhaps you need a black out blind for a childs room?   It need no longer be a boring black, but can now be patterned. I very much doubt you will get the choice in your local curtain shop.

 

I suspect his new site is doing well, and not just because the country has turned to DIY.

 

 Have a look, and you will see why.