Staying ahead of the curve is sometimes difficult when you're juggling the stresses of the modern world. Which is why we've created the essential purchases guide to help you know what you should be buying this week.
Kneel before Vaara
Chances are, if a fragrance is fit for a king you don’t need to question its desirability. The creation of Vaara is rooted in royalty, starting in the Royal House of Marwar-Jodhpur in Rajasthan and named after the granddaughter of the Maharaja, who wished to have a scent created in honour of her arrival into the world. Top notes are inspired by the local markets of Jodhpur, with coriander seeds, saffron and quince. By contrast, heart notes blend together Bulgarian rose oil, Moroccan rose absolute and Indian magnolia plucked from the royal gardens of the Balsamand – the Maharaja’s summer palace. They dry down to base notes of honey, tonka bean and
sandalwood, offering a glimpse into the aromatic world of the Maharaja.
Vaara EDP £120 for 100ml by PENHALIGON’S; penhaligons.com (available from 8 July)
Need for speed
Standard issue in the US Air Force for more than 50 years, Alpha Industries’ MA-1 was the classic flight jacket of the jet age. It’s since become a wardrobe staple that every Top Gun fan must own. Now, for this summer, Alpha has created a lightweight, unpadded version. The MA-1 TT is available in five colours – the burnt orange is our pick.
MA-1 TT jacket £110 by ALPHA INDUSTRIES selfridges.com
Prom king
Last May and August, ‘Prom’ was one of the most searched menswear terms on Marks & Spencer‘s website. It noticed, releasing a line of slimmer fit, shorter cut suits under its Limited Collection label – increasing the sub-brand’s tailoring by 30 per cent, and making us feel like we’ve got our whole lives ahead of us. Sort of.
Velvet jacket £89, dress shirt £25, tux trousers £29.50, bow-tie £5, pocket square £9.50 all by MARKS & SPENCER LIMITED COLLECTION; marksandspencer.com
The Rado Watch
Debuting at this year’s Baselworld Watch Fair, the HyperChrome Court collection by Rado has been inspired by tennis-playing surfaces, with Super-LumiNova glow accents in blue (pictured), green and orange. Features on the limited-edition watch include a black oscillating rota, an automatic chronograph and a 42-hour power reserve.
HyperChrome Court (blue) £3,150 by RADO; 0845-272 3200
The Camo Bag
Function and fashion don’t always agree, but when they do, a design classic can emerge. This camouflage weekend bag – from luxury accessories brand WANT Les Essentiels De La Vie and style guru Nick Wooster – takes influence from the US Army, combining practicality with style. Available from Selfridges’ refreshed men’s accessories space, launched this month, the bag can be found alongside other items such as an iPad case in matching camo print. With camo accessories so on-trend this summer, it will bring your travel trousseau up to date.
Camo canvas and moss leather weekend bag £560 by WANT LES ESSENTIELS Words & DE LA VIE; selfridges.com
The Great Gatsby Ring
Taking its lead from its finest archival examples of Twenties art-deco elegance, New York-based jeweller Tiffany & Co has released a capsule range for men in sterling silver, enamel and onyx. But this isn’t any old jewellery range. Tiffanys worked with The Great Gatsby’scostume designer, Catherine Martin, who bedecked the principle cast members of Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald’s novel. Evoking the jazz era of penthouse parties at grand estates, the range includes black enamel oval cuff links and a ‘stepped’ sterling silver signet ring of black onyx (pictured), etched with a daisy motif in tribute to Jay Gatsby’s love, Daisy Buchanan. We figure if it’s good enough for DiCaprio, you deserve to know about it.
Ziegfeld signet ring from The Great Gatsby Collection £530 by TIFFANY & CO; tiffany.co.uk
The Reversible Jacket
Plectrum by Ben Sherman’s Ikat Reversible Jacket is the perfect solution for spring. On one side you have a tough cream canvas jacket, while the inside of the jacket can be reversed to reveal the Ikat camo-print lining. It’s two jackets in one, and both look damn good.
Ikat Reversible Jacket £295 by PLECTRUM BY BEN SHERMAN; bensherman.com
The New Versace Fragrance
Oud Noir ticks all the boxes for men who love full-bodied, heady oriental scents. Earthy base notes of patchouli and leatherwood are heated through with spicy notes of saffron and cardamom. Top notes of neroli add a touch of freshness and vibrancy, while black pepper finishes the fragrance with just the right amount of kick. Encased in faded black glass with gold accents, it’s perfect for the elegant man with a strong personality.
Oud Noir eau de parfum £110 for 100ml by VERSACE. Available exclusively at Harrods; 020-7730 1234
The Well-Worn Converse
Available in a vast range of seasonal colours including Butterscotch, Tango Red, Turtledove, Deep Mint and Beluga Grey, this worn-in and washed update on the iconic unisex Chuck Taylor sneaker is part of a softer canvas collection featuring a distressed sole and toe-caps, and dirtied, thinner laces.
£55 by CONVERSE; office.co.uk
The Quenching Gel
Stressful meetings, crowded rooms and constant travelling can make your skin sticky and shiny. Thankfully, L’Oréal Men Expert is here to target these problems with its new Hydra Energetic Quenching Gel. The Air-Gel technology delivers 24-hour hydration – apply day or night to experience the cooling effect.
Hydra Energetic Quenching Gel £10.99 by L’OREAL PARIS MEN EXPERT (available nationwide from 21 February); 0800-0304 032
The New Armani Fragrance
Armani’s seminal male scent is joined by a nocturnal alter ego. Since its introduction in 1984, Armani’s Eau Pour Homme has been a landmark scent. Now, nearly 30 years later, it’s being joined by Eau de Nuit, embodying the darker side of the Armani man. With tobacco, cedar wood, pink pepper and iris root, it looks set to follow its older sibling into iconic status.
Eau Pour Homme and Eau de Nuit eau de toilette both £49 for 50ml by Giorgio Armani; exclusive to Harrods (harrods.com)
The Waistcoat
British workwear has featured on the fashion landscape for some time. John Lewis & Co has gone one step further with a waistcoat cut from cloth woven by Abraham Moon (established 1837) – one of the UK’s most historic wool mills. It is crafted from 100 per cent wool and looks perfect with loose-fit crumpled work pants, chambray shirts
and unstructured lightweight blazers. Abraham Moon waistcoat £99 by
JOHN LEWIS & CO; johnlewis.com
The Patent Shoes
When it comes to eveningwear, shoes can add that final flourish for a striking look. Conveniently, Marks & Spencer’s new patent dress shoes do just that. With their slender shape and sleek leather they’ll carry you through the season at a price that won't disrupt your present-buying plans.
Limited Collection black patent leather dress shoes £39.50 by MARKS & SPENCER; marksandspencer.com
The Aviator Jacket
Stay on the right side of cool this winter with Nicole Farhi’s soft-washed leather aviator jacket. Forget the vintage-inspired pilot jackets of recent seasons, this jacket – with slim, cropped silhouette and sleek, black, shearling collar – is a modern spin on the iconic garment. Both stylish and warm, it’s the perfect piece of multitasking menswear.
Aviator jacket £990 by NICOLE FARHI; nicolefarhi.com
The Bond Watch
You can’t have failed to notice that Daniel Craig will be back on the big screen as Bond in just three weeks. This is the watch he’ll be wearing. Omega’s limited-edition Seamaster Planet Ocean has a modern, functional design and is a perfect timepiece for the spy. It’s waterproof to 2,000ft, and features Omega’s co-axial calibre movement, self winding mechanism, a 60-hour power reserve on a 42mm case and a 007 in the ‘7’ position, leaving no excuse for tardiness.
Seamaster Planet Ocean Skyfall (run of 5,007) £4,420 by OMEGA; omegawatches.com
The Geometric Print Bag
With Dior and Hermès on his impressive design CV, French accessory designer Pierre Hardy’s eponymous range of
contemporary bags has become as sought after as any Paris luxury brand. And this compact backpack, featuring his signature Cubist print, is one of the hero pieces of the collection. The bag was the brainchild of Matches menswear buyer Stacey Smith, who approached Hardy and asked him to adapt his print for a backpack in printed waxed canvas with leather trims and metal hardware. The fruit of their collaboration is pictured here. Naturally, the bag is exclusive to Matches stores (all based in London), but its website delivers anywhere in the UK.
Waxed canvas and leather rucksack £898 by Pierre Hardy; matchesfashion.com
The flexible shoes
Formal English footwear giant Church’s has softened its stiff upper lip with a Contemporary Goodyear Welted Collection.The range features a new process to make flexible soles, adding a modern twist to the classical construction. Styled in ‘Royal Polish’ and ‘Brushed Fume Tricolor’, finishes are available in navy, wine, burgundy, dark green and smoke.
Contemporary Goodyear Welted shoes £320 by CHURCH’S; church-footwear.com
The Leather Bag
On the surface, the masculine world of muscle bikes and burning rubber is the opposite of the red carpet luxury shoe label that fuelled an endless series of Sex And The Cityquips. But Jimmy Choo’s Hertford bag, our favourite item in the shoe designer’s debut collection of bags for men, sees the two worlds collide with spectacular results – mercifully without any sign of Sarah Jessica Parker.
Hertford biker messenger bag £1,095 by JIMMY CHOO; jimmychoo.com
The touchscreen watch
Here at ShortList we’re big on functions, so when a watch comes along offering 11 tasks (12 if you include telling the time) without suffering from a serious button affliction, we’re duty-bound to let you know. Tissot’s pared-down T-Touch Classic’s standout feature is its touchscreen face, from which you can access everything, from the compass to chronograph.
T-Touch Classic £420 by TISSOT; tissot.ch
The tailored denim jacket
Despite denim’s heritage being embedded in workwear, some designers have taken the hard-wearing fabric out of its comfort zone by adapting it for a tailored wardrobe. Tommy Hilfiger is at the coalface of the trend, reinterpreting the fitted two-button blazer in an unlined mid-indigo stretch denim fabric with labour-inspired details, including flat patch pockets and taped seams.
Blazer £125 by TOMMY HILFIGER, Gratton shirt £80 by HILFIGER DENIM both available from TOMMY HILFIGER; 020-7479 7550
The Dior oud cologne
Dior perfumer François Demachy created this reinterpretation of a Middle Eastern rose oud with Turkish rose essence, Indonesian patchouli, sandalwood from New Caledonia and oud wood essence from Laos. It is available exclusively from the Maison de Parfums at London’s Selfridges from 28 May.
La Collection Privée Oud Ispahan, £125 for 125ml; 020-7318 3942
(Image: Sam Armstrong)
The Rain Coat
With the British weather as unpredictable as ever, ShortList selects this season’s essential rain-resistant piece
The Commuter Mac 495 by LACOSTE; 020-7439 2213
The ShortList and Elliot Rhodes belt
Here at ShortList, we like to dabble in the world of design, so we jumped at the chance to work on a belt collection with Elliot Rhodes. Pick it up in nickel finish with a dark navy clear enamel, old brass with a light-brown clear enamel (pictured) or a gunmetal base with the edges in a satin finish. A percentage of the profits will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support. While there are other options available, we think there’s an obvious choice. Biased? Us? Surely not.
‘ShortList’ buckle £34.50 by ELLIOT RHODES; elliotrhodes.com
The Diesel Ducati Jacket
You don’t have to ride a Ducati motorcycle in order to successfully wear this jacket, but it might help. Part of a joint venture between the Italian motorbike giant and its style compatriot Diesel, the jacket is our favourite item in a range of 11 pieces, which also features sweats, T-shirts, a five-pocket jean in raw denim, and a host of accessories. Inspired by technical biker wear but given an urban makeover, the black poly-mix down-quilted jacket (right, £230) and the dark navy denim jacket (£290) are available to purchase now either online or exclusively at Diesel’s London stores in Bond Street and Covent Garden, and in Diesel Male on Carnaby Street.
For a Ducati to go with it? Check the web for your local dealership. Diesel.com
The Quick-dry Shorts
Few things are more frustrating than soaking your beach towel with soggy shorts. So Marks & Spencer has come to the rescue with its new range of swim shorts made from a fabric with a water-repellent finish to enable fast drying. Available in bold prints and plain colours, and in a variety of lengths, now you can make a splash and stay dry. Kind of.
Blue Harbour Ocean Design shorts £17.50 by MARKS & SPENCER; marksandspencer.com
The Ultimate Beach Bag
Elite New York-based purveyor of fine accessories Coach has launched a preppy spring range. Our favourite item is the graphic Bleecker ‘Hamptons’ tote (pictured), with a wide leather base, zip closure, multifunctional pockets and leather handles. Crucially, it’s small enough to fit in the overhead locker.
Bleecker Stripe Canvas ‘Hamptons’ Tote £320 by COACH; 020-3141 8901
The Converse Trainer
Take a look at that battered pair of Converse you own. Are you thinking what we’re thinking? Correct, it’s time for an upgrade and, as luck would have it, the sports heritage label has just launched its Star Chevron collection, comprising three styles: Pro Leather — a replication of Converse’s original basketball shoe, the Auckland Racer — a new take on the brand’s first running shoe and, our favourite, the Star Player (pictured).
Star Player lo-top £42, also available in hi-top for £45, by CONVERSE at JD Sports; 0844-264 1000
The Anti-ageing Treatment
This month sees the launch of Shiseido’s Active Energising Concentrate, a serum claiming to hold back signs of ageing and boost skin’s radiance. Aided by Energeticel Technology, the lotion also stimulates the growth and protection of fibroblasts which produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid — in English, that means your skin should feel smooth and resilient. And look younger…
Active Energising Concentrate £51 for 50ml by SHISEIDO MEN; 020-7313 4774
The Persol Shades
Designers often find inspiration in the most unlikely places — it is said that a check shirt Joey wore in an episode of Friends sparked the late Alexander McQueen’s creativity while compiling a collection. It should come as no surprise, therefore, to find that Italian brand Persol cites the graphic architecture of a villa — Casa Malaparte — on the jet-set isle of Capri as the innovative source for its latest frame design, the Capri Edition 3024-S. Available in five frame options: tortoiseshell, blue, green, black and Havana (pictured), and a variety of lenses, the Capri Edition follows the same linear detailing seen in the Casa Malaparte, built in 1937 by Italian Rationalist architect Adalberto Libera.
Capri Edition shades in Havana with blue tinted lenses £230 by PERSOL; available from Sunglass Hut 0844-264 0860
The New G-Force Watch
Not that we expect you to be manning a fighter plane any time soon, but G-Shock Premium’s latest Aviator watch, the GW 4000D-1 AER — which debuted at the Baselworld Watch Show last week — has been inspired by airborne pursuits. Incorporating ‘Triple G Resist’ technology and featuring a new polyurethane gel to protect its components, the timepiece — out in April — also has finely balanced hands that maintain precise operation in excess of 12G. Suddenly there is no excuse for not taking that pilot’s licence course.
GW 4000D 1-AER Aviator watch £400 by G-SHOCK PREMIUM; g-shock.co.uk
The Viktor & Rolf Fragrance
Aiming to parallel the success of its female fragrance Flowerbomb, Viktor & Rolf has launched Spicebomb, featuring the intensity of two incandescent spices: chilli and saffron. The feisty duo are combined with seductive notes of leather, tobacco, vetiver, bergamot, grapefruit, elemi and, wait for it, pink pepper. Having debuted exclusively at Harrods, Spicebomb, which is encased in a ‘hand grenade’ cut from smoked glass, now rolls out nationwide.
Spicebomb eau de toilette £45 for 50ml, £60 for 90ml by VIKTOR & ROLF; 020-7730 1234
The M&S England Suit
Most of us — including the England football team — can only dream of scoring the winning goal in a major international tournament. And while it won’t get us — or them — any closer to realising those dreams, Marks & Spencer can at least help us look the part with its exclusive Euro 2012 England team suit. The modern, slim-fitting Autograph two-button, navy blue wool suit boasts a continental-inspired rolled-shoulder line, narrow lapels, slanted pockets and even has the World Cup winner’s star in the lining.
Autograph suit £199, Autograph shirt £29.50, Autograph tie £19.50 and shoes £49.50 all by MARKS & SPENCER; marksandspencer.com
The 10-in-1 moisturiser from Lab Series
It’s convenient when things are rolled into one. Like a Swiss Army knife. Now Lab Series is at it with its latest wonder product, a 10-in-1 moisturiser with camouflaging natural tint, sun protection and oil control. The BB Tinted Moisturiser SPF35 uses state-of-the-art Tagra technology to match the balm’s pigment to all skin tones. Available from 16 March.
BB Tinted Moisturiser SPF35 £32 for 50ml by LAB SERIES FOR MEN; labseries.co.uk
The Bracelets
Macramé, in case you aren’t aware, is not only one of the most decorative forms of textile making, but is also one of the most durable, as it uses knotting rather than weaving. The new Tateossian range of Cubo Ibiza bracelets are made from Japanese silk, and use the intricate macramé technique to join cube-shaped, semi-precious stones and sterling silver pieces. Available in lapis, onyx and an exclusive collaborative Tiger’s Eye design by Robert Tateossian and ShortList’s style director Adrian Clark, you can wear them individually for a subtle look or pile them high to indulge in this summer’s hippy-stack traveller trend.
Tiger’s eye, lapis and onyx Cubo Ibiza macramé bracelets £95 each by TATEOSSIAN; tateossian.com
The Tom Ford Parfums
The lavender boom is showing no sign of subsiding, as evidenced by the news that Tom Ford’s Lavender Palm has made its way across the pond. Originally only stocked in his Beverly Hills store, Tom Ford’s fragrance boasts key ingredients of palm leaf accord and two types of lavender, and will be available at all Tom Ford Private Blend counters in Britain from this week.
Private Blend Lavender Palm eau de parfum £125 for 50ml, £285 for 250ml decanter by TOM FORD; 0870-034 2566
The Showerproof Duffel
A coat that is able to keep you dry without sacrificing your style credentials is essential. One of our favourites, available from March, is Hackett’s tailored duffel. Cut from a Loro Piana showerproof fabric, it boasts hidden buttons, toggles and a detachable hood. Best of all, the coat is half-lined with shirting fabric, meaning it is lightweight, comfortable and breathable.
Red linen/cotton mix duffel coat £795 byHACKETT; hackett.com
The new three-step grooming regime
Cold mornings can cause havoc with a chap's skin. But, L’Oréal Paris Men Expert’s new three-step grooming regime means you now have no excuse. The Hydra Energetic Xtreme range features a daily wash, turbo booster moisturiser and tanning gel, all of which should ensure you look more July than January.
Hydra Energetic Xtreme Moisturising Gel Instant Healthy Look £9.99 for 50ml, Daily Purifying Wash ‘Magnetic’ Effect £5.99 for 150ml and Recharging Moisturiser Turbo Booster £14.99 for 50ml all by L’OREAL PARIS MEN EXPERT; 0800-030 4032
The French Connection knit collection
Nothing brings instant feel-good factor like cashmere. And when it’s combined with other yarns, like in this gingerbread coloured sweater, it often results in eye-catching patterns and textures. French Connection’s spring knits collection plays with 3D knitting techniques, and this rope-patterned, honeycomb effect, crew-neck jumper is the pick of the range. A great staple, it will work with both an autumnal and high-summer wardrobe palette.
Cotton and cashmere mix sweater £130 by French Connection; frenchconnection.com
The Johnny Marr Ray-Ban's
So this is just another pair of Ray-Bans, right? Wrong. This is one of just 1,500 specially commissioned Ray-Bans designed in collaboration with former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. “When I first started with The Smiths I wore Ray-Bans all the time,” he says. “I used to work in a shop in Manchester during the early Eighties, and we were the first to sell Ray-Ban, I recall. I purposely ordered a pair for myself so I could be one of the few people in Manchester at the time to own a pair.” Act fast, and you could be one of very few to own these.
RB3493 Signet glasses with blue Legend lenses £156 by RAY-BAN; 0844-264 0870
The Ralph Lauren footwear collection
With inspirations as diverse as Sixties’ Mayfair to the rugged Yorkshire moors, Ralph Lauren has unveiled a stellar new collection of boots exclusively available at his UK flagship store. Our favourite is this hiker boot in hand burnished dark brown calf leather. Made in Italy, it features full leather lining, traditional lace-up hooks and a padded ankle, so you can actually tramp them up a mountain. Not that we we’d recommend you risk scuffing such a well-crafted piece of kit.
Fidel boot £1,195 by RALPH LAUREN; exclusive to the Ralph Lauren flagship store, 1 New Bond St, London W1; 020-7535 4600
The Hilfiger knit
No longer is the Christmas jumper relegated to the festive season dinners and office Christmas parties. No, they're good for any time of year. Our favourite is this red and white argyle style from Tommy Hilfiger’s ‘Preppy Holiday’ range, available in the new flagship store on Brompton Road, Knightsbridge.
Preppy Holiday collection seasonal knit £135 by TOMMY HILFIGER; 020-7479 7550
The Pearl Cufflinks
There are few occasions in a man’s life when it’s appropriate to invest in fine jewellery (unless you’re Elton John). But when you do, we would recommend a splurge on these South Sea pearl cuff links, created by Richard James. Available exclusively from James’s bespoke emporium in London’s Clifford Street, they’re the perfect accompaniment to a textured white shirt and black dinner jacket.
White gold and pearl bespoke cuff links £2,925 by RICHARD JAMES; 020-7434 0171
The M&S Heritage Collection
Vintage items are huge at the moment. Among the most sought-after are Seventies and Eighties Marks & Spencer knits. Armed with this knowledge, M&S designers trailed eBay and charity shops to find the best examples of their own sweaters from decades past (see below), before creating reproductions. Our favourite is this subtle beige shaded mix-yarn crew-neck.
Heritage Collection chunky-knit sweater £49.50 by MARKS & SPENCER; marksandspencer.com
The Arrow Shirt
Arrow shirts are one of the United States’ best-kept sartorial secrets, and are now available in the UK. And this ‘Western’ vintage wild west-inspired shirt has the attention to detail and high production values that have earned Arrow its iconic brand status. Wear with low-slung jeans and a statement cowboy-buckle belt to channel your inner Charles Bronson.
‘Western’ cotton shirt £89 by ARROW; 0800-123400
The Calvin Klein anti-glare lenses
Shielding your eyes from glare is essential if you’re mountain-bound this winter; snow blindness squinting isn’t just unattractive, it’s akin to having your retinas sand-blasted. However, most winter frames forsake style for function — the market is dominated by wraparound models, last in fashion when sun cream was for wimps. Thankfully,Calvin Klein has come to the rescue with its first polarised lenses. Encased in sleek, minimalist frames, available in black, brown, navy or light gunmetal (pictured), they give enhanced clarity, greater glare elimination and 100 per cent UV protection. Now you can leave those plastic visors to the Italian ski instructors.
Milled metal frames (7468SP) with smoke-coloured polarised lenses £145 by CALVIN KLEIN; 0800-722020
The Chuck Taylor All Star Outsider
This boot is a standout of Converse’s autumn collection. Available in black or chocolate (pictured) tumbled leather and nubuck, it channels its design inspiration from a boot Converse first made for the US military during the Second World War. Good in both urban or country terrain.
Chuck Taylor All Star ‘Outsider’ Hi boots £81 byCONVERSE; schuh.co.uk
The Coach Rucksack
While it may not bask in the media spotlight attracting other European based luxury brands, Coach is still the No1 premium accessory label in the US. And to mark its 70th birthday, the brand has launched a range that includes this sumptuous backpack, which combines nylon and leather. Utility and sophistication handled with true panache.
Nylon and leather ‘Rivington’ backpack £275 by COACH; 020-3141 8901
The Montblanc Timewalker watch
Montblanc has wasted little time in meeting the current hunger for inky hues with its latest watch — the Timewalker Flyback Black. Enveloped in DLC-coated titanium (AKA Diamond-Like Carbon — a substance 1.5-times more durable than stainless steel), it offers minimalist elegance. Pair that with a crocodile-skin strap, a sapphire crystal back and a limited-edition run of just 300, and you have a recipe for wrist envy.
Timewalker Flyback Black in Titanium DLC is available now; £7,700 by MONTBLANC; montblanc.com
The M&S blazer
We all want to channel a bit of Robert Redford, whether it be his rugged looks and devilish charm or just his sartorial style. And now, thanks to Marks & Spencer’s blazer — created exclusively with Leeds’ Moon mill, who has 174 years of tweed-weaving heritage — we can at least do the latter.
Tweed blazer £129 by MARKS & SPENCER, available in 40 stores nationwide; 0845-302 1234
The Hardy Amies’ Cardigan
Allow this chunky double-breasted cardigan to fire a bolt of colour into your wardrobe. Inspired by the travels of the label’s founder, Sir Hardy Amies, it reminds us of something Cary Grant would have worn for a suave night out in Hollywood.
Geelong lambswool cardigan £825 by HARDY AMIES; hardyamies.com
The Barbour Steve McQueen Jacket
There’s never been a better time to unleash your inner Steve McQueen, as Barbour has just launched a new collection inspired by the motorcycle-loving icon. The capsule limited-edition range features shirts, knitwear and jackets — including this distressed wax cotton ‘Rexton’, which recreates a McQueen favourite (inset).
‘Rexton’ jacket £429 by BARBOUR STEVE MCQUEEN COLLECTION; 0800-009988
The Paul Smith Luxury Case Collection
The case you’re staring at isn’t just any hard-shell case. This is part of the ‘Steamer Trunk’ collection, the first foray into polycarbonate hybrid hard-shell suitcases by Sir Paul Smith. Inspired by the elegant days of Cunard cruise liner travel, the collection is available in either matt black, Navajo blue (pictured) or British racing green. The cases start at £345, with weights ranging from 3.4kg to 5.7kg, and features include a vintage striped leather tab and leather handle for maximum comfort.
Steamer Trunk £435 by PAUL SMITH; paulsmith.co.uk
The Dsquared2’s Potion
“We wanted to create a scent that, even after a man has left the room, leaves behind a lingering trail of seduction.” Not our words, but the words of Dean and Dan Caten, twin brothers and founders of Dsquared2. And they have achieved this with their latest fragrance, Potion For Man. The brothers have opted for an eau de parfum blend, complemented by a collection of body products. Using a recipe that includes red mint, angelica, thyme and cinnamon, the infusion is destined to become autumn’s defining scent.
Potion Aftershave £24.50 for 100ml, Perfume Oil £53 for 15ml, Hair & Body
The innovative Chanel watch
J12 set to revolutionise the industry If your last bonus is still burning a hole in your pocket, you need look no further than Chanel’s latest timepiece. Using revolutionary titanium ceramic for an ultra-lightweight feel, the J12 Chromatic is virtually indestructible and is set to become one of the most coveted watches in the world.
J12 Chromatic Automatic £3,750 by CHANEL; 020-7499 0005
The Facial Fuel
Behold the latest addition to Kiehl’s Facial Fuel family of solutions: Transformer Age Correcting Moisture Gel For Men. It’s a lightweight gel/cream formula featuring seven active ingredients that helps keep skin hydrated for 24 hours while also combating signs of ageing. If an ambitious clockwork robot doesn’t steal it first…
Facial Fuel Transformer Age Correcting Moisture Gel £27 for 75ml by KIEHL’S; kiehls.co.uk
The 'London 2012' Timepiece
Omega is celebrating the London Olympics with an updated re-edition of its first ever Seamaster timepiece, created in 1948, when London last hosted the sporting spectacular. Issued exactly one year before the 2012 opening ceremony (27 July), the Seamaster 1948 Co-Axial ‘London 2012’ has a state-of-the-art Co-Axial movement, a 39mm polished and brushed stainless steel case, is water resistant to 400ft and has an 18-carat yellow gold medallion embossed with the 2012 logo in the caseback. Limited to 1,948 pieces (see what they did there?), it’s an instant collector’s item.
Seamaster 1948 Co-Axial ‘London 2012’ by OMEGA £3,450; 0845-272 3100
The Roja Male Scent
As founder of the Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie in Harrods and a 20-year association with Guerlain under his belt, master perfumer Roja Dove is Britain’s most authoritative voice on fragrance. So we were very excited to learn that this month he is launching Scandal Pour Homme — Roja Parfums’ first ever fragrance for men. A concentrated eau de parfum, it has notes of basil, spearmint, lavender and tarragon. “I’ve wanted to make a male fragrance for years,” says Dove, “but I wanted it — as my first — to be exceptional and very special.” We can testify that it is.
Scandal Pour Homme EDP £175 for 100ml by ROJA PARFUMS; rojadove.com
The Limited Edition Aquaspeed
Diving watches were one of the talking points of this year’s Basel watch fair. And while many looked forward, one model looked back for its inspiration — back to the days when Sean Connery would wrestle sharks only to emerge from the big deep in a crisp white shirt and a Brioni tuxedo. Meet the Aquaspeed by Rotary. Influenced by a vintage archive Rotary model, only 500 of this limited-edition stainless-steelstyle timepiece have been produced by the Swiss brand. The chronograph features an interchangeable strap: stainlesssteel bracelet (shown) and black rubber — complete with the tool kit to swap them over. The watch also boasts a rotating diver’s bezel, a crown guard and, as should be expected with something this fine, a lifetime guarantee.
Aquaspeed by ROTARY £299; rotarywatches.com
The Prada Bowling Bag
We’re not huge fans of heavily branded designer accessories, but an element of tongue-in-cheek irony can add some fun to your wardrobe. Prada’s latest collection of accessories, which includes weekend holdalls, wallets and in-flight wheelie cases, does just this. Influenced by Sixties nostalgia, with a vintage collegiate locker-room vibe, the ‘Righe’ collection (‘righe’ is Italian for ‘stripe’) is crafted from fine saffiano leather. Our favourite item is this bowling bag. Yes it’s pricey, but it’s guaranteed to make you the centre of attention.
Saffiano ‘Righe’ leather ‘bowling bag’ holdall £970 by PRADA; prada.com
The Marcello Shorts
A holiday wardrobe that channels the Côte d’Azur over Camber Sands can provide a styling dilemma, but there is a middle ground. That’s where Marcello Conti comes in. Created by former British Voguette, Jordana Yechiel, who wanted to bridge a gap between the flashy, nouveau riche styles and basic sports swimwear, the range includes shorts in six different retro prints (inspired by Seventies wallpaper) each available in three lengths: the ‘Mykonos’ which is the shortest; the mid-length ‘Monaco’ (pictured) and the ‘Hamptons’ — more a tailored board short. They each come in a water-resistant zip-up wash bag in the same print, so you can take them off after a day in the surf and throw them in your bag without a dampening risk to your tablet or smartphone. Conti also has a range of simply-styled short and long-sleeve polo tops in jersey or pique, in solid colours that co-ordinate with the short prints, taking you from the pool to the bar.
Palm print ‘Monaco’ swim shorts £110 by MARCELLO CONTI; marcelloconti.com
