Sustainable Style: Neem London Regenerative Cotton - Sponsored Feature

As consumers we've been warned recently about the perils of 'greenwashing', where brands make unrealistic or simply untrue claims about the sustainability of their products. It's always a relief to find brands that seem to take these issues seriously. One menswear company that is making genuine efforts to be open and honest about these issues is Neem London, a company that I've featured here several times before.

Wearing Neem London Cotton Shirt (Image @limityourexposuree)

Neem London Regenerative Sky Modern Button Down shirt

Neem go to great lengths to explain how they go about making their products green; such a level of detail is usually lacking from clothing brands' information. Their range of Regenerative Cotton shirts is an example in point. The cotton is grown using revolutionary methods that minimise water & fertilisation usage to help achieve a healthier ecosystem. The cotton is all traceable back to the farm that produced it. It's made into the shirts using recycled thread, fusing and buttons and its manufacture produces an extremely soft and breathable cloth.

The shirts are very wearable, comfortable and soft, bordering that line between casual and formal. I've worn them for both and they've become a key part of my wardrobe.

For more information here on the blog about Neem London - click here.

Neem London Regenerative Cotton Khaki Shirt Jacket

This is a sponsored post.

Aftershave or Cologne? Sponsored Post

Men are increasingly turning to grooming products which have a specific purpose. Products such as deodorants, moisturising creams and aftershaves do much more than simply provide an attractive fragrance

And here lies the difference between an aftershave and a cologne. A men's aftershave soothes the skin after a shave. It may work as a disinfectant, protecting any minor nicks from infection (a small risk if, like me, you use a double-edged razor for a closer shave) and also provides a cooling effect as it evaporates quickly. In general the scent of an aftershave doesn't last long as it's less concentrated.

What are the differences between aftershave and cologne?

Cologne, on the other hand, is designed without the practical benefits of an aftershave. Its higher concentration allows its perfume to last longer, ideal for an evening out or for a special event. You can apply a cologne soon after your aftershave without a clash of scents as the aftershave will disappear fairly quickly.  

I suggest that you try some aftershave samples and compare them with  your favourite fragrances. Samples only cost a few pounds each and for a small outlay you can select your favourite. I use this method to choose many of my grooming products as it avoids unsustainable wasted and unused containers cluttering up bathroom cupboards.

Another reason for buying samples is that the words cologne, fragrance and aftershave are sometimes used interchangeably and all products differ in character and ingredients. An aftershave is a splash-on product without a lasting scent and usually with antiseptic and soothing properties. A cologne simply has a more lasting fragrance. Buying samples will help you decide which products have the properties you're looking for.

This post is sponsored by Notino.

Laurence Fellows, Illustrator: Inspiring a Return to Sophistication and Style

It's refreshing to look back at the illustrations of Laurence Fellows (1885-1964). His evocative and stylish drawings of men's styles from the thirties and forties hark back to an era when maturity and sophistication, rather than the boyishly youthful looks of modern catwalks and advertising, sold menswear. (This is an edit of a feature which I first posted here on the blog in August 2017).

It's no accident that as menswear advertising became youth-focused over the last forty or fifty years so looking dapper and well-dressed became secondary to following fashion. For young men, their clothes show that they're different from the previous generation; for older men, clothes are (or should be) the vehicle by which they express their self-confidence and personality. In very general terms, the young man follows fashion, the older finds style. In Fellows's time fashion existed of course, but style remained the ultimate aim.

I find Fellows's illustrations rich in inspiration, especially now that vintage styles are influencing menswear. The last few years have seen a revival in interest in suits, hats, brogues, tweed and looser-fitting pleated trousers. Details like shawl collars, floppy tweed caps, waistcoats, pin collar shirts, braces and double breasted coats have been inspired by the likes of Suits, Mad Men, Peaky Blinders and even Downton Abbey. These have encouraged men and women to return to a more sophisticated, sartorial age.

Historically, it was the older man who helped show the younger man learn how to dress properly, just as our grandfathers often helped our fathers. Young men are increasingly to be seen in tweeds and brogue, albeit with a contemporary twist. 

Thank heavens that classic looks remain immutably stylish.