Style Inspiration: Double Corduroy from Brunello Cucinelli AW19

You've heard of double denim (disparaged by less discerning style 'experts'), how about double corduroy? I've worn a lot of cord over the last few years and its popularity is on the increase. The relaxed nature of the cloth fits well with Italian brand, Brunello Cucinelli (link below), whose clothes use soft, opulent fabrics in wool, cashmere and cotton, giving their clothes a plush, luxurious handle.

From Brunello Cucinelli AW19

I've tended to shy away from wearing non-matching corduroy, but in their AW19 collection photoshoot Brunello Cucinelli have had no such qualms, as the image above shows. The elephant cord trousers go well with the narrower wale blue cord blazer: I'll be trying this double approach to corduroy myself. 

The use of the roll neck under the blazer has a retro charm which takes me back to the later sixties when, as an occasionally stylishly precocious teenager, I wore just such a combination myself.

The wider wale cord suit below can be worn casually, as shown, or more formally with a shirt and tie. However worn, corduroy gives a stylish comfort and allows a man to relax in style without having to resort to shapeless sportswear.

The Brunello Cucinelli, AW19 collection uses soft neutrals given emphasis by subtle shades of red, blue and green. It will be available later this year but these images may well inspire some of you for this winter.

This is an unsponsored post.

Lumen Over-50s Dating App Roadshow: Tickets Available Now

Lumen, the dating app for over-fifties, is hosting a series of free panels around the UK designed to inspire both men and women for the year ahead. Lumen caused a stir over Christmas when their 'Pull a cracker this Christmas' advertisement was banned by Transport for London!

The advert that caused a storm at Christmas. It was banned by TfL for objectifying the model

You will hear from @carlhonore author of recently published and exceptional book Bolder: Making the Most of Our Longer Lives which was Radio 4 Book of the week in December. The panels also include grooming, fitness, dating and fashion experts. The events are open to men and women over 50.

Lumen is a dating app for over fifties. Read more about it in my blog feature here

You can get your free ticket for their Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff and London events now on the links below:

January 15th: Edinburgh - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-year-new-you-roadshow-for-over-50s-edinburgh-tickets-54281512465

January 16th: Glasgow - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-year-new-you-roadshow-for-over-50s-glasgow-tickets-54281656897

January 22nd: Cardiff - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-year-new-you-roadshow-for-over-50s-cardiff-tickets-54281800326

January 24th: London - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-year-new-you-roadshow-for-over-50s-london-tickets-54281882572

Oliver Spencer: AW19 at London Fashion Week Men's

Oliver Spencer never disappoints and his collections always inspire. The colours, cloths, relaxed shapes and patterns are a long way away from high street skinny cuts and short cropped jackets. Casual tailoring is the key, with bomber jackets and knitwear alongside coats and suits. 

Here is a brand that's genuinely moving towards sustainability. For spring/summer OS already uses linen (that uses rainwater) rather than cotton (that uses vast amounts of irrigated water) and this is a step on the way to sustainability. Linen has a reputation as a summer product, but woven more heavily it becomes an all-season cloth. In this AW19 collection wool plays a part, even appearing as a seersucker which is made into British made suits. 

The collection drew inspiration from Alpine mountains and passes and the soft natural colours and textures of corduroy, velvet and wool reflected this approach.

Oliver Spencer AW19 at London Fashion Week Men's January 2019

This was Oliver Spencer AW19. For the current collection see Oliver Spencer.