"EVERY DAY IS KIDS DAY!" A Fathers day gift guide.

Remember when you used to complain to your parents about not having a kids day when they had a mothers and a fathers day? And they’d be like “EVERY DAY IS KIDS DAY”. And you’d be like, if that really were true, things would be pretty different round here…

And so this brings me to the point of my post, it is that time of year when we bestow gifts upon our beloved dads to say thanks for the lessons they have taught us. Wisdom from Bunny (that’s my dad’s nickname by the way) includes:

• On big meanies at school: “When you know someone so well that you can anticipate how they will react in a situations and they then behave in the way you expected you shouldn’t get upset or angry. You know they are going to do it. Except it and don’t get frustrated.”

• On relationships: “Love isn’t always enough. You have to like the person as well”

• On asking for some Miss Sixty jeans: “Give your head a shake girl, who’d you think I am? The bank of England?”

Oh, dontcha feel the wiser for reading that? Amen, Bunny. Amen. But lets get to the crux of the matter and discuss potential gifts. Sick of buying socks? Yeah! Sick of buying books? Yeah! Sick of buying clothes that he only wears when you come round to lunch? Hell yeah! So, here are some suggestions covering the safe, comedy and classic options for Fathers day.

Lazy days Dad: His perfect day involves crashing out in front of the TV after a Sunday roast and maybe (if the conditions are permitting) having an afternoon snooze.
Suggestion: 3:10 to Yuma, the modern re-make of a classic western. £7.99 including delivery.

Snores so loud that wakes himself up Dad: The neighbours think it is thundering, when you go on holiday the locals think a boat has hit rocks and is sinking. Loud doesn’t even come close to describing the noise.
Suggestion: A hilarious head brace thing from Snoozer. Can you imagine his face when he opens that? Priceless. Priceless. But if you want the price it’s £64.95.

Money talks Dad: He says not to bother but you know he doesn’t mean it. When you were a kid he’d slip you a tenner so you could buy him something on his birthday and at Christmas. The man loves a gift!
Suggestion: Quality leather. Smythson do a very fine selection of classic, handsome wallets and cardholders. Perfect for those moments when he needs to impress by getting a round in at the golf club. Prices range from £65 – £400.
Edith

Fathers day is Sunday June 15th in the UK but the date may differ in other countries.

To-ourist is their name. Fun T-shirts is their game.

I feel I must say, even at the risk of you all thinking I’m bonkers, that I LOVE these tops. Now, before you roll your eyes and banish this blog from your sights forever, hear me out…

Although officially menswear, these designs by To-ourist lend themselves well to the tricky unisex category. The ‘school jumper’ sweater (£88) would look great on the fellas with trainers and a nice man-bag. And for the laydeez, the leopard print t-shirt (£55) would be fandabbydozy teamed with a mini-skirt, blazer and some clunky boots. Now, I know we’ve seen similar stuff from the likes of nu-raver cassette playa, but To-ourist, whilst nodding at that same graphic direction in its aesthetic, is infinitely more wearable. HUZZAH!

Edith

To-ourist was founded in 2006 by Brian Grathii, a graduate from London College of Communication. All of his products are hand made in England and the graphics are applied using a unique process called OBM which is resistant to cracking, chipping and fading (apparently). Check out the website for stockist details and further info.

Pucci, Pucci, Pucci, Pucci

Ahaa-ahaa-aaaa
Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya
Ahaa-ahaa-aaaa
Know what ya doing, doing to me?
Ahaa-ahaa-aaaa
Pucci, Pucci, Pucci, Pucci
Ahaa-ahaa-aaaa

Remember when the Kaiser Chiefs were cool? Remember when Pucci was cool? Nuh-huh, me neither.

Still, I was vaguely interested when I heard about the new Pucci Sunglasses collection. Some of the range is a bit too obviously Pucci (go figure) for my liking. But then I saw these, which I think could be fantastic on the right person (man or woman). Granted, they could also look disgusting on the wrong person. And, although I envisioned my sunglasses for this season being round and quite Elton John like or maybe even narrow and rectangular like YSL next season, I am thinking about reconsidering. Because, sometimes, you just have face facts. When you go looking for something specific you can NEVER find it. The best buys always crop up where you’d least expect it. And I would have bet my bottom dollar that place wouldn’t have been Pucci.

Edith

What’s this?! ANOTHER metal briefcase? Can I interest in you a rather nice manbag instead?

Lately, I have been very disturbed by the amount of metal briefcases I have seen on the streets of London. At first I thought it was a fluke, a coincidence. But now I am starting to draw parallels with my car (an old British racing green mini). On first buying this car (or as my dad likes to call it ‘that heap of rusty shit you like to call a car’) I remember thinking that you hardly ever see old minis on the road. WRONG! They are everywhere. I have come to realise that once something is on your radar, you start noticing them where you didn’t before. And this, dear God is what I think happened with metal briefcases.

Up until a few weeks ago I was going about my normal life, safe and content in the knowledge that men carried their belongings in either their pockets, a rucksack, or some kind of man bag. However, over the past two weeks I have seen no less that five (yes that’s FIVE) metal briefcases. Two (yes TWO) yesterday. That quantifies a trend to me. And I ask you. WHYYYYYYY?

I just don’t believe that there are that many professional assassins living in my local area. But that is one of only four reasons to carry a metal briefcase:

1. You are a deadly hired assassin on a mission to kill someone who has wronged someone you don’t know. Your case contains a piece and a silencer.
2. You are about to or have just picked up a drop of £50,000 in used notes.
3. You are a mad scientist and you are carrying an antidote to some deadly virus that could wipe out the world in 5.3 seconds. The case is handcuffed to you.
4. You are on a desert island and you found it amongst the wreckage (please be aware that it will contain one of the three options above though).

There are NO other reasons for carrying a metal briefcase. None. So, on the unspeakable off chance that I have stumbled upon some growing street trend here, I am going to try and nip it in the bud. If you see ANYONE carrying a metal briefcase (which you will, now I have brought it to your attention) and you can rule out with quite certainty that they are not from categories 1-4 above, then please, I beg of you, pass on this gospel: METAL BRIEFCASES ARE WRONG. THIS IS NOT THE 80S. SEEK TO REPLACE IT IMMEDIATELY. If time rich but cash poor, click on ASOS and browse. Feeling a little bit more extravagant? Then shimmy on down to Reiss. Wanna blow the budget and whack it on a credit card? Then get thy arse to Mulberry! Whatever you do, just throw that frickin metal briefcase in the bin and set fire to it (unless it is stuffed with £50,000 worth of used notes, in which case you should probably give it to me…)

Edith

A summer wardrobe essential… beautiful jewellery

Summer is all about simple clothes, effortless style and sweating as little as possible. Less is more. You make your statements with jewellery and accessories. Which of course brings us to our first hurdle: where do you find interesting, affordable pieces that every high-street store hasn’t produced a version of?

Zoe Bassi is one solution to such a problem. A young Scottish designer based in Bristol, she produces contemporary, handcrafted jewellery with prices starting from as little as £35.

I feel a bit of a *crush* coming on. I can already envisage how these will work with my wardrobe and compliment this seasons trend for pale denim. In addition to that, I *heart* that they are made in the UK (free from unfair labour guilt which is becoming a total drag) and that you can commission special one off pieces. For me, the appeal of vintage is that I’m wearing something that theoretically, no one else owns. If I can now do that without smelling like old laydeez, I’m sold! Oh, and boys, please don’t feel left out. Zoe Bassi also has a fandabbydozer collection of cufflinks.

Edith.

How to… Shop in a charity shop (and not look like a hobo)

We’ve all been lulled into our local charity shop under the guise of eco-shopping and the promise of finding a real vintage treat. A sixties dress? A 70s jacket? An 80s jumpsuit? The excitement! It doesn’t happen. The scouts for retro shops nearly always buy them before they are even on the shop floor, fuckers.*

Fear not though, there are treats to be had that you will find in even the most dire of charity shops. You know, the ones you walk into and just think “WHY AM I HERE, SWEET JESUS?”. Seriously! Here’s a list of 6 things to look out for:

1. Mens shirts: Every second hand place has a multitude of these bad boys. Avoid anything that isn’t 100% cotton and check to make sure there are no pit stains and dirt on the collar. These look great worn belted over short skirts for that St Trinian vibe and tucked into jeans teamed with a blazer for that androgenous look. Expect to pay between £3 – £6.

2. Mens formal accessories: Don’t head out of the men’s department just yet, it’s a great place to pick up things that add an element of fun to your wardrobe. Look for ties, braces and cummerbunds. All of these, when teamed with the right thing look great. Think about a bright tie with a fitted shirt: a perfect work look. Braces with jeans and trainers: casual weekend frolicks. A clashing colour cummerbund with a t-shirt and heels: an evening out. The important thing to remember here is that these things must be in good condition. As eye-catching items, if they don’t look smart, your whole look will be perceived as scruffy. Prices range from £0.50 – £5.00

3. Womens tailored jackets: You can pick up some real gems in the jacket and coat section of a charity shop. People tend to tire of these items long before they are ready for the rag-bag. Be sure to check the linings, especially near the armholes. Make sure buttonholes and zips are secure. Classic colours like navy are always a wise purchase but when shopping second-hand you can afford to be more adventurous and go for something in hot pink. You get what you pay for here, so be prepared to part with up to £30.

4. Costume Jewellery: Most of my jewellery has been amassed from places like the Salvation Army, Cancer Research and Scope. You can find amazing statement necklaces, brooches and often vintage clip-on earrings and watches from the 50s and 60s. Clip-ons are making a come back so these are definitely worth looking out for. Usually, prices start at around £1 for earrings and go up to £10 for a watch.

5. Silk Scarves: Rummage around in the scarf bin, often you can find some pretty pieces, that if not Hermes certainly looks like it. Pounce on anything 100% silk. Square shaped scarfs are great to recreate this season’s looks. Hold them to the light to check for any flaws and to make sure they are not fraying. For a silk scarf you will be looking at paying around £4.

6. Hats: Old laydees tend to donate them (especially the pillar-box variety, which is hot hot hot right now) and they cost a fraction of the price they do new. Great for the wedding season which is almost upon us. A run of the mill pillar-box should be around the £2.50 mark but expect to pay up to £7 for something a bit jazzy.

Things to avoid, pants (euuuwwww, need I say more?), shoes (nearly always scuffed and stretched) and t-shirts (often washed out and mis-shapen).

Finally, before I send you on your way (via Oxfam of course), remember when going charity shopping, take your old bras for donation. Because one woman’s trash is another woman’s over the shoulder boulder holder.

Edith

* with the exception of traid, some of their stores specialise in vintage fashion and usually have an excellent retro stock.

Please note that prices are rough guides and will vary from area to area.

A serious campaign for the mandatory wearing of odd socks

All of this campaign talk has got me in a bit of a tizz. I’ve watched the news reports, I’ve read the articles, and I’ve even taken the online test to see for whom I should be voting. And, after finally deciding whose box to check, I got to thinking about something very important that our fellow politicians seems to have forgotten about.

Oh sure, you can talk about your policies for crime, congestion charges, bendy buses, council tax, blah blah blah until you are blue in the face. But what about the issues that people really care about? What about quality of life? What about fun?

So, I give you a policy as amusing as some of the candidates themselves…

*Drum roll*

A CAMPAIGN FOR ODD SOCKS! At least once a week every person is required to openly wear odd socks.

OK, I can sense I am losing you, but please stay with me a little while longer as I explain. Think of it like this, not only do odd socks look kinda cool, but also when you wear them you feel cheeky, happy and sociable. And, they improve your efficiency. How so, you ask? Well, think of the amount of time you save by not having to:
a. Pair socks out of the washing machine. Or
b. Try to locate matching socks out of your underwear drawer.

Scientists have actually calculated that over a lifetime you can save 1000 hours of time by wearing odd socks. Errrr, that was a lie, but I sincerely reckon that if they did do such a calculation the figure would be in the vicinity of what I just quoted.

And so there you have it; a vote for odd socks is a vote for a friendlier, happier, more integrated and efficient society. Make it your personal political policy from now on.

Edith

The rise of the geeky, salsa dancing man

Yes – It has finally happened.

“What?!” I hear you cry! The modern man’s wardrobe has expanded outside the realms of the traditional for the first time since the 1800s.

“What is this absurdity of which you speak?!” I hear you exclaim! Brace yourself, for the rise of the – wait for it, waaaaaaait for it… t-shirts and trousers!

“You’re crazy” I see you mouth! But no, I’m not. You see these aren’t just any t-shirts and trousers. No Sir! The t-shirts are revealing and cut low and the trousers are ankle-skimming (not crops you understand, regular trousers that are just a bit to short). The kind made famous by the legendary Thom Browne.

“Utter tosh! This isn’t womens fashion!” I hear you shout! But yes, it’s true. These ‘trends’ witnessed upon the catwalks for the past few seasons, on the odd lanky teenager during a growth spurt and the occasional berated celebrity have now made it to the doors of the mass market.

“Well, I haven’t seen these monstrous and beastly things of which you speak!” I hear you screech! Just wait till next season, AW O8/9 for the cropped trousers; they’re in the look books. And well, the low cut t-shirts are being sold under your very nose in stores everywhere.

“But surely only the likes of Topman will be doing something so utterly mad-capped and men-tar-ley, you know, for the international students to wear?” I hear you say! Yet again, my good friend, you are wrong. Gap, Cos, Banana Republic, Hackett as well as Topman, they’ve all jumped on this bandwagon. Banana Republic has designed a formal suit with ankle revealing trousers if rumours are to be believed. And for crying out loud, man! Brooks Brothers are already selling them!

“But these are some of the most classic and conservative brands on the high street!” I hear you gasp! Yessum, indeedio. True Fact. But even they seem to think it’s the future.

“So, what does this mean for our fellow man’s wardrobe?” I hear you mumble! Well, let me answer your last question, first by stating where I stand on this matter. I (unlike Phoebe) wholeheartedly approve of this new look (on hearing this she smashed her fist onto the table, almost spilling my wine, recoiled in horror and exclaimed “SERIOUSLY!?”). I can only hope that men embrace this look like they would their X Box 360 as though they have been separated from it for several months. And, this isn’t one of those cases like Mrs Prada’s ‘revenge’ where I think boys should be sent down the runway in tutus (although, incidentally, I did *heart* that Prada collection). As a heterosexual female I find this look attractive. I do, damn it! I will not be ashamed anymore! I love this look like I love Girls Aloud! What is not to like? A glimpse of chest? Yes please! Showing a bit of ankle? I’ll jolly well take it! SERIOUSLY, what is not to like?

For those of you that I have already convinced with my politically correct and compelling argument, welcome to the wonderful dark side of fashion, mwahahahahaHAHAHAHAHA, (please keep your hands inside the cart at all times); for the rest of you, let me leave you with this thought. Why is it OK for women to wear these clothes without comment or judgement but not a man? If your answer is “because it is just wrong on a man” that will not suffice and you are a sexist brute who belongs on the Jeremy Kyle show.

To get back to answering your question though “what does this mean for the modern man’s wardrobe?”, well it simply means this: be prepared to see more moobs and more leg over the coming seasons than ever before. Shockingly exciting, non? For those of you that are still a little apprehensive or even concerned, let me give you a few words of guidance that will allow you to love this trend like you would your mother (i.e. without question, even when the shit is being annoyed out of you). The plunge t-shirt combined with the ankle-skimming trouser is a tad too much when worn together (picture a sort of cheesy, geeky, man on his way to a salsa evening if you will), but when worn in isolation with ‘regular’ clothes these items are truly fabulous. So ladies, encourage the men to consider something a little bit different to the norm. And men, be brave in these, such uncertain times. March forward and dress for your country! Make us proud. Try a deep V. Try a short trouser (and if this really is a step too far too soon, I’ll settle for a Reiss button neck t-shirt and some Ted Baker trousers rolled up Dsquared style: see image bottom right).

Now go forth and shop!

Edith