THE STRAW HATS

BY POP KAMPOL

SHOP IT: Contrasting stripe straw hat from MY BOB

Straw hats have been keeping the summer sun out of our eyes for over half of a millennium. One appeared on the head of Giovanni Arnolfini in Jan van Eyck’s famous portrait of 1434. Of course, the most famous straw hat is the traditional brimmed hat from Ecuador that’s made from the plaited leaves of the toquilla plant. The 'Panama' hat has been popular since the 19^th century, but popularity became a craze when President Theodore Roosevelt was photographed wearing one on his visit to view the construction of the Panama Canal.

 SHOP IT: Brown trilby straw hat with blue and white floral printed twisted band from PAUL SMITH

Panamas are best worn with light summer-weight suits, such as cotton, linen and silk. They are made specifically for the tropical sun, light-weight and breathable material. A key feature of the design is its ability to retain its original shape after being folded. The finest Panama hats still come from the city of Montecristi in Ecuador. The highest quality (Superfino) hats can take up to 4 months to weave. The weave can be so fine (1,600 – 2,500 per square inch) they can hold water, and when folded for storage can pass through a wedding ring.

SHOP IT: Natural coloured straw ‘Borsalino’ hat with greean and red stripe detail at the base from GUCCI

 

We’ve selected one of the most fashionable straw hats around, made with the finest Panama weave from Gucci, and two light-weight fashion hats from My Bob and Paul Smith for everyday protection from the sun

 

This week we collaborated with London-based illustrator Pomme Chan to draw some beautiful images. Her work has been featured in The Telegraph, IDN, Grafik, Curvy Book and FT magazine. She has also produced lots of beautiful illustrations for big campaign with Sony, MTV, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Marc Jacobs, and Microsoft. She’s also made us a short video that looks into the process of making these amazing drawings exclusively for Out There magazine.

Artist: Pomme Chan

ART OF THE TRENCH

The trench coat is a classic item of clothing. They’ve been protecting us from the rain and wind since the First World War when they were standard army issue in the trenches – hence the name.

There are so many trench coats on offer from old-school English fashion houses such as Aquascutum and Burberry, to more modern brands such as Armani and Gucci. This week, Out There Style has selected the best of the season for you.

SHOP IT

Left : Beige cotton trench from Aquascutum | Hand knit cotton mesh vest from BURBERRY | Beige linen trousers from CANALI | Taupe dip-dye ‘Cutter’ shoes from PAUL SMITH

Right : Khaki bonded heritage trench from BURBERRY | White ‘Chichester’ cotton shirt from AQUASCUTUM | Black knit tie from POLO RALPH LAUREN

Aquascutum offers a classic, mid-length cotton trench with raglan sleeves, a timeless trench you’ll still be wearing years from now. Burberry offers a modern take on military design, a double-breasted bonded cotton poplin trench with leather chin strap, epaulette, half belt at the back and cuff straps. This beautifully constructed trench is the best modern take of the season.

SHOP IT

White ‘Westminster’ cotton shirt from AQUASCUTUM | Navy and white knit tie from HACKETT | Beige brown buttoned cotton trench from EMPORIO ARMANI | Ecru cotton trousers from HACKETT | Ecru and taupe dip-dye 'Cutter' shoes from PAUL SMITH

Emporio Armani offers an interesting double-breasted, collarless coat available in cotton beige or black polyester. The coat comes with buttoned-flap patch pockets with box pleats at the hip to give a more casual feel. The collarless trench would go very well with a casual shirt and long scarf or simply worn over a T-shirt or sweater. At Gucci they offer a mid-length cotton trench in dark olive colour. The coat mixes classic elements with a slim fit that’s appropriate for a casual look but also works well for the office. These four trench coats will keep you dry and looking good in the April showers.

SHOP IT

White cotton shirt from DUNHILL | Navy red and white knit from HACKETT | Khaki 'Gravel micro hopsack' cotton trench from GUCCI | Khaki bonded stretch wool twill trousers from BURBERRY  | Lace-up 'Derby' shoes from EMPORIO ARMANI

Photographs: Mario Mendez | Fashion Editor: Pop Kampol | Model: George Watson @ Premier | Fashion Assistant: Fay L | Thanks to: Pynk Studio

EDITOR'S PICK: BROGUE TRADER

BY POP KAMPOL

It's all about the brogue - any menswear fashion-week survivor will tell you that it featured on every major runway, from Dries Van Noten, to Giorgio Armani, to Paul Smith. However, I feel that the most interesting of all is Prada’s marriage between the classic brogue and big, chunky platforms with espadrille detail.

On our travels this week, we spotted a cool cat sporting a complete R&R look with these great shoes.

PHOTOGRAPH: SARAH BRIMLEY

Name: Lewis Phillip MacGregor, 21
Hometown: Kidderminster
Occupation: Student / Full-time musician and songwriter
T-shirt: All Saints, Shirt: Superdry, Jeans: DKNY, Hat: Paul Smith, Watch: TAG Heuer Aquaracer, Shoes: Prada

OT Style: What do you think about your shoes?

Lewis: Platforms have always been considered fashionable in the past and we’re now finding iconic pieces are frequently coming in and out of fashion. It’s good to separate yourself from others and be different. As a musician, I think creatively, why not express this on the exterior as well.

For me these Prada shoes with the classic colours and high heels do just that as they tend to stand out among the rest - if women can wear a heels why can’t men.



SHOP THE LOOK:  ‘Grand Shoe’ distressed gold/silver coloured uppers from Paul Smith

Here’s my pick: the best pair of rocker-brogues that you can get online. Paul Smith offers an interesting take on the classic brogue – made from distressed gold and silver with perforated brogue detailing.

SCENT OF A MAN...

BY POP KAMPOL

PHOTOGRAPHS: STEVEN MURRAY

This week, Out There has selected 4 best-selling fragrances on the market. These are unique scents that you should definitely give a try.

PHOTOGRAPH: STEVEN MURRAY

SHOP IT: Wonderwood from COMME des GARÇONS | (Untitled) from Maison Martin Margiela

If you’re looking for something mysterious and unconventional, Wonderwood by COMME des GARÇONS and (untitled), a unisex fragrance, by Maison Martin Margiela are two of the most original fragrances on the market – more artistic than commercial.

Wonderwood by COMME des GARÇONS is derived from Madagascan pepper, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, and several other herbaceous ingredients. The fragrance gives off a very intense smell of masculinity with peppery notes at the beginning before turning very dark, dry and woody.

(untitled) by Maison Martin Margiela offers something more fresh and warm. It gives off a fresh but bitter smell of Galbanum to start, before turning sensual and smooth with cedar and floral hues at the end. This unique fragrance has a subtle hint of femininity that men could wear.

PHOTOGRAPH: STEVEN MURRAY

SHOP IT: 1 Million from Paco Rabanne | Extreme from Paul Smith

However, if you’re after something more classic, Extreme, a Paul Smith classic, would be your best choice. This is a woody fragrance with a spicy sensuality of nutmeg and cardamon before it leaves a sweet aroma of tonka bean and modern musk. This is an idiosyncratic Paul Smith fragrance with a classic twist.

 

If you want something more fresh and flamboyant, go for the popular 1 Million by Paco Rabanne. It’s a very uplifting and refreshing fragrance with peppermint at the beginning before turning to cinnamon and summery warmth at the end. This is one of the best fragrances yet from Paco Rabanne, as proven by successful sales figures.