Derek Rose On Mr. Porter

Derek Rose Lightweight Cotton Bathrobe £224.12

This post can easily go one of two ways; either it'll look out of place on this blog and more suited on Flawless Crowns or, the name Derrick Rose is beguiling enough to conjure up thoughts of the $94 million guard of the Chicago Bulls. I have been reading quite a fair amount about the website Mr. Porter, and while searching for some velvet slippers the first link I clicked led to Mr. Porter. Then my search directed me to these beautiful dressing gowns and bathrobes by British design house Derek Rose.

Derek Robe Towelling Bathrobe £109

I had to quickly make the distinction and deduced that this is not the Derek Rose I'm thinking of. However, I couldn't help but feel attracted to these gowns and bathrobes. I like the fact that the price points go from affordable to high end, making them accessible to all kinds of gents. Believe me, even for a South African, I can definitely afford the bathrobes within the £100 range. I often ask myself the question why most of these stylish gentleman obsess about their appearance even at home on a weekend. It's because our clothing and style can be very functional, comfortable and stylish at the same time.

Derek Robe Towelling Bathrobe £108.68

So, as we head into the new year consider a more stylish wardrobe in as far as loungewear and nightwear is concerned. This isn't only a mandate for you, it applies to me as well.

Derek Rose Cashmere Dressing Gown £2, 933. 33

A little bit about Derek Rose with reference to the gowns and robes, taken from Mr. Porter: DEREK ROSE is a family business, based on Savile Row in London, specialising in top-quality nightwear and loungewear. Only the finest materials are used, and all patterns and textiles are designed in-house. Over the years Derek Rose has supplied royalty, film stars and music legends. The right pyjamas can imbue the wearer with a timeless masculine elegance. Plus, it is always worth looking good at night – you never know when the fire alarm will go off.

PG: Man to man, generation to generation.

The Pastor Said Not To Wear A Necktie

For our Christmas service at our church, we were instructed to dress down. Smart-casual was the memo. And it was stated quite emphatically that no necktie necessary for the gents. I opted, therefore, for this combination of a cotton shirt, no...it's not denim, and this black, two-button linen jacket. A talking point in the past two weeks, however, has been this Polo button on the lapel. When I relayed the story to a friend of mine, at a wedding two weeks ago, that I retrieved the button from a pair of soft leather Polo shoes that I threw out after wearing them to death, he just simply laughed. After making the decision to throw the shoes out I decided to cut out the Polo buttons because I deemed them serviceable, especially at a later stage. Fast forward to the past two weeks, and I've managed to use them as lapel decorations on my jackets. As minute as they may appear, they are both visually arresting and a great talking point. The first question has been, "now where in the world did you get the Polo button?" The answer, naturally, has been met with incredulous guffaws and stares. This is definitely my latest obsession in sartorial quirks. I'm trying to personalise this style of mine, and I'm learning and loving every minue of it. Merry and blessed Christmas, everybody. Now for that Magic, Thunder game.

PG: Man to man, generation to generation.

Last Minute Christmas Shopping For Him: Panama Hat

Deventio Men's Panama Hat R499

If you're looking for the perfect headgear for summer, whether for yourself, another gentleman, or trying to guide your significant other in the right direction, then this panama hat is the best item your Christmas bonus can buy. I can't think of a more stylish item to protect and cover your head with than this panama obtainable from Cape Union Mart. Available in a cream shade it is the best complement to most summer outfits; whether dressed up or dressed down, this panama hat is the perfect accessory. A panama offers a gentleman a great opportunity to achieve a distinctive elegance, and even though a first time wearer will feel self-conscious, over time the hat will feel natural. So, to the beach, a braai, an afternoon at the upcoming cricket or the Hazelmere Dam Jazz festival, you're covered, literally. This is a wise choice especially because it is essential, functional and stylish.

PG: Man to man, generation to generation.

Shorts And How To Wear Them

There is no better time to experiment with different types of garments like in summer. This presents you with the opportunity to try certain looks and combinations. One such combination has always been shorts with a jacket. Because it is a look I avoided in the past, I felt compelled to try it this time because I want to dispel the notion that shorts only belong with a t-shirt. Summer style in this part of the world can be so slovenly because of the unbearable heat and humidity. But like I was saying to someone, about a month ago, we shouldn't resign ourselves to mundane and sometimes unkempt looks just because it's summer. There are stylish options, and as always one needn't break the bank.

Everyone of my South African readers knows a clothing retail chain known as Meltz. Well, that's where I purchased these khaki shorts by GAP. If you're looking for shorts, right now, then you should head on over to your nearest MELTZ and I guarantee you will find a pair. Long time readers will know that I lionize above the knee shorts, any day, all day. Especially as a 33 year old. I assure you that you will not see me in a pair of shorts that go below the knee; unless they are basketball shorts and I'm on my way to the gym. If these shorts had been any longer, even hitting just at the knee, I would've had them tailored and shortened.

It's a casual outfit therefore this brown leather D-ring belt is apt. A grey and blue striped, one button jacket from Fashion Fusion is complemetary, especially because of its seemingly cropped look. It proportions exceptionally well with the shorts. The footwear is a pair of two-tone (chocolate brown and black) kiltie/ tassel loafers.

With this look I decided to keep the khaki shorts and then added a blue and white striped shirt, and this navy blue, double breasted jacket with gold buttons. In hindsight I feel I should've gone with white or striped espadrilles, and not brown horse-bit loafers. Just so as to keep the nautical theme going.

As much as this is a beach look. I can't go in the water in these shorts because they aren't for swimming. Derived from an erstwhile pair of trousers, these are my first ever above the knee pair of shorts. I could definitely attend a beach party or soiree on a yacht in this outfit. The low neckline of the t-shirt almost precludes the wearing of said t-shirt anywhere else except the beach or other similar milieus.

The Natural Aristocrat and Kleidsam will remember this double breasted seersucker jacket. They made it known that I had unearthed a gem. I had it fixed, adjusted, had the sleeves let out, and dry cleaned. A piece thrifted for R10, it was definitely a bargain.

I deceided to pair these two separate pieces together because of their similar fabric; cotton. The shorts by Dockers are the shortest I have. It's funny that almost a year ago I couldn't even fit in them because of some careless weight gain. Now they zip and fasten mellifluously. I paired this casual, unconstructed, unlined jacket with these shorts because of their faded navy blue shade. And since it came out well, a suit comprising shorts and a jacket shouldn't be too far behind. 

I think for someone who lives in a coastal city, the more nautical my summer footwear, the better. I can't help but feel that I may have erred with these brown loafers. It seems that espadrilles or boat shoes would've been right and exact.

Finally, it would be egregiously remiss of me to not represent my sandals wearing brothers. From the old school to the new, sandals are a footwear staple in most men's wardrobes. Take a walk around Durban and you're sure to find sandals on a lot of men's feet. Even the traditional Zulu sandals are a feature. Tucking the golfer/ polo in is a stylish secret privy to us all. 

PG: Man to man, generation to generation.

A Case For Poly Viscose

I've heard it all before. Fabrics ideal for summer so as to survive the heat are cotton, linen, poplin, seersucker and some lightweight wool. What I've never heard mentioned is polyviscose. In my humble opinion, it is a front runner in the summer beaters category. Mind you, my experience with this fabric thus far has been unintentional and unwitting. I never knew when I purchased the above pictured trousers that they were in a polyviscose blend. All I knew was that they fit very well, draped accordingly and incredibly breathable.

Polyviscose is a rayon fabric made from cellulose ester (obtained by treating cellulose with caustic soda). Viscose fabrics have a silky to matte luster with a elegant flowing drape. The natural effect of the colours gives them an attractive look. Viscose is supple and has a softness that is comfortable to wear. As they can absorb perspiration quite quickly, it makes them very skin friendly, but with poor thermal properties.

Because polyester has a reputation as a cantankerous fabric; not friendly on the skin, heavy and slippery as well (something I can attest to), I find that when blended with other fabrics, polyester has ameliorated. Even the feel and look has improved.

I've come to enjoy and respect this fabric, because of its functional qualities and the fact that it doesn't wrinkle. In the absence of linen, poplin, seersucker and the ilk, polyviscose has filled the void functionally and aesthetically.

PG: Man to man, generation to generation.

The Pleats And Cuff Debate

I was having a conversation with a close friend of mine, not so long ago, when he relayed to his fiancee that I wear pleated trousers with no cuff, or turn-ups as we South Africans call them. Upon hearing this assertion I immediately deduced that he was inferring that I might be trangressing a sartorial rule. A rule, it appears, I have been trangressing for the longest time. On the surface trousers with pleats should be complemented by cuffs, conversely, flat front trousers generally shouldn't have a cuff. However, times change, rules are broken and fashion has evolved into personal and subjective extensions. This has culminated in pleated trousers without cuffs, and flat front trousers with cuffs. As egregious as this may seem there is allowance for both styles to co-exist interchangeably, on one garment, too.

A transient dive into the history of cuffs reveals that cuffs are of Anglo-American origin; while the origin of flat front trousers are considered continental European. As subjective and personal style can be it is important that adherence to sartorial rules occurs, because the discerning eye privy to such seemingly indispensable details will know that the mixing of these two styles should be executed with caution. Cuffs with flat front trousers can be worn quite well. We should, therefore, be disabused from the notion that flat front trousers shouldn't have cuffs and pleated trousers should have. A learning point for me lies in the fact that a middle ground exists wherein single pleat trousers are considered versatile and can accommodate cuffs or not.

Another rule to be cognizant of is the functionality of pleats. Pleats are there to facilitate a fuller shape, and since cuffs add weight to the bottom of trousers they make pleats stand out. What about suits? I may have erred on this one too. In my estimation, since a suit is considered formal and conservative, it follows that pleated suit pants should have a cuff and suit pants without pleats shouldn't have cuffs. This makes sense especially when considering the overall aesthetic which includes the cut of the suit. Winter weights such as flannels, tweeds, worsted wools are handsomely complemented by cuffs. Summer weights such as linens, tropical wools, cottons, should be straight with a taper. You will find that even summer footwear is accommodated by the tapered trousers. Generally, cuffed trousers will have a single break and the uncuffed will have a slight or no break at all.

PG: Man to man, generation to generation.

Kiltie Loafers

It would appear that men's loafers have evolved so much over the years, that said evolution has precipitated the demise of kiltie loafers. The original kiltie loafers with a kiltie acoss the the vamp of a shoe sans tassels, I just don't see them anymore. My interest lies in the fact that my father wore a pair of black kiltie loafers in the eighties, both formally and casually. Everytime I'm home I always see a picture of him in white trousers, sky blue socks, a red and navy blue raglan sleeve sweater and said black kiltie loafers. What appeals mostly to me is the rounded toe of the shoes that borders on a pointy toe; far from the above image of a visibly broad rounded toe. It's still a kiltie loafer nonetheless. My go to ensemble includes shorts, however, in jeans or trousers the leg opening should be tapered for greater display of the shoes. I'm still on the lookout for a pair which espouses all the features that my father's had, for now however, I'll just sit and wait expectantly.

PG: Man to man, generation to generation.