Get the Saint Laurent Floral Shirt Look for Less at Uniqlo

After years of just being something that your middle-aged uncle from Miami would wear short-sleeve floral-printed shirts became a big thing last summer. I posted some of my favourite styles about a year ago on the blog prompted by the success of the ubiquitous Saint Laurent floral shirt. I found myself quite into the idea of including it in my wardrobe but at over £500 a pop it didn't seem like the wisest choice.
Despite it being quite a trendy piece that you might get tired of quickly it can easily become that summer staple piece you throw on with a pair of jeans and a cool pair of sneakers to really stand out. Luckily, the way fashion works means such super trendy pieces will inevitably trickle down to high street shops for us mortals to have a chance at trying them out. And that's exactly what has happened. Uniqlo recently launched a mini collection of floral shirts so evidently inspired by Saint Laurent's styles that you might just think you're wearing the real deal – and it will only set you back £19.90 so you can have more than one style to vary.

You can shop the red style here and the black version here.

The Best 8 Printed Shirts to Wear this Summer

1. Gitman Bros. Vintage Chiquita shirt, 2. Saint Laurent printed silk shirt, 3. Carhartt Cayman shirt,

4. Gitman Bros. Vintage Bahia Shirt, 5. AMI botanial-print shirt, 6. Officine Generale plaid shirt,

7. Sandro printed shirt, 8. NN.07 Derek shirt.

Even though we don't seem to be enjoying much of a spring – in London anyway – I have a feeling that summer is creeping up on us and trying to catch us off guard... I am not the greatest fan of summer wear for men because it leaves very little room to change things up day to day. Luckily, the last couple of seasons have seen the rise of the short-sleeved shirt, which has come back to be cool. Particularly this season, they come in all colours, collar styles and prints. And it's the latter than I am crazy about. A shirt always looks better than a tee or a polo and when they're as fun as these, they become the perfect addition to classic denim shorts. You can easily dress them up or down and they guarantee a lack of boredom in your summer wardrobe. These above, are my favourite 8 picks.

Most Stylish of the Week: Armie Hammer's Double Hit

It might all be thanks to his stylist but Armie Hammer is one of the few men in the spotlight who seems to care about fashion. He always looks occasion-approriate, elegant and manly and he does so without being repetitive and abusing the classic combo of dark suit and light shirt. This week he started out strong in a custom-made red Gucci suit, which he wore with a white shirt and brown tie. He could have only been more unorthodox had he worn light shoes. It's hard to pull of a colour like this and it's undeniable that Armie absolutely rocked it. Later on in the week he went for a more subtle choice in a navy Ralph Lauren Black Label suit paired with a light blue shirt featuring a white collar, a striped green tie and a polka dot pocket square. This was a lesson on how to do classic tailoring using accessories to give it personality.
If, like me, you're a fan of 'Falling Skies' you will recognise Drew Roy from playing Hal Mason in the TV show. The actor attended an event this week in a blue suit worn with an oxford blue shirt and grey suede brogues. Other than the great fit, this look works because it's smart but relaxed, mostly thanks to the undone shirt and unexpected shoe choice.
It's nice to see Joe Jonas ditching the jeans and t-shirt LA look for a much more elegant and cooler outfit to take his girlfriend for dinner. The singer donned a dark chambray suit worn with a classic black shirt and black sneakers, for a casual touch.
Logan Lerman is currently promoting his latest film. For his stop at Giffoni Film Festival the actor wore a lightweight striped knit jumper with navy chinos and deck shoes. He always looks on-point without a trace of effort.
In abstract, tattooed arms, a grown un-groomed beard and a shirt-sleeved shirt is no one's go-to look for the summer. And somehow all of these elements combined look pretty damn cool on Adam Levine. I am especially loving the printed shirt – cuban shirt, anyone? – which mainly works thanks to the scruffy facial hair that adds a tough vibe.

JustJared

Ready for the Summer: Liberty x Vans SS13 Collection

It looks like summer has finally decided to make an appearance in London and I have never been this ready for a bit of sun and heat. My absolute must-have when it comes to goo weather are low-top Vans. A man can never have too many of these. They are a perfect casual touch to any outfit, are ultra comfortable, lights and also a classic.
This season the brand has collaborated with Liberty of London to create a SS13 collection of both Vans Era and Authentic, featuring the shop's iconic Liberty prints. I am not a huge fan of floral prints but they work so great on these. My personal favourite are the two at the top – especially the navy and red based paisley print.
They're available at select Vans stores, online at Vans and at Liberty of London.

Burberry Prorsum SS14: 'Writers and Painters'

I would like if I said I wasn't terribly excited as I walked down the path leading to the grassed field where Burberry had set up their open air tent at Perk's Field. I was hoping for a huge show with live music and unexpected effects (it rained once before, after all) but I was happily surprised by a cool and understated catwalk show instead. Thinking about it afterwards, it made sense for menswear to be more sober. Needless to say, the guest list was packed with familiar faces and the music, as usual, spot-on.
'Writers and Painters' was the title that Christopher Bailey had given to a SS14 collection inspired by David Hockney and Alan Bennett. The artistic and intellectual spirit was made evident by the relaxed silhouettes – low shoulder lines and unstructured on the outerwear, which contrasted with the brand's usual sharp tailoring. It was perhaps one of Burberry's most wearable collections of the last few years, anyone could easily wear any of the pieces off the runway.
Two of the big focuses were the lightweight materials such as silks and linens and the use of knitwear and shirts as outerwear.  I particularly loved the chunky ultra soft knits in baby blue and red and the work jackets, which were perfect for a chic bohemian look. Blues and greys appeared everywhere but also camel, olive, terracotta and white. My personal favourites were the dusty greens, yellows and pinks, perfect for any season. Bailey has devised all the elements that make his collection in a way that makes them versatile so you can wear them at the end of the winter when the collection hits stores and all through the (British) summer.
The coloured suede and deck shoes, striped ties, patterned sunglasses and soft leather bags were some of the accessory highlights. All statement pieces and classics at once – something any man should always be looking for to stock up his wardrobe.
As it's become the norm, Burberry is offering fans around the world the option to pre-order most of the outwear and accessories now through their website and at Burberry stores, where buyers can personalise the items where their initials. Making every piece even more special.
Have a look below at my selection of looks and at the closer look I got of the collection at the showroom. Get cracking putting your wish lists together, the commercial collection is going to be a hit!

Courtesy of Burberry

Devoted to Dolce & Gabbana F/W13

Dolce & Gabbana was my first show this season in Milan. I knew because of the vibrant colours of the Baroque flowers on the invite that I could expect a collection full of energy, which I very much needed after my 5am wakeup call.
The FW13 collection is very aptly entitled 'Devotion'. It was a love letter to Sicily, its traditions and its people. Just like the season before the 82 men and boys who walked the runway had been cast from Sicilian towns – Taormina, Palermo, Siracusa...
This season Domenico and Stefano played with different graphic motifs such as religious buildings or different images of the Madonna but, mostly, their intention was to make a signature of their florals so that just like leopard in their womenswear they can become the unequivocal symbol of the Dolce & Gabbana man. The flowers carefully painted over silk blazers of the first part of the collection soon gave way to needlepoint flowers, which gave life and texture to velvet jackets, wool coats and suede shoes.

The new collection was also surprisingly strong in terms of the more 'traditional' tailoring. The statement jackets covered in flowers were accompanied by the most stunning white crisp shirts in a number of different collar shapes and all finished off by hand-sewn lace, which can usually be found gracing the dining tables of Sicilian homes.
The more classic pieces had this beautiful flavour of the past brought to our time by slim silhouettes and luxurious details like satin-covered buttons and printed jacket linings. For the evening, the main focus is still velvet in blacks, greys, deep greens and rich burgundies all with satin-finished wide lapels and accompanied by the coolest velvet lace-ups a man could ever own.

Dolce & Gabbana lifted my mood and filled me with energy. Milan Fashion Week had officially started.

Courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana, Fashion Frankly

Thinking FW12: MSGM

MSGM.it

And so my pursuit for the perfect FW12 wardrobe continues. I have been quite obsessed with MSGM ever since I discovered it back in February when Viviana Volpicella turned up in a total MSGM look during fashion week. The Italian brand has, since then, become quite the cult thing.
Their FW12 collection, which you can see in full here, is full of great floral, animal and graphic prints that, contrary to what you may think, look so masculine and cool. The brand has the quality and the cuts of brands like A.P.C. and the edgy style of what we're currently seeing from Kenzo. Though, in terms of clothing, I like MSGM much better than the latter.
I am really going to try to get my hands on some of the FW12 pieces, which would actually work through seasons. I never thought I'd like to wear leopard print until I found this jumper, which I love paired with the matching shirt as a sort of set only broken up by the grey. Same goes for the flower sweatshirt. It can be worn in so many interesting ways. My third pick is the fluffy grey coat. It's very much on-trend this season and, while more daring, I'm sure it's ultra warm and so soft ladies can't take their hands off you. It's a win-win.