Electronics and digital devices have become an integral part of our waking lives, but when it comes to bedtime; our electronics may be what’s keeping us awake at night.

Countless studies have been carried out to investigate the impact of modern technology on our sleeping habits, and it turns out that our devices are preventing us from nodding off as well as playing havoc with the quality of our sleep, too! It’s not just adults who are suffering from poor quality sleep in the digital age. A study carried out in 2014 found that 62% of adolescents aged 12-20 years old took their phones to bed with them and that 1 in 12 adolescents were woken by a text in the middle of the night at least twice a week.

When it comes to using technology at bedtime, the only type of innovation you’ll ever need is a reliable mattress that will help you get the perfect amount of shut eye. Simba Sleep have designed their unique Hybrid mattresses as well as a number of other innovative products that help improve your bedtime ritual for a restful night’s sleep, without the need for gadgets.

Find out below how the use of technology is having an impact on your sleep and why you should start turning off before you hit the hay.

Blue Light Emission Affects Our Health 

Our internal clock, known as our ‘circadian rhythm’, is influenced by light and darkness, with our brain and our bodies associating light with our waking hours.

However, studies have shown that the type of blue light emitted by our devices such as smartphones and tablets can confuse the photoreceptors in our retina, signalling to our brain that it is not yet time for sleep. As a result, we find it harder to fully relax, as our body behaves as it would during the day.

This is known as ‘blue light exposure’, and is said to suppress melatonin production in our brains, therefore stopping you from falling into a deep, comfortable sleep. Not only does this interfere with your body’s natural rhythm, it also causes other issues such as elevated body temperature and negative moods.

To minimise and regulate your exposure, you can download blue light filtering software and apps which will shift the light emitted by your phone or tablet to a warmer, redder wavelength.

Interactive Technology Overstimulates The Brain 

If you’re the kind of person who lets their thoughts race as soon as they climb into bed, then using electronics and gadgets before bedtime is probably a big no-no. When creating the perfect sleeping environment, we are encouraged to wind down for the day with a dark, quiet and comfortable atmosphere that will help us on our way to the land of nod.

Listening to music, playing video games and watching television before bed increases the electrical activity in our brain and makes us more stressed; not ideal when we’re supposed to be preparing ourselves for some quality shut-eye. Checking your emails once you’ve climbed under the duvet can have a similar effect, and leave you feeling wired and unable to drift off.

Refrain from using electronics at least 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime and aim to keep all gadgets outside of the bedroom where possible.

Our Phones Interfere With Sleep
 

As well as making it more difficult to doze off, our mobile phones disturb our sleep with endless chimes, beeps and alerts as late night texts, calls, reminders and app updates pop up on our phone causing a constant stream of activity that many find impossible to ignore.

We’ve grown used to keeping our mobile phone to hand even as we sleep to accommodate our need to be reached at all times. However, constant notifications keep us hooked to the screen, delaying our sleep and causing us to wake more regularly. The outcome is disruption of what should be a quality, deep sleep.

If you really can’t be without your phone, leave it by your bedside, on silent and facing downwards to stop any notifications lighting up the screen, thus waking you from your slumber in the process.

A few small changes in your bedtime routine can help you banish the negative impact of modern technology on your sleep, helping you to rest easier.

Article by Menswear Style

As the weather gets colder, it opens up avenues for expressing yourself with more experimental styles. As lookbooks become littered with densely-layered outfits, it can be difficult to know where to start building your winter wardrobe. Sticking with these five staples below can keep you relevant, forming a good foundation in which to bring out your own personal style this winter.

1. Chelsea Boots 

The Chelsea boot has been a menswear staple since the 1950s, with its versatility being paramount to its appeal. The boot balances formal and informal, blending itself to a variety of looks; the boot can be dressed-up or down, while ensuring it is suitable for work and play. Simply put, good quality Chelsea boots are classic for a reason, and are suitable to the earthy tones and layered silhouettes of the season. For example, these Chelsea Boots from Crew Clothing are a great investment and will last years. The boots’ timelessness ensures that it will see you through many winters, not just this one.

2. Fleece-Lined Jacket 

In shocking news, winter can get cold. Therefore, it should be a priority to find a jacket that is versatile, warm and of course, fashionable. Generally, opting for a fleece-lined jacket is the way forward, as they offer warmth without being too bulky. Lined jackets can come in a variety of styles; Sherpa-lined denim jackets, parkas and borg jackets, plus even dressier styles such as pea coats and trench coats. The style is entirely up to you, but we recommend picking a jacket around whatever you’re going to use it for. For example, if it’s for work in an office, a trench or pea coat would work, whereas more outdoorsy uses should centre on Sherpa denim or borg coats.

3. Christmas Jumper 

You’ve got to own a Christmas jumper. I mean, it should be law by now, right? Even if you’re the second coming of Scrooge, a festive jumper is bound to put you in the Christmas mood. Not all of them have to be cheap one-offs, either. A lot of designs actually make for good jumpers generally, so don’t be afraid to treat yourself. No Christmas jumper equals instant placement on Santa’s naughty list, you heard it here first.

4. Flannel Shirt 

You can’t go wrong with a flannel shirt, especially a thick, winter-ready one. This versatile shirt from Crew Clothing can be dressed up or down, but most importantly it offers warmth and potential for layering, which is essential for the colder months. Flannel shirts can be used in both informal and formal functions; it’s probably the most adaptive item of clothing a man can own during the winter season. Channel your inner lumberjack; there’s a reason why they wear these shirts, y’know…

5. Reliable Beanie 

Finding the right beanie is a bit like finding “the one”: when you know, you know. However, a good place to start is opting for thicker, more neutral coloured beanies. Keeping your head and ears warm is important (plus, if you’re having a bad hair day, a beanie can be the perfect camouflage!) We recommend going for a black or navy beanie if you want something versatile, but going for bright autumnal tones of orange, burgundy or green can work too. There are a whole variety of styles around now, from fisherman’s hats, skateboarder-inspired cuff beanies or just the classic style. Experiment away, there’s a whole world of headwear out there for you!

Article by Menswear Style

MenswearStyle is delighted to announce their media partnership with the MASCHIO Forum, taking place during the Pitti Immagine Uomo International Fashion Fair (11th January 2019, 4-9pm). The MASCHIO Forum is the first Fashion Business Summit specialising in men’s fashion and lifestyle. Brands, boutiques and fashion specialist will gather under the same roof, for half a day of discussion and debate around the present and future of the fashion industry with special focus on men’s categories specifically.

In the heart of Florence, just next to the Ponte Santa Trinita and opposite the famous Ponte Vecchio you will find the Capponi Palace (Palazzo Capponi, Lungarno Guicciardini, 1) venue, a unique sixteenth-century Florentine Palazzo, with some of the greatest examples of the Italian baroque in Tuscany. This venue has breath-taking frescoes, painted by some of the most renowned Italian artist in history.

The MASCHIO Forum event will not only provide attendees with top business insights, market trends and best-in-class business cases but additionally, will give everyone the opportunity to engage on the Round Table ‘La Tavola’ discussions, with some of the top leaders of our industry. This first series will focus on online vs offline, with the bold and challenging title of ‘eCommerce or die’. In a market where online sales in Europe account for a maximum of 12% shave vs offline sales, the experts will discuss whether eCommerce really is the answer, especially with the current trends seeing Direct-to-Consumer online brands such as Warby Parker, Happy Socks, Ace & Tate, Away and Allbirds now entering our high streets with physical stores. The event will then finish with a chance to network whilst enjoying canapes and cocktails. Read on to learn more about the speakers (Tom, Eva, Diego and Federico) and the moderator (Marco):

Diego Fria, Head of Marketing at Filippa K 

Filippa K is the leading Scandinavian fashion brand with a design and look that breathes style, simplicity and quality. London based Diego is strategically minded and a commercially focused eCommerce specialist. He is a Hyper Island and Berghs School of Communication graduate, both recognised as among the most innovative and talked about digital, communication and technology schools in the world. 

Eva Perozo Guedez, Head of eCommerce & Digital at Santa Eulalia 

Located in Barcelona, Santa Eulalia is a retailer of luxury brands for women and men. Eva is responsible for developing and executing trading strategies to drive performance achieved through planning global digital media campaigns to influence reach and gain brand awareness.

Federico Demartini, Head of Digital at ISAIA 

ISAIA is a Neapolitan high-end menswear firm first founded in the 1920s. Federico is mobile addicted and he leads a team of ten to sell and deliver international projects with complex roadmaps and multiple competences.
 

Tom Graham, Ecommerce Manager at Alex Monroe 

With a degree in Advertising, London-based Tom works for a company with a product which is hand-made using traditional techniques. Alex Monroe jewellery is synonymous with a very British sense of style. Now a much-loved brand world-wide, each and every piece is individually designed and handmade in England. Inspired by nature and nostalgia, every piece has a tale to tell.

Marco Crisci, Luxury and Fashion Executive and Professor at Polimoda 

Polimoda is a private fashion school in Florence, and Professor Marco is a fashion and luxury professional with a proven successful track record of over 20 years across the fashion apparel, retail, sporting goods, luxury hotels, beauty and cosmetics industries. He is an experienced leader, deeply educated in fashion and retailing across speciality, luxury and concept store formats.

Article by Menswear Style

Debenhams is proud to introduce ‘pop-up’ designer Daniel Rynne to its menswear portfolio for Autumn/Winter 2018, demonstrating the brand’s continued support for design talent. Rynne, winner of the Menswear Award at Graduate Fashion Week 2017, has worked an internship with the department store’s menswear design team for the past year and has successfully translated his graduate collection into a commercial line for Debenhams. Launching for AW18, Rynne presents a contemporary take on classic menswear silhouettes; creating a limited-edition range that offers the perfect balance of cutting-edge street style and affordable luxury.

Key pieces include a deconstructed parka with an integral gilet, wide-fit tapered chinos, band collar shirts and baker boy caps. The range combines utilitarian fabrics in neutral sand and khaki tones with meticulous attention to detail seen through the use of fastenings, garment washes, reversed fabric bases and coated hand-dyed fabrics to give a modern twist on the traditional workwear inspired garments.

A collaboration with traditional British shoemaker brand Loake sees Rynne’s handwriting carried through to footwear with mismatch panelled leather brogues and boots. Originally from Salisbury, Wiltshire, Rynne studied Fashion at The Arts University, Bournemouth. His graduate collection, inspired by Dorothea Lange and her imagery of the great depression in 1930s rural America, saw Rynne reimagine authentic menswear silhouettes into a contemporary catwalk collection. Having interpreted his graduate collection for a commercial audience, Rynne’s collaboration with Debenhams provides a unique menswear offering, available now in 5 UK stores and online at Debenhams.com.

Debenhams Fashion and Home Managing Director, Steven Cook says, “Debenhams has a rich heritage of supporting and working with designers and we are delighted to extend this to emerging and grass roots design talent. Through creating these new collections, we are offering our customers something that is genuinely exciting and new from names that they may not normally come across. At the same time, we are taking the talent on a journey to build their profile to a mass customer as well as walking through the process of how to create collections for a high street market.” 

On collaborating with Debenhams Daniel Rynne says, “I am beyond thrilled to have worked on a collection that is so integral to my original graduation show. I have learnt an enormous amount from the process and to have a range in a high street store bearing my name, considering I just graduated last summer is amazing.”

Article by Menswear Style

Each December, the American leg of the international art fair Art Basel descends on Miami, bringing with it a raft of colourful attendees – many of whom are there for a single purpose: to buy art. What follows is a weekend of the world’s super rich mingling with up-and-coming artists across the city – something that makes for particularly good people watching. From oligarchs and their wives, to young artists wearing their…

read more »

      
View Gallery (16 images) 

Black is a dramatic, mysterious colour – well-known for its connection to darkness, both literally and metaphorically. Commonly associated with evil, death and the occult, it represents power and authority, or, in the case of the late, great Azzedine Alaïa, joy (he dubbed it a “very happy colour”). Some people refuse to wear any other colour, believing, as Christian Dior <a…

read more »

      
View Gallery (12 images) 

From hip-hop royalty like Kanye, Pharrell and Jay Z to their heirs apparent like A$AP Rocky and Travis Scott, these rappers and musicians are some of the most influential people in menswear right now

Muscle fit shirts have become increasingly popular in recent years with the rise of the spornosexual. But are they a good investment or should you stick to looser cuts?

The Seven Dials, during the 19th century, was famously written about by Charles Dickens and considered an area that should be widely avoided. Today, it’s quite the opposite and is now thought of as one of most unique shopping destinations of the West End in London. As well as fashionable stores and theatres, it is packed full of delicious restaurants which will make for a perfect place to sit down and relax, during a spot of Christmas shopping. For our final stop of our festive gift guides in central London, MenswearStyle took to the Seven Dials to source some great ideas for friends, family and yourself! There is a broad selection of shops, particularly aimed at men, including Beast, B1866, Diesel and Carhartt, as well as British brands Farah and Fred Perry. If you want to localise your Christmas shopping to one area, the Seven Dials has everything a man could possibly need. 

Finisterre Nebulas Jacket 

We love this insulated jacket from Finisterre (pictured above). Not only is it one of their warmest pieces of outerwear, but it is also made from 100% recycled polyester. It may be quite pricey but it will be worth every penny through the colder months. A jacket like this is perfect for layering, whether it’s over a t-shirt or a thick cable knit jumper. It has microfibre-lined pockets, for added warmth, and a flurocarbon-free water repellent finish to keep you dry.

Duke & Dexter Harli Chukka Boot

This British shoe brand is well known for its premium loafers, notably worn by the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Eddie Redmayne and Tinie Tempah. New to their collection are the Harli Chukka Boots, produced in dappled grey wool. These can be worn casually or as an alternative smart option with a dark suit. For something quite different, you could choose a pair of their classic loafers and have them personalised by an artist who can hand paint them in store.

Nixon Time Teller

Thinking of buying someone a nice timepiece for Christmas? Then it is definitely worth popping into Nixon. Their shop on Neal Street has its own customisation bar where you can create something completely to your own or a loved one’s requirements. This way, you won’t see anyone with the same watch. You can keep it classic with one of the new Porter Leathers or a bit more fashion-forward with the popular stainless steel Time Teller.

Le Labo Tonka 25

This iconic New York perfume house creates some of the most luxurious and intriguing scents, including their new Tonka 25 which has strong top notes of wood and musk, with a hint of vanilla. It would be the perfect gift for someone special that likes a dark and earthy fragrance. If your budget is slightly smaller, why not try some of their plant-based hand soaps or retro-inspired grooming products; such as the shaving cream or after-shave balm.

Murdock London Handsome Skincare

Any Dad would love to receive some luxurious grooming products from Murdock London. From colognes and face washes to shaving soaps and vintage pomades, they have everything any gentleman needs for their daily grooming routine. If you can’t decide what to buy, we recommend one of their Clean and Handsome Skincare or How to Give Good Style kits. Why not take a break from shopping and enjoy a wet shave whilst you’re in there too.

Away The Dopp Kit

This is the perfect place to find those essential accessories for a post-Christmas trip away. We all need a decent set of luggage and Away offer an array of pieces from carry-on and check-in suitcases to weekend bags and backpacks. We reckon the Dopp Kit will make an ideal gift for any guy who likes to travel with an array of toiletries. It’s available in three classic colours and is made out of water-resistant performance nylon. These handy washbags fit perfectly into any Away suitcase as well.

Happy Socks Holiday gift box

You will cheer up any Christmas scrooge with a pair of these Swedish festive socks. It might be a bit late for one of their advent calendars but there are some holiday inspired gift boxes with some fun designs that will make for an entertaining secret Santa present. Otherwise, there are plenty of designs to choose from with their individual socks that will fit nicely into a Christmas stocking.

Article by Menswear Style

Just behind the busy, cobbled, iconic Carnaby Street, you can find yourself walking around the intriguing Newburgh Quarter which features some hidden retail gems with some great ideas for Christmas. For our second stop of our central London Christmas shopping guide, this area of the city sometimes gets overlooked but we think it is an ideal place to escape the hoards of shoppers and find those gifts in a much less stressful environment.

MenswearStyle has done the handwork for you by visiting numerous shops in the Newburgh Quarter to pick out some of the best items to sit under the Christmas tree. Don’t blame us if you end up buying a few things for yourself along the way, there is a lot to be tempted by. The shops in this area offer a great selection of accessories; whether it’s a watch, leather bag, pair of sunglasses or boots. There is no need to panic when it comes to Christmas presents, so take a look at our selection and get those friends, work colleagues, partners and family members ticked off the list as soon as possible.

Lomography Lomo’Instant Wide Camera and Lenses

For any budding photographer, this camera will provide a huge amount of entertainment for this festive season, and many more to come. This retro-style piece of kit from Lomography comes with numerous technical features that enables you to capture images in an expanded format – the whole family will be able to fit into one photo! And with a variety of colour gel filters and optional lens attachments, there is plenty to get creative with.

Shinola Slim Briefcase

This high quality American brand are probably most well-known for their watches, however their leather accessories are also worthy of any Christmas wish list. There is certainly a high price attached to them but as the brand states, their leather goods are made “to last a lifetime or two”. This briefcase is a new addition to the collection, and although ‘slim’, it is produced in tough Outrigger brushed leather that will easily carry your laptop, magazine and notebooks on extensive journeys. This leather will age beautifully over time and will welcome any scratches and dirt that will simply add to its look.

Peckham Rye Large Paisley Silk Handkerchief 

This quintessentially British tailoring flagship store is perfect for anyone who likes to look the part. Peckham Rye is a treasure trove of quality silk ties, scarves and cufflinks. It is the brightly coloured paisley handkerchieves that really caught our eye though, and would make a great gift for someone who appreciates British style and tailoring. The classic print will add a bit of character to the top pocket of a plain suit. With their own full suit tailoring service, you can create a whole look too.

The Great Frog Anatomical Skull Ring 

For those men out there who enjoy wearing jewellery with a rocker’s edge, look no further than The Great Frog. This iconic jewellers, now situated on 2 Newburgh Street, has been in the industry for 37 years and has a huge selection of bold silver pieces. It might not be to everyone’s taste, but their original skull rings are considered some of the best in the business and will certainly create a statement for any outfit. Wear them on their own or layer some of the smaller ones up with one of these larger new Anatomical Skull rings.

Mark Powell Albert Thurston Braces 

Looking to treat someone to a bespoke suit, or perhaps some accessories for someone enjoys wearing a suit? Then the iconic tailors, Mark Powell, on Marshall Street is the place to visit. We love their selection of vintage printed silk ties (each one is a one off) and their Albert Thurston braces. These are definitely suitable for a ‘Dapper Dan’ who likes to make a statement. Their bright colours will add some fun to a classic suit and will be a conversation piece at a festive party.

Article by Menswear Style