My luxury brand of choice is Mulberry. Many think of it as just a handbag brand, but believe me, it's so much more. I love everything about it; the rich colours, heavy smell and supple buttery texture of the leather, the soft patina of the hardware and the traditional skills used in manufacture.

Embossing Mulberry's trade mark logo

I am lucky enough to own 2 pieces; a wallet and a bag. The wallet was a birthday gift from my team when I managed Argento Belfast and I picked up my bag on sale. (A really big sale.)

My wallet is approaching 3 years old and it's just getting better with age. While the exterior has lost some the distinct Mulberry oak colour that I love, it has taken on so much character. Scratched, buffed and softened, it's now a distinct accessory. While I didn't buy it myself, it is a worthy investment and I can see it lasting for many more years to come.

So many cards, so little money...

My Rockley bag is only really brought out on special occasions. A little too large for everyday use, I'm quite precious about it - I don't want it rained on or getting polished from carrying it. I tend to use it as an over night bag because it can easily fit a change of clothes and all my essentials without any bulging or cramming.


As much as this perfect pair is probably more than enough (with a combined price tag of almost £1k) there is always that covetous voice saying "one more bit, just one..."

I used to work for Carter Clothing, it was (in its time) Belfast's premier luxury fashion shop selling the likes of Hugo Boss, D&G, John Varvatos, Richard James and Mulberry. New stores have since begun to stock these brands but they do not offer the same approach to their accessories. Belfast's House of Fraser's Mulberry is housed on the women's accessory floor and as such their limited offering is not very inspiring or aspirational.

The thing about a true luxury brand is if you've seen it, felt it (smelt it in Mulberry's case) you know the level of quality and craftsmanship to expect. With this in mind, shopping online is my current best option. I know that whatever I order, from a phone case to a new satchel, it will still be made of the same leather, the same care and professional skills have gone into making it. John Lewis have one of the largest men's Mulberry selections on the web.
Side note; John Lewis is perhaps the best department store in the UK. Their homewares and fashion collections are amazing, bute've yet to get a John Lewis over here due to planning restrictions and red tape. This is a major bone of contention, don't punish the consumer by limiting their options further! So until then, I'll be pointing my debit card towards their online checkout.

These are high up on my wishlist and with Christmas and my birthday approaching, I can wish a little
harder... (My BF will be rolling his eyes so hard when he reads this)

Classic Card Holder £90.00 A slim piece of kit, this will not create an unsightly bulge in a suit jacket

Reversible Belt £250.00 I've written before about my aversion to black footwear. Should the occasion arise I'm all sorted.

Rose Gold Mother of Pearl Cufflinks £115.00 Rose gold has been the story of the year in women's jewellery and the warm tones work just as well for men

Textured Lizard Print iPad Sleeve £195 Not everything has to be black or brown. Add a bit of character with a bold colour choice

Barnaby Messenger Bag £650.00 This bag is a great size for every day use. That's all the justification I need.

I love their current marketing campaign (with the ever-present Cara Delevigne) and a whole parliament of owls.

I've been hoking in charity shops for years; way before Macklemore rapped about it. Does this make me one of the cool kids?

Being of limited stature and even more limited budget, charity shops can be occasional Aladdin's caves of cast off treasures. As a long-time fan of vintage (I should have been a child of the 70's, not the 80's) and an appreciater of a good bargain, for me finding a wee charity shop gem is much more exciting than spending a whole day on the high street.

I do have a few golden rules though:

1. I don't buy shoes in charity shops. You can wash or dry clean a previous owner out of clothing, but I can't bring myself to wear someone else's shoes. Boke.
2. If it doesn't fit, you can have it altered (within reason). A sleeve shortened or a shirt darted is a simple enough job for any good tailor and can make your find even more unique
3. Just because it's cheap, doesn't make it a bargain. Don't be tempted to hoard pieces you don't wear when you could have invested in something you will use.
4. Be patient. Don't expect to find something every time. Become a regular with your local stores; find out what days they get deliveries, tell them what you're after and ask them to keep you in mind. 
5. What goes around comes around; if you don't wear it, thrift it. Give someone else the chance to find something special by donating your unwanted clothes. Avoid those big bins in carparks, the contents often get so wet and ruined they are just shredded and the fibres recycled.

I picked this little leather cafe racer jacket up in Oxfam a couple of years ago. I've only recently started to wear it - I was too chicken to try before!

You can't really tell from the picture, but the jacket is actually burgundy.

This is probably my favourite jacket in my entire wardrobe. I picked it up when I lived in Nottingham over 10 years ago - perfect fit; sleeves and all! Tweed for a tenner is hard to beat.

I was told I look like a waxwork in this picture...

Satin remnant from a waistcoat I made a few years ago - instant pocket square!

An unbuttoned top button is much more relaxed.

I've layered my tweed jacket with a wool waistcoat, another bargain at £3.50! Your waistcoat doesn't have to match your blazer. Experiment with contrasting textures and tones.

I've worn the jacket and waistcoat over a tee, but it works equally well with a crisp shirt. NB:Always leave your bottom waistcoat button open!

Versace AW13 Fur, zebra and giraffe!

Burberry Prorsum AW13 Don't be a catwalk copycat! You don't have to wear it exactly as the model wears it

Louis Vuitton AW13 Striking accent over a simple sharp look. (I'm still afraid to wear that much black though)

The key is to make the sure the print is either an accent or focal piece, it can't be your entire outfit. Work from a black base for some edgy style, combine a graphic tee with your favourite jeans or use a detail on footwear to invigorate a conservative outfit.

Leopard print is currently the big story but I think zebra makes for a bold alternative.

Blood Brother Safari Sweatshirt £44.00

River Island Zebra socks £3.00

Zara Zebra Foulard £22.99

Converse All Stars Snow Leopard £54.99

Topman Leopard Sleeve Bomber Jacket £35.00

Zara Bones Tee £19.99

Topman Faded Leopard Printed Sweatshirt £28.00

BooHooMan All Over Leopard Tee £12.00

WeSC at River Island Leopard pocket tee £30.00

I think this is possibly the easiest way to wear the print. The pocket is a pop of pattern, but you can hide it if you want.

I accidentally stumbled upon Smyth & Browne through twitter and was instantly drawn to their minimal styling and simple masculine vibe. I was even more impressed when I found out it's a home-grown venture.

Founded in Dublin only last summer, Smyth and Browne is the creative collaboration of James and Terry. Taking their company name from their mothers' maiden names, they pooled their combined talents as a trained sculptor and experienced product designer respectively and turned their aesthetic skills to menswear.

Leather wallets bearing the Smyth & Browne sword

Their aim is to make clothes by combining "simplicity, quality and accessibility... clothes for every man." It was this line that caught my attention. My blog was based on the idea of finding style for the everyman, not getting overwhelmed with trends but discovering your own style. Their ethos is inspiring and the casual masculine styles exude a comfortable confidence.

SHRT25 - orange tee Orange is the colour for Autumn 2013.

Simple cuts, modest embellishment and a deliberate avoidance of stereotypes means their pieces are destined to become wardrobe staples. We should all aim for a good wardrobe foundation, with timeless additions that will go beyond trends and work season after season. By launching a strong capsule collection, they have cemented their identity as men who know what makes men look good.

SHRT31 - classic black polo Do you remember way back I did a post stressing the importance of a good polo? This is it - mine is on order!

Several lines have already sold out which is a great accomplishment for any new business (I'm particularly looking at that gorgeous embossed leather satchel) and I'm excited to see what the coming season will bring. When I spoke with Terry in researching this post, he told me they are already working on their Winter 2014 collection of flat caps and scarves; made in Irish mills using Irish wool and tweed. I am a sucker for scarves so I'm eagerly awaiting this arrival (a year isn't that long, is it?)

Thomond All Leather Bag Sadly sold out, this little beauty is a thoroughly masculine man-bag

With the current resurgence for local and traceable products, it is exciting to find modern menswear designed and produced in Ireland.  They use high-quality natural materials such as cotton and leather in their apparel and accessories and their upcoming jewellery collection is made from reclaimed metals and leather. (Look at the success of Alex and Ani to see how eco-friendly jewellery is becoming big business).

While they are undoubtedly a modern fashion company, I love the subtle nods to their Irish heritage. Collections named after ancient Celtic kings and the stylised knot patterns used in embossing or graphic prints show a playful cockiness; the essence of the Irish rogue.

SHRT22 - grey v tee Their repeated circle motif is a welcome alternative to the usual brand name

SHRT24 - heather green tee This muted green tone is perfect for Autumn.

Accessories maketh the man Key rings, wallets, cufflinks, sleeves, key rings and phone cases (I love the bold phone graphics - each based on Celtic warriors)

My first article for Beyond Man magazine is now live. Beyond Man is Northern Ireland's first digital men's fashion magazine and I'm thrilled to be a contributing writer. Check out my inaugural post on the perils of dressing in black here.

I urge you to take a good look around the rest of the site and see all the great work Lewis Cameron his Beyond Man team are doing in promoting Northern Ireland's underrated men's fashion scene. Give them a follow on twitter too.
While you're at it, check out Man Time, Northern Ireland's exclusive menswear event collaboration.