I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!

While storming into town on Christmas Eve can have it's merits; some sales will have started and you are much more focused and less likely to deliberate over choices, it's not going to be the most pleasant of experiences.

I've pulled a list of simple, straightforward gift ideas for men that may just save your bacon!

River Island denim shirt £32.00

A denim shirt is *the* day off essential. Pair it with chinos for some laid back style. Layer it up with some knitwear or a gilet for your Boxing Day walk.

Topman merino roll neck sweater £30.00

Equal parts Milk Tray man and Christmas cool; this little black number will look suave under a blazer at New Years.

Burton navy wool coat £90.00

Think of this as a real investment. A wool coat will last for seasons and navy will be much more versatile than black.

Barbour tartan lambswool scarf £30.00

Bertie Braxton brogues £119.00

I would feel a fraud if I didn't feature at least one pair of brogues on my gift guide. These classic tan brogues will accompany a suit or your favourite jeans. You can thank me later!

In the second part of my Local Heroes series, I'm giving you a little history lesson 

Flash back to 2007,  I had just started working in an awful office job and hating every minute of it. After 3 months, I took a chance and applied for a job in Carter, which was then Belfast's premier luxury fashion store. I didn't expect to hear anything back, but to my surprise I was called for an interview by Andrew himself and I ended up working there for memorable 2 years.




Working with such amazing clothes helped shape my personal style and improve my product and industry knowledge and I got the chance to meet some fantastic people. Andrew was/is the go-to-guy for suiting in Belfast. Andrew's quiet confidence meant he not only knew the right fit, you would  leave with your perfect suit and at least 2 shirts, a tie, socks and shoes.









Sadly Carter has since closed, but Andrew & Tim (who was then manager of the Lisburn Road store, previously working across London) have continued and improved on the premise of delivering classic, quality menswear with a wealth of experience and expertise to draw on.

menswear anywhere

Cashmere for Christmas? You shouldn't have!

get some Peter Capaldi Dr Who style with a Crombie coat

Shopping here is a complete boutique experience, with a one-to-one consultation on fit, fabric and styling to ensure you look your best. The store also offers a made to measure service on selected suits and shirts for those special occasions.

notice the running stitch on the shoulders; this indicates a hand-finished suit

Famous brands such as Loake, Oliver Sweeney, Strellson, Baldessarini, John Smedley & Hackett sit alongside exclusives like Eduard Dressler, Eton, Jacques Britt and Phil Petter coming for Spring 2015.

a shearling coat is a menswear classic

In addition to all this, Andrew Watson Menswear is also the home of The Alteration Boutique. Ingrida is the stitch-witch; if she can't do it, it can't be done.

Have you any favourite independent menswear stores? Let me know in the comments and I might just pay them a visit!

Pantone, the powers-that-be on all things tonal, have decreed that the colour for 2015 is marsala.



This rich red is a colour that can easily be added and integrated to any wardrobe with a few carefully selected pieces.
Marsala itself is not a particularly common colour, so look for similar wine-y shades to help you tap the trend; burgundy, claret etc. Team them with denim, or add some dark sophistication to your work wardrobe. This versatile colour palette is masculine but playful.

I've pulled a collection of marsala-soaked pieces - but please don't wear them all at once...


Clockwise from top left:

• Samuel Windsor chinos £30
• Peter Werth shirt £29
• Zara clutch folio £29.99 (yes, it's for men)
• River Island rollneck jumper £25
• Boohoo harrington jacket £32
• Timex watch £50
• Joe Browns shirt £34.95
• Last Shoe brogues £55

Red has always been a colour associated with strength, passion and energy so add some va-va-voom to your usual attire with some sumptuous shades this season.

With Christmas looming, any of these pieces would make ideal gifts and get a head start on the trend for 2015!

This post is the start of a little series highlighting independent menswear retailers across Northern Ireland who are offering something different to the high street.

Have you been cultivating a lipwarmer this Movember?

Once a year, men across the globe unite to support other men in a show of hairy solidarity, growing moustaches in support of charity. I have been a contributing Mo-Bro a couple of times over the past years (I am excusing myself this year on account of not wishing to shave my beard off to start again) so a few fellas in work are taking up the mantle.

Boohoo are supporting Movember this year with a selection of moustache themed tees, competitions and grooming tips.


They kindly sent me out a Movember gift box packed with a printed tee, moustache wax (I've been wanting to try it but not plucked up the courage to give it a go) and a handy little moustache comb to keep my top lip looking sweet.


Check out my entry to their #TashOfTheWeek competition. There's still time - enter it to win yourself some goodies. However, if you are entering this competition, I urge you to contribute to the cause too. While it's a bit of fun to grow a 'tache, why not help your fellow man out by donating to research male cancers?