Welcome to the new roguesandbrogues.com! DOT COM!



As of today, rogues+brogues is exactly 2 years old.

2 years ago, I started my blog in secret, afraid of judgement or opinion on my ability or "right" to write about fashion and grooming. But I have grown both in myself and in my skills and my blog has opened quite a few doors and I am so thankful for it.

I am also thankful to everyone who commented and coached, advised and assisted, shared and supported my blog since its inception.

To celebrate and as a way of thanks, I'm hosting a fantastic giveaway featuring some of my favourite things that I have written about over the past year.



The prize includes:

• A pair of Dylan brogues from Last Shoe - as featured here.*
• A Hackett baseball cap from Andrew Watson Menswear - as featured here.
• A Scaramouche & Fandango travel grooming kit - as featured here.
• A set of Stiffies collar stiffeners - as featured here.
• Face scrub, moisturiser and 3-in-1 wash from Wingman - post coming soon.
• A selection of candles from The Bearded Candle Makers - as featured here.
• Beardy Beard Co beard oil - as featured here.
• Purple Dragon coffee and mugs from Ground Espresso Bars - as featured here.*
• A Vita Coco coconut water hamper - perfect for summer!*
• Below The Belt grooming kit - as featured here. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway





The Fine Print:
Competition runs from 25.06.2015-02.07.2015. 
No cash alternatives or substitutions. Full address and contact details must be provided to claim prize. Host decision is final. Winner will be notified and must respond within 48hrs or a new winner will be drawn. rogues+brogues and the sponsoring companies reserve the right to amend or withdraw this competition without notice. 
Prizes marked with * will be dispatched directly from the sponsoring company so be advised these will arrive separately. Vita Coco hamper contents may vary from image shown. Open to UK & Ireland residents only.

You might remember a little while back I did a feature in my Local Heroes series on Remus Uomo.
What do you mean you don't remember..? Go back and refresh your memory!


After publication of my feature, the team from Remus Uomo got in touch and asked if I would be the ghost-blogger for their journal - my first "official" fashion writing job!

You can read my first article, the Festival Style Guide, right here.



I'll be the contributing editor for the next few months so keep your eyes peeled on the Remus Uomo Journal for more summer style updates!

With less than week until Father's Day, if you haven't got your old man anything, you need to get the finger out.

Speaking of "old man", the theme of this Father's Day selection is to help your dad look and feel a little less old.

I've created a wash kit filled with all my favourite products that I've found to work.



While not everyone will use a washbag on a daily basis, it's always handy to have for weekends away or going to the gym or hospital. Avoid novelty bags and go for something stylish and understated. This one is from Joules but I really love these tweed ones from Not On The High Street.

Gone are the days of soap and water. A face wash is an essential to help prevent dryness and regulate oils to help curb outbreaks. I recently discovered the joys of Kalamazoo by Lush and cannot recommend it enough.

Moisturising may not be seen to be the most manly of activities, but it's a necessity to prevent those early wrinkles. Look for one with an SPF built in to protect against sun ageing. Hydrator by Scaramouche & Fandango does all this.

Many men sport beards nowadays (or even the odd Ned Flanders moustache) and a good beard oil is essential to keep it nourished and looking its best. I love the smell of The Beardy Beard Co black pepper, grapefruit and mandarin oil, it will double as a cologne in a pinch!

I have tried pretty much every high-street hair product over the years and I continue to go back to American Crew Fiber. It's easy to apply, has a matte finish, strong hold and doesn't make my hair go greasy like some products... naming no names. I buy mine from eBay, you save a bomb compared to beauty sites or direct from salons.


Hand cream is something you should always have to hand (narf). Whether to soften calluses from gardening or lifting weights, soothe dry winter skin or just to make your handshakes a bit more pleasant for the recipient, it pays look after your paws. Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Cream is concentrated so a little does a lot!

We never want to think of our dad's kissing anyone, but that's no excuse for him not to look after his lips. If he spends his spare time outside, sunshine and wind will dry them out and sore, cracked lips are never pleasant. Molton Brown's lip saver is so far removed from the greasy horrors of Vaseline. It's nourishing and doesn't make you look like you've been snogging the butter.

Packing while travelling is never a fun task and we inevitably bring more than we need so where we have the chance to streamline our luggage, grab it! The Mint Boom 3-in-1 wash from Wingman works as a shower gel, shampoo and shave gel. While perhaps not ideal for everyday, it's great for trips and the minty zing is so refreshing!

Personally, I don't like my deodorant to smell like a deodorant. I don't want that typical "masculine" scent, so I always go for Sanex. It's hard to beat in terms of perspiration control and it just has a fresh clean scent. There's no point in me providing you with a link here, you can get it for next to nothing most supermarkets and chemists



Whether you sport a quiff, a parting or that just outta bed look, a hairbrush is always useful and a compact one, even more so. The Tangle Teezer Compact Groomer is a sleek and small brush that is great just after the shower or for a quick fix up
The addition of the Denman shower brush to be ablutions has completely changed how I wash my hair, It's like a portable Indian head massage and really stimulates your scalp and ensures a thorough shampoo session. (Did you know Denman is a Local Hero? Their headquarters are in Bangor, Co. Down)

For some extra treats, you can get a little bit sneakier...
With so many restrictions on volume when travelling, EDT and aftershave samples make much more sense than bringing a big bottle with you. Just pay a visit to your local counter and ask for a small selection to include in your wash bag. This means have also done half the leg work for future birthday or Christmas presents as you can just ask which was their favourite. You're welcome.

I hope you find some inspiration for gifts here and hope you have a great day with your dad this Sunday. Make the most of the time you have and try not to roll your eyes too much when he starts one of his stories!

In something of a break from my usual posts, I'm featuring a company that specializes in products for the home. Products that evoke memories and conjure the imagination. These are the creations of The Bearded Candle Makers.

I first encountered The Bearded Candle Makers a couple of years ago. I previously dabbled a bit in the craft world, selling wooden ornaments and accessories my dad makes in his spare time. I was instantly drawn to their imaginative and fun names like Dumbledore's Office or Achill's Secret Garden and the unusual and enchanting scent combinations.

Studio Souk

North Down Craft Collective

These are not your standard candles, you will not get a clean cotton, a cinnamon Christmas or a rose garden. Instead you will be enveloped by the smell of soil and the tang of tomatoes as you step into Professor Sprout's Greenhouse. You will be invigorated by the bracing scent of salt and lemon with Hello Sailor.



The Bearded Candle Makers themselves are the power couple Michael and Mark.



Each candle has it's own unique origin story and history and I spoke with Michael to get some more information into what got them started and the magical processes each candle goes through.



These boys don't make candles, they make experiences. 

You can find The Bearded Candle Makers every Sunday at St George's Market, every month at the NDCC and they are also stocked in Studio Souk. If you're not a local, you can always visit the chaps at their Etsy store.

Blame it on the metrosexual movement or maybe it's just a sign of the times but it's now official, men spend more on clothes than women.

*compared to 25% of women

*compared to 26% of women

*compared to 44% of women

I have slowly begun to take a more considered approach to my grooming. While I am inherently lazy when it comes to my upkeep, I'm becoming more interested in learning how products can improve and affect my skin and my overall appearance.

In the latest piece in my series, I'm featuring the hirsute heroes of The Beardy Beard Co.


The company has been on my radar since the start of the year. Beard oil is a booming market but it seems every bloke with a few hairs on his chin thinks he can manufacture and market beard oil. The market is becoming saturated in inferior oil, all with similar themes; lumberjack, sailor or biker (like a bearded Village People) and often the same scent.

The man behind the beard behind the brand is Pete and I recently caught up with him.

the set-up at studio souk

The Beardy Beard Co was born out of Pete's frustration at the lack of quality beard products. Being in possession of an impressive beard of his own and having tried many international alternatives, he saw the potential of a homegrown beard oil.


The company is proud of the use of natural scents and oils in all their products. My favourite is the black pepper, grapefruit and mandarin oil - it's a fresh masculine scent, perfect for Summer.


I'd go for the clove, pine and orange in winter, it's heavier, woodier and a little bit Christmas.
If you want to keep it simple, you can choose the unscented oil; it will offer all the same nourishment and conditioning but you can add your own scent with your cologne or EDT

In addition to the core beard oils, they offer 2 styles of beard balm; a luxurious mix of shea butter, cocoa butter and beeswax, designed to tame those more unruly of beards.



What I like most about the company is that it doesn't limit itself to just a grooming product; it's a lifestyle brand and boys club. You can wear your Beardy Beard t-shirt or hoodie, or fix your quiff (and open your beer) with their signature comb.
The company even has a wall of bearded ambassadors, men chosen because they embody the company and its ethos.



You can find The Bearded Beard Co products online, in Studio Souk and selected good barbers across the country.

They say there is honor among thieves but there is fraternity among beards.

If any of my readers would like to suggest or recommend a future Local Heroes post, please leave a comment below.