DOES SNOW FALL IN THE TROPICS?

Living in the tropics where it is summer year-round has always been fun for someone who has more than a couple of crisp white cotton dress shirts as his go to staple. Boring huh!

Brighterman , an online retailer specializing in accessories for men, recently launched their AW range from popular retailers Asos, Topman, River Island and a lot more.



While a lot of brands have established themselves as one of the season’s prep fashion go-tos, Brighterman have kept things preppy and neutral.

I know, my closet isn’t one of the most interesting with half of it devoted to plaids and gingham but hey, it has been proven that combing two seasonal trends equals you not looking like a slave for fashion.

This year, Brighterman combined accessories like pocket squares to bring color with well-structured, tailored pieces, keeping the preppy look from seeming dull and yes, it’s doable.

And guess what, Brighterman has also flashed a glimpse of their new range of knitted socks from Gene Meyer – fun!




Just remember not to overdo it. I mean, the combination of loafers, a satchel, blazer and a bow tie may seem like a good idea, but you don’t want to take a page out of the book.

Don't get me wrong, one can still look stylish living in the tropics.

Now, what do I want to get myself for Christmas?

LONDON CALLING: PAUL McGREGROR

Sure, I love looking clean, crisp and well pressed in my usual white dress shirt and dark denim trousers but guess what, I cannot seem to pull off tailored chino shorts paired with a nice blazer.


(Paul McGregor, online retailer and Owner of Brighterman)

I recently got the chance to squeeze in my already hectic schedule with Paul McGregor’s for a quick chat on looking good, staying stylish even off the clock and why having the perfect summer bag is all that matters.

What do you do?
I'm the owner of the online retailer Brighterman, who specialize in men’s accessories. I established Brighterman about 2 years ago and from that have been heavily interested in the fashion industry. I'm also a freelance fashion journalist, writing for online publications such as FashionBeans, Styloko, TheStyleKing, Pinstripe Magazine plus a few more... I like to keep busy! I'm also a huge football (soccer) fan and produce music when I get the time.



Describe your personal style.
Currently its quite elegant, I am a huge fan of the smart/casual preppy look and that's what I have been rocking for a while now, especially summer. I've had an obsession with pairing tailored chino shorts with a decent shirt and linen blazer and brogues or loafers, accessorizing with a pocket square, a decent watch and maybe a tie or bow tie depending on how formal I want to push it. I'm also a fan of retro casual, graphic t-shirts and cardigans hit home with me. This being said, I don't like to categorize my style, if I like something I wear it.

If we go through your closet, what would we find a lot of?
Secrets... On a serious note, linen blazers and shirts. There both timeless garments which go with most looks.

Who or what inspires your personal style? Can you briefly talk about it?
I take inspiration from a lot of sources, whether its just random street style photographs or people I see down the high street. I've always been a fan of JFK (John F Kennedy) and the way he dressed effortlessly. Although i'm not a fan of imitating trends, I do like to take inspiration from them.

What is the one item of clothing in your wardrobe that best represents you?
A light grey, Ralph Lauren blazer. The neutral color makes it go with anything, and its tailored for a perfect fit.

What are the things in your bag? Would you mind sharing?
As a lot of my trousers are slim fit, I don't like stuffing my pockets. So your normal necessities such as a phone, wallet and mints. Then depending on where I am heading, maybe my Macbook, notepad or a book, I am a big reader!

What do you love most about London?
It's never quiet. The busyness gets my adrenalin pumping, and the culture is great. I love places like Brick Lane and Shoreditch, they have some great little cafes and vintage stores. I live just outside of London though, as I do like a quiet retreat.

And the least?
The prices.

Here is a peek into this stylish retailer’s summer bag.



WHAT IS IN IT? I have been using this red and white striped A&F bag for the last few weeks, perfect for summer. The items I have included are a pocket square ready to wear if I am looking to formalize a look on the spot, reading material, a notepad, my wayfarers and normally my phone (blackberry) - Although its currently broke so I could not include it! The bags pretty roomy, so if I wanted to take my blazer off I use the bag to store that also.

BASIC MATTER 22: THE WEEKENDER BAG

Whether you are packing for a weekend getaway in Nasugbu or a day trip down south, don’t forget to tote your must-haves in these stylish bags. Mine’s a large Madaket tote from J. Crew.


(Thanks Ingrid!)

The J. Crew large Madaket tote is made out of cotton canvas with navy canvas handles, binding, sidebands and white piping, top snap closure and side snaps – it’s perfect, sturdy and definitely chic!



Perfect for all seasons, this Peter Werth Navy Holdall Bag is also a perfect bag for that quick weekend trip in the country. Its size means a lot of storage and is a great addition to any look.

Also from Peter Werth, this Ink Striped Holdall Bag is a great addition to your wardrobe if you're looking to establish a nautical trend. With a PU trim and an outer front pocket for more storage, this bag is definitely a must have.

All bags by Peter Worth are available at Brighterman.

BASIC MATTER 30 :IT’S ALL ABOUT ACCESSORIES AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

Looking good isn’t rocket science but hey, if you still have those awful basketball jerseys, cheap boxy dress shirts and baggy pleated trousers in your closet, it’s time to restock your basics and invest in clothes with some character.



You don’t really need to think twice, throw away your most roughed-up shirt from rotation and that shirt with yellow armpit stains, pour it with gasoline and burn! Trust me, it totally won’t cost you a fortune.

For shirts, consider the slim cut button down opposed to the boxy ones you’d usually pick when shopping and remember to tuck the damn thing on.

To smarten up your look, go for this Black Leather Braided Slim belt from Peter Werth, these go perfectly with suit trousers as well as your favorite pair of selvages for a night out and smart tailored shorts for a trip at the weekend market.



Also, hats like the Hessian trilby by Peter Werth offer shade, flair and a twist to your weekend wardrobe of jeans, t-shirt and espadrilles plus, when it isn’t on your head, you can crush it into your weekend tote and still survives nicely.



To top it all off, add a vintage feel to your looks with these Ray-Ban Original Clubmaster Sunglasses. They add automatic originality to your looks and fashion style.

A little bit of new always keep things interesting - embrace it!