Staying in style this summer

It's summer, and inevitably we'll all be off somewhere. Whether you're the sort of man who likes to experience the great outdoors first-hand with camping and hiking or are more into a jaunt across the Channel to enjoy the European weather and culture, it's all about (to roll out the phrase) being prepared. Nothing complicated - just knowing what you'll need to look good without compromising on actually being practical. So from pulling out your wallet to rocking up with the right bag, we've got you covered with our summer essentials to help enjoy the weather in style. 

Fossil Inc. have always done a great job of combining the roughed-up vintage look with superior quality designs, and their latest wallets are no exception. The 'Alpine' travel wallet combines a classic design with American-inspired lining and everything you'll need to keep those travel essentials together. 

Fossil 'Alpine' Leather Wallet, £60

None of us like to have more bags than our partner, but in the summer just as with your wardrobe it's important to have a lighter option for your bag. Calvin Klein have some stylish new PVC messenger bags that combine their iconic look with a lighter feel - ideal for those hot summer days.

Calvin Klein Jeans bag, £65

If you're more interested in an outdoors holiday, you don't have to compromise on looking good. The Herschel Supply Co. have a wide range of men's backpacks inspired by vintage American designs yet built to a superb standard to suit any active lifestyle.

The Herschel Supply Co. 'Heritage' backpack, £55

Finally, the ubiquitous holdall (or duffel bag, if you prefer) is a must for any getaway. London-based brand Simon Carter has been taking men's fashion forward since their inception. If you're looking for a bold new look, you can't go wrong with his avant-garde inspired accessories.

Simon Carter canvas holdall, £145

How do you like your leather?

We've all got different tastes when it comes to our luxury leather goods - some like them vintage, some like them to look new for as long as possible. What sets apart these styles is the natural 'patina' of the leather - the features that develop from age and use, such as darkening, scratches and shining.

Luckily, today's designer brands recognize that not everyone wants their accessories to look the same, and offer a range of styles to cater to all tastes. From the heavy-vintage distressed style of Cowboys and Drift to the smooth finish of Calvin Klein and Jekyll & Hide or even the old-school finish of Tumble & Hide, leather accessories for us men offer a wealth of choice. 

The coffee brown 'Cambridge' leather wallet from Jekyll & Hide is made from soft eco-friendly leather for a naturally smooth and unblemished look. £34 at PureLuxuries.com

Whether you're looking at a belt, bag or a wallet, it's going to be developing some sort of patina over time as the leather fibres change, absorb liquids, are buffed / scraped and exposed to sunlight and heat. There are different leather finishes that affect how the leather develops, and of course there are things you can do to speed up or slow down the speed of the patina. Coated leather is generally the most resilient, designed to develop very little patina over time, while aniline leather has little finish so as to expose the fibres and encourage the patina to develop. 

The 'Flyby' vintage leather wallet from Fossil displays a naturally aged 'vintage' patina from the day of purchase. £34 at PureLuxuries.com

If you want to change the patina of your leather to age more quickly, you don't necessarily have to wait years. Using the leather lots and exposing it to daily use is a sure-fire way to encourage the patina to develop, especially on the softer leathers such as aniline. A well-built bag or wallet will resist the challenge of daily use while still developing a unique patina all of its own. On the other hand, if you prefer your leather to have that just-bought look, it's a good idea to go for a coated or protected leather. You can also apply leather balm to protect the leather against liquid, impact etc., which is perfect to slow the development of the patina as well as offering additional protection. Finally, cleaning the leather regularly will keep it free of dirt, dust etc., and will prevent a prominent patina from developing. 

Personally, I'm all for letting the patina develop - I'm currently going with a Jekyll & Hide wallet, and love watching it slowly develop those unique touches that reflect the lifestyle. Get in touch and let me know what you favour for your leather. 

Ben

Spotlight on men's wallets

The ubiquitous wallet is something few of us ever really consider, but it's more than just a convenient way to hold your money. They've been around since the late fourteenth century, and the word 'wallet' was around even as far back as Ancient Greece. Today they've evolved into a variety of styles and designs to suit all tastes and lifestyles while retaining the practical features we all need.

Some of our personal favourites are from the esteemed British designer Tumble & Hide. Born in Britain and inspired by Italy, their designs use genuine unblemished Italian calf leather hand-made using time-honoured techniques for a reliable and traditional feel with a modern twist.

Brown Italian Leather 6-Card Money Clip Wallet from Tumble & Hide, £30 at Pure Luxuries

One of today's leading wallet designers, Fossil combine a unique vintage aesthetic with modern styles and builds to create a series of unique accessories that stand out from the crowd. Complete with their collectible designer gift tins, Fossil's contemporary wallets are a bold alternative.

'Brooks' Vintage Leather Traveller Wallet from Fossil, £34 at Pure Luxuries

The complete antithesis to other wallets, Dosh designs are a completely new take on the classic wallet. Their bold accessories are made from desmopan, a waterproof and highly durable material before being coloured in a bold combination that makes a statement without being over-the-top. Striking and stylish, Dosh wallets are a glimpse into what the future of the wallet might hold.

Navy Desmopan 'Yacht' Wallet from Dosh, £49.95 at Pure Luxuries

One of the UK's foremost upcoming designers, Conkca specialise in bold designs that combine an eminently practical design with a sleek and fashionable look. Their unique designs are tailored for the active lifestyle -  as their motto goes, Conkca's wallets are 'Designed for Impact'.

Multi-Function 12 Card Slots Leather Wallet from Conkca, £35 at Pure Luxuries

Get in touch and let us know what you favour for your wallet, or where you see this classic design going in a few years time. I believe we'll see the design adapt to electronic banking - as phones and cards become more popular for even small purchases, the wallet will change to accommodate these methods of payment. We'll see fewer coin pockets and note sections, sure, but the wallet will live on.

-Ben

Perfect timing - spotlight on men's timepieces

"He was a man of untidy habits - very untidy and careless. He was left with good prospects, but he threw away his chances, lived for some time in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity, and finally, taking to drink, he died" - so deduces Sherlock Holmes just from a man's watch in the story The Sign of Four.

While (thankfully) we don't expect to have our watches scrutinized to such a level, our choice of timepiece is still undeniably important. Whether you're dressing for the office, an interview / meeting or a night out, your wrist wear is an important part of any outfit.

Simon Carter originally started in the 1980's by launching a range of accessories, including cufflinks, luggage and watches, which were received with universal acclaim. Today their timepieces still push the boundaries to create cutting-edge designs for the discerning man. Whether you're looking for a discreet and restrained accessory for work or a more bold and artistic design to make a statement, his unique collection of watches is sure to offer an affordable yet impressive design.

Simon Carter Analogue Multi-Function Watch, £150 at Pure Luxuries

Many of the previews we've had of the latest upcoming ranges for designer watches this year have focused on colour, using bold contrast primary colours to make a statement and add a dash of inspiration to any outfit. In particular, O Clock's designs - with their distinctive bracelet-style silicon wristbands and interchangeable coloured faces - are a stylish new way to add a distinctive and individual touch to your wrist.

O Clock Ocean Blue Silicon Watch, £34.95 at Pure Luxuries

-Ben

Spotlight on... Emu

Despite being well into January, the weather still hasn't taken that turn away from the classically cold December chill - if anything, it's even colder than it was over Christmas. Style and cold weather are traditionally hard to unite, but luckily modern style and designer brands are continually pushing forward with innovative ways to stay warm and look good at the same time.

Emu are a rather well-known designer brand hailing from Australia. Their sheepskin and wool slippers combine the very best in style, design and craftsmanship, with pride and quality inspired by the natural beauty of Australia. Even the brand name reflects their core values - like the bird, Emu stand tall and proud with their resilient, resourceful and decidedly Australian designs.

Emu have been spotted as a favourite of various celebrities and big names, including up-and-coming actors Chris Zylka of 90210 and the upcoming Spider-Man reboot fame and TV actor Sam Page. So stay warm, stay stylish  - why not take a look at what Emu design is made for you.

http://www.pureluxuries.com/mens/mens-slippers/emu/

Men's chocolate leather and sheepskin 'Buckingham Slippers' - £75 at Pure Luxuries

Men's black suede sheepskin 'Carlton' slippers - £74 at Pure Luxuries

-Ben

Staying in shape this winter

It's only just nearing the end of October, and winter's certainly on the way. But just because it's winter doesn't mean that the exercise routine has to go on hold. Despite the typical winter stereotype of warm fires, roasting chestnuts and plates heaped high with food, there's never been a better time to get in shape and show off. Whether you're an outdoors-y type who prefers wrapping up to go cycling and jogging, or maybe you prefer a nice warm gym to work out in - winter is a perfect time to get that body you want. We've got some great new accessories built for the active approach while still keeping you warm in all climates, and have searched all over to the must-haves to keep fit and trim this winter.

Wigwam 'Gun Metal' Grey Excel Socks, £18 at Pure Luxuries

Soft Touch Pure Cotton Drawstring Fleece Joggers, £25 at M&S

Antler Large 'Zee' Black And Red Multi-Purpose Holdall, £48.50 at Pure Luxuries

Ultra Fit® Crew Neck Stretch Sports Vest, £19.50 at M&S

It's just a small selection I've listed above - there's loads more on both sites ideal for the active man this winter. And don't go thinking you've got to cut out all those Christmas specials - with a regular exercise plan, you'll still be able to fit in some of those indulgent foods without feeling bad abut it afterwards. You've got to enjoy your exercise - once it becomes a chore, it's all to easy to make excuses to put it off - so why not enjoy your exercise routine in style (and comfort) this winter!

-Ben

Weekend plans and the latest in Swedish innovation

So, it's the end of another week, with the promise of the weekend ahead. Here at Pure Luxuries, we've got everything on our schedule from films and takeaways to concerts and gigs between us.

It's been a good week - we've just finished a marathon upload for Sandqvist, the latest brand out of Sweden. Their practical designs are a refreshing change, built from quality leather for the active modern lifestyle - the sort of design you won't mind taking with you to a gig or on an evening out. We're particularly impressed by the Tablet PC case, especially the Apple crowd in the office.

Sandqvist Blue Canvas 'Pascal' Tablet PC Case, £36 at Pure Luxuries

Sandqvist Brown Leather 'Veiron' Card Wallet, £50 at Pure Luxuries

Sandqvist Navy Blue Canvas 'Jack' Messenger Bag, £138 at Pure Luxuries

Let us know what you think, and what you've got planned for the weekend ahead.

See you all Monday,

-Ben