Italy 2013: Travel/Fashion Essentials

Italy 2013: Travel/Fashion Essentials!

As many of my twitter/Instagram followers & friends may have seen me ranting on about how I was about to visit Italy for the first time ever! I’m just going to rant a lot more in a positive way! I explored so much fashion and culture in Italy, I’d be stupid not to let you all know what it was like. This blog post is about travel essentials, but for a fashion conscious man.

1) A great pair of walking shoes!

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– I am not a fan of wearing for comfort, which was a BIG mistake as I did not realise how much walking I would have to do! So guys (& girls) please if you’re the type who likes to walk a lot, a good, solid pair of trainers (sneakers), pumps or plimsolls. If you prefer sandals, make sure you wear them beforehand to see if you can cope a day in them. Above is the pair of plimsolls I wore a majority of the time. They were soo comfy and durable. They also fit perfectly and were light and great to walk loads in.

2) Protect those eyes with some Shades!

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– being from the UK, I don’t think I would have been able to survive my holiday without my sunglasses. I literally slept with them because I was so used to wearing them a majority of the time. I like a variety of different shapes and colour sunglasses, but I knew Italy was a very sophisticated place and I wanted to make a good impression. As much as I LOVE aviators (which look good on anybody), I wanted a quirkier pair which was also fun & sophisticated. I went with a pair of brown wayfarers. Above is the pair which I wore all the time, ultimately leaving me with a tan line over my eyes! Oops!

3) Straw hats ain’t for those in the Deep South anymore…

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– if you’re travelling to a beach resort or a hike up a mountain this summer, a hat of any type is necessary. Although caps are perfectly fine, a more fashion forward statement is the straw hat which is very light and stylish all at the same time! I visited seriously hot places and I would not be able to have survived without it! I wore the hat in Rome, Pompeii, Naples and Capri. Above is how I wore it. Yet there are many ways you can wear it. I personally do not like looking like a tourist, there’s something so not appealing to how a majority dress, everyday you should try to dress good, especially when abroad!

These three essentials are a must-have for any guy/girl who are travelling this summer to any hot destination.

Other essentials include:

-Sun-Tan Lotion: be safe, and you don’t want to burn. This helped me a lot!

-Deodorant: you need to smell good as often as possible!

-Fragrance: You need to smell amazing on the outside also.

-Moisturiser: nobody wants dry skin on a summer holiday.

-Beard Trimmer: unless you want to keep a beard, it’s best to keep it short, keep this with you in your toiletries bag.

-Simple Accessories: a watch, bracelet, ring or necklace. Just to jazz things up.

-Invisible Socks: no, not stockings for men, they are socks which you can’t see when wearing with pumps to give an illusion that you’re not wearing any, when you are!

Where to purchase: –

Good shoes – ‘Next’ for £10 or any high street store you like.

Shades – ‘Urban Outfitters’ – £15. Cheap and long lasting!

Straw Hat – ‘Zara Man’ – £18, stylish and helpful!

Good quality deodorant and moisturiser from ‘Kiehls’

I wore ‘D&G: Light Blue’ fragrance – a classic.

Invisible Socks available at Mr Porter or Urban Outfitters.

Hope you’ve enjoyed a helpful guide for those of you travelling! – let me know where you’re heading for the holidays? Any more interest? Thanks!

Outfit of the Day: Fashion Conscious Gentleman

Outfit of the Day: Fashion Conscious Gentleman

Woah, it’s truly been a long time since I last blogged. But this new style of mine has really impacted on others (positively), as I type this I’m currently dressed in this outfit, for a night out with family.

Here it is…!!!!

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This look is really cool! Especially because it was affordable, worth it and classic! A majority of this outfit was from H&M’s conscious collection. I normally think H&M is too basic for my personal taste, but their special collections always find a way into my weak fashion obsessed heart! The items from the collection included, the blazer (£30) which is a beautiful bright olive green colour. Everything in this collection is organic and real material. The green blazer is a must-have for spring time, it kept me warm and comfy!

Another item from the collection is the blue textures scarf (£9), which compliments the olive tone. You may not be able to see the shirt in the image above, but I’m wearing a shirt also from H&M’s collection (£10). This is also very flattering and comfortable! So worth the money! The skinny jeans and grey stone shoes are from Topman and Aldo! My accessories include an exclusive personalised bracelet from H&M’s Dragon Tattoo Collection, which I personalised with studs and a real gold Versace ring with the logo. You need a little bling to jazz up an outfit!

This image (below) allows you to see closer and in more detail of the shirt and how well they contrast with the blazer!

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This image (above) shows a close up of then shirt cuff at the arm and my accessories in detail. I love bracelets and rings, creating my own personal style. These accessories made my outfit more smart casual. Perfect for an evening out or a day trip in town!

Would love some feedback and comments on what you think about this style?!

Also follow me on Instagram: @suitandtied or my personal account: @umariqbal_ !!!!! Thanks!

Outfit Of The Day: Snow Spring Style

Outfit Of The Day: Snow Spring Style

Hey, I have just started my personal section of my blog, and this section is all about my personal style, how I put items together, and some inspirational images!

As you can see, today was a very cold day in the UK and I decided to create classic black-and-white style with my sophisticated outfit! It really reminded me of a winter wonderland today!

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In these two shots of myself on my first photoshoot in freezing conditions, I wore:
– a Comfortable black and white cotton blazer from ZARA MAN. (£70)
– a long-lasting, wind-blowing H&M Scarf (£12)
– Skinny fit Black jeans from TOPMAN(£38)
– T-shirt from ‘Taxonomy’ by TOPMAN (£28)
– Sunglasses from JOY (£5)
– Hybrid brogue/hightops from ZARA MAN (£100)

Hairstyle was inspired by Justin Timberlake. Look at his new video ‘Mirrors and Suit&Tie’

Also check out my Suit&Tied Instagram page! @suitandtied – feedback is always welcome!

Oz: The Great & Powerful Style

As Wizard of Oz prequel, ‘Oz: The Great & Powerful’ releases this week, I have noticed Oz inspired fashion online and a trend which is sure to be popular in the next coming months!

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James Franco stars as the eponymous Oz, but I have spotted the suits and clothing inspired by Oz.

Let us enter the Emerald City…

Famous fashion blogger Adam Gallagher is my fashion icon! He has created the perfect outfit pairing an emerald blazer and trousers with wooden brogues and a tweed/brown waistcoat!

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The Yellow laces give an homage to the yellow brick road and keep the outfit interesting and thought about carefully through the details.

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You can find a majority of these styles on the current high street such as Topman and River Island. Check your local stores for a whimsical wardrobe change!

Burberry Ambassadors: Eddie Redmayne & Cara Delevigne

Burberry Ambassadors: Eddie Redmayne & Cara Delevigne – Style Icons!

Eddie Redmayne is currently popular on my blog due to high demands of his style, so here I will show you his campaign shots for Burberry. These shots also include rising supermodel, Cara Delevigne, who has been very popular within the industry recently. Have a look at the stylish Burberry looks.

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This coat, Eddie wears (above) is stunning and very cool! Carla’s outfit is very reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes and an interesting take on it. Beautiful olive and tan brown tones suit the autumn image

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This image (above), is a very cool image as the two display great style and an even greater chemistry. The tweed suit of Eddie is still on trend and the blushes colour coat of Cara is very unique.

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The coat (above) Eddie is wearing is a comfortable and statement coat in the colour of a tan/olive contrast. Whilst Cara is wearing a multidirectional striped coat which allows it to be
flattering to her slim frame and figure.

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This image (above) shows Gorgeous shades of the colour of brown. The Brown is also in the tortoiseshell effect which can be seen on Eddie. Whilst Cara’s glasses are much more experimental and high-fashion. This could be worn on a true fashionista or a daring character!

I hope you loved the Burberry style of these two fashion icons. Want more posts on Eddie & Cara? Let me know your favourite style.

Eddie Redmayne: Young Fashion Icon

Eddie Redmayne: Young Fashion Icon

Eddie Redmayne: Star of Hit Musical adaptation, Les Miserables, has shown the world what awesome style he has. This guy has worn the best suits I have ever seen, which are always impeccably fitted and tailored to perfection. If I was to wear a smart suit, I’d look at Eddie for fashion inspiration. He loves to take a risk on the red carpet by changing the colours and materials of his suits. Always daring and statement suits are in order whenever Eddie Redmayne is there. Let’s look at his best suits!

1) Teal Velvet Suit

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This suit is AMAZING! When I saw this beautiful Burberry Velvet suit worn at the Les Miserables UK premiere, I seriously could not believe my eyes. I have always been interested in velvet suits and I see them being this years biggest trend. The colour of this suit looks amazing and is very unique when photographed and it is perfectly tailored . Burberry is ideally the perfect designer for suits at the moment. This was custom made for Burberry spokesperson and model, Eddie. The brown brogues are a perfect when accompanying the suit and is cooler than the generic black.

2) Midnight Blue BAFTA suit

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This suit was worn at the 2013 EE BAFTAs. This suit is not velvet but another daring statement suit as Eddie was the only one in a midnight blue suit. The blue bow tie looks good against the white shirt and black shoes suit the winter evening event. Similar cheap versions of this Burberry suit could be found at Reiss or Topman.

3) Royal Blue Redmayne

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This Royal blue suit was worn by Eddie at the New York premiere is really slick. The check designed brown tie creates a casual style and the red pocket square creates a cool contrast. The charcoal black shoes are casual and could also be worn with a dark pair of jeans. But it creates a comfortable look.

4) SAG Awards Brown suit

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This brown suit is great for a daytime event. I love the change with this suit and brown is a great colour against pale skin. This velvet Hugo Boss suit looks suave with the glossy black shoes. The sun makes the suit shimmer and stand out.

I love all 4 suits and cant decide which one I love the most. Which one of these suits is your favourite? Is he a fashion icon for the younger generation. Are velvet suits on trend? Let me know

Blazer Fashion

Blazer Fashion

No matter what the weather, Blazers are always in trend. The best thing about Blazers is that you can buy many different fabric blazers to suit any weather conditions. Another thing which is great, is that Blazers will instantly give a preppy/smart look to any casual or formal outfit.

A recent Blazer I have purchased is from Zara Man. This gorgeous Blazer is perfect for this cold weather as its made from a two cotton blend of white and black fabric, Blazer (pictured below), cost a reasonable £59.99 and is very comforting and warm. Overall, a perfect piece to accompany a trip out on the town, a pair of black jeans, coloured brogues and a cotton shirt would be ideal.

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Another blazer which I also own is from high end store ‘Reiss’ which was on sale from £250 to £120. I literally picked up the last one at my local store. This luxurious emerald velvet blazer is so stunning and rich in colour. It is made for a cocktail hour or an occasion out, a ball/prom or wedding. I have been saving this blazer for the right occasion, which I would probably stick to the classic black trousers and a white shirt. (Pictured below)

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Another Blazer from Topman is a very classic casual style. This Harris Tweed Blazer works really well with a casual look, a pair of blue jeans and a blue shirt. I pair this with brown or dark purple skinny trousers and a pair of brown brogues.

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Blazers are very on trend and I recommend all men to own at least one Blazer. No matter what occasion, a Blazer will help you look and feel smart & confident! Let me know what you think about these blazers!

Images that inspire

Menswear Images to Inspire…

A post of what styles inspire me. I like looking and feeling smart, sophisticated, yet I also love a statement piece, getting people to react in any way possible. Go ahead. Look. Be inspired…

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Which styles do you love? Tell me what you think about these looks. A majority of these images are Burberry Prorsum. Also included are Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen.