
WATCH [Q885J201Y]
- Quartz watch
- Japanese mechanism
- Mineral glass
- Metal chain metal housing
- 1 Year Warranty
It all started with some fish-shaped cufflinks in 1990. Since then, Links of London have gone from strength to strength: opening over 100 stores across the world, from Hong Kong and Shanghai to New York and Athens.
Their men's collection is constantly evolving to suit the needs of the modern man, and this year, as the innovative brand celebrate their 21st birthday, they've made some seriously stylish additions to their men's collection
ou need a wallet that shows you’re serious about money. In your student days you might have got away with one of those plastic ‘travel’ numbers for your NUS card. But in the big leagues of work, and with gold cards and £20s to accommodate, it has to be leather or mock-croc. Whipping out one of these shows you’re clever with wedge – and that gives you an edge.
A ringleader of the Mulberry family, streetname: 'Heathcliffe'. Seen here in oak-brown vintage leather, but may also appear in chocolate and black leather guises. Soft structured but well built, it serves as a portable office with padded laptop sleeve, penholders and various zipped pockets for documents. Optional shoulder strap for hands-free mobility.
If there is one bag that will last you the rest of your days, this is it. It gets better with age: as the leather wears, the natural oils burnish to produce a smooth dark patina. It's more refined than the standard-issue nylon and Velcro laptop case and it won't ruin the shoulder of your suit like a courier satchel would. Plus it's smarter (and more masculine) than a tote.
This version goes well with grey and navy tailoring, camel coats, brown leather shoes, belts and gloves.
Arm yourself with a leather protector (Liberon Leather Cream, £9.95 fromtooled-up.com) to prevent tide stains if you get caught in the rain. And remember tan leathers will clash with black leather accessories or a black suit – even in Italy where they try to get away with this kind of caper.
Double wrap
Chunky bracelets work best as standalones – especially if, like this bracelet-within-a-bracelet, it’s effectively two-in-one anyway. £80 Miansai at oki-ni.com
Stone rises
Forget 50-baht traveller beads: this is made with genuine ‘tiger’s eye’ gems interspersed with silver beads, so you look like you have a job. £120tateossian.com
Head candy
This Italian-made leather double- wrap with a gold and crystal skull is practically a wrist cuff. So go easy on stacking it with other bands. £65 Alexander McQueen at selfridges.com
Adult move
If you want something you can wear on the weekend and your company’s black-tie dinner, this sterling silver band has smart-casual wrapped. £150linksoflondon.com
Primary rule
When stacking bracelets, all your normal material-matching rules go out the window. In this instance, blue and red make perfect partners. £75 miansai.com
Hair metal
Made from plaited black calfskin with silver caps, this band is a little bit rock’n’roll yet refined: the wristwear equivalent of Bryan Ferry. £89thomassabo.com
“Up to a point, but not too closely,” says Shaun Dangerfield, co-founder of Ardour Brand (ardourbrand.com). “Matching colours in shiny fabrics like silk can look cheap and boorish but similar shades on textured fabrics like wool, canvas or tweed make for a more sophisticated combination. For instance, try swapping a silk tie for a woollen one.” The pattern and texture of the tie and square differ but the colours complement each other. “Mixing patterns also works if there is harmony in the weight of cloth,” says designer Jeremy Hackett.
“Mix colours from similar palettes and half the work is done for you,” says designer Joe Casely-Hayford. Earth tones are the most versatile.
“It’s a myth that brown should never be seen in town – combining different shades gives your outfit a smart early 20th century look. Caramel, beige and tan can be matched with a wide variety of colours,” says Dangerfield.
“If you’re looking to buy an investment bag, keep it classic,” says Rory O’ Hanlon, Smythson designer. “You can have your (cheaper) fun with pocket squares.”
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I am 23. This month, my boyfriend of one year broke up with me. I was totally surprised, and am still devastated by it and in love with him. I have asked a few times about getting back together, but he is not interested. So I am trying to move on, which isn’t easy. It’s even harder when we both turn up at the same holiday parties. I’m scared (but also sort of hoping) that we will be at the same New Year’s Eve party. But I don’t want to stay home alone. Help!
Nina, Brooklyn
Welcome to the Heartbreak Hotel, Nina. It is my sad duty to report that most of us have checked in for a spell (or three), often feeling mowed down by a fleet of midsize trucks. But in time, those trucks will feel more like flammable hoverboards, and eventually, like tiny children stepping on your toes. It gets better. And exploring this bummer with friends or a therapist will give you more emotional depth and make you smarter about the next guy. (And there will be a next guy — really.)