Plongée launches in the UK

Plongée Lookbook Video:

Plongée SS12 Lookbook:

Introduction

Even if you have an immaculate hair cut, the closest of close shaves and more style credentials than you can shake a stick at, your eyes can always give the game away. One of the most important aspects of maintaining a fresh-faced, youthful appearance is taking care of the skin around our eyes. It tells the story of a late night or an all day drinking session more that we realise – so it’s a wonder we don’t pay more attention to this area.
Sometimes guys can have a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude to certain grooming products. Your fake tans, tinted moisturisers, concealers, body scrubs and the like are popular with some, but seen as unnecessary to others. However, increasingly hectic lifestyles mean eye care products are becoming a necessity in the quest for a fresh-faced look.
So why do we need specific eye creams, and what are the best products in terms of convenience and performance? In order to find out, I’ve gone back to basics to deliver an eye care guide that means you’ll be relying less and less on your sunglasses to cover your sins!

What Causes Tired Looking Eyes?

It can be any one of a number of factors that cause problems with the skin around your eyes, and they’re normally associated with external aspects like diet, climate, lifestyle and the stresses we put on our skin – while fine lines and crows feet can hint at skin ageing.
The main issue is that the skin around the eye area is the thinnest on the face, meaning that it is by far the most vulnerable area of the complexion. Whenever you’re tired, stressed or dehydrated it shows here first. Coupled with that is the fact that there are no oil or sebaceous glands to naturally hydrate the delicate skin in this area, so your eyes can often appear puffy, dehydrated and with nasty looking dark circles.

What Can You Do About It?

The obvious way to avoid any sign of tiredness or discolouration in the eye area is to get a good nights sleep, drink lots of water, eat plenty of fruit and veg, avoid pollution, sun damage, alcohol and cigarette smoke. So in other words… pretty much not leaving your house, well, ever.
Quite obviously, that isn’t going to happen, so it’s important to use high performance skincare products to help you prevent and recover from any eye care problems you experience.

Puffy Eyes & Dark Circles

Panda eyes, rings, bags or dark circles – whatever you call them they’re a skin care problem that has a big impact on your look. Many experts believe that the issue of puffy eyes and dark circles is caused by blood retention brought on by fatigue, lack of sleep or stress – something you may already know or have experienced.
Another factor concerns dehydration, with veins and capillaries starting to show through because the skin is so thin and lacking in moisture. It’s clear then that in order to tackle these problems we need products that have a cooling, hydrating and invigorating effect. Luckily for us, there are a number of great products on the market designed exactly for this purpose.
Tasked with reducing and preventing the symptoms of tired looking eyes, the top products on the market use ingredients like caffeine (for obvious reasons), ginseng and Coenzyme Q10 to deliver proven results. But the secret to their success doesn’t just lie in their formulas; it’s also in the application.
Many of the eye care products from the top men’s grooming brands are designed with a convenient roller ball applicator, making them easy to use wherever you are. Perfect if you’re a creature of convenience like me. Pop them in your man bag, your desk draw or your glove box – anywhere that will be close at hand when fatigue comes calling:

• Loréal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Cooling Eye Roll-on 10ml
• Clinique Anti-fatigue Cooling Eye Gel 15ml
• Nivea For Men Q10 Revitalising Eye Roll-on 15ml
• Biotherm High Recharge Eye Serum 10ml

Covering Up

If your dark circle or under eye bag problem is particularly severe, then you may want to consider using a small amount of concealer to cover your sins *controversial topic alert*.
Don’t be put off by the fact that this product is essentially make up, because the benefits far outweigh the stigma. Not only are these products designed to discreetly cover up your eye care problems, but fantastic products like the Murad Eye Lift Perfector actually contain ingredients similar to many skincare products to correct imperfections while it covers them!

• Murad Eye Lift Perfector 1.8ml
• Guyliner Disguys Concealer – Medium
• Yves Saint Laurent for Men Touche Eclat

Wrinkles & Crows Feet

Your eyes are one of the first places to show signs of ageing, so it’s vitally important to take preventative measures before it’s too late. When it comes to fine lines, crow’s feet, wrinkles and dark spots it’s important to avoid sun damage (sunglasses are a must) and take good care of your skin from your early 20s. Starting early and using the correct products mean that you’ll reap the benefits well into your 50s.
In a similar way to preventing dark circles and puffy eyes, combating ageing skin involves keeping the skin in the eye area hydrated, as dry skin is much more likely to age quickly. Along with that, ingredients such as anti-oxidant vitamins A and E and Liquorice Root Extract work to tighten, reduce lines and brighten the skin to prevent wrinkles from developing.
Here are some of my favourites from the top men’s brands that are proven to help you get results:

• Ole Henriksen Fresh Start Eye Creme 28g
• Lab Series Skincare For Men Max Ls Instant Eye Lift 15ml
• Kyoku For Men Eye Fuel 20ml
• Clarinsmen Line-control Eye Balm 20ml

How To Apply

All of your hard work and financial investment will be fruitless if you don’t apply your eye care products properly. So to prevent falling at the final hurdle, make sure you follow these simple application tips:

• Always apply with minimal pressure. As guys we have a tendency to go flying in at 100mph whatever we’re doing, but with eye care it’s vitally important to apply your chosen product with very minimal pressure. As I previously mentioned, the skin around your eye is extremely delicate, so if you’re too rough you’ll only do more damage.
• Apply product using the tip of your ring finger. Unless you’re using a roller ball applicator (which minimises your heavy handed potential) then always apply your product using your ring finger. It’s the finger that has the least pressure potential, which means you’re less likely to apply with any force.
• Apply from the inside out. Start by applying small dots of cream along the line of your cheek bone and work your way along your bottom lid using a gentle patting motion. Repeat along the upper lid, just above the eye brow, until all the product is absorbed.
• Keep your product in the fridge. For an extra cooling effect pop your product in the fridge to help banish puffiness. Just make sure when you open the fridge door in the morning you pick up your eye cream and not the chili sauce by mistake.

Conclusion

So there you have it, a guide to helping your eye area look its very best.

My Top Tips

Now, I don’t profess to be a huge club fan but I have been known to lay down some moves on the odd occasion, so I do understand what things we need to consider. Below are some of the key things you should be thinking of when putting your outfits together.

• Unless you have spent a small fortune on entry you aren’t going to find yourself in one of the clubs you see in the movies (even if you have spent a fortune you’re still going to be in what is essentially a big, dark, loud and dirty hole.) There won’t be anywhere to sit down, the dance floor will be a seething, writhing, compact mass of bodies and you will probably leave feeling a bit worse for wear and with exceedingly dirty shoes. Dress accordingly.
• I have a friend at home; we like to say that you know you’re having a good night when this particular friend starts spilling his beer. Nearly everyone that enters a club has the potential to be that friend. Drinks will be spilt and stains are an absolute certainty. Don’t wear your Sunday best. If possible, have cheaper clothes that you are happy to wear out clubbing – not your new, £90 white shirt.
• Clubs are hot and sweaty places, so grinding away on your chosen partner will not only bring out the worst moves in your repertoire but also a certain degree of perspiration – think carefully about your layers and the materials your clothes are made of. Lightweight cottons, knitwear and thin layers will serve you much better during the summer (or just forgo any outer layer and suffer the cooler temperatures). And just pay the extra to put your coat in the cloakroom during the winter, no-one enjoys pneumonia.
• Consider very carefully your chosen venue. The vast majority of clubs in student towns won’t really give a damn what you wear but as you venture towards the higher end you will start to encounter stricter dress codes, and you don’t want to be the one left outside.
• If experience has taught me anything, your footwear will suffer the worst of the abuse: high heels, drinks, grime and the toilets. Wear something wipe clean or washable – think lightweight canvas or leather. Leather shoes are actually a godsend in this situation because you can just polish them up the next day.

Example Looks

Look 1

Local club? Razzle with your mates? No special occasion? There really isn’t any need to go overboard, particularly when you consider the issues that I have raised above.
Keep things clean, simple and easy with a look that works for everyone but isn’t actually worn by that many. This is a look that is lightweight enough to handle the warmer summer temperatures, is inexpensive, can cope with any wayward liquids and can easily be made more individual with the use of a Henley, patterned tee or some unique jewellery pieces.

• Allsaints Hitchen Henley
• River Island Victor Skinny Jeans
• Nike Blazer Hi Vintage – Size? Exclusive

Look 2

Using a style of footwear that is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, but is seemingly on the decline (at least in my experience), this outfit makes use of lighter weight cottons and the current pattern trend to make a statement.
A pair of navy chinos will be much better able to deal with stains than anything in a lighter stone or mustard, and you could easily bring the colours up a notch with a roll of the hem and some loud socks.
Short or Long sleeved shirt is your choice, tucked or untucked it’s all fair game.

• Topman Coral Palm Leaf Pattern Short Sleeve Shirt
• Topman Royal Blue Cotton Slim Chinos
• Asos Boat Shoes In Tricolour

Look 3

In this instance I would suggest you still aim for lighter layers and keep the colours muted; there is still the risk of flying beer. An unstructured blazer is a great way to mix in some smart/casual elements and gives you lots of versatility with the under layer (white is safe here because you have the outer protection of a jacket). Keep it more casual with a tee or dress things up with a shirt.

• Asos Stripe T-shirt
• Topman Peoples Market Blazer
• Nudie Jeans Thin Finn Dry Ecru Embo Skinny Jeans
• B Store Eton Leather Penny Loafers

Look 4

Another clean, simple, easy yet refined look, this is perfect for any degree of club.
A pair of white leather pumps gives you a casual edge and wipe clean practicality. Some tailored trousers are a very subtle way of adding some individuality to an outfit and will formalise almost anything from a polo shirt to a tee.
With your upper half keep things a little more casual and play with patterns and stripes to make the outfit more interesting. Once again your accessories could really help you take your outfit to another level.

• Reiss Ridich Printed Short Sleeve Polo Shirt
• Canali Slim-fit Wool-flannel Trousers
• Converse Jack Purcell Leather Sneakers

Conclusion

What to wear on a night out can often be a rather daunting affair; it is actually quite a pressured environment where everyone, without exception (well maybe one or two) has taken time out of their day to make themselves look presentable. It requires a lot more thought and preparation than you might have at first appreciated and the wrong decisions could result in some disastrous consequences.
Intelligent fabric and colour choice could mean the difference between being able to wear your favourite top and trousers again, whilst also stopping you being the sweaty one banished to the corner.
Whether you like to dress up or down on your nights out, I hope this lookbook has helped some of you. Maybe we will one day be lucky enough to meet in person. We can have a robot contest.

Introduction

Colour has become an indisputable cornerstone of menswear over the last couple of seasons, and I think we can all agree that the modern man’s wardrobe has done nothing but benefit. Whether you’re cracking out some vibrant socks, working the pastels or making a bold statement, colour is fantastic.
Following an article i read last week  about the– the men’s white canvas trainers guide – I thought it might also be worth visiting the other end of the spectrum; the bolder, brasher, coloured trainer.
Now, I am fully aware that coloured trainers might not be everyone’s cup of tea; smarter, more structured dressing is certainly the general theme, and whilst there is absolutely nothing wrong with this, it is still important for us all to remember that not everyone is the same – we do not all dress the same and we do not always appreciate the same styles.
As a group of style conscious people, we should be able to appreciate elements of all style, of every individual’s style (within reason of course). We are all unique and I don’t think anyone could disagree with the idea that we all need a little boundary pushing every so often to get us out of our comfort zone.
Coloured trainers can either be the trademark of a particular look or be the signifier of a person with two very separate styles. Sportswear is huge at the moment and colour is just as much a part of that as it is of someone obsessed with American Prep. With two completely different images, you might just as readily be seen in a sharp double breasted jacket, loafers and shirt as you are a pair of skinny jeans, a crew neck tee and hi-tops.
Fashion is as diverse as it is rooted and as changing as it is constant; coloured trainers are one of those things that you either love or you hate, but they cannot be ignored.

Coloured Trainer Lookbook

Coloured Trainers: Top Tips

• Shape – even though we would like you to appreciate all elements of style, it would be facetious to say that there are no boundaries. In the context of coloured trainers for example, shapes should be kept simple and clean, no high tops with wings or massive tongues. Skate shoes have never, nor ever will be acceptable attire. Keep your designs classic; there is a reason certain styles have been around so long.
• Colour – it would seem contradictory to suggest a restriction on colour in an article telling you to embrace colourful shoes, but bear with me a minute. Go crazy if you want but be aware that your outfit choices will suffer as a result. Regardless of the fact that you are wearing trainers, colour matching rules still apply (albeit slightly relaxed). Go for single block colours that work with nearly everything, so think reds, greens, blues and purples etc. Use them to add a splash of colour, not look like you’ve had an accident in B&Q’s paint section.
• Laces - We can all do the knot (I hope no one still needs Velcro) but just because you want to keep in practice doesn’t mean you should be ruining the shape and look of your nice flashy trainers with a big floppy pile of laces. Have a go at straight lacing (having perfectly horizontal stripes) or pre-tying out of sight to create smoother lines that keep your trainers sharp and uncluttered. If you are concerned about getting them on and off, invest in a shoe horn (honestly, one of the best tools ever created).
• Cleaning – just do it. They will look much better when the colour isn’t hidden behind a disgusting layer of grime.
• Purpose – avoid trying to make them something they are not. White trainers can replace your shoes, colours cannot. They do not fill the same niche and shouldn’t be treated the same. It is your style therefore that would need to change if you wish to incorporate them.

It is perhaps in the last point that the biggest division between opinion occurs. We all have individual opinions and we all appreciate different styles – coloured trainers, more often than not, don’t feature in this appreciation.
But without trying to drag up too much from the past, I personally believe that a lot of the stigma and a lot of the dislike stems how they are worn, not what is being worn. We are all familiar with the stereotypes: Young men dressing in exactly the same clothes, in exactly the same way and all acting exactly the same.
However, rather than completely ignoring all of the clothes these stereotypes incorporate, we should be thinking of how we can make them more individual. What makes the way we might wear them more unique?
Think about your hair, your beard mastery, accessories, colours, posture and demeanour. All of this makes a huge difference to your outfit as a whole and will divide very clearly your outfit from the stereotypes, even if you are wearing 80% the same kind of clothes. How you wear is really just as important as what you wear.

How To Wear Coloured Trainers

Look 1

This looks makes good use of the current print and sports wear trends. Whilst it may not be considered stylish from a more classical aspect, it is still a look that incorporates many features that are very on trend and are fashionable. Keep things simple and well cut – the shirt in particular should be fitted – feel free to wear it tucked in to give your look a touch more edge.
By keeping the outer layers more muted you can afford to get a bit more creative with your patterns or colours in the under layers and footwear. If you have a multi-coloured shirt try to pick out a colour with your shoes (something tonally similar) to make both items pop and make the most of the more underused colours of trainers. That alone makes you more unique.
Finally consider your accessories; a watch is always a timeless and classic way to introduce a bit of extra detailing to your look and a tote or shopper bag is an excellent way of marking yourself out from the crowd.

• Asos Short Sleeve Aztec Shirt
• Asos Faux Leather Sleeve Baseball Jacket
• Nudie Jeans Thin Finn Dry Ecru Embo Skinny Jeans
• Uniform Wares 200 Series Steel Wristwatch
• Fred Perry Canvas Tote
• Nike Blazer Hi Vintage

Look 2

Contrary to what I said earlier, you can of course make your footwear your main statement. You can make the most of the pattern trend (or just continue with a brighter block colour shade) in a unique way by choosing a pair of patterned trainers – but if this is your choice then the rest of the outfit would benefit from simple construction.
A pair of lightweight chinos and a soft tee is a great way to stay cool and look good in summer, and if you continue to play with your colours (think pastels for easy matching) you are sure to create a look that is completely you.
Once again, make the most of those accessories. A straw hat can work outside a festival if worn right, and there is nothing wrong with a good old canvas backpack – a piece of subtle jewellery wouldn’t go amiss either.

• Levis Vintage Clothing 1951 Cotton T-shirt
• Topman Turquoise Green Skinny Chinos
• Etro Straw Trilby Hat
• Burberry Shoes & Accessories Woven-leather And Metallic Bracelet
• Topman Peace Corps Military Backpack
• Ymc Navy Floral Printed Shoes

Look 3

Update your casual looks with a pair of bright, block colour hi-tops. By choosing a brighter shade and mixing them in with classic pieces such as dark wash jeans, a plaid shirt and a mac you can put your own twist on an everyday outfit and make it truly your own.
Great for our unpredictable weather, all you need is to step out with your trusty umbrella and you are set for anything that is thrown at you. I think this outfit concept is a great way of showing just how much a pair of coloured trainers can elevate a previously underwhelming look that I’m sure is a staple of many a modern gents wardrobe.

• Topman Blue Rustic Oxford Plaid Shirt
• Reiss Watcher Zip-through Raincoat Putty
• Asos Super Skinny Jeans
• Pierre Hardy Leather High Top Sneakers

Men’s Coloured Trainers

• Vans Cali Authentic Ca
• Supra Assault Waxed Suede Trainers
• Superga Turquoise 2750 Cotu Classic Plimsolls
• Converse Jack Purcell Cotton-twill Sneakers
• Adidas Originals Malmo – Size? Exclusive
• Adidas Originals Gazelle Indoor
• Polo Ralph Lauren Hanford Canvas Trainers
• Puma X Undftd Clyde Ballistic Orchid Bloom Purple
• Adidas Spezial Purp/wt/tan Smu
• Nike Quickstrike Mens Blazer Mid Sneaker
• Nike Blazer Hi-top Trainers
• Common Projects Mens Vintage High Sneaker

Final Word

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this article will divide opinion. Most will remain unfazed by the possibilities presented by the coloured trainer whilst a few may have strengthened their resolve or even been converted. It is also worth mentioning that this is only a short introduction to a much wider topic, there is more to be made of coloured trainers.
These shoes really can work in the fashionable man’s wardrobe, there just has to be a few adjustments. Coloured trainers cannot be made something they are not, they occupy a very different niche and work in a very different way to the one many of us might be used to – but that does not make them any less relevant.
We shouldn’t be disregarding a look simply because it doesn’t fit our own opinion of style.