7 Ways To Wear Monochrome

Colour is hard to master. Your complexion, the weather, the tube line you ride; all conspire to shift aesthetic harmony in your bedroom mirror to discord in the street. But evict pigments from your looks and suddenly every piece in your wardrobe matches.

Monochrome (in this instance, we mean black and white) is styling sorcery that also sheds pounds – hence its status as fashion week’s unofficial uniform. Make the most of this magic by bringing the penguin aesthetic to every day.

Easy-Going Offices

Even if you’re lucky enough to earn your keep in an office with little in the way of a dress code, that’s not exactly carte blanche to lead meetings in gymwear.

Joggers and band tees might not cut it, but a well-fitting white crew neck T-shirt, polo or Oxford button-down paired with cropped black trousers and white trainers (you take care to keep white) will do, says Ryan Lee, stylist at menswear label Harry Stedman.

While your tee and trainers can sit comfortably at the core of this laid-back look year-round, be sure to switch up your slacks as the seasons shift. “In winter, try a wool pair. And in summer, lightweight cotton – although a good pair of chinos will suit most types of weather,” says Lee.

Corporate Offices

Wearing a black suit may be a potentially bankrupting mistake in business. But that’s not to say your only viable option is navy. Charcoal, particularly darker, almost-black shades, can balance the books between boring and business-appropriate.

You’ll want yours in a slim, not skinny, cut, with a subtle notch lapel – because as much as we’re into wider trouser legs, the boardroom isn’t for birthing (style) trends.

As important as getting your suit’s hex code right is what you combine it with. For an on-point partnership, style your charcoal suit two-piece a classic white formal shirt and either a black or black and white micro-patterned tie to make your pared-back base really pop.

All-Black Eveningwear

If there’s one thing black does well, it’s make you look

9 Classic Men's Hairstyles That Will Never Go Out Of Fashion

Some say footwear is the first thing people’s eyes fix on – but we’d argue hair is up there too. And, unlike a pair of subpar brogues or some battered white leather trainers, you can’t easily slip out of a questionable hairstyle.

So it pays to get acquainted with the classic cuts that work for you, and that won’t fall hopelessly out of favour six months down the line.

The Textured Cut With Fringe

Daniel Davies, general manager at Pall Mall Barbers

“First things first, you’re going to need a good bit of length in your hair before you schedule a cut for a style like this. Also worth noting is that this textured style works best with thicker rather than fine hair, and if you’re receding, then this isn’t the style for you.

“Guys with double crowns or cows licks should definitely consider the textured look as it’s a style that generally lets your hair lie the way it wants to. It’s best not to battle against these hair quirks.

“When it comes to achieving the textured look, I’d recommend bringing a picture [try saving one to your smartphone] with you to demonstrate exactly the type of cut you want. A good barber will be able to tell you from the picture if it’ll suit you and your hair type.

“One thing to watch out for when you’re having your hair cut for a style like this is thinning scissors; a lot of barbers tend to get trigger happy with these, but they should never be used on the top of the hair as they can make ends wispy and hair at the root excessively bulky by comparison. Instead, point cutting and razoring (using a straight edge razor) should be the techniques used.

“When styling a textured look, you need to make sure the hair is pretty dry. Once dry, manipulate a little texture enhancer, clay or putty into the hair with your fingers. But remember that this is a carefree style so you don’t it want to look too groomed.”

The French Crop

Daniel Davies, general manager at Pall Mall Barbers

“The French crop suits most face shapes and is ideal for men going thinner on top. Since you’re taking the hair forward slightly here, leaving length in the fringe, it can help to cover any receding patches.

“It’s a low maintenance, easy in-and-out style – perfect for someone in and out of the gym or swimming pool – as you can wear it without styling product, just letting it fall naturally into place.

“If, however, you do want to use product, try a little hairspray [and not a drop of anything more], as the French crop is a style that’s meant to be left natural. The upkeep with this cut isn’t in styling but in making a point of getting it trimmed every three or so weeks.”

The Buzz Cut

Brent Pankhurst, founder of barbershop and grooming

ModelloMomento Best Dressed Men: 2015

Jamie Dornan

2015 was quite the come up for Northern Ireland native Dornan, with the silly yet staggeringly financially successful, pseudo-erotic romp Fifty Shades of Grey selling out in cinemas worldwide.

As a former male model (he cut his teeth baring all for American retailer Abercrombie & Fitch in 2002), Dornan knows a thing or two about fashion, moving deftly from off-duty athleisure looks through to tonal smart-casual and full-blown formal ensembles.

He’s also a proponent of short beards and stubble, showing that when it comes to facial hair trends, he’s already well ahead of the game.

Jamie Dornan Lookbook

Get The Look

• Acne Studios Garret Melton Wool Coat
• Hackett Black Satin-trimmed Wool And

5 Style Moves To Steal From Conor McGregor

 Disgruntled fans of the sharp-suited Ultimate Fighting Championship superstar gave us a severe dressing-down. So lest we endure an actual kicking, we thought it prudent to pen a belated tribute to The Notorious’ style nous. We’re menswear enthusiasts, after all, not seasoned fighters.

McGregor is by no means the only UFC bruiser bringing some much-needed sartorial flair to the octagon – traditionally a place where style, along with lesser competitors, has gone to die. Welterweight Rory Macdonald is also overturning long-held notions that the thriving sport is all Ed Hardy tees and snapbacks. But McGregor displays a level of swag to match his unrivalled swagger – and fighting prowess. As the Irishman himself puts it, “There’s two things I really like to do and that’s whoop ass and look good.”

At the risk of mixing combat sports, allow FashionBeans to be the grizzled Mickey to your Rocky – or the Sly Stallone to your Michael B. Jordan (who did make the list incidentally). Like a style version of a training montage, these moves will help you punch up your own wardrobe.

1. Have A Cut Man In Your Corner

McGregor’s custom suits fit him like a 4oz glove, which is more than half the battle. Even the finest suit will fall flatter than Ronda Rousey after a roundhouse kick to the face if it isn’t tailored properly. Indeed, if we had a dollar for every Hollywood actor treading a red carpet in a borrowed designer suit with sleeves sliding past their wrist and trousers puddling on their shoes, then we’d pay for their alterations ourselves.

Conversely, with a few judicious tweaks, an inexpensive suit can punch well above its weight. As a rule, set aside between 10 and 20 per cent of your budget for alterations. Especially if, like McGregor, you have an athletic physique with shoulders far wider than your waist – i.e. a ‘drop’ (the difference between the two measurements) greater than the standard six inches of most suits.

And if your quads are bulging at your seams, size up in your trousers and get them taken in. The only belt you should need is a championship one.

2. Keep Your Body Covered Up

Most men think of a waistcoat like the tailoring equivalent