You probably wouldn't think to drop by Hackett to pick up your denim shirt, but I strongly advise you to do just that, because for summer it has brought us the best denim shirt there is - good cut, great colour and soft,worn-in fabric.
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2. Folk Folk opened its first store in March 2007 and it’s proving to be one of the last bastions of independent shopping. This redand- white stripe T-shirt with blue edging on the sleeve has a hand-crafted aesthetic vibe and because the collections are not trend-driven, the clothes are unique and difficult to replicate. Where: Folk, 49 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London WC1N (020-7404 6458; www.folkclothing.com) How much: £45
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3. Albam Nottingham-based menswear label Albam goes from strength to strength, and this yellow fisherman’s cagoule shows why – this is an instant classic and it belongs in your wardrobe. And if you don’t want to shop online, you can nowtake a look at their shop on Beak Street in London W1. Where: www.albamclothing.com How much: £160
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4. APC Stand out from the crowd this summer with these brightorange skinny jeans from cool French lable APC. Only for the young at heart. Where: Liberty (www.liberty.co.uk) How much: £85
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5. YMC You Must Create is a British label that provides instant classics to complement any man’s wardrobe, like these grey-on-grey check shorts, which are a necessary addition to your collection Where: Liberty (www.liberty.co.uk) How much: £85
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6. One True Saxon If colour is your thing but you can’t decide which shade suits you best, then grab this multi-coloured checked shirt from Nottingham- based label One True Saxon. This label has a very British sensibility when it comes to men’s fashion and considers itself the master of sartorial style. Where: www.goodnorth.com How much: £79
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7. Aquascutum Aquascutum is usually known for its classic traditional colour scheme, so this lilac T with navy stripe is a welcome addition to a summer T-shirt collection. Made from the softest cotton with vent detailing at the sides, this is definitely one of those expensive but long-lasting T’s. Where: Aquascutum (www.aquascutum.com) How much: £69
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8. Paul Smith If you like your bags old school (and you work in the city) then you’re probably a lover of the satchel. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be adventurous. Here, Paul Smith shows you how with this electric-blue leather version. Where: www.paulsmith.co.uk How much: £515
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9. Oliver Spencer for Topman Topman is famous for its collaborations with other designers, and this summer the high street store has joined forces with the great and the good to create some amazing sunglasses. This tortoise-shell pair was born of a union with British designer Oliver Spencer. Where: www.topman.com How much: £50
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10. Paul Smith Snake-skin wallets are nothing new, but the British designer Paul Smith gives the genre a welcome twist with this vivid red colour. Where: www.paulsmith.co.uk How much: £180
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11. Boden Gingham check can seem quite daunting to wear but Boden has come up with the ideal solution in this shirt. The check is shrunk to a tiny check in lilac that won’t scare the horses. Where: www.boden.co.uk How much: £45
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12. PS Paul Smith Although not strictly a T-shirt, I couldn’t help but include this fantastic cotton striped polo shirt from Paul Smith. The purple-and-orange colour combination gives it a vibrant feel and the narrow stripe updates a tried-and-tested classic. Where: Paul Smith (www.paulsmith.co.uk) How much: £60
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13. Comme des Garçons SHIRT This white zip-coated lightweight summer jacket is perfect for spring. It has the feel of a shirt but the durability of a jacket. Ideal for April showers. Where: Liberty (www.liberty.co.uk) How much: £160
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14. French Connection These grey, wide-legged chino trousers are the perfect thing for taking away on your summer holiday. Casual enough for the beach and smart enough for the bar. Where: French Connection (0207-036 7200) How much: £60
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15. Topman Checks again! This pair from Topman have a skateboarder feel to them but can easily be worn on the beach or out for dinner at night. Where: Topman (www.topman.com) How much: £28
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16. Paul & Joe If you prefer something a little jazzier from your summer shirt, then French label Paul &Joe has just the thing for you. This short-sleeved pink bamboo-and-tiger print design will get everybody talking. Where: Paul & Joe (020-7243 5510) How much: £120
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17. Monsoon Sometimes all you need is a good quality T-shirt to update your wardrobe. Monsoon for men has been quietly growing stronger over the past few seasons and it’s easy to see why with this basic but well-constructed purple T. Where: Monsoon (www.monsoon.co.uk) How much: £12
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18. Margaret Howell A rucksack isn’t the most obvious musthave bag for the summer season but you should make an exception for this specimen from Margaret Howell. The bright-green colour is an eye-opener and the lightweight fabric is great for using for everyday travel – especially if you cycle to work. Where: www.margarethowell.co.uk How much: £79
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19. Tom Ford Tom Ford’s collection of sunglasses for men is made up of luxurious details, giving each pair of shades its own distinctive identity. This particular pair – Jason - has the traditional shiny square frames with smoked lenses. Expensive but worth it. Where: Harvey Nichols (www.harveynichols.com) How much: £200
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20. Louis Vuitton If you’d like a wallet from French fashion house Louis Vuitton, but don’t want the ubiquitous LVlogo stamped all over it then this black leatherwallet has the logo punched along the bottom. Where: www.louisvuitton.com How much: £230
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21. Nicole Farhi Ranch shirts are still just about passable in a man’s wardrobe, especially when done with subtlety like this one from Nicole Farhi. Made from the softest cotton in flattering shades of blue, wear with jeans but NOT cowboy boots. Where: www.nicolefarhi.com How much: £149
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22. Raf by Raf Simons Abstract prints seem to have made a comeback on the catwalks this summer, but it’s not the easiest thing to pull off. I recommend you try it out first on a T-shirt before getting any more ambitious. This one from Raf Simons seems like a good place to start. Where: Liberty (www.liberty.co.uk) How much: £110
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23. Gap This navy-blue cotton jacket has a relaxed artisan feel to it. Single-breasted with two patch pockets at the front, this is a jacket that is casual as well as interesting. Wear with bashed-in jeans for that bohemianabout- town feel. Glass of red wine optional. Where: www.gap.com How much: £48
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24. Nicole Farhi Cornflower blue won’t be everyone’s cup of teawhen it comes to the colour of trousers, but these relaxed cotton pants from Nicole Farhi seem to work. A brilliant addition to a holiday wardrobe. Where: www.nicolefarhi.com How much: £169
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25. French Connection Check shorts are definitely on trend this season and this green-check pair are very striking. They have a bit of a golf feel to them – so be careful not to wear them with argyle socks and a golf club. Where from: French Connection (020-7036 72000) How much: £45
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26. Massimo Dutti Spanish high-street label Massimo Dutti is great at doing relaxed preppy dressing with a city-boy feel. Here we have a blue-withwhite- stripe button-down collar shirt that fits with jeans and a city suit. Where: Massimo Dutti (020-7851 1280) How much: £49
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27. Dries Van Noten Don’t you just love a flamingo? They look weird and they’re pink. This offering from the Belgian Dries Van Noten shouts out Miami in the summer. Crockett and Tubbs eat your heart out. Where: Liberty (www.liberty.co.uk) How much: £60
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28. Mulberry A black leather bag should be a staple of every man’s bag collection, so if you haven’t got one yet then head straight to Mulberry to buy this excellent example of how manbags can work well. Where: www.mulberry.com How much: £495
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29. Marni Italian label Marni is known for its kooky clothing so these oblong-shaped two-tone coloured frames do not disappoint. Where: www.marni.com How much: £190
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30. Gucci This is a classy black leather wallet from Gucci with the black double Gs monogrammed throughout. It oozes expensive luxury. Where: www.gucci.com How much: £160
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31. Margaret Howell This short-sleeved shirt has a subtle red-andblue check but more importantly it has an amazing cut. With the perfect-length sleeve, the shirt is made so that it sits on the waist – not too long and not too short. Where: www.margarethowell.co.uk How much: £165
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32. andi British label andi is moving towards a softer feel for summer. With muted colour tones like this subtle shade of peach, the label has a relaxed, laissez-faire attitude to the coming summer months. Where: Diverse (020-7359 0081) How much: £55
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33. Oliver Spencer Bright colours are in, so this tailored two-button jacket is a great addition to your wardrobe this spring. Vivid colour was a key trend on the S/S catwalks and British designer Oliver Spencer hits the mark here. The fabric is also covered in a tiny check print. Where: Oliver Spencer (020-7491 2337) How much: £290
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34. Gap Gap can always be relied upon to provide most of your wardrobe essentials. Here we have a classic pair of chinos with a narrower cut in the leg to give them an up-to-date feel. Where: www.gap.com How much: £32
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35. Margaret Howell Cornflower blue looks to be the designated blue hue for summer if these shorts from Margaret Howell are a yardstick to measure trends by. To add to their appeal, they’re easy to wear – maybe not to the office, but definitely to the beach. Where: www.margarethowell.co.uk How much: £95
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36. Miu Miu Grab your Miu Miu pieces while you can as Mrs Prada has announced the closure of the menswear line. This blue-stripe shirt with contrasting collar sleeves and cuffs is a shirt that won’t date too quickly. You’ll be able to wear it again and again. Where: Liberty (www.liberty.co.uk) How much: £180
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37. Autograph for M&S M&S can always be relied upon to provide basic white T’s but now it has expanded into colour with this blue-and-grey-striped superfine-cotton T-shirt. And the pocket-friendly price doesn’t compromise the quality of the fabric. Where: marksandspencer.com How much: £19.50
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38. Ally Capellino This is a classic bag for men, made from washable lightweight waxed canvas. It also has a soft leather base with cotton webbing handles. Go for a vivid red to add to its impact. Where: www.allycapellino.co.uk How much: £162
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39. Marc Jacobs The American designer Marc Jacobs enjoys a quirky design, especially for his own label. These sunglasses have a Seventies feel with off-square frames and are made from the finest tortoise-shell, with gold detailing on the arms and bridge. Where: stockists (01423 520303) How much: £170
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40. Loewe Spanish leather goods giant Loewe has given you this small but expensive wallet made from the softest navy-blue leather. This is mainly for credit cards and a few coins, but if you can afford this then you probably don’t need to carry money. Treat yourself. Where: Loewe at Selfridges (0800 123 400) How much: £200
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41. Folk Check-patterned shirts don’t seem to be fading from the fashion radar anytime soon, so invest wisely in this red, blue and white checked number from Folk. Made from excellent quality cotton, the size of the checkwon’t put you off. Where: Folk, 49 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London WC1N (020-7404 6458; www.folkclothing.com) How much: £85
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42. Topman Another polo shirt but this time the collar is so narrow that it’s almost a T-shirt. This is a striking top with its navy-blue background and white polka-dot pattern. Where: www.topman.com How much: £20
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43. Baracuta for Margaret Howell A smart Sixties-inspired jacket from Margaret Howell has come about because of a collaboration with Baracuta. It is based on a jacket found in the Baracuta archives and has been updated by slimming the waist slightly. Still relevant today, it has a simple and lasting appeal. Where: (www.margarethowell.co.uk) How much: £245
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44. Uniqlo High-street giant Uniqlo has come to be known for providing the masses with good affordable clothing. These black chinos are well made and have a great fit. You’ll want to wear them again and again. Where: www.uniqlo.co.uk How much: £24.99
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45. Gap I never thought I’d go for a pair of denim shorts, but this pair from Gap seem right for some reason. Not too tight and just the right length the knee!) and made from a soft worn-in denim, you’ll feel as though you’ve owned them for years. Where: www.gap.com How much: £35
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46. PS Paul Smith If you like an old-fashioned vibe to your clothes then this great shirt from Paul Smith will bring a smile to your face. The colour nude is overlaid with a miniature rose burst print that gives it a laid- back, yesteryear attitude. Where: www.paulsmith.co.uk How much: £115
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47. Reiss Long-sleeve lightweight T’s are making a comeback this season and this nautical V-neck version from Reiss leads the way. White with a deep V neck and stripes on the arms and the torso, the long sleeves help to keep any early chilly spring winds at bay. Where: Reiss (020-7473 9630) How much: £45
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48. Burberry Here’s something bright and colourful for your laptop. This fuschia-pink computer case is bang on trend for summer.Not only is the colour hitting the right vibe, but the neoprene fabric fits in with the sportswear trend. Where: Burberry (www.burberry.com) How much: £295
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49. M&S Gold-framed aviator-style sunglasses are never going to date thanks to Top Gun, and Marks & Spencer has come up with a pair that look the part but are also affordable. Where: www.marksandspencer.com How much: £15
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50. Comme des Garçons This wallet seems to have all you might need. Inside, there’s a space for cards, notes and even a wallet within a wallet to keep all of your coins. Perfect. Where: Comme des Garçons at Selfridges (0800 123 400) How much: £95
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