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I was delving through my wardrobe the other morning and was feeling, ‘let’s say’ less than inspired. Although men’s fashion for this season has been given the step up, it’s still difficult to buy high-end, less mainstream threads without spending an arm ‘n’ a leg. Because the majority of men do not want to let go of the standard jeans and T-shirt combination, a lot of high street stores aren’t buying the more avant-garde garments.
Due to this predicament I decided to check out the vintage scene again. However, I’m past the idea that ‘just because its 50 years old it looks cool’.
After 2 hours of intricately rummaging; through moth balled furs, bat-winged, Hi-Tech jackets and flamboyantly tattered flairs, I found myself a pair of black tweed plus fours. A little bit dusty round the edges but gorgeous none-the-less.
Ok they’re two sizes to big, but, I think that will add to the look once I’ve altered them. My plan is to take just the waist band in, leaving the upper legs and crotch parachute-y and bellowing. Like a classic pair of drop crotch shorts.
I have always been a huge fan of that beautiful, 18th century, golfing attire. I also see this punky, Sherlock Holmes look coming in for AW10, as a darker version of that Regency romance.
What Are Plus Fours?
Plus fours (also known as Knickerbockers), were boy’s baggy knee trousers popular in the 18th century. Until the First World War boys wore shorts in the summer and knickerbockers or plus fours in the winter, until they hit puberty and graduated to long trousers. ‘I’d rather stay in the plus fours if you ask me’. In the early 19th century, plus fours were worn as part of sports attire. Which is where that great tweed and watch tartan golfing dress originated from. History lesson over.
When I bought my plus fours I didn’t actually think about how fashion forward they were, in a non mainstream way. With the twisted, country look (that I for one am incredibly excited about) coming in for next season, I think plus fours and 3/4 length suit trousers are a fantastic way to bring the punkoutry, look into this summer. Maybe teaming them with a tweed waistcoat and printed T – so you don’t look completely like a chimney sweep!
A look that I’m planning on breaking out closer to the autumn is plus fours with hunting socks and big, elaborate, bow tied neckerchiefs. An image Inspired by the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Fashion and outfit inspiration is all around us in this world, you just need to take notice.
Calf hugging, British eccentricity is definitely the way forward for this spring/summer. Let’s not leave this beautiful piece of fashion history on the derrieres of unconventional, country club golfers or the dusty floors of vintage shops.
If there’s ever going to be a time to revive plus fours it’s definitely the season to do so. Yay!
Big Love,
Jacob Kamara
AllSaints Earlham Street Screening Room
Style Inspiration: Monaco Chic
Celluloid Style: The Great Gatsby (1974)
Style Inspiration: Berlin Grunge
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hey,
Do you know what the the coat is in the far right pic?
Also, nice article! I love checking out the articles on the website!
Cheers :)
i think this site is getting worse
Why is this site getting worse? Because you can’t find this stuff in your local George? Too controversial because it’s not a simple Fred Perry shirt & a pair of Levi’s? Please.
hahaha that made me laugh
Kris.. you are not nice, but you speak the truth. I dont know what is going on, but Fashion Beans is pissing me off.
I don’t particularly like the bagginess of the shorts, I prefer slim fit shorts or trousers. Also, a lookbook or outfit example would have been good too.
Sadly, I’ll have to agree with Kris and Americano. It just seems like the overall quality of the post have decreased. I loved the idea of having new writers and what not, but I can’t say I’m getting anything out of the articles anymore. Perhaps two or more post each day?
Hey Guys,
What type of things do you want to read about?
We love receiving work from guest writers so please feel free to contribute.
We are striving to be the best online men’s fashion magazine, which means catering to all tastes, diverse and customary. As we no longer live in an age wear men’s apparel is as dull as dishwater, please don’t expect to see look books and articles solely dedicated to a jean and T combo.
But do feel free to let us know anything you want to read about and well do our best to satisfy your tastes.
Jacob Kamara
Adaption is something that comes in to play more often than not in fashion. Surely a feat that has allowed us to grow and learn for hundreds of years cannot fail us now?
@OLSON mentioned he is no longer getting anything out of FashionBeans articles. What were you getting before that you feel you are no longer? Unfortunately, not all articles will be tailored around a reader but rather a readership!
ADAPT. Take that which you need and omit that what you don’t. Be open to new ideas and learn to adapt your style to others and theirs to yours. This is the only way to progress further than your average dandy who claim fashion they hand pick from the mainstream.
Icons from Ford to McQueen to Socretees are the greats of generations and eras because they saw beyond what was in front of then. Kamara wears these pants in one way. It doesn’t have to be your way. I have seen so many pairing rolled up jersey pants and drop crotch pants with the legs pulled up with military boots for a new take on the uniform look. Immediately when I saw this article I saw an opportunity to express on this look further. Adapting.
A man who approaches life with anything less than an open mind deserves nothing more than what he is presented with.
Luke Todd.
Adaption is something that comes in to play more often than not in fashion. Surely a feat that has allowed us to grow and learn for hundreds of years cannot fail us now?
@OLSON mentioned he is no longer getting anything out of FashionBeans articles. What were you getting before that you feel you are no longer? Unfortunately, not all articles will be tailored around a reader but rather a readership!
ADAPT. Take that which you need and omit that what you don’t. Be open to new ideas and learn to adapt your style to others and theirs to yours. This is the only way to progress further than your average dandy who claim fashion they hand pick from the mainstream.
Icons from Ford to McQueen to Socretees are the greats of generations and eras because they saw beyond what was in front of then. Kamara wears these pants in one way. It doesn’t have to be your way. I have seen so many pairing rolled up jersey pants and drop crotch pants with the legs pulled up with military boots for a new take on the uniform look. Immediately when I saw this article I saw an opportunity to express on this look further. Adapting. I can’t tell you to carry this attitude throughout all FashionBeans articles, I can only hope.
A man who approaches life with anything less than an open mind deserves nothing more than what he is presented with.
Luke Todd.
Sorru for posting twice, temperamental BlackBerry.
@AL – the coat (in-fact the whole outfit) is by Benjamin Bixby(Aka Andre 3000) its stocked in Harrods and I think Harvey nicks. :)
Hello everyone.
I would like to get involved in this discussion because it is really important to me that readers are getting something out of the articles and I do take it personally when we get criticism…. this is to say that it does actually matter to me.
Because you guys are regular readers I would like to echo what Jacob has said and ask what exactly do YOU want from your articles?
Would you like more:
Designer Collections: Showcasing the new range from eg PRPS for spring/summer and where you can buy them online?
Clothing Collections: Showcasing the latest staple items like polo shirts, summer shorts etc.
Trend Reports: I think if you look through our fashion trends category we cover these quite well. We will always preview the big designer trends and also the smaller more “street” trends that are being pushed by the high street or local fashion crowds. These are published as and when we notice a big trend though… we cannot “force” these articles.
Look books: I know from when I used to write and publish every article that these are popular so I for one would like to increase the amount that go on site. I am in fact going to scale back the work I am doing the overall site to start regularly contributing these again.
Fashion tips/guides: Ways to tie a scarf? Colour co-ordination for ties and shirts? How to polish your shoes correctly?
Anything else? Or do you have examples of what you would like to see? This is your chance to help us get back to the standard you have in your head.
I think every single week you are are going to find an article or two that does not apply to you or your personal tastes. However by having a definitive opinion on a particular look or item of clothing you have actually developed your personal style just as much as if you LOVED everything featured.
Jacob is starting to focus his stories around more avant garde or high fashion items of clothing and looks because that is HIS STYLE. It is not my personal way of dressing but I understand that we get around 500,000 people a month visit the site so there has to be many more who actually love this type of clothing as well. This is what we mean by trying to cater for everyone.
I will leave at this until we get some constructive criticism back, then we can go from there and see how we want to take the site forward as a community.
Well… I do have to admit that the articles in the last weeks didn’t apply to me BUT guys.. just look what a wide range of articles they offer us. I mean this article is far away from mainstream, it’s a prospect of what could be mainstream someday, or not. Maybe you don’t like them, but some readers, like it has been said a few posts ago, actually can take new ideas out of that.
Well I don’t even know what I wanted to say anymore so I’ll just stop.. Excuse me for any mistakes in my text :D
I love this website, and read it everyday so I can help my partner stay looking his best! The writers are witty and fun and I love reading the articles! I agree that not everything will suit/be to everyones taste, but thats what makes the world go round! Keep up the good work guys……………….Big love!!……………x
Oh pleeeease… HATERS!! How can you say the quality of the articles has gone down… This article has a piece, ideas on what to team the selected piece with, the history of the piece AND a heads up on how you can be ahead in seasonal trends…. Just because certain individuals do not find the piece to their personal taste…(Or maybe they even do but wouldn’t have the balls to stand out in somnething different) does not justify criticising the articles or the writers… And if you genuinely think things could be done better… Go for it!! *rant over!* loving your work guys!! I’m off to me local vintage boutique… Laters x
Well I don’t think its so much the content, but how strongly its being expressed; the quality of it. Its totally understandable that some articles will appeal to a different reader, and I’m not necessarily using this write-up as an example. It just feels like the site has lost something.
A few ideas I think would be interesting to read:
1. How To’s
2. D.I.Y
3. An article on timeless fashion/building a lasting wardrobe
4. A series that modernizes vintage styles
5. An article on silhouettes, and dressing to enhance your best features
6. A project type article where the writer takes one piece of clothing and reinvents it in several different ways. It wouldn’t have to fit a trend, or be limited to just outfits. It could simply feature different methods to really set-off the appearance of the item (cuff, fasten, wrinkle, oversize etc). The editorial would be more focused on using your current wardrobe in fresh, new ways. Like a ‘shop your closet.’
If possible, Fashionbeaners could even submit photo’s of their own items to be used, maybe something they’re having trouble implementing into their ensembles?
Well I haven’t agreed with some of the newer, weirder trends that have been posted lately but who agrees with everything? But I have to agree with Olson, those 6 points he made are kinda what I envision would be great for this website(though most of what you guys are already doing is great). Also, personally, I’d like more info on what looks hot to girls cuz to me, if you don’t look good in a girl’s eyes, it’s not fashion. =)
Oh, heheh. Jonathan’s last point is so true!
Thank you to you guys, with the nice words. It’s nice to see that our hard work is appreciated.
For those with positive and negative feedback, thank you all for your opinions. This has played on my mind a lot over the last couple of days and I have been spending hours thinking of a way to rectify it. I have now come up with an action plan which I think will restore us to past glory and give the site some focus.
It is hard coordinating multiple contributors and I think I have been lacking a lot when it comes to this. I have also neglected to contribute stories to this site and looking at myself now it is unforgivable. You can all count on me to contribute at least one article a week now of which my next will go on site Friday.
I would like to thank Olson for some amazing subject categories that I think we can really run with and I am excited again with how we can turn this around and push ourselves to the next level.
Please keep the comments coming because I may have missed things that others spot. What do you like? What do you dislike? What do you want more of?
This is your chance to shape the new direction we go in.
I would like to read some fashion articles on fashion shows and up and coming designers. Yeah.. Up and Coming Men’s designers, who have new and fresh ideas on Men’s Fashion.
I love lookbook.nu(.) It’s a site where fashion conscience people(from 14 to 30) from all across the world post their own fashion inspirations and outfits of the moment, if you all could put together an article or complations of the best wouild be a great read. (You’ll probaly heard of it)
Create a fashion book list, what should we as fashion consumer be reading?
How to shop fashion savvy on dime, Meaning: Fashion for Less!
I think the site to take it to the next level. Become an inspiration.
Thanks
that and some more sponsors.. I’m tired of Oki-Ni and AESOS!!
Where else should I be shopping?
Hey I’m just going to put my two pence worth in.
I like the quality and the diversity of the articles very much, particularly Luke; he has a very distinctive writing style, similar to Wendy Roby form drownedinsound.com.
However, I feel the site needs a bit of a clean up. I find the homepage quite messy and difficult to navigate; a simpler layout – Logo, Links Bar, About us, then the last four or five articles down the page – would be much easier for new readers. (Also get rid of that picture of pouty men at the top, I don’t think it adds anything)
I also find the Links at the top quite confusing. It’s nearly impossible for a new reader to know where to start – what’s the difference between collections, men’s style and fashion trends? I think a simpler bar – a ‘welcome to fashionbeans’ sort of area, with a quick paragraph about fashionbeans, and where to go as a first time reader – ‘articles’ – ‘trends’ – ‘lookbooks’ – ‘grooming’.
On the right hand side I would move the ‘article categories’ up nearer the top, completely abolish the rss (no one uses it anymore) and the ‘blog friends’ (half the links are broken, or the sites have been inactive for months). Instead I would add a ‘meet the writers section’ – four or five of you – a little picture, a short blurb: experience, likes, dislikes, what I’m wearing this season sort of thing.
Sorry if all my suggestions are impractical, but I feel they would simplify greatly what is currently a huge mess of links.
Also, at the risk of sounding like a pedant, many of the articles contain(ed) grammatical errors etc. although many, myself included don’t care, I believe you will never become THE leading fashion website if the writing is not top-notch.
Also:
1) More articles on bands and their fashion. As much as I dislike Bombay bicycle club, I love the premise.
2) More ‘On the street’ articles. Really liked the one at the fashion show, plus it helps to show how to wear things more than lookbooks in my opinion.
3) More ‘On a budget’ type stuff. Because I am on a budget.
Sorry for so much writing i bet none of it makes sense, i ought to be in bed :S
Night night x
I have been sat silently reading in the shadows for a while so I thought it was time to come out and have a say. Thank you all for you feedback it is greatly appriciated. I’m quite ne to Fashion Beans so a lot of you won’t know me that well but I really like a lot of yur suggestions and I will definately look towards workin with Ben to impliment them!
Is there a general concencus that you would like more kind of ‘Fashion News’ articles with posts about say the shows at fashion week, new collections being launched and the progress about upcoming designers?
MR_HILL I also love your idea of a meet the readers section! It means I get to blabber on about myself! haha
P.S
Apologies for the rather poor typing….it is VERY early in the morning for me!
Thanks for the input. Especially Mr_Hill, you have given me ideas about the site design as well as story topics. Some of the redesign ideas have actually been implemented for a relaunch in a couple of months time already. Especially the stripped down navigation bar, and more “meet the writer” information.
From the help of everyone who has commented, I now have an expansive list for a series of articles the readers want to see, and will be collating it to create an action plan for all our contributors.
But I am sure a lot more of you have ideas and if you would like to contact me direct please just fire an email over to men@fashionbeans.com. It would help me to have all the information grouped together for future reference.
Thanks guys
Im not sure why this of all articles has stirred up so much controversy… unless im very much mistaken there isn’t too much difference between plus fours and alot of ‘shorts’ or even joggers now popping up in every high-street store imaginable.
Just looking at the allsaints banner to the right of this post —–> [im aware it isn't there on your screen, the arrow is purely for emphasis... and those who accidentally got their right ear pierced as a child] the remedy shorts the guy is wearing in their promotional ad’s aren’t a million miles away from the knickerbockers/plus fours of old.