Introduction

So today we bring you a preview from our next site takeover retailer… my-wardrobe.com. They have launched an exciting new competition in association with Esquire magazine that I thought all our regular FashionBeans readers would like to get involved with.

They are on the search for Britain’s Best Dressed REAL Man. That’s right, for all of you who have been reading our site for a while now and are just a normal, down to earth, everyday male – not your models, or your A-listers – this is about you showcasing your looks to the world and being crowned as the UK’s best dressed man. There are a wealth of prizes available that come along with the stature, so why not enter your submission today?

Quick Reference Guide:

FashionBeans Starting Guide

So hopefully as you have continued to read FashionBeans, you will of picked up a wealth of fashion knowledge and experimented with what works for you. This is the best piece of advice I can give you if you are to enter this competition… be true to you and your personal style. Don’t try to dress like anyone else, don’t go over the top trying to stand out, and don’t wear items you wouldn’t feel comfortable in – it will all show in a picture if you are not confident in your look.

Try to create outfits that are classic and timeless but with a twist. And get the basics right; make sure your clothes fit you perfectly, and make sure they flatter your body type/shape – this is a tell-tale sign of a great or poor dresser. Look to individualise yourself from the crowd using accessories of personal touches within your outfit. You don’t have to go overboard, but try adding a pendant, a great man bag or even just a small pin badge on the lapel of your blazer. These key little details are what’s going to make you stand out – NOT clashing every colour together under the sun.

Also be bold and experiment with colour and print. If you like to use burgundy trousers within your formal wear then show that, if you like to use floral dress shirts with your classic tailoring then by all means include that within your look. It doesn’t matter WHAT your style is, it is how YOU PULL IT OFF with some panache.

Take a look at some examples that have been posted on the Esquire website to see just how varied the looks are:

Example Entrant Outfits and Photographs from Esquire

Esquire Style Advice

So if you are still struggling for inspiration, check out the video below by Esquire’s fashion editor Gareth Scourfield. He takes you through a couple of different contemporary looks and offers some advice on how to put a look together:

Example Outfits

So here are the example outfits Gareth put together above, as well as one more for inspiration purposes:

Outfit 1
  • 3.1 Phillip Lim Pale Peach Short Rolled Sleeve Shirt
  • Marc by Marc Jacobs Navy Painted Camo Cotton Blazer
  • Burberry Stone Packable Trench Coat
  • Nicole Farhi Light Beige Washed Cotton Trousers
  • Paul Smith Shoes Brown Soft Leather Dwight Tassel Loafers
  • Burberry Navy Packable Nylon Buckley Tote
Outfit 2
  • Acne Navy Crushed Humble Stripe Henley
  • Marc by Marc Jacobs Blue Silk Cotton Cashmere Colour Block Cardigan
  • D&G Vintage Wash Soft Denim Blazer
  • Acne Black Slim Leg Max Cash Jean
  • Falke Blue Family Casual Socks
  • D&G Black Burnished Leather Contrast Sole Shoes
Outfit 3
  • Barbour Stone Brushed Twill Patch Maxwell Shirt
  • YMC Navy Light Waxed Cotton Gloverall Duffle
  • Fred Perry Natural Straw Trilby Hat
  • Levi's Washed Stone Braces Roots Chinos
  • Swear Oxblood Leather Contrast Sole Chaplin Shoes
  • Barbour Olive Waxed Cotton Twill Overnight Bag
The Prizes

my-wardrobe.com has teamed up with the leading men’s magazine Esquire to scour the length and breadth of the UK to find the nation’s best dressed real man. The prize? £20,000 of my-wardrobe.com’s menswear and a cornucopia of swanky treats and trips befitting their new found style status.

Seeking out Britain’s Best Dressed Real Man is no small endeavour and the quest will see our style scouts touring the streets of the UK’s major cities – on the lookout for any chap who displays the sort of style sense, grace or general rakish abandon that sets his outfit apart from those of the churning masses.

A panel of experts and celebrities including designer Sir Paul Smith, actor Matt Smith, the editor of Esquire Alex Bilmes and our own buying director Luisa de Paula will then flex their well-developed judgement muscles before selecting the ultimate winner.

This will be announced, and duly celebrated, at an elegant soiree in September 2011 where the lucky winner will scoop a truly amazing prize – drum roll please:

  • £20,000 of my-wardrobe.com’s menswear
  • 3 premium Longines watches (1 for the winner, 2 for runner ups)
  • A bespoke Niven & Joshua men’s grooming hamper
  • A night in the ultra luxe hotel The May Fair, London
How To Enter
Enter In Your Local City

If you think you – or someone you know – dresses like a style leader (both the rough diamonds and polished dandies) then take note of the following dates when the Esquire and my-wardrobe.com teams are set to hit your town.

  • 18th May 2011 Edinburgh
  • 19th May 2011 Glasgow
  • 25th May 2011 London
Enter Direct

You can enter today. All we need is a full-length picture of yourself, along with your name, age, profession, contact details and a summary of your personal style.

Either email your entry to bestdressed@esquire.co.uk or post it to:

Esquire’s Best Dressed Man
72 Broadwick Street
London
W1F 9EP

CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPETITION RULES