So you must have at least heard of the riveting television showDownton Abbey.  Well it is no surprise to us at Orchid Tea that the Edwardian charm of the series has crept its way onto the fashion scene with a sultry and beautiful elegance.  Following Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and the absolutely magnificent London Summer Olympics, the world has come down with a mean case of Anglophilia.  Of course, being a Brit, I have no qualms with this obsession taking over the runways and magazine shelves.

Detailed fabrics and dramatic cuts, the Edwardian styles have been spotted in the Winter 2012-13 collections of countless designers.  Empire waist dresses, high collars, riding boots, and even polished hats are rapidly become staples in the winter lookbooks.  Prada, Gladstone, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, and Armani are embracing the trend full force.  Some are even throwing Edwardian themes onto photo shoots and runways to further convey the idea. 

Think upper class English Edwardian women out in the scenic countryside to play spectators for their families shooting, fishing, and hunting.  Subtle Hints of houndstooth convey the royal sporting vibe, but paired with high-heeled boots and long, velvet jacquard dresses, and frilly white collars, you’re definitely not prepared for the hunt.  Black, navy, deep purple and burgundy long sleeved gloves will definitely make the transition into the main-stream fashion scene, and allow the trend to be received by the mass.  So indulge in your inner Anglophile and wrap up for winter!

After a much-too-long hiatus, Orchid Tea is back!  We will now be writing blog posts several times a week and bringing more flare and energy to your computer screen (or smartphone… or tablet… oh my!)  Make sure you check out the Orchid Tea Tumblr for extras and special posts. Also, check out the Orchid Tea Photo Inspiration Blog (founded in 2009!) for a flood of fashion forward expertise!  Now, on to the the post to end all blogging fasts:

Menswear is something which is looked over far too often, especially here on StyleOwner stores.  Sure, you can find a few staples for men here and there, but never anything deserving of a punny title and a full-on blog post. So I’ve taken the initiative to take some time out from my typical posts about frills, lace, heels, and dresses, to bring you the ultimate go-to guide for men’s fashion.  To all the men out there on the sidelines who are snappy dressers and fashion savvy, this one is for you.  So, first thing’s first:

BACK TO  BASICS:  Sure you have your basic white tee, your go-to par of jeans, and probably a hoodie or two in your closet. It’s time to expand your sense of what is a staple for your wardrobe.  Think of this as a mostly-necessary checklist of what will get you through most occasions: 

• Tee Shirts in white, black, navy, a wine red, and a colour that is reminiscent of your eye colour but toned down. (e.g.. if you have bright blue eyes, go for more of a pigeon blue shirt; if you have brown eyes, get a wine red with brown undertones.)
• Jeans in the two cuts that flatter you the most, and if you want to cover more ground, get a dark wash and a lighter wash in both styles. A dark almost-black wash works excellently for “dressy-casual” events like a casual first-date, or dinner with the family. A medium blue wash serves as your everyday jeans to throw on.  
           Now about the cut: Straight-leg jeans flatter everyone, so if you’re unsure as to what your body type is, you should start with that. If you’re an inverted-triangle shape (that is, more built on your upper half) then a boot cut will help you even out the proportions.  If you’re wider around your stomach (oval shaped) then go for a relaxed cut, because a slimmer fit will draw attention to the girth of your midsection. And if you’re pretty evenly proportioned from top to bottom, invest in skinny or slim-fit jeans to emphasize your balanced figure. Paying attention to what flatters your body type is not just for women, guys!
• Shoe time.  Go to your closet.  How many pairs of shoes do you have? Whether it’s two or two-hundred, you need to have the basics. Three pairs is all you need to cover all the bases, it’s just all about strategy. You need a pair of shoes you can wear both to the supermarket and to work, this means something comfortable for you to walk around in, subtle, and adaptive. A nice quality pair of slip-on or lace-up Vans sneakers does just the job in my opinion. A basic pair in a non-vibrant colour or print will get you through 80-90% of your week, so it’s definitely worth the investment; skip the $25 bargain pair at your nearest payless shoe store, and shell-out on a pair that will last, like these Premium Wax Canvas Ludlow Lace-Up Vans for $75.00, or these Aged Leather Coffee Slip-Ons for $65.00. Throw these babies on and you’ll be able to cruise into the restaurant right from your trip to the supermarket. 
           The other two pairs you need are a nice formal pair of Oxfords or Brogues and an active pair for  (just stay away from the cartoon-character sneakers and look for sleek and stylish designs instead). A heavy boot is edgy and can take a beating if you find yourself walking more than you would want your Vans to be subjected to.
• Time for layers, layers, layers!  Three words: hoodies, cardigans, and scarves.  
          You should have at least on of each in order to have the perfect adaptive wardrobe. This is where you can break the rule of keeping your basics basic in colour, if you wish.  American Apparel offer their Flex Fleece Hoodie for $46.00 in almost every colour you could imagine, and if you’re not into the subtle colour palate, this is your chance to inject some colour into your look, so go for it!  
         Now when it comes to cardigans, shoot for two different styles to anchor your emsembles. A cardigan made from a lightweight material such as this Textured Stripe Shawl Collar Cardigan from Express for $79.90. The elbow patches and shawl collar are very fashion-forward and is a simple addition to a jeans and tee look.  Another, heavier cardigan like this Waffle Knit Toggle Cardigan from Express for $128.00 will get your through those cooler months before you get out your winter coat. 
         And scarves are an absolute must for pulling together your autumnal and winter looks. Throw on this absolute bargain Rugby Striped Scarf  available at Forever 21Men’s for a mere $11.90!  Shoot, go on a get a few for that price!  A scarf can be worn multiple ways to add that extra touch to your outfit. Drape it around your neck, toss it over your shoulder, wrap it around, tie it in a simple knot, or a slip knot… the options are seemingly endless!  Invest in a lighter scarf for the spring and autumn months, and pick up a thicker knit one for the winter.  
• Last but not least: a flattering and flawless coat.  Let me take a moment to personally thank and congratulate the inventor of the men’s peacoat. Toss aside that Northface jacket and that overly puffy thermal snowsuit style coat. Sure they may keep you warm in negative Fahrenheit, but let’s not forget that practical can in fact mean fashionable. Take a look at these ultra warm wool coats from Topman (the male department of the wonderful Topshop). These coats instantly take your look from “just trying to stay warm” to tailored and put together.
   

BEYOND THE BASICS: So if you think you’ve mastered what you consider necessary from the above list of basics, it’s time to expand your wardrobe into the statement making additions and accessories. 

• What time is it? Sure you could pull out your smartphone or look into the corner or your laptop for the answer, but there’s nothing like a statement watch on your wrist to read the time from. You could wear an old white tee shirt and a pair of blue jeans, but this Michael Kors Black Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch for $180.00 at Bloomingdales takes the look several pegs higher while being practical and simple. 
• The perfectly fitted shirt is an item you should treat yourself to. Once you put on a custom cut button down shirt, you’ll wonder how you ever went without one. No, do don’t have to ber Mr. Moneybags in order to get a shirt fit specifically for you. Spier and MacKay Made to Measure allow you to select the style, fabric, collar cut, pockets, and everything down to the stitching. Then just whip out a measuring tape and measure your body, enter the digits and voila, they will cut and fit your shirt specifically for you, all for under $80.  And no worries, they have a FREE returns policy, so if something is off, just ship it back and let them know. How could it go wrong?
• Sunglasses don’t have to make you look like a tool (or Kanye West) so don’t shy away form them! The classic 80s Wayfarer, the Clubman, or the Aviator are three styles that are perfect to start with, as one of the three are bound to flatter your face shape and personal style. Ray Ban Sunglasses come in these three basic styles (and more) so it’s a great place to start. Let your personal style dictate the colour of your frames and lenses, because accessories are never about blending into the crowd. 
• And to finish everything off, let me ask you a final question. When you have more than bank cards, money, and your keys to carry around, what do you use?  The double standard that permits women to carry around their life in a bag on their arm or shoulder is one that must be frustrating for men. Okay, so maybe growing up in the UK, I am more partial to metrosexual men’s fashion, but there is a method to pulling off a carry-all bag without feeling like a European male model.  Asos has a great selection of Men’s Bags ranging from rucksacks to messenger bags at great prices. If you’re a student, breaking away from the basic backpack and slipping your notebooks and laptop into this River Island Messenger Bag for $43.98 will set you apart form all the other backpack-clad guys sitting in your 9:00am history class. 

Here I have equipped you with the basics and a few extra-credit tips on how to develop your style. Of course, these are merely suggestions, and depending on your personal style, you might want to make a few modifications. For example, if you’re known for loving wacky prints and bright colours, go for it! Use this guided as a helping hand for your closet and a base you can work up from. Another tip: look out for deals and bargains!  You don’t need to sacrifice your entire pay check to bring your look to Details Magazine standards, because even if you’re made of money, that’s just not practical. Invest money in the staples (like shoes and jeans) and cut corners on experimental items like sunglasses and scarves, that is, until you find what you really love.  I’m all for saving a buck here and there!  

I may be a lover of women’s fashion, but living with three brothers, I keep a close and appreciative eye on menswear. This has drawn me to do the department justice and help you realise that there is variety in menswear, you just have to know where to look.  Keep your eye on Orchid Tea’s Menswear Section, where we will be constantly adding new products to help you out!