Latest news with #mensfashion


New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Ralph Lauren's Vintage Man of Mystery
For more than a quarter century, Doug Bihlmaier has held a mythic position in the world of men's fashion, especially among those who prize vintage style. Matt Hranek, the founder of the men's fashion magazine WM Brown, first heard about Mr. Bihlmaier in the mid-1990s. At the time, he noticed that Double RL, a Ralph Lauren spinoff brand, had the best versions of the vintage military clothing and watches he sought for his own collection. 'You'd say, 'Who finds this stuff?'' Mr. Hranek said. He soon learned of the man whose job sounded like a fantasy: he traveled the world on a Ralph Lauren corporate credit card to find and buy cool old stuff. One day, while waiting in line outside a vintage show, Mr. Hranek met the man himself — a shy, bearded figure in faded denim. From then on, whenever they spotted each other at fairs, Mr. Bihlmaier would smile beatifically and give Mr. Hranek the peace sign. 'It was like the pope putting up his hands,' said Mr. Hranek, 58. 'For somebody like myself who really loved vintage, Doug was the benchmark of what to be looking for.' Though Mr. Bihlmaier remains largely unknown to the wider world, his profile has been rising in recent years, especially among young vintage collectors and online fashion influencers. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.


Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Men's Suit Trends 2025: Western Flair, Bold Color, and Expressive Tailoring for the Modern Man
From Western Suits to Matching Father-Son Outfits, MensUSA Defines This Year's Suiting Evolution. As dress codes blur and personal style takes center stage, men's suit trends in 2025 are experiencing a bold redefinition. This year marks an expressive, comfort-forward approach to formalwear, where heritage, innovation, and personality converge. From Trajes Vaqueros to Matching Father-Son Suits, the modern man is choosing style with meaning, form, and function. Whether for weddings, milestone celebrations, or everyday confidence, MensUSA leads the charge in curating suits that are as versatile as they are visually striking. The company's collections champion everything from bold suits that men admire to Western-style suits inspired by heritage Americana. Why Men's Suit Trends Are Changing in 2025 Dress preferences are shifting rapidly in 2025, with buyers favoring pieces that reflect identity, purpose, and adaptability. According to the Business of Fashion, direct-to-consumer menswear brands focused on technical tailoring experienced a 30% year-over-year growth, driven by demand for mobility, breathability, and eco-friendly materials. Key changes include: Blending tradition with bold modern aesthetics Embracing family coordination as part of fashion expression Seeking comfort and performance without sacrificing elegance MensUSA integrates these insights into every collection, ensuring each suit is a reflection of modern masculinity. Vintage Western Influence Makes a Stylish Return This year's breakout trend? Western Suits with vintage flair. From cowboy yoke stitching to earthy-toned suedes, these styles fuse ranchwear nostalgia with metropolitan polish. Western-inspired details to watch: Embroidered shoulders Suede lapels Snap-button cuffs Boot-cut trouser options These designs, known as Trajes Vaqueros, channel Americana heritage, making them popular choices for outdoor weddings and casual elevated events. The popularity of trajes vaqueros para hombre isn't limited to North America. With the growing influence of Latino culture and fashion, these suits are increasingly sought after for quinceañeras, destination weddings, and high-end celebrations worldwide. MensUSA is at the forefront of this movement, offering an extensive selection that blends traditional charro aesthetics with breathable, modern materials. Each piece is a work of craftsmanship that balances rustic charm and metropolitan appeal. Shop the Look: Western Suits Trajes Vaqueros Bold Color & Patterned Expression: A Vibrant Revolution Minimalism takes a backseat in 2025, giving rise to vivid tones and experimental prints. Jewel-toned suits in burgundy, sapphire, and emerald are dominating runways and wardrobes alike, while pastels like lavender and mint add spring-ready flair. In an era where personality matters more than tradition, the bold suits men choose in 2025 reflect a confident break from conformity. These suits feature daring cuts, textured layers, and statement accessories, capturing attention in any room. Whether it's a head-to-toe emerald ensemble or a two-tone patterned tuxedo, these looks reflect the modern man's drive to stand out while staying grounded in quality and fit. MensUSA's approach blends daring color with smart tailoring, ensuring that fashion never sacrifices comfort. As GQ reports, jewel tones and pastel suiting are part of a larger movement toward color confidence. Pro Styling Tip: Pair a sapphire velvet blazer with soft grey slacks and loafers for a high-impact, low-effort ensemble. Textured linings and bold pocket squares elevate even the most basic silhouette, proving that color confidence is the new neutral. Matching Father-Son Looks Gain Momentum One of the most heartwarming and stylish trends in 2025? Matching Father-Son Suits. Designed for weddings, holidays, and coordinated family portraits, these outfits symbolize unity and shared flair. MensUSA offers a full selection of Father and son matching suits in classic and trend-forward fabrics. Whether you're coordinating navy tuxedos or spring linen suits, there's something for every duo. MensUSA's matching father and son suits are more than just coordinated outfits; they are heirloom pieces in the making. Available in linen, wool-blend, and performance fabrics, these matching looks are perfect for capturing family milestones with both style and sentimentality. From coordinating navy blues for black-tie events to casual khaki pairings for outdoor shoots, these suits memorably combine tradition and trend. Fathers and sons can now step out in matching elegance without compromising on fit or fabric innovation. Celebrity-Inspired Tailoring: Steve Harvey Suits Stand Out Few figures have redefined modern men's suiting like Steve Harvey. His unmistakable style, featuring wide lapels, vivid colors, and sharp lines, has inspired a renaissance in bold tailoring. MensUSA's Steve Harvey Suits Collection captures this iconic energy while offering practical versions for everyday and event wear. There's a reason the term 'Steve Harvey suits' trends so frequently online: his influence on men's tailoring is both iconic and enduring. Known for wide lapels, rich color palettes, and double-breasted designs, Harvey's signature style speaks to a generation of men who value both flair and formality. The MensUSA Steve Harvey Suits collection captures that spirit with updated cuts and fabrics that make these iconic looks wearable for today's events. With options in cream, deep bronze, and statement navy, there's a Steve Harvey suit for every man aiming to command the room. Suits That Prioritize Comfort, Fit & Function Style meets technology in 2025. Today's suits are built for motion and modern living: Stretch fabrics enhance mobility without wrinkles Moisture-wicking linings keep wearers cool and dry Breathable fibers like tropical wool and bamboo ensure year-round wear Euromonitor highlights the growing demand for breathable fabrics such as tropical wool. Fashion Network notes innovations in materials like bamboo blends. Statista projects significant revenue growth in the global men's formalwear segment, while IBISWorld reports a post-pandemic rebound in U.S. consumer spending on suits. Conclusion: MensUSA Leads the Modern Suit Movement The men's suit of 2025 is no longer a uniform; it's an extension of character, culture, and comfort. From the Western revival to father-son coordination and Steve Harvey-style boldness, this year's styles reflect a new attitude toward menswear. MensUSA remains at the forefront, offering accessible, stylish, and technically advanced options for every man and every moment.


Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
The little-known British brand dressing the feet of Hollywood's leading men - from Daniel Craig to Ryan Reynolds
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more This summer it is all about comfortable, bold style with unique color combinations and reliable fabric compositions. That's why we think London Sock Company is the only place for men to shop for socks this season. London Sock Co. is a leading destination for luxury mens socks and they are welcoming the sunny season with bright new designs. From basics to tasteful prints, the collection features socks for every style and personality. Whether you are shopping for yourself or the special men in your life, London Sock Co. is the place to be right now and hurry because the brand new pairs are selling out fast. They're so popular they've hit the red carpet, spotted on top celebs, including stars such as Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ryan Reynolds, The Rock, James Marsden, and Rami Malek (to name just a few). Simply put, these are the sock world's end-all, be-all, and they've more than earned it. You can even sign up for a subscription plan that delivers London Sock Co.'s very best to your doorstep on a regular basis. Ultimate Pastel Dash of Class, 15-Pair Box For anyone who is in major need of a full sock drawer reset — this massive, full-collection sock set is gonna be for you. Enjoy the full range of basic and bright colors that represent every season tastefully. From dark blues to vibrant pinks, there is a sock for every occasion in this set. Plus, with the London Sock Co. quality you can trust in your socks longevity! $336 Shop Walk of Fame, 3-Pair Box Still looking for the perfect summer sock drawer additions? Look no further! This cozy 3-pack of socks is made with ultra-soft fabric and a dainty designs. Perfect for work and special occasions, this set has just the right amount of personality. Rock any of these pairs this season for an effortless sophisticated look. $88 Shop Retro Pastels II, 3-Pair Box Sale price If you are looking for the best 'bang for your buck' — this set is 100 percent the way to go. This 3-pack comes with a perfect array of all the most fun colors in the collection and has plenty of practicality too. The pairs are retro crew cuts and work well with dress shoes and sneakers alike. Whether you are shopping for your husband, brother, or dad — you seriously can not go wrong with socks. $72 Shop
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Twins were due two days after redundancy so I started a tie business'
In late 2012, Patrick Dudley-Williams was three months away from being a director at Morgan Stanley (MS) and two days from his wife giving birth to twins when he was made redundant. One year later he was standing in his former employer's canteen selling ties at a gift fair. 'My wife looked at me bizarrely when I said I was going to start a tie company,' muses Dudley-Williams, founder of men's lifestyle brand Reef Knots. Even if he had a business 'with the most unpopular clothing item of all time", he recalls meetings in nondescript offices and remembering people's names who had standout ties. Colourful character clearly goes a long way and with his headstrong mantra that consumers have more ties than jeans in their wardrobe, the former stock broker turned entrepreneur also knew he would be operating in an uncompetitive British market. Read More: 'Our £30m success is due to mums making sure our children's food looked great' Thus, Dudley-Williams stood behind a table at gift fairs for nearly three years to get the business up and running. 'It helps that it hasn't been all plain sailing,' he admits. 'There was a phase when I first started, you turn on your website and hope people will come and it will all happen. Very quickly you realise that no one cares and you will have to generate interest, create a great product and persuade a consumer to spend £70 with you and not with every other brand in the world. 'It's a hyper competitive industry but people will always revert to who they know and that they will get value for money and quality.' Production started with a UK manufacturer before unforeseen issues saw a move to the tie mecca of Como, Italy — handmade from screen-printed silk and where Reef Knots remains to this day. His first website sale outside of family and friends came via human interaction when Dudley-Williams plucked up the courage to go up to a Hermès tie wearer in a pub with his business card. 'It reminded me that if you tell people about it they will come,' he says. The next morning he purchased three ties. Eighteen months after launching and a desire to keep selling after the gift fair season, Dudley-Williams teamed up with a business partner who made socks after a pop-up shop success in Putney. Following a £20,000 crowdfund, the pair found an old launderette with a bell on the door in Leadenhall Market. Online stock was kept in the basement while his office had a low roof where sitting down was the only option. When COVID hit, Reef Knot's business was 40% ties while 30% came from its London shop. The subsequent 70% revenue decline accounted for a 'traumatic period' but accelerated Reef Knot's pivot into a wider menswear brand. Read More: Meet Britain's 'king of billboards' who sold his business for £1bn 'I realised the creative side should come out of one brain and it isn't the vast majority of my year,' he says. 'It was part of the process of learning the business from scratch, a second degree via YouTube, packaging and Google (GOOG) advertising.' Despite the change from the City to the risk of a tie venture, entrepreneurship has been etched into his family's DNA and he figured that the corporate world would never be his final calling. While working in finance 20 years ago, Dudley-Williams had looked into buying some mirrored aviator sunglasses. He was soon earning more than his monthly salary after finding a distributor in China and selling via eBay. Other sellers soon latched on and he called it a day. 'When I was working in finance I travelled to the US a lot and saw how ties were branded differently,' he says. 'In the UK, it was a symbol of the corporate grind, heritage and stuffy brand messaging. I felt we could do something fresh and fun.' In 2014, ocean-inspired Reef Knots partnered with the Blue Marine Foundation which, says Dudley-Williams, has opened doors for the sustainability brand. With early tie designs featuring fish and sailing boats, the likes of Prince Harry and Richard Branson, the latter briefly to support the brand, have been seen wearing Reef Knots ties, while its swim shorts are made using recycled ocean plastic. A board member for seven years at the UK Fashion & Textile Association, Dudley-Williams says Reef Knots has sometimes been accused of not being a British brand, with its lifestyle products also made in Portugal. Read More: 'Why we set up a sustainable mobile operator to save people money' 'People could look a little closer at independents and realise the jobs they do for the economy in the UK,' he argues. 'The reality is that we don't have the developed manufacturing industry that we require to make things as British as we would like them. 'We always do things right and try to put the customer first and I will put our product in front of almost anyone in terms of quality and the way it is produced." Today, Reef Knots has one store in Salcombe, headquarters in Chippenham and a staff of six. From revenues of around £350,000 in 2015, Reef Knots is currently a mid seven figure business. 'We run a lean ship,' he adds. 'I sometimes look at these businesses and I don't know what these people do. We make products, we have operations and marketing. If you have good people with enthusiasm to learn you can get an awful lot done.' After 12 years, Dudley-Williams has also packed a lot in to survive and thrive as an independent clothing firm, a world away from having three children under the age of three and walking back to his old office to sell ties to former colleagues. 'I said to myself that if this was what I was going to do for a living then I can't be embarrassed to go back,' he says. 'There were moments where I asked myself if I had done the right thing. But I had to be all in on it.' Managing cash flow We are never surprised by pitfalls. Investors we speak to have been surprised at the level of detail in our cash flow numbers. The clothing business is a difficult game to manage with upfront costs for stock and cash flow is the number one thing to make you grow, as well as the returning customer base. Powering up growth I spent three hours looking at our Google Ads campaigns recently. I have used many agencies over the years, all have promised to turn water into wine and none have. To grow the fastest there are certain things as a founder that I need to master and understanding what drives our growth is a key part. Telling our story For a long time on social media we've had models walking in slow motion with their tops off. There is a place for that for a certain customer, but people also want to know what's behind the company. The best performing ads are ones where I am discussing our journey and challenges. It has been really valuable. Consumer promise Our job is to always over deliver for customers. We tell people our returns are processed in a week but we make sure it's done in a day. That way we are always beating customer expectations and that's how they become loyal. Ultimately that's what we are creating as a business. Read more: The Briton who invented Amazon's Alexa is now helping to make AI trustworthy Meet the 'jokers from London' who sold 100,000 blocks of butter in first 10 weeks Britain's 'king of billboards' who sold his business for £1bnSign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Twins were due two days after redundancy so I started a tie business'
In late 2012, Patrick Dudley-Williams was three months away from being a director at Morgan Stanley (MS) and two days from his wife giving birth to twins when he was made redundant. One year later he was standing in his former employer's canteen selling ties at a gift fair. 'My wife looked at me bizarrely when I said I was going to start a tie company,' muses Dudley-Williams, founder of men's lifestyle brand Reef Knots. Even if he had a business 'with the most unpopular clothing item of all time", he recalls meetings in nondescript offices and remembering people's names who had standout ties. Colourful character clearly goes a long way and with his headstrong mantra that consumers have more ties than jeans in their wardrobe, the former stock broker turned entrepreneur also knew he would be operating in an uncompetitive British market. Read More: 'Our £30m success is due to mums making sure our children's food looked great' Thus, Dudley-Williams stood behind a table at gift fairs for nearly three years to get the business up and running. 'It helps that it hasn't been all plain sailing,' he admits. 'There was a phase when I first started, you turn on your website and hope people will come and it will all happen. Very quickly you realise that no one cares and you will have to generate interest, create a great product and persuade a consumer to spend £70 with you and not with every other brand in the world. 'It's a hyper competitive industry but people will always revert to who they know and that they will get value for money and quality.' Production started with a UK manufacturer before unforeseen issues saw a move to the tie mecca of Como, Italy — handmade from screen-printed silk and where Reef Knots remains to this day. His first website sale outside of family and friends came via human interaction when Dudley-Williams plucked up the courage to go up to a Hermès tie wearer in a pub with his business card. 'It reminded me that if you tell people about it they will come,' he says. The next morning he purchased three ties. Eighteen months after launching and a desire to keep selling after the gift fair season, Dudley-Williams teamed up with a business partner who made socks after a pop-up shop success in Putney. Following a £20,000 crowdfund, the pair found an old launderette with a bell on the door in Leadenhall Market. Online stock was kept in the basement while his office had a low roof where sitting down was the only option. When COVID hit, Reef Knot's business was 40% ties while 30% came from its London shop. The subsequent 70% revenue decline accounted for a 'traumatic period' but accelerated Reef Knot's pivot into a wider menswear brand. Read More: Meet Britain's 'king of billboards' who sold his business for £1bn 'I realised the creative side should come out of one brain and it isn't the vast majority of my year,' he says. 'It was part of the process of learning the business from scratch, a second degree via YouTube, packaging and Google (GOOG) advertising.' Despite the change from the City to the risk of a tie venture, entrepreneurship has been etched into his family's DNA and he figured that the corporate world would never be his final calling. While working in finance 20 years ago, Dudley-Williams had looked into buying some mirrored aviator sunglasses. He was soon earning more than his monthly salary after finding a distributor in China and selling via eBay. Other sellers soon latched on and he called it a day. 'When I was working in finance I travelled to the US a lot and saw how ties were branded differently,' he says. 'In the UK, it was a symbol of the corporate grind, heritage and stuffy brand messaging. I felt we could do something fresh and fun.' In 2014, ocean-inspired Reef Knots partnered with the Blue Marine Foundation which, says Dudley-Williams, has opened doors for the sustainability brand. With early tie designs featuring fish and sailing boats, the likes of Prince Harry and Richard Branson, the latter briefly to support the brand, have been seen wearing Reef Knots ties, while its swim shorts are made using recycled ocean plastic. A board member for seven years at the UK Fashion & Textile Association, Dudley-Williams says Reef Knots has sometimes been accused of not being a British brand, with its lifestyle products also made in Portugal. Read More: 'Why we set up a sustainable mobile operator to save people money' 'People could look a little closer at independents and realise the jobs they do for the economy in the UK,' he argues. 'The reality is that we don't have the developed manufacturing industry that we require to make things as British as we would like them. 'We always do things right and try to put the customer first and I will put our product in front of almost anyone in terms of quality and the way it is produced." Today, Reef Knots has one store in Salcombe, headquarters in Chippenham and a staff of six. From revenues of around £350,000 in 2015, Reef Knots is currently a mid seven figure business. 'We run a lean ship,' he adds. 'I sometimes look at these businesses and I don't know what these people do. We make products, we have operations and marketing. If you have good people with enthusiasm to learn you can get an awful lot done.' After 12 years, Dudley-Williams has also packed a lot in to survive and thrive as an independent clothing firm, a world away from having three children under the age of three and walking back to his old office to sell ties to former colleagues. 'I said to myself that if this was what I was going to do for a living then I can't be embarrassed to go back,' he says. 'There were moments where I asked myself if I had done the right thing. But I had to be all in on it.' Managing cash flow We are never surprised by pitfalls. Investors we speak to have been surprised at the level of detail in our cash flow numbers. The clothing business is a difficult game to manage with upfront costs for stock and cash flow is the number one thing to make you grow, as well as the returning customer base. Powering up growth I spent three hours looking at our Google Ads campaigns recently. I have used many agencies over the years, all have promised to turn water into wine and none have. To grow the fastest there are certain things as a founder that I need to master and understanding what drives our growth is a key part. Telling our story For a long time on social media we've had models walking in slow motion with their tops off. There is a place for that for a certain customer, but people also want to know what's behind the company. The best performing ads are ones where I am discussing our journey and challenges. It has been really valuable. Consumer promise Our job is to always over deliver for customers. We tell people our returns are processed in a week but we make sure it's done in a day. That way we are always beating customer expectations and that's how they become loyal. Ultimately that's what we are creating as a business. Read more: The Briton who invented Amazon's Alexa is now helping to make AI trustworthy Meet the 'jokers from London' who sold 100,000 blocks of butter in first 10 weeks Britain's 'king of billboards' who sold his business for £1bn