Adidas Consortium Stan Smith's 'Stan Pack'

Today has seen the re-issue of the classic and iconic Stan Smith model, which is retailing in 3 colours at the price of £67. But that is not what this post is about, its about the exciting news of a consortium edition Stan Smith pack that is going to be released on the 25th of this same month from selected online retailers. The pack contains 4 models that all have the basic Stan Smith silhouette and will all be the original white and green colourway. So what makes them special you ask? well for one I can imagine that as they are a consortium release they will be quite limited, but the main thing that makes them a bit special is the premium materials that are being used for each shoe. The materials are as follows; Cracked Leather, Reptile or 'Python', Ostrich and Pebbled Phoenix Leather. In my personal opinion they are all smart, but the Python and Ostrich editions are particular highlights, they retail at £119 and I imagine won't hang about, so get on them.

Twitter: @Josh_Chell

Recent Pickups 3

Alright lads, I've been a bit inactive on here over the festive period but thought id get straight back into it with a recent pickups.

Starting off with...

Ralph Lauren Striped Pocket Polo:

I picked this up from Oi Polloi in the sales, with its price being reduced from £79 to £55 and I personally think its smart as. It fits nicely like your standard Ralphy polo and stands out with its stripes and pocket, a great buy in my opinion and I do believe its still available in certain sizes from www.oipolloi.com.

New Balance 1500's

I've liked 1500's for ages, and have always considered pulling the trigger on a pair but have always been put off by the usual £105 price tag, so when I saw these in sale at Size? for £65 it was an easy decision. They're comfy as fuck and look smart as, simple.

New Balance M576TOL 'Fresh Peppermint':

I've liked these for a while, and although I like all 3 trainers in the New Balance 'Tea Pack these are easily my favourite. So, when they fell £40 in the End Clothing sale to £90 they were an obvious choice to buy. They are such a nice colour in real life and due to the extra cushioning are more than comfy, what's more the spare laces come in a tea bag, how fucking ace is that?  I'm not sure if they are still available, but if they are buy them, you wont regret it.

Nike Huarache 'Cool Grey':

I was originally a sceptic of Huarache's, and I remember commenting on the OG colour way ones that dropped last year as 'Spastic Shoes'. However I have come round and after some of the recent colour ways that have been released have really started to like them, so when I saw these in Size? last week I thought fuck it, and bought them, and I can honestly say they're the comfiest £90 I've ever spent.

So yeah, that's my most recent pickups (Sorry its mainly trainers, I have a problem), I hope you found this an enjoyable read and make sure you follow us on twitter, sound.

Twitter: @Josh_Chell

Carhartt Work In Progress

Now, Carhartt is a brand I've never been overly keen on, it's sort of always seemed a bit too 'skateboarder' for me, but ever since they brought out the outstanding 'Work In Progress' collection a few months back, I've not really been able to take my eyes off the majority of items they produce, at such affordable prices too and available from nearly any good menswear store. 

    Of course you will get some people who, because it's available in a lot of shops, automatically decide it's shite and never look at it again, or decide it's for 'fashionable' people (fashion is for wankers). So yeah, here's a few pictures from the collection, some of the best picks of the lot in my opinion, get onto it, chances are, you already are...

Twitter - @joefawcett2

Instagram - JoeFawcett96

Timex Weekender

Now, I'm not one for spending silly money I don't have on ridiculously expensive accessories like gold encrusted watches and diamond rings. I like subtle accessories that do the job and look smart as fuck and this watch hits that criteria to a tee.

     

It's perfect. Simple design, casual colour, variable watch straps coming in over 20 different colour combinations. A simple watch is a good watch in my opinion and I couldn't ask for more with this one. It's clear and cool, the best way for anything to be, and with a sale price of £20, yes, £20, you couldn't say no even if you hated it!

Twitter - JoeFawcett2

The New Casual Co Weir 6 and 'Overground' Special.

They're finally here, the first set of Casual Co Weirs for this winter, in 3 new colourways and a special edition colourway based on the patterned seats of the underground tubes, which in my opinion is a properly cool and unique idea. Guaranteed to keep your head warm, and turn a few heads in the process these are some of the best hats to be out this winter, and id recommend anyone to *try to* get one. They come out soon (Check the Casual Co twitter page and or/website to find out exactly when) and as always with CC will be highly limited, so get your A-game on if you want one!

Veras Alicante Suede Bucks

Now, before you decide these cannot be worn during the winter months on the basis they're 'Made In Spain', hold that thought, I have worn these for the past month or so in the shite English winter weather and, with a little helping hand from the trusty suede protection spray, they are good as new.

    I picked these up off a mate around two months ago in exchange for a pair of Clarks Originals Desert Boots, a pretty fair swap, especially when each of us preferred the opposite shoes, happy days! 

    I was in thought as to whether I'd made a wise move buying more suede shoes just before the wonderful British winter arrived, but I went ahead and I've never looked back. 

    The main feature that drew me in immediately is the sheer versatility of the shoes. They can be worn with Chinos or Jeans, with a bright Cagoule or a nice plain Overshirt, even pair them with a suit to a formal event and you'll look the dogs! And with a RRP of £105, but often available at a lesser price, they're not cheap no, but they're by no means expensive in comparison to some of the shoes most fellow clothing and shoe lovers own, ey?

   

Twitter - JoeFawcett2

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Winter Cycling: Keeping Warm

By now you've probably read about three-thousand articles on the exact same topic this one is going to be on, but frankly I'm not too bothered. At the time of writing, the blog has around fourty followers, so there's little chance, if any, that somebody with a genuine interest will even read this; but again, I don't really care. So if by any chance you do come across this article and actually share the same interest, nice one, enjoy.

    To start off, the first place anyone is going to begin is with the jacket, surely? The first of the two jackets I have decided on is the Castelli Zoncolan Jacket. Designed not only to keep you warm and dry, but to do so three or fours hours into that long wet winters ride, when you really, really don't want to be piss wet through. It has Castelli's own X-Fast2 fabric to it's name, making it fully water and windproof. 

 

  The second jacket of choice is the first of an inevitable tonne of Rapha products featured in this article, the Hardshell Jacket. This is simply a more 'protection based' version of the well renowned and respected 'Softshell Jacket'. It's made of a brand new Rapha exclusive fabric that is purposely designed to be 100% water and windproof, whilst staying breathable and managing to maintain somehow, the 'classic cool' every Rapha product has woven into it.

      Moving down a layer, your jersey (Gilet Optional Of Course), is another key component of your winter layering system. Starting with the long sleeved Rapha Brevet Jersey. This could possibly be the nicest jersey aesthetically there has been and the actual performance side of it isn't too shabby either. It's designed to be a staple in your winter training wardrobe and comes with a complimentary Brevet Gilet to keep away the cold. It is made with high visibility materials in the stitching and also in the strips across the front back and arm, for those long, fucking miserable days and nights of the British winter. Here's a chap looking very cool in it...

  The second jersey I have chosen to feature is the Castelli Gabba Long Sleeve Jersey. Made again with those horrible training days in mind, when you just want to fuck it all off and go home for a cuppa', hopefully though, this will make it that little bit more bearable. The rain and windproof technology incorporated is second to none, but in my own personal opinion, the best feature by a long shot is the 'Storm Flap' construction. This brilliantly practical contraption protects you from the wheelspray that can ruin a jersey within an instant.

       Moving onto Bib-Tights, I'll say it again, another absolutely key component in your winter training wardrobe, especially if you're a pansie like me. The first choice I've gone with is the Assos LL.Uno tights. A well proven brand who've been at the very pinnacle of all things cycling clothing for countless years and rarely rivalled on quality. The LL.Uno tights contain a perfect mixture of new technological advances within the creation of the products and materials used, whilst still managing to create a pair of great looking, perfectly designed, simple bib-tights. 

    The second pair of bib-tights, well where to begin? Now, I'm a Rapha whore, but the name just sums up everything these bib shorts entail; Rapha's Classic Winter Bib-Tights. The classic look, the classic feel, the classic brand, they ooze 'cool' whilst still being to top of the tree in their department at doing what they're designed to do, keep your legs warm during the shite winter rides. Top of the whole list in my opinion.

    We're onto the last couple of areas (in case you're still reading) but before that, the Overshoe or Shoecover as some prefer it, is a key component and should not be forgotten during this shite weather and trust me, there'll be fucking plenty of that. I have decided on just the one option this time, the Castelli Nano Shoecover. Now, before you start wondering why I'm so fucking stupid as to do a winter article with shoe covers that don't keep your feet warm; calm the fuck down, clear your head and buy some Merino socks, sorted. These shoe covers are literally unbeatable for water resistance and receive five star rating across a range of different tests. And, at just £39.99 RRP you don't have to break the bank to afford them, oh the joy!

    Onto the final area I'm going to cover, winter gloves. Again I have chosen just the one feature product as the idea of them is simply fucking amazing. The brand new Rapha Winter Glove System. Why just have one thick pair of gloves that leave your hands barely manoeuvrable when you can have three pairs with any of the three being worn at once, have that for variation. The bottom layer, the Merino Base Layer (£40.00) is aimed to be a comfortable and warm layer. Next is the Winter Glove (£60.00). Windproof and water-resistant to a degree, these add the movement based stretchy layer. The final layer, the Deep Winter Glove (£95.00) is the waterproofing layer and uses Rapha's very own PrimaLoft Insulation to keep your digits even warmer, fantastic piece of kit! 

    Or I suppose, if you're a flashy fucker, there's always the Rapha Leather Town Gloves?

    That's all for now, I hope the article was of help (If you're one of the few people reading it), cheers. 

Twitter - @joefawcett2