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Our Stripes on Paper

Suns out, Huns out.  A new season means a new direction, with a guest female blog this week brought to you by #TeamGinge. Bringing you the best in style from the ladies across the building.

‘Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeam’ a sentiment many of you may have been feeling this week as you try and dress for the great British Summer. The sprinkle of sunshine means one thing for the ladies- Yes, it's hot (kind of), but you shouldn't look like a hot mess. This in mind: Say byeee to black. Ditch the tights. Watch the fake tan faux pas’ and NO to office flip flops.  

If its Instagram-able you’ve nailed it girls.

As the seminal garage artist Craig David once said, ‘What’s ur Flava?’

The Summer trend set by the OMD ladies this week, follows an overwhelming pattern. Here’s our pick of the best in class stripes this week:

Is it an influencer? Is it a blogger? No. Its Bridget in red stripes, keeping layering at the heart with every fashionistas wardrobe staple. The leather jacket.

Laura B rocks her sun inspired yellow stripes (while blending in with the garage door) but keeps it effortlessly cool in a wide legged trouser plus Gazelles

Suns out Stripes out for Lucy, pairing stripes with an LBD and staple Ray-Bans

It’s a laugh a minute for Izzy when she’s wearing stripes, hidden, but perfectly teamed with a classic desert boot

Katie’s earned her stripes, with ‘The Zach Jordan’ pose, mixing Sport with attitude.

In the words of one of our favourite proverbs, don’t put all your stripes in one basket! Lots of love #TeamGinge x

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Spring in your step

Although it feels like it’s been raining for the last year, we’re actually in UK Spring time...and that means Summer is just round the corner. 

The team at SmartCasualUK have you covered. We’ve sourced some great Spring / Summer looks from around the building over the last week or so. 

It’s a difficult time of year to get it right whilst remaining comfortable. 

‘Do I need a big coat? It looks warm but when you step outside you’re greeted by ‘The Beast from the East Vol. III’. ‘Is it going to rain?’ ‘Can I wear my new suede desert boots without getting them wet?’ ‘Should I risk going outside without an umbrella?’ 

These are just a few of the questions you might ask yourself each and every morning. Take some inspiration from these chaps who have got it just right. 

Corduroy can be hard to pull of at the best of times, but PINK corduroy is taking it to the next level. Mitch pulls off these slacks effortlessly (not like that). 

CLJ is wise to go for a navy mac. Stylish, yet effective. 

Jake’s lightweight hooded puffer is perfect for this time of year. It keeps the weather at bay whilst also allowing him to not overheat. Are his jeans grey? Or just white and a bit dirty? We won’t judge. 

What an over-shirt, what a pose, what a man! #bae

Thomas has gone for a classic. The olive Barbour in a bedale. This along with slim fit selvedge demin and leather Clarks desert boots is a great look. 

When one jacket isn’t enough. Go for two. 

As always please send us your feedback - good, bad or indifferent - and stay tuned for more!

T&H

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After a two year hiatus, it’s with great pleasure that T&H are resurrecting SmartCasualUK. This means that all your menswear needs (to be taken with a pinch of salt) will be back and better than ever. That of course entirely depends on your point of view…

In this time off, half of SmartCasual has shaved his head. The other half has started wearing socks.

As ever we will be keeping you up to date on the latest trends in mens fashion from around the agency, as well as looking to branch out into ‘lifestlye’. We’re not 100% sure what lifestyle means, but other blogs talk about it…so we’re going to as well.

Stay smart, stay casual.

T&H

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Smart Casual Xmas Party

‘’I don’t even think about what I’m wearing to the Christmas Party’’ they said…or  ’’I don’t even care’’…. even ‘’I’ll throw whatever on’’. These are just but some of the quotes we heard uttered around the office a fortnight ago. 

However take a look at your peers, and you know that they were lying through their goddamn teeth… ‘Oh this… I had it already’’. We know that’s not true gents… one look at the pocket square and the game is up.

OMD has some well-dressed players, and this year was no exception. With a 1920’s theme, anything could happen. So, Smart Casual took to the floor, interviewed and photographed the snappiest of snappy dressers. Here’s a few of our favourites:

 Richard Evans – ‘’I’m wearing a pair of Churches and an M&S Tux. It was the only thing I had in my wardrobe ‘’

Our thoughts: Yeah right Rich.

Lee Isaacs – ‘’An online shop for accessories. I just needed a couple of small tweaks to make it...it looks like I'm going to Synagogue. #Jewish chic. ‘’

 Gareth & Hamid - “a perfect encapsulation of smart casual” Or… a pair of 1920’s ice cream salesmen.

Tobi & Steve – They went into the Thug category of the 1920’s ‘’Where's my money? ‘’

Jack S – A direct quote: ‘’Anything that matches’’, we don’t feel this is strictly true is it, Jack?

Ant Macro – Ant has gone for the 50 shades of blue vibe. A powerful stare really finishes off this look.

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Walking The Walk

“Wearing good shoes is a style fundamental every man should know”. 

The team at SmartCasual couldn’t agree more. 

We’re big believers in a solid pair of shoes and that your footwear choice can either make or break your look.

With so many styles to choose from, we decided to walk the floors and pick out our favourite’s from around the workplace. 

1. Black Chelsea Boots - a great pair for the AW season

2. Brown Brogues are a staple item of mens footwear - make sure you have a pair in your wardrobe!

3. Converse Chuck Taylors (Mitch’s nifty trick is to tuck the laces into his socks to avoid them from flapping around)

4. Desert Boots - another classic that are both stylish and comfortable.

We’ve also noticed how fantastic our carpet is, a compliment to any shoe. 

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David R from our London stores looking 👌: uniform shirt in granite fine cord, l/s eaton shirt in ecru single jersey, fatigue pant in navy twill, watch beanie @novesta footwear - #universalworks #nottingham #london #mensweardaily #menswearstyle #menswear #ootdmen #ordinaryfits #overshirt #cord #fatiguepants #navy #aw16

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Transitional wear

Summer slowly begins to wind up and the days slowly descend into a hellish collection of temperatures and weather conditions that leaves you feeling confused and unprepared.

A hoody or a Ski jacket, both?

A t shirt or a shirt? None?

But while this 2 week period can be troublesome, at least there is something you can be certain of… you will need to manage the transition carefully.

The best way to do this? Well firstly there’s Layering.

Use a lightweight base and build up to your optimised temperature with Shirts, Hoodies and light jackets. 

Kevin here has casually thrown them over the chair for that vintage ‘’this is purely for the outside’’ look:

With your heavier weight shirt, a mac or worker jacket can lego up the style and warmth. 

But please... only wear these looks when in the immediate vicinity of a brick wall. Otherwise its comes off as try hard, lacking the authenticity the brick work can bring to any look. 

Or you can go FULL FASHION. We’re talking statement jumper, a casual suit trouser and of course, a stone mac worn as a cape. For when your neck is cold and your belly is hot...  *flame emoji stare included*  

But of course… sometimes transitional wear is deemed pointless…

As demonstrated by Mr. Russel Murphy. 

Russ doesn’t layer. He doesn’t transition… he simply... ‘is’.

Timeless.  

[smartcasualuk-blog]

SmartCasual’s Top 5 for AW 16

Summer is well and truly over, and in the words of our favourite bastard Jon Snow, “Winter is coming”. To make those dark and cold mornings that bit easier for you, the team at SmartCasual have hand picked five must have’s for the AW 16 season. 

We normally find that the trouble with seasonal collections is that you like the look of everything, but can never afford any of it...right?! 

So we’ve helped you out, the below is a list of items that are affordable for a Director’s or Graduate’s salary, the pleasure is ours!

1. A mac - perfect for those wet and windy walks to and from the office, it’s an essential that every man should have in his winter wardrobe.

Left: Reiss, £245, shop here

Right: New Look, £45, shop here

2. A good cable knit jumper. Great to wear over a shirt or tee.

Left: Jigsaw, £179, shop here

Right: Uniqlo, £39, shop here

3. A pair of derby shoes, can be worn formally or for more casual occasions

Left: Whistles, £195, shop here

Right: ASOS, £55, shop here

4. A shearling bomber jacket, definitely more on the casual side but it’ll keep you warm whilst out and about in between meetings

Left: Crombie, £2,600, shop here

Right: Topman, £80, shop here

5. An over-shirt. A versatile item that can be worn on it’s own, over jumpers or even under your coat for an extra layer

Left: Fanmail, £200, shop here

Right: Topman, £35, shop here

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Who Wore It Better?

SmartCasual X Didn’t You Get The Memo?

The team at Smart Casual are excited to announce their first collaboration with none other than “Didn’t You Get The Memo?”. DYGTM has been a staple part of OMD’s culture in recent years, so we’re honored that Zoe has decided to work with us. 

It’s a regular occurrence for OMDers to rock up into work unexpectedly wearing the same outfit as a colleague, piece of furniture or sometimes an excel spreadsheet. Once realised (if you’re matching with a human being) it’s often met with a nod to one another that says “You look great, I look great - let’s get this on the blog”

Below are a selection of Smart Casual’s favourites with supporting commentary 

Nikita, James and Mitch are rocking the pale blue oxford shirt, brilliantly matched with dark jeans and laptop. This almost epitomises “Smart Casual”. They were most likely in the lift to get some extra “lift mirror” time having read our Smoke & Mirrors post from a few weeks back

Paul “Bake Off” Baker has found himself in a Smart Casual sandwich. All three have gone for a grey shirt with slim blue jeans. However, it’s the choice of footwear that differentiates these three. Harry has gone for a suede wallabee, Paul a brown brogue and Tom a white trainer. 

A for effort!

Nikita makes another appearance. But this time he’s decided to dress like his pint! His white linen suit jacket and black shirt combo perfectly compliment his Guinness. “Good things come to those who Jivykh”.

Last but not least - and a personal favourite - Henry Lewis takes ‘British gent’ a step too far and accidentally dresses like Mr Bean. Teddy isn’t anywhere in sight, but this is still a great look. Henry’s gone for blue chinos, white shirt, matching tie and pocket square with a classic tweed jacket. 

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How to Dress Like a CEO?

Some people might want to know how to become a CEO and others how to behave like a CEO. But the team at SmartCasual aren’t interested in all of that, we want to find out how to dress like a CEO.

So we sat down with the top dog, the skipper, the man at the helm of Minerva House, our very own Dan Clays - CEO of OMD UK - to help us get to the bottom of this question.

1. Dan, you're obviously a very busy man with a lot of different occasions to dress for, but what would you say are the three essential pieces every man should have in his wardrobe for office life?

It is essential that you are able to dress up as well as down and for that a Navy Ludlow suit will tick most boxes - from an agency pitch to client dinner. Worn mostly with a white shirt, or if blue shirt, think about accessorising with a dark tie. 

On those occasions where a CMO isn't going to pay a visit (and note, always have the above available should that happen), I will relax things a little with a tee, and to retain a sense of smart, the All Saints soul crew t shirt works well. 

And finally, whilst a good belt and watch are essential, it is the sock that can add a dimension that says "this man thought a little bit more than the rest when he got dressed today". And for the best in town, look no further than the range on offer at Happy Socks. 

2. What are your go to shops or brands to complete your Monday - Friday wardrobe?

Paul Smith, J Crew, Reiss, Nigel Hall and Mr Porter. 

3. You're meeting a potential new client over lunch. How would you dress to impress?

Think about what the prospective client will be wearing so that it feels like you are similarly minded, and always dress with respect for the occasion. If this is important to you, dress in a way that reflects that. 9 times out 10, it would be a cleanly pressed suit, white shirt as noted above, and always always make sure the shoes are polished to the same level as shine as you would send your son on his first day for school. 

4. Probably a silly question, but have you ever experienced any major wardrobe malfunctions during your media career?

At an OMD event once, I decided to give a zip top jumper a new lease of life. It was a gross misjudgement and crime to smart casual.  When I came off stage, my PA at the time just said "what ARE you wearing?". It was in the window of the Trinity Hospice Charity shop in Balham by the weekend.

5. It's a Friday morning and media Thursday has well and truly taken its toll. What do you go for, can a CEO ever get away with a t-shirt?

Yes. We are striving to be the most creative media agency in the UK and if that doesn't mean t-shirts on 42 years old are allowed I would be worried. Someone did say to me in Cannes this year why was I wearing a t-shirt at an evening event.  I pointed out that we were at a beach party. 

6. You must travel a lot in your job role, do you have any tips to stay looking sharp despite rushing from boardroom to boardroom?

When travelling, take a copy of GQ with you. Not only is it great to read on your travels, but it also doubles up as an aid for shirt folding and can help avoid creases on your shirt before an important meeting. 

On a media trip, if you worry about what you are wearing, I guarantee there will be many that won't have done, so you’ll probably be fine. 

Around the office, ask a close friend to tell you if they ever look at you and think they've seen wounds better dressed. 

Try something like this:

7. Finally, what does Smart Casual mean to you?

Harry and Tom.  But not bare ankles. 

[smartcasualuk-blog]

Any of these jackets from Universal Works would make a great addition to your AW16 wardrobe

AW16 jackets - #universalworks #nottingham #london #mensweardaily #menswearstyle #menswear #ootd #harristweed #gaberdine #bakersjacket #workjacket #chorejacket #aw16

[smartcasualuk-blog]

Business Class

In our industry many of us have to travel for work. This could range from taking taxis to client meetings, trains to client meetings or flights to...client meetings. 

Yes its economy class, but you owe it to those crying babies and overtired parents to look on-point. A well shined brogue can really lighten anyone’s spirit…. Am I Right?! .. right?

 We all know those pre-work travel questions you ask yourself:

- Dress code (what will everyone else be wearing?)

- Sweat patches (inevitable on any form of transport) 

- Comfort (how can I stay looking good whilst also feeling good?)

However for these OMDer’s these questions are covered from the moment they step out the shower. Two individuals that have nailed the SmartCasual "Business Class" attire:

Josh Sananes & Tobi Fukushima, Paris, 22nd September

Josh is wearing a relaxed cotton navy suit, lilac Oxford Ralph Lauren shirt with light, sanded brogues. 

Tobi has gone for the classic slim fitted suit in royal blue, accompanied by specs, black lace-ups and trolley bag including  laptop, change of shirt and travel wallet holding the all important credit card

Both outfits are simple, yet effective. 

If you've seen any Business Class attires that you think we'd like, then please share with the SmartCasual Team!?

[smartcasualuk-blog]

A nice twist on the classic blue blazer. Great for a client meeting with a shirt, or can be worn more casually as seen here. 

[smartcasualuk-blog]

How to Wear a Hangover

It’s Friday morning, the sun is definitely not shining and the infamous industry tradition “Media Thursday” has most likely well and truly taken its toll. For those not familiar with this custom, Media Thursday is a weekly occurrence that usually starts off with “Yeah, I suppose I could go for a couple” and often finishes in the wee hours of Friday morning in TCR, Jerusalem or anywhere in Fitzrovia that is still serving booze!

“Were you wearing that yesterday?” – the words feared by almost any agency employee…which is often followed by “where did you stay last night”. You know full well that the retort “I just stayed on the sofa” just won’t cut it.

Now, if you’ve found yourself in this situation, then this post is the one for you. The team at SmartCasual have spent some time investigating how to get away with a hangover in the office and also avoid your suspicious colleagues asking where you slept last night.

Rule 1: Never come into work in the same clothes that you were last seen wearing at the pub. If you don’t have time to go to home, then you’re lucky we have this place down the road.

Rule 2: As you walk in, don’t panic the menswear section is downstairs. Speed is your friend, this isn’t a casual shopping trip - you want to be in and out as quickly as possible.

Rule 3: Make sure you buy something that isn’t too out there. Stick to what suits you and what you know best!

Rule 4: Never go for the cheapest of the cheap - the standard £3 t-shirt. Even if it’s warm outside go for something that’s on a hanger, the lines in the folded t-shirt are a dead give-away that you’ve been to Primark before work. Secondly, you want to avoid the wide range of loud DC / Marvel t-shirts. You may well still be drunk and feel like a superhero, but you definitely are not one!

Just an observation, but this outfit could really help you go unnoticed in the office and blend into the background

So, what would the Smart Casual team choose I hear you ask? As above it’s all about sticking to what you know, it’s a Friday after all so definitely nothing too smart - you want to be as comfortable as possible as you ride out your hangover.

We’ve gone for a classic blue chino (just in case you lost your trousers), a subtlety striped shirt and a simple pair of white pumps. All for under £30!

[smartcasualuk-blog]

Smoke and Mirrors

Why is it, that no matter how good your intentions were when you first purchased each item of clothing, you can’t always be certain whether or not the morning rush will churn you out looking like a tit.

You leave the house, checking yourself out in every car window…and you begin to question your shoes, your choice of shirt (is Hawaiian too bold for the office??…most likely) and even your ‘go-to’ black jeans…

You grab a coffee… and you stroll into work, unsure of how the hordes of colleagues will great your new look. But then the lift arrives, you’re in early… no none follows you in… FREEDOM. Free reign to have that final, but revealing look at what you’ve done to yourself before you commit to the coffee pot.

Likely hood is… it’s not too bad, a quick ruffle of the hair, maybe undo the shirts top button to save others eyes from a block of epileptic inducing floral patterns.

Lift alone time is a moment of pure sanctity, not filled with the trepidation of the toilet mirror which is susceptible to a colleagues mysterious appearance. Being caught doing your hair, will always be accompanied by a look that says… ‘really...come on mate.’ – ain’t nobody got time for that

So here are your top tips for getting that final glance in:

- Never hold the door for someone. If in doubt get your phone out and pretend you haven’t heard their screaming

- Show the coffee in your hand, how could you have possibly pressed the button

-  If a fellow lift taker gets off on the ground floor. Stay on. Pretend you forgot something, ‘what am I like?!’ is a powerful phrase

-  If the doors shut, ALWAYS allow time for the revealing ‘’ding’’, watch out, that means someone else is coming in

-  Start smoking. It’s a well known fact that smokers use the lift the most and it’ll afford you lift time outside of traditional work breaks. Yes its expensive, and no its not healthy, but at least your hair will look on-point, giving you a time to check for possible lift queues.

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Definitely on the smarter side, but a strong look as we move into the A/W season

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Start the day the right way

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