Archive for March, 2018

24 hour city guide: Paris

 

Paris could keep you busy for days, but if you’ve just got one, here’s what you should do.

In the second of our 24-hour travel series, travel blogger Allan Edward Hinton (@chaiwalla) shows us where he’d go and what he’d do on a whistle-stop trip to Paris.

There’s a lot to pack in, so we kitted him out in an iTravel suit by Italian brand Lanificio F.lli Cerruti Dal 1881. Breathable, creaseless, stain-resistant, water-repellent and crafted from 100% wool, it’s got everything you need to stay stylish from dawn ’til dusk without wasting time changing outfits. Because time is tight and so is your hand-baggage allowance.

Here’s what he got up to:

 

 

WHAT TO SEE

“Am I going to state the absolute obvious here? However, if it is your first time to this city it would be a crime not to take a trip to the Eiffel Tower. It’s so much bigger up close that you could imagine and it’s an event in itself climbing up the metallic stairs to get to the first viewpoint. The view from the top is unbeatable. It’s simply the highest point in Paris.

“We also circled the tower to get different perspectives of it and, as it’s just around the corner and to make your Eiffel Tower trip a bit different, I personally recommend walking to the nearby Pont de Bir-Hakeim bridge also known as the Inception bridge due to it being featured in the Hollywood film.

“Get lost walking around what feels like the real old town of Paris in Montmartre and the Sacre Cour. Cobbled streets and concrete steps leading to dramatic views at the Sacre Cour add to the excitement of scouring the area.”

 

 

WHERE TO EAT

Coffee

“There’s an abundance of places for coffee in Paris but I had always wanted to head to Merci. After a wander around Marais taking photos and doing a little shopping, this is a great place to recuperate, maybe even read a book. After you have re-energised you can head along to the library and there’s also a buzzing gift and furniture shop. I almost walked away with a vintage bedside light but resisted the splurge.

“If there’s time, head over to the famous Louvre museum and the Palais Royal. While here I popped into Kitsuné coffee to warm up. This is the best coffee in Paris serving specialty coffee right in the centre of Paris. There’s no need to head far out to the gentrified boroughs.”

 

Lunch

“Looking for the best burger in Paris? Look no further than Paris New York. Its colourful interior with palm trees, neon lights and pink flamingos is reminiscent of a diner taken straight out of Miami. Its minimalist menu has just six burgers but all with excellent french meat and fluffy homemade buns. Friendly servers make it all the more enjoyable.”

 

 

Dinner

“Set on the corner of a crossroad of cute streets in the trendy Marais district is Carbon, an exquisite new restaurant. As soon as I stepped inside and saw the wooded interior, dark marbled tables with huge mirrors adding more magic to the space, I took an abundance of photos. It’s such a nice place.

“The restaurant is Argentinian themed so there are a lot of meat options and you can be confident it’s going to be tasty.  The vegetables were the surprise for me, though. They’re roasted, seasoned thoroughly and damn tasty.”

 

 

WHERE TO DRINK

“Choose The Clown Bar for a well-earned drink. It’s in the Republique area beside the Marais and its cosy but quirky and contemporary yellow interior served us up a very decent French wine.”

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

“If I had the choice of where to stay in Paris it would be The Hoxton. It’s been on my to-go list since it opened in 2017 and it’s surely one of the coolest hotels in Paris. It’s at least the edgiest with its distinctive brand of contemporary chic set in a historic setting. The latter is an important part that adds to the romanticism of visiting this city.

“The hotel offers guests a choice of four room categories: Shoebox, Cosy, Roomy and Biggy. The rooms on the ground floor offer high ceilings and stand-alone bathtubs, while those on the top floor come with views of the Eiffel Tower.”

 

GO PLACES

24 hour city guide: Berlin

 

If you’ve got 24 hours in Berlin, this is how to spend them.

Time is tight in the city and the day-to-day is stressful, so when the chance comes to get away, you’ve got to make the most of it. Even a fly-in, fly-out business trip presents an opportunity to squeeze in a little downtime, but you’re going to need an outfit that can go the distance.

The kit to do it in? The iTravel suit. Its pure wool cloth comes from Italy’s prestigious Lanificio F.lli Cerruti Dal 1881 mill and has been woven with a high twist yarn to offer natural resistance to creasing, while a special finishing makes it waterproof and stain resistant. In other words, it’s the ideal companion for life lived on the move.

With that in mind, we sent travel blogger Allan Edward Hinton (@chaiwalla) to put the iTravel suit to the test over 24 hours in Germany’s capital. Here’s his guide to the best spots around town to make the most of those free moments before, during or after work trips.

 

 

WHAT TO SEE

“When I discovered I was heading to Berlin, a city with fascinating history, I knew if I had time to spare the first landmark I’d want to see would be the Brandenburg Gate; an 18th-century neoclassical monument that went on to form part of the divide between East and West Berlin after the Second World War. It’s such a grand and imposing structure you can’t avoid being mightily impressed.

“The gate is also just a short walk from the unmissable Jewish memorial site and if you book in advance you can get a place in line for the giant spiralling glass dome of the historic Reichstag.I also walked over to the Seigesäule (the victory column) and for a couple of euros I climbed the winding steps to the top, caught my breath and got an amazing view over Berlin with the Tiergarden (a huge park similar to Hampstead Heath) below. This micro-walking tour was all done within a few hours and I didn’t have to take public transport once.

“If you’re feeling adventurous, Berlin also has its own version of London’s Boris bikes and you can whizz around exploring the park. There’s even a section facing the zoo where you can get a glimpse of some wild animals. Finish that off in German style at the Cafe am Neuen See biergarten; paddle boat hire on the lake optional (and depending on how many tankards of Bier vom Fass you’ve had).”

 

 

WHERE TO EAT

Brunch

“Roamers is a true hidden gem set in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Neukölln. It’s a small place but it’s busy and atmospheric and the interior looks like something straight out of a Kinfolk magazine with a southern American twist. Plants and cacti adorn the tables and hang from the ceiling, and there’s lots of exposed dark wood and interesting vintage Americana ornaments on the walls. The food is the star though, presented elaborately on trays. You can’t help but want to take a photo. I went for poached eggs and avocado on toast and my friend had the full works with a hearty farmer’s breakfast.”

 

 

Lunch 

“Perhaps you’ve seen the staircase of my second option already on Instagram? The House of Small Wonders could have the most photographed interior of Berlin! It’s pretty stunning, I have to be honest. It’s located in central Berlin just off Friedrichstrasse and to get there you have to walk between impressive bold East German architecture. Once you’re in the front doors, though, the place is very warm and inviting with the seating area up the glorious staircase. Surprisingly, the menu was a Japanese-American fusion all-day breakfast theme. I wasn’t too brave with my choice and went for the potato gratin. It was dripping with cheese and thoroughly delicious and kind of perfect for a cold winter’s day.”

 

Dinner

“Shiso Burger is an innovative and novel concoction of two of my favourite things: burgers and Korean food. The flavours are intense but mouthwatering and for just £2 more I upgraded my beef to Wagyu. This place is apparently loved by the masses in Berlin and I can totally understand why. I highly recommend it if you’re looking something fun, delicious and a little different.”

 

 

WHERE TO DRINK

“If you’re on the lookout for a bar that has a view over the city, Monkey Bar should be top of your list. Not only do you get a view as far as the eye can see but the bar overlooks the local zoo — thus the name — and you’ll be able to make a long checklist of all the different kinds of animals that you spot.

“The bar is modern and brightly coloured, but has kept the Berlin lounge vibe going by having different cosy and comfy locations where you can relax and unwind. There’s an outside terrace to get some fresh air on the hotter days and it would be a great spot to watch the sun go down. The cocktail menu is focussed on traditionally recognised creations but presented with colourful touches and there are also other options such as beer and wine.”

 

 

WHERE TO STAY

“25 Hours Hotel right in the heart of West Berlin is, in their words, “wild like the jungle, multifaceted like the city” and is a funky hotel set in a former 1950s highrise building with playful interior design by Werner Aisslinger. Bicycles hang from the ceiling, walls are littered with eye-catching slogans and illustrations, and the public areas have hip furnishings. The rooms are not huge but are packed with personality, envious views and tons of exposed concrete.

“I recommend the Michelberger for its style and value for money. Bang on-trend rooms are available for as little as £65. It’s is over on the east side of Berlin and just a stone’s throw from the East Side Gallery (worth checking out if you want to see a large stretch of the original Berlin wall that stands intact and covered in Instagram-worthy graffiti) and the impressive Oberbaum Bridge. Rooms are individually designed and filled with Berlin-style vintage furniture. There’s also a courtyard that doubles as a beer garden and the bar stays open all night – there’s a hearty breakfast available if you manage to stay up all night.”

 

GO PLACES

24 hours with Joey London

 

Man about town Joey London takes us through 24 hours in his namesake city.

As a lifestyle blogger, Joey London’s feed is full of shots of him on his travels, but what does he get up to when he’s back on home turf? We asked the born-and-bred Tottenham boy to share what 24 hours might look like if he hit up his favourite spots around the capital.

 

 

MORNING

One place that always blows my mind with their new menus is Riding House Cafe, just off Oxford Street. Unreal for brunches, this is somewhere where I would take my mate for a catch-up or somewhere I’d take a client to impress them.

My recommendation: Booking in advance is key for getting a good seat and not queuing up, as it can get busy. You have to try the sweets on the brunch menu. The French toast is to die for! It’s also definitely worth getting one of the fresh juices.

Ridinghouse.cafe

 

 

AFTERNOON

One thing I love about London is that there are so many places to eat, you’ll never be stuck on choices when you are peckish. The places I’ve picked for this guide are based on my favourite cuisines but also convenience. The one for me that will always be a winner is Busaba Eathai, a super reliable Thai restaurant that always hits the spot! Perfect for a mid-shopping stop-off, you can be sat down and served within 15 minutes.

My recommendation: Don’t be shy on the sides at Busaba – get yourself some matchstick wings and Chinese broccoli, those are my favourites.

Busaba.com

 

 

EVENING

Another one of my favourites, and probably one of the most reliable is The Hoxton. With one in Shoreditch and one in Holborn, you’ll probably be within 30 minutes of one of them and they are both great. The Hoxton is actually a hotel, but does amazing dinner and drinks on the weekends when it starts getting a bit more lively, with great cocktails and live djs to get you right in the mood to head out after.

My recommendation: You’ve got to try either their bloody Mary, spicy margarita or whiskey sour, always my go-to drinks when I’m at The Hoxton.

Thehoxton.com

 

 

NIGHT

The Ned! As sister to the Soho House group, this is almost the London City/banker boy version of Soho house, which is actually so much fun on a Friday and Saturday. It’s got a 1920s New York feel and can get super lively on the weekends with live bands situated right in the middle of the various bars. They also do amazing cocktails. It’s not the cheapest of places but definitely a great pit stop if you are out around that area.

My recommendation: Get yourself booked in for a night’s stay here and just spend a day and night exploring the grounds, with seven restaurants and loads of bars to choose from. Finish the night by grabbing yourself a cocktail and chilling by the rooftop pool overlooking the London skyline!

Thened.com

Power through your day

Man with stubble wearing a navy blue Moss Bros 24 hour performance suit with a maroon pocket square and a maroon tie.

 

City life moves fast, so you need clothes that can keep up.

A lot can happen in a day. From the moment you get up to whatever time you clock off, you’re expected to put in an all-day performance. We believe wearing the right kit is half the battle.

That’s why our 24-hour collection is tailored from technical fabrics with high-spec details that work as hard as you do. Our tech-packed essentials are built for comfort, utility and, of course, style, so you can get on with powering through your day.

 

 

Get out the house in record time. Keep cool when the pressure’s on. Brush off a sudden downpour. Bounce back from never-ending meetings. Sprint for the last train home.

It’s all in a day’s work and nothing’s going to slow you down.

 

TAKE ON YOUR DAY

How to get the Suits look

TV series Suits is a lesson in sharp dressing. Whether you’re more like Harvey or Mike, this is how they get their looks – and how you can too.

There’s a reason Suits is called Suits, and it’s not just because Lawyers would fall a bit flat. The suit is a timeless symbol of power, which is what this series is all about. In fact, Harvey sums it up a treat in the very first episode: “People respond to how we’re dressed, so like it or not this is what you have to do”.

But the stark contrasts between how the two main characters Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) and Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) dress goes to show that smart doesn’t mean the same for all men. Here’s how dressing for power and personality looks like for each of them.

 

ARE YOU AN ULTIMATE CLASSIC LIKE HARVEY?

As senior partner, Harvey shows he means business in everything he does, including what he wears. You can tell he spends a lot of money on his suits, and not just because he’s a VIP customer at a high-end New York tailor.

Harvey goes down the traditional route with his outfits. You’ll often see him in a 3-piece, finely tailored for breadth across the shoulders and chest, and slimmer around the waist. He usually wears a dark plain or pinstriped material, with ticket pockets for that classic finish. And he always goes for a wide peak lapel – he clearly wants to get noticed.

His entire look says ‘bigger is better’. He selects the widest silk ties he can find and often goes for a thick spread collar. You’ll also rarely see him without a pocket-square folded presidential style – the definitive business look.

 

 

GET HARVEY’S LOOK

To follow Harvey’s lead, go for a tailored fit suit, or go all out with a suit made just for you. Our Moss 1851 suits are cut in a tailored fit, as are Ted Baker’s, which also have a loud lining for extra impact. Look out for ones with peak lapels, and choose a silk tie that mirrors the width of your lapel to complete the look. Harvey wouldn’t waste his time with a schoolboy knot either – a full Windsor is a far more refined choice for those at the top of their professional game.

 

…OR ARE YOU MORE LIKE MIKE ROSS?

Young Mike, however, isn’t your typical lawyer – in fact, he doesn’t even have a law degree. He goes for a much more laid-back style in line with his place in the firm’s pecking order and his more carefree attitude.

Mike’s slim fit suits with narrow lapels have a younger feel. He tends to keep things pared back with plain 2-pieces and notch lapels. After all, he’s the more understated character and he’s less inclined to show off.

Like lots of millennials, he keeps his ties skinny. And when he wants to dress up, he goes for a tie bar – simple but it makes a statement.

 

GET MIKE’S LOOK

Want the look for yourself? Reach for a slim or skinny fit suit in navy or grey. Our Moss London suits are skinny fit, or you could go for brands like French Connection or DKNY for a slim fit. Finish the look with a close-fitting white shirt and a simple skinny tie – easy.