We believe that caring about the details makes the difference between just turning up and being well turned-out. Case in point: a perfectly knotted tie.
In part two of this guest series, knot-tying experts Sophisticated Knots are on-hand to help you master the Prince Albert knot.

Now that you’ve got the Four in Hand knot all tied up, we’re back with a slightly more intricate version to take your tie-knotting game up a level. Although similar to the Four in Hand, the Prince Albert knot repeats the crossover step to give you an additional layer of texture. Here’s our guide to getting it right:

The Prince Albert knot pairs well with a solid coloured tie to draw focus to your knot, but it can also be paired with a patterned tie as a nice touch for special occasions. Patterned ties and the Prince Albert knot work great together for weddings or other occasions where you wish to add something different without outshining the host, groom or groomsmen. The second layer of your knot partnered with the patterned tie will add a stylish, subtle alteration visible to those close enough to notice the additional detail.

And remember – a ‘dimple’ in your tie will add a sophisticated final flourish. It’s easy: create the dimple by pinching your tie at the top and holding it in place while you tighten the knot.

We’d love to see your sophisticated knots – tag us on our social channels at the links below.

Sophisticated Knots was founded by Nathaniel Holder with a vision to provide a service of tying knots with a difference. He and his team offer tutorials and styling services to help individuals, groups and wedding parties tie unique knots that add a touch of flair to everyday wear, corporate events and special occasions. Find more tips and ideas for styling knots at sophisticatedknots.com or follow them on their social channels:

Instagram: @_S_Knots
Twitter: @_S_Knots
Facebook: Sophisticated Knots

For a suit that’s yours and yours alone.

FIVE THINGS TO ASK YOUR TAILOR

FOR A SUIT THAT’S YOURS AND YOURS ALONE

• WORDS: C. STEWART

WHAT CUT OR DESIGN WILL SUIT ME BEST?

WHAT CAN I WEAR TO COMPLEMENT MY SUIT?

It’s easier than you think to create your perfect suit. Custom Made is our personalisation service that lets you get any of our suits made your way for less. No one knows your taste better than you do, so we used our expertise to put together lots of fabric, lining and customisation options and handed the design reins to you. In just four simple steps, we’ll craft you a suit like no other and deliver it in just 30 days. Here’s how:

STEP 1

Pick your fabric. There are 90 to choose from in our swatch book, including bolder colours for a special occasion, luxurious pure wools and classic checks to liven up your day-to-day office-wear. Maybe you’ve seen a fabric you like in-store but it’s not in the fit you like? We’ve marked the suits from across our collections that can be part of Tailor Me – look out for the orange tags on suits in-store.

STEP 2

Next, choose your fit from skinny, tailored and regular. Our skinny fit offers a neat, modern look with narrow-cut shoulders, skinny lapels and a shorter jacket length, along with trousers that are narrow through the leg and hem. For those after a more elegant look, our tailored fit makes use of a natural shoulder line, a nipped-in waist and tapered trouser legs to streamline your silhouette. Finally, our regular fit focuses on classic styling and comfort with additional width across the chest and shoulders, standard lapels and straight-cut trousers for a timeless look.

STEP 3

Once you’ve picked your fit, our Suit Experts will take up to 5 key measurements for your jacket and trousers so we can tweak our standard fit blocks to suit you perfectly. From a slightly shortened leg to a bit more room at the waist, any adjustments are done as part of the making process, so you get a beautifully fitted suit from the start and can skip the post-purchase alterations.

STEP 4

Select your styling options and make your suit uniquely yours. Choose your suit details such as notch or peak lapels, straight or slanted pockets and 1 or 2-button fastenings, then let your personality shine through with a bold lining, contrast stitching and even the option of an embroidered monogram inside your jacket.

That’s it. We’ll send your design to our team of makers who’ll craft your new suit just the way you like it. All ready to collect from your chosen store in just 30 days and an extra £100 on the base price.

Fancy designing your best-ever suit? Talk to a Tailoring Expert in-store about the Tailor Me experience.

The traditional suede desert boot is a year-round staple in any man’s wardrobe – and for good reason. As the name suggests, they were originally designed to take on extreme conditions with their sturdy soles and robust construction. Most of us, though, are more likely to tread a soggy pavement than arid dunes in ours so it pays to give them a little TLC to prime them for the daily battering of wintry weather. Here’s how:

SEAL YOUR SUEDE

You know what they say: prevention is better than cure. Spend a few pounds on a good protective spray and enjoy many more days of service from your suede. Pick one up from any cobbler – just make sure it’ll match the colour of your shoes. Apply a light layer all over the suede upper and leave to absorb overnight. For best results, apply it straight out the box with a new pair so they’re weatherproof from the start. If you’ve got an existing pair at home, they’ll still benefit from a bit of love – just give them a good clean before you start spraying. And on that note…

NEVER CLEAN WITH WATER

As tempting as it might be to head straight for the tap when faced with a stain on your suede, water can actually damage the fibre of your suede and even affect the colour.

TREAT SPLASHES AND SPILLS

If your boots do get liquid on them (which, let’s face it, is a strong possibility in the British winter), mop up the excess with a clean cloth or towel then dust a little talcum powder on top to soak up any last bits of moisture. Leave it on overnight and then give them a once-over with a suede brush the next day, making sure to go in the natural direction of the nap.

HIT REFRESH

If you’ve had your boots for a while and they’re starting to show a bit of wear and tear, you can prolong the time before you need to fork out for a professional clean with a couple of household items: the humble kettle and a toothbrush. Holding your shoes over steam will gently lift any stains out and restore the natural nap of your suede. Give them a scrub with an old (clean!) toothbrush and your suede should start to look like its old self again.

2013 marks the 50 year anniversary of one of the most iconic British brands that has not only shaped British youth culture through generations, but also taken the bold move to open up a store on the infamous Savile Row.