Visit our new store, then get some great shots at these iconic Brighton locations.

Flannel is back on the tailoring table.

FLANNEL IS BACK ON THE TAILORING TABLE

• WORDS: A. FOZZARD

SHOP FLANNEL SUITS

From teal to camel to red, here are all the colours that will be trending this season.

What colours are in this autumn and winter?

What other men’s fashion trends are going on?

How to wear A/W fashion trends?

Everything you need to kick off the gifting season, with a little inspo from Fred Sirieix.

KICK OFF GIFTING SEASON WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM FRED SIRIEIX

Words: T. MacInnis

Believe it or not, Christmas is right around the corner – in just five weeks, to be exact. If you’re a keener, you might’ve already started on your gift hunt. But, if you’re like us and it feels like summer just ended a minute ago, you might need a little help getting started.

Fred’s here to offer a hand with some favourite pieces from our autumn/winter collection. Whether you’re shopping for your dad, your partner, your brother or yourself, we’ve got an option to suit everyone, and every budget. Read on to find  the things that’ll win you serious points this December.

Essentials, with a twist

The cosiest accessories

Accessories are always a sure-fire win when it comes to gifting. We recommend paying attention to what your giftee tends to wear to choose the right ones. Do they tend to go for brighter colours, or more neutrals? Do they like texture or something more simple? If you make a choice based on that, you’ll guarantee that they’ll both like and wear what you buy.

Our wool-cashmere beanie (coming soon) is a great choice for just about anyone on your list, particularly if they wear darker-coloured outwear in the winter. That said, it also looks great with our cable roll-neck jumper – another classic gift. If you’ve got someone on your list who likes colour, but seems apprehensive to take it on, opt for a smaller, less visible accessory like a pair of deep red socks.

A more comfortable commute

If you need something to wear over your outfit and you’re unsure whether a blazer, jacket or waistcoat is your best option, here’s when and how to wear them.

What are blazers, jackets and waistcoats? 

When it comes to layering, adding a blazer, jacket or waistcoat is one of the best options. You can put it on or take it off depending on the weather and it can seriously style up your outfit. If you’re looking to make a casual outfit smarter (or vice versa), you can easily change it with what you wear over the top.

Men’s blazers

Men’s blazers are sometimes thought of as a smarter style, but they can just as easily be casual wear too. It depends on how you style them and what you wear with them. Generally, a blazer looks a bit like a suit jacket but has a more casual cut and a more relaxed fit. You’ll usually find blazers are made out of less formal fabrics, too, making them as easy to wear with a t-shirt and jeans as a shirt, tie and chinos.

With a blazer, you can pair it with matching trousers for a more relaxed suit style or you can wear them with a more casual look. Because you can pick them up in different fits, cuts and colours, choosing one that’ll complement the rest of your outfit is easy. Cotton and linen blazers in lighter colours are a great choice for spring and summer, whereas wool or tweed in darker blends suits winter way more.

Men’s jackets

When it comes to men’s jackets, the possibilities are endless. You can go smart with a blazer or a suit jacket or you can keep it casual in a sports jacket, puffer jacket, leather jacket or bomber jacket. What you wear, how you style them and what you pair them with is totally up to you.

To style a men’s jacket, take a look at the rest of your outfit and think about where you’re headed, along with what the weather’s doing. Sometimes staying dry is the most important thing when it comes to choosing what jacket to wear! If the rest of your outfit is pretty casual, and you’re wearing jeans or combats, then it makes sense to wear a more casual jacket. If you’re dressing up for a date or an event, choose a smart jacket or a blazer.

Men’s waistcoats

A little like men’s jackets, waistcoats can be worn for casual or formal events. Traditionally, they make up part of a 3 piece suit adding an extra layer to this smart ensemble. They usually button up, have no sleeves and are designed to match the other parts of your suit, though sometimes they intentionally contrast too. However, waistcoats are actually standing out on their own a little more and making up their own 2 piece suit style without a jacket. Especially in the summer months for events like weddings and garden parties where you still want to look good but not get too hot.

Waistcoats are also more common in less formal settings now too, you’ll see them worn for dates, dinners and work where there’s a middle point between wanting to look like you made an effort but not going the whole way with a suit. Try a tweed waistcoat or a linen waistcoat for a more casual look, and experiment with lighter colours away from traditional navy and black. Waistcoats also come in different fits and cuts, so if you’re taller, or bigger, or you’ve tried one on before and haven’t been keen, try changing up the style you’re going for.

Are there other jacket styles out there?

In short, there is definitely a lot of variety in men’s jacket styles. Even within a certain style, you’ll get different fabrics, fits and embellishments that totally change up the look. That’s why it’s usually worth trying stuff on, ideally with the type of outfit you’d wear it with, to get a feel for what actually suits you. You might just be surprised with some types of jacket or coat that you’d never have normally worn.

Formal events, like black tie dinners, for example, usually mean dinner jackets, dress jackets and tuxedo jackets in traditional colours. Less formal events might mean a more casual suit jacket in less traditional fabric. A shacket, bomber jacket or overshirt is a great layering choice if you’re going for a more casual look without resorting to a hoodie or a jumper. Sometimes you need a little extra.

In need of some men’s jacket ideas to update your look? Check out men’s jackets at Moss.

CV success in just 6 steps.

CV writing can be daunting for anyone, whether you’re first putting one together or updating yours after a few years with an employer. Hiring managers and HR departments have to sift their way through hundreds of them, so how do you make yours stand out?

Success Appointments (or Success as they’re better known) have been navigating the world of recruitment since the retail boom of the 80s and their wealth of industry experience has helped top talent succeed in roles in everything from buying and merchandising to design, technical and production, to sales, marketing and digital.

In short? They know a good CV when they see one. With that in mind, we asked the Success team for their advice on how to write a winning CV. Follow these simple rules and your dream job is one step closer.

Putting aside the obvious name, address and contact details (don’t forget these!) it’s always nice to see an opening statement on a CV to set the scene. This only needs to be a short paragraph with a couple of lines to introduce yourself and draw your prospective employer in further to your CV. Include your job title, length of experience, examples of industry background and outline what you are looking for in your next opportunity. Remember to tailor this to the role you are applying for.

Your introduction should flow neatly into a quick round up of your key skills – are you a whizz on Microsoft packages or do you have Adobe Suite experience? Again, look to the role you are applying for and if there are key requirements and you have them aplenty – shout about them! Softer skills such as line management and timekeeping can also sit here. Keep it short and sweet.

Now we come to your core experience. Remember to include your job title, dates of employment and employer. If you work for a niche business that the reader may not have heard of then state what that business is – luxury bridal brand, online gaming business, etc.

Be wary of making your experience one long list – we don’t need to read your job spec! Highlight 6-8 key bullet points that really give a true insight into your responsibilities both day-to-day and, if necessary, at a higher strategic level. Your new employer wants to see the impact you will have on their business and where you will add value.

Following this always try to include 3-4 key achievements within each role. Perhaps you increased Instagram followers by 20% in your first six months or implemented a new process that resulted in higher sales revenue or hired a new team member that you are training.

Where to include your education can be a tricky one – degrees and qualifications are hard won and something to be shouted about. As a general rule, if you have a good chunk of work experience then your education can come lower down on your CV. If your degree or qualifications make up the bulk of your experience and are super relevant to the field you are breaking into then include them after your key skills. Don’t forget any training courses and shorter qualifications are very welcome here.

We’re sure you’re more than your 9-5 experience, so use the last section of your CV to talk about any outside-of-work activities that are important to you. Some employers like to see achievement in here too – maybe you ran a marathon or raised money for charity.

At this point, it’s always worth looking at your prospective employer’s key values here as this will show how in-tune you are with them as a business. If you aren’t the sporty type, talk about how you spend your downtime – cultural fit is super important to most businesses so say if you love going to festivals or curling up with a good book. Keep it snappy but keep it interesting! Perhaps best to leave out how you live for the weekend and Friday night drinks at this stage…

Now you have all the content in place, think about layout. Now’s not the time to start messing about with fonts and sizing. Forget about Comic Sans – using a simple, clear font and white background is more professional. There are some beautiful templates out there that’ll help your CV stand out. If you are going for a more creative role, then feel free to use your personal style but remember it is all a matter of taste so keep it simple! Also – spellcheck, spellcheck, spellcheck. And then spellcheck again.

BONUS TIP – with your CV up to scratch you don’t want to fall at the first hurdle with a poorly written introduction email. Do your research and make sure you are applying to the right person for the right role and at the right time.

Fancy working in the fashion industry? Check out Success’s jobs to find your next step on the career ladder. They’ve got loads more tips and advice available on their blog or hit them up on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Are you a recent grad? Click below for savings just for you.

Prepare for success with these job interview tips.

We’ve all been there: waiting in reception with our best outfit on, prepped notes in our hands and a nervous smile on our face. An interview can be a scary process – your experience, achievements and your personality are all on show and you only have a small window of around an hour to impress your ‘judges’.

So how do you make the right impression when the pressure’s on? Success have been matching talented people with roles at leading brands and companies for over 30 years, so if anyone knows what it takes to succeed in an interview setting, it’s them. We asked the team for their top  job interview tips to stay confident, calm and collected when it counts.

Follow their advice below and you could be hearing the words “you’re hired” sooner than you think.

Employers love to know that you’ve looked into their business and any recent press surrounding them, so make sure you really research the company by using their website as well as newspapers and targeted news forums, such as Retail Week. This will help you give a unique answer to why you want to work for them and what interests you about them.

Make sure you know exactly what the role entails, looking at key responsibilities as well as the job’s requirements so you can match up your experience and answer questions confidently on why you would be a perfect candidate. It also gives the prospective company confidence that you know what you are going for and have thoroughly thought about the opportunity.

There are so many weird and wonderful questions that can be asked in an interview so always expect the unexpected! However, on the majority of occasions interviewers will want to know why you want to work for them and why they should choose you, so think about general competency questions and always look at your CV as well as thinking about your experience so you can come up with clear, concise answers and examples.

Preparing yourself mentally is very important for a successful interview – don’t take for granted what a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast can do for your brain to function better. Make sure you clear your mind of everything else (as best as you can, obviously) and try to relax as much as possible the night before so you feel fresh and ready to go kick some interview butt!

No matter how cheesy it sounds, first impressions count – a lot. You want to present yourself as polished, presentable and professional, and there’s really nothing that does this better than a great suit. That said, it’s really worth your time to research the culture and dress code at the company you’re hoping to work at. They might encourage a much more casual environment (as many offices do now) and a 3-piece suit would look out of place. This is where a tailored jacket comes into its own – you’ll arrive looking like you’re serious about the job, but have the flexibility to take it off if it feels right for the interview. Need more ideas on what to wear? Read this.

Out of all the interviews we’ve arranged over the years, one thing never gets old when it comes to creating bad impressions: timekeeping. Unfortunately, bad things do happen at times (bus or train breakdowns, unexpected roadworks, etc.) however it’s vital that you give yourself more time to get to the interview, making sure you get there at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. Not only does this allow you to gather your thoughts, it also shows your prospective employer you can make timelines and are a punctual candidate.

We’ve read somewhere that you use more muscles to frown than smile. Is it true? No idea. But it is a nice thing for your interviewer to see and it sets up the meeting with all sorts of positive vibes that can make both you and them feel easy, which can only lead to a better flow of conversation. Body language is just as important – yes it’s hard at times when you’re nervous but try your best to have relaxed shoulders, maintain eye contact and, above all else, no arm crossing!

Ok, maybe don’t go into the room with that exact notion however confidence is a very attractive trait to see in a person and shows that you know your own abilities as well as being able to clearly showcase them to your interviewer. Confidence doesn’t always come naturally but if you do the preparation before (see points 1, 2 and 3) then the answers will come more freely and you’ll remember key points and give a more confident answers.

So, you’ve completed your research, turned up on time, wore your best outfit, smashed the questions they’ve thrown at you – what now? Prospective employers like to see you have researched the business but also that you are genuinely interested in knowing more. If you’re offered the chance to ask questions, use it! You could ask about the company’s future plans, team structure, or any achievements not noted in the press.

It’s as simple as that – always end the interview with a thank you and a handshake. This shows you have manners but also that you appreciate the time they’ve taken to see you and consider you for the post.

Fancy working in the fashion industry? Check out Success’s jobs to find your next step on the career ladder. They’ve got loads more tips and advice available on their blog or hit them up on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Are you a recent grad? Click below for savings just for you.

Our suit experts’ guide to shopping for a suit.

HOW TO BUY A SUIT

OUR MEN’S SUIT EXPERTS’ GUIDE TO SHOPPING WITH CONFIDENCE

FIT IS KING

STYLE & COLOUR

WHAT’S THE OCCASION?

THE PRICE IS RIGHT

BONUS ROUND

Here’s how you can achieve the perfect Half-Windsor.

Men’s ties: how to tie a Four in Hand knot

At Moss, we know that caring about the details makes the difference between just turning up and being well turned out. Case in point: a perfectly knotted tie.
As part of a new series, we’ve enlisted the knot-tying experts, Sophisticated Knots, to guide you through the top knots you need to know for a stylish finish all tied up.

There has never been a greater time to reinvent the traditional tie. There are countless ways that you can style a tie, however, when it comes to a wedding or a job interview many of us rely on muscle memory to kick in to remind us how to tie the traditional knot we styled in high school.

At Sophisticated Knots, we are dedicated to tying knots with a difference so we’ve partnered with Moss to show you some quick and simple non-traditional knots that will take your tie knots from meek to sleek in no time.

WHAT IS A FOUR-IN-HAND KNOT?

First up: the Four in Hand knot. With just a few simple steps this knot, also known as the Schoolboy knot or the Simple knot, is quick and easy to remember. The slim and sleek finish of the Four in Hand knot matches perfectly with any tailored suit and is usually worn with a dress shirt. This style of knot rose to popularity in the 19th and early 20th century but is still popular today. It’s a more casual tie style than some of the alternative knots like the Full Windsor knot and the Half Windsor knot, so it’s best worn for less formal occasions.

The main feature of the Four-in-Hand knot is a small, asymmetrical knot that’s best worn with ties that are wide and made from heavier fabrics. A good rule for tie width is to match your tie to the width of the lapels on your suit.

HOW DO YOU TIE A FOUR-IN-HAND KNOT TIE?

If you’re not used to ties then you might want to get a little bit of practice in before your event so you’re not learning how to tie your tie under pressure. It does get easier the more you do it so try getting the hang of it in front of the mirror ahead of time if you can.

To tie a Four in Hand knot you need to start with the wide end of the tie on the right and the small end on the left. Begin with the small end slightly above your belly button. Only move the wide end of your tie, the small end should sit on your stomach. Bring the wide end over the small end to the left, then under the small end and to the right. Then bring the wide end across the front and to the left, then up into the neck loop from underneath. After this, take it down through the loop you’ve just made in the front. Tighten the knot by pulling down on the wide end. Slide the knot up & adjust.

Here’s how to do it with images if you find it easier to visualise a Four in Hand knot this way:

How to tie a four-in-hand knot

Want to add a final flourish? A ‘dimple’ is the mark of a truly sophisticated tie-wearer – simply pinch the top of your tie to create the dimple and hold in place while you tighten the knot.

OTHER TIE STYLES TO TRY

If you decide that a Four in Hand knot isn’t for you, then there are some other casual tie styles that you can try. The Pratt knot ties with a slightly bigger know that the Four in Hand, making the tie longer. This style looks great with a skinny tie, and as it lengthens the tie it can be a great style for taller and bigger men who might find that other types of knots come up a little on the shorter side. The Trinity knot is another casual style that uses a unique three-fold appearance to create an eye-catching look.

Looking for something a bit more formal than a Four in Hand knot tie? You could try the Full Windsor knot (also known as the Double Windsor) or the Half Windsor tie knot. These are usually more suited for formal events such as weddings and business meetings, so if a Four-in-Hand knot isn’t quite cutting it then you should take a look at these alternatives.

We would love to see your knots with your Moss ties – 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