Style Icon: David Bowie

He hasn’t released an album in 7 years and we‘ve barely heard a peep from his New York hide out, yet David Bowie is as much an icon as he’s ever been. His impact on modern day music is unquestionable, but it’s the relevance of his style that’s just as intriguing. I didn’t have to look to far to find his high street fashion footprint.


This Ben Sherman suit has more than an air of Bowie about it, the rolled sleeves, the pastel shirt, it all points to the thin white duke.

Zara pretty much hit the nail on the head with this second outfit. The finish of the suit has a subtle ‘glam rock’ sheen and 80’s Bowie feel but the cut and accessories modernise the entire look.

As for Bowie on a budget, look no further than Duck Egg Skinny Trousers from Topman. Pair them with a plain white shirt and you’ve got Bowie's style in a nut shell.

Despite announcing in 2006 that he was “fed up with the industry” it’s been rumoured that he’s set to make a comeback at this year’s festivals, and Simon Cowell has even hinted at (God forbid) having him as an X Factor guest tutor - but what ever David Bowie's next move is, the whole world will be paying very close attention.

Rule Britannia

High street style, particularly for men, is something I often fall out of love with. At times I find it becomes repetitive and consequently I am often driven to independent or vintage stores to find style without breaking the bank. Topman, for all its mainstream pitfalls, often sets the precedent for high street style, particularly the flagship Oxford Street store and this week saw the launch of their ‘latest trend’ for spring 2010 - Button Down Heroes.

Taking inspiration from the ska movement of the 80’s this trend includes casual wear staples as well as subtle tailored pieces to create a very British feel. However, on the whole, this trend isn’t very groundbreaking. There’s no outlandish fits or colours and there’s nothing here that you won’t have seen before. But I think that’s what I love about it. Everything you had in your wardrobe from last year, can easily be adapted to put you at the very forefront of the trend. Subtle details like fastening the top button on shirts or polo’s, and adding braces can totally transformation the look or feel of an outfit. To prove just how easy it is, I’ve put together a couple of outfits with the basic items I already own, updating them to fit with the current trend.



Outfit one is easy, all I’ve done is take a simple polo and fasten the top button. This one’s actually Gola, which with its roots in 80’s sportswear fits perfectly.

The second outfit is an extension of the first. Perfect for both a date or evening drinks, I’ve just added a some knitwear to smarten the look but you could just as easily add a cardigan.

Finally, the smarter of the three looks which is ideal for the office. A mod inspired check shirt (needless to say the top button is fastened!) is teamed with a trench coat, an outerwear staple that was all over the high street last Autumn. You could also add a pair of braces to make this look a little more quirky and even more 80’s.

Hats off to Topman for bringing our attention to a trend that’s stylish, obtainable and most importantly - very very British.

Geek o'clock

Last week I went digital, not with my tv, but with my watch. And not just digital, I went retro too. Time, date, a stop watch AND an alarm, all with a hint of uber geek about it - who needs technology?

As seen on screen

TV ads featuring music (and by music I mean actual songs not awful marketing jingles) can go one of two ways. Either it ruins a song or an artist you love (see the numerous ads featuring Florence and the Machine) or you fall head over heels with a song you would have never heard otherwise. Last week I heard ‘Beasts’ by Slow Moving Millie in the latest Virgin Media advert – simply stunning.

Taper Jean Boys

There aren’t many things I love more than fashion and the Kings of Leon, so when I heard that the Kings had teamed up with French brand Surface to Air to release a clothing range, I was more excited than a fat kid in a chocolate shop.

From previewing the collection I can tell you that much like everything else the KOL have produced, the clothing range is pretty good. The bandana I can lose, but I would defiantly welcome any of the other items into my wardrobe.



But unlike their music, there has to be a few negatives from me. One gripe I have is that the collection isn’t exactly a groundbreaking. Where as their music is edgy and fresh, with a nod to classic rock and roll, their clothing range is (dare I say it?) a little bit dated. And it’s limited too, if you don’t want to look like you’re in the Kings of Leon (luckily I do!) then there isn’t much in it for you.

Then there’s the price. Now I understand that where there’s designer fashion, there’s the designer price tag, but with the range mirroring a large chunk of the Topman winter collection, I fail to see where the added value comes from. The cheapest item in the range, the bandana, will set you back £65, whilst at the top end, the leather jacket comes in at a whopping £739. Too big a price to pay if you ask me.

While I’ll admit to being a big fan of the clothes themselves, unfortunately when it comes to the range, I’ll have to say that the negatives out weigh the positives. Surface to Air seem to have missed everything I love about the band - their raw, gritty, authentic style and that aura that only the KOL have - and replaced it something that is trying too hard to be cool. What‘s unique about their style can‘t be bought (even at those prices), it‘s something that you‘re either born with, or you learn from years of being one of the greatest rock bands of a generation.

The S2A x KOL collection goes on sale from January 25th at surfacetoair.com and kingsofleon.com.

Let's all meet up in the year 2010.

Chuffed to bits with my new velvet blazer, I decided to wear it to work. If only I'd known that I was diving head first into an office full of Jarvis Cocker jokes.

I want one of those...

Stumbled upon this cracking nautical jumper today while indulging in some web based window shopping. Now I know what you’re thinking, nautical drowned some time towards the end of 2009, but judging by what I’ve seen from the up coming collections, this might well make its way into my wardrobe (fundage permitting).

Like what you see? Check it out on the UNIQLO website.

In the beginning…

New year, new decade so why not a new blog? Welcome to Pour Homme, I hope you enjoy your stay.

Over the coming weeks, months (and if I don’t run out of things to say) years, this page will play host to my inner workings. Everything I love, despise, crave, think, feel, taste and experience I will share with you in an attempt to provide a creative out let for me, and an interesting read for you lot.

If you need to contact me, you can do so at the following address: contactpourhomme@googlemail.com

Enjoy.