Fins Blog - Finspiration

How to Wear your Fin’s this Christmas

November 30th, 2011

In honour of the Fin’s Christmas Party this Thursday, we have compiled a foolproof guide to wearing your Fin’s this festive season.

Start organising your shoedrobes now Finsketeers!

WHAT TO WEAR TO:

The Fin’s Christmas Party

We expect to see our accountant, Martin, in his new Cooper Brogues at the Fin’s Christmas party this Thursday! Perfect for a relaxed dinner at La Famiglia along with a few glasses (or bottles) of wine!

The Cooper Brogue, £185

A formal Christmas party

There’s only one shoe we could pick for a formal party this Christmas – the Drummond in Black Patent. A fabulous addition to a tux, the Patent Drummonds are sure to be the shining stars of every party this season.

The Drummond in Black Patent, £185

A festive lunch with work

Smarten up your every day suit with a pair of Bobby Slip-On’s. Simple, classic and oh so chic. Try adding a brightly coloured sock to add an extra pop of colour to your outfit.

(Don’t forget – our sock sets are half price when you buy a George Loafer!)

The Bobby Slip-on £185.00

Christmas Eve Drinks

What better way to welcome in Christmas than with a few drinks and the timeless Cooper Brogue?

We think they look fabulous with a pair of slim, dark jeans and a Webster Belt.

The Webster Belt £66.50

Christmas Day Lunch

We think the Marshall is ideal for a family lunch on Christmas Day.

Pair with cashmere sweaters and newly received socks for relaxed Christmas luxe.

After lunch…

The Harcourt Slipper of course! What else would you want to slip your weary feet into after a long day of eating, drinking and caroling.

The Harcourt Slipper, £49.50

LOVE/HATES of the Week

November 18th, 2011

LOVE

Fin returns from Tokyo

The office is once again filled with singing, dancing and blow dries.

Fin in Tokyo

The Harcourt Slipper

We are in love with our new slipper style – The Harcourt. Perfect for padding around on chilly winter morns, and, until the 31st November priced at just £39.50. That’s a £10.00 reduction available both online and in selected John Lewis stores nationwide.

A perfect stocking filler

Soul Mate Food

Sally has been receiving food deliveries from Soul Mate providing her with 3 healthy meals a day, plus 2 snacks. Despite some of the snacks not being quite to her taste (step in Fin & Danielle) the quality and range of the delicious meals has been fantastic. We were particularly jealous of the healthy turkey meatballs and spaghetti lunch.

Curly Hair

This past week has seen the start of a new obsession – boys with curly hair. It started with Harry Style’s angelic performance (yes, we know he’s young!) with One Direction on Sunday nights X Factor and has only grown with multiple sightings of fellow tousled haired boys throughout the week. Any Finsketeers out there with hair worthy of attention? Please don’t hesitate to send your pictures in for the blog!

The Stylester

HATE

Milder Weather

Last week’s chilly weather marked the debut of our new winter coats. We were all so excited to wrap up in padding and fur. Perfect, so we thought, for typical November climates.

Undeterred by this week’s milder forecast we persevered with wearing our warm coats, unfortunately resulting in ‘sweat tache city’ for most. COME BACK COLD WEATHER!

Drummond Money-Coutts pays a visit to Fin’s HQ

November 17th, 2011

The wonderful Drummond Money-Coutts, magician extraordinaire, paid an unexpected visit to Fin’s HQ this afternoon.

If you haven’t already heard of Drummond then we highly recommend paying a visit to his website. If however, like us, you have been lucky enough to experience any of his magic then you will understand how completely incredible his tricks are.

So naturally, we were beyond delighted when Drummond offered to perform a few magic tricks especially for us. What followed was a truly magical experience – we can all honestly testify that we have absolutely NO IDEA how he did it. Truly magical!

Magical!

After inducing goosebumps from Fin and nausea from Sally we finally called an end to the trickery and kitted Drummond out with a smart new pair of Bobby Slip Ons in Black.

Fin and Drummond

Fin’s AW11 Collection – Bloggers Pick

November 11th, 2011

The final guest to take part in our Bloggers Pick series is mens style adviser James Field of Collar to Cuff.

James Field

About James Field

After a number of years on Jermyn Street for Thomas Pink and with Savile Row tailor Anderson and Sheppard, James Field has dressed hundreds of professionals, politicians, actors and celebrities. From running Made to Order for Pink in their flagship store, he gained responsibilities in London, Dublin, Paris and New York. He has been heavily involved in the promotion of British style ever since, with further trips overseas.

During a career to date, James has advised and styled clients for every eventuality from appearances to glossy magazine shoots, as well as giving advice to teams in large blue chip companies in the art of dressing well in the professional world. With features and interviews in Esquire, and having styled for Vanity Fair, Tatler other menswear publications and press, he continues to actively write and present on men’s style.

James, what is your favorite shoe from the Fin’s AW11 collection and why?

There are two shoes that have really caught my eye for the Autumn. The Marshall Suede Loafer in Islay Tan, and the Jacob Desert Boot in Chocolate Brown. Lots of guys don’t realise how important shoes are. They’ll go and buy a smart shirt, jacket or jeans and just grab those ever present, ever faithful (and in a lot of cases, very tired) trainers or loafers that just seem to survive the seasons. You know, the pair that “will probably be fine for at least another couple of months”. But what you wear on your feet is studied more swiftly than you might care to realise. Think about it next time you meet someone, I bet you’ll clock what’s on their feet by the time you ask your second question! Wearing good shoes is an opportunity to demonstrate a sense of style and ‘know-how’. What both the Marshall Loafer and Jacob Desert deliver so well is a classic essential that, without fuss, will just dot the I’s and cross the T’s for a host of looks.

The Marshall Loafer - £135


How would you style it?

Taking the Jacob Desert Boot in Chocolate Brown – I’d team it up with a pair of straight cut navy pin cords or dark navy jeans, a brown belt (Suede or leather), Blue bengal stripe shirt, Mid grey baby herringbone tweed jacket with a navy cashmere scarf. Done.

Where would you wear it?

The great thing about these boots is that you could wear them anywhere for anything (apart from with a suit!) They are as at home for popping out to dinner with as they are during the day.

Who do you think the Jacob Desert boot man is?

Someone who wants to be seen as, as smart and style conscious as they are understated.

The Jacob Desert Boot in Chocolate - £185


What else are you looking forward to wearing this season?

I’m a big fan of heavy knits, so something along those lines. A shawl collar or a heavy cardi are great additions to the staple V-neck. Just the ticket!

What’s the best thing about Autumn apart from the Fin’s Collection?

The autumnal colours, both in the clothes and the outside.
Crisp and sunny London mornings.
The smell of a log fire in a country pub after a walk on a cold day, with a pint in hand. Delightful.

Thanks James!

For more from James check out his excellent blog Collar to Cuff here.

My Wardrobe SS12 Press Day

November 10th, 2011

Team Fin’s visited the My Wardrobe Press Day yesterday to take a look at our Fin’s and find out what else My Wardrobe has in store for Spring Summer 2012.

As expected, we found plenty of fabulous menswear for next season, from candy coloured trousers and Hawaiian shirts, to the more practical light knits that we thought would be perfect for a cool Spring day.

We particularly liked this preppy knit from Wolsey 1755.

Wolsey 1755 Knit

Of course, the star of the show (in our opinion at least) was the Fin’s collection! My Wardrobe will be stocking the George loafer in classic brights as part of its mens footwear offering next season.

My Wardrobe SS12 Footwear

Here’s how it looked on the day.

Fin's at My Wardrobe SS12 Press Day

Sally and Vicky also got a chance to participate in Movember. Hopefully some of our Finsketeer’s will have been able to grow a more impressive moustache this month to help raise awareness of prostate cancer. Let us know!

Sal and Vicky get into the spirit of Movember

Despite the purpose of our visit being to check out Fin’s, we couldn’t resist having a quick look downstairs at all of the gorgeous womens wear! After falling in love with Smythson totes and beautiful dresses we quickly retreated back upstairs to menswear where we came across these great satchels for the men in our lives.

We LOVE!

Thanks to My Wardrobe! We can’t wait to see Fin’s on the site next season.

How to wear…The Cooper Brogue

November 8th, 2011

Richard Brown from the Canary Wharf Magazine popped in this morning to view the new collection and we couldn’t resist snapping a picture of him in his brand new Cooper Brogues!

Richard Brown, Canary Wharf Magazine

Ricky D’s Culture Corner

October 28th, 2011

Over at Fin’s HQ, we’ve decided to mix it up a little with our blog entries.  We know our Finsketeers click through for their daily dose of shoenanigans, with more than a sprinkling of Kardashian thrown in, but we’ve decided to make things a little more high-brow around here.

Introducing our newest contributor, Richard Dennen, who is finding time between gallavanting and writing historic features for The Sunday Times to write an occasional contribution for Fin’s.  His Culture Corner will enrich all our lives with some much-needed intellectual fodder.

Our new cultural contributor - Ricky D

Over to Ricky…

“Isn’t that a napkin?” asked Emma Watson who had dressed red carpet for what was really a lecture in a library. And the answer was – well, yes. The napkin was in a glass cabinet. And we were at the British Museum. But what does one wear then for a dinner at the British Museum? Wearable art is having its moment but that’s complex if you want to look now not niche. So what was right, then, for the opening of the cross-dressing artist Grayson Perry’s exhibition ‘the Tomb of the Unknown Artist’? With this exhibition Grayson had installed his new work as flash surprises that popped up amongst historical pieces by anonymous craftsmen he’d picked from the two thousand years worth of museum archive to be found in the bowels of Bloomsbury. That’s one helluva a lot of choice. So that meant icons juxtaposed with his teddy bear and an Iron Age hand axe with a ‘Hello Kitty’ hand towel. Was it strangely poetic? Or was it enough to make Boadicea run howling back to Norfolk?

Grayson Perry

Why thousands of years worth of anonymity anyway? Grayson had an important post-Frieze point to make, he explained, complaining of the woes of the art market and how he was over the famous signature and how it had become so much more important than the work it was written on. Quite. “I call it Picasso’s Napkin Syndrome,” he cried querulously, “is taste really going to be decided by a bunch of oligarchs?”

Oligarchs be damned. More importantly he’d succeeded successfully in aceing statement dressing in something that looked like it could have been pulled off the back of Quentin Crisp’s Elizabeth 1 in ‘Orlando.’ But it wasn’t. This gown of black and white block colour with cowl-hood dripping with pearls was his new ‘Ejaculation Dress.’ “I teach a course at St Martins called ‘Making a Dress for Grayson Perry.’ It’s very useful.

Fin’s AW11 Collection – Bloggers Pick

October 27th, 2011

The third blogger in our series to pick their favourite shoes from the AW11 collection is the delightful Mark Cullum from A La Male.

A La Male - The Menswear Portal is the online men’s fashion and lifestyle destination that features everything from luxury brands and streetwear to interviews with key industry figures. Regular product features, news and updates forms the basis of this stylish and streamlined blog. Read Mark’s recent interview with Fin here

Mark Cullum from A La Male

Mark, what is your favorite shoe from the Fin’s AW11 collection and why?
The Cooper Brogue because apart from being extrovertly classic it has a neat finish, with a [sometimes difficult to find] slim sole and is probably the most versatile piece you could invest in. Day, night, work, play and I’d be more than prepared to put my trust in those fine Italian leathers from season to season.

How would you style it?

I’ll go with a day-to-night look and pair with a slim tweed trouser with a deep turn-up – you don’t need to flaunt your socks to draw attention to your shoes. It’s all in the detail. Top it off with whatever you so please – it’s all about the shoes here.

The Cooper Brogue £185


Where would you wear it?

Where wouldn’t I wear it?

Who do you think the Cooper man is?

Cooper is my friend, my neighbour and anyone else who has undeniable taste when it comes to footwear. I firmly believe that the onus is on the wearer when it comes to style.

The Cooper - for anyone with undeniable style

What else are you looking forward to wearing this season?

Chunky knitwear, scarves and snoods. *Not to be mistaken for the Michelin Man.

What’s the best thing about Autumn apart from the Fin’s Collection?
A cool, crisp but bright and sunny day. There’s nothing I love more than to be wrapped up and enjoying the sunshine at the same time. That and running through piles of leaves.

Thanks Mark!

For more of Marks style advice you can find him on Twitter – @markcullum1

Happy Hulloween!

October 26th, 2011

Feeling Lucky?

October 25th, 2011

If you only do one thing this week make sure that it’s entering the Fin’s competition.

With a few simple clicks you could be in with a chance to win an ENTIRE new shoedrobe. This includes a pair of every style from the new collection plus a pair of our classic loafer styles, and belts and socks.

As if this isn’t enough, our good friends at Fitzdares, a bespoke bookmaker that brings a touch of Edwardian glamour to state-of-the-art gambling, have offered our lucky Finsketeer a free £500 bet. If you fancy a flutter on the football, a filly or even the X Factor, here is your chance. Click here to enter.