For The Suits Essentials: The Suit

[caption id="attachment_4279" align="aligncenter" width="584"] Van Cleef, For The Suits boss man, own tonik suit as made by Thick as Thieves LA. Fabric from Ace Face Clothing.[/caption]

This is serious business here. Real serious business. We're talking suits here at For The Suits.

The Cafe

Sat outside a cafe, your mind reeling. It'd been a long night. Aggro had, for once, managed to pass you by. It seemed to be the sort of thing that was happening less and less frequently. Whether it be on the terraces, in a pub or at a dancehall it seemed to follow you around. A shadow you couldn't be rid of. A stench surrounding you and your lot.

This Is It.

It's a way of life. It's sweaty all nighters. It's brand new button downs. It's marvelling over the sheen of a 45. It's every day being an agonizing wait for Friday. It's all the little details coming together. It's something many claim a part of, with very little understanding of it. It's the never ending hunt for the perfect shirt, the perfect record, the perfect everything. Good enough is a phrase that doesn't exist. If you've ever spent a weeks wages on a tune. If you've ever shaken with excitement when digging through a vintage shop produced an original Ben Sherman. If you've ever spent all night on a dancefloor. If you've ever truly lived. That's what this is, that's what this means and has meant for years. Some get it, the majority doesn't. If you're part of it, take pride. If you take no pride in it, stop wasting your time.

More from Mikkel

After their first run of stripes was a bit disappointing, compared to the sort of quality we've grown accustom to Mikkel Rude displaying, the man seems to have hit his stride in the stripes game. Above is our favorites out of the Autumn/Winter collection for 2013. The blue striped number and mint green Oxford are the two must have in our opinion. You know the drill by now.

For The Suits Profile: "Hoxton" Tom McCourt

In modern parlance, there is few greater terms one can use to describe someone than that of icon. They, the representative symbol of whatever it may be that so many regard them as the embodiment as.

Brutus is Back

Good news: the four of these shirts should be available for pre-order by the end of the week. That is all.

You Need A Mac

In our continued endeavour to make sure our readers are the smartest dressed bunch around we've decided to start bringing you the best bits available as they pop up. This week we have a fly front Mac's on sale from Uniqlo. Since we posted our spring/summer style guide we've received many inquiries as to where to find such a coat. Here it is, and it's on sale. Sizes are going fast so be quick to act. Follow the link.

Bless Brutus

Exciting news for those of us who can't get enough of Brutus: They've got eleven new checks lined up. One gets the feeling those tragedies they released earlier in the year didn't quite fly off the shelves and they've returned back to their roots. A fair few standouts in the lineup as well, start saving your pennies now. Between Brutus and Mikkel Rude, who needs to moan about Ben Sherman losing the plot anymore?

Trouble In The Town Pt. 2

Running down Rycroft Way, just off Tottenham High Road, the plan was to turn off down Somerset Road and get back onto the High Street. It'd been better to be their from the start by the coppers hadn't given you that choice had they?

Those With A Discerning Eye

It starts out harmless enough. You get a proper shirt and you feel ten feet tall every single time you put it on. Never looked this smart in your life. How could it possibly get any better?

All Dressed Up & Going Nowhere

http://youtu.be/-lyVzYjHMMY

Don't let the head of the Hairies brain trust scare you off at the start, this a good documentary from 1971 focusing on the Scotswood Aggro Boys and their rivals the Hairies. Yes that's the genius name they came up with for themselves. We've given the "northern" look loads of stick on here in the past but there's certainly some sussed lads in this one and of course a few dodgy 'taches. And who wouldn't want to bash one of those Hairy mongs in the mouth for their haircuts if nothing else? Check it out.

Kamakura Goes Live

Kamakura has finally launched their online shop, after much anticipation. While the selection on offer isn't as elaborate as, say, Mikkel Rude or Brutus, the two above represent he collection at its best. As ever, expect the highest quality cotton in these shirts and a great slim cut. All interested should click here.

First Cut: Giant

http://youtu.be/PxsZpHZ3Yuk

Giant only released 41 singles, and two more non reggae sides, over the course of 1967 and 1968 but it's held in high esteem by record collectors around the world. Certainly a lot of that acclaim is down to the legendary "The Cooler" single, by the Wrigglers, seeing release on the label in '68 and the numerous Dandy produced and likely Dandy featuring sides that also featured. But that's only part of the story.

Trouble In The Town Pt. 1

Loafers weren't exactly a treat to run in, now were they? Looked the dogs bollocks but when you're taking off down the street trying to avoid the Old Bill they didn't come in handy. Getting rid of 'em would probably be quicker. But they're brand new, ain't they? Not tossing these ones away.

Rude Is Back

Mikkel Rude has an exciting new range of Oxford cloth shirts, just in time for summer. If you've read our Spring/Summer style guide then you already know Oxford shirts come highly recommended in the next couple of months. It's even better when the shirts are from Mikkel Rude and in a range of exciting designs. The two standouts would certainly be the Bengal stripe and the Classic stripe on offer. After so many great designs when it came to Gingham, Tartan and Checks it was a bit disappointing what was released as initial stripes. These make up for it. Between these and the upcoming launch of the Kamakura Shirts site we suspect many a reader will be pinching pennies.

Get Acquainted With Kamakura

A shirtmaker we have to hold up our hands and admit we didn't even know existed until one of our readers brought them to our attention is Kamakura. The company has been around for a number of years, based out of Japan with a store in New York City.

Brutus meets The Good Doctor, Round 2

Brutus is back with a second collaboration shirt with the bootmaker in all our hearts, Dr. Martens. After the atrocities they had released a few months ago, which we cleverly labelled Brutus Grimfit, they've come back strong with this beauty. All the details are there, including a collar that gives Brooks Brothers a run for their money, and pre sale orders are taken starting Friday. We have a feeling this one will be just as popular as the first go round.

For The Suits: Spring/Summer Guide

Could that be, the, the, the sun!?! Spring is just around the corner (not from where we're sitting mind you) and so it's time for another For The Suits season guide. You know the deal: we outline our personal favorites for the season and you run out and buy them. Or wear them if you already have the gear. We like to think so at least.

So Long, Mr. Charmers.

So here you are again, another Friday crammed into a sweaty club while the reggae beat pumps through speakers as big as mum and dads wardrobe. Bass so loud it is sending waves of sound threw your suit jacket. The smell of Brut and cigarette smoke and stale Red Stripe creating an intoxicating aroma. The three wouldn't seem as though they would be the sort of mixture that you'd happily wake up smelling of tomorrow morning, but that's exactly what you know will happen.

On The Bus

You're sat on the bus. Buzzing, absolutely buzzing. The feeling tends to be few and far between at times. Too many disappointed trips to record shops and clothes shops around town. It isn't easy to be pleased when you're so discerning, as you now know all too well. Everyone else can buy their mass produced music, clothes and beer if it makes them happy. That isn't you, it's never been.