Summer Look

Find it a bit hot nowadays? We’re currently experience a heat wave where we’re at so being who we are, why not offer some advice. Don’t work up a nasty sweat and don’t use the heat as an excuse to dress like a dumb dumb. Go out and get yourself a nice plain, cotton Oxford shirt. Paired with sta-prest (see our guide if you need advice on that particular item) and brogues you’ll be having fun in the sun in no time and hardly breaking a sweat doing it. As it so happens the Oxford shirt is also one of the few things Ben Sherman still manages to get right, so all the better. And if you’re into getting The Look right, which let’s face it you are or you wouldn’t be here, these shirts harken back to the days of the hard mod and early skinheads when plain button down shirts were thee item to own. Not seeing any reasons to not have one now, are we?

Arturo Gatti versus Gabriel Ruelas

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d_qq_FTIeE?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

One did not go to war with Arturo Gatti. Not if you valued your health, and in a lot of cases, your consciousness. It has been 3 years since Gatti’s death and there ain’t a fight fan alive that doesn’t know his name. The man was one of, if not the, pre-eminent warriors in recent boxing memory. A cat like Gatti was the human embodiment of the world perseverance. No matter of pain and hardship could stop the dude. This fight, from ‘97, was the one which cemented Gatti’s status as one of the baddest dudes around and was also the first of four Fight of the Year honors. Things start getting tasty near the end of the third and kick into high gear for the rest of the fight. Battles like this are what Gatti should be remembered for.

Welcome Momo Diame

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD8_ktkuoDI?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

Nice little sell job for West Ham’s new boy, Momo Diame. One thing’s for certain, the boy is a bit special. By all accounts it’s simply his heart condition keeping him from playing at one of Europe’s big clubs. Especially of note is Momo ripping the Manchester United defence to shreds. Very promising signing from the club.

Don Letts on Skinheads

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih26uQBff2g?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=300]

For those not in the know, Don Letts, with help from Fred Perry, has recently produced a series of short episodes focusing on various subcultures with links to the Fred Perry brand. Believe it or not we’ve posted the skinhead episode here. While the documentary certainly leaves a lot to be desired, it’s interesting to see Fred Perry finally acknowledge it’s past history with the skinhead subculture as it seems that has become a taboo word for many classic skinhead brands as of late. There is definitely better out documentaries out there and most of the footage is recycled but let’s face it, everyone will probably at least give it a look.

FCF: Amalgamated

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLuGGj_mwmo?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=400&h=299]

This cut right here was the first ever release on the UK Amalgamated label, home to a number of crucial productions by Joe Gibbs and engineered by the likes of Niney and Lee “Scratch” Perry. Errol Dunkley, the vocalist on this impassioned plea for honesty, was only 16 when the track was released. It’d be a big deal except he started his career at 14 and by the time he got to this track he had already worked with some of the biggest producers in Jamaica at the time such as Sonia Pottinger (whom he recorded his first track for) and Prince Buster. Pretty decent way to kick off a label we’d say.

Mikkel Rude, Once More

Mikkel Rude has done it once more. The six shirts above comprise his summer collection for the year and there are some beautiful shirts amongst them. All shirts were made in limited numbers and feature the great tailoring and classic features one has come to expect from Mr. Rude, so you might want to get on it quick. While we’re on the topic, we have a For The Suits profile coming soon with Mikkel Rude so stick around won’t ya?

Ooop North

This picture popped up on Twitter today, reportedly a group of Newcastle hooligans outside of St. James Park in 1970. Once again proving The Look did indeed filter throughout the country at different paces since by many accounts the skinhead and suedehead looks would have disappeared in London by this point. Being Northerners they did manage to sneak a dodgy ‘tache in there.