The GQ Best Dressed List 2011

The Best Dressed List

Covering the very best in fashion, style, entertainment, sport, grooming, culture and lovely ladies, Gentlemen’s Quarterly (or GQ to the rest of us) is the most comprehensive and down right stylish magazine around. GQ is to monthly men’s magazines, what Glastonbury is to festivals. Sure there are others, but none quite as well respected, as sought after or as damn right brilliant.
This month’s edition of GQ is extra special, and one of the most eagerly awaited editions of the year. No, not just because there are Victoria Secret models adorning the cover, but because it features the GQ Best Dressed Men In Britain 2011. Topped by Robert Pattinson 2010 [ed: HOW!], the GQ Best Dressed list is a celebration of British style featuring 50 of the most suave, effortlessly cool and well, best dressed men of the year.

So what does this year’s list have to offer? Well, as you would expect there is a big nod to the sophisticated and lavish tailoring of Saville Row, but there is also enough space for half a dozen rock stars, a rapper, and more than enough edgy, forward thinking young icons to go around. Age wise it’s more varied than a Take That concert, with Bryan Ferry looking immaculate at 65, while Romeo Beckham is stylishly representing the somewhat younger generation. It’s this younger generation – particularly young British actors – that are really flying the flag for this, the most stylish of nations. The fact that entire top 5 is made of up guys aged 26 or younger, shows you why when it comes to British style icons, the future is so bright it’s probably best not to look directly at it.
Obviously, as with every list of this nature, not everyone is going to agree with the choices of the GQ editors, so it would be great to hear your take on the top 50 best dressed men in Britain today. Lets face it, any list that features both Prince William and Prince Harry, an F1 racing driver and Ray Winstone is bound to cause a stir.

GQ Best Dressed List 2011 (20 – 2)

Editor: We don’t want to take all the fun out of reading the supplement that comes with the latest GQ, so we are not actually going to name every single person on the list. However we have put together a lovely montage of the top 20 below which counts down from 20 left to right. Plus you can find a great round-up of the winner’s style by Duncan underneath. See how many you can work out from the images.

GQ Best Dressed Man Of The Year 2011: Aaron Johnson

At only 20 years old, Aaron Johnson has already made his name as an actor (notably in Nowhere Boy and the brilliant Kick Ass), as a toy boy (he’s engaged to 43 year old director Sam Taylor-Wood), and now a style icon. Picked ahead of the chasing pack as GQ’s most stylish man of 2011 because he “kicks ass fashion wise” according to Editor Dylan Jones, he caught the eye of the decision makers at GQ’s Men of the Year awards back in 2010 and hasn’t looked back since.
So what makes Aaron so special? Well like any film star he spends his fair share of time on the red carpet, so of course he’s required to look dapper in a suit. He wears a tux with a mixture of suave sophistication and rugged charm, favouring quirky accessories such as the bow tie or the pocket square over the more traditional neck tie. When it comes to his casual style, again he showcases an equally charming mix of maturity and youthful exuberance, embracing elements of the ‘worker’ style that’s going to be massive this spring – with off white vests, check shirts, denim and tweed featuring heavily in his artillery.
With an eclectic mix of young and old throughout the list it’s no wonder Aaron Johnson tops the pile of Britain’s best dressed. He’s got everything that’s great about fashion in this country – he can be relaxed, casual and effortlessly cool one minute, but boy does he scrub up well.

Aaron Johnson Smart Style Picks:

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Aaron Johnson Casual Style Picks:

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To read more on the GQ Best Dressed List 2011, including the ten worst-dressed men in the world and the best dressed international men of 2011, pick up the latest copy of GQ magazine.

Men’s Fashion Revival? The Plus Fours

I was delving through my wardrobe the other morning and was feeling, ‘let’s say’ less than inspired. Although men’s fashion for this season has been given the step up, it’s still difficult to buy high-end, less mainstream threads without spending an arm ‘n’ a leg. Because the majority of men do not want to let go of the standard jeans and T-shirt combination, a lot of high street stores aren’t buying the more avant-garde garments.
Due to this predicament I decided to check out the vintage scene again. However, I’m past the idea that ‘just because its 50 years old it looks cool’.
After 2 hours of intricately rummaging; through moth balled furs, bat-winged, Hi-Tech jackets and flamboyantly tattered flairs, I found myself a pair of black tweed plus fours. A little bit dusty round the edges but gorgeous none-the-less.
Ok they’re two sizes to big, but, I think that will add to the look once I’ve altered them. My plan is to take just the waist band in, leaving the upper legs and crotch parachute-y and bellowing. Like a classic pair of drop crotch shorts.

I have always been a huge fan of that beautiful, 18th century, golfing attire. I also see this punky, Sherlock Holmes look coming in for AW10, as a darker version of that Regency romance.

What Are Plus Fours?

Plus fours (also known as Knickerbockers), were boy’s baggy knee trousers popular in the 18th century. Until the First World War boys wore shorts in the summer and knickerbockers or plus fours in the winter, until they hit puberty and graduated to long trousers. ‘I’d rather stay in the plus fours if you ask me’. In the early 19th century, plus fours were worn as part of sports attire. Which is where that great tweed and watch tartan golfing dress originated from. History lesson over.
When I bought my plus fours I didn’t actually think about how fashion forward they were, in a non mainstream way. With the twisted, country look (that I for one am incredibly excited about) coming in for next season, I think plus fours and 3/4 length suit trousers are a fantastic way to bring the punkoutry, look into this summer. Maybe teaming them with a tweed waistcoat and printed T – so you don’t look completely like a chimney sweep!
A look that I’m planning on breaking out closer to the autumn is plus fours with hunting socks and big, elaborate, bow tied neckerchiefs. An image Inspired by the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Fashion and outfit inspiration is all around us in this world, you just need to take notice.
Calf hugging, British eccentricity is definitely the way forward for this spring/summer. Let’s not leave this beautiful piece of fashion history on the derrieres of unconventional, country club golfers or the dusty floors of vintage shops.
If there’s ever going to be a time to revive plus fours it’s definitely the season to do so. Yay!
Big Love,
Jacob Kamara

Graduate Fashion Week Round-Up

After trying to squeeze my pheasant tail-feather brooch into a packed out Central line tube, I arrived at Earls Court for the Graduate Fashion week Gala show and awards.
Avoiding an embarrassing walk down the ‘Pink’ carpet we were bustled through into a Champagne reception. The bubbles were flowing and the Fash-Pack were in full swing. Members of the party included Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud (looking incredibly pale but intimidatingly beautiful), Amelle Berrabah (the cockney one from Sugababes), Bonny Wright from Harry Potter, Kanya King Founder of the MOBO award, dance group Diversity, Alberta Ferretti, copious editors from ELLE, British Vogue and GQ and heads from fashion houses including Mulberry and McQueen.
In my excited gallop from the toilet back to where the bubbles were being sipped and sparkling smiles passed around generously, I stupidly bumped into someone. That someone turned out to be the inexplicably beautiful Erin O’Connor… *cheeks flush* *heart falls out my mouth*. Thankfully I didn’t get rugby wrestled to the ground by boulders of security men, and all was well if not slightly embarrassing.
A short while later I was taking my seat and apologising to the attendees seated behind me, for the unnecessary size of my blinding, feathered brooch.

I always love student fashion: it’s so fresh and fun, especially in today’s era when many of these young designers are completely smashing down the boundaries of fashion, which for me is truly inspiring. So my excitement for the pending collections was oozing.
The show started with a series of awards doled out by various celebs to un-expecting students. When I say un-expecting I’m completely serious: there were a group of students out back having a desperate fag, when one of their names was called. To the hosts (Caryn Franklyn) dismay they were not there to collect their award and scampered back through the audience, in a panicked frenzy once someone had run out to tell her the news.
The last award for ‘Most Inspiring Person’ was voted for by British fashion students, and was awarded to Lee Alexander McQueen. The award was received by the CEO of McQueen who gave a very emotional and inspiring speech at which point stifled inhales to hold back genuine sadness was heard throughout the venue.
After the awards were received, the back drop disappeared to reveal a scaffolding draped in models, who very carefully yet precisely climbed down the steep stairs and took to the runway. And so the graduates show commenced.
Menswear is getting more and more exhilarating and many of the graduate’s collections emulated this and then pushed it even further.Here a few of my favourites from the week.

Alena Tikhonova

This was such an outstanding collection in the flesh. The detail and precision of the garments was completely dazzling. It was yet another collection that I would happily be the proud owner of every single piece. I was lucky enough to be introduced to the graduates tutor and I also received an invite from her to attend their version of GFW in Russia. Yes please!

Antonia Lloyd

When I saw this collection I thought if you tightened the shorts you could quite easily be looking at a Calvin Klein collection. Future CK designer maybe? And the bib shirt: I’ll take it in every colour, thanks.

Bobby Charles Abley

Oh, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby if you’re reading this, will you be my BFF and make all my clothes please? I am completely in love with this collection and would wear (here’s hoping) every single piece right down to the rubber gloves. Even if you remove the eye-catching bondage wear you’re still left with a remarkable collection full of pioneering shapes, textures, colour and patterns. I love it!

Gary James Butterfield

Garry produced a really innovative collection, including huge sheep and goat skin coats with patterns burnt into them, layers of billowing fabric, drop crotch pants and a to-die-for Barbour-esque cape.

Katie Barrett

Katie fashioned a collection of loose fit cottons and flowing Man-skirts, chunky knits and mould-stain print jackets all in mute greys and blacks, teamed with traffic light red socks, Tees and belts. I think the overall look of this collection is a real trend setter.

Thomasin Gautier-Ollerenshaw

When Thomasin’s collection came out I had to repress the desire to stand up. This knitwear collection is so fun and although very eccentric, it’s wearable. Everytime I look at this collection I smile, that is exactly what fashion is all about for me. Check out the candy orange clogs, future trend?

Thomas Crisp

Winner of the Menswear award, Thomas created an accessible, ready to wear collection featuring a Man skirt, lots of leather and some exquisite tailoring. Simple yet eccentric! I actually bumped into Thomas in Earls Court tube station after the event and congratulated him and marvelled at his award. Congratulations again Thomas.

The Show is Over

Without delay, as soon as the last ovation was complete, no one hesitated in dashing to the after party. Which was a lovely, bustling square of chit chat and high spirited graduates, press, supporting celebs and industry massives, all being crammed full of Champagne, falafel, beer, wine, chicken and the most AMAZING mini cheese cakes. I’m pretty sure they weren’t the Iceland ?1 variety. Before long Kiss100 DJ Neev took to the decks and let’s just say when you fill a busy fash-pack with booze and blast the speakers you get one hell of a party…
On my departure, slightly too full of red wine and beer, and franticly trying to kill the urge to cab it to Soho for the after, after party, I was stopped by a street style pap to take my picture… it turned out she was so wasted she couldn’t turn her camera on.
Big Love,
Jacob Kamara
If you follow me on twitter you may already know, however if not, I’m working on some exclusive write-ups for a couple of the graduate menswear designers, so keep an eye out.