Key Looks:
When the air acquires an all too familiar briskness and the elusive sun starts to wane, I find myself indignantly leaving my flat with neither a coat nor brollie in sight. This is my poignant, albeit impractical, protest against the end of summer – against the onset of autumn. It depresses me to no end, this changing of seasons and I can only picture the drudgery of the coming months of wind, cold and rain. Once the flu-like consequences of my actions have caught up to me, however, the initial resistance fades. September, you see, is not all doom and gloom. September is a time for evolution and reinvention. The time of year the collective conscious is abuzz with what “must-have” looks you must Mhave this season. I can hardly pick up a publication without a 20 page autumn fashion tutorial triumphantly staring back at me. As interesting and informative as this all is, what I really want to know is WHAT ABOUT THE HAIR? The symbiotic relationship between fashion and hair is centuries old, yet it’s often times reported as an afterthought. With so many interesting hair trends for autumn 2011, and for those looking to swap out that tired ‘short back and sides’ for something a little more sophisticated, I thought I’d take the time to outline a few of my favourite and most directional looks of the season.
The slick back
Classic and dapper with a real retro feel. Think Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack of the 1960’s. Achieve this look with a cut that is kept longer on the top and shorter and tighter at the sides and styled with a generous amount of high shine pomade. For a less structured version of the slick back, use a pliable, medium hold product such as Gentlemen’s Tonic ‘Sculpt’ and your fingers to comb through your hair.
The classic part
Really, a variation of the slick back with a distinctive parting worn at the side of your choosing. Jon Hamm of ‘Mad Men’ fame wears this look convincingly. You will need a fine tooth comb and high shine pomade to create the perfect part. The slicked portion of the hair can be worn either to the back or off to the side.
Curly and brushed forward
Another throw-back to the past, the curly and brushed forward look harkens back to the uber cool 70’s. The length of the cut will depend on the length that suits your face and jaw line, however to achieve this look, keep the length in the fringe and brush it forward to hover around your eyebrows. For a more contemporary interpretation, wear the curls and the fringe shorter in length and apply a curl enhancing styling product to tame your mop.
Disconnected with fringe
The most contemporary of the trends this season, this look is achieved by cutting the sides and or back much shorter and disconnected from the longer, highly textured top. Having the length at the top leaves the freedom to wear the style either forward with a fringe or up off the face. Use a strong hold product such as Gentlemen’s Tonic ‘Structure’ to enhance texture and shape throughout the day.
Book your appointment with Gentlemen’s Tonic today:
Gieves & Hawkes – No.1 Savile Row, London
T: +44 (0)20 7432 6441
