When You Wish Upon a Star

I have long been a fan of Ben Wishaw. After his cardigan wearing prowess in Skyfall and suit wearing prowess in The Hour, it doesn't surprise me at all that Miuccia has decided to use his charms to advertise Prada menswear. I heartily approve.

All Things to All Men

(Image via Daily Telegraph)

Lord knows I love a broad in menswear. Katharine Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, Diane Keaton... Seriously, get a hot dame in a suit and swoon! It's a love thing.

And while Rihanna's take on menswear (in spring/summer 2013 Acne menswear to be precise) is even more unconventional I still love it more than I can say. She looks incredible. And I might start looking at boy's clothes, lusting after them and then wondering where I can hide my womanly frame in order to work the look.

What a Card(igan)

I can't remember exactly how it came up, but yesterday in my book group (A Summer of Drowning by John Burnside which I would heartily recommend) the subject of men in cardigans came up.

Which then led me to the delightful discovery of the charmingly descriptively named Tumbr Men in Cardigans .

Now personally I am into a man in a cardy. I think it speaks well for a man. I mean narrow minded neanderthals probably wouldn't be drawn to such a piece of knitwear, would they?

What about you? Like a man in a cardigan? Or does it turn you off?

Burns Baby Burns

Good old Bradley, hero of the London Olympics and resurrector of the sidie.

Love it.

How about you? Would you be horrified or secretly delighted if your fella started sporting a pair? I think I'd be into it as long as they didn't look like carpet remnants like George Best's.

(Images via Bradley Wiggins and the 20 best celebrity sideburns through history at The Telegraph)

Fashion Crime Doesn't Pay

When it comes to fashion I've got a big mouth. I says it likes I sees it. I've got pretty strong opinions and I'm not afraid to show them.

But I have to admit that when it comes to men's clothes I am less sure. Some guys look great in a suit, some in jeans and a t shirt. It is not a cut and dried thing. Generally I would go for preppy and classic over trendy.

But I do know what I hate. And I will be very, very vocal about it.

The Telegraph have neatly and amusingly pulled together these dreaded items:
20 things women hate about men's wardrobes

Some of them are my real pet hates: jeans tucked into boots, short sleeve shirts, jewellery, low cut t shirts.

Some are surely everyone's pet hates: shiny suits, no?

Some are weirdly specific: denim hot pants, anything worn by Matthew McConnaghy...

And some I actually just don't mind too much. OK, sure, not too many men can carry off the double earring, but my good friend Patrick rocks it and Mr Day Lewis here is definitely not being beaten. But maybe they are merely the exceptions that prove the rule because I can't actually think of any other example of a man in a jewell that doesn't turn my stomach. So, ignore me.

And who can ignore the Fassbender? Such an adonis. And in a flip flop. This doesn't offend me. Obviously, when it comes to a flip flop a serious amount of care needs to be taken to remove any crud from the foot before it is revealed to the world, but as long as that it done and the foot isn't

a) rotten

b) mishapen

c) hideously hairy

then I'm all for the flip flop. Far better than a stinky rancid trainer in the summer. As long as it isn't paired with cropped cargo pants. Obviously. Because they are unforgivable. And that I know without a shadow of a doubt.

(Image via Telegraph)

The Jig is Up

Could all men be "encouraged" to shop at Jigsaw menswear?

That would really make me happy.

(Images via Jigsaw)

Pure as the Driven Snow

Don't worry, dear readers,I'm not going to start banging on about autumn winter 2012/13 already. I'm still too excited about the spring summer clothes that are ever so slowly trickling into the shops.

I am interested in these pictures for an entirely different thrill. Because goodness knows I like a well dressed man. And I like a beard. And I really like an adventurous explorey type.

So thank you, oh thank you, to Vivienne Westwood for giving us these treats. Grrrrrr!

(Images via Style.com)

Dreadlock, Stock and Barrel

Dear Ross Noble, I think you're great. You make me laugh very hard. And I went to see you last year in the Isle of Man during the TT, the night I met my lovely ex Steve. So I have a special place in my heart for you.

I know that you could never be described as dapper (although you do really carry off the leather biker jacket) and that being interested in your appearance is not really your thing. I get that.

But there is one thing that my love for you just cannot endure. Your dreadlocks.

(Images via Spoonfed, Daily Mail)

And, let's be honest here, it's not just you. There is a written rule, you see. And clearly no one has been kind enough to tell you, so let me be the one to break it to you gently. Unless you are Johnny Depp in character as a fictional pirate, as a white man the dreadlock is truly, truly, a no go area.

So please, employ some people to comb those bad boys out and we need never speak of this again. Otherwise I'll be sending people round with a sharp pair of scissors and some determination, and we'll have them away one way or another.

It's for your own good. I promise.

Love Lucinda xo xo

Make His Marcus

OK, so obviously I am aware of X Factor. I tend to like the audition/boot camp stages and then tire of it once the live shows get under way. And this year has been particularly grating with all the drama.

But it has one saving grace. Just one. Not Kelly. Not Tulisa. Not their scrapping. Not Gary. Not Mischa B being dressed as a Grace Jones-a-like. (OK, nearly that, it has been pretty awesome.) Certainly not that scroat in the manky skinny jeans. It is Marcus Collins. And not for his singing, which I really have little opinion on, I'm afraid.

But look at his goddamn outfits. So, yeah, slightly weird leather tux with high tops. Not totally convincing. But conjures thoughts in my mind of Arsenio Hall in Coming to America (I might just be inventing that, but it is giving me a warm fuzzy feeling, so let me have that, won't you?)

And then the leather jeans, holey t shirt and high tops. Not getting the pulse racing yet, although I do love a high top so I'm not totally anti.

But then what do we have here? The suit stage. Oh lord. Was anyone ever so dapper in a turquoise blazer, slim grey trousers and two tone jazz shoes? Jeez Louise! Surely this sort of thing goes against the laws of physics, but carry it off he most certainly does.

(Images via Daily Telegraph)

And then this, which the Daily Telegraph are calling his Pee Wee Herman look. Who would ever, in the history of the world, look good in this? I rest my case, the man is a fashion miracle. Loving every minute. Keep with the suits and you get my vote young man.

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo

Men of CONC, grow yourself a 'tache and raise some pennies for Movember. And if you need some inspiration, behold!

Hot men with mos. Or Mo Bros, if you will.

My tip would be to veer towards classic and distinguished and away from hipster.

Good luck!

Hirsutes you, sir!

Plus, as it gets cooler, it will be an extra layer of warmth. So all in all a good idea, I say.

(Images via Daily Telegraph)