The New Items You Need This Week

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The New Items You Need This Week

Words by Mr Tom M Ford

2 August 2016

Take a trip to the Wild West with these fresh picks from MR PORTER.

This week, MR PORTER has welcomed a lot of new pieces on site that seem to be channelling the Wild West. And by that we mean that there’s been an interesting roundup of plaid prints, bandanas and metal-tipped collar shirts. Now, although the likes of Dolce & Gabanna would suggest otherwise (check out their AW16 show), we don’t advise that you opt for a head-to-toe cowboy or outlaw style. We do, however, recommend that you introduce a carefully considered piece or two into your wardrobe, to add a rugged, masculine edge to your look. Here’s how to do just that, without getting carried away.

When we put together our Ultimate Guide To Shirt Collars recently, we didn’t mention a shirt with a metal-tipped collar. Perhaps this was an oversight. Or perhaps not – it’s not every day that such things come back in style. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to wear one. In fact, since seeing that this particular shirt from Givenchy was landing on site this week, we have thought of little else. However, we’re going to tread carefully when choosing a partner for this piece. Chaps might appear manly with a pair of high-cuffed blue jeans, but steer clear of such obvious (and frankly ridiculous, outside of a ranch) cowboy styles with some simple black denim jeans, such as these from RRL.

Bandanas have been around hundreds of years, which suggests that they are a pretty useful item to invest in. They originated in India as brightly coloured handkerchiefs and have since been adapted into various prints and designs, cropping up everywhere from around cowboys’ necks in Western films to on the wrists of Cali gangs such as the Bloods and the Crips. We at MR PORTER are neither outlaws nor gang members, so we’d prefer to stuff this one – by the American brand RRL – into our chest pocket, to add a bit of fun and intrigue to our outfit.

With its roots in South America, liar’s dice (aka pirate’s dice) is exactly the kind of poker-style winning-by-deception betting game one associates with Wild West bandits, played to while away the hours before their next heist. All that’s missing from the scenario is a plume of smoke and some strong liquor. Get into the spirit for the drinking-game version, Mexicali, by fixing yourself a classic cocktail or two from this vintage drinks book, and you’re ready to roll.