Toques

We Canadian’s have weird words for normal things. Some examples include: a 3 seater sofa being called a chesterfield, the great folk in Saskatchewan call hooded sweatshirts bunnyhugs and a 24 count case of beer is called a two four.
                       

A collection of my girlfriend's gray toques 

One article of clothing that that helps us stay warm in the frigid Canadian winters also has a unique name. Of course I am talking about the toque! A toque is simply a knitted hat meant to be worn in the winter to keep your head warm. Across the globe these are called, beanies, knits, tophues and bobble hats.

While a toque can be any knitted hat, I personally only associate those with a pom-pom on the top of them to be a true toque. But that’s just me. Or is it? What do you consider a toque? Let us know in the comments below.

What are 150 of our favourite Canadian things? Read about it here

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Suit Up for Summer with Tips from Bourbon & Birch's Ben Headley

"Every girl crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man" - The bearded philosophers of ZZ Top knew it in 1983 and it's even more true today.

It's often said that a well tailored suit is to women what lingerie is to men. Then why is it that we men too often settle for a no iron dress shirt tucked into dockers when attending a wedding? Part of me believes it's a fear of the unknown. We are manly men who don't read instructions. We don't ask for directions. We never admit what we don't know - instead choosing to ignore it until it goes away. And one of the things many of us don't know is how to live well dressed.

I like to think that I do alright on my own and have become known for my ability to rock a bow tie like nobody's business, so I didn't feel too far out of my league when I met with Ben Headley of Bourbon & Birch (twitter: @bourbonandbirch, Instagram: @bourbonandbirch) to discuss men's fashion, and, more specifically, suits.

Ben is about as sharply a dressed of a man as I have met. He looks like he shares a tailor with James Bond, only Ben moves well beyond the typical Bond tuxedo look. Ben is the Founder and Creative Director of Bourbon & Birch, a company specializing in custom men's suits that also offers custom shirts, shoes and accessories; the perfect man to offer advice to the Real Man Travels readers on how to elevate their style this summer. With our expert ready we took to the internet to find out just what you've always wanted to know about buying a suit,

Ben Headley, founder of Bourbon & Birch

Real Man Travels: How did you get into men’s fashion?

Ben: Thanks to my father, I was exposed to how a man should dress from a young age, as he was from his father. My grandfather, even my great-grandfather were well known for their dapper sense of style. This influence, coupled with watching my mother design and craft her own garments, gave me a keen interest in developing my own style. So much so that even in high school I turned my locker into a storefront, selling some of my own designs.

Real Man Travels: When striking out on your own, how did you come to choose custom suits?


Ben: I believe a suit transforms a man into the best version of himself. No other article of clothing can send the same message that a suit can. Wearing suits weekly from a young age and being on a budget, I found myself frustrated, unable to find a suit that fit me or was designed the way that I wanted. Being a perfectionist, with every purchase, there was a compromise. I wanted to eliminate that problem.

Logo game, on point

Real Man Travels: How did you choose the name Bourbon & Birch?

Ben: Choosing the name actually took longer than I anticipated. I really wanted my brand to identify and encapsulate the qualities that personify a gentleman. Class, elegance and strength of character. I believe the name does a good job at that.

Real Man Travels: What is the best way to pack a suit when travelling?

Ben: If you’re looking to stay away from creases, the best way would be a garment bag. At Bourbon & Birch, we provide one with every suit. If you must stash it in your luggage, the best methods are either the ‘tuck & fold’ or ‘tuck & roll’ methods. Both will be explained in detail in an upcoming blog post on bourbonandbirch.com.

Real Man Travels: What colours are in style for this summer? What colours have passed there prime?

Ben: This season there is a move toward the cooler and softer side of the colour spectrum. Think soft, natural hues and subtle warm tones. Truthfully though, colours have no expiry date, they can look amazing on one person yet do nothing for another. When creating a wardrobe for my clients, I tend to focus not on what colours are trendy at the moment but more with their best interest in mind. The colours that really compliment their skin tone, features and personality. Building garments on that principle make for much longer lasting pieces.

Just a fraction of the colours offered by Bourbon and Birch

Real Man Travels: Have double breasted suits gone out of style?

Ben: No, their back with a vengeance and I don’t see them leaving anytime soon.

Double Breasted done right!

Real Man Travels: A lot of guys have put on some winter weight. What should a heavier set fella know when choosing a suit?

Ben: Lose the idea that a bigger suit conceals. Many men opt for a larger, loose fitting suit thinking that it hides their body. Truth is, it not only creates a sloppy image but also a wider and shorter one. By embracing the natural structure of your body with a fitted tailored look, you’ll notice the immediate slimming effect it has. Not to mention a sharper look.

Don't hide behind a baggy suit fellas! 

Real Man Travels: What is a ticket pocket, and why are they seeing a comeback?

Ben: A ticket pocket is located right above the right hip pocket on a jacket. It’s usually about half the size of the pocket below it. Originating in Britain, ticket pockets are not just something of a current trend, they are a classic feature that has been around for ages. Even though they are not a necessity anymore, they add a nostalgic sense of British style and can be visually appealing especially for a taller or slimmer gentleman.

Real Man Travels: How long should a jacket's sleeves be when wearing cuff links?

Ben: About half an inch shorter than the sleeves of the shirt under it.

The proper length sleeves can make all the difference

Real Man Travels: How can I tell if I'm choosing a good quality suit?

Ben: The key things to examine are the quality of the material, the way it was constructed and how the suit fits you.

Real Man Travels: What exactly makes a suit a "staple" piece of your closet?

Ben: A good wardrobe is built on the foundation of a few staples. To me, a staple is defined by its versatility and function. Something that can unnoticeably be worn often, have a measure of durability and be dressed up or down to suit the occasion.

Real Man Travels: What is the fashion faux pas that makes you cringe the most/is committed the most?

Ben: Oversized suits.

Real Man Travels: Any tips for suit shopping "off the rack"?

Ben: One statement from Benjamin Franklin always resonates with me: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” The only way to be fully satisfied is to go custom. If you must go off the rack, keep in mind that for a suit jacket to fit well, it all starts with the shoulders.

There you have it - tips from a man with style to spare. There will be no excuse for the short sleeve plaid shirt and khaki pant look this summer fellas. Time to man up!


Cheers!

Sam @samrealman

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Real Man Tested: Boto Swimwear

Tis the season to book an all-inclusive vacation (get tips on that from Scott), and the much dreaded chore of finding a bathing suit for that vacation. We here at Real Man Travels understand your struggle and want to make things easier for you. Just three weeks before I ventured off to Varadero, Cuba in October I was contacted by Boto Swimwear, a company based in Montreal to test out their line of swim shorts for the modern man.

They kindly sent me two pairs of swim shorts to use and abuse from the St. Lucia collection in the colors of sky blue and coral red. I put these swim shorts through the Real Man Tested criteria to help you make a purchasing decision for you next vacation.

1. What you get.

Because this is an article for clothing there are no extras or accessories necessary or included.

2. Look and Feel.

The Sky Blue shorts looked much better in person than I anticipated and I quickly knew they would be my go-to pair during my trip. The Coral Red shorts also look great but are softer in colour than the Boto website would lead you to believe.

The shorts, when dry, feel light and have a bit of a swishy sound when you rub them between your fingers, but for some reason that sound is non-existent when walking. That’s a good thing. No one wants swishy swim shorts. To my surprise when the shorts are wet they do not get darker or lighter as most clothing materials do.

The shorts have a white mesh liner on the inside to protect your precious manhood from whatever may be lurking in the waters. The shorts have a zipper, a snap button and a drawstring to keep them firmly attached to your waist. The draw string is on the inside of the shorts to keep it hidden. This was probably my favourite feature as I was the only one on the beach (next to the liberal speedo wearers) without a draw string dangling by my unmentionables. The shorts are fitted with two side pockets and one zippered pocket on the rear.

3. Ease of Use

As long as you can dress yourself these are simple to put on. The hidden draw string will throw you a curve ball though as you try to decide which to do first, the drawstring, the zipper or the snap button. I went the route of zipper, draw string then button.

4.  Advertised vs. Actual

The shorts are advertised to be for the modern man because of their tailored fit, comfort and bold colour choices. And they were just that. These works of art sat snug on my body and were cut just inches above my knee. The colours really popped when I wore them and I never once felt that discomfort that wet shorts can give you. Overall I would say they really hit the mark with their claims for these shorts.

5. Value

These won’t be for the budget conscience who prefer to just grab a pair to beat up from Wal-Mart, as these shorts retail for $69.00 CAD. For the quality and style the price isn’t too bad considering those flashy board shorts from skate and snowboard companies retail for $50-70 CAD.

6. Practicality

You will definitely use these swim shorts on any given trip to a tropical destination or even to the beach. I can also guarantee you'd be one of the few not drowning in your swim short material (like board shorts) or tucking your junk inside your body (like speedos). 

These shorts are meant to be transitional swim shorts where you could wear them in the water or up to the beach bar or even to a restaurant close to the beach. They deliver just that with the side pockets allowing for money or other small purchases when not in the water.With that being said I don’t see these being the first choice for water sports even though they would hold up if you were to water ski, wake board or tube with them.

7. Overall

A solid pair of swim shorts goes a long way on vacation as I personally spend over 50% of the day in them. So I was happy to have a pair that functioned both in and out of water. These shorts are stylish and I got complimented on the sky blue ones (and asked where I got them). They held up well in the ocean, in the pool and in my initial shower test. The hidden drawstring, side pockets and zippered back pocket are all great features that help with the design elements and functionality. And they just look good, plain and simple (even though I do not have a 0% body fat model body). I give the Boto St Lucia line of swimwear a four out of five.

Want to grab a pair for yourself? You can currently order these from the Boto Swimwear website or wait until December when they will be launching in Bikini Village at most locations. Be sure to give them a follow on twitter or facebook if you decide to buy a pair and let them know what you think.

Have a suggestion for a product you would like us to put through the paces? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook or in the comments below!

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