The Barbour Jacket

Barbour first manufactured their Barbour jackets in 1894, and the quality and ageless style of the clothing they produce, have ensured that the jackets remain as popular today as they ever have. Available throughout the world, from Asia through to Europe, they continue to be the jacket of choice for many people around the globe. This will come as no surprise to anyone who has ever purchased this style of jacket, their extreme comfort, as well as their practicality has guarantee their popularity over the years. And this year, the Barbour jacket will be making a comeback in fashion circles, as town meets country, expect to see the Barbour worn as the jacket of choice for many of the world's fashionista.
This jacket will be the perfect addition to any wardrobe this season, with their water-resistant, highly weatherproofed design, they are perfect for the autumn/winter and even spring seasons. Moreover, they are a fantastic complementary jacket for many recent fashion trends, looking equally fantastic with a pair of skinny jeans and military boots, as they do when teamed with chinos and brogues.
Often the reserve of the upper classes, these affordable, and yet high-quality jackets, will be appearing in throngs on high streets throughout the country this fashion season. The preferred style of jacket of many a-list celebrities, they are sported by the likes of the Alexa Chung and Coco Summer - both of whom are renowned for their unique sense of fashion.
Originally conceived for wearing in the great outdoors, they make the perfect coat for those who love to appear fashionable, while maintaining a certain level of comfort. In terms of fashion makeovers, the Barbour Jacket has certainly achieved that in recent years, with a change in design, Barbour have modified their traditional jackets to suit current trends - while losing nothing in terms of durability, warmth, comfort and quality. To be seen without one this year, will be a fashion gaff of monumental proportions.
The choice of style and designs available this season will leave us spoiled. From biker style jackets, to a more retro hooded variety, there will be a style of Barbour jacket to suit even the most particular individuals amongst us. In a wide range of materials, including leathers, lamb's wool, and cotton, we will certainly have trouble deciding, not whether we want one, but which one, of the many styles available, to choose. With a range of price tags, affordable quality is an essential feature of the Barbour brand.
The Barbour jacket is a perfect way of delivering the message to the world: 'I am style' without compromising on comfort whatsoever. Easy to wear and lightweight, they make the perfect winter coat. Whether you opt for their quilted variety, or otherwise, rest assured that you have made an excellent investment. Barbour do not turn their backs on their customers post-sale, but offer repair services and after care that are second to none, and that go a long way in explaining how some of their jackets have been worn for over 50 years at a time!

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Faux Pas - Things Men Should Avoid

Fashion faux pas - we are all guilty of it, one way or another. But us men, and we must admit it, we just make fashion mistakes left and right that it's becoming embarrassing. It seems like when the Gods of fashion showered the gift of knowledge on dressing properly, it's just the ladies who went outside and we were all left watching some TV. But there is still hope for each and every testosterone-filled individual of the world. Because with this article, we'll round out some of the biggest fashion missteps most men have the chance to take. So that no one will ever take that plunge ever again.
No-no Number 1: Socks with Sandals
Fate must have played a cruel trick on every guy, because almost every man have committed this fashion don't. Okay, we get it. It's cold outside. But why not just wear shoes if you want warm feet. The horror of seeing someone wearing socks, much less white socks, with sandals is just unbearable. I think even talking about it is. That's why I'll just stop.
No-no Number 2: Novelty Clothing
It may look cute at first, but having a big smiley face and other lame prints on your clothes like ties, shirts and boxer shorts is very childish. Just save these types of garments when you're washing your car or working out. Or better yet, just wear them if you have nothing left to wear.
No-no Number 3: Big Designer Labels
We get it, you can afford branded clothing. But no matter how expensive they are, having logos of high-end clothing companies splattered on your chest just makes you look like a walking billboard. Besides looking like an ad for these companies, most people think you are a douche when you wear these types of clothing.
No-no Number 4: Backpacks at the Office
Though it may be very convenient most of the time, having a backpack and wearing a suit just does not match. Aside from the fact that it will wrinkle your clothes even before you get to the office, backpacks just look very juvenile. And you don't want that because people may not take you too seriously. That's bad especially if you are the boss of the company. Why not invest on a not so expensive brief case for your important office stuff. A messenger bag will also do.
No-no Number 5: Big Chunky Shoes
It's 2010, not the 90's. That's why big chunky shoes are definitely out. They say that fashion is timeless, but there are some items that should also be retired. Don't worry, you can still wear those big shoes during costume parties on Halloween.
No-no Number 6: Shiny Shirts and Suits
Just a reminder: you are not a pimp. That is why you should avoid wearing shirts and suits, and anything for that matter, that is very shiny and glittery. These clothing items just look tacky and they make your look like you're from the disco era. If you don't know what color to wear, always go back to the basics: black.
No-no Number 7: Loose Fitting Clothes
Loose fitting is equal to sloppy. You are not going to release the next top hip-hop hit or dancing B-Boy, so better try on clothes that fit you well. Perfectly-fitted clothing, especially dress shirts and pants, will definitely do you good.
No-no Number 8: Unflattering Colors
Many people said that it's the person wearing the clothes that makes the whole get-up look good. Sadly, they're wrong. Knowing how to use color to your advantage will do you good when trying dress properly. Avoid colors that will make you look pale or too dark. The color of what you're wearing should also compliment your eye color, skin ton and body shape.

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Belts and Braces

Men's accessories are an important consideration for men's fashion as accessories can make or break an outfit, choosing the right accessories can individualise an outfit and set you apart from the crowd. Ties, tie bars, cufflinks and pocket squares are all great accessories, but when considering trousers, do you opt for a belt or braces.
As well as having a functional and essential role of holding up your trousers, belts and braces, known as suspenders in the United States, can make great accessories to enhance and individualise your look with a splash of colour or by adding some personality to your outfit, as well as fulfilling their practical role
There are a few simple style rules for belts, which are very easy to remember, Your belt should always match the colour of your shoes, black shoes will require a black belt and brown shoes a brown belt, if you can't match them up then the best advice is not wear a belt at all as the colours will clash, look awful and make you stand out for all the wrong reasons. For a formal occasion opt for a thinner, preferably black belt with a small buckle, and generally avoid large buckles especially large novelty buckles altogether, whatever the occasion and even if you are wearing casual clothes or jeans.
Braces have recently become very popular and they offer a great alternative to a belt and a they can be a great accessory which can personalise your look. If you haven't worn braces before they are perfect for both formal and casual wear and are available in both button down and clip on styles. Plain, neutral colours, such as black or navy, are very safe as they will compliment most clothes in your existing wardrobe. When opting for braces also consider your own body type, if you are a taller or thinner build opt for the thinner styles, while a broader person should opt for the wider style of braces.
Braces are perfect accessories for a suit and can be worn for the office, simply match the colour of your suit to be safe, and you will have an instant smart and fashionable look, the braces will look great if you remove your jacket too. Braces will look equally as good with casual outfits, even jeans and for an even more casual look
Which ever way you wear your belts or braces, and you can be very creative, they will allow you to have an individualised and very stylish look at little extra expense.

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Gold Jewellery for men's

Many men simply do not like wearing jewellery, whether its gold or any other kind, while others like to wear as much gold as possible either as a fashion statement or a show of wealth.
Most men will wear a gold wedding ring, but are reluctant to wear any other jewellery, while some will even refuse that, which can leave you with a dilemma if you are buying a gift for an important occasion, such as a milestone birthday, leaving or retirement gift.
The truth of the matter is that gold is often overlooked as a fashion accessory and it can look very stylish if the right item is chosen and worn with the right outfit. Gold can look great with dark colours such as black or greys and gold accessories are ideal for the summer months.
The secret to wearing gold is to be subtle and not to wear too much, aka Mr.T style, by wearing just one or two accessories. This could be in the form of a watch and gold framed sunglasses which can be worn formally or casually. Gold cufflinks and tie bar set would look good together
Gold accessories can add a lot to an outfit, whether you are wearing formal or casual attire. Although some may be put off the idea of wearing jewellery, accessories needn't consist of huge chains or bracelets, small accessories look stylish and add a touch of class for many of any age. Although the price of gold has escalated in recent years, your accessories won't necessarily be too expensive,
Some cultures actually encourage men to wear jewellery while some professions on the other hand discourage it, while a watch is a universally acceptable item of jewellery which can be worn with any outfit. Watches can range from the inexpensive to the extravagant and extremely expense
A mans wedding ring is traditionally made of gold, and there are many styles and widths available, if the man decides to wear a wedding ring there are many varieties available other than plain gold bands. Two tone gold and titanium rings are very fashionable at the moment and look very subtle and stylish. White gold is also an option that can be considered.
Whatever type of gold accessory you choose, it will look great and will be a stylish addition, and also make a perfect gift, it is just a case of spending some time choosing the right accessory you feel happy with.

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Wedding Attire For The Groom

While there is always much emphasis placed on the bride and her dress, a wedding is also the most important day for the groom and he will also want to be looking his best.
It is important for the groom to look his best and this will usually require him to be coordinated with the rest of the wedding party, which will include his attire, accessories and to coordinate with the colour scheme that has been chosen for the special day.
For a formal wedding, tradition will usually dictate what is required to be worn by the groom, and this will usually consist of a tuxedo with a waistcoat, a dress shirt, tie or bow tie and cufflinks, which are essential accessories. There is scope, however, to allow the groom to show a touch of individualism and add personal touch to his attire with the use of his accessories. A bow tie, for example, can make a huge statement of individualism without being over the top or too garish, a solid colour, oversized, satin bow tie would look very stylish with a tuxedo and dress shirt.
Cufflinks make great accessories and can cater for individual taste, mother of pearl cufflinks are available in many designs and look very subtle and stylish if they are coordinated by all the men in many wedding party.
Individualised cufflinks that are engraved with the groom, best man and father of the bride are a great novelty without being brash, and they make a great keepsake too.
Choosing the colour of your waistcoat and tie to compliment the wedding theme will ensure you have a stylish look, especially if the theme is worn by all the men in the main wedding party. The bow tie is also making a resurgence in popularity, opting for a large, oversized velvet bow tie will certainly make a statement and look very impressive. Varying your tuxedo colour can also be very effective, opting for a dark blue or grey rather than the traditional black can be very effective and look very stylish too.
The number of less formal weddings continues to increase, and it estimated than less than half of grooms actually wear a tuxedo, but that doesn't mean you have to lack style. Many are opting for cotton and linen suits which are perfect for summer weddings, while a darker suit made from a heavier material is usually the choice for autumn and winter weddings.
Beach weddings continue to increase in popularity and this allows for a very informal dress code, with some thought you can still coordinate the main wedding party even if you choose khakis and sandals or even a Hawaiian theme.

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Watches - Statement Pieces

Wrist watches are regarded as devices to telling time and statement pieces. Watches firstly are created as women's decorative bracelets. At the same time, men use pocket watches. In the period of World War I, men in military found that wrist watches were easier to use than the pocket watches. So wrist watches for men became very popular. Since then, watches have been considered as elegant and fashionable accessories for men. At present time, watches are not necessary devices to keep track of the time for most people have cell phones which have watch functions. But this innovation in keeping tracking of the time has created a new market for wrist watches which is not only used to keep track of the time, but also as important fashion statement pieces.
The first men's watch was available in 1904. A pilot called Alberto Santos-Dumont personally asked a watchmaker to create a wrist watch to use on flights. Soon after that, men's watches were available on the market. From then on, all the watchmakers have started to make men's fashion watches.
Generally speaking, conventional designer and dress timepieces appropriate for formal occasions are exquisitely made and more like pieces of jeweller than timepieces. Men's watches for casual, informal and semi-formal events range from simple, bare, slim designs to chunky and large sized styles. Nowadays, men usually don't follow any specific dress code for timepieces and the luxury brands have made them believe that the expensive, complicated and rugged sports watches look more stylish because of their high prices. Some of the fashion watches have a gem or diamond and some others are completely decorated with precious stones such as sapphires or diamond.
Ice watches are one of the most popular fashion watches at present. The strap dial and face are all decorated with sparkling rhinestones. Sometimes, in order to create a contrasting impression, the rhinestones are deliberately made to clash with the straps colour.
Men's watches also have many advanced functions such as satellite navigation and compass. For example, the dual-time timepieces for travellers enable them to know the time at most other countries as well as the time in their home if they are abroad.
In a word, a men's watch is one of the few accessories for men's wardrobe. Men's watches come in a huge selection of designs, styles and brands. Men can choose their ideal watches to coordinate with their personal taste.

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Pink Ties the New Trend

When it comes to men outfits, everyone has their own source for men fashion tips. While some of us try to follow celebrities, some of us try to look like our fathers. No matter what your style secret is, fact stays the same that pink ties are one of the most sought after ranges of solid color ties available in the market. The image they portray of the wearer is anything but ordinary. Most of you would agree that the color pink has always been associated with the female race. Now, sporting a feminine color is definitely going to require some mean guts on the part of the wearer. As the famous saying goes, "being feminine is the most masculine thing you can do if you wish to disapprove the society."
What is going on with our societies is not hidden by any standards. Banks are stealing people of their savings while the government authorities are doing nothing but adding fuel to the fire through their so caller 'austerity measures'! In these times, sporting pink ties can be a great way to show your disapproval of the arrangement that has been made to indoctrinate the masses into erratic spending, mass landing and eventually bankruptcy! Thus, it is safe to say that even though the color pink may be feminine in nature, being sported by a make with the right frame of mind can make these ties speak out loud.
Due to the popularity gained by pink ties, we don't need any magazine to give men fashion tips to decide which tie to buy. With internet bringing the global market inside our homes, we have the option of buying pretty much everything under the sun at the clicks of our mouse. We can simply search the web space for leading online retail stores offering men clothing and accessories and checkout their ties range to find the desired type of ties. These days, every leading online retailer of men clothing offers extensive range of ties to suit different tastes and budgets.
By buying the required pink ties online, not only you will save yourself form the hassles of online shopping, you also make your stand against the humongous corporations dominating our financial scene. Supporting small businesses is the only way to bring the financial power and the jobs back to the people of America, where they rightfully belong. Thus, always use online shopping for as many things as you can.

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Men's Fashion Guides

Three Types of Shoes

"Fashion" is a very popular word in this day and age. All the people desire for fashion accessories and fashion clothes. It is very easy for us to understand women's fashion. However, when it comes to men's fashion, it is really difficult for us to understand. Men's fashion is a complex concept and it is very difficult to predict men's fashion trend. As far as I am concerned, shoes are the key to show one's fashion statement, if you can start by your shoes and then insist on your dressing style, you are no doubt a fashion man. Shoes have been neglected for a very long time in men's fashion world. However, you have to take shoes into consideration if you want to be looked well.
Leather Shoes
If you always wear a suit, a tie, and a shirt with sleeves, of course you will choose leather shoes to match with them. However, I have met many men who always wear black shoes with all their clothes, regardless of the color of their suits. In this case, I hope you can adjust the color of your shoes.
You can try on brown shoes instead. Brown shoes can really go very well with your outfits other than black no matter you are going to weddings or job interviews. For example, if you wear grey, black, navy or khaki, it is very safe and fashion for you to wear a pair of brown shoes. At the same time, you should remember to avoid wearing square-toed leather shoe. The square-toed leather shoe was really in fashion in the old days.
However, you should not consider it in modern times. It will make you look bulky except you are a big bloke nowadays. If you are a thin man, you should choose medallion shoes for such shoes can make you look comfortable. If you are a small man, you can try pointy-toed or wingtip leather shoe. It can really change your image. If you have to take part in many formal occasions, wingtip leather shoes are you best choice.
Sneakers
A pair of sneakers is a must-have to all men. Almost all men in the world love to take part in any kind of physical activities, they all need a pair of quality sneakers to protect their feet from hurt. And we know sneakers are never out of fashion these days, so you can prepare a pair of sneakers and wear them when you are running or doing other sports activities.
Casual Shoes
It is impossible for you to wear suits or shirts all the time, you still need to wear jackets and jeans sometimes. At this time, you can choose to wear casual shoes because they are designed for casual environment.
So here, I recommend you to prepare the above mentioned shoes ahead of time. For only in this way, you have a pair of perfect shoes to match with your outfits all the time.

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Latest in Wedding Ring Design For Men

The latest in men's ring design is all about new metal materials and embellishments. Plain gold and silver bands are no longer the only options, and the breakthrough of new metals has increased the diversity and endurance of men's rings. Precious stone embellishments, specifically in men's diamond rings, are now commonly incorporated into engagement, wedding, and anniversary bands giving rings a refined appearance and creating a better compliment to their spouse's diamond engagement and wedding ring sets. This article looks into men's wedding rings, and which trends are selling over others.
Top Trends in Wedding or Anniversary Rings

• Platinum Wedding Rings:Lead the market trends for a number of reasons. Though the material typically requires a higher budget than gold or silver, it is one of the most enduring metals out there, which guarantees that the ring will withstand heavy wear and tear. Unlike white gold, the metal does not tarnish, is resistant to corrosion, and will retain a beautiful shine. The metal is also hypoallergenic, and will not produce chemical reactions with skin. Men's diamond rings often use platinum as the setting for both status appeal, and elegance. Diamonds paired with platinum is quickly increasing in popularity for wedding rings today, and can be found in a number of wonderful designs.
• Tungsten Wedding Rings: A recent addition to our metal options over the last few years, is taking over men's jewelry market. Tungsten Carbide is a heavyweight metal very soft to the touch, but with the strength unmet by any other metal on the market, (except some forms of titanium). Typically less costly than platinum, tungsten offers the benefit of being nearly indestructible and scratch-proof, and will look new for life. This metal is mysteriously dark unlike the bright appearance of white gold, silver, and platinum. However, men have applauded these masculine tones as well as the strength and durability symbolizing their own masculinity and strength in their marriage. Diamonds are the most popular embellishments, normally channel set in these tungsten bands for a stunning appearance.
• Titanium Wedding Rings: Titanium is the popular choice by consumers for its more modern or urban look in contemporary jewelry. Titanium, also a symbol of strength, resists corrosive chemicals, and would be ideal for men who work in harsh chemical conditions. Like platinum, titanium is also hypoallergenic, and like tungsten, it's almost indestructible. Titanium rings are available in many different tints, so it appeals to ring designers for its flexibility in modern designs. Recently titanium ring designs have incorporated black diamonds in uniquely modern styles.
• Celtic and Paisley Wedding Rings: Have made it into this seasons top trends even though these designs have been around for centuries. Celtic patterns such as old styled Christian crosses and Celtic knots are not only elegant, they carry symbolism important to the couple or admired in other men's jewelry such as pendants and bracelets. Men's diamond ring options often include a number of Celtic designs since diamonds complement these ornate patterns in beautiful ways. Paisley designs are equally eye-catching and unique. With the rise in vintage trends, couples are looking for originality seen in antique jewelry, and so Celtic, paisley, and even braided wedding rings have seen a resurgence in fashion.
• Hammered and Two-Tone Wedding Rings: Are popular choices for men's wedding rings, because their subtle visual interest work wonderfully plain or with diamond embellishments without going overboard with intricate designs. One popular aspect of two toned gold rings is that their popularity is pretty much assured through the rest of time as white and yellow gold compete for utmost preference in jewelry fashion.

With a greater availability of these metals and the popularity of unique ring styles, we have opened up the future of design for men's rings. Men are also able to create custom designs and intertwine some of the favorite styles with their choice of metals.

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What To Wear For A Wedding

Choosing the correct wedding attire can be quite straight forward for some men, while for others the task can seem quite daunting. Following the correct theme and dress code for the wedding will be an essential starting point and for most formal weddings this will consist of a suit for the men.
If you are part of the main wedding party it is likely that you will be required to follow the main theme and colour scheme, which will probably have already been decided for you, this will usually solve any dilemmas you may have had. If you are a guest, but not part of the main party, then you will have to give some more consideration to your choice of attire.
As a general rule, most men in the wedding party will wear a tuxedo if not a suit is just fine. Often there may be a clue in the wedding invitation, as to the dress code that may be expected on the big day, or if you are still in some doubt then ask the hosts, its better to do this rather than arrive in something completely inappropriate and stand out from the crowd for all the wrong reasons.
A formal, black tie only event will necessitate a tuxedo, black jacket and bow tie and possibly a cummerbund, if you don't already own one, these can easily be purchased or hired just for the day.
A black tie preferred event would usually consist of the above but a black or dark coloured suit is also acceptable, while a black tie optional instruction would indicate that a dark coloured suit would be fine for the occasion.
If there is no indication as to the required attire on the invite, this will allow you to choose your own attire, if you still have a dilemma, consider the venue, as this often gives an indication of how formal the wedding will be. For most weddings, a dark coloured suit with a white shirt, a plain coloured tie and smart black shoes will be acceptable, you won't look out of place and will be a safe choice.
When choosing your suit also consider the season, for spring and summer weddings, a lighter colour maybe an option and definitely avoid heavy wool suits, and lighter colours can be worn, if in doubt, opt for black, navy or dark grey, which are great for any time of the year, dark colours are a must for autumn and winter weddings. If the occasion is less formal, for example a beach wedding, then a light coloured linen suit, with or without a tie would be perfect.
When your suit is finally chosen, it is time to think about accessories, which can really enhance any outfit. Ties carry almost as much importance as your suit, solid colours are recommended and patterns usually avoided, the ties must be colour coordinated if you are part of the main wedding party. A self tie bow tie is preferable if worn, but there are many pre-tied bow ties available too.
Belts are optional, if worn they should be thin and black in colour, an alternative is to wear braces, which can compliment any trousers and jacket. Plain toe Oxford style shoes are a standard choice of shoe, customarily worn in black, but brown may be worn depending on your suit.
If you are part of the main wedding party, cufflinks should be coordinated or may be customised for a novelty value, groom, best man, father of the bride cufflinks are available and would make a great gift and keepsake too.
As a rule you can't overdress for a wedding, but don't be more formal than the wedding party and whatever you choose make sure your suit fits correctly and is comfortable, which will ensure you enjoy your day.

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A Closer Look at 2011

Fashion changes every six months and this is the reason why we variety in our clothes and styles. Contrary to the popular beliefs, this is not limited to women today. Men are also getting more interested with fashion. Let us have a closer look at men's fashion in 2011.
Although it might be hard to keep up with the latest fashion, there are ways to make your life easier. Fortunately, you do not have to do it yourself. This article is all about the latest trends for men's fashion in the year 2011.
One of the hottest trends for the year of 2011 is the use of floral patterns. You can see this trend in different clothing items such as in board shorts and paisley shirts. The catwalk is truly trying to convince men to try something new with floral designs. But 2011 is not only about the feminine floral patterns.
Another hot trend is the use of grey, mauve, blue, and green blazers. These blazers are very versatile and manly. As a tip, opt for a well tailored blazer so you can have the choice to dress it down for a date or dress it up for a formal event. A great blazer can also accentuate your best parts and you more attractive. This is indeed a great trend for the year.
Leather jackets are also gracing the catwalks and they are getting really popular nowadays. The bomber style is a great choice if you want to look really sporty. These leather bomber jackets can keep you warm and can be worn in casual events. These leather jackets are also practical and functional with pockets. It is a must-have for those weekend getaways for that ultra-hip look.
Your outfit will never be complete with the right accessories. For this year, it is recommended that you invest in accessories that are classic and timeless. Just like investing in a good quality jacket that will transcend trends; you need a good watch that will last a long time. A watch is a necessity because of its function of telling time and can be a great piece to showcase one's personality.
In ending, go with the latest trends this 2011 for men's fashion. But it is recommended that you invest in items you really like and choose only good quality items. Go with a good fitting blazer in soft but neutral color, a flower print board short, a paisley shirt for a vacation weekend, and a hip leather jacket. Lastly, also invest in a good quality time piece that will be every man's must-have for years to come.

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9ic and gr8 fashion trends

One of the great things about men's fashion is that while trends come and go, such as the polyester suit of the 70s and the punk look of the 80s, it always seems to gravitate back towards a clean and masculine look. 2011 has definitely brought a major resurgence of this classic appearance. In both high fashion and catalog spreads, you'll see men dressed in flattering styles and natural fabrics. The grunge look of the 90s is out, and the well-groomed clean cut appearance of an earlier era has made a comeback. Along these lines, here are 3 of my favorite trends in men's fashion coming up for fall of 2011.
Colored denim- We have a tendency to always think of denim as meaning "blue jeans." But colored denim is a great trend for fall, and a nice way to dress up your normal denim look. Now it's accepted that you can wear white jeans, even after Labor Day. Just anchor them with darker pieces, such as gray or brown shoes and belt, and a navy sport jacket. Gray jeans are a terrific look for fall. You can pair them with other cool tones, such as a blue and white striped shirt, camel suede shoes, and a blue denim jacket for a nice, calming look. Or for something a little bolder, try yellow-gold denim pants. Just remember that this is a bright color, and the rest of your outfit should remain in neutral shades, such as tans or navy blues.
"Mad Men" inspired fashion- Since the television show "Mad Men" became raucously popular, several different clothing companies have introduced tailored and form-fitting lines inspired by the pre-hippie era of the early 1960s. I am personally looking forward to Banana Republic's "Mad Men" inspired men's line that will be introduced this fall. The reason this particular line works so well is that it offers a bit of an updated twist on classic, retro looks. This is the very key to looking appropriate, not like you are wearing a costume, when emulating vintage fashion. Key pieces to pulling off the "Mad Men" inspired look are slim cut suits, shawl-collared sweaters, slim cut pin stripe trousers, vests, and waist coats. If you are attending a formal event, a classic black silk bow tie is key, and for everyday wear, a nice silk tie with necktie accessoriesis appropriate.
Casual dressy looks- What do I mean by "causal dressy"? Well, it differs from what you think of as straight-up dressy. For a casual dressy look, start with a casual foundation. This could be a pair of relaxed fit chinos and a polo shirt or silk screened cotton tee shirt. Then, add an element that you would normally only think of as dressy, such as a well fitted sport jacket. For another casual dressy look, try a pair of dark wash jeans and a button down shirt with the vest from your three piece suit. Or, black denim pants with a plain white tee shirt and a tuxedo jacket. You can also make any casual outfit more dressy with an interesting accessory such as an antique pocket watch or a nice pair of leather oxford shoes. Celebrities who regularly and successfully pull off the casual dressy look are Kanye West, Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake, and Pharell Williams. Just don't ever mix a blazer or sport jacket with shorts when going for the casual dressy look.

thats all 9ic and gr8

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Waistcoats

Waistcoats are traditionally associated with men's formal wear and are most commonly seen at weddings or as part of a mans business suit. Traditionally worn with a three piece suit gentlemen also used to keep their pocket watch in the waistcoat pocket.
Suddenly the waistcoat is back in fashion, they are far more than just an uncomfortable formal accessory and they can offer you a very versatile accessory for your wardrobe. While the three piece suit can still hold a powerful demeanour in the business world, the waistcoat has crossed the boundaries and can now be worn casually as well as formally.
Many men be left with the dilemma of when and with what outfit to wear a waistcoat, the occasion needn't be formal, in fact the waistcoat would be fine to be worn for a drink at your local bar, rather than the traditional jeans and t shirt. The beauty of the waistcoat is that it can be dressed up or down, they can look great with a simple t shirt and look equally as good with a casual shirt or a formal suit or blazer. However you wear your waistcoat, it can add a huge amount of style and finesse to the way you dress
Waistcoats are now available in a variety of materials, tweeds are popular for the winter months and cottons more popular for summer. Like any jacket or blazer, colour may vary and you can opt for neutral or solid colours such as black, grey or navy or you may prefer brighter colours or patterns, remembering to keep your other accessories simple as not to distract from your waistcoat. Traditionally, if wearing a tie this should match in colour and design, and if wearing a jacket the material should be coordinated too.
An easy way to incorporate a waistcoat into your casual collection is to wear it with your pair of jeans and your favourite t shirt, or alternatively with a pair of chinos, which are also back in demand, opt for a contrasting colour for maximum effect. More formally the waistcoat can be worn with a plain shirt and tie, but try dropping the jacket, ensuring your waistcoat takes centre stage.
As with any attire the correct fit is very important, ensuring you have enough room for comfortable movement without restriction, but at the same time if the cut is too loose it will look untidy.
Traditionally waistcoats are worn with the bottom button undone to allow for comfort and extra movement, the top button may also be undone for extra comfort if required and if worn casually, leave completely unbuttoned.
A waistcoat is often overlooked as a fashion accessory, but they will make a great addition to your wardrobe for both formal and informal occasions.

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2011 Style Tips

Fashion changes almost as much as some men change their bed sheets - at least once every six months. It can be hard to keep up, but don't worry; we've checked out the hottest trends in men's fashion for 2011 so you don't have to do it yourself. One hot trend that's emerging is floral patterns - these were all over the catwalk, everywhere from paisley shirts to louder flowery options and some great beach shorts, suggesting the designers are trying to alter the way men view fashion.
Of course, it wasn't all about the feminine patterns on the 2011 catwalks. Another hot item for men is the blazer. These were particularly abundant in soft, block colors such as pale mauve, grey, green and blue, which are really versatile colors. This makes your blazer wearable for any occasion, whether it's a formal event or something more social. Blazers are also superbly tailored, attractive and their great lines are flattering on any man, making this a great trend for 2011.
Blazers weren't the only jacket style on the 2011 catwalks; leather jackets were seen dotted around, too. The bomber style seemed to be particularly popular, affecting a great sporty look that works well on any man. Leather bomber jackets are a great way of keeping out the chill, particularly at more casual occasions such as sporting events and they come with loads of pockets, making them practical as well as fashionable. Wear it unzipped over a shirt for a laidback, ultra-hip look.
Of course, fashion is nothing if not ever so slightly odd from time to time, which may explain why crop tops were a key trend on the men's 2011 catwalks. This may sound like one for the women, but trust us, it's not. We're not talking about tiny crops here, more like loose tees that are just a bit shorter than normal. These are really flattering if you've got a great set of abs to show off and are surprisingly. They're most popular in block colors like black and white.
Another slightly surprising entry to the list of men's fashion trends for 2011 is lace and other sheer clothes. Again, this may sound like something from the women's catwalks, but worn in the right way, it can look great on men, too. Sheer shirts were especially popular and could be fantastic when worn on a summer vacation - they'd be really great for showing off your tan on the beach and are also brilliant for layering over other things, giving you plenty of options

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Men's Fashion

The credit crunch has meant that many of us have had to pull in the purse strings of late, and one area that seems to suffer from our lack of money is our fashion. The economy has meant that clothing has taken a back seat, particularly for men. The consequences of this is that we actually have to take greater care when choosing our clothes, as a fashion faux pas cannot be rectified until the following pay day. With less money, we must consider our fashion choices much more carefully. Here, we will consider men's t-shirts, as these tend to form the focal part of any outfit and can make or break our overall look.

Size
With reference to t-shirts, size is very important, an ill-fitting shirt will look awful, but a well-fitted shirt should have you turning heads wherever you go.

One of the problems we have regarding sizing with men's t-shirts is that many men emulate their fathers, and in previous generations, men were less concerned with fashion, but more so with comfort, they tended to wear baggy because it felt comfy. Avoid this trap.

A t-shirt fits well when if it skims the body gently, there should be a gap of between 3mm and 7mm between the skin and material, and no more and no less.

It is vitally important that a little extra money be paid to ensure that the t-shirt is of a high quality, this way, shrinkage does not occur, which would clearly damage the fit, and always follow the washing instructions on the label.

Style/design
There are many popular men's t-shirt designs, but in order to be truly fashionable, you should own at least one retro style t-shirt. These t-shirts are fantastically versatile, suiting many styles of clothing - although you should only wear such t-shirts in a casual setting.

Try to select a retro design that reflects your personality, for instance, if you love rock music, then the Rolling Stone motive style tees would be perfect.

Colour
Colour tends to be a big problem for men, particularly concerning fashion. In part, this is because a large proportion of men - far more than women - are actually colour-blind. If you are such a person, then seek the help of others to help you decide upon colour, as colours that appear harmonious to you, may appear to clash to people who can see the whole colour spectrum.

In terms of colours that match, the neutral colours tend to go with everything. Neutral colours are white, grey, black, brown, and cream.

Colour combinations to avoid at all costs are; yellow with purple; red with green; and anything fluorescent.

T-shirts should form the basis of your wardrobe, and you should work the rest of your outfit around the t-shirt, this is why it is fundamentally important to choose wisely, but if in doubt, seek the help of those around you, either a girlfriend, friend, or a shop assistant.

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Not Privatisation?

A company called Circle Healthcare has won a ten-year contract to run the Hichingbrooke hospital in Cambridgeshire, which has run up enormous debts.
Patients, we are assured, will see little difference, except that the hospital will be far more efficient, with bureaucracy removed and the medics taking all the key decisions.
Health Minister Simon Burns has told MPs: "This is not a privatisation in any shape of form."
Except for one small detail: A private company is now running an NHS hospital: The shape of things to come?

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Bercow: Sally's 'Brother' Bother

John Bercow has opened his heart to political journalists about what he thinks about wife Sally and "Celebrity Big Brother".
Is he bothered about his wife's embarrassing behaviour at times? Well, yes. But is he going to tell her to stop doing as she pleases? Absolutely not.
With Sally sitting opposite me and just a few feet away from him, the Speaker addressed a Parliamentary Press Gallery lunch on his modernisation crusade in Parliament.
After a speech in which he defended his reforms, blasted sloppy security in Parliament and demanded more sanctions for select committees against witnesses who mislead, Bercow was asked if he had banned Sally from appearing on reality TV shows.
He immediately turned on his interrogator, the tenacious Christopher Hope of The Daily Telegraph, in mock outrage and said: "What century are you living in? What world are you living in?"
He admitted: "We have our views about these things like every other couple. Such conversations have taken place."
He didn't agree with everything Sally had done, he said, but they were independent of each other and she was not a "chattel or appendage" or "buttoned on to the office holder".
"She is perfectly free to do her own thing." he said.
At which point, Sally piped up: "Thanks, honey!"
On the day of James Murdoch's big box office appearance at the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Bercow also condemned the security lapse which allowed the assault on James's father, Rupert Murdoch, in July.
Commons security had been "messy, complex and amateurish on many occasions in the past", he said in response to a question from The Guardian's veteran parliamentary scribbler, Michael White.
Equally timely - minutes after the James Murdoch hearing - was Bercow's call in his speech for a crackdown on witnesses who give misleading evidence at select committees.
After I asked him to be more specific, he suggested holding them in contempt, referring them to the Standards and Privileges Commitee or even hauling them before the Bar of the House, like journalist John Junor back in 1957.
Not surprisingly, Bercow told us he would continue to "bang on" about the noise levels at Prime Minister's Questions, claiming that high decibel levels did not improve scrutiny.
And perhaps also not surprisingly, answering a question from Tim Shipman of the Daily Mail he seemed reluctant to give up his £35,000-a-year pension, saying that he would if the law was changed.
John Bercow is verbose, certainly, using 100 words where 10 will do.
But on everything from modernising the House to Sally in the House he was refreshingly candid and, appropriately at a Press Gallery lunch, sang for his supper.
Thank you, honey!

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Disability Benefits: A 'Nasty Campaign'?

"Latest DWP stats show that only 6% of new Disability Living Allowance claimants last year (January to December 2010) had a face-to-face assessment with a healthcare professional.
"The vast majority (94%) of new claimants got the benefit without having any face-to-face assessment of their needs."
These are the opening lines of a Department for Work and Pensions release - the decision to put those words in bold was theirs not mine.
How do you interpret these statements? I wouldn't be surprised if you concluded 94% of claimants had no face-to-face assessment because that's exactly what it says.
But the rest of the release paints a more complex (or to be less diplomatic, potentially contradictory) picture.
It seems 42% of claimants had a statement from their GP verifying their medical condition; a further 36% submitted other sources of evidence, a category that can include reports by social workers or occupational therapists.
Surely a GP is a "healthcare professional"? And surely all these trained staff will have met the claimant in person? Does this not count as a form of assessment? Apparently not.
The DWP's figures show 16% submitted a claim form alone.
And this could well be too many - the Government is under pressure to cut costs. Benefits of this sort cost a huge amount to the taxpayer. We know there are some liars and frauds who will lie to wrongly obtain cash.
But some have been quick to say there are some conditions so undeniable, further assessment isn't needed.
Ian Birrell, who has written at length about his daughter's "profound and multiple disabilities", wrote on Twitter this morning: "My daughter got DLA without an interview. But then she is unable to talk like many others with profound and multiple learning difficulties."
He said the forms are 38-pages long and accused the department of a "nasty campaign doing...the Government no favours".
It is worth noting this is not coming from someone generally anti-government: Birrell is friends with David Cameron, worked as his speechwriter and remains close to many in Downing Street.
I put my queries to a member of the DWP press office, who said the "healthcare professionals" mentioned was clearly a reference to the department's assessors (presumably Atos, paid £100m a year by DWP for this kind of work).
But is it clear? Is that what you assumed when you read those opening lines?
Secondly, she said the most critical issue was that of assessment - GP reports just note conditions; they do not assess the impact of it on the claimant's life.
This may be so, but I still think many (including GPs) will be surprised GPs are not classed as healthcare professionals by DWP and by the implication their reports need to be checked up on. If an official suspects more information is needed, they can presumably request it - that they authorised these requests would suggest they were satisfied with the claims made.
The press officer did not feel the sentences were misleading and felt it was obvious they referred to their specific assessors and their specific assessment.
She said the people who carry out the assessments are not only doctors registered with the General Medical Council but also have specialist training in assessing people with disabilities.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith is quoted on the release. "At the moment hundreds of millions of pounds are paid out in disability benefits to people who have simply filled out a form," he said.
"The vast majority of people are getting the benefit for life without regular checks to see if they are still eligible, or if their condition has worsened and they need increased support."
But have the "vast majority" really escaped all checks? And have those who "simply filled out a form" really cost "hundreds of millions"?
Yes, if you are taking into account the expense over many years, but the DWP figures show the cost of new claimants who really did just fill in the form last year was a smaller, but not insignificant, £30m.
Ambiguous language from DWP or, as Birrell suggests, a "campaign" and a nasty one at that?

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Scholar Sees Red Over Green's Stats

Lies, damned lies and statistics - as the cliched saying goes. And Sir Michael Scholar, chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, is on a mission to make sure ministers don't stray too far when they use official numbers.
The subject of his ire this time is immigration minister Damian Green, who is already having an uncomfortable time due to the on-going row about relaxed border checks.
He's not being accused of lying but of using "highly selective" numbers.
Sir Michael accuses the Home Office using drug seizure figures "in order, it seems, to show the UK Border Agency in a good light".
He wants Mr Green to reassure him that he did not use the figures "to generate positive news coverage ahead of the release of the national statistics which showed a decline in the volume of drug seizures".
On November 4, the UK Border Agency - which is at the centre of said border row - released numbers indicating border staff seized more class A drugs in the first half of the year than they had in the whole of the year before.
Three days later, an official statistical bulletin showed the amount of cocaine and heroin seized had halved in 2010/11 compared with 2009/10.
"The November 4 press release, which appears not to have been published on either the Home Office or the UK Border Agency websites, and seems to have been distributed only to a select group of journalists, makes no reference to the forthcoming Statistical Bulletin," Sir Michael wrote.
"It was, I understand, produced without any involvement by, and without the knowledge of, the department's statisticians; and it is highly selective in its choice of statistics, in order, it seems, to show the UK Border Agency in a good light."
A spokesman for the agency said they would reply in due course but take their responsibilities under the UK Statistics Authority's code of practice seriously.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper - already piling on the pressure over Brodie Clark - has called for "an urgent investigation by the Cabinet Secretary into whether there has been a breach of the Ministerial Code" by either Green or Theresa May.
Mr Green isn't the first minister to receive a strongly worded letter from Sir Michael and will doubtless not be the last.
It is always interesting to keep an eye on where his missives are being sent as it reveals what bees are in the bonnet of the numbers experts.
A quick skim over recent letters shows another one to Mr Green, quibbling his use of migration statistics and whether there's been a net increase since 2004 (there cannot be certainty, Sir Michael concludes).
It also reveals two letters to ministers pleading with them not to slash funding for statistics and surveys.
One is to Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, who is urged to "look again" at his decision to discontinue the Citizenship Survey - which Sir Michael points out has been useful in making the case for the Government's own Big Society policy.
The second is to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, who is warned that ending the contribution towards the Office of National Statistics' General Lifestyle Survey means they'll have to stop including questions relating to smoking, drinking and the use of health services.
Perhaps that's one way of falling foul of the official numbers - simply produce fewer of them?

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Chloe's Handbrake Stalls Revolt

At 7pm, after a largely good-natured and consensual four-hour debate on fuel duty, we were denied the entertaining spectacle of another Tory rebellion.
That's because the Government applied the handbrake on this revolt, expertly and assuredly executed by the new 29-year-old Treasury minister Chloe Smith.
One to watch, young Chloe, by the way. Future Tory leader? On this showing, quite possibly.
"I don't disparage the motion," she told MPs, before adding: "Now is not the day to change tax. Today is to listen."
Well, there wasn't much to disparage in Robert Halfon's motion, which followed an e-petition demanding the scrapping of fuel duty increases due next year.
And I'm sure the Treasury is listening. They'd be mad not to.
The motion debated by MPs merely called on George Osborne "to consider the feasibility of a price stablisation mechanism", though to be fair to Halfon he called for the scrapping of next year's duty in his speech opening the debate.
Firstly, the Government put its foot on the brake to stamp on a potential fuel rebellion by slapping a low-key one-line whip on Tory MPs.
Then came the handbrake, when ministers conceded a free vote and signalled they would not be opposing the Halfon motion.
But the revolt has been stalled, not halted, I'd say.
Halfon told me after the debate ended that the reason he toned down his motion was to get wider support. If it had been more hardline and contentious, he said, he would only have attracted about 20 backers.
I had to chuckle during his speech, though, when he said: "We must show this is a government for the many and not the few."
Really, Robert! That was a corny slogan when Tony Blair used it! Is it really worth reviving?
By the time the debate began, there were 116 MPs supporting him, including senior LibDems like grandee Sir Menzies Campbell and party president Tim Farron.
Labour lefties like Dennis Skinner, John Cryer and Ronnie Campbell were on the list too, along with Labour awkward squad members John Mann and Kate Hoey.
And the Nationalists, led by Plaid Cymru's Elfyn Llwyd, and the Ulster Unionists, led by the DUP's Nigel Dodds, were also strong backers during the debate.
Labour's Dave Watts had tabled an amendment proposing Labour policy of a VAT cut. In his speech, he branded Halfon's motion "wishy washy". But his amendment wasn't called.
What now, then? The Treasury realises the Chancellor needs to do something to help hard-pressed motorists and road hauliers.
MPs claim that because a 3p increase in fuel duty is due in January he needs to act on November 29 and not wait until next year's Budget, even though his autumn economic statement due that day is not strictly a Budget.
So there's plenty more mileage left in this issue yet.
Oh... and that reminds me... I need to fill up my gas guzzler!

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"Grayling Needs An Economics Lesson"

There's no question that today's unemployment figures make grim reading.
But the more controversial point is: to what extent is the Government's fault?
Employment Minister Chris Grayling is pointing the finger of blame at the Eurozone.
He put out a statement to say: "These figures show just how much our economy is being affected by the crisis in the Eurozone. Our European partners must take urgent action to stabilise the position."
But not everyone agrees with him...
Lord Oakeshott - the Lib Dem peer and former Treasury spokesman - didn't pull any punches when he told me that "Chris Grayling needs an economic lesson."
He continued to say that "anyone who knows anything about economics" will know that unemployment is a lagging indicator - so it won't be affected by the current crisis in the Eurozone.
And he also told me that the comments had a whiff of Euroscepticism about them.
The intervention shows some of the splits in opinion between the Coalition partners.
Many Lib Dems are very uneasy about some of the Eurosceptic language being used by the Conservatives. Others are sympathetic to Labour's argument that the Government needs to work harder to boost growth and jobs.
And on difficult days like this, those splits become more visible.

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Neville Accuses 'Amiable Buffoon'

More than two decades ago, Neville Thurlbeck and I were colleagues on the Today newspaper. He was a news reporter and I was a political correspondent. He left for the News of the World and I went to the Daily Express...
We didn't go in for colourful prose much on Today. But Neville has gone technicolour in his article for the journalists' trade mag, UK Press Gazette, in which he breaks his silence on the News of he World hacking scandal.
"Wor Neville", as we used to call him on Today, writes of a "bloody Jacobean revenge tragedy" and "this vanquished leading lady". He's referring there to his former employer, the News of the World, which closed in July.
He lays into Tom Crone and Colin Myler, the paper's former legal manager and editor, and backs James Murdoch and Rebekkah Brooks, claiming they were victims of, not guilty of, a cover-up.
He also points the finger at some un-named News of the World executives, whom he describes in colourful terms, and accuses Tom Watson, to whom he passed on his allegations, of pursuing a political agenda against the Murdochs.
Crone and Myler ignored his evidence of wrongdoing by others, he writes, and he was prevented from showing his "dossier" to Rebekkah Brooks.
"I do not wish to embarrass the the executive who warned me away from Rebekkah's door, for he is still in harness at News International and I regard him as nothing more sinister than an amiable buffoon," he writes.
"A Polonius-type figure in this drama. In short, a 'yes man' with a file perpetually tucked beneath his arm."
Who could that "amiable buffoon" be. My ex-News of the World colleague Sophy Ridge has a hunch, But we'll spare his blushes here.
He continues: "I wrote to Myler that the hacking of Gordon Taylor's phone and the blackmail letters had long been known to be the work of a certain executive who I shall not name here for legal reasons."
A certain executive? After following this "public drama", as Neville calls it, from the outset, I think I have a hunch about who that might be.
And he warns he ex-bosses: "News International will hear more of this from me later."
I don't doubt that!
Some of Neville's most colourful prose is about his meeting with Tom Watson.
"A coroprate disaster for News International ameliorated only by the fact that a barnstorming Tom Watson had managed by this point to reach such a crescendo of implausible Victorian melodrama as to make Brian Blessed seem like Clement Freud sucking on a mogadon," he writes.
Brian Blessed? Clement Freud? The mind boggles!
"I had given a heap of information to Watson showing how Murdoch had been kept in the dark," he continues. "But I was under no illusion that we both had different agendas and I told him so."
So what was Watson's agenda, then?
Neville writes: "My evidence did not fit the pre-ordained frame of his argument. 'I'm old Labour so Murdoch is a lying, capitalist bastard. Right, I've ticked that box'.
Well, I talked to Tom on the evening of James Murdoch's appearance at the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee last week and his account of meeting Neville is a little different.
After reading Neville's UK Press Gazette article, Tom said "To be fair to Mr Thurlbeck, it is true to say that he did tell me that he rasied his concerns with senior managers in July 2009."
But then we come to the crunch paragraphs in the Thurlbeck article, where he gives his verdict on who he believes is telling the truth about hacking.
"Do I believe James Murdoch when he says he was never informed of the 'transcript for Neville' email?" he writes.
"I do."
That couldn't be clearer, then.
He goes on: "There was a pattern of witholding vital information from James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks.
"James Murdoch should have the benefit of the doubt.
"It is a matter of great personal regret that I failed to walk into Rebekah Brooks' office. I was naive to assume she and James Murdoch had been fully appraised."
And his motives in all this? Well, he ends by declaring: "I have chosen not to take the offer of potential immunity from prosecution."
So will John Whittingdale's committee want to call Neville after reading this account?
Somehow I doubt it. Whittingdale is keen to wrap up the inquiry, though some MPs on the committee - including Tom Watson - believe there's a case for recalling Crone and Myler.
That case is perhaps stronger now Neville Thurlbeck has broken his silence.
And if Neville were called as a witness, we could look forward to some colourful testimony!

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Mini-Break Madness

It's an outrage that MPs have not been able to question George Osborne about the sale of Northern Rock to Virgin Money that many of them reckon is a rotten deal for taxpayers.
It was equally outrageous that MPs were not able to challenge David Cameron at Prime Minister's Questions yesterday about youth unemployment topping a million and a downgraded growth forecast.
Why? Because for no good reason the House of Commons awarded itself two days off in the middle of November. Nothing to do with school half term.
At least the House of Lords sat yesterday, though not today.
Apparently, the poor dears felt they deserved this mini-break madness after being asked to turn up for two extra days in the summer, to discuss phone hacking in July and the riots in August.
Pathetic excuse!
I agree with Bob Crow, the motormouth leader of the RMT union, who said MPs have been "caught out on the skive".
It was very sneaky of George Osborne to announce the Northern Rock sell-off on a day when Parliament was not sitting.
You'd expect Labour's Ed Balls and his sidekick Chris Leslie - who my pal Charlie Whelan famously called "the bloke who used to do the photocopying in Gordon's office - to claim it was a poor deal.
Labour wants to know: (1) how big the loss to taxpayers is likely to be and (2) why rush the sale through now and not wait until a better deal could be struck, with perhaps a smaller loss or even a profit.
The loss looks like being between £400 million and £650 million. Taxpayers have poured in £1.4 billion. The sale price is what looks like a knock-down £747 million, but it could rise to £1 billion.
But it's not just Labour MPs who are unhappy.
Mark Field, Tory MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, claims Northern Rock has been sold "for a song".
And Euro-sceptic right-winger Douglas Carswell wonders if taxpayers have been "mugged".
George Osborne deserves to be hauled before MPs when they finally return to Westminster on Monday. And I'm certain he will be if he doesn't do the decent thing and offer a Commons statement.
That still leaves unanswered the questions to the Prime Minister about rising youth unemployment and the Bank of England's downgraded growth forecast.
When will MPs ever learn about their long holidays?
I'm not sure they ever will. This year they're taking 87 days off, not including weekends.
And in just over a month they begin a three-week Christmas recess.

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Should Taxpayers Underwrite Mortgages?

As someone who is trying to get on the housing ladder, I have considerable sympathy with David Cameron's promise to "restart the housing market and get the nation building again."
Lenders are currently demanding 20 per cent deposits for first time buyers - a tall order for people who can't resort to the Bank of Mum and Dad.
No surprise, then, that the average age of an unassisted first time buyer is now 37.
So today's news will be welcomed by many who are saving for a deposit.
The Government has said it will partly underwrite mortgages for newly built homes, helping up to 100,000 people or families.
They hope this will encourage banks to agree to lend to first-time buyers with deposits as little as five per cent.
So far so good?
The problem is - there are also some pitfalls.
If the housing market hits further problems, the taxpayer will be liable for considerable losses.
The Government's own press notice states: "The Government and housebuilders will help provide security for the loan, so if the house is then sold for less than the outstanding mortgage total the lender will be able to recover its loss."
Others are openly wondering whether the Government should be encouraging banks to lend to people who may not be able to afford the loans.
Allister Heath, Editor of City AM, in an article entitled "Let's Not Go Back To Sub-Prime Loans", writes:
"We have just come out of a major crisis caused by too much money being lent too cheaply to too many people who couldn't afford it, underwritten by the state. Let's not do this again.... Solvent buyers need to learn some patience - it should be normal to have to scrimp and save for several years before one can afford a deposit. And the Government needs to accept that not everybody will be able to own their own home - and that trying to boost credit at any cost is a recipe for disaster."
It poses a difficult question: to what extent should Government interfere with a market that they feel is not working?

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Don't Take On The Legion, Ken

YOU'D think an old political warhorse like Ken Clarke would know better than to pick a fight with the Royal British Legion and grieving war widows.
But incredibly, this 71-year-old veteran of several Cabinet posts did just that.
Perhaps his excuse is that the Ministry of Defence is one of the few Whitehall departments in which he has not served as Secretary of State.
In the 18 months since he returned to the Cabinet as Justice Secretary, however, Ken has acquired serious form for humiliating U-turns, usually under orders from an exasperated Prime Minister, David Cameron.
Teenage knife crime, rape sentences, discounts for guilty pleas... These have been among the most embarrassing about-turns forced upon him so far.
But now, in perhaps the most humiliating and entirely predictable U-turn, he has torn up his policy on scrapping the post of Chief Coroner, after a skilful campaign by the Legion and war widows worried about military inquests.
And... it's just 10 days after the nation mourned on Remembrance Sunday!
The real explanation for the timing of his climbdown, however, is a looming defeat in the House of Lords on an amendment to the Public Bodies Bill proposed by the Crossench peer Baroness Finlay.
Add to that a moving plea to the Prime Minister by war widow Kirianne Curley, in a letter reproduced in the Sun.
"Over recent months I have listened to and reflected on the concerns raised across Parliament, by families and by other groups, including the Royal British Legion, that a single figure needs to be responsible for the coroner system," said Ken, announcing his U-turn.
Hurrah, say the campaigners.
The British Legion, magnanimously, says it's deeply grateful to MPs and peers from all parties for their support.
"How we as a nation support our bereaved families, especially bereaved Armed Forces families, should surely be above party politics," says a spokesman.
Quite.
Ken, you really should have known better.

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Judge For Yourself

Judge Michael Pastor has been very clear with the jury in the Conrad Murray trial.

“This case is not a trial by television. It’s not a revelation from radio or insight from the internet.”

That warning on Friday was much stronger than the one he has delivered at the close of each day so far.

And there is a reason.

Judge Pastor has been forced to issue a gagging order preventing lawyers in the case from commenting to the media about the trial’s progress.

It was prompted after one of Dr Murray’s legal team appeared on a morning chat show and criticised one of the prosecution witnesses, calling his credibility into question.

The judge has already told the lawyers not to speak to the media – his new order expanded that to anyone on any of the legal teams.

No-one should ever be surprised at the goings-on in US court cases, of course, but this one has some especially modern touches.

The tweets from La Toya Jackson, who has been in court for most of the trial so far, have gone down well with the placard-waving conspiracy theorists outside.

“Please every1 listen carefully 2 every word N the courtroom & read between the lines,” she told followers.

So, listen to the evidence and then make up what you want about what is means?

In the skies above the LA Superior Court we have also had duelling (although not literally) aeroplanes (“airplanes”) pulling banners with a variety of messages.

In summary: Michael Jackson deserves justice, Dr Murray deserves justice, Latin America wants justice (for Michael Jacskon) as does Australia.

Well worth the cost of hiring a plane, those.

Then there is gavel-to-gavel coverage and analysis on some of the US cable opinion networks, packed with more experts than you’d think possible.

Tell the jury to ignore all of that, by all means, Mr Pastor – lawyers say jurors are usually pretty good at focusing on the evidence- but in this case it cannot be easy for them.

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The Shadow Of Justice

Right next to where the death of Michael Jackson is being weighed in the scales of justice there stands another shrine to celebrity crime and death.

The courthouse where Conrad Murray is standing trial is shown in the background of the photo above - the derelict building in the foreground is Los Angeles' Hall of Justice.

It has been closed since an earthquake in 1994 rendered it unsafe but its boarded up corridors and courtrooms echo with the most extraordinary history.

In its cells, the likes of Charles Manson and Bugsy Siegel were held, so too Sirhan Sirhan after he shot and killed presidential hopeful Robert Kennedy in 1968, and the actor Robert Mitchum once served time for marijuana possession there.

The body of screen legend Marilyn Monroe was taken to the Hall of Justice after she was found dead.

A planned $200 million renovation has been a stop-start affair and the building has been gutted of its original fittings in readiness.

It is hoped it will eventually house offices, a car park, a museum and cafeteria - the roof, once an exercise yard for inmates, will become a jogging circuit.

It is a future at least for one of downtown LA's most striking buildings - at the moment it is just the rather sorry backdrop for the lines of satellite vehicles relaying news of the very modern celebrity story that is the Murray trial.

Interestingly, only one of the cell blocks has been preserved, the one said to have housed Manson, and will feature in the new museum.

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Beware 'The Hermanator'

“No-one should underestimate Herman Cain.”
That’s what a key Republican figure in the critical state of Iowa told me many months ago.
And recent opinion polls show that ‘The Herman-ator’ has suddenly become a very serious candidate for the Republican nomination.
The former Godfather’s pizza executive had very little name recognition when the race began..
But the cancer survivor with a radio host’s personality and extraordinary power to wow a crowd has slowly built support and credibility.
The biggest challenge to those two things may have just arrived.
Reports over the weekend suggested Cain’s campaign has “close ties to two billionaire brothers who bank-roll the right-leaning causes through their group Americans for Prosperity”.
In fact members of Cain’s campaign team had previously worked for the advocacy group funded by Charles and David Koch.
Not a problem for any other candidate perhaps but Cain regularly presents himself as the outsider, untainted by the political game, with real-world experience.
In fact he told Sky News as much when we caught up with him in Iowa in August (pictured above). His campaign has yet to respond to the latest claims.
Of course, there is a very good chance that Republican voters won’t care that much about who is funding who in the race for the White House.
Americans for Prosperity lobbies for lower taxes and less government spending – something most Republican voters seem to want.
Cain’s so-called ‘9-9-9’ plan for overhauling America’s tax system has also been getting plenty of attention.
So too his (some would say refreshing) habit of admitting when he doesn’t know the answer to a question lobbed on the campaign trail.
And, despite all this, at the moment he remains on the heels of front-runner Mitt Romney
Could any of the above de-rail his strengthening run for the Republican nomination?
It seems writing off the ‘Herman-ator’ is a risky business.

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Losing His Magic Touch?

Barack Obama has “suffered the most unrelentingly negative treatment” at the hands of the media as the battle for his job heats up.
According to a new study by the Pew Research Centre’s ‘Project for Excellence in Journalism’, negative assessments of Obama have outweighed positive by a ratio of almost 4 to 1 in the news media in recent weeks.
Over the last five months, no week has seen more than 10 per cent of coverage of the president positive in tone.
Anyone would think Americans are unhappy about something.
While the figures are perhaps not surprising in these economic times, they are certainly a worry for a president so often portrayed as being the darling of the liberal media machine in the United States.
Especially as the study’s scope covers the early months of the race for the White House.
For much of it Texas Governor Rick Perry was receiving both the most and the most positive news coverage.
Two weeks ago, after a dodgy TV debate performance and a poor showing in the ‘straw poll’ in Florida, he was suddenly being outshone by rival Herman Cain.
Interestingly, the study found that “the blogosphere, it turns out, is proving a much rougher environment than the news media for candidates, including contenders associated with the Tea Party movement.”
If you like stats, here’s what they reveal about Obama: 9% of the news coverage about him over the last five months has registered as positive while 34% has been negative and 57% has been neutral or largely straight news accounting of events.
The tone of Obama’s coverage on blogs, while still overwhelmingly negative, was slightly better with 14% positive and 36% negative.
All this and the presidential seals were nicked on the first day of his bus tour across North Carolina and Virginia.
The road ahead could be bumpy – especially if the media climate has turned against him.

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Don't Be Cruel, Sarah

I know what you’re thinking – what HAS happened to Sarah Palin?
At the weekend the absolutely-no-longer-a-candidate for president was in Elvis Presley’s birthplace of Tupelo, Mississippi.
Wearing blue suede shoes, she told a conference that ‘The King’ was “an all-American story that shows that you anything is possible and you never know where you’ll end up in this blessed land”.
But a big question remains for the former Governor of Alaska even though she is now officially out of the race for the Republican nomination.
Just who does she want to win it?
The candidates in the race are privately getting themselves all shook up trying to secure Palin’s nod (there will be no more Elvis song puns).
Palin remains hugely popular with large sections of the conservative heartland in America and it was always thought that if she didn’t run she would at least act as some sort of king (or queen)-maker.
Some with suspicious minds (sorry) believe that Palin has already given a pretty hefty endorsement to Texas Governor Rick Perry.
But does it matter anyway?
A column in the New York Times at the weekend suggested that “Mitt Romney has this thing wrapped up” already.
Ross Douthat wrote: “When you have eliminated the impossible, as Sherlock Holmes told Watson, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
“Romney is improbable, but his rivals are impossible, and so he will be the nominee.”
So there you have it. Pack up now and see you in November? Or could twists and turns yet derail the ‘certainty’ that is Romney.
And Sarah Palin may yet have a big say in that. It is now or never.

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What Next For Dr Murray?

What would happen to Dr Conrad Murray IF he were found guilty of killing Michael Jackson?
We all know by heart that the maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter in California is four years in prison.
It appears extremely unlikely that Dr Murray, if convicted, would serve anything like that.
Legal experts in California say a man with no previous convictions, found guilty of a crime not involving extreme violence or a weapon, would not normally expect to receive the maximum sentence.
In fact, they say, there is a very good chance that he would be sent to a lower category county jail rather than a state penitentiary.
The rule of thumb for those sent to a county jail is that they serve 60 days for every year of the sentence handed down - so sentenced to two years, serve four months.
Many of those sent to county jails are also often released to house arrest, albeit forced to wear an electronic tag, pretty early in their sentence.
Anyone sentenced to time at the tougher state prisons would expect to serve half the time ordered.
Those are the realities of punishment in California at the moment - and there is another very big factor to consider.
The United States Supreme Court has ordered the state to reduce its prison population by 34,000 over the next two years because of chronic overcrowding.
The state, which has the largest 'corrections' system in the country, currently holds 144,000 inmates in its prisons, at a staggering 180 per cent capacity.
(By comparison, prisons in England and Wales - population 54 million - hold 87,000 inmates. California's population is 37 million.)
Right now, California is having to move inmates, some of them convicted of serious offences, from state prisons to county jails and probation offices, much to the concern of local police and communities.
And the state is looking to cut thousands of prison staff to help cure its crippling budget problems.
These problems weigh heavily on the state's judiciary and are worth bearing in mind as Dr Murray's case edges towards its conclusion.
Sentencing will be in the hands of Judge Michael Pastor and may not happen for several weeks after the verdict is delivered.
Dr Murray, of course, denies the charge and is reported to have turned down a plea deal because he was determined to clear his name completely. His medical licences are also on the line.
The simple fact is that if he is found NOT guilty he will walk free.

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An Evening With Dr Klein

Entering the world of Dr Arnold Klein is an extraordinary experience.
That it happened in the slightly unreal setting of the glitzy mansion where they film 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' was somehow fitting.
Dr Klein has been dermatologist to the stars for decades, medical royalty in a place where the search for youth and beauty is part of everyday life.
He can claim friendships with everyone from Elizabeth Taylor down - but it is his relationship with the star he calls his best friend that has put his reputation in the spotlight now.
His treatment of Michael Jackson has loomed over the trial of Dr Conrad Murray as the defence team have tried to push some of the blame for the pop superstar's drug issues on to Dr Klein.
He was not called to give evidence so agreed to speak to Sky News to defend himself against the allegations made in court.
And that's how we ended up under the chandeliers in the rarified atmosphere of a Beverly Park mansion on a chilly Friday evening.
Heiress and reality TV star Adrienne Maloof-Nassif and her plastic surgeon husband Paul Nassif were throwing a red-carpet party to mark the opening of Dr Klein's new offices.
The guest list included the likes Charlie Sheen, who married in the house three years ago, Warren Beatty and the Earl and Countess Spencer.
It is evident Dr Klein has some powerful and influential friends and clients - and a lot of them are willing to fight his corner right now.
We were pointed to testimonials from Sharon Stone and Carrie Fisher (pictured above with Jackson and the doctor). A friend of Dr Klein told me: "He is a truly nice person, a good friend to Michael and a truly amazing doctor."
The 66-year-old has some trouble walking due to a skiing accident but he made his way to the mansion's study to sit in a throne-like chair and talk about Jackson, Murray and his own reputation.
It is clear he is bothered by the allegations made in court, the use (misuse, he says) of his medical records, and by the damage being done to Jackson's memory.
He says he would never have done anything to harm the star and that he was merely putting right the wrongs done by others over the years.
He speaks lovingly of Jackson's three children - and then raves about his affection for the 'Queen of England' - it is obvious he is a man who relishes telling a story.
We departed before the celebrity party was in full-swing - crossing paths with a few Hollywood beauties of the 70s and 80s - to reflect on this strange twist.
Michael Jackson had just two doctors in the final months of his life - their predicaments are very different right now but both will be forever linked by the controversy over his death.

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Cain Still Able?

Are the sexual harassment allegations against Herman Cain damaging his run for the White House?
The latest opinion polls suggest “The Herman-ator” has seen his popularity stagnate somewhat over the last week or so.
Whether it is those claims from four women that he was guilty of sexually inappropriate behaviour is unclear.
The former pizza executive has also run into some tricky questions on his positions on abortion, immigration and the use of ‘water-boarding’ in interrogations.
The first appearance of his wife Gloria on the campaign trail, to re-buff those harassment allegations, is perhaps a sign the Cain campaign is at least alarmed by their inability to make them go away
Mrs Cain said: “To hear such graphic allegations and know that that would have been something that was totally disrespectful of her as a woman and I know that’s not the person he is. He totally respects women.”
But the indications are that the revelations are not at an end with a former boyfriend of one of Cain’s accusers about to break his silence.
Cain revels in being a political outsider, untainted by Washington, so the extremely unflattering portrait in this weekend’s New York Times is unlikely to bother him.
It portrays a man of high self-regard, not too interested in policy, who appeared to be “someone who, quite frankly, has never opened a newspaper”.
It also found that not one of the disgruntled ex-campaign workers it spoke to would say that Cain could not win the nomination.
And that is the question: do the American people care about all of the above when they’re looking for someone to rescue the country’s economy?
If Herman Cain’s campaign can survive the 50 days until the Iowa caucuses, his charisma and rhetoric might still be a powerful force in the 2012 race.

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And The Perfect Candidate Is...

First Rick’s ‘brain freeze’, then Herman’s ‘Cain freeze’, now its Newt Gingrich’s turn in the Republican 2012 firing line.
Like clockwork in this race so far, no sooner has a candidate surged to the top of the opinion polls, he either puts his foot in his mouth or an alleged skeleton emerges from the alleged closet.
At the root of Newt’s woes are consultancy fees his firm received from the troubled mortgage lender Freddie Mac over an eight year period.
Because at the same time he was lambasting ‘Freddie’ and its partner Fannie Mae, labelling them “irresponsible”, criticising everyone connected them, including then-senator Barack Obama.
His words have come back to haunt him now.
The problem for Gingrich is that it confirms the impression that he is a Washington insider, politician-turned-lobbyist, steeped in the business of influence. They are not exactly popular with the American public at the moment.
Gingrich says he wasn’t lobbying – he says he was offering his help as a “historian”.
That argument hasn’t helped his case and the story has started to spiral upwards here.
Good news for Perry and Cain, taking he focus of their problems for a while, but a reminder of the challenge facing the Republicans.
The search for a serious rival candidate to poll leader Mitt Romney seems to have become an obsession – Romney polls consistently at around 25 per cent but that leaves 75 per cent looking for someone else.
It has been noted that the ideal candidate would have Cain’s charisma, Gingrich’s intellect and Perry’s fund-raising ability.
It’d be risky business trying to create THAT in 50s-horror-movie-style laboratory – after all, what if they got those qualities the wrong way around.

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Taking The Pizza?

And you thought the US Congress was COMPLETELY useless?
Washington was recently reported to have declared that “pizza is a vegetable”.
Cue headlines around the world and much hand-wringing about whether legislators understood the scale of the obesity problem facing the country.
The spectacular “super-fail” of the deficit-reduction committee has only increased anger amongst ordinary Americans about their Congress.
The problem is that the “pizza is a vegetable” story isn’t entirely as it seems.
As the Washington Post points out, the offending bit of legislation, a revised agriculture appropriations bill, doesn’t contain the word ‘pizza’ or ‘vegetable’.
It does mention ‘tomato paste’ and addresses whether an eighth of a cup of it should be credited with the same nutritional value as half a cup of vegetables, as currently happens.
The Obama administration has issued new guidelines which said it should take half a cup of tomato paste to equal half a cup of vegetables.
That is what Congress blocked after some pretty hefty lobbying from the pizza industry ($5.6 million worth of lobbying according to the New York Times) because it is easier and cheaper to produce what they produce now.
It certainly is a defeat for the administration’s attempts to get America’s children eating a more healthy diet.
Maybe it is hard to see why anyone would oppose attempts to encourage everyone to eat more healthily but lobbyists and anti-big-government groups have a big voice.
So while Congress DIDN’T actually declare pizza a vegetable, it probably doesn’t deserve a great deal of credit for what it DID do.

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Women's Shoe Fashion Trends

Summer is almost over which means it is time to start dressing a little bit warmer to prepare for the chilly weather. One of the great things about fall is that you can put away your sandals and start wearing some of the latest women's shoe fashion trends for this fall. One of the must have shoe fashions this fall are thigh high and over the knee boots. Whether you choose high heeled, flat or the increasingly popular wedge style, these boots come in materials ranging from soft suede to cutting edge leathers.

Another style of footwear you will be seeing more of is the type of shoes that blend the lines between masculine and feminine. Women's shoe fall fashion trends for this season will include classic styles like oxfords, but with a feminine touch. You can find the shoes embellished with lace and flowers and bows. Military boots are also going to be a hot item this autumn. Military inspiration will be obvious in boots but will have high heels and peep toes to give them a girlish charm. These almost gender neutral boots and shoes will make an excellent addition to any wardrobe and are perfect for the office or a night on the town that.

Women's shoe fashion trends will also see the popular clogs still being one of the favorites. Their influence will be seen in everything from open toed sandal type shoes to boots. Get ready to see shoes with a much more feminine look to them this autumn. Designers will be using lace, velvet, and suede along with bows and other very ladylike accent details. For women who enjoy fashions that incorporate the whimsy and fun of these details, this season is the perfect time to go shoe shopping.

As the weather gets colder it may be time to take a look at some of the other women's shoes fashion trends for this autumn. You will be seeing a lot of fur boots ranging from fur trimmed suede to full on fur. Platform boots and shoes with exciting animal prints, especially leopard, are also going to be hot ticket items this fall. If you are looking to spruce up your wardrobe or just need a reason to go shoe shopping, this autumn is going to be one of the most exciting seasons for new shoe trends in a very long time. The cooler weather does not mean that the styles are any less hot.

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