You're allowed to like clothes, lads Round and About • Round & About Magazine

If James Bond can have a freaky era, so can you, says Robbie James

Daniel Craig’s recent ad campaign for Loewe’s autumn/winter collection proves that if a 56-year-old, kettlebell loving, former 007 agent can embrace his masculinity with such nonchalance, then so can a man in finance, 6’5’’, blue eyes…

We’ve all had an era. My 2005 Ashes era encompassed a need for spiky hair and a perm to emulate Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen. My McFly era followed, in which a compromise was met with my mum – I couldn’t get my ear pierced like Tom Fletcher, but I could have a magnetic stud from Claire’s Accessories (why doesn’t everyone just do that instead of having a hole punched through their flesh?).

In the last couple of years I’ve developed a fascination for clothes. An appreciation and curiosity for the way men dress is something that I find poking my brain most days. I find myself noticing what outfits I like and, (very slowly) begin to get to grips with why I like them.

Occasionally I’ll pluck up the courage to stop a fellow manly man in the street to tell them I love their pleated trousers and ask where they found them. Often I get a response incorporating the same level of confusion and blankness as when you’re trying to explain literally anything to a dog, but not always.

During the pandemic I couldn’t be arsed to attempt a self haircut and likely leave myself with one and a half ears, so I just decided to allow my short, back, and sides (SBS) to become a long, back, and sides (LBS). I found it fun, so I kept it, and it opened my eyes to experimenting with appearance. Once we were finally free I took myself to The Hambledon in Winchester (an excellent excellent excellent independent department store – no I’ve not been paid to say that). I declared to Rob who runs the menswear department ‘’I don’t know how to dress myself’’, and he took my metaphorical hand and helped me build a few staple outfits.

There’s something appealing about the experience of visiting a menswear store; the independent ones are often small and intimate. Other than hearing Craig Charles’ segue between Fontaines DC and Idles on Radio 6 Music (the coolest of all the radio stations), there’s a comforting peacefulness within them. The judgement that men are often confronted with when it comes to style and clothing doesn’t exist in these basements or units. Naturally, the business model of independent stores results in items from the upper price limits. You don’t need to buy your socks from these places, but pushing the boat out on something fun once in a while can be rewarding.

Like most things that you don’t understand, the thought of learning that thing can feel overwhelming. I still don’t understand fashion, but I have learnt (reassuringly) it can be made simple. You don’t have to ‘Lewis Hamilton it’ and be wearing a new colour, shape, and texture Monday to Sunday. In fact, definitely don’t do that. You’ll need about 12 credit cards. Having clothes that actually fit make an ordinary outfit look just a bit more ‘’oh, they look good’’. I’m bored of seeing men wearing t-shirts that are too tight. Or actually, anything that is too tight. It’s like every inch of your skin has a need to be touched all day long (sounded better in my head).

We need to stop making fun of what other men are wearing if they turn up to the pub in anything that isn’t a white t-shirt and black jeans (both of which do have their place). It’s a cheap shot intended to make the perpetrator more comfortable.

I presented football coverage last season in a cream cardigan and, when I tell you I’ve never seen so many people telling someone they’ve stolen their Granny’s clothes…I’ve never seen so many people telling someone they’ve stolen their Granny’s clothes. Some of the most boring tweets I’ve ever received, and a reminder as to why so many men don’t feel like they can throw on a nice knit or some wide leg trousers.

Lots of men aren’t conditioned to allow themselves to feel sexy or take care with how they present, and complimenting each other is something that takes us a while to get to grips with. It’s easy to forget that looking after your appearance is part of looking after you. So now you’ve read this, throw on a face mask (but don’t leave it on for three times the length of time recommended on the pot resulting in what can only be described as a face made out of rock, no idea who’d do that), and find a local menswear store to plod around in.