MANSNAPS.COM IS NOW LIVE!

Please bookmark our new home www.mansnaps.com!

MANSNAPS FROM THE BEGINNING

The wait is almost over! Yes, Mansnaps.com is exactly one week anyway! On April 27th, the blog as you currently know it will no longer exist and it's place will be a new jazzy website for you to look at!

Mansnaps has come a long way since I started the blog back in late September and I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported. I hope you all continue to follow at our new address!

Here is Mansnaps from the beginning...

I nervously launched Mansnaps at the end of September under the disguise of a title, Man Snaps. The title came about as I sat at home one Saturday afternoon, wanting to write about menswear on the high st. I did a bit of research and looked at other men's blogs and the titles of some of them were so long winded that by the time I'd looked at a couple, I couldn't remember the name of the first one. From that I knew that mine had to have a short name which was easy to remember, it had to make reference to the gender and also to what it was about. I eventually came up with Man (gender) and Snaps (pictures).

In October as the blog's following began to build I decided to display a picture, still with caution. The fashion world can be so brutal and I wasn't ready to face criticism over how I looked as I was finding my feet with my writing style and the format of the blog. Luckily for me, people responded well. Despite my eyes being covered by the web address it became far more relatable to followers than the title they had been looking at previously.

In November I made a brave decision and decided to reveal my identity to followers. The positive feedback from people gave me the confidence to unmask and be proud of the increasing number of followers Man Snaps was receiving.

In December, I started thinking about the future of Man Snaps and where I wanted it to go. With that came an updated visual of me and the inclusion of the strap line "a fashion blog for the everyman" and Man Snaps became "Mansnaps". Slight but important changes. The strap line brought the focus to new followers who didn't know what Man Snaps was and removing the space in the title gave the blog a more definite sounding title.

This is the current image, featured on Mansnaps.com. But for me this is more than just an updated image it's a huge achievement. When I met with the web designer back in January to discuss the future of the blog and where I wanted it to go, I never expected to get to this point so quickly. I'm so proud of the new website and I can't wait for you all to see it on the 27th!

Aon! Black

By Owen Moss-Proctor
Everyone has a dark side.
No matter how we may try and hide it we still know it's there.
I invite you to show your dark side and follow the lead of Aon! Black for their autumn/winter collection…

‘Dark Dark Dark’

The collection is urbanized by light gothic styling, dark colours and an appetising black sense of style.

The brand was established in 2004, following in the roots of the brands predecessor, Army of No. Since then Aon! Black has not lost its military mantra and dedication to urban fashion and street wear. Apart from unique prints and styling, Aon! Black's garments are noticed due to their high sense of quality; each piece from the collection is charily crafted and a limited edition.

For this collection, Aon! Black continue to thrive in the world of street wear. Using their knowledge of gothic taste, they use a slightly darker more macabre edge to create innovative and clear pieces. Their 10 prominent graphic prints are available in vintage black & reversible black/white.

The brand also pride themselves on exclusivity. There are only 150 of each design, made to sell across the globe in the finest stores. Each individual t-shirt is given a number, to treasure that individuality.

So follow Aon! Black and myself, as we invite you to take a walk on the darker side of fashion by wearing ‘Dark Dark Dark’.

Visit Aon! Black at www.aonblack.com

Follow Owen's blog www.mossproctor.bogspot.com.

PICKS OF THE WEEK

Mansnaps.com is just TWO weeks away from launch so make sure you keep in the loop with all the latest information by following us on Facebook!

This weeks top three picks from the high st embrace the current print trend.

This African print t-shirt is perfect for the Global Traveller look. It's an easy print to wear with jeans or chinos as well as chino shorts. If you're brave then mix with printed shorts. Check out Mansnaps contributor Owen Moss-Proctor editorial post for ideas!

Forever 21 offer affordable fashion had this vest is a prime example. The colour block print is a versatile piece, it will look great with shorts on the beach or layered under a shirt. Also the dark colour way will make it transitional through autumn as a layering piece.

I am in love with these paisley print shorts! If you're looking for something a little bit different this summer then these are perfect. Reasonably priced and a great style, these shorts will work well for print blocking or with a plain t-shirt or vest.

NEW MARK THOMAS TAYLOR LOOKBOOK

Those of you who have been following the blog for some time will know that I'm a big fan of new menswear label Mark Thomas Taylor London. I'm so excited to see where the label goes next but in the meantime, check out the new lookbook!

Which pieces are you loving? I need that horse bracelet in my life!

WWW.MARKTHOMASTAYLOR.COM

TOPMAN - SUMMER SUITS

Topman have recently launched their new Summer Suits collection and it's looking hot! The summer brights make a great change to the autumnal colour palette we're used to seeing with formalwear. Coral, teal, gold and blue make up the collection and look so good alongside the current 90's revival on the high st.

Whilst bright colours are the key pieces to the collection, Topman are still offering a classic black and grey option for those of you who are not quite ready to step back into the 90's.

Which colour will you go for?

WOVEN FOOTWEAR

A couple of months ago I posted about the spring/summer footwear trends to look out for on the high st and one of the key fabric options for fringe detailed shoes, featured on the catwalk was woven leather. Burberry used the style heavily in their S/S12 catwalk show.

This look has now become a trend of it's own with numerous retailers adopting the 1970's inspired style and working it onto loafers, espadrilles, sandals and formal footwear options.

To get the1970s inspired look go for a woven shoe in tan. This colour will go with the current Aztec trend and the global traveller look.