The month of June is but a few days away, and now is as good as time as any to contemplate what type of Father’s Day gift would be great for that special gentleman. Today, up for review, is the latest offering from Burberry – Mr. Burberry. Introduced in April 2016, Mr. Burberry is the gentleman’s alternative to My Burberry. Touted as sophisticated and contemporary, Mr. Burberry is the creation of a collaborative effort between Chief Creative & Chief Executive Officer Christopher Bailey and perfumer Francis Kurkdjian. Moody and dark with a prominent presence of wood and spice, the custom monogramming is an elegant finishing touch to complete the package. Now, let’s dive into the details
Observations
Top notes: Tarragon, Grapefruit, Cardamom
Middle Notes: Cedar, Birch Leaf, Nutmeg
Base Notes: Sandalwood, Guaiac Wood, Vetiver
- The introductory period with Mr. Burberry is a promising affair, sweet notes of grapefruit tempered by hints of nuanced bitter ones. Soon, the sweetness prevails, albeit briefly, before Mr. Burberry settles into an earthy feel that extends from the heart to the base. My sole complaint: I wish the top note lasted a little longer. This scent is properly suited for evening events.
- Mr. Burberry can be characterized as earnest and brooding. Composed mostly of wood and spice, this is a serious fragrance suited for the professional gentleman. It does not project very far, however, it does display a concentrated intensity within a short-range. Therefore, don’t allow yourself to be influenced by the seemingly inhibited nature because it can pack a punch if applied liberally. You’ll overwhelm yourself and your immediate company.
- The warm dry-down enjoys an extended longevity; the woody base will not abandon a gentleman for sure. The ending could benefit from the addition of a citrus or flower companion to contribute a bright contrast to the moody finale, but some gentlemen may be fine with how Mr. Burberry concludes.
- The presentation is clean and elegant, drawing inspiration from the iconic black Burberry trench coat. Housed in blackish-grey, dense glass; Mr. Burberry is topped off (literally) by a weighted cap in reference to horn-look buttons and a hand-knotted sliver of black gabardine around the throat. It really is a handsome bottle to present on Father’s Day.
- Mr. Burberry 30 ml ($55), 50 ml($68), 100 ml ($88), 150 ml ($115) – complimentary monogramming up to three initials at Burberry.com and select Burberry stores.
- Available at Burberry, Nordstrom, Sephora, and other fine men’s department stores.
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
It is not often that a brand – largely unrecognized to the general masses here in the states – will grab my attention and arouse curiosity. However, British footwear brand Swift & Co is such a brand. Based in East Lancashire, England; Swift & Co is an independent footwear manufacturer dating back to 1934 and spanning three generations in the Swift family. I was contacted by a Swift & Co representative a few months ago, and the pitch was too interesting to ignore. Now, the combination of my recent promotion, my wife’s pregnancy, and birth of my son has required a lot of my time, but I am now able to offer my observations. I was offered the Lancaster (pictured above), a suede lace-up boot with brogue detailing, for examination. Let’s get to it.
So, what was it exactly that garnered my full, undivided attention? Well, as you perhaps identified from the accompanying visuals, the sole boasts a decidedly robust aesthetic that separates it from many footwear selections on the current market. Furthermore, the sole does not arrive with a traditional construction, with either with the sole being attached to the upper by way of chemical adhesives or the timeless Goodyear welt. The Heritage Twist collection – as named by Swift & Co – begins its life constructed inside out (with the mid-sole being stitched to the upper) and then inverted before being finished.
In conclusion, I found that the offering from Swift & Co to be quite distinctive in both construction and appearance. Available as a standard lace-up or Chelsea boot, the Heritage Twist collection has a modest starting lineup (with an expansion of choices in the future) for a gentleman to peruse. The hybrid of both dress and casual details afford maneuverability between casual and dress settings. The suede is suitably soft and the overall feel is lightweight, but solidly built.
Sometimes success cannot be realized without the presence of adversity and hardship. To summon a gentleman’s absolute best, on occasion, his goals must be subjected to strain and threatened with the possibility of failure. Confronted with the reality of such disappointment, burdened with seemingly perpetual stress, a gentleman must call upon his courage to persevere and transform his aspirations into an actuality. To secure his accomplishments, the successful gentleman is fully cognizant of the sacrifice, discipline, and resilience required to obtain his goals. He understands that setbacks are not to be considered failures, rather they serve as moment of educational reflection to reevaluate his methodology and proceed with meeting his objectives accordingly. On his way to success, undoubtedly there will be struggle, doubt, and fear. However, his will to succeed, to bring about the best he has offer, far outweighs the specter of defeat.
