Miguel has been working in Fashion Marketing for the last 10 years, after undergoing a complete life change from his previous work as a Civil Engineer (his academic background). He also founded the well-renowned menswear and lifestyle blog Beyond Fabric. His style has continuously evolved over the years, going from sartorial to a more comprehensive and eclectic approach. Other passions besides fashion, include cars, bikes, watches and cooking.

Without further ado, here are Miguel's picks including pieces from our latest arrivals, favourite spots in Rīga and Spotify playlist adds.

SHOPPING AT THE FEETING ROOM: 

1 - Kinderman Corduroy Short Coat by Delikatessen

 "Corduroy is likely one of the most underrated materials in menswear. It's commonly misassociated with older men lacking in the style department, but it is actually a statement both in classic and contemporary menswear. This Jumbo version with extra wide wales and velvety feel is simply superb, especially when paired with such a sleek coat design."

2 - Cardigan Over by Corelate

"Another menswear staple often disregarded by younger generations, cardigans make for great layering alternatives, be it for warmth or visual interest alone. This heavyweight, longer version by Corelate comes in a luxurious and versatile camel shade and can be worn as your outer layer. Just perfect."

3 - Naxos Sneakers by Perks 

"A sleek, comfortable sneakers that exudes the sophistication and patina effect of a high-end oxford shoe? Count me in!"

4 - Logo Embroidered Chinos by Champion x Beams

"Even though these are not for the faint of heart, I just love how Champion delivers a cool, contemporary approach to the infamous go-to-hell-pants, made popular by preppy movements."

SPOTS IN PORTO: 

1 - Ikeda

"A refurbished 2-storey house with one of the most iconic interior design instalations (simply look up on the second floor) and outstanding Asian cuisine. Although the sushi is wonderful, I strongly advise you to try out the other dishes."

2 - Ton-Up Garage

"As a hopeless petrolhead it makes sense that a place where custom bikes, exclusive garments, food and drinks come together to celebrate motorculture. The recently inaugurated space in Rua de Camões serves healthy meals and snacks besides presenting you with some of the best rides available." 

ON LOOP ON SPOTIFY: 

"I must say I'm not an avid seeker for the most recent album debuts and usually tend to stick to a few personal favourites. That is not to say I have a small playlist, in fact it's quite broad and eclectic - you can find me listening almost anything from classic to techno".

1 - The River - King Gizzard and the Lizzard Wizzard

2 - Sempre bem - Capitão Fausto

3 - Total Football - Parquet Courts

Meaning, you'll have to get back to work under the suffocating heat. Unless you work from home or in an extremely laid back corporate environment, chances are you'll have to dress the part even if that doesn't mean going overly formal. As your reliable shorts, t-shirts and short sleeve shirts are usually out of the equation, the narrow range of remaining options will require you to up your fabric game. Without further ado, here are the top Summer fabric alternatives you should be aiming for:

COTTON:

Probably the most versatile of all fabrics, cotton is a natural fiber known for its breathability and moisture absorption abilities. As it can be found in endless variations of weights and weaves, go for a lightweight version such as:

• Poplin

• Seersucker

• Madras

LINEN:

Linen is likely the top of mind when it comes to warm weather fabrics and righfully so. Again, like cotton, it is breathable and absorbs moisture and can also be found in a variety of weights. One of its most charming traits is the way it wrinkles with wear, almost giving it life - it is also the reason why most mean wrongly avoid it. 

WOOL:

While it's mostly associated with Winter and heavy layers, wool can actually be extremely comfortable during Summer if you choose the right weave and weight. Fresco and tropical wools are your best options here.

Of course, fabric choice can only do so much for you, but it's definitely a huge factor when it comes to comfort. Other tips include going for light colored fabrics which better reflect sunlight and opting for looser fitting garments.

As much as you may don a very distinct and individual personal style, the truth remains that womenswear evolves at such a blazing pace that you may end up falling out of fashion before you even knew you were in to start with... Now, we're not advocating you should renounce your individuality, but keeping aware of some of the latest trends is never a bad idea.

That being said, do you know whether your wardrobe is 2018 enough?To help you figure it out, we're listing below some of the inexorable trends of the season.

GOING PRIMARY:

The overall return to the use of primary colors was seen not only on runways but on the street as well. Red, yellow and blue in all their variants made a striking appearance in most collections, providing a fertile ground for abundant use of bold color blocking combos (another highlight on this list). 

Photo source: marieclaire.com

 Our selection (from left to right:) Nizza, Imauve and FRNCH. 

COLOR BLOCKING: 

Somewhat of a recurring trend, which for some has always been an pillar of style, color blocking is back in full force. To do it in a "by the book" approach, one would only pair opposite colors from the color wheel, but hey, it's 2018 so you can match anything you like as long as contrast and visual impact are achieved with a harmonious feel. 

Photo source: Fashionista

PASTELS: 

If making a bold statement through the use of color is not really your thing, don't panic just yet. The good news is that pastels are back and are trendier than ever. This muted shades allow for striking looks, albeit in a more understand fashion than the aforementioned. 

Our selection (from left to right:) Native Youth, Sunad and Misci.

These are the main trends for SS18 in what regards color use and combinations - we will cover others focused on silhouette, design and proportion on an upcoming post.

So, is your wardrobe ready to embrace these color trends? If not we've got you covered, and if so, you can always find amazing pieces to complement it, especially now that we're on sales with up to 30% off!

Having covered the main theoretical issues on the subject of favouring bare ankles, it's time to get down to business on the more technical aspects. Assuming none of the previous "requirements" are a deal breaker, let's focus on what to consider to pull off the look in a seamless fashion - mind you, these are not set in stone "rules", simply suggestions.

SHOE TYPE

Along with the overall aesthetic of the attire, the main aspect to keep in mind is definitely whether the shoe type is suitable for a sans socks look. As a rule of thumb, more formal styles such as oxfords, monk shoes or brogues should not be an option, unless you want to portray a very italian, fashion forward ensemble - in fact, this has been a statement look amidst #menswear finest. However, if you find it a bit too much for your personal style and environment, then loafers will quickly become your best companion.  

Despite common belief, loafers are casual in essence, making them the go-to choice to wear without socks (even if there are some styles which are considered a bit more formal). Material and shape dictate formality, with suede being more relaxed and patent leather more refined. 

Other suitable options for wearing without socks are of course sneakers and boat shoes, with the latter almost demanding a tanned ankle. 

TROUSER LENGTH

This is one of the aspects that bear a striking influence in the overall look, with small differences portraying anything from outdated, to contemporary or hipster. When going sockless, the ideal trouser length should be sitting on top of the shoe, or slightly above, with no break - if you're ditching the socks at least show it!

INVISIBLE SOCKS

A critical aspect of not wearing socks is definitely comfort, especially if you're going for sturdier leather shoes - a long day's walk may cause sweating, bruising and discomfort. The best to prevent this is to wear invisible socks - these will keep the no-socks look while protecting your feet and increasing the durability of your shoes.

SHOE CARE

Finally, the best way to ensure your shoes will last longer and optimal hygienic conditions is to ensure proper shoe care. While this is a good practice overall, it's even more important if you're ditching socks as your footwear will absorb more sweat and dirt. Making sure you keep your shoe choices on rotation, leaving them to dry at least for 24h and using cedar shoe trees will increase they durability. You can also opt for a shoe deodorant, but if you go with shoe trees it shouldn't be necessary.