It’s always special when you get to contribute to someone’s big wedding day. Vinspi had that privilege when Luke Cripps asked us to suit him (and his groomsmen) up his for his wedding to the beautiful Anita.

Vinspi sat down with him on a Saturday morning, measured everyone up, looked through fabrics and within 1 hour had everything sorted.

Luke decided on a luxrious black super 160′s wool in a 3 piece suit with ivory coloured egyptian cotton shirts. Take a look at some of the photos from the big day below.

If you’re interested in trying out the Vinspi wedding service feel free to contact us. This is how it works :

- We come to you

- Measure everyone up

- Show you fabrics

- Get everything ready for the big day

- Takes just 1 hour

Want Vinspi to suit up an upcoming wedding? Contact us and forget about renting suits or trying to buy off the rack.

As any man knows, impressing your date at the bar is pretty important. Unfortunately most guys have zero clue when it comes to drinks beyond a pint or a vodka soda and lime.

The following drinks list has been put together to help you out and hopefully steer you in the right direction for when choosing your next drink at your local cocktail bar.

The choice of beverage can be a crucial element to a successful date. As cocktail culture continues to rise in popularity, the choice of your drink says a lot about who you are. So to help you aspiring gentleman out, Vinspi has put together a top 5 list of cocktails to order when you need to impress that client or date.

Manhattan - 50ml rye, 20ml Sweet vermouth, Dash Angostura bitters, Maraschino cherry (Garnish)

 Manhattan - One of the most well known cocktails is the Manhattan, which originates from the ‘Manhattan Club’ in New York in the early 1870’s. The Manhattan is made with rye whiskey (which is a sweeter variation of bourbon), Angostura Bitters, Sweet vermouth and is topped off with a maraschino cherry for garnish. The Manhattan is prepared in a chilled glass and served without ice. The Manhattan gives off the impression that your a man of pure class who should never be questioned… just admired.

Tasting notes – gentleman’s cocktail, full bodied bourbon cocktail, sweetness taste from vermouth and added spice from bitters

Whiskey Old-Fashioned - 40 ml. Rye whiskey 1 sugar cube 2 dashes Angostura bitters 1 splash water

Whisky Old Fashion The original ‘Old Fashion’ recipe is built with a bourbon base, however through later development in the cocktail, it was established that whisky was the preferred ingredient. The ‘Old Fashion’ consists of Whisky, sugar cubes, Angostura bitters and is garnished with an orange or lemon peal. This particular cocktail is impressive through the way that it is built due to the bartender slowly dissolving sugar cubes whilst adding in the required booze. Having one of these positioned next to you at the bar really radiates the classic Don Draper persona. You’re someone who knows what they want and and how they are going to get it.

 Tasting notes – smooth & sweet with a hint of orange

Gin Martin (Dry) - 55 ml gin, 15 ml dry vermouth

Gin Martini- The Gin Martini is possibly the most well known cocktail to date. A Gin Martini consists of Gin, Vermouth and a squire of olive or lemon garnish. There are a vast number of different variations for this particular beverage however the dry martini is considered to be the most popular by choice. The Gin Martini is considered to be a very temperamental cocktail as a slight miss calculation in booze by the bartender can separate the difference in success of failure. A cocktail such as this initiates the feeling that you are at some swanky function where you might casually bump into the president.

Tasting Notes Acknowledges full boldness of the gin that is used.

The Boulevardier - 45ml rye, 30ml sweet vermouth, 30ml campari

The Boulevardier - The Boulevardier first appeared in Harry’s ABC’s of cocktails back in 1922, a book compiled by the head bartender at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. The Boulevardier is an interesting, yet well perfected cocktail that combines Rye Whisky, Campari & Dry Vermouth to compliment a balanced cocktail. This cocktail is prepared by all of the ingredients being poured into a Boston glass with ice, which is then stirred & strained into a martini glass and topped with a lemon peel garnish. The Boulevardier cocktail is not for everyone, but if you’re someone who enjoys Campari and Whisky then this is the perfect drink for you.

Tasting Notes – Bitter sipping style cocktail with a grainy spice from the rye

Southside - 50ml gin, 10ml simple syrup, 20ml lemon juice, mint

SouthsideIf it comes down to you ordering someone of the female gender a drink, i suggest a ‘South Side’. This is a gin-based cocktail combined with mint, simple syrup, and egg white and lemon juice. This is a classic vibrant cocktail that can shows the ladies that you have style and know your stuff. Having the Southside demonstrates a flair for cocktails,  without settling for something cheesy like a Cosmopolitan.

Tasting notes – Crisp and refreshing

So there you are gentleman a top 5 list for impressing at the bar.

So what’s your favorite cocktail? Share your top drinks below. 

Remember that geeky kid from 3^rd rock from the sun? Well if you’ve seen Joseph Gordon-Levitt recently, you probably agree he’s grown up just a little.

He’s a great example that it’s never to late to clean up your act and revamp your wardrobe.

If a geeky child star can transition to awesome Hollywood hunk, anyone could do it. Here are some of our insights:

A staple look for joseph that he has mastered so well is his ability to mix and match various patterns and colors. In doing this he is able to create a look, which is usually considered complex, yet he manages to transform it into a simple compelling and handsome look. As seen in the images here he’s rocking a  grey pattern suit with which places emphasis on the sky blue shirt underneath.

This all relates back to his attention to detail, everything flows. When considering the following items sunglasses, shoes, shirts etc think about how each item will complement each other not just how good one particular item might be by itself.

Whether dressing up for a red carpet event or a day hitting the streets, Joseph Gordon-Levitt completes his look with the skinny tie. Some people feel that the ‘skinny tie era’ is over, however Joseph shows you that its not and that combination of a short collar and a skinny tie is a look that you should be trying to perfect yourself. As shown by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, he’s not afraid to perfect the skinny tie whether it be casual or formal.

You might have perfected the right outfit, but sure if you want to be like joseph Gordon-Levitt, you have to make sure you spend your time and money into grooming. One thing that is definitely notable about Joseph Gordon-Levitt is his hair. Don’t be afraid to try something a bit different you never know it might be a bit better suited to the look your trying to perfect.

Whats your guys thoughts on Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s style?

Winter is officially here and all of us would rather be anywhere but outside. So what do you do when you receive an invitation for a winter wedding? If you still want to look sleek without freezing then some additions to your wardrobe might be in order.

Thankfully it isn’t too hard to look sharp and still stay warm when deciding what to wear to a winter wedding. In fact it could all be as simple as including a few stylish yet underused wardrobe addition.

Here are our top 4 things to wear to a winter wedding.

Waistcoats 

Largely forgotten and ignored by most men these days, a wedding really is the perfect reason to whip out the waistcoat. Not only a suave accessory, but it also adds extra layers to your suit. After all, it is the extra details like a waistcoat that really make your wardrobe stand out.

Usually you go for waistcoats in the same colour as your suit but if you’re feeling creative try colour combinations like a charcoal waistcoat witha  black suit, or grey with a brown suit. Be creative but stick with basic colour combinations when it comes to weddings. You don’t want to take attention away from the bride.

Hats and Fedoras

“What a hat?”, you say. Yes before you dismiss it as an archaic style piece that isn’t making a comeback take a look at Just Law and the Royal brothers rocking the look.

Hats are a surefire way to look suave at a wedding, adding an extra layer of sophistication to your wardrobe. Don’t wear it too often but pull it out when you’re planning on looking a little more dapper.

A top hat is great for more formal weddings, while less formal outfits work well with bowler or derby hats. Just remember to keep the colours basic and not madd hatter loud!

Overcoats 

So overcoats are a little hit and miss for most men. Eventhough overcoats are meant to wrap over your suit outfit, that doesn’t mean they should be loose and baggy. Like a great suit, overcoats need to be well fitted.

Pay attention to the shoulders, chest and stomach areas for a great fit. Nail these down and you’ve got a stylish overcoat.

Is there a preference for single or double breasted overcoats? To be honest the answer is a personal preference thing but double breasted overcoats definitely add something different and are a favourite here at Vinspi HQ.

Gloves

Like hats, gloves unfortunately have been the forgotten piece in the man’s wardrobe. Most men haven’t worn gloves before and truth be told, they are missing out.

A well cut suit, capped off with black leather gloves resonates European style sensibilities. It’s a well known fact that your extremities like fingers get cold fastest so gloves are an obvious solution.

Choosing a tie that matches your suit and shirt has to be one of the trickiest wardrobe choices to get right. The sheer variety of of ties ranging in colour, pattern and size leaves a lot of room for variety but also plenty of chances to get it wrong.

So to help with getting the choices right we’ve put together a 3 step guide to simplify the whole process.

Step 1.     Choosing your suit and shirt.

Step 2.     Choosing the right sized tie

Step 3.     Complimenting colours and patterns.

Choosing your suit and shirt

So the natural inclination is to start by choosing your tie first, but that would be wrong. Start first with your suit and shirt combination. While the tie is a focal point , it only looks as good as the pieces that complement it.

Don’t overcomplicate your colours. Every man has his favourite combinations but there are a few tried and tested winners. A dark suit with a light shirt is a great starting point while pinstripe suits with a plain shirt is a classic power suit look.

Whatever your choices, just remember to keep things simple by contrasting light and dark colours and varying out the patterns in your wardrobe.

Choosing the right sized tie

Before jumping into colours you first have to choose the right tie size. Different body shapes work best with different tie widths so getting this right is crucial.

Larger framed men should choose ties with a broad width. The wider tie face compliments a bigger physique and can provide a more flattering look.

The same rule reverses for smaller framed men who should choose a thinner tie that creates that slim tailored cut look. Men of an average size have the flexibility to hover between wider and slimmer ties. A general rule is to go with  a tie that measures between 7.5-9.5cm at its broadest width.

Complimenting Colours and Patterns

Finally comes the part where most men struggle, choosing colours. Picking the right tie colour can seem confusing and subjective  but there are a rules you can follow.

Contrast plain shirts with a strong tie colour. A big reason why white shirts are popular is because it allows strong ties like pink & purple to stand out. Don’t be scared to wear strong coloured ties as long as you remember to place it on a light coloured shirt.

Avoid pattern overkill. If your tie has strong patterns then your shirt needs to be simple and vice versa. It sounds obvious but too many men ignore this rule and create outfits that are busy, loud and just untidy.

If you have a patterned tie don’t limit yourself to plain shirts, you can still wear shirts that have subtle patterns like small squares, herringbone weaves or light stripes.

Finally you can compliment colours between your shirt and tie. If you do have brighter shirts like red and purple you can still wear a great tie combination by complimenting colours. For example a solid blue shirt can be paired with a pink tie featuring blue dots. Purple shirts also work well with striped ties that have shades of pink or lilac.

So there you have it. A simple 3 step guide to getting the tie selection right and looking seriously sharp.

Have a favourite Suit and Tie combination? Any additional tips you would like to add? Share it with us below!

Bradley Cooper might be best known for his role in the cult bloke hit “The Hangover”, but don’t be fooled by the crazy best man alter ego he portrays in the movie.

One look at Bradley Cooper’s wardrobe off screen and it’s obvious that this man has a seriously refined sense of style.

People Magazine named Cooper as 2011′s Sexiest Man Alive so there is plenty to learn from this star’s wardrobe choices.

With Bradley Cooper it’s all about doing the basics well. Too many men try to stand out by following the latest fads (bowties, super skinny pants etc) and in the process loose sight of the essentials.

There isn’t anything wrong with being current with the latest trends, but never sacrifice the essentials.

Cooper completely nails 2 core looks for every man. He kills the black tuxedo look and looks smashing in a grey fitted suit layered on top of a solid colour shirt. Never too complicated, his outfits are a great example of using simple elements that together form a solid look.

Not only does this man dress sharp, Bradley Cooper is kinda like the whole package (damn him!). The hair is always immaculately kept while the shoes are refined.

If you want to impress you have to take care of the details. Your outfit only starts with the clothes, beyond that you should never forget the hair or shoes.

It is most definitely worth the effort going to a proper hair dresser / barber instead of the cheap cuts down the road.

Always have the appropriate shoes. Jet black or dark mahogany shoes are always winners. Sleek and sharp is the way to go gentleman and make sure you polish before heading out.

And finally, probably the biggest essential to Bradley Cooper’s style is his Confidence. This guy has some serious swagger. The clothes may look good but man does he carry the looks off well.

Men, the whole point of a well cut suit is the confidence it brings you. When you’re dressed to impress keep the head up back straight and walk in like you own this city (or at least you might someday)

What do you think of Bradley Cooper’s Style? 

Walking the New York streets never looked as good as Matt Bomer dappered in a suit for hit TV series White Collar. Bomer plays ex-con man, and master arts forger, Neal Caffrey in the show. But while his skills of deception are impressive, it’s his suit wardrobe that stands out.

10 mins watching the show and you’re immediately taken aback at Bomer’s effortless swagger in a tailored suit.

The foundation of Bomer’s great wardrobe on the show is the immaculate tailored fit. Comfortable on the shoulders and slimming through the upper body, the looks are a homage to sharp tailoring.

Bomer isn’t a slouch when it comes to colour matching either, displaying a wonderful knack for matching ties to his outfits.

Stripes on stripes isn’t a common choice for most men but Bomer pulls it off with strong contrasting colours. The result is a persona that blends old school and modern tastes.

He doesn’t shy away from fancier tie patterns either. Its not uncommon to see Neal Caffery sporting ties with circles and squares . All of it adds up to a unique wardrobe that shines amidst the drab FBI suits on the show.

But if there is one thing we love about Bomer it is his love, and flawless execution, of the suit accessories. Pocket squares and tie clips are back in a big way.

No longer the stuff of overly formal men stuck in the 50′s, accessories are the calling card for those who want to add something extra to their wardrobe.

If you’re getting bored with your suits, a pocket square or tie clip could is a great way to jazz up your look.

In possibly the best city on earth, New York, its no surprise to find Matt Bomer, one of the world’s best dressed men.

What do you think of Matt Bomer aka Neal Cafferty’s Style? 

Tinseltown’s biggest night was on show yesterday and as usual the Oscars is a showcase of the best (and worst) frocks and suits. 2012 was fairly demure with most stars playing to “safe” fashion choices, but there were a select group of men who really turned it up in the style stakes.

Here we list out the 5 best looks from the night and how it could work for you at your next black tie event.

It’s all in the Details 

You can’t deny that the brits have a great sense of style and the standout last night was Mr Gary Oldman from Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy fame.

Why it Works : 

- Well Fitted Tailored Suit (Paul Smith designs). Great shape around the chest, waist and legs

- Shiny Lapel Trim gives a touch of style and class

- Polka Dot pocket square is a winner with the stylish frames

Lessons for us :

- Don’t be afraid to add small style touches to your suit. The right changes can make you really stand out in a sea of common black suits.

The Big Boys are Stlyish Too

Wow! Jonah Hill has rolled out 2 consecutive great looks. First the Golden Globes and now the Oscars. Showing that bigger frame men don’t need to hide in a large suit, Jonah is becoming a classy red carpet star.

Why it Works :

- Despite his larger build, Jonah successfully pulls of a fitted cut around his chest and waist

- The single button tuxedo makes the lapel look longer, subsequently making Jonah look taller

Lessons for us :

- Larger men do not need to hide under their suit. Avoid baggy cuts that swallow up your upper body. Jonah is a great example of how a good fit

One Bold Statement makes a Difference

Zachary Quinto has been a little under the radar this past year but he came out with a bang last night on the red carpet. Simple but well thought out were the themes around his suit

Why it Works :

- A Midnight Blue Satin Lapel on a black suit just shines on the red carpet.

Lessons for us : 

- If you don’t usually accessorize (akaGary Oldman) but still want to stand out, try making one bold change to your suit. Zachary’s suit is classic tuxedo but with a blue lapel he’s made a style statement with stunning effects.

Stay True to the Basics

So admittedly there isn’t anything amazingly different about P Diddy’s suit, but that’s the whole point really. He does the basics well and that always stands out.

Why it Works :

- The fit for P Diddy is perfect. He has great shape around his upper body without being too tight while his pants drape effortlessly maintaining a suave persona.

- The Slim Lapel creates great synergy with the rest of his suit. P Diddy has a more streamline body so the slim lapel compliments that sleek red carpet style

Lessons for us : 

- You don’t have to be a show pony to shine. Getting the basics right is a sure winner. It may look simple but putting all the pieces together is no easy task so master it and you’ll always be looking sharp.

Double Breasted Suits are Coming Back 

Double Breasted suits are back. Yes there are many haters and doubters but Tom Hanks showed that on Hollywood’s night of nights, the double breasted suit oozes class.

Why it works : 

- Tom Hanks showcases everything that is great about the modern Double Breasted Suit. Great fit around the chest and waist plus old school charm equals winner.

- Going against the grain, Hanks’s resist the current trend of slim lapels and goes for a wide shawl lapel that matches his double breasted suit perfectly.

Lessons for us : 

- Double Breasted suits may be unfamiliar territory but that doesn’t mean you wont look great in one. Embrace the style’s resurgence and you’ll be ahead of the style curve.

What do you think of our Top 5 Looks from the Oscars 2012? Did we miss anyone? Who do you think should also be on this list? 

Lapels are a distinctive part of every man’s suit so it’s a shame that many men gloss over them when they go suit shopping. In case you’re not sure what suit lapels are, they are the folded flaps of cloth on the front of your jacket that stretch from the top button up to the collar.

The right lapel makes a big style statement for your suit so its worth the time making sure you know what you want. To help with making a decision, we’ve put together this guide to cover

- The Notched Lapel

- The Peaked Lapel

- The Shawl Lapel

- Lapel Width

The Notched Lapel

By far the most popular choice, the notched lapel is what you see on 9/10 suits. There’s a good reason for that too. Notched lapels, sometimes called the step lapel, are great for an everyday work suit. The symmetrical design works just as well in the office as it does on casual weekends.

Notched lapels usually get overlooked for black tie events, with most men preferring peaked or shawl lapels. That however is slowly changing with more black tie suits starting to feature notched lapels. If you’re looking for a great all rounder suitable for a variety of occasions, you can’t go past a notched lapel.

The Peaked Lapel

A bit of a twist on the standard notched styles, the peaked lapel is easily recognisable by its wing tip design. The style, reminiscent of 60′s and 70′s suits, is coming back strongly in both corporate and formal wear.

Peaked lapels offer a nice style difference for men who love suits and want something a little special/unique. This lapel does well with tuxedos for black tie events but they’ve also been modified into a slimmer versions for stylish modern jackets.

If you’re not afraid to break the mould give peaked lapels a go. Even a small style change like a peaked lapel brings welcome variety to a man’s wardrobe.

The Shawl Lapel

The shawl lapel is, and always will be, synonymous with the classic tuxedo suit. Matched with a black bow tie and crisp white shirt, the shawl lapel tuxedo resonates a timeless class. Shawl lapels are usually made from satin to give it a shiny finish and an extra touch of luxury.

Unfortunately, this lapel does come off as looking overstated when worn as an everyday office suit. Having said that, what it lacks in versatility it makes up for in being an extremely stylish choice at formal events (awards nights, black tie events etc).

Lapel Width

Once you’ve decided on a lapel style don’t forget about the width. Sure it seems like an unnecessary detail but this simple decision makes a bit difference to how your suit turns out.

Most modern day lapel styles come in a slimmer width which works really well with a fitted suit. Having said that, wide lapels are making a bit of a comeback, drawing inspiration from the bold suit styles of the 80′s and 90′s.

Be careful not to go to extremes when it comes to your lapel width. Too slim a lapel can come off as overly casual while an excessively wide lapel can be distracting and untidy. The general yardsticks are to stay within 2.5 inches to 3.25 inches for your lapel width.

Have a favourite Suit lapel style? Have any style tips when it comes to choosing a suit lapel? Join the conversation below!

Gentleman, Valentines day is less than 2 weeks away. If you haven’t given it any thought you might want to get started.

Valentines is all about your special woman but that doesn’t mean you should forget about getting yourself prepared. Most of us will be heading for a night out; so while she’s dressing up, you should be getting busy making sure you look your sharpest!.

Here are our 5 quick style tips for looking great on Valentines day and capturing your woman’s eye all over again,

TIP 1 : Pocket Squares – Old School Class

Ok, forget what you’ve always thought about pocket squares being for overdressed metrosexual men. Pocket squares come in all sorts of colours and patterns so you don’t have to be the extravagant type to look good with one.

Looking your best is all about the small details and pocket squares are a perfect way to add something special to your outift. If you’re not used to wearing a pocket square, a special event like Valentines day is a perfect way to give the look a go.

Shop online for a pocket square or go to your local tie shop who should have plenty.

TIP 2 : She looks at you from head to TOE

One of the most ignored parts of a man’s wardrobe are his shoes. No good having a great fitted jacket and some sleek pants / jeans, only to let it all down with scruffy sneakers.

Shoes are a great style investment so don’t hold back on a nice pair if you can afford it. They are also the most versatile part of your wardrobe so you’ll get plenty of use out of your new shoes.

All shoe pictures from Aquila and Windsor Smith, so you can easily find a great pair of shoes here in Australia.

TIP 3 : The Right Hand Man for Your Watch

Cufflinks are a great style detail for Valentines day. Watches usually take center stage but well selected cufflinks add refinement and a touch of class.

Avoid novelty cufflinks (smiley faces etc) and go with classic stylings on Valentines day.

You can even custom design your own cufflinks with Style Rocks. They have a great cufflink designer and the team there are awesome. Here are some cufflinks we like from the Style Rocks site.

TIP 4 : Clean up the Mop

Ladies aren’t the only ones who should be getting a trim or new hairstyle for Valentines day. Pop into your local barber and clean up the mop, it all helps with sharpening your outfit on the day.

If you’re feeling adventurous try a new hairstyle. Some good inspiration can be found at American Crew’s Face Off 2012 Finalist hairstyles (See below). Remember… do not forget the hair.. you’ve been warned!

TIP 5 : Bring a Gift or Else…

We saved the most important advice for last. Do not forget the gift. If you arrive without one you can kiss goodbye to any compliments on your sharp threads.

Standard gifts include flowers and chocolates, but if you really want to score points try something different.

Some women really like handmade gifts while others just appreciate small gestures. Whatever her preferences, remember to focus on getting something you know she’ll like… you wont regret it!

What do you all think of our Valentines Day Style Tips? Any other recommendations?