Guys, want to look like a million bucks in an off-the-rack suit? Theo Ngobeni, the founder of Mr Slimfit, a styling service that caters to some of SA’s biggest stars, gives his six top tips on how to pick a suit off the rack and ensure it’s tailored to your exact specifications.
1. The suit jacket should always fit well on your shoulders as it is very difficult for a tailor to alter this part.
2. There are three kinds of hems you could opt for. The first is the no-break, where your trousers end just under the ankle bone. The second is the half-break, which is usually a half-inch hem. The full-break is an inch hem. If you’ve got a slim-fit suit, opt for the no- or half-break.
3. Most stylish guys want their jackets to have that flattering ‘V’ shape. A common mistake tailors make in trying to create this is to take in the jacket at the middle seam at the back. Instead, ask your tailor to take in the seams that run above the vents of a double-vent jacket.
4. The length of your jacket is critical. If it’s too long, the shape of the jacket can be compromised if it’s shortened. If it’s too short, it can look altered if it’s extended. To get this right, stand up with your arms stretched out at your sides and make a fist. Your jacket should end at the base of your fist.
5. If your jacket is slim-fit, your trousers need to be too. Ask your tailor to taper them using the inside seam.
6. Make sure the trousers fit well at the waist. If the waist fits comfortably but the trousers are too tight around your thighs, rather choose a waist size up. It’s much easier for a tailor to bring in the waist than to give you more breathing room around your thighs.
Fashion & styling: Kim Coe
Photography: Gareth van Nelson/hsmimages.co.za
Say your I-dos under this fresh, fun balloon wedding arch. Prepare the wire structure and balloons the day before, then just add greenery in the morning. WHAT YOU’LL NEED…
Soft and tousled, straight-cut, crinkled or dyed, let these paper craft ideas in their myriad forms be a part of your wedding story.
1. A message notebook as a striking centrepiece
Paper flowers, Love Paper Sew
2. Add paper flowers to your stationery
Menu, invitation with envelope and RSVP card, table number, name tags, and paper flowers, all Chrystalace Wedding Stationery
3. Paper cones with confetti
4. Sweet treats adorned with paper flowers
Nougat, MaMère Confections; paper flower, Chrystalace Wedding Stationery
5. A paper bouquet
Paper flowers, Love Paper Sew; laser-cut leaves, stylist’s own
6. A paper garland
Paper garland, stylist’s own; paper flowers, Love Paper Sew
7. Cupcakes with windmills
Cupcakes each, Florentines Cakes; paper windmills, stylist’s own
8. Chinese lanterns
Paper Chinese lanterns, The In Thing
9. A paper cake topper
Cake, Florentines Cakes; cake topper, Chrystalace Wedding Stationery
10. Hand-written thank you notes for your guests
Thank-you tag, Chrystalace Wedding Stationery; pencil crayons, The Deckle Edge; lined napkin, stylist’s own
Decor: Rochelle Malherbe
Photography: Gareth van Nelson/hsmimages.co.za
In the market for something a little less ordinary for your wedding entertainment? Read on… 1. BELLY DANCER Q. How can I make sure the belly dancer I…
Celebrate in the warm glow of candlelight and seal your love with a kiss beneath a star-studded sky by taking inspiration from our night sky themed wedding.
THE STATIONERY
Rose-gold plate to hire, Plush Props; card and laser-cut engraved envelope, Secret Diary
Laser-cut engraved envelopes and silver perspex place cards, all Secret Diary; flowers, Fleur le Cordeur
ON THE TABLE
Flowers, Fleur le Cordeur; copper goblet, stylist’s own; purple goblet, glass carafe and copper votive holder, all to hire, Check My China; whisky glass and vintage gold underplate, both to hire, Exclusive Hire; rose-gold plate, crystal wine glass, rose-gold side plate, jug and rose-gold bowl, all to hire, Plush Props
Flowers, Fleur le Cordeur; Champagne glasses to hire, Plush Props and Exclusive Hire; brass mirror tray to hire, Check My China
Floral arrangement, Fleur le Cordeur; gold cutlery to hire and purple napkin, all Check My China; navy speckled plates to hire, Plush Props; silver perspex place card, Secret Diary; glasses from to hire, Exclusive Hire and Check My China
Purple goblet to hire, Check My China; crystal wine glass to hire, Plush Props; copper goblet, stylist’s own; black plate and navy embossed saucer both to hire, Plush Props; gold spoon to hire, Check My China; crystal sugar bowl, Exclusive Hire; cherry sorbet, Sorbetière
LIGHTING
Hanging flowers, Fleur le Cordeur; LED strings, The In Thing; bulbs, all Hoi P’loy; glass pendants, Weylandt
THE CAKE
Cake, Roxanne Floquet Cake Design; cake stand, supplier’s own; flowers, Fleur le Cordeu
FLOWERS
Floral arrangement, Fleur le Cordeur; chair, @home
Fashion: Rochelle Malherbe
Photography: Gareth Van Nelson/HSMimages.co.za
*Extracted from Wedding Album 2016-1; Products are subject to change
Create a striking focal point with an elegant DIY candle table runner. From there you can soften the candle base with a spray of greenery. WHAT YOU’LL NEED 4…
Simple things such as table runners, crockery and cutlery can cost a fortune once you add them together. With these two DIYs, you can reduce the cost of your table settings without skimping on style.
PAPER PLACEMATS
What you’ll need
• Ruler
• Pencil
• 120g craft paper
• Scissors
• Fine paintbrush
• White acrylic paint
How to do it
1 Using the ruler and pencil, measure and mark the size you want your placemat to be on the craft paper. Ensure there is enough room for an underplate, a large dinner plate and cutlery. Once you’re happy, cut out the placemat.
2 Measure 2 cm from the top and sides of the placemat to create a border where you will write the name of your guest.
3 Draw the border and write out the name of the guest in pencil, then paint over it with the white paint until the pencil is no longer visible. Allow to dry and repeat for as many placemats as required.
PAINTED PLACEMATS
What you’ll need
• Plain fabric placemats
• Paintbrush
• Black fabric paint
How to do it
1 Lay out the fabric placemat completely flat.
2 Dip the paintbrush into the paint then splatter it onto the placemat. Allow to dry and repeat for as many placemats as required.
Find this DIY and more in Issue 1-2017, on sale now.
Text Robyn Lane
Styling Francoise Jeanne de Villiers
Photography Kendall-Leigh Nash/HMimages.co.za