Burton reveals spring/summer 2012 trends

Burton has revealed its latest trends for spring/summer 2012, with the men's fashion retailer creating a masculine silhouette that is playful, sporty and easy to assemble.

Catering for cheeky chappies hitting the festival circuit hard as well as those Mod men addicted to tailoring, this season Burton focuses its trends to add a breath of fresh air to customer's new wardrobes.

Tailoring and formalwear takes inspiration from the Mod movement as Burton's Mod Men trend comes into its own but adds a 'laddy' twist. Focusing on slim and tailored fit suits, the trend for spring summer is sharp and clean and uses tonics and sheen to add a lustrous finish on suit fabrics.

Shirts are clean with considered details and new collar shapes while the trousers become that little bit narrower. Key pieces include the single breasted, notch lapel, tonic, slim fit suit in a rich blue that is sure to break a few bridesmaids hearts come the summer wedding season.

The new Modern Heritage trend takes inspiration from Savile Row and Jermyn Street but gives a modern twist through up to date cut and detailing. The heritage influence can be found in the use of fabrics, with the Prince of Wales check arriving in a grey 3 piece that wouldn't look out of place on the lawn at Brideshead.

Spring also sees the introduction of City Trekker, a trend that has nautical and sporty influences and creates a pared down way of dressing. Statements are made through colour blocking and combine fresh and bright tones alongside stones and navy blues.

This transitional trend has been inspired by city living and draws on the growing desire within urban landscapes for outdoor pursuits such as trekking and cycling. Key pieces include the anorak or utility inspired outerwear in bright colours, sweatshirts, chambray shirts, colour block tees, slim leg laundered chinos, Jack Purcel inspired plimsolls and coloured stripe tees.

Moving into summer, the Summer Trekker uses colour in abundance. This trend comprises of both casual and beach dressing and mixing this trend with neutrals and whites can make it more accessible as the loud colour pops are not for the faint hearted.

Key pieces include large scale striped tees and polos as well as geometric graphic tees, bleached out chambray shirts, bright coloured chinos and chino shorts, fresh short sleeve linen shirts and the coloured boat shoe.

Also available for summer is the new Festival trend from Burton, creating comfortable dressing that is easy to wear. Laundered finishes and garment dying, as well as warm and sun bleached colours, make this trend the epitome of laid back cool. Loose fitting vests, ethnic patterned tees, vintage cargo shorts, bleach wash twist denim jeans and slub check shirts create a look that is layered and earthy.

Men's accessories are also key, with lightweight scarfs and straw trilbies being the festival fail safe while lace up espadrilles and leather sandals are perfect for those days when no wellies are required.

Burton launches mobile site

Burton has launched its new mobile site, making shopping at the store even easier, quicker and a whole lot more convenient.

With the ability to shop on the go, customers will be able to browse and buy straight from their mobiles on morning commutes, from the pub at the weekend, or at half time during the footie. For prospective mobile customers, the opportunity to purchase items from this leading mens clothing outfitter will be more instantaneous than ever, and achievable within just a few touches. Limited edition items, and exclusive offers are more quickly and easily redeemable to those who embrace mobile. Put simply, there's not a more convenient way to shop.

The mobile site should be accessible on all handsets, including market leaders, iPhone and Blackberry.

This move from Burton comes as more and more fashion retailers are focusing their energies, and budgets, on mobile solutions for their increasingly tech savvy and time-poor customers, something which male brands in particular are viewing as essential development in order to retain their loyal customers.

A new way to reach out and speak to this demographic, Burton anticipates that the convenience of mobile shopping will be a key driver in transitioning male customers away from the high street and develop them into online, mobile, customers.

Arguably, male interaction with brands via social media not only indicates that men are more likely to become online shoppers, but, when interacting with the brand on the move, mobile customers too.

With mobile shopping on the up, and Christmas just around the corner, it seems there’s no better time than now to buy via mobile.

Following in the footsteps of other major players in the fashion industry, it's only a matter of time before Burton also develops apps of its own. With the promise of specific content and games for information hungry app users, the demand for an app is certainly already there and Burton aims to satisfy that demand in 2012.

Burton celebrates 150 years of the tuxedo

Burton, leading British menswear retailer, has revealed several different ways in which the classic tuxedo can be worn. As the Christmas party season approaches, the tux, which is due to celebrate its 150th birthday, can be a key item to own. The tux is best known as a special occasion suit, traditionally worn with a bowtie; however, Burton has found that it's more versatile than one might initially think.

According to Burton, the tux has become a cool, contemporary piece of clothing, and can be worn and styled in a multitude of different ways. For example, the menswear brand has declared that there's no reason why one couldn't wear a tux jacket with a casual t-shirt and a pair of jeans or chinos to form a more relaxed party outfit. Equally, a pair of belted Tux trousers can look just as sharp paired only with a smart shirt, tucked in and buttoned up to the collar. It's important to add well polished formal shoes to any tux or tailored outfit, as scruffy shoes will devalue an otherwise well put together look.

For Burton, the double-breasted silhouette is big news, as it's a new twist on the typically single-breasted tux jacket. Burton's Navy Birdseye Tux is an option for those looking for an easy alternative to black, without stepping too far away from that smart, versatile colour which lends itself to suiting so well.

The dinner suit is often considered an investment that every man should make, as it's the kind of classic suit that can be worn year-in and year-out. Though a mens tuxedo may seem like an extravagant garment, its innate versatility can make it a worthy investment. The dinner suit uses a variety of design details such as peak, shawl and notch lapels, enabling a range of unique tailoring options. Dinner suits also come in a mixture of fabrics, cuts and a grown-up colour palette of navy, slate, grey, charcoal and black. Pocket squares, bow ties and dress shirts with placket details and double cuffs can finish the look with style.

Some of the most unique pieces of tailoring that Burton has revealed are the velvet blazers, which breach the gap between casual and smart dressing, as they're easily dressed up and down. The velvet blazer is something a bit different and can form the basis of a 'desk-to-disco' look.

With any tailored fit suit, especially the tux, accessories are important in creating a unique personal style. People can choose cufflinks, ties and bow ties based on their fashion point of view. It is up to the individual to decide whether to buy accessories as fashion pieces or as investment items. For those favouring bolder, on-trend, statement pieces, specs, braces and pocket squares are very fashion-forward accessories.

Burton announces the classic Montague Burton Collection

Burton has been a firm fixture on the British high street for well over a century, with a heritage steeped in history.

Bearing this in mind, Burton is justifiably proud to announce the launch of its new Montague Burton Collection which draws on its history, looks at its archives for inspiration; and ultimately creates a capsule wardrobe for autumn winter that is proud to be British!

The range (named after Montague Burton, the founding father of the company in 1904) builds on the resurgence of national pride as the UK approaches the 2012 Olympics. With a nation united there's arguably never been a better time to turn the nation's attention to all things British.

The Montague Burton Collection has been crafted within British mills using British fabrics and key pieces from the range that have been designed using original, archived pieces. Through advances in garment technology Burton has created a vintage looking collection with a modern feel.

The classic "Charlie" overcoat for example has actually been designed using Montague Burton's own personal coat which has been passed down from generation to generation of the Burton family.

The two wool suits in the range (one in a brown and the other in a grey salt and pepper tweed) have been carefully created to produce a stylish, modern take on an original 1958 design; perfect for those men keen on emulating 1950's tailoring. Each item in the range has been given a typically British name reminiscent of a by gone age, including a trapper hat and flat cap called William and Harry which wouldn't look out of place for a walk in the grounds of Balmoral Castle.

Knitwear is paramount within this collection with British wool being used to create jumpers, cardigans and roll necks that are perfect for layering. Cable knits add chunky texture that is sure to keep out the British weather this autumn/winter. (EDITOR: Or like during our recent 'summer' weather, too?)

The Montague Burton collection has created a capsule wardrobe for the new season that gives a nod and a fairly broad smile to all things British. Celebrating this country's strengths the new range uses Burton's heritage as the foundation to create statement, investment pieces on the high street.

The rest of the collection includes trend led outerwear, knitwear and accessories in an earthy colour palette of khaki, ecru, grey, brown, moss and slate that mixes textures like tweed, wool and suede to full effect.

Design details such as elbow patches, rope ties toggles and football buttons create a classic English country gent aesthetic that is set to be a big look this season. Further more this collection looks equally good in an urban city setting as it does on a long country walk.

The Montague Burton Collection launches in October 2011 in selected stores and online on Burton's website.

FACTFILE:
Burton was originally founded in 1903 under the name of The Cross-Tailoring Company. It quickly became popular and expanded into hundreds of outlets and factories across the United Kingdom. Today, it is a staple on most high streets and a popular retailer for men's fashion, including gifts for men, men's suits, men's shirts, casual clothing, men's jeans, men's chinos and men's shoes.

Customers can also shop online at the Burton website which offers free returns in-store or by post and fast delivery to their home. The site features a useful size guide to ensure customers can get the correct fit for all items. Customers can also sign up for the Burton newsletter, which offers all the latest style updates, exclusive discounts and competitions.

www.burton.co.uk