Issue 2

Letter From The Editor

Thankyou for taking time to look at our second issue of our magazine blog. I think you will find that this weeks post issue will have a summer feel to it, helping you our reader to stay stylish of your holidays. Hope you enjoy.

By Sean Taylorson

Men's Wear

Swim wear

Summer is here... finally. I am writing to you from sunny Cornwall. I have seen some swim wear shockers, especially the man who wore his boxers to the beach. Where we are staying it is a definite outdoor culture with surfers everywhere. The surfers wear the wetsuits, for in England we don’t have warm seas. When they have finished surfing they all get out their very on trend swim wear.

There is a definite lack in range of men’s swim wear especially when most of it is a fashion crime, like the infamous Speedos. I recommend the ‘short shorts’ they are very on trend and you can get them in a varied amount of colours. They are very 80’s style and are also available in a two tone colour. My favourite colour is the coral pink but if you disagree there are other colours like reds, blues and burgundy colours.

The long swim shorts are a has-been in my opinion. It may be alright if you live in California or Australia, where fashion is behind the current times in Britain. The Speedos are terrible, but if you fancy scaring away the ladies from the beach go ahead.

Woman's Wear

Summer on the beach

Summer has finally come after a spell of miserable typical British weather. With this, swim suits have started making appearances around Britain. The swim suits are very in so hang up that bikini and get out your swim suit. The only problem with these is the horrible tan lines you will encounter, but to be honest what kind of tan are you expecting in Britain!

swim suit from American Apparel

http://store.americanapparel.co.uk/

What you will find is there are a lot of colourful printed swimsuits. Don’t be fooled into thinking you have to buy one of these colourful ones for a block coloured swimsuit can scream sexy. My favourite block coloured swim wear is the coral pink, for it’s bright and easy on the eye.  With the swimsuits if you consider yourself a retro girl you can wear the bright yellow and green swimsuits or the classic Baywatch red from the notorious 80’s.

From left TopShop swimsuit - http://www.topshop.com/
American Apprel - http://store.americanapparel.co.uk/

The printed swim suits tend to depict beautiful scenery, animal faces or a lovely floral pattern. Personally not a fan of the animal ones for most of them are of a tigers face and let’s face it felines just don’t like water! The floral patterns say elegant whereas the scenery say cool. If the swim suit depicted a urban scene that would contrast with the natural surroundings of the beach which isn’t necessarily a good thing. This swim suit maybe should be used for one of your penthouse pool-side parties? If you’re wealthy enough... I wish!

I don’t feel that we will be seeing any of these swim suits making an appearance at the London 2012 volleyball. I think they will be sticking to the typical bikini with the very unflattering bikini tops... but we can live in hope.

By Sean Taylorson

 

Our Own Designer Annie Oakes & Fashion Photography

Annie Oakes Designs & Peter May Photography

This week we are combining our Photography and our own designer for they have collaborated together for a fashion shoot in Manchester. 

Fashion is full of collaborations. Whether it’s Matthew Williamson collaborating with Debenhams to do a Womenswear collection, or David Beckham collaborating with H&M for his new Men’s ‘Bodywear’ Underwear…powerful figures are pairing up all over the place! The first is an example of a designer merging with a well-known department store to accommodate more affordable designer-named clothes. The latter is a well-known name, whether it’s in the sporting or celebrity world, joining with a popular high-street brand. However, fashion collaborations happen in many more specialities than just the clothing design aspect. Beauty also comes into fashion & how does the audience even view this fashion? Through the eyes of the media…through their photographs.

Through my experience in the fashion industry so far, I have already encountered a number of different specialities & various characters along with them. One of my most valuable contacts is with a Photographer featured in this issue of FFT…Peter May. I met him at the beginning of university, through friends of friends. And you know what they say…it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know. When I found out that he does photography as a hobby alongside his Geography degree I decided to snap up this opportunity & ask him to photograph some of my fashion designs. Previously I have dabbled in fashion photography, through the need of final images of my pieces. However, having a photographer’s eye that has a fresh view of the situation, instead of the designer’s familiar view, is refreshing & very valuable.

Since my collaboration with him, he has also helped my Fashion degree class out, capturing our final project & years’ shows. Peter May’s photographs featured in this issue of FFT include my designs that took part in some of these shows. There is an example of Menswear & Womenswear in these photographs, so here is a bit about them…

My Womenswear piece appears quite unisex due to its linear features & minimalistic style. It was inspired by classic shirts, but the aim was to put a modern Autumn/Winter spin on it. I chose a two-toned felt material to reflect the features on a shirt, like defining the collar & oversized cuffs. I further accentuated certain sections with complementary colours, using flashes of orange in hidden panels & stitched detail, combined with strips of electric blue.

My Menswear outfit was inspired by the air & space hall at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester. It is an amazingly large warehouse including all types of flying extravaganzas to gain testosterone-fuelled inspiration from! I combined textures of knitwear & leather to reflect the patch-worked style of aeroplanes and complemented them with strong lines inspired by the movement of wings & propellers. This was my first attempt at making & creating knitwear [using a knitting machine as opposed to hand-knitting little squares!] so I decided to go the whole way by creating my own pattern & exaggerating the sleeves, which proved rather challenging but definitely rewarding.

I love using large pattern pieces that wrap around & work with the body to create a statement piece. My modernised ‘shirt’ & Menswear overcoat are examples of these as each piece used only 3 pattern pieces, as opposed to regular shirts that could use up to 10 panels. This effect almost creates origami-style layers that create flattering & interesting results. And isn’t that what we all want in life…to be flatteringly interesting!?

This Weeks Interview

Annie Oakes

This weeks interview is with our own designer Annie Oakes. She studies at Manchester Met Uni. she creates her own range of amazing clothing, of which some is for sale. she studied at London College of Fashion and went to the same college as Stella McCartney. she will take us through her path to be a designer and her view on the olympic kits.

To contact Annie about some of her range for slae contact her on annie_oakes@hotmail.co.uk or on he Facebook page- http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Annie-Oakes-Designs/217043118305980

This Weeks Fashion News

Olympic Fashion

So the Olympics are finally off the starting blocks and the media hurrah over the long standing competition at its peak (who thought it could get any bigger!) Here at Fashion for Thought we didn’t want to miss out on the frenzy, so in the interest of fashion, and of course national pride I thought I would delve in to a world I know little about, fashion in sport. Though sporting fashion seems to be top of some designers list; Ralph Lauren for Team USA, Giorigio Armani for Italy’s Olympic hopefuls and Hermes who designs the kits for the French equestrian team.

As fashion fans out there know the uniforms for team GB were designed by the lovely Stella McCartney, known for her previous work in making fashionable clothing for sports contributing with Adidas. Stella was criticised upon the launch of the range in March for her designs, the lack of red seemed to be a sore sport for many. I am, however, a fan. The designs combine a modern take on the union flag with a more understated patriotism than we have been used to in recent times. Many would be happier if our Olympians strutted out into the arena draped in the same bunting that adorns ever pub in our land, with union flag sunglasses and face paint to boot. The kits are and still patriotic but without being too cliché. I applaud McCartney for her minimal use of the colours that have blighted our streets this year. You may call me unpatriotic, and maybe I am, but is no one else sick of being proud? Aren’t we all a little bit tired of the red white and blue, after all, were not American.  No offence…

The opening ceremony on Friday can be seen as a huge success for Danny Boyle, but fashion seems to be one of the losers.  McCartney was very quick to state on her twitter that it wasn’t her who designed the outfits for the GB Team in the opening ceremony, and it’s easy to see why. Though there not as awful as some of the outfits; namely Sweden who appear to have great affection for rugby and the many countries who desired to dress their woman in what look like low budget air hostess uniforms from the 80’s (as Spain did, pictured below.)

I can’t speak too harshly of our sporting hopefuls ceremony outfits, the colour pallet of white and gold, though slightly unimaginative and maybe slightly presumptuous, is at least modern, a look forward, rather than back like the US. (Although, I’m really not sure about the gold sweat patches!)

The American kit has been designed by Ralph Lauren though criticised for being made in China, is VERY American. The outfits are classic and somewhat stylish, the men do look rather dashing in their white trousers and navy blue blazers, but the woman’s footwear and bobby socks left a lot to be desired.

So as London 2012 sets itself to be the most stylish Olympics yet, let’s hope that that the event can live up to its hype. Good luck Team GB, if you compete as well as your dressed our medal cabinets should be a shiny as the opening ceremony outfits.

By Clare Nugent

Fashion Philosophy With Gareth Davies

Topshop, Topman, Topcat- Cartoon fashion.

For my second contribution to FFT I want to talk about fashion in cartoon form, as let’s face it everybody likes at least one cartoon and just like politics, cartoons effect everybody. I’ll discuss a few cartoon outfits and reveal my personal most stylish cartoon  fashion icon.

First up are the Simpsons who have been style icons since the 1980’s and while many trends have been and gone since then this families garments have remained the same. It is my opinion that as a whole the Simpsons are a well dressed family. Homer famously dons his white shirt and blue pants, this may not sound very impressive, but the man is able to wear the same clothes wherever he goes, without kicking up a fuss and for this ability to go to work or to Moe’s without having to spend hours trying different outfits I believe to be a true fashion skill.

Behind every great man there is a great woman, Homer’s woman Marge is not behind but most certainly even more glamorous in fashion stakes than Homer. The lady wears heels, a dress and pearls no matter what circumstances even when simply cleaning. I’ve seen many a woman walk around in public bare foot due to the stresses of bad heels, but not Marge despite her persistence in wearing heals she has only the occasional mental breakdown.  Bart and Lisa and Maggie’s outfits are rather basic and not particularly stylish, however I respect this as children shouldn’t have to worry about what they wear.

Another popular cartoon is, any 90’s child’s favourite, Pokémon. Ash carries of his personal look quite wellas many of his clothes could be seen as a fashion disaster on other people, but not on this fella. Firstly if you get a close look at his jeans they a perfectly fitted. In the pressure of the shop environment ash clearly hasn’t rushed his decision and has selected the jeans that are right for him. Not only is this good to help him look smart but he will benefit from feeling great. We all have a pair of jeans that feel right and clearly ashes will give him the feel good effect. Another key aspect of ashes outfit is his trucker hat. I generally am not a fan of a trucker hat, however I’m willing to accept that ash pulls of his sublimely. Furthermore he is regularly seen wearing it in different poses in the cartoon, meaning that he can wear the same hat continuously without it becoming boring. Ashes friend misty has a good style too, everybody loves braces and she wears them brilliantly not looking pretentious and not looking dorky or old. Her colours co-ordinate well with the yellow top red braces and denim shorts. However the Pokémon gang are let down by one man, Brock. Brock has no sense of colour. His pasty green body warmer clashes horrifically with the minging plain orange tee-shirt and the combats are nothing to be jealous off. I hate to sound bitchy but I had to get that off my chest just like he needs to get that body warmer off his.

Many fashion fans cannot get enough of the retro look. There is nothing wrong with dressing with hints of past eras, most of the time it looks cool, as expressed by Eddie Dawson in his interview last week. However the Flintstones in my opinion have overdone it. While wearing a nice 50’s suit or leather biker jacket is quite cool and often sophisticated looking form of retro. Wearing a cut up Stone Age rag just seems scruffy to me and although Freddie tries to smarten up by wearing a tie that too looks as though he found it in a bus stop.

There is one cartoon, a cartoon cat, who dresses far smarter and puts human cartoons to shame. This cat is Top Cat, with two trendy stores adopting his first name as their own Top, is evidently going to be a dapper guy. His outfit consists of a purple rimmed hat and purple waistcoat. A timeless smart outfit jazzed up by being purple. This is a colour not many people would choose as their primary colour however Top, has got his colour choice spot on as it really brings out his fur. Top Cat is a walking example of how everyone should have a specific unique outfit that they love and wear regularly whilst looking brilliant to others. Well done Top Cat you win my best dressed cartoon award. 

Thank you for reading, Love Gareth. x

Issue 1

Letter From The Editor

Thank-you for reading our first issue of Fashion For Thought. We are a fashion aware team who unlike most blogs give you a wide range of fashion topics and sections. Our blog is almost an online magazine but in a blog layout. We hope you like our blog and what we do, please if you do enjoy don’t hesitate to share with family, friends or even strangers if you please.

Thank-you

Sean Taylorson – Editor

Men’s Wear

Peter Doherty

For the first issue I would like to introduce a man who has always amazed me and has so many talents, whether that’s singer songwriter, actor, artist, and poet or even style icon with his own range of ‘Albion Trinketry’ (jewellery). Of course I talk about thee Peter Doherty.

The ‘Shambolic’ Libertine front man has always been in the public eye whether that’s to do with drink and drugs to staring in a Kooples advert. But to me Peter Doherty will always be a fashion icon. Peter Doherty has a unique style which ranges from late Victorian to a modern rock romantic. His ability to effortlessly pick out clothing and wear it so well is an ability to be admired.

Peter Doherty launched a range of clothing in Kooples with his on again off again model girlfriend Irina Lazareanu. The collection has a few items which some include seersucker shirts, grandfather braces, parkers, oxford shoes, suits and hats. The cheapest piece of clothing is a t-shirt which costs approximately £35. The picture below in this article shows him in a dandyism of British sub-cultures especially suadeheads and mod’s of the 60’s.

http://www.thekooples.co.uk/peter-doherty.html

A major factor in Pete Doherty’s ability to pull off a vast range of outfit choices is his own satirical view on life. His flamboyant personality reflects this and allows him to pull off the Androgynous designs that made him a fashion icon.

In essence his personality allows him to wear seemingly outdated clothing like top hats and pull of female items.

Peter Doherty has graced our nation with his endless talents, and we hope he continues doing so especially with his fashion collections for they are something to go out and buy.

By Sean Taylorson & Eddie Dawson

Woman's Wear

Investment Pieces

Women’s wear is the most complex section of fashion. With some independent shops having more than 4 trends alone – and how many store have we got to choose from!? – how do us girls pick our trend of the moment?

Many Women mix-and-match between the ‘current’ trends, creating their own individual look. Sometimes this is successful, sometimes this is really not. Others just choose one trend of the season to focus their wardrobe on. But surely that means a whole new wardrobe every season? Not if you carefully select key transitional pieces that will always compliment your wardrobe.

Every season there are pieces that survive the fashion editors cut, they are always on-trend & ultra-transitional, these are ‘The Classics’…

To avoid these pieces becoming tedious from season-to-season, make sure they are statement, so they feel special every time you slip them on.

The Leather Jacket

Splash That Cash…

Make sure the statement to your leather jacket isn’t ‘old biker’ by updating it with exaggerated zipped pockets & the all-important oversized punk studs. This jacket by the American brand ‘Dog & Pony’ [find them on facebook… http://www.facebook.com/dogponyaustin] is ready to throw on & is unisex, giving it that added androgynous edge. Coming in at just under $500 [plus shipping costs] this is definitely a special will-have-to-save-for-you piece! But you’ve got time to save anyway as it’s currently sold out! Talk about making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear!

Save Those Silvers…

Real leather is pricey, even on the high-street [I bought mine a few years ago from Topshop for over £100, but it’s still going strong & shows no sign of giving up soon!] That is a sign of a true investment piece…

The high-street is full of great options so I bring you the cream of the crop…

Coming in at £185 [10% less if you’ve got trusty student discount!] a high-end high-street find, this fringed beauty ticks all the right investment boxes...real leather, always-on-trend fringing, perfect for every season.

To save those silvers even more, check out vintage stores for real leather finds. They also have that worn-in look, which works great on leather, because they are worn-in!

Check out River Island for some great leather-look finds. This one comes in at a more affordable investment of £60. With its over-sized collar & sleeve buckles, this matt-look biker jacket would top off any outfit.

The Statement Heels

For a successful ‘statement heel’ keep the height wedged so it is practical and therefore can easily adjust to various occasions. The ‘flatform’ – an even platform wedge -  is ‘in’ at the moment, but investment pieces are ones that survive each season. Opt for edgy animal print to put you ahead of the pack…

Splash That Cash…

Kurt Geiger is the upper high-street treat for feet…especially with the £230 price tag. These tortoiseshell pattern wedge platforms are on the more demure end of ‘animal print’, but the patent finish makes them transitional from day-to-night summer-to-winter.

Save Those Silvers…

These zebra print cross-over wedges fill the brief with a manageable height & just a snippet animalistic. From New Look, the high-street ‘place to go’ for shoes, you can steal these wild ones for now £9, previously £24.99.

The Trench Coat

Splash That Cash…

Burberry is the brand to go to for trench coats. One in-the-know can immediately spot a quality trench, especially one of the British label’s traditional design. To get more out of your investment piece though, choose a trench with a twist. Camel is the original colour, so opt for a olive hued beauty. Modernise the features by choosing distinctive asymmetric pockets & edges trimmed with black leather. It appears a pricey investment piece coming in at £895, however wise shopping & searching net-a-porter.com, a fashionista can get her hands on the same one for half the notes at a mere £447.50.

Save Those Silvers…

Coming from the student side of things, I pine after the Burberry trench coat. However, my fake Chanel purse just doesn’t quite stretch that far. So for saving students…

From another ‘saving’ website, T K Maxx, this Monochrome find by Ivanka Trump is flattering for all body types with its waist-cinching bow belt. Coming in at just under £50, this is just a snip of Burberry, possibly just the price of a collar.

By Annie Oakes

 

Our Own Designer Annie Oakes

Annie Oakes Designs

Imagine. Design. Create.

Thoughts of fashion & seeing faces in my creations are everyday daydreams for me. I have been working hard my whole life - so far only 20 years, but a lot can happen in that time – to make this dream a reality.

I have had ups-and-downs in my life, like everyone, but they have moulded me into what I am today and I think they have truly inspired me. Use any experience to your advantage.

My recent ventures have led me to create unique tops, each one individual, which will soon go on sale in Little Treasures Boutique in my seaside-hometown of Hastings, East Sussex.

http://littletreasuresvintage.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/ltreasures

I imagined up three distinct trends which my tops then related to, whether it was through their fabric choice, trimmings, pattern or overall look. I think it is important to gain inspiration from every source around you, let life inspire.

Oh I Do Love To Be Beside The Seaside… Inspired by a Very British Summer, 'Oh I Do Love To Be Beside The Seaside' is a collaboration of nautical-style prints, floating materials & cute trimmings. The perfect recipe to enjoy the frivolity of the summer months...

X-Ray Femininity… Sheer panels & opaque prints make up this trend. Our British weather isn't always predictable so this trend is to suit any situation that Mother Nature unexpectedly throws at us. The playful prints combined with contrasting fabrics adds a street-style edge to this look...

Geometric Pop… 'Geometric Pop' focuses on colour blocking & linear prints that immediately draw your eye to the piece. Details including trimmings, panels & poppers that add a functional feel to this independent trend, whether it's a picnic in the park, or cocktails in town...

I have also recently started a new blog [http://meetyourfashionmaker.blogspot.co.uk/] focusing on all things fashionable & beautiful in life. It documents my life & other’s around me through creation. Focusing on garments I design & make and featuring my daily outfits plus top-tips this provides a one-stop-shop for style inspiration.

Creativity is something you can’t disguise. Let it flow through everything you do & inspire every force around you. What would the world be without creativity?

Fashion Photography

Military

from top left clockwise:
Eddie Dawson wears sleeveless denim jacket by Topman
Sean Taylorson wears vintage RAF jumpsuit and aviator sunglasses by Topman
Eddie wears vintage RAF jumpsuit and milatary boots by River Island
Sean wears milatary boots by River Island and plain white t-shirt by Topman

Photography by Annie Oakes

 

 

 

This Weeks Interview

Eddie Dawson

Eddie Dawson is our own men's wear writer. He works at Topman (also FFT) and is a talented musician, who spends his time shopping online. This man knows alot about fashion and his speciality is trends.

Sean Taylorson: Hello

Eddie Dawson: Hey, How are you?

ST: Good thanks, you?

ED: Yes good thank-you

ST: Right, can you take us through your outfit today?

ED: Well this is what I’ve been dressed like all day, I haven’t been wearing tracksuit bottoms and a Cameroon football shirt all day. No I’m wearing Adidas sambas, to be fair I’m dressed in pretty much 80’s clothing. Some nice skinny jeans from Levi with white lines down them, but you can’t see that. White t-shirt and a denim jacket dyed purple, with a classic Rotary watch.

ST: Where is the t-shirt from George?

ED: CK. Yeah its cool buy it.

ST: You work for Topman also FFT, would you say that the Topman crowd was a fashionable one?

ED: Yeah Defiantly. It’s not so much of a requirement as you would think, people have their own styles. Topman Arndale is renowned for being most diverse. Usually it’s based around a time period, like now it’s the 50’s but few like the 80’s.

ST: What do you think of the current ‘Fresh’ trend?

ED: I’m not a fan of the acid wash, but that period of the 90’s has never appealed to me. The clothing makes sense but I’m not a fan.

ST: Another trend was ‘Palm Springs’ with controversial prints that hint at the 1950’s finesse, with slim cuts and rich colours that bring it up to date. How do you feel about this trend?

ED: I prefer this trend. It’s not something I imagined wearing around Manchester. It was directed more towards summer in America. It’s hard to wear certain types of clothing living in a city centre in England. It was cool but I imagine it’s something you would wear in the south of England on a summer’s day. Don’t get that in Manchester.

ST: Yeah it’s nice down there isn’t it?

ED: Yeah it is.

ST: You’re a musician do you feel that it influences your style at all? Like a modern rock romantic?

ED: That’s the dream isn’t it? That’s my main influence the music. Music brought me into fashion. My big role models are Alex Turner and Miles Kane, certainly from a smart wear point of view. They built up their lifestyles around music which overlapped into fashion and fans of their bands really get into that. They set their own style, Alex Turner going for the 50’s thing and Miles Kane going for the 60’s mod. They bring it back into fashion they are the pioneers of revamping of classic styles.

ST: As you know the new Batman film came out today, what do you think of his costume?

ED: I really want to see that. Well it’s very on trend I believe.

ST: Do you think he should shop at Topman?

ED: The suits he wears are really cool. He should shop there to get some skinny ties and skinny fit suits. It’s cool. From a fashion point of view Bruce Wayne is a role model. X-Men First class, in that the costumes really did it for me, from the time period of the 60’s.

ST: So out of the Batman films you would look up to the Penguin for he always wears suits?

ED: Defiantly, but I’m looking forward to seeing the film.

ST: So what would your favourite superpower be?

ED: Super speed or flying? Something you can use generally.

ST: From what I have seen its money that is the best superpower. Look at Ironman and Batman. Plus you can buy stuff.

ED: Their not even superheroes but they are the coolest.

ST: Finally you said that Alex Turner and Miles Kane but would you say they are your fashion icons?

ED: Alex Turner certainly, he set me off in the 50’s era. James Dean without a doubt.

Fashion Philosophy With Gareth Davies

Birthday Suit

With a bit of luck this time next year will be fashion for thoughts first birthday, and boy are we excited! However with party events like this it is always a nightmare to choose what to wear and whether it goes with your hair. So in order to start preparing here are my ideas/advice on how we should dress to mark such wonderful occasions.

Firstly, and obviously parties are a time of celebration and so there should be no place for plain jeans and a three for twelve pound t-shirt. That would be a poor effort and show huge disrespect to your host. However we all know that parties can be very messy affairs with cheap Lidl booze and those who cannot handle cheap Lidl booze ruining upholstery, clothing and dignity. For this reason I believe it to be inappropriate to wear your best clobber for shindigs of this description after all no one’s mum wants to have to clean unspecified stains out of your best suit with just hours before a posh frock occasion.

After that negative doom and gloom start its time for some more positive suggestions. At a party bright colours are a must, throughout our lives we are told this doesn’t match this or why is that colour being worn with that colour. Well next July this won’t matter as it’s a party no one cares as long as the scene is an explosion of colours. Throw all fashion colour codes out the window along with the television and feel free to wear a yellow and green stripy shirt with purple trousers and ‘rock on’ for the rest of the night.

 Furthermore, forget about the people who have a go at you for copying what they were wearing last October. Who cares if you plagiarise at a party if anyone has an issue they can take it up with their universities headmaster.  As if superman gives a hoot if he shows up late and you’ve dressed a bit like him, its fancy dress anyway the only real chance we have to dress up like our heroes. We all wish we could wear it to work but a cape is a safety hazard when introduced to a lift door and Mr. Grey on the 4^th floor would have a go at us.

Cross dressing is a must. A birthday party is a fantastic excuse for any experimental invitees wishing to dance around in the opposite sex’s fabrics. It is perfectly fine, fun and probably a crime to say otherwise. Just don’t tell our mum and dad how we wore lipstick for the next fortnight afterwards because it felt right.

I have only one more piece of wisdom for you and it is important. Save your birthday suit, at least until after midnight!  Whilst this would no longer be your birthday chances are its still much more socially acceptable than greeting your party goers, for them to find the birthday boy/girl stark naked excluding the delightful birthday hat and party whistle.

Thank you and much love, Gareth xox