IN2 Issue 8 2011

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SCOTLAND’S TOP INDEPENDENT FASHION MAGAZINE

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DIESEL ISL A ND. THE LE AST FUCK ED UP COUN TRY IN THE WOR LD. (But give us time.)

Land of the Stupid, home of the Brave.

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We are creating a new and better nation. Join the movement and become a citizen at diesel.com

Cardigan £75 (10381), G-Star Victor Straight Jeans £100 (8042)

Gabriel Wears: G-Star Bruce T-Shirt £25 (10026), G-Star Drew Hooded

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- New Brands - Summer Suitcase - G-Star - Hummel Interview - Diesel - Denim Fit Guide - Double Denim?

- Premium Jeans - Port of Call - Barbour - Lyle & Scott - 55 DSL - Leather & Laces - Street Style - Perfect Polo - Buyers Guide - Luke - Yogi’s Rant 1

WELCOME Welcome to the eighth edition of Into Xile magazine, it’s frightening to think we’ve been doing this for over three years now! Who would believe that its almost a year since we opened Xile Glasgow, or over two since G-Star Braehead launched. More importantly, how the f**k have four months passed since Christmas? The moral of the story isn’t cherish every minute, or tell your loved ones how much they mean to you!

No, none of that Hallmark sentimental pish for us... the moral of the story is take more holidays, work less, play harder, stay up later... With this in mind, ROLL ON SUMMER! That’s right; the worst of the winter weather is long gone, the clocks have sprung forward and there’s even been a hint of sunshine in Edinburgh! Roll on cold beers in the sun, flip flops and sunglasses! We’ve highlighted a couple of great clubs & parties that might take your fancy in the coming months. For those of you with Ibiza on the brain there’s a guide to the essential summer suitcase at p8. The buying team have banged their heads together to come up with a comprehensive guide to what’s on trend this summer and we’ve also got a sneak peek at the Autumn/Winter collections. Our stunning photoshoot with top photographer Anna Isola Crolla took place at Leith Docks.

We’ve pulled together some of the key styles for the season in a series of great images. Check out the end result on p30.

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED Eagle-eyed visitors to www.xileclothing.com will have noticed some major changes in the past few weeks. We’ve launched a completely fresh new homepage to best showcase our Spring/Summer collection. The new look site is packed full of handy features and makes finding the perfect outfit even easier.

Log on today and fill in our online questionnaire so we can consider YOUR views. There’s a chance to win a £250 voucher if you take part in this quick survey, so don’t delay. For now, take advantage of our brilliant new site by quicksearching any styles you love from the magazine.

Simply enter the 5 digit code in brackets into the website’s search bar and you’re only a couple of clicks away from owning one of this season’s most covetable styles!

We hope you enjoy the magazine, hopefully it’s got a few nice pieces to bolster your summer wardrobe with! If you’re in desperate need of some up to the minute Xile news and views check out our facebook page, the blog or our new look website. If you’ve got any opinions on the magazine drop us an email at customercare@ xileclothing.com.

Here’s to a scorching summer!

EIGHTH EDITION CONTRIBUTORS

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Editor: Murray Ainslie Design: Stuart Glegg @ Klaklak.com Photography: Anna Isola Crolla, Kylie Hardie, Craig Robertson Image Enhancement: Kylie Hardie, Craig Robertson Words: Murray Ainslie, Aymen Bensaad, Adam Le Chic, Yogi Haughton, Ross Millar, Special Thanks To: Ray Clark @ Forth Ports

MILAN NEW YORK LONDON TOKYO 5

NEW BRANDS Xile have worked closely with Lyle & Scott since the label’s rebranding in 2002. Having helped spearhead the return of the brand to a fashion audience, Xile is proud to retain its position as the biggest independent retailer of Scotland’s most famous fashion export.

Fine Stripe Detail Polo £55 (10901)

Grey Hooded Khaki Jacket £125 (10768)

Crew Neck T-Shirt £35 (10770)

Given our close links with Lyle & Scott we were a natural choice to help launch the new Lyle & Scott Sportswear range. This diffusion range perfectly captures casual preppy styling with a twist of 80’s retro-clash. The fresh collegiate collection is the perfect antidote to overhyped American brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister.

Check out the hooded sweats and baseball jackets with detailing influenced by Lyle & Scott’s renowned sporting background. The updated branding is a refreshing change from the classic golden eagle motif; we’re confident this new look range will become a style staple which perfectly compliments the existing heritage collection.

We’re delighted to introduce, luxury bag and backpack brand Herschel to the stores this spring/summer. A Canadian outfit with deep Scottish roots, the brands inspiration is drawn from American heritage, world travel and fashion. This modernist design outfit was founded with an overarching goal of bringing well-designed, quality product to market.

The outstanding Spring/Summer collection sees a selection of trendy duffle bags and backpacks bursting with character. Stylish yet practical, watch out for vibrant linings, waterproof zip fastenings, hidden shoe compartments and sunglass pockets all presented in a sleek and contemporary style.

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The brand has an independent design motif which will perfectly complement your personal style. This hot new label certainly seems to have struck a chord with the Xile staff; there is no doubt that Herschel is our premium accessory brand of choice. If you’ve read our buyers guide on page 60 you’ll have noticed that the key trends/themes for Autumn/Winter 2011 are hunting, shooting and fishing. Keep one step ahead and pick up a Herschel bag this summer!

Born in Scotland T-Shirt £35 (10922)

Short Sleeve Rugby Polo Shirt £55 (10917)

Long Sleeve Hooded Rugby Shirt £75 (10904)

Keep up to date with the latest arrivals at our new look website. Join our mailing list online, ‘like’ us on Facebook or check out our blog at www. xileclothing.com/blog. Alternatively do it the old fashioned way and visit us instore this summer.

Village Grey/Grey Bag £90 (10227)

Novel Grey Bag £85 (10228)

Village Navy/Tan Bag £90 (10226)

Italy’s latest fashion export, Hamaki Ho, is a label which fits perfectly into the ever expanding Xile wardrobe. The Spring/Summer collection really excited our buying team and we’re confident you’ll love this fresh new line! Launched in Italy in 2008 the brand has gone from strength to strength. Already a massive success on the continent Hamaki Ho looks set to achieve its goals and bring traditional tailored fashion to the modern generation through a fusion of Anglo-Saxon and Italian design.

This season’s collection is incredibly strong, the fits are tailored and slim line but much more realistic than the majority of Italian labels. You don’t have to have the body of a Greek Adonis to make Hamaki Ho look good! Check out the range of clean tailored shirts with tartan flashes, fresh T-shirts and on trend blazers!

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AVA I L A B L E AT X I L E 8

Scotland’s original G-Star Concept Store at Edinburgh’s Multrees Walk has recently undergone a refit to better reflect the changing face of the brand. Custom designed new units, a bold colour scheme and all new anatomical mannequins help showcase the 2011 collection.

To celebrate the store’s relaunch after five fantastic years we threw an opening party with house legend Yogi Haughton playing the best soul, funk n’ disco. Edinburgh’s original style bar Sygn provided Raw Berry Bellini’s for our guests and the girls from Nude were on hand to offer free manicures and eyebrow threading. The highlight of the party was our limited edition Arc Pant Tee which was given away with each purchase on the day. This specially designed graphic t-shirt features the must have Arc Pant jean and celebrates G-Star’s strong Scottish links.

Following the success of our relaunch party a modified version of the T-Shirt giveaway has been rolled out across all Scottish G-Star stores. Any customer buying a pair of current season jeans will receive a special edition promotional T-shirt while stocks last! The T-shirt print celebrates G-Star’s new and innovative style of jean, the Arc Pant, which is essentially an engineered jean that offers looseness and freedom above the knee contrasted with a tapered n’ twisted fit around the ankle. These boldly styled denims offer a cutting edge look which other labels can’t rival. The sleek Arc style is a more fashion forward replacement for G-Star’s tried and tested Elwood denims...

Update your style this spring with this fresh style.

The new sleek, chic boutique look in the flagship Edinburgh store reflects G-Star’s rebranding strategy. Many Scottish G-Star customers associate the brand with extravagant colours and large prints. This popular facet of the label will still exist but the focus will change to less branded, detail led design and more subtle pieces. Part of the company’s motivation for rebranding is to move away from the ‘commercial’ look they have been spearheading in recent years and get back to their roots... unique designs with raw attitude.

This season sees stores across Scotland showcasing more of the Correct Line, Raw Essentials and Marc Newson ranges which reflect G-Star’s top tier design. Although these collections are slightly more expensive, what you get in return is well worth stumping up the extra candy for. Only the finest materials are used to create these garments and the design team pride themselves on sleek tailoring to provide the best fit. Paying a premium for these luxury ranges gives the consumer an element of exclusivity! These first rate pieces are only stocked in Scotland’s official franchise stores. Check out our new look store at Multrees Walk or the existing boutiques in Glasgow, Braehead & Aberdeen for the Arc Tee promotion.

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Essential Summer Suitcase 8

Clubbing in Ibiza? Backpacking in Asia? Caravanning at Butlins?

Wherever you’re jetting off to this summer you’ll no doubt want to look your best.

Every year, despite our best intentions, we find ourselves scrambling around the shops the day before we leave trying to find the perfect holiday outfit.

The end result of this lastminute.com approach is often a suitcase that looks as if it was packed by Stevie Wonder.

Worse still it’s an absolute killer when you realise that you’ve left half your new clothes at home, in your room, still in the bag, underneath your beach towel - I can literally see my mum shaking her head in disappointment as I type this.

We’re a decent bunch here at Xile, so to help you avoid this nightmare scenario we’ve highlighted some key summer pieces from our own holiday suitcases. Tee’s and polo’s in fresh pastel colourways are perfect for a lazy day at the beach, just remember the suntan lotion! For lively evenings at the bar stay cool in classic tailored shorts or rolled up chinos combined with a nice summery shirt. Espadrilles are the key footwear choice for the fashion conscious this summer; they’re back in a variety of colours and fabricsincluding denim if you’re feeling brave.

Organise your holiday suitcase online in a matter of clicks before you’ve even booked the flight with Xile’s new look website.

Replay T-Shirt £30 (10126) Vibrant electric print

Lyle & Scott Chinos £75 (9849) Ideal summer styling Adidas Shoulder Bag £30 (9921) Great for the beach

G-Star T-Shirt £30 (10031) Deep V, watch out for those tan lines

Essential Summer Suitcase

Diesel Boat Shoe £95 (10424) No need for socks!

Diesel Flip Flops £20 (10421) Keep the sand out your shoes 9

Dutch denim giants G-Star continue to develop a broad range of product suitable for every style. From bold commercial prints to subtle, design led garments, this is a label with something for everybody. Their higher end product from the Raw Essentials and Correct Line ranges has proved exceedingly popular at Xile however there is still real demand for their more youthful designs in a range of bold colourways.

*Terms and Conditions apply

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Canvas Shoe £60 (10225)

Riley Loose Tapered Jean £110 (9789)

Midnight Vander Shirt £75 (9989)

Buy any full price G-Star jeans from Xile and receive a FREE limited edition t-shirt while stocks last.*

Gabriel Wears: Deconstructed Blazer £200 (10230)

Check out our guide to the key pieces for S/S ‘11 over the next four pages. Classic checked shirting, slimline blazers and military influenced outerwear all perfectly complement G-Star’s extensive denim collection. Their groundbreaking Arc Pant design is the key style of anti-fit denim this summer. Buy today and receive a free limited edition tee.

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Correct Line Shorts £80 (10724) Canvas Shoe £60 (10225)

James Wears: Marshall Windsor Long Sleeve Shirt £90 (9775)

Northern Grandad T £50 (10116) Ranger Check Shirt £85 (10022)

Dial RT T-Shirt £30 (9819)

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Dand Polo £55 (10056)

Boston Shorts £70 (10487)

Gordon V-neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt £30 (10031)

Gabriel Wears: Boston Hooded Sweat £85 (10397)

Gordan V-neck T £30 (10032)

Midnight Vander Shirt £75 (9988)

Dand Crew Neck T-Shirt £30 (10058)

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Canvas Shoe £60 (10225)

Arc Loose Tapered Jean £130 (9504)

Carson Blazer £200 (10243)

James Wears: Midnight Koble Shirt £95 (9860)

Rivieras Espradrille Shoe £45 (10368)

Essential Block Tire Loose Tapered Jean £320 (10725)

Malin V-Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt £30 (10744)

Gabriel Wears: Arc Denim Jacket £165 (10057)

Hummel is widely recognised as one of the word’s premier sports-fashion labels. The brand has been a firm favourite of the buying team at Xile HQ for some time and we continue to work closely with their creative team on pioneering new looks. Into Xile caught up with Hummel’s senior footwear designer Carl Arnese and quizzed him on the reasons for the niche label’s massive success in recent seasons.

Hummel has been a major player in sportswear since the 1920’s… When would you say the brand became a fashion brand in its own right?

I think Hummel really came into its own as a serious fashion brand in the late 70’s and 80’s. It took football strips to a different dimension and made them more exciting instead of just plain and simple. This is why our strapline is the “most exciting teamsport brand”. Christian Stadil entered the business in the 90’s and wanted to put more emphasis on fashion as opposed to just teamsport. He used the wealth of our back catalogues to inspire us to lean more towards fashion. Back then there were trends that came and kicked off the beginnings of what the industry has evolved to today. By that I mean there was a technical aspect introduced with various new materials. We just evolved along that path. I believe it has been a natural evolution from a design standpoint and what is very interesting is that footwear is trending back to that era again. What goes around comes around I guess.

What are the major influences on Hummel’s design ethos?

The design ethos for Hummel fashion footwear is fairly simple to define. We have a classic retro design style that we have consciously evolved from the 70’s and 80’s. We have an incredibly rich heritage and an awesome chevron logo to work with. Our footwear design is based greatly from the past clean and clear iconic lines. We don’t jump on the latest seasonal trends preferring to stay true to our roots. We try to focus our direction toward a true Hummel design aesthetic which is true to our brand and our own DNA. If people look at the shoe styles and kind of recognize a brand new design they have never seen before, we know we are on the right track.

How closely do the Hummel designs of the 21st century reflect vintage styles?

The styles we create today are true to the Hummel design legacy, especial with regard to materials and colour.

However many styles from the collection are actually brand new designs presented in a vintage style! If you can’t tell what is new and what has been done before then we are doing something right. We also use modern day manufacturing techniques in the outsoles to increase comfort, and reduce weight. We incorporate our technical knowledge from football and indoor products into our fashion collections to supply an end product which looks great and feels great.

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What area of the business have you targeted for growth in 2011?

Fashion footwear and technical indoor performancewear are at the forefront of Hummel’s focus and strategy. We have only just released the 2011 fashion collection and it is gaining huge momentum worldwide. We are working on some extremely exciting new products, I wish I could tell you more but you’re going to have to wait.

Hummel’s footwear collections have proved massively popular in recent years, what do you attribute this success to?

Hummel’s success stems from a number of factors. I believe that the products are authentic, understated and ultimately... cool. People are familiar with the brand and there is a strong sense of nostalgia attached to our product. I also believe that people are looking for quality footwear products at an affordable price. We take considerable care when selecting raw materials to ensure that the end product is of a high quality. I also believe that people are looking for something different.

Something a little more unique than the tired footwear styles that have saturated the market.

Other than Hummel, which fashion brands inspire you?

Of course we look at the usual suspects, the big sports fashion houses who develop some great styles. However these are not the brands that lead us in terms of inspiration. We tend to look at footwear brands from across the spectrum. Everything from high fashion brands to one of a kind vintage handmade shoes can influence us. It’s important to us and our DNA that we are a little different to everyone else, we are looking for product that inspires individuals to want to wear something unique. We try not to follow but to steer our own path, not to be radical and extreme, but just be different. When Hummel was founded the brand went against the norm and tried to be different. To this day we have to make sure we keep that ethos in mind and be true to how it all started, which is why our motto is “Character since 1923”.

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Adidas is, without doubt, one of the world’s most iconic brands. The famed three stripes are synonymous the world over with cutting edge sports-fashion design and retro style motifs. 2011 sees a strong collection built upon a vibrant colour palate of yellow, blue and pink hues.

Cycling is a major influence on the 2011 range. Bias cut, contrast colour designs in a range of nylon and cotton finishes draw inspiration from velodrome styling. Casual pieces are also to the fore this season, simple hooded tops and tees offer great summery options.

Hoodie Primary Sweatshirt £60 (9995)

Spo Logo T-Shirt Tech £25 (10015)

Hoodie Primary Sweatshirt £60 (9996)

S Spo TT 4 £75 (10173)

S Sport Track Top 1 £80 (10006)

Spo SST Tech £60 (9926)

For a lowdown on the best Adidas Originals footwear on offer this season check out our Leather & Laces feature on p54. Celebrate originality at Xile this summer!

Check out the full range at -

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Spegar Hoody £75 (10439)

Baz Wears: T-Daevid T-shirt £30 (10568)

K Jordan V-Neck £70 (9899)

Diesel continue to produce some of the finest denim designs on the market. Never content to rest on their laurels, the creative team have released an exciting range for Spring/Summer ‘11. Expect much more than just jeans; key pieces include fitted checked shirts, crew neck sweatshirts and simple graphic T’s. The breadth of this range is outstanding and caters to every look from the hunting style to sleeker more urban outfits.

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T Milpa Polo £40 (9891)

Jhima-R Denim Jacket £125 (10567), Krooley Jean £185 (10597) , Hummel Stadil High Tops £65 (10548)

Tommy Wears: T-Klifo T-Shirt £30 (10577), Spegar Hooded Sweatshirt £75 (10438)

Sydda Shirt £65 (10575)

Seer Check Shirt £65 (10561)

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T Froid T-Shirt £30 (9871)

P Shoner Jean £90 (9886), Luke Peru Tennis Trainer £45 (10389)

T Milpa PA Stripe Polo £50 (10574)

Baz Wears: T-Daevid T-Shirt £30 (10568), Sweleat Hooded Leather Jacket £450 (9882)

T Joli T-Shirt £35 (9902)

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Jodar Jean £130 (9856), Hummel Stadil High Tops £45 (10545)

Tommy Wears: Sjuntar Sweater £70 (9909), Waban Jacket £150 (9885),

T-Tyumo T-shirt £30 (10579)

T-Jannazo Polo £70 (8282)

T Calor T-shirt £30 (9863)

weekendoffender.com

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Jeans are an absolutely essential part of the modern man’s wardrobe. If you’re anything like me, you spend 99% of your time wearing them (when awake at least), and build all your great outfits around your favourite denims. Here’s where the problems start however... Which wash to go for? What brand is the best? And most importantly of all... which fit to wear?

Worry not people, we’ve managed to dispel those fashion fears on your behalf by creating this handy fit guide. You’ll find a quick run down of the main denim styles available today as well as a couple of great examples handpicked by the team at Xile HQ. If you’re not blown away by our choices head online and check out the full selection at the newly revamped www.xileclothing.com. If you find yourself near any of our stores pop in and get some advice from our staff on which denims will do it for you!

DROP CRoTCH

TAPERED LEG

TIGHT HEM

G-Star Arc Loose Tapered jeans £80 (9829)

THE DENIM FIT GUIDE

Humor Santiago Jeans £60 (10342)

ANTI-FIT

The anti-fit jean is a key style for 2011. These unique denims feature a low rise, looser thighs and a tapered calf. Many brands add to this look with a drop crotch and twisted seams for a distinctive style motif. High top sneaks and military boots look great with the narrow leg. Anti-Fit’s tend to be worn casually and as such work well with boldly coloured tees and tracksuits.

These denims aren’t to everybody’s taste but it’s well worth trying a pair to see how they suit your style!

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LOOSE

PRPS GTO Jeans £320 (9827)

LOW RISE

One True Saxon Rinse Classic Fit Jeans £75 (10618)

BOOTCUT

Comfort fit

CUT LEG

WIDER HEM

The bootcut is an unusual breed; they swing in and out of fashion but remain a staple in many wardrobes regardless. The bootcut sits low on the waist and flares out from the knee down while remaining snug over the thigh. This style suits a heavier gent as the subtle widening of the hem can draw the eye from a chunkier midriff. A great option for ‘smart-casual’ styling, the bootcut looks great with boots and loafers and can be perfectly set off by classic shirting and simple knits.

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WIDE HEM

This classic denim fit is amongst the most versatile of cuts. Featuring a medium rise on the waist and a baggier fit through the leg these are the ultimate in comfort denim. Providing plenty of room to move, these simple denims are great for those on the move. The loose fit is available from most brands and is great for dressed down styling. Wear with retro sportswear, simple tees and chunky sneaks for a relaxed but ontrend look.

G-Star Riley Loose Tapered Jeans £110 (9789)

Diesel Zatiny 8MD Jeans £115 (10418)

WIDE LEG

STRAIGHT

The straight fit jean is the classic denim fit. A great all-rounder which can be dressed up or worn casually.

This All-American cut suits any build, more flattering than a loose cut and easier to wear than skinnies these denims will complement a range of looks. The simple, clean lines look great with everything from casual tee’s to slimline shirts and knits. Team with chelsea boots for a smarter style or turn up the denims and pair them with classic sports shoes for a more relaxed look.

TAPERED LEG

TIGHT HEM

Replay Eegghie Jeans £135 (10118)

NEAT HEM

Natural Selection Taylor Wave Jeans £195 (10646)

Natural Selection Smith Straigh Indus Jeans £155 (10645)

STRAIGHT LEG

Diesel Viker R Box 8W3 Jeans £120 (9862)

SKINNY

The skinny jean (as the name suggests) has a snug fit through the leg for a slimline ‘rockstar’ look. Generally skinny jeans will be extremely tapered with a narrow ankle to perfectly showcase your battered cons or chunky high tops. Although these are available in most sizes they tend to suit the slimmer gent. Larger lads that seek the skinny style should check out straight fits or tapered anti-fits. Wear these with classic leathers or bold varsity jackets and a quirky slim fit graphic t-shirt.

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Double Denim Dilemma

OK, so you’re avoiding the denim craze. Blazing your own trail through the fashion wilderness and ducking the denim duplicates. The question is... how can you make best use of the brilliant denim jackets and shirts available online this season?

The answer is simple gents, the answer is chinos

Krooley Jeans £185 (10597), Hummel Stadil High £65 (10548)

Get an easy summer style by rocking classic chinos with heavily distressed denim in a range of washes. This is a great opportunity to showcase the ultralight washes which don’t do double denim justice. As for the chinos, pinroll the hem to nail that beach life look and accesorise with espadrilles and no socks! Try out the wilder chino colourways available this summer... Electric blue from Humor and bright red from Dr Denim are well worth a bash!

Tommy wears: Diesel Jhima Jacket £125 (10567), Diesel

G-Star Arc Jeans £80 (9829)

If you dare to double up on denim there are a few key rules that must be followed.

These commandments are absolutely crucial for pulling off the look, remember what happened when Gremlins got wet in the 80’s? The repercussions of ignoring these tips would be even worse!

Firstly, ensure you’re teaming two separate washes. Try and match your colours on top and bottom and there’s a real danger you’ll end up looking like you’re wearing a denim all in one – not a good look! Avoid stone-washes and acid washes on the bottom half – these are great worn with alternate fabrics however they just don’t cut the mustard as a denim

Ducking The Double D

Dr Denim Chino £60 (10673)

Denim²

tag team ingredient. It’s worth experimenting with your outfit to really nail this look, try breaking up the denim onslaught with a plain white crew neck tee or rolling the sleeves of your jacket/shirt to add shape to the outfit.

Finally, no matter how good you think it looks, no matter how cool your bird claims the outfit is.... Never triple your denim, it’s a sin!

G-Star New Midnight Shirt £95 (9860)

I’m reliably informed by “those in the know” that double denim is now acceptable. There, I’ve said it, bring on the ridicule! Teaming denim with denim is a tricky trend at best, it’s a fine line between Beckham like cool and 80’s reject status. This is a massively divisive issue in Xile HQ and we’ve struggled to agree on an approach. With this in mind we’ve highlighted two options for S/S ‘11. For those of you willing to embrace the look without fear of ‘camp cowboy’ style disasters check out the first featured look below. If however you’re still traumatised by the hard hatted, double denim wearing workie from the Village people then have a look at our alternative to denim double-teams!

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Why pay £200 for a pair of jeans?

Cheap jeans are a bit like loose women! After a few months of loyalty, some great nights on the town and a handful of happy memories the relationship sours!

Your formerly favourite jeans finally lose their cool and literally fall apart at the seams. Engulfed by rips & tears, the £50 high street jeans you fell in love with leave you heartbroken after only three months of wear. Why me?

How has this happened? Well the answer is this; they were made cheaply, from s**t quality cotton with no attention to detail or love & care. Pay for cheap jeans and the outcome is simple, they won’t last.

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So it’s back to the drawing board...

Where can you replace your shredded denims with a new, improved version? Chances are the good folk at Xile Clothing (that’s us) will be able to find you the perfect pair. With over 25 years experience in the rag trade we’ve scoured the globe for the best brands, fits, styles and washes. Ahh you sigh in joy, these look perfect! PRPS, Natural Selection, G-Star Raw Essentials, I’ll take them all! It’s only when your eyes are drawn to the price tag that a cold sweat kicks in and you nearly choke on your Wrigleys Extra!

How can you possibly justify a Hollywood price tag, why would

anyone in their right mind pay £200 + for a pair of jeans? Well friends this is the answer. It comes down to quality, design and exclusivity!

Most of the bank breaking denims use premium quality selvedge denim. What makes this premium strain of denim different (and considerably more expensive) is the production process. Made on traditional shuttle looms in Japan, rather than on more modern projectile looms, the difference in quality is outstanding. A shuttle loom works to weave the denim in one continuous thread, eventually reaching the end of the fabric.

Upon reaching the edge of the

Diesel Krooley 8X9 Jeans £210 (9857)

PRPS Barracuda Jeans £350 (9826)

fabric the loom creates the famous selvedge detailing on the denim.

Who cares, you may ask? Well for decades shuttle looms were the main means of producing jeans in America until the popularity of denim exploded in the 1950’s.

To meet demand, manufacturers switched to projectile looms, which were much faster and used a lot less fabric per pair – the downside of this was that quality suffered as a result. It was not until the 1980s that Japanese designers saw a niche for selvedge denim and purchased many of the vintage American looms. Since that time, selvedge denim and the old shuttle loom weaving methods have regained popularity due to their longevity, resistance to ripping and excellent quality. As with all things, you get what you pay for! The quality of the fabric is judged by the weight of the cotton measured in ounces (oz). Cheaper high street brands weigh only 3 to 7 oz, which means they are less durable than selvedge denim.

PRPS GTO Jeans £400 (9825)

Here at Xile we believe that quality rules supreme, our high end brands like PRPS, Natural Selection and G-Star Raw Essentials all strive to bring you the very best in denim design. With a variety of washes and weights varying from 12oz Diesel’s right up to 20oz in the PRPS section. These jeans are guaranteed to look good, fit like a dream and stand the test of time.

It’s why we stock them and why people love them - because they are the best. The real question isn’t why spend £200+ on a pair of jeans... It’s why buy cheap imitations that are guaranteed to fall to bits?

Diesel Koolter 8X2 Jeans £170 (9858)

Design and exclusivity are also a major factor in denim prices. Our top brands have a distinct look and feel which sets them apart from lesser labels. You can’t buy these jeans everywhere and the smaller release numbers mean you’re less likely to match your mate’s clobber!

Attention to detail is key here...

Beautiful detailing and luxurious fabrics mean these denims will make an instant impression.

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Ahoy there... we’ll dispense with the usual nautical clichés and get right down to business.

We’ve shot some of the stand-out pieces from Xile’s Spring/Summer range on location at Leith Docks.

This season’s nautical craze has been perfectly captured with bold breton stripes, fitted blazers and tailored shorts. For those of you with slightly more debauched plans for the summer, there are a couple of euro-trash inspired outfits that’ll look as good on

Bora-Bora as they do here. We’ve also focused on terrace styling with a twist, check out the brightly coloured Barbours overleaf.

Whatever look you’re leaning towards this Summer, make www. xileclothing.com your first port of call!

Holly Wears: G-Star Slim Tailored Jacket £160, G-Star Striped T-shirt £40, G-Star Arc Shorts £80, G-Star Boot £110.

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Opposite Page: Lawrence Wears - Fred Perry Polo £55 (10627), Lyle & Scott Cable Knit £95 (9962), One True Saxon Parka £125 (10603), Natural Selection Jeans £195 (10646), Fred Perry Canvas Trainer £55 (10670) This Page: Malcolm Wears - Lyle & Scott Polo £60 (10937), Fred Perry Pique Cardigan £65 (10190), Lyle & Scott Hooded Parka £130 (9941), G-Star Riley Loose Tapered Jean £100 (9836), Swear Suede Shoe £80 (10485)

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Malcolm Wears - Adidas OT Long Sleeve T-Shirt £35 (10005), Humor Cardigan £85 (10177) Replay Green jeans £90, Replay Espadrilles £35 (10347) Lawrence Wears - Replay Four Face Vest £55 (10695), Pretty Green Bellow Hooded Jacket £75 (10798), Bolongaro Trevor jeans £115 (10729) Hummel High Tops £45 (10549) Holly Wears - Replay Playsuit £100, Replay Sandal £25

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Malcolm Wears - Paul and Shark Knit £160 (10238) Barbour International Jacket £150 (10435) Replay Jean £125 (10119), Luke Trainer £55 (10551) Lawrence Wears - Lyle & Scott Polo £45 (9810) Hummel TT £60 (10533), barbour International £150 (10436), Natural Selection Jeans £135 (10833) Hummel High Tops £45 (10501)

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Denim Shorts £85 (10440), Rivieras Espadrille £45 (10365)

Lawrence Wears - Humor T-Shirt £30 (10633) G-Star Jacket £135 (9782), Diesel

Humor Shorts £75 (10811), Diesel Denim Espadrilles £60 (10423)

Malcolm Wears - G-Star Striped Knit £85 (10017), Junk de Luxe Blazer £140 (10806),

Holly Wears - Replay Knitted Hoody £85, G-Star Arc Short £80, Replay Sandal £90

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Red Pique Polo Tipped Trim £60 (10738)

Outline Paisley Print T-Shirt £50 (10010)

Striped Rib Trim T-Shirt £35 (10736)

Pique Baseball Collar Polo £55 (10754)

Black Label Pique Polo £75 (10841)

Black Label Long Collarless Shirt £180 (10929)

Bellow Pocket Hooded Jacket £75 (10795)

Liam Gallagher’s indie inspired fashion label Pretty Green has enjoyed huge success since its inception in 2009. This is probably unsurprising to the millions who idolise the ex Oasis frontman, not only for his singing but for his style. Classic tailoring twists and retro designs have ensured that Pretty Green has become recognised as a bona-fide collection that looks set to stand the test of time.

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Barbour is the ultimate heritage brand. Reinvented for a modern, fashion forward audience the label continues to produce strong designs which combine the classic styles from its 117 year history with a modern design aesthetic. Expect traditional tailoring fused with bold colourways and vibrant style motifs. The Nylon International jacket showcased below is a key piece for S/S ‘11.

royal assent label

cord collar

International branding

stand-out gold buttons

belt detailing vibrant red lining

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Nylon International Black ÂŁ150 (10432)

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Chelsea Sweater Black £80 (10555)

Events T-Shirt £30 (10441)

Fleming Checked Long Sleeve Shirt £70 (10445)

Liddesdale Track Quilt £100 (10553)

Epsom Polo Shirt £45 (10449)

Nylon International Green Jacket £150 (10434)

Š 2011 adidas AG. adidas, the Globe, the 3-Stripes mark and Y-3 are registered trademarks of the adidas Group. Yohji Yamamoto is a registered trademark of Yohji Yamamoto, Inc.

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New York Los ANgeLes MiAMi LAs VegAs PAris MiLAN LoNdoN dubAi TokYo siNgAPore HoNg koNg JAkArTA sHANgHAi beiJiNg www.Y-3.CoM

Fine Stripe Tee £45 (10185)

Multicheck Shirt £65 (10648)

As the largest independent stockist of this groundbreaking label, Xile continues to offer a wide array of Lyle & Scott. What was once perceived as an old fashioned knitwear brand has blossomed

Green Cable Knit £95 (9963)

White Polo £45 (10174)

V-Neck Cardigan £95 (9982)

Green Polo £50 (10664)

into a vibrant young fashion label since the creative team’s change of direction in 2001. With great fashion fits, vibrant colourways and quality design these pieces are an ideal addition to any summer wardrobe.

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2 Colour Stripe T-Shirt £35 (9976)

Twill Short £55 (10644), Canvas Pumps £45 (8356)

Tommy wears: Stripe Tee £35 (10185), Zip Hoody £75 (10489),

Rib Detail Polo £60 (10180)

Plain V-Neck £75 (10104)

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Cricket Cable V-Neck £90 (9968)

Red Chino Short £40 (10643), Mid Top Shoe £50 (10000)

Baz wears: White Polo £45 (10174), Cable Knit £95 (9963),

Stripe Trim Polo £50 (10098)

Pocket Hoody £85 (10095)

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Fine Stripe Polo £55 (9977)

Plain V-Neck £75 (10103)

2 Colour Striped T-Shirt £35 (10185)

Lyle & Scott draw upon their rich 137 year design history to produce outstanding collections year upon year. This classic heritage brand expertly fuses traditional knitwear and simple polo’s with wild colourways, eyecatching assymetrical prints and modern fabrics to great effect.

Rib Detail Polo £60 (10179)

Track Top £70 (10090)

Woven Patch T-Shirt £35 (9945)

For Spring/Summer 2011 check out the vivid checked shirts, highly textured cable knits and tailored shorts. These fresh additions to the range sit perfectly alongside simple classic styles. Lyle & Scott have also launched a new Sportswear range, for details of this exclusive range turn to our new brands feature on p4.

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Truecolours T-Shirt £35 (10406)

Fustomise Grey Hoody £70 (10398)

Jankenstein Fabric Mix Jacket £90 (10409)

Innovative and exciting are two words increasingly associated with 55DSL. Created in 1994 as an experimental Diesel spin off, the brand has gone from strength to strength over the past sixteen years. 55’s growth in popularity has been so marked it no longer stands in the shadows of its ‘big brother’ and is now perceived very much as a complete label in its own right.

T-Posterizer T-Shirt £25 (10408)

Murra Polo Shirt £35 (10403)

A passion for innovation and a distaste for the mundane perfectly describes 55DSL’s design style. Spring/Summer ‘11 is an eclectic collection crammed with detail which draws on vintage, military and collegiate influences. These are fused together into bold and provocative designs that promise to reinvigorate tired wardrobes everywhere.

Look out for a camo comeback, a variety of new fits and stronger washes. Bold in nature yet stylistically subtle, this is hybrid fashion design at its best.

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CHECK OUT THE G-STAR STORES IN SCOTLAND

EDINBURGH - MULTREES WALK, UNIT 8, MULTREES WALK | GLASGOW, 135 ARGYLE STREET GLASGOW - BRAEHEAD, UNIT 143, BRAEHEAD SHOPPING CENTRE | ABERDEEN, 257 UNION STREET 52

Ugg continue to craft fantastic footwear lined with the highest quality Twinface sheepskin. These classic designs will keep your feet warm & cool at the same time and offer unparallelled comfort for the wearer. Xile’s range of Ugg design focuses on the most popular pieces from the collection however you can find new designs from the brand alongside your old favourites at www.xileclothing.com.

Bailey Button £170 (10667)

Lexi Bomber Jacket £110 (10482)

Classic Short £160 (10480)

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LEATHER & 1

CRUYFF Founded by legendary Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff, this exciting footwear range has developed a cult following in its short time at Xile. Although many believe Cruyff to be a new label it is in fact a re-release of the classic 80’s sportswear collection. This 21st century update has a more fashion focused approach, using high gloss patent leather to great effect. The style highlighted here is the Recopa. The name means “be invincible, win many trophies” and this standout style is the key piece in the 2011 collection. These sleek, slimline sneaks are an ideal trainer/shoe hybrid which can be worn with almost anything.

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Cruyff Recopa Classic Platinum & Electric Blue £90 (10134)

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Cruyff Recopa Classic White, Blue & Green £90 (10131)

ADIDAS Adidas Originals continues to be the dominant player in the retro sports market. Their fantastic range of vintage inspired footwear designs have set tongues wagging across the world. We’ve highlighted the Handball Spezial in powder blue, an updated version of the classic 1979 design. This groundbreaking design has been a cult classic on the terracing ever since and the light colourway makes it an ideal summer purchase. Another key style is the Adidas Rom, this shoe dates back to the 1950’s when it was introduced as an all purpose training shoe. Presented here in a white and twilight green colourway this classic design is a must have for sneaker enthusiasts.

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Adidas ROM Trainer, £60 (9920)

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Adidas Handball Spezial, £55 (10049)

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LACES HUMMEL Hummel has been a breath of fresh air in our footwear collection over the past few seasons. The simple, understated footwear designs have a real old school flavour and have proved popular with customers of every age. The grey Slimmer Stadil Hightop is a brilliantly crafted sneaker. It has all the style and charm of a classic boot but offers a lighter feel due to the high quality canvas material used. If you’re looking for a pair of white kicks to set off your summer wardrobe then why not try the Perforated Slimmer Stadil? These durable leather sneaks will give you years of wear... just don’t expect to keep them spotless!

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Hummel Slimmer Stadil High Top £45 (10502)

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Hummel Slimmer Stadil Low Perforated £60 (10506)

Y3

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This high end collaboration between Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto has had an impressive season. The bold design styles, high quality materials and quirky details we’ve come to expect are all present and correct. We’ve showcased the boxing trainer for you here, as always this style features an ultra lightweight design and a slim silhouette. Available in a range of colours these outstanding kicks are a style essential. The more adventurous wearer should check out the bold blue colourway while those of you looking to replace a wardrobe staple would be best suited to the black.

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Y3 Boxing Trainer Black £175 (10068)

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Y3 Boxing Trainer Blue £160 (10069)

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STREET STYLE

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Favourite Brand: “Marshall Artist is a great new brand for 2011” Must Have: “Lightweight cardigans for layering outfits” Couldn’t Live Without: “Holidays in the sun” Soundtrack To The Summer: “Embarrasingly enough, it’s Shakira feat. Dizzee Rascal - Loca”

(10767), Dr Denim Chino £60 (10673), Rivieras Espradrille £45 (10365)

BOB

Boab wears: Eleven Paris Polo £60 (10708), Hamaki-Ho Cotton Blazer £160

(10756), Natural Selection Jean £195 (10646), Swear Canvas Shoe £100 (10486)

Dave wears: G-Star Essential Shirt £120 (9985), Pretty Green Lennon Jacket £285

DAVE

Favourite Brand: “Eleven Paris” Must have: “A nice blazer” Couldn’t Live Without: “Mama’s home cooking” Soundtrack To The Summer: “Pose Victorious – Try Harder”

We caught up with the team from our fashion store in the Princes Mall to get the lowdown on their key looks for summer. The boys are looking forward to a scorching summer (hopefully) and manager Tom Stewart has an exceedingly busy schedule ahead of him, gigging as one half of the DJ duo Cheap Picasso. Andrew and Dave are also doing a bit of extra curricular promoting in the summer, they run underground house party Mass Murder bi-monthly at The Store.

TOM

Favourite Brand: “Natural Selection” Must have: “Camo shirt” Couldn’t Live Without: “Hip/Hop” Soundtrack To The Summer: “Odd future – Wolfgang Kill Them All”

Tom wears: You Must Create Stripe Tee £50 (10164), Oliver Spencer Jacket £280

(10061), G-Star Essential Jean £320 (10725), Diesel Boat Shoe £95 (10424)

(10279), Dr Denim Chino £60 (10629), Swear Leather Shoe £90 (10541)

Andrew wears: Eleven Paris T-Shirt £40 (10711), Dr Denim Parker Jacket £135

ANDREW

Favourite Brand: “Diesel denims do it for me” Must Have: “Coloured chinos for the summer” Couldn’t Live Without: “Music” Soundtrack To The Summer: “Anything by Villa, The Magician or Dropout Orchestra” 57

PERFECT POLO Polo shirts are the cornerstone of any well stocked wardrobe. Suitable for any occasion from bar crawl to bar mitzvah, these versatile pieces are a godsend for the sartorially challenged. Bang a nice pique polo over a plain pair of jeans, button the top collar and hey presto... fresh summer style.

This of course beggars the question... Do you button the collar up? Some see this as a try-hard trait rather than a true style twist - we tend to disagree however! Buttoning your polo all the way up adds extra shape to the garment and gives it a dressier feel. That said, it’s not for everyone. If you’re going for a casual look or wearing your polo with shorts feel free to leave the buttons undone. Likewise, don’t neglect your comfort at the expense of style – no-one looks good gasping for breath and clawing at their collar!

This season the polo shirt remains a must have piece, whether you’re after wild patterning, bold block colours or summery stripes there’s a shirt out there for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your polo... wear it slim and snug under a suit jacket, baggier for a casual look or buttoned up to the neck for a preppy/mod feel. The main players continue to impress with their collections in 2011; Lyle & Scott has a great selection of colours and Fred Perry offers great style and value for money. Replay has really nailed the classic polo in a range of colours although more adventurous designs are also available. The smaller indie labels also have a great package; check out the strong polos from Two Stoned and Weekend Offender!

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Lyle & Scott Polo Shirt £60 (10180)

Fred Perry Polo Shirt £55 (10626)

Replay Lion Polo £45 (10250)

Two Stoned Salty Dog Polo Shirt £55 (10680)

Weekend Offender Hysteria Polo £45 (10255)

Replay Denim Polo £555 (10345)

BUYERS GUIDE

Deconstructed styling is the key trend this season. Basically it means taking a wardrobe staple and giving it a style twist by breaking down the design to a simpler level! Drop crotch, engineered denims are a key example. Take something cool (tapered denims) and reinvent them with a simple tweak!

Humor’s Santiango drop crotch is an extreme example of this trend but more subtle variations are available from Luke & G-Star. G-Star’s Arc pant is a great denim for S/S ‘11, ideal for integrating the new fit into your existing wardrobe.

Another key look is the nautical style which is flooding the high street (flooding – get it!). Striped breton T’s and tops, classic chinos in a range of colours and simple espadrilles are available instore from retailers such as Dr Denim, Rivieras and Fred Perry. Classic British heritage styling is still on trend with simple pique polos, retro sports styling and outdoor looks all to the fore. For the brit-lad look check out Lyle & Scott, Pretty Green and Luke for some great designs. Even if you’re not a label led shopper you may be impressed by the styles on offer!

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G-Star Blazer £200 (10230)

The buy for Spring/Summer 2011 has gone down well so far. Smaller labels such as Marshall Artist and Humor look particularly strong and offer something different in the form of urban street wear and bright summer colours! These smaller brands are great, offering unique product at an accessible price. The big commercial brands haven’t disappointed this year either. Diesel in particular has impressed with a great denim package! If you only buy one pair of jeans this season make sure it’s the Krooley; these antifit denims have a tapered leg but plenty of space around the thigh. The style is an ideal bridge between more basic styles and all out skinny jeans! Great dressed up or worn casually the Krooley’s are available in a range of colours and start at £110. If you fancy trying a new look then deconstructed blazers are the way forward - think casual suit jackets with a slightly less formal feel! These tailored jackets look great worn over a battered pair of denims or prepped up with coloured chinos. Blue is THE colour for blazers this season and we’ve got some great options from G-Star, Junk DeLuxe and Oliver Spencer. Whether you’re after a shocking electric blue or a deep navy check out the range online.

Pretty Green Black Label Jacket £240 (10757)

Diesel Kooleys £110 (9875)

As a buyer it’s always exciting seeing the product you picked out 6 months ago from half finished samples, artists sketches and grainy images hitting the shop floor. Trying to gauge what’s going to succeed months in advance is a difficult job so we always watch the new season stock carefully as it comes in.

Dr Denim Striped Tee £35 (10276)

SPRING/SUMMER

FORWARD TRENDS AUTUMN/WINTER Looking ahead to Autumn/Winter the must have look will undoubtedly follow the ‘hunting, shooting fishing’ trend which brands like Penfield have been pushing for some time.

Think clothing for the great outdoors! Durable fabrics, muted colour palates and loads of toggles are the order of the day.

To showcase the look we’ve signed up a couple of fresh new labels who impressed at Bread & Butter, Berlin.

Heritage Research is new for A/W 2011. The British label focuses on vintage inspired pieces and draws inspiration from such varied sources as American military apparel, Hawaiian surfers and 50’s hot rod racers! The retro styling is fully updated for the 21st century, the end result an eminently wearable collection characterised by clean lines and subtle design twists.

Another key label for A/W is Minimum. This Scandinavian label is a relative newcomer, founded in Denmark in 1997 and stocked

by Xile for the first time this season. With a design ethos centred on simple styles with a modern twist Minimum promises great things! Look out for the chunky checks, heavy knits and fine stripe breton tees. This unique label is a great option for trying out seasonal looks without breaking the bank.

Our long standing wardrobe staples are also looking good for next season. Barbour in particular have really upped their game with a range of knits in retro patterns and bold designs. The classic designs have been given a twist as well... look out for the Steve McQueen special edition range in particular – a must have for Barbour fans. Humor also scores high in the style stakes... classic checks, contrast colour knits and casual sweats are given the unique Humor twist!

The key piece for next season will undoubtedly be crew neck sweaters. Forget about deep V’s and over the top collars... 2011 is all about the humble round neck. Key pieces are available from Humor, Replay and YMC. Get ahead of the game and check out the collegiate sweats available from G-Star this season!

Don’t feel the need to follow these trends slavishly... Mix and match your favourite pieces with outfits from your existing wardrobe. Wear what you like and stick to styles that suit you... Look out for these great new pieces dropping from late summer. In the meantime get yourself onto xileclothing.com and update your wardrobe for the summer.

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Williams OTM Polo £45 (10196) Fergus Stripe Polo £65 (10199)

(10385), Darlek Jean £95 (10375), Y-3 Honja Trainer £185 (10067)

Baz wears: Witt Placket Polo £50 (10388), Olive Biker Jacket £145

Caines Botton Down Polo £45 (10218)

The Into Xile team were in attendance at the last Draper’s Awards to see Luke crowned ‘young fashion brand of the year’. This well deserved success was built upon the back of the brand’s classic British design style. This season the collection continues to impress with a vibrant colour palate splashed over an exciting range of T-Shirts and polos. More subtle

Supergrass Funnel Sweat £75 (10222)

Decap Hooded Knit £95 (10216)

Glue Sniffer Polo £60 (10202)

Ferguson Cardigan £75 (10201)

colourways are available but we reckon the brighter the better for summer. There is also a nice line in technical outerwear; multi pocket utility jackets provide an ideal extra layer and are a great contrast with the vibrant round neck tees.

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Hair Rig Cowboy Shirt £75 (10308)

Cookie Cargo Shorts £60 (10750)

Stud Engineered Crew £45 (10382)

Dude Zip Vintage Hoody £80 (10295)

Jose Tape Detail Orchid £120 (10373)

Beardsley Striped Polo £55 (10290)

Wackush BC Workshirt £75 (10294)

Soreon Suit Trousers £60 (9847), Swear Jimmy Canvas Shoes £75 (10484)

Tommy wears: Gazza Polo £50 (10287), Soeron Suit Blazer £125 (9848),

Mr Nice Button £45 (10284)

Luke’s uniquely British look doesn’t just lend itself to casual wear. Although the brand has carved a niche in the market on the back of its dressed down designs, the team has also got experience of producing some fantastic formalwear. Head designer Luke Roper comes from a tailoring background so it’s no surprise to see the launch of a sharp Luke suit. Although they’re available separately, we’d recommend snapping up this sharp trouser and jacket combo. Where else can you pick up a designer suit for £185?

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Hi, I’m Adam Le Chic; clubbing columnist for Into Xile magazine, one half of hot disco dreamteam Cheap Picasso, and an all round nice guy! If you’d like to see your night featured here or want to send in a mix for us to listen to, hit me up at adam@xileclothing.com. I’ve also created an exclusive 80’s mix for Into Xile, give it a spin at www.soundcloud.com/intoxile.

Northern soul aficionados take note! Scotland now has a soul all-nighter to shout about. Situated in the beautiful surroundings of Dumfries, The Scottish Soulful Weekender 2011 promises to showcase the finest soul, funk and house tunes from across the ages. Spread over four individually themed rooms at the Cairndale Hotel this massive event has set tongues wagging across the country.

The project is the brainchild of infamous promoter Yogi Haughton and boasts the best live acts and disc jockeys from the world of rare soul, jazz, house and black music. Headlining acts confirmed are Kerri Chandler, Todd Terry, Cassio Ware and Greg Wilson who shine amongst a 50 strong DJ roster. Chicago legend Lil’ Louis has also announced his return from retirement so expect a standout set from him.

The Weekender is the first Scottish all-nighter for years. The promoters have secured a 7am licence so be ready to dance on ‘till the early hours. A colossal sound system has also been put in place for the event alongside some state of the art lighting rigs! This looks set to be the event of the year,it’s not until November but demand has been massive so don’t wait too long to get your ticket.

The lineup is constantly being updated, be sure to check www.scottishsoulfulweekender. co.uk for more information. The event will take place over the weekend of 4th,5th & 6th November 2011 and tickets are available online.

Get your holidays booked and your weekend pass bought, this weekender will be one to remember!

Download Le Chic’s exclusive 80’s mix at www.soundcloud.com/intoxile 66

For details of my upcoming gigs look no further than www.facebook.com/cheappicasso

You’ve got to love summer; cold beers, fresh tunes, tidy birds and barbecues galore! Two of Edinburgh’s clubbing heavyweights, Musika and Heavy Gossip, have joined forces and combined all the above elements to create the perfect Sunday session!

Their collaborative project, A Day Of Rest, promises to be the event of the summer and boasts the best DJ roster we’ve seen in a long time. Played out in the plush Hawke and Hunter, we’re looking forward to welcoming some summer sunshine in the Outdoor Garden before heading inside for the finest house, techno and disco tunes at this unique mini festival.

The eclectic line-up has been expertly curated by the two clubs to best represent their broad musical spectrum.

Expect to hear sonic delights from RIVA STAR, RETRO/ GRADE, THE MAGICIAN (ex Aeroplane), SPENCER PARKER, 6TH BOROUGH PROJECT and THE REVENGE. Playing alongside the headline party starters come a whole host of local talent including Craig Smith, Derek Martin, Nick Yuill, Kris Wasabi and last but by no means least...

Xile’s very own dreamboat disco duo, Cheap Picasso.

Apologies for the selfless promotion people, it seems we’re everywhere this month.

Reserve Sunday May 1st for a good old fashioned dancefloor hoe-down. Doors will open at 2pm and we’ll be rockin’ around the clock until 1am. On second thoughts better reserve Monday 2nd May for a good old fashioned comedown as well! With beer, BBQ and beats, what better way to spend the Bank Holiday Sunday?

For ticket information check out www.musicanights.com

After the massive success of their first birthday party featuring smoking hot Canadian duo ART DEPARTMENT (Crosstown Rebels) the Rendezvous team moved to a new disco hangout at Edinburgh’s exclusive Hawke & Hunter. Their first night at the palatial Picardy Place venue took place in early April and was a massive success thanks in part to the return of Hot Natured Records supremo Lee Foss.

Having honed their skills in a monthly residency at The Lane (formerly Berlin) the promoters decided to jump ship in order to attract a higher calibre of guest to the capital. Rendezvous will now run on the first Saturday of every month with residents Blair & Ryan Harrower, Gary Carvel and Ross Scott joined behind the ones and two’s by Edinburgh’s answer to Hall and Oates, Cheap Picasso. That’s right folks, you can catch me, Adam Le Chic banging out junked up synths and disco with SlimWhiteTrash every month!

Rendezvous is one of the first city clubs to occupy both the Green Room and disco-boogie room Below Stairs. The team have already secured some seriously fresh acts in their first year, with Matt Tolfrey, Lee Foss, and Art Department all making guest appearances. The calibre of guests looks set to continue at Hawke and Hunter with heroes of the London scene Robert James (Hot Creations, Cross Town Rebels) and Russ Yallop (Cross Town Rebels) touching down at Rendezvous for a second housewarming party on Saturday 7th May. 68

UNDERGROUND CITY Although Xile has had a store on Edinburgh’s South Bridge since the late 1980’s it may shock you to discover that events of note were taking place on this street prior to our arrival! One of the city’s most fascinating tales revolves around the hidden chambers under the South Bridge which were discovered by chance by local entrepreneur and former Scottish rugby international Norrie Rowan.

Shortly after finishing his 13 cap international career in 1988 Norrie bought The Tron pub on Hunter Square.

While renovating the lower level to create a themed restaurant Rowan pulled out an antique fireplace and discovered a hidden passage leading to a series of hidden medieval vaults hidden beneath the city! The vaults date from the construction of ‘the bridges’ in 1785 and are hidden in the 19 stone archways which lie below street level. Before they were closed and filled with rubble in the mid 1800’s the vaults were occupied by vagrants, prostitutes, drunks and killers; legend has it that infamous body snatchers Burke & Hare used them during their reign of terror.

After years of disuse the vaults were forgotten by the people of Edinburgh only to be rediscovered by Rowan during his renovations. Within months he’d begun excavating the hidden chambers and within a matter of months he’d excavated tons of rubble and cleared a massive space under the street! Grand plans to design a subterranean shopping street with a firm of top architects were scuppered by council planners so Rowan decided to embrace the ‘loved up’ generation and open his own nightclub.

A makeshift club called ‘The Vaults’ opened its doors

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in the early 90’s to rave reviews. The first DJ Norrie booked was rising star Sasha who played out to a crowd of more than 1200. The club paid Sasha a then massive £2000 and in doing so cemented their place as Edinburgh’s top venue. Although only originally open for 2 years as a club the Vaults was voted “best underground club” in the UK. Rowan went on to sell the Vaults and now operates the award winning “Caves” venue in a separate area of the Vaults.

Although the story of their discovery is fascinating Rowan has an even better tale dating from his time in ’The Vaults’. Just prior to the Romanian Revolution in 1989 Rowan was hosting a post match booze up for the Romanian & Scottish rugby teams. At this time Romania was still a communist country and during the course of the drinking session one player, Christian Raducanu, subtly hinted that he’d be interested in defecting to the West. This presented a problem however as members of the Romanian Secret Police were posted at all exits to ensure no-one attempted to escape! The dreaded Securitati were unaware of the secret passages Rowan had discovered and he sheparded Raducanu to safety. The two emerged onto the Cowgate and flagged down a police officer who spirited the Romanian exile to safety.

Having been accepted as a political exile Raducanu came to work for Norrie as a labourer. On his first day at work he was subbed £20 wages and broke down in tears, that was a weeks wages in Romania! Raducanu flourished in the UK and after the fall of the regime in Romania his family flew to meet him! He is now a self made millionaire and adopted Yorkshire man!

PRESENTS

Yogi ‘s rant

There’s no job quite like it… Where else does your employer supply you with a load of beers, introduce you to some scantily clad girls, ask how many of your mates want to come to the party and then demand you play your favourite records for two hours? Not only that but he/she then proceeds to thrust a huge wad of cash into your palm at the end of the night! Have I died and gone to heaven? No… I’m a professional DJ! Like any job however there are downsides to consider… namely the small minority of nightmare punters!

Today, literally everybody can DJ apparently. Females in particular seem to feel totally qualified to offer advice midset. The ladies love to ask “can you play something we can dance to?”. The question itself is insulting but especially so when a classic track is in full throttle. Perhaps you should remove your f**kin’ stilettos ladies or get some rythmn!

Quite often chavs of either sex will ask for something “funkier” or “harder” whilst you are playing a fierce garage track or a deep house cut. This is a general euphemism for “Have you got any Tiesto mate?”… The answer is NO!

Adidas SPO Hoodie £60 (9929)

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Another belter is supplied by the spanner who has sat for two hours listening to you play obscenely rare records such as Waymond Hall’s “Song For The Children”, a one and a half grand funk/soul cut with only two known copies in existence. The said spanner then gets up out of their seat and confidently enquires (in an impressive demonstration of their encyclopaedic musical knowledge), “Have you got any Lady Gaga?”….Obviously not you twat! “What about Madonna?” , no I don’t play music like that I reply. “Ahhh, ok do you have anything by Kylie or something that we know?” No I don’t play chart music I shout. “Can I look through your records?” they then enquire…holy shit I’m thinking, you just sat for two hours listening to forty records, none of which you knew. Do you think there is a secret compartment in my record box with the top forty stashed away? Invariably they will insist on flicking through the box, by the twentieth record they tend to admit defeat and pull out a two grand tune that you know they don’t have a clue about. “Ooh can you play this? I love the tune they enquire while feebly attempting to retain what little integrity they have left. I mean come on…would you go to a rock night and ask for Jill Scott’s “Golden?”, not unless you are a complete plum you wouldn’t.

I wonder if you have ever driven a car with a blindfold on? Nahhhh me either. The problem is that you CAN’T F**KIN’ SEE WHERE YOU ARE GOING! Why then do people at clubs and bars assume that I can carry on a conversation with them whilst wearing a set of headphones?

Not only do I have very loud music playing in my lugholes but I am also attempting to listen to two records at the same time and mix them whilst fending off some chump asking for……LADY FRICKIN’ GAGA YET AGAIN! I mean come on, when you jump on an aeroplane you don’t ask the pilot “Can we go a little faster please?”. When visiting the cinema you don’t ask the projectionist to show a different movie to the one that has been advertised…..so why the fuck do you insist on harassing the poor DJ, don’t you know we have a job to do, like checking out the talent, drinking beer, hangin’ out with our mates, and generally getting f**ked up….it’s a bitch of a job, but somebody’s got to do it..

Yogi

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