The most fashionable labels, vintage garments from Brick Lane and buttons from Liberty —
As the first hunt for the UK's best dressed man gets under way, it emerged today that half of the 12 finalists are from the capital.
Esquire magazine received thousands of entries from men who thought they had what it takes and from women who thought their partners were the snappiest dressers in town.
Judges were looking for men with flair, individuality, a sense of how to put a look together and "who could take an outfit and make it their own". The news follows comments by fashion guru Stefano Gabbana, who told the Evening Standard last month that London men were the most stylish in the world.
A judging panel of leading designers, fashion critics and style experts — including Vincent Kartheiser, who plays ambitious ad man Pete Campbell in Mad Men, Savile Row tailor Richard James, Harrods' head of menswear Jason Broderick, international designer Roland Mouret and T4 presenter Jameela Jamil — will join Esquire editor Jeremy Langmead to narrow the list to three and then choose the winner, who will be announced in the October issue.
Mr Langmead said: "As a style destination, as well as a capital city, London attracts some of the most creative minds in the country. It's also a city that encourages individuality and freedom of expression — whether that's through what you say, do, or even wear.
"Travel across London and you'll see that many of the city's districts have their own unofficial dress codes.
"It was no surprise that half of the finalists on Esquire's Best-Dressed Real Man in Britain list were from here. On the whole, most guys in London look pretty amazing.
"The ultimate winner will have an unmistakable attitude, an eye for detail and an innate sense of style that sets him apart from all others."
