Take a weekend break in Durham

A few weeks ago we took a short trip to Durham, and after seeing the weather forecasts we were preparing ourselves to expect the worst weather, this lead to us packing plenty of warm clothing such as coats, knitwear, shirts and Henley's all packed in to the fabulous brown leather Racing Green luggage bag.

Upon arrival in Durham we were pleasantly surprised, despite it actually being freezing, there was no rain, wind or snow, just a lot of winter sunshine.

Accommodation 

Just outside of Durham, is The Manor House in West Auckland. This hotel is famous as Henry VIII previous used it as his hunting lodge when hunting around Durham. This hotel has a cosy feel thanks to it being old, dark and crooked, the ideal location to sit and sip a large glass of red wine in front of the fire.

Spa

The hotel also has a complimentary pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and gym for those of you who like to keep fit.

Walks

There are plenty of places in Durham to take nice casual walks, and because the weather was decent we did just that! The layer we wore for the day consisted of a Henley, shirt, shawl knit and a quilted jacket, perfect!

A great place to head over to is Raby Castle located not too far from Staindrop in County Durham, home to John Vane, 11th Baron Barnard, it is one of the largest inhabited castles in England.

Next to the castle in the stables is a fantastic little gift shop and tea room, ideal for a delicious winter treat.

Shopping

Durham is the ideal place to shop until you drop. There are lots of little crooked cobble streets and hills making this city none other than picture perfect. You will eventually stumble across the very impressive Durham Cathedral, definitely worth a visit.

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Everything you will need for a great weekend in Durham...

Lisbee Stainton

Here at Racing Green we adore the voice of singler/songwriter Lisbee Stainton. If you haven't heard any of this talented British artists work then you are definitely missing out.

Lisbee toured last year with Joan Armatrading and that's when we first got the opportunity to hear her amazinf voice and eight string guitar riffs, her music is simply magical.

The other thing we like about Lisbee is that she understands simplicity, to her less is almost definitely more. She has previously done a "Living Room Tour" which involved her playing her music to very small audiences in their own houses.

She has recently released a new album called "Go", after her successful album "Girl on an unmade bed", which was uplifting and consisted of playful lyrics and super close harmonies. The new stuff on her album points out a maturing soul exploring love and life. The album is very upbeat despite the topic; the collection of music explains lows and highs we all experience in everyday life.

Buy Lisbee's two albums "Girl on an unmade bed" and "Go" directly off her website www.lisbeestainton.com and continue to follow her fabulous voice.

STOP PRESS

Racing Green and Lisbee are providing you lot with a chance to win one of 5 signed copies of her fantastic "Go" album.

Simply enter, by following the link www.lisbeestainton.com/racinggreen.html and entering the competition. If you can't wait to win go out and buy yourself a copy, we guarantee you'll love it.

Get your Christmas Gifts this year from Racing Green

Every year we all get an array of rubbish Christmas presents, such as sponsored animal certificates, desktop mug warmers, socks, chocolates, a Celine Dion CD, and countless other items.

Christmas day is the time you spend with your family, thanking everyone for their thoughtful gifts before shoving them all to the back of a cupboard, before the festive time of year comes around again, providing you with the opportunity to re wrap and give to someone else!

Christmas shopping is often a nuisance, and we are all guilty of leaving it 2 days before the big day then running around the local shopping centre like headless chickens finding the right gifts.

Are you looking for the perfect little gift for your Dad, Grandad, Brother or Husband (yes he saved this web page as a favourite above your 'Daily Mail' saved for a reason). You want to get them something special, but something which is also practical that they will wear/use over and over for years to come.

Here we have chosen a selection of our timeless items that will be ideal gifts for your loved ones this Christmas:

Take a much deserved weekend away: Bolton Abbey

Do you need a weekend break to look forward to? Here at Racing Green we have a highly recommended location which will provide much needed peace and quiet to allow you all the time you need to relax out in the country.

Pack all your essential winter wear and get yourself to the breath taking Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire. The Abbey itself was founded in 1154 and remains in ruins because of Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries.

With amazing view, the Bolton Abbey provides you with a lot to take in. The estates was formerly owned by the Dukes of Devonshire and I bet you like everyone else will be saying that you would love to call the Abbey your home.

Need a place to stay?

Just in the Bolton Abbey estate there is a quirky little hotel called "The Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel". This hotel has 40 fabulous individually designed rooms that cater for everyone, as well as a magnificent spa, Michelin Star restaurant and Brasserie.

Customer service is at its best at this establishment, with your baggage being carried from the car park to your room, a luxurious swimming pool, sauna and steam room.

Where to eat?

If you wish to take in the landscape of the countryside, you are very likely to come across the fabulous Cavendish Pavilion. This is a fantastic place to eat with proper country grub that will definitely warm your belly. On the day of our visit, the menu was apple and parsnip soup which was delicious.

For a fancy meal in the evening we strongly suggest you try the Devonshire Arms Brasserie ( Have the cheeseboard for dessert, you won't regret it), however if you are a food lover, definitely try out the Burlington restaurant with its Michelin star it's highly unlikely to disappoint.

Walks

If you are similar to use and like short distance walking this area is perfect for you. Near Bolton Abbey there are 57 stepping stones, which back in the day were the only way to cross the river, however for those of you that aren't as brave there is now a bridge!

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Here at Racing Green you will find everything you need for a weekend away in Bolton Abbey...

Preparing for winter with Racing Green

Here at Racing Green we are expecting that this weekend, the trees outside the office will lose their remaining leaves due to the cold weather spell we are experiencing. In this autumn we love how the tree's stand tall in the brilliant gold, red and brown autumn clothes, however when the winter comes they are stripped bare and lay dormant throughout the cold winter months which is natures way. However we know that winter and being stripped bare just doesn't work for us lot. Winter is the time of year we get to dress up warm, and the new season allows us to do what we do best, go shopping for some new winter clothing and accessories.

One of our popular trends at the moment is the classic knitwear. Fairisle designs, cable knits, chunky knit cardigans lined with fur are just the thing you need to stay looking your best, when the weather is providing us its worst.

When the weather's cold, it's often an amazing time to get up early and go out to the park or countryside, take a flask and enjoy the winter sun (if there is any!). Leave the coat behind and layer up your outfit, starting with a Henley under one of our brushed cotton shirts. Then choose a heavy knit on top, to keep in the warmth and then close of all remaining exits with one of our British made hats, scarf's or gloves. Also our genuine sheepskin gloves would make the perfect Christmas gift for someone special!

We have a few great pieces of knitwear that will last you through many winters, and we all know that knitwear comes at a price, that's why here at Racing Green we are offering all of your up to 40% off selected knitwear and accessories this week, so go and treat yourself to something stylish this season.

Racing Green Overcoats

All men should have a superb winter coat. Here at Racing Green we want to ensure you never choose the cheap and cheerful option. View our fantastic new range of overcoats and get yourself a coat that will last you for many winters.

An overcoat is perfect to wear over all your smart clothes when those frosty days draw in and the temperature drops. Racing Green not only provide you with great overcoats we also ensure all our coats are cut so that they fit perfect with a full suit, and they even provide you with the option to leave your suit jacket at home and just wear the overcoat with your favourite scarf and gloves!

Many of us commute to our jobs in the city and this involves a lot of time being spent at train and bus stops, this is why a great coat is a necessity to keep you warm. View our 3/4 length Herringbone weave over coat, flawlessly fitted, perfect for the winter we are expecting.

Now is the ideal time to purchase your winter coat from Racing Green as we have a tempting 40% off!

View our range of new overcoats here today.

Dressing down for work...

Now and then we all prefer to dress down for work. This originated in the United States, and reached the UK in  the late 1990's because of American companies such as major accounting giant Arthur Anderson; he made a huge deal about the psychological advantages of linking work and the weekend. Those of us that experienced the development of dressing down for work, it was a significant change, and most men found it frustrating as they had always concealed there casual wear from fellow workers to save humiliation, and had continually chosen the trusty simple suit.

Not so, for Racing Green's fans. We know how it's done and we like what we see in the mirror. And we'll be showing you what we think in a couple of weeks, when we review casual dressing, in time for the Christmas outings.

However, that's not the purpose of this message. In fact we are putting pixel to paper in support of THE SUIT.

Evidently it takes only SIX SECONDS for someone meeting you for the first time, to form a first impression and everyone knows 'first impressions count'. That's why we love our smart clothes as much as our casuals. Here at Racing Green we don't think that you need to have an assortment of casual clothes that blurs and morphs into a formal and professional suit. It's definitely better to have a good clear separation between your casual garments and your work and occasional wardrobe.

Most people may think that all suits are considerably the same, but we can ensure you that not all suits are equal. The actual design and the fit of the suit are crucial to the final impression. You wouldn't dream of going to work without having a wash or a shave, therefore why should your suit look like you simply just got out of bed.

Here are a few tips, to make sure that one of your most expensive items of clothing does the job its intended to do:

1. If you've had a suit for more than a couple of years, it's probably time for a change. Look at it in the mirror and if it looks as though the lapels have dropped and the shoulders are tired, then it's time for a change. Check the trouser pockets and if they look like you could strain vegetables through them, replace urgently - and this time buy a second pair of trousers with your suit, so you can "rest" a pair and get more use from the outfit. We sell tailoring as separates, so it's as simple as changing the quantity when you add to the basket.
2. Check your size and fit. For a ready made suit, this mainly involves your chest, waist, sleeve and leg lengths. We offer different lengths, so you should be able to get a close fit and if you really want to get it perfect, there are tailors who can even tweak the length, to suit your shoes. Important: - Don't kid yourself about size. We all change shape and a tight fitting suit will look tired in no time at all. A suit should be both draped & tailored on the body. It's not built to hold you in.
3. Never wear dirty shoes. This borderline criminal activity, for the Racing Green man and if you ask any influential man or woman, what is the most obvious sign of good grooming, they will tell you - The Shoes. Clean and in good condition. The good news is that we have an amazing brogue that will speak volumes about your taste and breeding. If you don't own a pair, then try some. They will make you look good and feel even better.
4. Keep a good assortment of shirts and replace them when they get tired. If you wear a shirt once a week for work, you should expect to replace it after six months. That way it won't look discoloured and buying a fresh new one will liven up your suit. Most of us take our jackets off most of the day, so your shirt's the thing that people see. Keep your shirt collection moving.
5. One final thing - The Tie. Do you go with or without? The answer depends on the occasion. Open neck is great, if you have the right shaped collar (and we do)- cutaway collar is best, but if you have a more formal meeting, a review or a job interview - WEAR A TIE. It's a symbol of respect for the occasion and the person you're meeting and it will not go unnoticed. The smallest item in your wardrobe, with the biggest impact.

Its tough in the workplace at the moment. There is a lot of competition for jobs, promotions, even just keeping your profile high at work has never been more important. Don't take cover at work, come out fighting. If you have a job interview, you need to look like the Number One Candidate. Fortunately we have everything you need and to make it even easier we're offering you a tidy 30% discount off our formal collection. We could write pages to describe our suits and shirts, but the only way to feel whether they are made for you is to put them on. Please let us know what you think.

Win a Senna DVD

Here at Racing Green we are giving away 5 copies of the new Senna DVD.

This DVD is all about the life of Brazilian racing driver, who was a three-time Formula One world champion. Put together from thousands of hours worth of Formula One footage, this spectacular documentary focuses on the moment Senna came on to the scene in 1984 to his sad death a mere decade later.

To grab yourself a copy, simply answer the question below and email the answer to racinggeengb@googlemail.com

"Which year was Senna born in?"

Leeds Juice Bar - Out Of The Woods

As the Racing Green Head Quarters are based in Leeds, we are always on the lookout for cool hideouts all over the city. We have decided that every so often we will recommend a place, location or landmark in the city that's ideal for a family trip or a day out with friends.

Today we have chosen 'Out Of The Woods' which is a local independent juice bar directly across from the office. A warm welcome is always provided by the owners, and they have a fabulous range of quality coffee and food, and little events such as monthly art exhibitions. All styles of music are played in the background from The National to Pearl Jam, 'Out Of The Woods' offers something for everyone.

Henleys Shirts at Racing Green

Here at Racing Green, we now have a fantastic range of Henley shirts available to buy! Henley shirts are perfect for a variety of occasions, for example worn on their own for a cool yet casual look, or ideal for layering under shirts and rugbys on chilly days.

The Henleys Shirts are named after the rowers in Henley-on-Thames, as this specific style of collarless pullover shirt was the traditional uniform they wore. Out Henleys also feature our new Falcon logo.

Good Clobber reviews Racing Green

Racing Green's Lamb's wool Crew Neck knitted jumper was recently reviewed by the very popular menswear blog Good Clobber! Take a look at what they had to say below:

In a month of record breaking temperatures, it's somewhat ironic that I'm reviewing a piece of clothing that is really designed for cold weather. Nonetheless, this is the British climate and it's bound to change; it will be cold again soon and it's always worth planning ahead. In fact,Christmas is less than one hundred days away and as much as I don't want to think about it, the nightmare of Christmas shopping is only around the corner. The item that I'm reviewing today would make a good Christmas present for a lucky young man: a Lambswool Crew Neck Knitted jumper which is new for this season from British brand, Racing Green.

So then, on to the review... First up, it goes without saying that this jumper is very well made. It looks and feels of good quality. The stitching on the wool is tight and the wool isn't hairy' it is very soft; there aren't any obtuse strands sticking out all over the place. The joins between the arm, shoulders, cuff's, waist and collar feel very strong. Importantly, this jumper is not itchy. Wearing it over a short-sleeved t-shirt is very comfy; no abrasion or irritation.

Along with the colour variation on the cuffs, neck and waistband there are some other really nice details to this jumper. There's a very subtle piece of branding on the lower left of the garment: a tiny metal clasp is nicely sewn into the wool and displays 'Racing Green' in a classic typeface.

All in all, this jumper is an all-round sound choice: It's well made, warm, comfortable and very elegant. It's not the cheapest jumper available out there, but you will be paying for quality at £65. You can find this jumper and variations in other colourways at the Racing Green website here.

Racing Green reviewed by Dapper Dude!

Recently our stylish Racing Green Belted Wax Jacket was reviewed by popular menswear blog Dapper Dude Mens Designer Clothing, and guess what, we received an excellent 9/10 score! Take a read of the review below:

It's review time again folks, and this time we have an absolute belter for you, courtesy of those nice people over at Racing Green.

They sent us through this pretty nifty looking Belted Mock Wax Jacket,so, Dog and all, we headed off to Pugneys Country Park near Wakefield to put it through its paces!

Straight out of the box you can see that this is a serious piece of kit, a great looking jacket which just oozes style and quality. The mock wax finish and belt combine to give it a very Barbour-esque look but with a much more appealing price point.

To the front the jacket has four pockets, one zipped and three with Racing Green branded press-stud fastenings, a full metal zip up front with press-stud fastening storm flap with the added benefit of a buckle fastening to the neck. Each of the sleeves features a rugged elbow patch and the cuffs are adjustable by way of press-studs, again Racing Green branded.

Internally the jacket features a half Tartan/half Brown corduroy lining with two zipped internal pockets and toggle adjustable waistbands, the inside of the collar is also finished in the same Brown corduroy offering a nice finishing touch.

Anyway, those of you with god memories will remember that prior to all my waffle we had set off on a walk around Pugneys Country Park to put the jacket through its paces. So, how did it get on?

Well, those of you who may know Pugneys, will vouch for me that it can be a pretty inhospitable place about half way around the lake on a blustery day, but with the Mock Waxed Jacket belted and buckled up against the cold I never even felt the chill. Even the Dog was shivering by the time we had made it round, but not me, my jacket had served me well!

The Belted Mock Waxed Jacket is availble from www.racinggreen.co.uk in sizes Small through to XXLarge and at just £129.00 looks to offer exceptional value for money.

Dapper Dude Rating: 9/10

Chinos are this seasons must have!

Chinos have been doing exceptionally well this year and it seems this trend is set to continue. This is great news for the guys who like to mix casual and formal. This season’s look of Chinos and a jumper is also a great look for the office, especially on those days where you’re not in your suit.

Here at Racing Green we have a fantastic selection of Chinos just for you. Our collection includes the popular slim fit and the regular fit for extra comfort. If you want a modern twist then you can roll your Chinos once or twice from the ankle and these look fantastic when paired with desert boots or brogues.

Chinos are very versatile and are a great alternative to jeans. You can create multiple looks by simply added a rugby shirt or jumper. So why not check out our fantastic range of Chinos today!

New ruby shirt collection now at Racing Green

The Rugby season is upon us, so now is the time to be wearing one of our new season rugby shirts! We now have a fantastic selection to suit everyone’s needs and tastes.

The ruby shirt has evolved over the last few years. However , here at Racing Green our rugby shirts take on the traditional rugby shirt shape, with its classic fit and feature heavy cotton jersey, authentic twill or cord collars, button openings and side vents.

To browse our new autumn/winter Rugby collection, please click here.

The origins of the Polo Shirt

Tennis is  a much loved sport which has been around since the late 19th century. During this time men wore "tennis whites" which were very unflattering long-sleeved button-up shirts and weren't the most comfortable of attire to play in.

This however would be changed by a man called Rene, the French 7-time Grand Slam tennis champion who made the very first polo shirt.

Lewis Lacey an Argentine Irish haberdasher and polo player began producing a shirt that was embroidered with the logo of a polo player, a design which originated at the Hurlingham Polo Club near Buenos Aires. He began producing polo shirts in 1920.

The term "polo shirt" was then coined and used when referring to "tennis shirts".

So now you have been given a brief history lesson in the origins of the polo shirt, why not take a look at our fabulous collection which features our new Falcon logo embroidery and are designed on the classic fit.

To view our fabulous collection, please click here.

Welcome to the new website ...

Here at Racing Green we would like to present our Racing Green Autumn Winter 2011 collection. Not only do we have a fantastic new range of men's casual and formal clothes and accessories, we have a great new website.

After a few months of redesigning and reconstruction, we now have a new website that means shopping from us has become a whole lot easier and more appealing. When you first visit the site, the homepage has now become simpler and you can take a pick of our formal and casual sections of the site depending on the look you are going for. We now have a Stylebook, where you can see items of clothing and accessories put together into outfits to provide inspiration...

Less complicated and much more modest is what the new collection is all about, there is also a slimmer fit being introduced into parts of the collection, including the tailoring, where you will discover Racing Green's standard classic fit and several new styles which include the new slimmer, shorter jackets and narrower trousers. We have also launched our Autumn footwear styles; this essential collection includes a new desert boot, on trend and currently available. In September comes a leather brogue, which is a must have and goes with anything from your formal suit to your casual but cool chinos.

NEW STYLE BOOK…

Our brand new Racing Green style book comprises of two different sections, formal and casual. Viewing the style book is like searching through an online wardrobe; you can glance at a variety of complete looks or choose something to add to an item you have previously brought. Our fashions and fit is somewhat timeless allowing you to remain confident all the way through to next spring.

Racing Green's brand new range of Rugby shirts are certainly worth a look this season, especially with the change in the weather and the evenings starting to get slightly cooler, the ideal garment for evenings and weekends, our heavier weight cotton body and woven twill collar & placket is just right for the changeover to Autumn, until it's time to break out your sweater. (We've got some ideal sweaters too) We've got six new Rugby styles in the casual shop.

Have a look around the website and let us know what you think. We would love to hear about any feedback you have... just drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter.

OUR BRAND…

We have had many people ask about our bird logo featured on our new range of Polo shirts. It's a Peregrine Falcon. To us it signifies a whole lot regarding the mixture of form and function. In flight it's everything you would anticipate, understated, sparing and elegant, but when it dives it goes like a bat out of hell, reaching over 200mph when swooping. It's the fastest of all birds of prey. The combination of grace and perfect evolution means that the Peregrine Falcon can be found almost all over the world Here at Racing Green we think it looks superb on our new products.

NEW COLLECTION…

The Autumn/Winter collection offers a fantastic new feel that you can see when you search our Stylebook. We have several wonderful outerwear styles for when the winter evenings begin to set it. The quilted jacket with cord trim in two colours and the classy waxed belted motorcycle jacket are both super practical and perfect for weekend wear, yet smart enough to wear in the office to. Here at Racing Green we believe that simplicity and versatility is the key to getting great use out of all your clothes. The stylebook can provide a variety of perfect pointers.

LAUNCH OFFER

With the launch of the new Racing Green site, we would like to invite you in on the celebration by giving you all 25% off your first order with us once you have subscribed to our mailing list.


When you sign up to our email list we will simply send you back an email with a 20% promo code inside which can be used on literally any item on the website. When you subscribe you will notice our 'refer a friend' button, were you can recommend a friend and in reward you (and your friend) will receive a 25% off code to use!


Every week you will receive our fabulous Racing Green e-newsletter which will include blog features, articles, and outfits of the week, new arrivals, exclusive offers, competitions and more.


Therefore as the last couple of weeks of the summer season come and go, there is absolutely no reason to be down, just start shopping for some stylish winter wear!