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.