CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

There’s something reassuring about a menswear brand that understands the balance between heritage and modernity. Irish outerwear specialist Jack Murphy Clothing has long operated in that sweet spot where practicality meets understated style, and for Spring/Summer 2026 the Dublin-based label sharpens its focus on the modern Irish man – one who values craftsmanship, longevity and clothing that works as hard as he does.

Designed by Michael Murphy, son of the brand’s founder, the new collection leans into the emotional relationship men increasingly have with their wardrobes. These are not throwaway seasonal pieces. Instead, they are investment garments built around the principles of slow fashion, ethical choices and timeless construction. Whether navigating urban life or the unpredictable weather of the Irish countryside, the collection is designed for men who want reliability without sacrificing style.

At the heart of the season sits tweed – a fabric that has defined Irish menswear for generations but continues to evolve. Jack Murphy’s approach remains rooted in traditional tailoring, with tweed trousers cut to pair effortlessly with the brand’s signature blazers, waistcoats and long coats. The result is a quietly confident silhouette that feels both contemporary and enduring, capturing the kind of relaxed elegance that Irish tailoring does best.

Of course, no Jack Murphy collection would be complete without waxed outerwear. One of the brand’s most recognisable signatures returns this season in refined form with the Ciaran Jacket, a contemporary reinterpretation of an original 1980s Jack Murphy design. Crafted from premium Scottish waxed cotton and finished with the traditional contrasting corduroy collar, it arrives in Hunter Green, Navy and Rustic Brown – colours that feel purposefully grounded in the landscapes that inspired them. It’s the sort of jacket that works just as well on a city commute as it does on a blustery walk along the Atlantic coast.

Layering plays a central role in the new collection, reflecting both changing menswear habits and the realities of Irish weather. The new quilted outerwear line introduces two key pieces designed with versatility in mind. The Conor Gilet offers lightweight warmth without bulk, while the Ronan Quilted Jacket provides a refined yet practical outer layer that integrates seamlessly with the brand’s tweed jackets and wool coats. Worn beneath heavier outerwear or on their own during milder days, both pieces embody the brand’s commitment to style that works in real life.

Across the collection, there is a clear sense of thoughtful design. Soft seasonal tweeds sit comfortably alongside cleverly engineered outerwear, creating a wardrobe that feels adaptable rather than trend driven. The garments are designed to be worn together, layered and relied upon – a practical approach that reflects the rhythm of Irish life.

Still a Dublin-based, family-owned business and now operated by the third generation of the Murphy family, the brand continues to draw inspiration from the rugged landscapes and shifting weather of Ireland. Each garment carries Jack Murphy’s signature as a mark of authenticity, a quiet assurance that the craftsmanship and standards behind the name remain firmly intact.

For Spring/Summer 2026, Jack Murphy doesn’t attempt to reinvent menswear. Instead, it does something far more compelling: it refines what it already does exceptionally well. Heritage fabrics, functional outerwear and classic tailoring combine to create a collection that feels purposeful, durable and effortlessly masculine – clothing designed not just to be worn this season, but for many seasons to come.

As remote work settles into long-term reality for an estimated 13 million adults across Great Britain, our daily routines have shifted dramatically. Commutes are shorter (bed to desk), tailoring has relaxed (elasticated waistbands reign supreme), and somewhere along the way, footwear has quietly exited the chat.

Experts at A Fine Pair Of Shoes are now sounding a gentle but necessary alarm: working from home may be playing havoc with our feet.

A recent study found that 34% of people spend most of their indoor time barefoot or in socks, while just 11% wear supportive footwear at home. In other words, millions are clocking in daily without giving their feet the structural support they’d normally receive from proper shoes. The result? Fatigue, fallen arches, and the kind of low-level back and knee discomfort that creeps up gradually — then refuses to leave.

Julian Nelson, founder and shoe expert at A Fine Pair Of Shoes, believes it’s time we gave our feet the same consideration as our office chairs and laptop stands.

“Working from home has completely changed the way people use their feet,” he explains. “Many remote workers spend long hours barefoot or in unsupportive slippers, which can lead to foot fatigue, arches collapsing, or even back and knee discomfort. The good news is that small changes make a big difference.”

Here’s where to start:

1. Wear Supportive Footwear — Even Indoors

Walking barefoot all day might feel liberating, but your arches may disagree. Opt for supportive slippers or shoes with proper cushioning and arch support to reduce strain on feet, ankles and lower back.

2. Fix Your Set-Up

Keep your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest. An adjustable chair helps distribute weight evenly and prevents unnecessary pressure through the arches.

3. Stretch It Out

Point and flex your toes. Rotate your ankles. Roll your feet over a massage ball. Small movements improve circulation and prevent stiffness — particularly after long stretches at your desk.

4. Sit. Stand. Repeat.

If you have a standing desk, alternate positions throughout the day. Variety reduces prolonged pressure on specific areas of the foot and encourages better overall blood flow.

5. Roll Away Tension

A tennis or massage ball underfoot for a few minutes can ease tightness and revive tired muscles.

6. Moisturise and Monitor

Dry, cracked skin isn’t just cosmetic — it can lead to discomfort and infection. Keep feet hydrated and check regularly for developing issues.

7. Mind Your Socks

Avoid tight elastic bands that restrict circulation. Breathable, well-fitted socks make more difference than you think.

Nelson’s overarching message is simple: healthy feet start with the right fit, proper support and awareness of daily habits. While remote work may have relaxed the rules, biology hasn’t changed. Your feet still carry you — even if it’s only from the kitchen to the home office.

And if you wouldn’t run a marathon barefoot, perhaps don’t run a working week that way either.

Images by

How Soon Ngu

Nathana Rebouças

Nicolas Solerieu

Tommy Texter

Danie Franco

While headlines are dominated by billion-dollar acquisitions and Gen-Z shopping habits, the real story sits behind the scenes — in the infrastructure quietly powering the second-hand economy.

A Fleek, founded in London in 2021, has diverted more than 9 million garments from landfill since 2022. Not through marketing spin or consumer-facing hype, but by solving resale’s least glamorous — and most critical — problem: sourcing at scale.

Building the Engine Room of Resale

Before Fleek, wholesale vintage and second-hand sourcing was fragmented, largely offline, and difficult to scale. The brand rebuilt that system into a global digital marketplace, now connecting:

• 10,000+ resellers
• 1,000+ verified suppliers
• Across 70 countries

It’s infrastructure, not trend-chasing. And that distinction matters.

Accepted into Y Combinator’s W22 batch, Fleek has since raised $20.4 million, positioning itself as backbone supply-chain tech at a time when the global second-hand apparel market is forecast to hit $350 billion by 2028.

The Data Tells the Story

Demand isn’t speculative. It’s measurable.

2025 vs 2024 Brand Order Growth

Menswear & Unisex

• Ralph Lauren +73%
• Tommy Hilfiger +86%
• Patagonia +70%
• Nike +67%
• Harley-Davidson +90%
• Montbell +100%

Womenswear

• Coach & Guess bags +85%
• Lululemon +80%
• Victoria’s Secret +86%

This isn’t random vintage rummaging. It’s structured demand across heritage, sportswear, luxury and outdoor categories. Resale has moved from side hustle to scalable business model.

The recent news that eBay is acquiring Depop for approximately $1.2 billion signals something decisive: second-hand fashion is now mainstream commercial infrastructure.

With Depop generating roughly $1 billion in annual merchandise sales and attracting millions of predominantly under-34 buyers, recommerce is no longer counterculture — it’s capitalised.

But platforms like eBay and Depop focus on the consumer-facing marketplace. Fleek powers what sits beneath that layer — the supply chain enabling thousands of independent resellers, vintage curators and micro-businesses to source sustainably, scale professionally and maximise turnover.

Circular Is Now Structural

Fleek’s impact speaks to a wider shift:

• 9M+ garments diverted from landfill
• Thousands of independent sellers building full-time income
• Professionalised global sourcing networks
• Proof that circular fashion isn’t niche — it’s infrastructure

At a moment when major players are investing billions to capture resale demand, the quieter opportunity sits with the systems enabling that growth.

Resale isn’t a trend cycle. It’s a structural realignment of fashion’s supply chain.

And the brands building the engine room may prove just as valuable as the platforms owning the shop window.

There are brands that flirt with the outdoors, and then there are brands that build their entire language around it. Flower Mountain has always belonged to the latter camp. For Spring/Summer 2026, the label refines its dialect rather than rewriting it — a confident, considered evolution that feels less like a seasonal drop and more like a statement of intent.

Founded in 2015 by Keisuke Ota of Tokyo and Yang Chao of Beijing, Flower Mountain has spent a decade exploring the intersection of Japanese sensibility and Italian technical craft. Mountain culture, urban energy, and meticulous fabrication sit side by side. SS26 feels like the most resolved expression of that vision yet.

At the centre of the collection remains the brand’s hero: Yamano 3. A cross-seasonal stalwart and recognisable icon, it returns reworked rather than reinvented. Vintage-washed canvas softens its edge. Denim lends it depth. Floral jacquards and geometric embroidery introduce texture without excess. The result is artisanal but contemporary — rugged yet composed. It’s the sort of trainer that looks as comfortable on a gravel trail as it does paired with relaxed tailoring in the city.

The supporting cast sharpens the narrative. Yamabushi — inspired by Japan’s mountain ascetics — leans into its raw, functional spirit. Ropes of varying thickness wrap the upper in a net-like embrace, extending toward the sole and heel. It feels purposeful, almost ritualistic. Durable materials and minimal detailing strip away noise, leaving behind something elemental.

Wave, by contrast, moves differently. Where Yamabushi is grounded, Wave is fluid. A softly curved sole mirrors the rhythm of the ocean, while layered uppers in mesh, canvas and denim add lightness. It’s dynamic without being aggressive — a lifestyle silhouette that doesn’t sacrifice credibility for comfort.

Performance, however, remains integral to Flower Mountain’s DNA. Iwano and Iwano 2 continue to anchor the more technical end of the spectrum. Updated combinations of suede, nylon and ripstop meet engineered soles designed for grip, stability and impact absorption. These aren’t fashion hikers masquerading as outdoor gear; they’re functional tools rendered with aesthetic intelligence.

Materiality across the collection tells its own story. Printed and clean canvas, embroidered denim, multicolour chevron raffia, technical mesh and multi-stripe geometric embroidery demonstrate a level of craft that feels intentional rather than decorative. Experimentation is evident, but so is discipline. Every detail has a purpose.

The sandal offering extends the narrative into high summer. NAZCA 2, NIWA and NEW NAZCA balance comfort, movement and design in a way that feels aligned with the brand’s outdoor ethos. They’re built for heat and horizon lines — adaptable, contemporary, and unafraid of terrain.

Marking ten years in the game, Flower Mountain also introduces an anniversary capsule that revisits archival favourites — Mustard Walnut, Pampas, Yamano, Iwano and Yamabushi — through a sharper, more mature lens. Special finishes and a palette drawn from natural landscapes underline the brand’s evolution. It’s less nostalgia, more recalibration.

What makes Flower Mountain relevant in 2026 isn’t simply aesthetic. It’s the coherence of its world. Japanese heritage informs the colour stories and fabrics. Italian craftsmanship ensures technical precision. Urban influence keeps everything grounded in modern life. The collection doesn’t shout. It climbs.

A decade in, Flower Mountain feels assured of its footing. And if SS26 proves anything, it’s that the most compelling outdoor brands aren’t chasing the summit — they’re building the path upward, step by deliberate step.

We talk endlessly about work-life balance. About moving slower. About logging off earlier. But where in the UK does a genuinely calmer pace of life actually exist?

New analysis drawing on data from the Office for National Statistics suggests that relaxation isn’t just a mindset — it’s regional.

And the results might surprise you.

Northern Ireland Takes The Crown

At number one sits Northern Ireland, recording the lowest combined levels of stress and anxiety nationwide. Lower anxiety scores and comparatively safer environments push it comfortably to the top.

Close behind are the South West England and South East England — both benefiting from stronger access to green space and relatively lower anxiety levels.

The message is clear: proximity to nature matters. But it isn’t the only factor.

The Midlands Quietly Outperform

The West Midlands and East Midlands both rank within the top six nationally — outperforming many larger, more densely populated regions.

It’s a reminder that balance doesn’t always sit on a coastline. Sometimes it’s found in regions that blend manageable urban centres with accessible countryside and steadier living costs.

The Capital Effect

 Unsurprisingly, London falls below much of the country. Higher anxiety levels and crime rates offset its average access to nature. Urban density, it seems, continues to correlate with elevated stress indicators.

Further down the ranking sit the North West England and Yorkshire and the Humber, placing among the least relaxed overall. Scotland also records one of the highest anxiety-adjusted scores, positioning it toward the bottom of the table.

The Data Behind The Calm

The ranking assessed five core indicators, normalised per 100,000 people:

• People reporting low life satisfaction
• People reporting low happiness
• People reporting high anxiety
• Access to green and natural spaces
• Incidence of personal crime

Lower final scores indicate more relaxed regions. Higher dissatisfaction, anxiety and crime increase scores, while better access to nature reduces them. Where regional data was unavailable for Scotland and Northern Ireland, UK averages were applied to allow full comparison.

The strongest drivers of lower relaxation scores? Anxiety and crime.

The Full Ranking

1. Northern Ireland — 66,660
2. South West — 67,180
3. South East — 68,550
4. West Midlands — 69,270
5. East of England — 70,950
6. East Midlands — 71,120
7. London — 73,160
8. Wales — 73,780
9. North East — 73,950
10. Scotland — 75,960
11. North West — 76,100
12. Yorkshire and the Humber — 76,310

Daniel Stone, Managing Director at TGA Mobility, summarises it succinctly: “our surroundings play a major role in how relaxed we feel. Access to nature reduces stress and supports emotional regulation — but it works best when paired with safer, lower-anxiety environments.”

Relaxation, then, isn’t just about escaping to the countryside. It’s about the daily texture of life: safety, space, and a manageable pace.

In other words, calm is less about postcode prestige — and more about how your environment quietly supports you, every single day.