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A Guide To Freshers Week

Freshers week, also known as welcome week, is practised by universities worldwide as an opportunity for students to be introduced to their university, meet their housemates and navigate their way around some of the local area. Freshers week at Oxford University is celebrated the week before the term begins and is designed to ease the students into university life. This is achieved by combining fun activities, with tours of the Oxford University Colleges, of which there are over 30 spread across the City centre and beyond, giving the students peace of mind before they begin their studies.  Freshers week is a great opportunity to meet neighbouring students that are studying other courses, but also to connect with any of Oxford...

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How To Wear Highland Dress?

Highland dress as we know it today has perhaps been propelled into the forefront of our minds as something that is worn by the Royals as they visit Scotland, or as they attend other events affiliated with Scotland such as the Highland games. The Royals have a long and varied history with the traditional cloth of Scotland, known as tartan. There was a time in 1746 when King George II actually banned anyone that wasn't in the military from wearing Highland Dress with risk of up to 6 months imprisonment for the first offence! This act was repealed, and Highland Dress soared in popularity with the general public and royalty. Thus the love affair with Highland Dress was rekindled and...

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What is a Herringbone Shirt?

A herringbone shirt is superior to its counterparts in that it not only elevates the style and elegance of the wearer, but it is also exceptional in its quality and durability.  The term herringbone is used to define the weave used to make the shirt, which resembles the bone structure of a herring fish.  Feature Details Weave Type Broken Twill (Distinctive V-shape/Zig-zag) Fabric Feel Textured, substantial, and soft Durability High; hard-wearing construction Key Benefit Naturally wrinkle-resistant & opaque Occasion Formal business to refined casual Care Wash at 30°C; Iron while slightly damp A Little History  The historic herringbone pattern has existed for thousands of years and has been traced back as far as the Roman Empire, where the clever interlocking...

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A Guide to Custom Suits in Oxford

At Shepherd & Woodward we think it is important to be able to reflect your personality and style in what you wear. If you are looking for a suit for a wedding or another important event, it can be frustrating when you simply can’t find what you have pictured in your mind. That’s why we have created our Etch Custom Suits offering, which allows you to create the perfect suit that is unique to you; ensuring comfort and confidence throughout the day. In a nutshell, a custom suit is one that is chosen ‘off the peg’ and modified with your preferences. (Just to clarify, this is not our made-to-measure, or a tailor-made offering.)  If you are the kind of person...

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What Is White Tie Attire?

White tie, or full evening dress as we know it today, first started to evolve in the 18th Century, ironically as a more casual alternative to evening dress. What Is a White Tie Event? White tie is the most formal dress code in Western tradition, reserved for occasions where formality and tradition take centre stage. Typical events include state banquets, royal receptions, official diplomatic dinners, ceremonial university balls (such as Oxbridge college events), opera premieres, Nobel Prize ceremonies, and formal weddings hosted by aristocracy or dignitaries. When white tie is specified, precision is key. Full evening dress is expected, reflecting both the prestige of the event and long-standing traditions. What Does White Tie Attire Consist Of? White tie attire typically...

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