It’s time to make the most of the last few rays of summer sun: a pair of SPYs, an actions sports brand from San Diego in California. -The ocean, the sand, girls in bikinis, American sandwiches with fries, mayonnaise and ketchup on the way out of a nightclub… All that’s gone now! Autumn is here!

$164.95 from Spyoptic.com

You can see other styles on Backflip-Freerider.com and Freeride-attitude.com

It’s been a while since I talked about rings! Here’s one I like particularly well: a steel ring that looks solid, with a touch of originality. Spexton was created in 2003 by two Americans: Greg Shelton & Nate McPherson. And for their brief history, Greg, the creator, was a truck driver for 12 years! It’s the truth!

€249 from Spexton

Philips and Nivea for Men have once again got together to create a new Philishave Cool Skin model: the HS 8020. If you don’t know how it works yet, it’s an electric razor which dispenses shaving gel directly from the middle of its heads. Compared to the older 1^st generation models (I’ve got one of the first ones) they are more ergonomic: the razor is lighter and more managable. Like the others, this one still has 3 heads, which each have blades that lift the hair and others that cut it, but they are more flexible. And the filling system (for the Nivea cream) has changed: it doesn’t use cartridges anymore, but a bottle. As you can see above, it connects to the razor, and a pump allows the internal reservoir to be filled. It is waterproof, so you can use it in the shower, and lasts for 30 minutes between charges.

Summary:

• The flexibility is good. The 3 heads adapt well to the shape of the face and allow a close shave. The neck is always a delicate area but overall it doesn’t leave much for a manual razor to cover.
• The cream dispenser is a real bonus. It allows a smooth glide and reduces irritation. Of course, you still have to buy refills, but 1. I think that the 28ml bottle provided will probably last for a few months 2. the bottle only costs €8.99.
• The Philishave seems to offer good value for money. I know models that are more expensive that I used for less time (I’m basing my opinion on the previous model as I’ve only been using this one for 2 months)

The price : 99€ from La Redoute

Do you know the Carbonneau brothers?

They’re called Philippe and Olivier, and are former Toulouse and International rugby players.

Well, they’ve just launched their own brand of men’s underwear: carBO underwear! With 13 World-Cup-themed styles. With Damien Traille as their ‘face’ (photos by Eric-B Vaudon). The material: polyamide elasthane was chosen for it’s properties (softness, breathability, lightness, flexibility and support).

$28.65 from Carbo.fr

This is a polo shirt. A Ralph Lauren polo shirt. There you go… -Dear oh dear, I can tell that today’s going to be a difficult one.

My head’s a bit fuzzy today (but what an evening! Hello to all! )

$79,99 from Ralph Lauren

Here’s a nice idea for a present for rugby fans: a silver rugby ball, set with two 0.02 carat black diamonds on a black cord. I can’t say I’m blown away by this piece of jewellery, but given the restraints imposed (jewellery and rugby) I think it works quite well. It’s stylish and captures the moment perfectly.

€145 from Adamence

Here is an unexpected collaboration between Impetus, a Portuguese underwear brand and Raphaël Ibanez, the captain of the French rugby team. I say ‘unusual’ because he isn’t really the first player that springs to mind when you think of someone who would be the muse for an underwear brand! What do you think? Nonetheless, Impetus are launching seam-free cotton underwear in France, which it will apparently bring together softness and technology. Well worth checking out.

Discover them on Impetus

Let’s kick off this week dedicated to fashion and rugby with an emblematic brand: Eden Park. It takes its name from the ground in Auckland in New Zealand where the first World Cup final match was played! A game where the All Blacks beat France… (Score: 29-9). The brand with the pink bow tie was created in 1987 by 5 former French Racing club players is 20 years old this year. You will see above the "France-England Team" style that should bring a glow to your cheeks. I’m still not quite over France’s performance…

€115 from Eden Park

Here we go, kick off for 6 weeks of rugby! For a rugby lover like me, it’s a really important event. I will try nonetheless for these few weeks to keep on truckin’. So I’ll try (no pun intended), to dedicate a series of articles to rugby and fashion.

Rugby is basically a thug’s sport played by gentleman, all about blood, sweat and tears, giving one’s all for one’s team. And today it’s still the same, but in 20 years, the men have changed, rugby’s become a professional sport, and has become more popular. We’ve had the team with the pink bow ties, Michalak’s pretty face, the Stade du France, with it’s glitter and the Kenzo kits… And not forgetting the Dieux du Stade calendar! In only a few years, rugby has become a rather glamorous affair. So much so you might almost forget that Bernard Laporte, the French coach, has recently been advertising ham (not so stylish).

This week, between matches, I will present a series of rugby-inspired articles. Which also keep an air of fashion about them. Because although this may be the Rugby World Cup, it doesn’t mean that just any old thing to do with rugby is in fashion! Wearing a supporter’s scarf, for example, outside of the ground, gets you a yellow card! Beware of fashion faux pas. Special dispensation, of course, will be given for the French kit on match days ;)

• Eden Park France-England Polo
• Raphael Ibanez for Impetus
• So Rugby Bracelet
• Ralph Lauren rugby polo
• Time for a break
• Damien Traille for CarBO underwear