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Spectator
20-07-2025
- Spectator
English? Middle class? Welcome to the Costa del Boden
It was when I saw two other women wearing the same red-and-white-striped Boden swimming costume as me that I realised what I had become. Twenty years ago, I wouldn't have been seen dead on a beach in Salcombe in a Boden swimming costume. I would have been topless on a riverbank in Provence, smoking a Gitane and reading Duras. These days, I don't have time to care, and I summon G.K. Chesterton as my guide: 'Don't ever take a fence down until you know the reason why it was put up.' I have children, a husband and dogs, and we have come – without really meaning to but by some centrifugal bourgeois force – to the Costa del Boden for our summer holiday. In short, we appear to be in favour of the fence. Where? Has yummy-mummy clothes-retailer Jonny Boden bought up part of the English coastline? Well, sort of. The Costa del Boden, otherwise known as the English middle-class coastline, pops up in more than a few places: Salcombe in Devon, Daymer Bay, Polzeath or Rock in Cornwall, Brancaster in Norfolk, and Seaview on the Isle of Wight. It is where the middle to upper classes holiday in this country. These aren't the middle classes the Telegraph writes about, now apparently priced out of their summer break by rising costs. Neither are they the net-zero middle classes who seek sustainable alternatives to overseas travel. No, these are the moneyed bourgeoisie who routinely spend at least a month of the summer on the English coast before heading to Corfu or France for a jolly in August. At any one of the yacht clubs, status is earned through routine longevity: if you have been coming for 'donkeys yahhs', so much the better. You'll also know everyone you run into – which is all any Sloane really wants; forget cultural exchange or the strange, salty nature of the Continent. All in all, robust, weather-beaten, 'Granny had a house here' boat-y top trumps is the thing. But one hardly needs to be robust to enjoy the Costa del Boden. It's all cloyingly lovely – too lovely, in fact. This isn't the risky carnival of Punch and Judy, the pier or, heaven forbid, dry sand. Far from it. At North Sands or Bantham Beach in Devon, the shoreline is jammed with labradors chasing tennis balls while mothers hare after little Ludos or Harrys togged out in – you guessed it – Boden long-sleeved swimsuits. Conversations I overheard while chasing my own little darling seemed to orbit around commuting, the merits of Bridie and Bert towels and VAT. If you fancy something to eat, you can have artisan pizza by the beach – sponsored, apparently, by Vivobarefoot-trainer tycoon Galahad Clark – or pick up a cortado from the coffee van (no cash, please, begs the sign). In Salcombe, bucket-and-spade shops have made way for an avalanche of boutiques designed to lure in the discerning middle-class female shopper; the brands With Nothing Underneath and Busby and Fox were doing a roaring trade when I stopped in for the briefest of rummages. Of course, if your children are older, the Costa del Boden is all about rummaging – or rather frisking. One friend, a regular on the Costa del Boden's Polzeath strip of coastline, tells tales of public-school teenagers – 'mainly Stowe, Radley and Marlborough, to be frank' – prowling the beach after dark 'like penguins' while their parents drink rosé until 'the police turn the floodlights on at midnight like magic nannies'. 'It's teen mecca,' another friend sighs, adding that Daymer Bay, where the Camerons have a house, is 'still sweet', but 'the teenagers just want to be where they know everyone from school'. All anyone wants, it seems, is to have a jolly good, socially cordoned-off, PLU time, whether procured with a fake ID or not. Ah, identity – that old conundrum. I got to thinking about it, as Carrie Bradshaw would have said, during my week on the Costa del Boden. I thought about how I must have appeared to others in my Boden swimming costumes and Aspiga dresses: invisible death by batik print and nautical stripe. I thought about how strong and persistent the desire to blend in is – and how brightly that desire burns in my seven-year-old daughter's eyes. But I shan't be sad. Chesterton wasn't, after all; he knew that fences were put up for a reason, and that nobody has a good time until someone is excluded. The Costa del Boden, erected to keep others out and let the right sort in, is surely the fence of which he speaks.
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Handlebar, Walrus, or 70s? Expert reveals how to find the right moustache for your face shape - and why Justin Bieber and Michael Cera got it wrong
From the bushy walrus to a signature handlebar, there's a huge range of moustache styles out there. And picking the right one can seem like a minefield. But don't worry, chaps – as it turns out particular variations suit certain face shapes. In the same way that the right pair of sunglasses can complement your looks, a fuzzy upper lip also has the ability to enhance your features. Olly Walker, a grooming expert from men's personal care brand Harry's, has shared his tips for growing a moustache that flatters your face. And it goes some way to explaining how David Beckham and Timothée Chalamet are able to pull off very different styles. To start with, it's best to work out whether you have a triangular, oval, rectangular, square or heart-shaped face. And if you're struggling, MailOnline's guide can help point you in the right direction. TRIANGULAR FACE People with this shaped face – including Harry Styles, Jacob Elordi and Timothée Chalamet – tend to have a narrower forehead and a wider jaw. Mr Walker explained that triangular faces benefit from a moustache that adds visual weight up top. 'A fuller style like the Chevron works well here – it helps broaden the upper part of your face and draws attention upward,' he said. 'Be patient while growing – it can take around five weeks to get the fullness needed for shaping.' OVAL FACE David Beckham and Jake Gyllenhall are among those with oval faces, which are naturally well-balanced – meaning most moustache styles will suit. 'You've got the freedom to experiment, from a bold horseshoe to a neat pencil moustache,' Mr Walker said. 'The only tip? Avoid styles that are overly long or droopy, as they can throw off your natural symmetry.' David Beckham and Jake Gyllenhall are among those with oval faces, which are naturally well-balanced – meaning most moustache styles will suit Styles of moustache The Chevron: thick and wide, covering the upper lip The Handlebar: long ends that curl upward like bicycle handlebars The Horseshoe: like an upside-down horseshoe, extending past the lips The Walrus: thick and bushy, drooping over the upper lip The Pencil: thin, finely groomed, just above the upper lip The Toothbrush: thin with vertical sides the width of the nose The Fu Manchu: long and thin, extending downward past the chin The Dali: thin moustache with sharp, upward-curving ends RECTANGULAR FACE For longer face shapes – such as those belonging to Ben Affleck and Adam Levine – the goal is to avoid elongating the face further, according to the grooming expert. 'Choose a moustache with some width, like a walrus or a natural, full-bodied style,' Mr Walker advised. 'These help create balance by visually shortening the length of your face.' SQUARE FACE Henry Cavill, Pedro Pascal and Brad Pitt are among those with square faces. This face shape features a strong jawline, as well as sharp angles. Moustache styles that soften and elongate pair best with this face shape, according to Mr Walker. 'A narrower style like the English or handlebar adds contrast to the bold bone structure and brings in a bit of flair,' the expert added. Ben Affleck (left) has more of a rectangular face, and so a 'full-bodied style' is best, experts said. Brad Pitt (right) however, has more of a square face. Experts say strong jawlines and sharp angles pair best with moustache styles that soften and elongate HEART-SHAPED FACE A wider forehead and narrower chin call for a moustache that adds weight to the lower half of the face. 'A medium-thick moustache – like the Painter's Brush or a soft natural style – can help balance out proportions without looking too heavy,' Mr Walker advised. 'Keep the shape rounded at the edges rather than angular, and trim just enough to define the upper lip.' Celebrities who have embraced this style include Ryan Gosling and Chris Hemsworth. WHO GOT IT WRONG? Back in 2020 Justin Bieber sported a moustache that fans went wild over - and not in a good way. The Canadian star, who has an oval-shaped face, opted for a bushy, droopy moustache, which experts do not recommend for his dimensions. Michael Cera, meanwhile, has a triangular face and so needs to add 'visual weight up top' with his moustache. Previously, he has sported more of a horseshoe look - which is best for more of an oval face. In the last century the popularity of moustaches has fluctuated, with significant periods of prevalence in the 1920s and 30s and the 1970s and 80s. In recent years, however, they have become popular again – particularly among hipsters. Movember – an international charity event where men grow moustaches during the month of November to raise funds for men's health issues – has also raised their fashionableness. Despite their recent rise in popularity moustaches are the biggest-turn off for women, according to a poll. Scientist and expert in facial perception, Professor Tim Andrews, teamed up with Wilkinson Sword on the study about the most attractive facial hair styles on men. A poll of 2,000 adults found the majority considered stubble to be the sexiest facial hair option. However the moustache was only considered alluring by three per cent - and they scored highly for 'arrogance'.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Forbes
The Best Subscription Boxes For Dads, From Unique Snacks To Custom Wines
If you're shopping for a thoughtful Father's Day gift or something to celebrate a special occasion, a subscription box will send him a monthly gift that's curated based on his interests or hobbies. The best subscription boxes for dads—like the Bespoke Post Subscription or Universal Yums Subscription Box—are customizable so you can adjust the frequency of delivery, subscription lengths and oftentimes what's included in each box. This gives him something to look forward to each month and adds flexibility if he wants to skip a delivery. The best subscription boxes for dads are customizable and provide a curated collection of goods ... More every month. The first things to consider are Dad's interests or hobbies, as you want the box to be tailored to him and feel like a personal experience. You can also consider a problem-solving box. For example, if Dad wants to refresh his wardrobe but doesn't enjoy shopping, Stitch Fix is a great option. A shaving subscription—like Harry's Original Starter Set—is another practical choice that ensures Dad always has a sharp razor and other essential toiletries like shave gel and face wash. Below, shop our editors' favorite subscription boxes for dads across various interests. (If you're looking for more meaningful gifts before June 15, check out our guide to the best last-minute Father's Day gifts.) Bespoke Post Bespoke Post is our best overall option because it caters to Dad's interests and hobbies, whether he's into cooking, camping, mixology or just wants to refresh his wardrobe. (It also earned the top spot in our list of the best subscription boxes for men.) The monthly assortment pulls from small businesses and lesser-known brands, and he can preview the contents of each box before it ships. Plus, he can cancel at any time. Atlas Coffee Gift him an Atlas Coffee Club subscription to ensure he always has fresh coffee to start his day. Each box includes single-origin coffee (which can be traced to one farm, farmer, producer or region in a country) and educational resources such as tasting notes for that particular batch. It's fully customizable, so you can select the coffee type (ground, whole bean or pods), brew method, roast preference and number of bags per shipment. Grill Masters Club If Dad loves to get outside and grill, this subscription includes everything he needs to whip up delicious BBQ for the whole family. Each box has five products, from small-batch sauces and marinades to grilling accessories like flavored wood chips. It's a great way to explore new flavors and discover award-winning recipes, all in the comfort of your backyard. Goldbelly If he's a foodie, this monthly delivery of popular foods from award-winning restaurants and chefs will surely delight and inspire his taste buds. He can choose from savory, sweet or a combination of both; each box serves at least four people. Some examples of the food he might receive range from deep-dish pizza from Chicago to Philly cheesesteaks to New York cheesecakes made by hand in Brooklyn. Universal Yums Frequent snackers will enjoy this box chock-full of interesting goodies from countries like South Korea, Pakistan and the United Kingdom. 'I got my stepdad a subscription to Universal Yums a few years back, and he still talks about some of the snacks he discovered. It's extremely last-minute friendly and just a fun way to try something new every month,' says Jordan Thomas, assistant deals editor at Forbes Vetted. Firstleaf If Dad is a wine connoisseur who enjoys trying new varieties (or simply wants to learn more about wine), a Firstleaf subscription is a creative gift he'll be able to enjoy every night. You start by taking a detailed quiz so each delivery caters to your palate, and then the experts at Firstleaf choose six varietals that come from regions all over the world. You have the flexibility to update your plan and wine preferences at any time, and you have access to a wine concierge team that can discuss pairings. Flaviar Recipients with discerning palates will appreciate this unique gift subscription that gives them access to rare and award-winning spirits. There are three tiers to choose from: Thoughtful (which includes one bourbon every month and three deliveries total); Generous (six deliveries of the same); and Grand (12 deliveries of the same). You can also opt for custom engraving on the first bottle for a more personalized touch. Cocktail Courier If he enjoys experimenting with different spirits and flavors, the Cocktail Courier is a fun subscription box that includes everything needed for six to eight cocktails, even the alcohol. Each box has step-by-step instructions, and there are new seasonal cocktails every month. Past recipes include a cranberry margarita for the holiday season and a fizzy passion fruit spritz ideal for summertime sipping. Stitch Fix Stitch Fix is our top choice for a clothing subscription box for men, thanks to its assortment of stylish clothing at affordable prices and flexible plans. Like other subscription services, you start by taking a quiz before being paired with a stylist who sends you five handpicked items, from casual shirts to dressier garments ideal for work and formal occasions. It makes shopping less stressful, and Dad can keep what he likes and return the rest. Fabletics It never hurts to have more activewear rather than less, especially if Dad works out frequently. For $60 a month, you'll get a monthly member credit that can be used on a set or single item up to $100. There are hundreds of items to choose from, ranging from versatile quick-dry jackets to joggers to workout t-shirts. Harry's Help Dad always look his best with Harry's, which is known for its streamlined razors, but also sells grooming products like a soothing post-shave mist and face wash. If you have a subscription, you receive 5% off on all Harry's products, 15% when you subscribe to three or more items. Curology Finding a skincare routine that works can be an afterthought for many guys, but Curology makes it easy to find products that work for you (and schedule a virtual consultation with a dermatologist). Curology builds your routine based on skin type, concerns, goals and what formulas you already use. Once you create a routine, the subscription option ensures you'll never run out of your favorite products. GQ Box Each quarterly GQ box is packed with $200 worth of editor-approved items that span different categories like accessories, clothing, grooming and more. Dad may discover new brands he loves, and he'll have access to the member store where he gets exclusive discounts on select products.
