Excited for your day at the races? Why not be a great boyfriend (or hubby) and treat the lady in your life to her outfit. We know selecting an outfit for your significant other is a challenge at the best of times, let alone the races.

Don’t let the strict dress code put you off – we have the perfect example of what is expect from racegoers right here, so feel free to seek as much inspiration from it as you want.

This look is Royal Enclosure approved; if you can get in there (it has the strictest dress code of all the enclosures!) then you’ll get in anywhere!

1. Coast Mycah dress. Ok so like the majority of most outfits, the dress is one of the most important aspects so you want to get it right. Luckily, this dress is not only completely gorgeous, but it adheres to all the rules and regulations implemented in the very strict style guide. It’s a modest length, it has sleeves (strapless dresses or dresses with spaghetti straps are banned) and it’s not too in-your-face which means you can accessorise to your heart’s content!

2. John Lewis Neave structured feather hat. If you’re heading into the Royal Enclosure (lucky you!) then unfortunately fascinators aren’t allowed so she’s going to have to make do with a hat instead and pray it doesn’t fly off. This badboy from John Lewis is not only subtle it’s quite versatile too, which means she can do a Kate Middleton and recycle it for future weddings.

3. Dune Blissy striped clutch bag. She’ll want a bag big enough for all your betting slips, money (including her juicy winnings!), mobile phone and emergency lipstick, but not too big so that it distracts from your outfit. (Speaking of betting, don’t forget that you can bet on the Royal Ascot with William Hill.) This clutch is the best of both worlds, and akin to the hat we selected, can be used again and again!

4. Michael Kors patent red heels. Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz will tell you that it’s all about the red shoes. That was the mantra back in the 1930s, and it doesn’t look like they are any less popular in 2013. These Michael Kors beauties are bold, comfortable and complement the outfit perfectly.

If your dad doesn’t live in the same country as you though (maybe he moved across the pond to make the most of the sunnier climes – we can’t say we blame him if that’s the case!) you’re going to have to get organised and make sure you post your gift early to make sure he gets it on time.

Whether you’re sending an expensive gift or a novelty item that he will find utterly hilarious, you want peace of mind when it comes to posting it. Parcelforce is a great option when it comes to shipping gifts; post your items with confidence knowing they will get there as quickly, safely, and easily as possible.

So that’s the easy part out the way, now it’s the hard part… what are you going to get him? If you’re stuck for ideas, here are 5 Brit-inspired suggestions to help get the ball rolling:

Personalised wooden heart

Keep Britain in his heart with this made-to-order piece. Personalise the text to say whatever you want – it can be as sentimental and soppy as you like; the choice is yours!

Union Jack leather wallet

We love this faded Union Jack wallet – perfect if your dad loves a bit of retro and vintage. Lots of space for cards and cash – putting a cheeky £20 in there for him to find is completely optional!

Union Jack iPad sleeve

If your dad’s a bit of a gadget geek with his own iPad, this is definitely the right gift for him as he’ll want to protect his toy when he’s not using it. And there’s no better accessory than a patriotic one!

Union Jack montage print

For the father who doesn’t do subtlety – this Union Jack montage print will do him nicely. Nobody will dispute where he hails from with this badboy in his house!

Personalised Union Jack print

This gift is the best of all worlds – it’s big, it’s loud, it’s fun, it’s patriotic – and will certainly earn you some ‘good son’ brownie points.

Right, now here’s 4 very important ways the principles behind door to door marketing can help you achieve not only your marketing goals but your personal business goals too.

Research your market
Before you can start door to door marketing – whatever the nature of the business – you must research your market. We can’t stress this enough. Thankfully this has been made easier by the Royal Mail door to door service with their free customer finder service.

We’d recommend thoroughly researching the relevant fashion industry insiders. Make sure you know your Primark from your Prada, research the big-names in fashion and find out why they’re so important, and how you can learn from their case studies.

Persevere
Just like door to door marketing itself, getting into the fashion industry can be a challenge, but don’t be disheartened.

Your hard work will pay off – it’s sometimes all about being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right people, but you will get your break if you are determined to succeed. And ‘keep the faith’, as those New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi like to say.

Be organised
If you’re to meet your goals it’s important that you meet the deadline you’ve set for your door to door marketing campaign. A delay could result in significant loss in sales. Being organised will definitely make your entrance into the fashion world much smoother. We suggest using Google calendar which has a built in feature that’ll email you a reminder for all your tasks for the day. Ensure you complete all tasks on time. Not only will you feel in control but it’ll also give you a confidence boost and a sense of satisfaction at the end of each day.

Dress for success
It’s very important that you communicate your product succinctly and effectively in your campaign. The same principle must be applied to yourself. Presentation is key. It’s important that you communicate who you are and what you can offer effectively. Appearance is everything in the fashion industry! Make sure you look smart and presentable.

There’s a host of great brands to buy and sell on eBay, and if you’re a bit of an online marketplace novice, we’re here to assist you with some helpful suggestions for what to sell.

Nike – more and more people want to get into shape, especially now the sun is coming out. Trainers, tracksuits, anything with the Nike label is sure to go down well with buyers as they know they’re getting performance-enhancing quality. If it’s good enough for the pros…

Dolce and Gabbana – whether it’s aftershave, accessories or clothes, buyers know they’re getting something great when they see something bearing this Italian label.

Levi Strauss – what man doesn’t love investing in a good pair of jeans? Jean brands don’t get more respectable than Levi Strauss – as they never go out of fashion and only get better with age, Levi jeans are perfect contenders for eBay selling.

Gap – another great brand to sell to fellow men who want something that covers the three “c”s… cool, cheap, casual. Gap does loungewear, and it does it quite well!

Ralph Lauren – another designer label that does all the hard work for you. You don’t need to convince buyers to buy a second-hand Ralph Lauren item – the pics and label will do it alone!

And if you want to ensure that you’re a credible eBay seller with positive feedback and 100% customer satisfaction, we’d suggest using Royal Mail for sending your packages out to their new homes. You can use the website to check how much the parcel will cost to send before you list the item, which means that you’ll be giving an honest and accurate price – always goes down a treat with buyers. eBay delivery made easy!

Buyers and sellers alike love the tracking services Royal Mail offers too; you as a seller will know when the package has arrived at its destination so you can put your mind at ease, and the buyer will know when their parcel has been shipped so they can make sure they’re in to collect it. Win, win!

Well, the current football season is practically over. Cue small violins, pass the tissues etc.

Manchester United won the Premier League weeks ago, manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired, Arsenal once again remained triumphant over their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Wigan managed to win the FA Cup and get relegated from the Premier League in the same week, Roberto Mancini got sacked as Manchester City manager, Golden Balls David Beckham played his last professional football game… basically, it’s been a pretty eventful season and we’re exhausted just thinking about it.

There’s going to be a large Premier League shaped hole in our hearts for the next few months until the new season kicks off again, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get our football fix elsewhere. We know we aren’t the only ones who think our football team was “better back in the day”, so we reckon you’re really going to like what we’re about to suggest for you: Royal Mail Football Heroes stamps!

To coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Football Association (and the 140th anniversary of the Scottish Football Association, may we add) Royal Mail is releasing Football Heroes stamps to celebrate some of the greatest names in football history.

11 of the greatest to be precise; and they are, in no particular order: Jimmy Greaves, John Charles, Gordon Banks, George Best, John Barnes, Kevin Keegan, Denis Law, Bobby Moore, Bryan Robson, Dave Mackay and Bobby Charlton. Experts, including those from the National Football Museum, gathered round to pick the aforementioned top 11 – no doubt there were a few arguments along the way – so did they do a good job? Is your favourite in there?

Some of the collectable items in the Royal Mail Football Heroes collection include a Prestige Stamp Book for £11.11, a Presentation Pack for £7.10, Mint Stamps for £6.60, a miniature First 11 team sheet for £6.60, Framed Stamps for £25.00 and more. Click here to check out the full list of what’s on offer. That should help fill the void until the season starts up again, right?

Apparently, according to a study by the University of Northumbria, a man’s dancing can actually determine whether he might be a good match for a woman. And if that isn’t impressive enough, it reportedly also determines whether he is a “love rival” to other men because of the signals heterosexual men give off and detect. Let the competition commence!

“This ability to discern upper-body strength is principally because men are looking for cues of “formidability” in other males,” said Northumbria psychologist Dr Nick Neave. “Upper-body strength is highly related to fighting ability as it reflects the ability to do damage, especially in intra-sexual conflicts.

“The ability to gauge strength before potential conflicts is sensible, especially to other males.”

So, there you go. Next time someone looks at your Mrs the wrong way or spills half their pint on you, why don’t you challenge them to a West Side Story rumble instead? A good old fashioned dance off will no doubt reaffirm your masculinity more than fisticuffs… it’s a scientifically proven fact! Click here to read more about the study conducted (which also includes signs to watch out for when women are dancing – very helpful information!).

And if you’ve been inspired to throw some shapes and test the theory out this bank holiday weekend, make sure you are appropriately suited and booted for the dancefloor by stocking up on some mens dancewear.

Thankfully, a pair of jeans is always in style. However as the seasons move on and the lookbooks evolve, it’s good to keep up to date with the latest styles, fits and colours to keep your favourite denim friend looking fresh.

Light Denim

Over the last few years light-wash denim has built a bit of a bad reputation, due to the awful pairs that have often been adorned by those with a very misguided sense of fashion. However, over recent seasons light jeans have worked their way back into the style conscious gent’s capsule wardrobe.

Simplicity works best for lighter jeans; look for very slight distressing to the denim and avoid anything with patches, rips or other unnecessary embellishments. In general, slimmer fitting light denim will look best.

As a general rule, darks should be combined with lights. However rules are made to be broken; a beige jumper or a sharp white t-shirt can look great with light denim, especially when the sun starts shining.

Classic Indigo

Thankfully, these are a wardrobe essential that every man should already have. If not, then go for a simple, long-lasting pair; Levi’s are always going to be a good choice. Make sure your staple pair is well tailored; it can be surprisingly cheap to have them adjusted to your shape and definitely worth it if they’re your go-to jeans.

A classic pair of subtly-stylish indigo jeans will help you to pull off bolder colours and patterns up top. Try pairing them with a camo shirt, or an orange long sleeve top. Bright statement coats are also in this season, so you could opt for a subtle outfit that is stimulated by a vibrantly coloured raincoat.

White jeans

Definitely one for the more fashion-daring, white jeans can be a fantastic addition to a summer look when worn with confidence. They can also be surprisingly versatile; they’re neutral white after all, so they can work with anything from plain t-shirts to bold patterns.

Go for a slim fitting pair. Given the British weather and the vulnerability of white jeans to get marked, stained or discoloured, we suggest avoiding expensive branded pairs.

This summer’s key trend is to show your ankles; cuff your jean by turning them up a few inches to show a bit of skin, and invest in some low ankle liner socks so that they are not on show. Also, remember to buy jeans that fit slightly on the snug side, as most well-built denim will stretch up to a full size over the first few times its worn.

Not to pack:

Too many jeans. Denim takes up more room in your suitcase than you’d think, so only take two pair of jeans at most. We suggest one light colour and one dark colour for maximum mix-and-matching potential. Opt for chinos and board shorts instead!

Camera. Bit of a nightmare, the camera. You’ll need to pack batteries, chargers, worry about memory cards and water damage etc… the list is practically endless. Use your phone instead to capture those fine holiday moments.

Electric toothbrush and shavers. Believe it or not, the world functioned quite well without electric toothbrushes and shavers, so you can manage a few weeks without them too. You never know what electrical sockets are going to be available to you, so don’t run the risk of packing them for no reason!

Hair products – we know you’re not as particular with your hair products as the ladies are, so don’t waste precious suitcase room with heavy shampoos and hair gels. These are cheap enough to buy on holiday (or use the ones provided in the hotel) and you can avoid the risk of them exploding all over your clothes.

Aftershave. Believe it or not, your favourite aftershave will smell different on holiday than it does in your own country. Plus, you might find it really overpowering and it might even irritate your skin. Get a summer edition of your fave scent from the airport instead – these are made with the sun in mind, and you won’t have to carry the heavy bottle in your suitcase. Plus – Duty Free!

To pack:

One pair of good shoes. You never know what the dress code of some of those fancy holiday restaurants is going to be, so always pack one pair of smart shoes just in case. You don’t want to be refused entry just because of your footwear!

Blackberry Bold 9700. Apart from the Mrs, your Blackberry Bold 9700 best friend for the entire duration of the holiday. It will be your planner, your alarm clock, your camera, your music provider, the lot. Don’t forget the charger, you’ll be lost without it!

Adapters. Make sure you pack a few of these – as well as an extension lead – just in case. There’s nothing worse than not being able to charge your phone when you need it most. Alternatively, those battery operated mobile chargers that are popular with festival-goers would also work a treat!

Presenting your better half with some gorgeous sunnies would also work rather nicely if you want to surprise her with a sunny weekend away and haven’t figured out how to tell her yet. It’s definitely like something out of a film, which is what girls really want from their men (trust us on that!).

We’ve been scouring the net for the ultimate stylish pair of sunglasses, and have finally settled on these beautiful ones from Michael Kors. Or if we’re being technical, “Michael Kors Sunglasses UK Caicos M2811 210” to use their full name!

They’re a classic, fashion-forward and iconic shape, and come in neutral colours which means they will go with practically anything, not to mention suit all skin and hair colours. Plus, we reckon they will suit the majority of face shapes too, so we don’t think you can go wrong with them!

Best of all, they’ve been reduced from £84 to just £76, which means you have a few more pennies to spend on a blingtastic sparkly case for her to put them in. Don’t do things by halves!

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Picking out a wedding ring can be a little daunting, as there are so many different styles and materials – even the terminology can seem foreign; a seemingly endless choice can make it hard to know where to start.

Things to take into consideration are:

What is appropriate for your lifestyle – do you use your hands a lot for rough work?

What suits your personality – do you have a modern sense of style or do you prefer things to be traditional?

But most of all, you need to choose a ring that is comfortable and within your budget. People often assume that you need to go out and get matching standard gold rings, but nowadays you can stray away from tradition with a wide range of new, stylish metals that can withstand more rough and tumble of daily life.

So here are our top picks of modern men’s wedding rings from John Greed Jewellery that are highly recommended from recent buyers:

Titanium Hammered Shoulder Cut Ring

This polished and hammered piece is a unique and stylish. Designed to be ultra-strong and durable, it will last as a strong reminder of your special day. It’s perfect for those that need versatile durability as it is light-weight, tough, corrosion resistant and just exudes classic British style.

Titanium Hammered Shoulder Cut ring – £94.95

Black Zirconium and Titanium Border Ring

Carefully crafted, this black zirconium offers a modern twist on the traditional symbol of marriage. This ring shows that you don’t have to conform to the traditional styles and you can find something that reflects your personality. The two-toned colour gives a striking finish, whilst its strong materials will make sure it stands the test of time.

Black Zirconium and Titanium Border ring – £139.95

Titanium Brushed Roman Numeral Ring

Make sure you mark your wedding date with this striking brushed titanium ring, engraved with bold Roman Numerals with the date of your choice. You’ll always be able to remember your special day as you catch a glimpse of this stylish ring (so no excuses for forgetting the wedding anniversary!).

Titanium Brushed Roman Numeral ring – £165.00

Titanium Brushed Zen Art Engraved Ring

If you love your individual flair, this wedding ring will be perfect for you. The crafted brushed titanium ring is laser engraved with striking Zen Art, making it a true masterpiece of texture and pattern.

Titanium Brushed Zen Art Engraved ring – £230.00

Titanium Platinum Stripe 6mm Wedding Ring

If you want to treat yourself, this titanium and platinum striped ring is perfect. The polished titanium edges enclose a brushed centre with platinum stripes for a timeless and classy finish. Created so that it is feather-light, but it is still resilient enough to withstand corrosion, this ring is understated and will be sure to suit your refined style throughout your life.

Titanium Platinum Stripe 6mm Wedding Ring – £350.00