So he has ample experience of choosing styles and fabrics, and he knows what is in fashion at any time. One aspect of the fashion industry that he emphasises is that well cut clothes in fabrics that hold their shape are in fashion every year and are slow to go out of date.

What is your definition of smart clothes?
"I think there are two types of smart dressing - smart formal and smart casual," Geoff replied. "And there is an increasing tendency for men to choose to wear 'smart casual' except for formal business situations and high fashion formal gatherings like some weddings.

"It is quite possible to look smart in tidy practical work clothes. We carry clothes suitable for working in an office, a warehouse or a workshop. In the wide range we carry there will be trousers and shirts that will also meet the demands of outdoor wear.

Call for easy-care fabrics
"More and more my customers want clothes that look good, but are comfortable and easy-care. The men who look after their own clothes often find laundry a more time-consuming chore than they realised when their mothers did it for them as they grew up, so most of them want trousers that can be laundered quickly. When customers come in with partners who do the laundry the partner's first question is, 'Can they be washed in the machine?' My answer is an emphatic YES for most garments.
And you can look good without spending a fortune."

Trousers for the coming winter
Moreton's Menswear specialises in trousers. Geoff showed me the winter range - and a wide range it is!

Poly/wool trousers for all ages
These come in navy, black, charcoal and grey with a pleat in front, and they are made in sizes 84cm-122cm.

Trousers for the mature man
Corduroys and jeans
Corduroy is fashionable again for the winter season. Moreton's have Stag's corduroys in green or fawn and they are selling fast at $NZ59.95.

Navy blue stone-washed jeans never go out of fashion and Moreton's is stocking Tusk brand at $NZ59.95.

Moleskins
Many people would say, "Think Moreton's - think Moleskins" or "Think Moleskins - think Moreton's".

Moleskins are smart and practical for indoor or outdoor wear.

Moleskin trousers and shirts ideal for outdoor wear for all ages

"Moleskin is made from specially loomed 100% cotton. It is a tough cloth - very durable with a long life. It is very comfortable to wear, looks smart and is easy to care for as it needs only to be washed," Geoff explained. "But do remember to follow the washing instructions and don't put washing powder in the water without dissolving it first or you may make the colour patchy."

Of course in Moreton's range there are choices - light-weight or heavy-weight, Australian fabric or English cut pile cloth. The light weight moleskins come in beige, taupe, denim and olive colour($NZ89.95), and the heavy weight in navy, green, beige and taupe ($NZ99.95). The luxurious moleskins in English cloth - what Geoff calls "the champagne of moleskins" - this year are selling at only $NZ99.95.

I asked Geoff to explain the differences in the different moleskin fabrics. "The lightweight 'jackaroo' moleskin fabric and the heavy weight moleskin fabric are both cotton in different weights, and brush backed. The English fabric is brushed on both sides and has a cut pile on the outside."

Shirts
No longer do men's clothes need to be drab.

Business shirts
These come in exciting colours this year - six different fashion shades. The size range goes up to 48 cm neck size. They are great value at $NZ39.95.

Smart warm shirts
Yarn dyed country-look poly/cotton shirts are a cosy winter essential as they are warm but also dry quickly. For this fabric each individual thread is dyed separately and woven into the pattern. The colour range includes fawns, blues and claret. They are priced at $NZ69.95.

Moleskin Shirts

A jacket to complete your outfit
The navy single-breasted reefer jacket continues to be fashionable when a formal look is wanted. It's an inexpensive way to top off your outfit at $NZ159.95.

Where do you find Geoff?
In the shop
Moreton's Menswear is at 638 Colombo Street, Christchurch - one block south of Ballantynes. You can park for an hour free at the Christchurch City Council car parks.

On the website
It's great to get the personal attention of Geoff or one of his staff, but it's often much more convenient to shop by mail order through his website www.moleskins.co.nz

On the free phone
Use his free phone 0800-22-20-20
The phones are staffed seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Fax 03 366 0713

Christchurch shoppers - see Geoff on Shopping with Jo on CTV.

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