Welcome to Ape to Gentleman’s Top 10 of the Month feature. We have curated the top trends, insights and advice to help you live your best life.

In this instalment, we’ve handpicked 10 essential topics covering everything from your new favourite earbuds to the perfect white shirt. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for a wardrobe overhaul, eager to enhance your grooming routine, or simply looking for the best and latest releases, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s explore how to make October your most stylish, successful and satisfying month yet.

Charles Tyrwhitt – The Shirt

This month, Charles Tyrwhitt is celebrating the classic white shirt. They’ve crunched the numbers and the results show that on an average week, UK office workers spend more time in a white shirt than they do in bed.

Garments getting that much wear require dependable quality, and a Charles Tyrwhitt shirt is engineered to deliver. From non-iron tech for a crisp, all-day look to reinforced seams for standing up to wear and tear. As offices across the globe begin phasing out working from home, we’d recommend stocking up on a few.

Shop now at Charles Tyrwhitt

Paul Smith (Phaidon)

If Phaidon releases a book, we want it on our coffee table. With over a century of creative arts publishing, if you’re looking for inspiration on a page, you’ll find it in one of the creative art publisher’s numerous chunky masterpieces. Not much of a reader? The covers alone will elevate a room.

Fall sees the launch of a host of fantastic architecture and cooking titles, but it’s the re-release of their Paul Smith compendium—charting UK fashion’s beloved grandfather figure in 50 unique items, complete with new cover and preface—that’s caught our eye this month.

It’s a must for avid collectors of the PS stripe.

Buy now at Phaidon

NYC Jackets – Men’s Leather Jackets

If anyone knows cold weather it’s New York City with 3ºF (-16ºC) reached in 2023. To counter the cold, NYC Jackets, one of the leading leather manufacturers and distributors, operating primarily in the US and shipping worldwide – also knows weather-appropriate leather wear. Starting life as a team of 10 people making leather jackets from their grandfather’s small unit, NYC Jackets have now become a company of 200+ people, with a simple motto: to provide leather products that exude luxury and sophistication but are easy on the pocket.

Their men’s leather jackets, made from the finest full-grain leather, offers a timeless style and unparalleled craftsmanship. They only deliver jackets with clean stitching and attention to detail. It is more than an outerwear piece- it’s an investment in the quality that will last for years to come. The Jackets boast a soft, quilted lining for added warmth and comfort, along with zippered front closure and adjustable cuffs for a snug finish. They have a variety of styles of men’s leather jackets, which are Biker Leather Jackets, Bomber Leather Jackets, Winter Jackets, Coats, and more.

nycjackets.com

The Apprentice

There’s still a chance that Donald Trump’s legal team might keep this unapproved biographical drama away from cinemas this month, but if they don’t, we’re keen to see it. The Apprentice charts Trump’s real estate career in the 70s and 80s in New York, examining the early rise of the former president and now Republican presidential candidate.

Director Ali Abbasi has strong form for charting monstrous male leads, as well as two The Last of Us episodes under his belt, and he’s in good company with Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong playing ruthless lawyer Roy Cohn.

Exclusively in theatres from 11 October.

R17 Electric Restomod x Ora Ïto

Carmakers could learn a lot from the past when designing future EV icons. The R17 Rostomod is one such example. By reinterpreting the iconic Renault 17 sports coupe from the 70s, French designer Ora Ito has created a contemporary classic.

A sculpted carbon body in exclusive Galactic Brown complements retro futurist interiors for ultimate sleekness. Under the bonnet, a never-before-seen 270hp electric motor offers 248 miles of range.

See it at this year’s Paris Motor Show, from 14 October.

renault.co.uk

Private White V.C. – The Lowry Collection

One of Britain’s foremost menswear brands pays tribute to one of Britain’s most recognisable artists. This month, Private White V.C.’s The Lowry Collection celebrates L.S. Lowry with a collection of handcrafted menswear items inspired by his palette and body of work.

Lowry used to sit on the steps of Private White’s Salford factory, sketching the industrial landscape in front of him, and the collection nods to the classic menswear silhouettes and colours that feature so prominently in his drawings.

The Lowry Great Coat is the star of the show here, made using double-sided 100% virgin wool woven in West Yorkshire. It would make a superb addition to any fall/winter wardrobe.

Shop now at Private White V.C.

END. x Levi’s Mount Rambler

Perhaps it’s the Moonrise Kingdom (2012) vibes we’re getting, or maybe it’s the fact we’re a sucker for a neckerchief. Either way, we like this six-piece capsule collaboration from END. and Levi’s.

Living in the UK, it’s easy to forget that late September to early October can be a pleasant time for exploring the great outdoors. The 1970s rambling watershed inspired the pale double denim and T-shirts on offer here.

Of course, this capsule is a ticket to doubling up, with the classic collar trucker jacket and 568 Stay Loose five-pocket jeans, both in ecru, but the two also work well as separates. Add a limited neckerchief, and the forest is your runway.

Shop now at END.

Stone Island FW 24/25

Aside from ‘getting the badge in’ becoming somewhat of a cliche, Stone Island continues to produce remarkable outerwear season after season. The latest FW campaign is fronted by four stalwarts of their respective creative communities – Liam Gallagher, Peggy Gou, Sage Elsesser and Russel Tovey – all kitted out in technical magnificence.

It was Russel Tovey in the Ghost logo-appliquéd wool mock neck on MR PORTER, reminiscent of contemporary chainmail, that enticed us in, only to reveal a further suede sheepskin hooded jacket. It’s what we can only describe as heavy gear, in the best possible way.

Shop now at Stone Island

Barena FW 24

We’ve considered it long and hard and have concluded that the silhouettes make the Barena FW24 lookbook such an enticing proposition. The Italian brand takes craftsmanship and local fabrics very seriously, too, but it’s the elegance in every outfit that’s left us staring at the latest collection and dreaming of payday.

The boxy suiting tucked into combat boots, the wide-fitting, belted fisherman work trousers, and the double-breasted cord-tuned two-piece suiting—it’s all glorious.

Certain brands manage to convey where they are from better than others, and Barena proudly wears the sophistication of Venice on its sleeve.

See more at Barena

Nothing Ear Open

They sound great, look great, and feel great. Their price point will undercut bigger brands, and they ship from October 1. What’s not to love? Nothing’s Ear (Open) earbuds have caused a shockwave in the audio world, and it’s not difficult to see why.

Engineered for a high-quality, seamless listening experience, they sound great despite not going fully into the ear canal (that’s the open bit) and they’re packed full of one-of-a-kind features.

For us though, it’s the comfort and sound quality. Nothing are leading from the front with many features but it’s that precious mix of open ear comfort and sound quality which have us signed up for their latest pair.

Buy now at nothing.tech

Maya, Manchester

There’s a lot to love about Manchester at the moment: sport, music, entertainment. The city is abuzz with what feels like world-leading ways to spend a weekend. Recently, it has also excelled in a particular sub-category of restaurants, too: restaurants that seem to be able to do it all. Maya is a prime example.

Michelin Guide-listed Maya shares family ties with Mayfair hotspot Isabel and shares similar hedonistic tendencies. Upstairs, an elegant bistro and cocktail bar lines the city’s Canal Street, while below sits an elegant dining room, home to testing menus, with a further subterranean floor hosting the best of the city’s club night talent.

It’s the ultimate cross-section of a night well spent and one worth booking this October as they unleash a new party schedule.

See more at mayamanchester.com