Up Your Game

On again off again seems likely to be the pattern of the sun's appearances over Ireland this summer. Sure nevermind, only problem is we've no bloody idea what clothes to stock up on.

An Indian summer, monsoon rains, gale force winds, they're all a possibility when you step out your front door this Irish summer season. It could be shorts one day and duffle coats the next.

Then there's the added importance of dressing well to impress the ladies. You know yourself, it's important to look your best anytime you venture away from your lads pad. Dressing well never harmed anyone... except maybe your wallet.

Not to worry my recession-worn friend, as we've got a whopper of a competition that will help you sort out all those worries in one helpful, fell swoop.

We've teamed up with the lads over at Arnotts again this month to bring you another invitation to 'Up Your Game'. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Damn straight, what's not to like about €1,000 to pimp yourself out like Ireland's answer to Ryan Gosling (pictured above)?

You can get yourself enough cool gear to prepare for whatever the sadistic Irish weather has to throw at you. Come rain or shine (most likely rain though, let's be honest) you'll be looking like a serious pro.

Now, it's probably about this time that you'll be saying to yourself 'Sure that's no use at all, at all. I couldn't dress a clothes horse'. While that is a pretty sad state of affairs, there'll be a Arnotts personal shopper at your beck and call, so that's no problem.

The personal shopper will be able to point out what best suits your frame and stature and what colours you should avoid if at all humanly possible. Basically they'll stop you making the auld fashion faux pas.

See, I told you it was a whopper of an offer. If you're the lucky fella all you have to do is appear in one of our cool videos showing your transformation from lad about town to total boss.

Don't worry, there's no Gok Wan effect. You won't have to drop the kaks and sally on down a catwalk in front of a dozen of your chortling mates at the end of the process. All we ask you to do is agree for us to video your transformation from larva to lion (if that isn't mixing animal metaphors) on the day you get to take home those shopping bags worth €1,000.

Not only that, but you'll also get a full grooming treat from Grafton Barbers. When we say full, we don't exactly mean full. No Brazilians here, oh no. So do you want to follow behind the stylish silhouette of last month's lucky winner Mark Bonfil?

Let us know by firing off a quick email to upyourgame@joe.ie to tell us why you deserve a new outfit or two, we'll get in touch with a few of the likeliest lads over the next week or so and one lucky lad will get to spend an hour or so picking and choosing from some of Arnotts' top menswear ranges before the end of the month.

Who's in?