Bitcoin, Ethereum and general cryptocurrency prices have been experiencing enormous volatility over the past few weeks, owing largely to the increasing geopolitical tensions emerging from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 

The price of Bitcoin briefly fell below $35,000 ($48,882 AUD) earlier this week, before rebounding strongly over the following days. Bitcoin is currently trading at $37,447 ($52,555 AUD) and as global tensions continue to rise with Russia, investors are bracing for another wave of extreme volatility. 

The United States and a coalition of other Western nations recently moved to ban Russia from the SWIFT, the world’s primary electronic payments system and stated that they would further penalize Russia’s central bank. 

As reported by Reuters, the former deputy chairman of the Russian Central Bank, Sergei Aleksashenko said that these sanctions would devastate Russia economically. He said: “It means there is going to be a catastrophe on the Russian currency market on Monday.” 

A popular narrative has emerged that Russia could potentially use cryptocurrency to circumvent these economic sanctions. Despite this narrative being taken up by bitcoin and crypto bulls on Twitter, the price of digital assets have remained firmly in the red, indicating that there may be a flaw in the thesis. 

Can Russia Use Crypto To Avoid Sanctions?

Unfortunately for Russia, the world of blockchain is not as decentralized nor as “laissez-faire” as it once was, and the rise of blockchain surveillance firms have made it increasingly difficult to conduct “unwarranted” transactions.

Blockchain-data analysis platforms such as Chainalysis, offer services to large financial firms and governments to track, record and even interrupt transactions on the blockchain if the software considers transactions to be suspicious. 

As reported by Forkast, Caroline Malcolm, the head of international policy at Chanalysis, said that they would be working to make sure that bad actors could not empower Russia with the transfer of crypto assets. She said: “The cryptocurrency ecosystem kind of put in place measures to identify transactions from sanctioned entities abroad.” 

Wayne Huang, CEO of crypto exchange XREX, said: “We’ve not been able to service Russian nationalities.” XREX and many other major exchanges follow FATF guidelines and adhere to sanctions lists provided by the U.S. and United Nations. 

What Can Crypto Investors Expect?

Speaking on the price of Bitcoin, Alex Kuptsikevich, senior financial analyst at FxPro said, 

“If the situation in Ukraine escalates even more, bitcoin may fall below $30,000 as investors leave for defensive assets… otherwise, the country will not survive the growing sanctions pressure from Western countries.”

Alex Kuptsikevich

Speculative market sectors like cryptocurrency, high-growth tech or anything with a high Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio tend to get hit quite hard during times of global turmoil. Anything that could be considered “overvalued” gets sold off quickly as investors look for safe haven assets that can weather a potentially nasty geopolitical storm. 

Despite popular narratives suggesting that the price of Bitcoin is uniquely volatile, Bitcoin actually tends to move in fairly tight correlation with other speculative, high-growth stocks like Tesla, Shopify & Roku. 

The other prevailing narrative that Bitcoin would act like ‘digital gold’ has taken a hit as well — as the price of the shiny yellow metal has climbed steadily during the recent turmoil, while Bitcoin’s price went in the opposite direction. 

Ultimately, Bitcoin and the entire crypto market remains one of the most unpredictable areas of the modern financial sector, and in times of war, markets can be extremely unkind to speculative assets. In the meantime, it’s expected that the price of Bitcoin will continue to fall, unless market conditions change drastically in the near future. 

• Russian Oligarchs On Suicide Watch As Russian Stock Market Tanks
• Don’t Expect Crypto To Recover Until 2024, Analyst Says
• Real-Life Game Of ‘Succession’ Now Playing Out In China

The post How The Ukraine War Will Affect The Crypto Market appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Instagram is a romantic place. Just by looking at someone’s pictures you can tell whether you love them or not (cue ‘Love Is In The Air’ by John Paul Young).So, now that you’ve fallen madly in love, how do you date the Instagram girl you’ve never met? Well, much like Einstein, I like to solve life’s important questions. And much like E = mc², INSTA = LOVE.Now let’s say for this example, it’s the common Instagram equation: you follow her, but she doesn’t follow you. The short term goal is to get on her radar and perhaps even get a “like”, the long term goal is to get a “follow back”, because on Instagram if two single people follow each other, they are basically married. It’s the law.We hit up a comedian (Ash Williams) and a dating coach (Chris Manak) to get the all important tips on how to get that all important follow back (and a date):

#1 Avoid Instagram Clutter

According To A Comedian

Some girls have over 500,000 followers, so you’ve got to stand out from the crowd. The best way to do this is to ONLY like the posts that nobody else does. For example, she might gram a pic of a chair or a glass of milk and it’s not “popping”. So “like” the picture, and if you are feeling adventurous perhaps comment, “nice chair” or “I love milk”. Once again, anything to get on her radar.

According To A Dating Coach

In a time when everyone is plastering their Social Media with more and more “high value” shit they’re doing, I think what is most attractive is capturing and sharing what you genuinely enjoy doing in your life. Keep it light-hearted.Don’t try so hard. I’ve had endless clients over the years slather their Instagram with photos in expensive restaurants, with beautiful women, looking off into the distance from the bow of some sailboat, and still get nothing from the ladies.Of course, some of this is fine, but it’s very obvious when this is not your real life and you’re running around looking for opportunities to present to the world some bullshit version of yourself. You win the game by not playing the game. Be genuine.

#2 Go Stealth

According To A Comedian

Go on her page but don’t like anything, be like an Instagram ghost. Your main objective of going stealth is to get a figurative feel for her hobbies and interests…perhaps she likes kittens or orange juice; whatever it is, you are gathering valuable information. If you feel the urge to click something, then take a screen shot, but don’t be a weirdo by going deep in the profile and liking her Thailand pics from 154 weeks ago.

According To A Dating Coach

If you accidentally like an old pic: don’t do anything. Definitely don’t DM her and try to recover it. What’s done is done, just let it sit. She might even wonder about it, like when you ask a girl how her night is going in a bar and then walk off.

#3 Be Diligent

According To A Comedian

Take notes of which cafes she likes to go to. These are now your favourite cafes – I once travelled interstate for a girl I loved on Instagram (but had never met). I went to her favourite cafe for three consecutive days and I am now talking to this girl.

According To A Dating Coach

Test out a joke/tease in her Stories. Don’t comment on her public photos like every other chump, and for the love of god, don’t tell her how beautiful she is or put the flame emoticon. There is a girl on my IG that I will just constantly say “Doesn’t match” to any clothes related Story that she posts. She hates it, but it gets a reaction every time.

#4 Take Acting Lessons

According To A Comedian

You will need to be a strong actor when you bump into your “Instagram girl” and act as if you know nothing about her when you actually know EVERYTHING about her.

According To A Dating Coach

No comment.

#5 Private Message

According To A Comedian

Yes you can private message on Instagram. Send a tasteful pic – not of your favourite body part – of the ocean or some sand. The picture will be so relaxing that she will think she is on holiday and should respond promptly.

According To A Dating Coach

Treat it exactly like getting a phone number. Build some rapport first. Don’t necessarily try to ask her out in the first contact (a super common mistake guys make with phone numbers). Contact her, have a chat, leave it (unless it takes off from the get-go of course). When some time passes, contact her again, have a chat, ask if she’d like to catch up then if she is as receptive as the first time. There really is no magic to it.

“There is a lot to be said for a man who isn’t in a rush.”

#6 The Closing Act

According To A Comedian

Good luck. By using these tips you should end up married…or in jail.

According To A Dating Coach

On Instagram, amuse YOURSELF first and foremost. Just post the fun and weird shit that you see in your everyday life. Make a bit of a joke of the whole thing. Just yesterday I posted a Story of a table that I walked past that had a “Free” sign posted to it. I had clearly missed out because the table had nothing left besides a few leaves that had fallen onto it. I posted a photo captioned, “Free leaves! Shit yeah” … and even that got DMs.

“People enjoy quirky daily things much more than they do another video of you eating a $100 meal.”

RELATED: An Instagram Model Reveals What It Takes To Slide Into Her DM’s 

The post How To Date The Instagram Girl You've Never Met appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If you’re going to drop a serious chunk of cash on your suit, you’d be foolish not to get as much wear out of it as possible. Just because a suit is traditionally considered formalwear, doesn’t mean it has to be reserved for weddings and big days at the office. Modern suits are more versatile than ever – the only limit is your enthusiasm for sartorial experimentation.

The first rule of dressing down a suit is to remember that it is not a single piece of clothing. Think of your suit as two separate pieces that can be worn independently and still look good. As long as you’ve nailed the fit, you can mix and match with all kinds of other items in your wardrobe.

After making that mental shift, you’re ready to start rocking your suit with the same sangfroid as your favourite pair of jeans.

RELATED: How To Rock A Casual Friday (And Win The Week)

The Lowdown: How To Wear A Suit Casually

The keyword to keep in mind here is “relaxed.” Do away with the trappings that are associated with the office, like stuffy ties and accessories. Un-doing that top button goes a long way, too. The easiest way to make a suit look laidback and dressed down is to pair it with items that are laidback and dressed down, comme ça:

Knitwear

In the cooler months, swap your shirt and tie for knitwear and cardigans, or layer it over the top if you want to maintain a look’s formality. This is a great opportunity to create interesting texture and colour combinations. Make sure you opt for lightweight knitwear if you don’t want to ruin the slim silhouette of your suit. Keep the colour scheme neutral if you want to maintain some degree of dressiness, and introduce bolder colours or patterns if you want to show off more personality.

Shirts

Even if you’re sticking with a classic shirt, it can still be dressed down for more casual occasions. This is the right time to ditch the formal frills (tie, pocket square, belt.) in favour of your own accessories. An interesting piece of jewellery or pair of sunglasses adds effortless, off-duty cool to the outfit. There are also opportunities to play with the shirt itself. Choose something with a more daring pattern or colour, or switch up the material to something more frequently associated with casualwear (jersey, chambray, denim, etc).

RELATED:

• The Best Casual Shirt Brands To Buy Right Now
• How To Wear A Suit Without A Tie

T-shirts

Dressing down a suit doesn’t get any easier than adding a t-shirt. You should already have a reliable selection of basic tees in your arsenal. Solid neutral colours are a go-to option but don’t ignore more unexpected contrasting colour combinations and upscale graphic t-shirts. If you’re going the t-shirt level of casual, you can also add edge with well-chosen accessories.

Singlets

Only do this with unstructured cotton or linen suits. It won’t work with wool work suits. Pairing your suit with a singlet is the most dressed down option of all. The same t-shirt rules apply here: go plain, coloured or printed, and jazz up the rest of your look with attention-grabbing scarves, sunglasses, sneakers pocket squares, jewellery, etc. We call this, the James Furness special. Please tread carefully.

What To Do With The Bottom Half

With your top half sorted out, it’s time to look below. A fashion-conscious gentleman such as yourself no doubt already knows that footwear can make or break an outfit, so choosing the right shoes is key. These are the finishing touches your dressed down suit needs:

Boots

The fashion world has loosened up about what constitutes acceptable footwear with a suit. Boots are now in. Something along the sleek Chelsea boots line keeps the look chic and slightly dressy, while a military- or hiking-inspired boot can look incredibly cool if your colours are well coordinated.

Sneakers/Plimsolls

It goes without saying that adding sneakers to a suit significantly takes the look down a notch. Because the sneaker world is so vast, you have a lot of room to play around here. You could go for something slim, like a classic Converse, or choose something flashy that Kanye would wear. Both work, depending on exactly how dressed down you want to get. Need more help?

Belts or No Belts

If your trousers fit correctly (and if they don’t, it’s time to reevaluate a few of your priorities), you don’t need a belt. Save it for the office. Or, if you’re not comfortable losing it altogether, go for a style that reinforces the casual aesthetic of the outfit. Think plaited leather, rope, canvas and D-ring belts. Colours are highly encouraged.

Casual Suits FAQ

The post How To Dress Down A Suit For Casual Occasions appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

By now, you’ve probably heard or read all about President Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. You may have even read up on Putin’s past or perhaps watched a documentary detailing Putin’s rise to power.

But what you probably didn’t know is that Ukraine President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a successful career as a comedian and actor before he transitioned to politics.

After being a part of the winning team of KVN’s Major League (a Russian comedy competition) at just 17 years old in 1997, Zelenskyy went on to create what would soon become a production company, called Kvartal 95.

From there, Zelenskyy starred in various Ukrainian films such as Love In The Big City, Office Romance. Our Time, Rzhevsky Versus Napoleon and 8 First Dates. He also starred in a Ukraine comedy series, Servant of the People. Ironically, the character he played was a high-school teacher who ended up becoming the Ukraine president.

Despite Netflix being the worldwide distributor for Servant of the People, it’s no longer available on the streaming platform. However, Kvartal 95’s official Youtube channel has made every episode available to watch for free; you can do so by clicking here. And you can watch a teaser trailer for Servant of the People below:

Kvartal 95 officially registered a political party (named Servant of the People after the TV show) in Ukraine in 2018 after Servant of the People became a massive hit. Shortly after, on the 31st of December 2018, Zelenskyy announced his candidacy for the 2019 Ukrainian presidential election.

Zelenskyy worked as a comedian and actor up until roughly 2018-2019, as the most recent episode of Servant of the People – which he starred in – aired in March 2019. One month later, on the 21st of April 2019, Zelenskyy was elected president of Ukraine; in a landslide, we might add, with 73 per cent of the votes.

• Best TV Shows On Netflix
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• Behold: Yet Another Example Of Why Celebrities Shouldn’t Comment On The Ukraine Invasion

The post Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Has A Netflix Show You Need To See appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Formula 1, the highest tier of international motorsport and one of the most popular sports in the world, has announced that the 2022 Russian Grand Prix will not go ahead, in light of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. It’s an uncharacteristically proactive move from an enterprise that rarely takes any sort of political position.

“The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits countries all over the world with a positive vision to unite people, bringing nations together,” the sport’s organisers explained in a statement released last night. The statement continues:

“We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.”

“On Thursday evening [European time] Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”

This announcement came less than 24 hours after one of the sport’s biggest stars, four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel, said he was boycotting the 2022 Russian Grand Prix in light of the shocking invasion. Seems as if Vettel’s advocacy has had some impact.

“In my personal opinion, obviously I woke up again after this morning’s news, shocked,” the 34-year-old Aston Martin driver said at a press conference after day 2 of pre-season testing in Barcelona.

“I think it’s horrible to see what is happening. Obviously, if you look at the calendar, we have a race scheduled in Russia… I will not go. I think it’s wrong to race in that country. I’m sorry for the people, innocent people who are losing their lives, getting killed for stupid reasons under a very strange and mad leadership… My decision is already made.”

Vettel, who has become increasingly vocal on humanitarian issues in recent years, wasn’t the only big-name driver who expressed a desire to skip the Russian Grand Prix ahead of F1’s announcement. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the reigning World Champion, also expressed hesitance about racing in Russia, adding “when a country is at war it is not right to race there, that’s for sure.”

Another former World Champion, Alpine’s Fernando Alonso, also weighed in: “we have our opinion and I’m sure it’s the same as everyone… we can make our own decisions for sure but eventually I think Formula One will do the best thing.” Looks like Alonso’s instincts were right.

It’s left the sole Russian driver on the grid, Haas’ Nikita Mazepin (whose oligarch father’s company, petrochemical giant Uralkali, is bankrolling the Haas F1 Team) with egg on his face. Mazepin had previously told Crash.net that he’s still confident the 2022 Russian Grand Prix will go ahead, saying “from the understanding that we’ve had with Formula One, [the] race is going ahead and you will surely see me there.”

RELATED: Russian Oligarchs On Suicide Watch As Russian Stock Market Tanks

F1 isn’t the only big international sport to snub Russia. For example, UEFA, the most prominent administrative body in association football, has stripped St Petersburg of the Champions League final in June in reaction to the invasion, which has already claimed hundreds of lives.

• Sebastian Vettel’s Hair Transformation Is The Story Of The Year
• Lewis Hamilton’s Opinion On Racing In Saudi Arabia Sparks Debate

The post Formula 1 Announces 2022 Russian Grand Prix Boycott appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There’s nothing the fashion world loves more than doling out directions and issuing edicts.

“This is in”. “This is out”. “This is cool”. “This is hideous”. “This will make you look like a sartorial sexual panther”. “This will make you look like a total fashion disaster”.

It’s enough to make your head spin straight off. Lesser men have collapsed under the pressure. And the worst part about it all is that half of those pesky proclamations are based purely on transient trends instead of what you really need: truly timeless style.

What’s the point of following a fad if it’s going to fall out of favour in a month or – even worse – if it doesn’t actually look good on you?

It’s a cardinal style sin we’ve all been guilty of at least once: dressing to suit what’s in style, but not what actually suits you.

What Your Body Needs From Your Wardrobe

Your clothes should flatter your body shape, your skin tone, your hairstyle, your eye colour and your personality.

A great wardrobe is a mix of classic pieces and current trends, all personalised to be uniquely you. Knowing how to dress for your body shape – and which styles to avoid – is the first step to owning your personal style.

How To Dress For Your Shape

Male bodies may lack the curves of female bodies, and therefore have significantly less variation, but that doesn’t mean differences don’t exist.

Think about how often you hear fashion gurus talk about the importance of fit. An expensive garment that isn’t right for your body will look bad no matter how much money you dropped on it, and an inexpensive piece will look like a million bucks if the fit is right.

The key to it all is identifying your body shape and learning how to enhance it. Most men fit into one of these five body type categories:

• The Heavy Lifter: The Heavy Lifter’s chest and shoulders are broad, but his hips and waist are narrower. There is a significant difference between top and bottom, with a wide upper body and a smaller lower body, that is frequently the result of regular ‘get massive’ workouts.
• The Athlete: Picture those incredibly fit Olympic chaps. The Athlete is broad across the chest and shoulders, and narrow in the waist and hips.
• The Block Man:  The Block Man gets his name because his torso takes the shape of a rectangle, with little difference between the width of his chest/shoulders and the width of his waist/hips.
• The Happy Eater:If the Heavy Lifter is an inverted triangle, the Happy Eater turns the triangle right-side up. His chest and shoulders are narrower than his waist and hips, making his lower half appear larger than the upper.
• The Cuddly Teddy Bear: You know exactly what this guy looks like. The Cuddly Teddy Bear is round and huggable, frequently with narrower shoulders and slim legs. This is probably where we’re all headed eventually, so it’s a shape worth understanding even if it’s not you yet.

How To Dress: The Heavy Lifter

As a heavy lifter, your large frame is somewhat imbalanced. Your wider upper torso and narrower lower half can be evened out by your wardrobe.

The goal is to draw attention to your hips while reducing attention to your upper chest. Focus on pulling the eyes downwards, avoiding bulk on the upper body, and adding a little extra to your legs. FYI – Gerard Butler is a great example of this body type. Sparta!

Focus On Your Right Places

V-necks narrow the chest and draw the eye down. Stripes across the stomach and detailing around the hips (think belts or pockets) also help emphasise the parts that need it.

Go Graphic

Simple graphic prints and logos will get attention, taking it away from your more substantial upper chest. Any kind of details, prints, or eye-catching colours on the shoulders, on the other hand, will draw the eyes to the wrong area.

Scratch The Skinny Stuff

Skinny leg cuts will make the top half of your body appear even wider. Try straight or more relaxed slim cuts instead, to balance out your proportions. You can also use statement trousers to lure the eye away from your broad shoulders. If you can, go for tapered jeans.

Expert Tip

You probably enjoy wearing most garments close to the body however, tailored garments can look pretty silly if worn too small. This is not to say a Slim Fitting or European fit is out of the question.

You just need to accept that most read-to-wear brands will not accommodate this shape off the rack. Similar to the ‘Athlete’, its crucial to fit the shoulders and chest and accept that the waist and/or hips will need to be narrowed.

This allows for more accurate sculpting of the back region and accentuating of the smaller waist. School boy error is to find a garment that fits your small waist because you like how ‘tight’ it feels, only to bust out in the chest and awkwardly split the seat of a pant.

– Godwin Hili, Director – Godwin Charli 

How To Dress: The Athlete

Good news for you Athlete types: you’re the fit bastards that make everyone else seethe with jealousy.

Because your upper and lower body are already well balanced, your shape is much easier to dress than others. You can play with colours and cuts without having to worry much about whether or not everything is properly in proportion. FYI – Football players and athletes are a good example for this body type.

Be Daring

Take advantage of the gifts Mother Nature gave you and experiment with your wardrobe. Your body was made for making a statement, so don’t be afraid to take risks (as long as you still feel comfortable in your clothes).

Prints & Colours Are Made For You

There’s no need to be conservative unless the occasion demands it. Bold colours, prints and patterns are just as well suited to your body shape as solid colour basics.

Play Around With Other Things

If you don’t have to worry about your body type, you’re free to explore other interesting ways to spruce up your wardrobe. Try out new trends, take new cuts for a test drive, investigate new textures and fabric combination,s and work on understanding how to flatter other things – your complexion, your hair cut and colour, etc. – instead.

Expert Tip

Lucky you. Sometimes referred to as an ‘inverted triangle’ shape because of the obviously smaller waist in comparison to the upper body, Its imperative that a jacket fits across the shoulders and chest. 

A Slim fit or European fit is a good starting point for this body type. Unless the garment has been Made-To-Measure, the waist and hips of the jacket MUST be narrowed to accentuate this physique by taking it in.

Trousers should be tailored without being too slim and shirts should be a slim fit or contain darts. It’s all about getting the proportions and balance correct, to avoid looking like you will topple over.   

How To Dress The Block Man

For the Block Man, the primary aim is to add shape where there isn’t much shape to begin with. There’s only so much you can do to physically alter your body, but wearing the right kind of clothing can do wonders for creating the illusion of having a different body type. When dressing, a little style sleight-of-hand will make your shoulders seem wider while making your lower torso appear narrower.

Choose Your Prints Carefully

A print that imitates your rectangular shape – like a geometric pattern – will emphasise the issue you’re trying to correct. Well placed prints or colour, however, can be an effective way to enhance the upper portion of your body.

Layer Thoughtfully

Adding clothing is the easiest way to add bulk to your body. Shirts, knitwear and scarves can be used to widen the chest and shoulders while narrowing your lower torso.

Use Structure

Here’s your chance to put shoulder pads to good use! Structured blazers and jackets add the extra weight your shoulders need. For bonus points, have a tailor take the sides in or thin the jacket’s arms.

Expert Tip

Its important here to clearly define your upper and lower body components. Clever tailoring can achieve a more sculptured look. Look for a tailored jacket with a more padded shoulder to give the impression of broader shoulders. Ensure that the sleeve width of the jacket is narrow as well as area between the under arm and waist. Your goal should be to create the illusion of shape throughout the upper body.  

How To Dress: The Happy Eater

Again, your wardrobe is your opportunity to correct the imbalances in your natural body shape. For Happy Eaters, that means wearing clothing that adds some substance to a sloping shoulder line and smaller chest. What you wear should reduce the effect of a lower half that appears wider than your upper body. Streamlined cuts and flattering colours are important for you.

Enhance & Emphasise Your Shoulders

Steer clear of polo necks and narrow crew-necks because they decrease shoulder with, and opt for structured tailored blazers and jackets instead. Single-breasted and button-down styles will also help streamline your torso.

Don’t Put The Focus On Your Stomach

Horizontal stripes across the stomach are a definite no, as is any kind of outerwear with details (like pockets) that draw attention to the stomach area. Dark colours will look best on your triangular shape.

Give Your Lower Body A Little More Heft

Wear trousers with a straighter leg. Skinny or heavily tapered trousers will widen the central part of your body, which is exactly the opposite effect you’re going for.

How To Dress: The Cuddly Teddy Bear

As a Cuddly Teddy Bear, the majority of your mass is concentrated at the centre of your body, making your arms, shoulders and legs look disproportionately slim. To make your body appear more defined, you must add shape to your shoulders and wear clothing that appears to lengthen your torso. Beware of anything that shortens you in any way.

Stripes are your friends (sometimes)

Vertical stripes and pinstripes will instantly lengthen your body, but horizontal stripes will make you appear rounder.

Don’t draw attention to your waist (or lack thereof)

Any kind of statement belt will attract attention to your waist and highlight your widest point. A printed or textured piece in a darker hue a better way to add flattering interest to an outfit.

Length and fit are hugely important

Be sure that your sleeves and trousers are the correct length and fit well. They should add shape and definition to your body without making your limbs appear shorter.

Expert Tip

It’s a common mistake to give up on tailored clothing and wear oversized pieces. Focus on comfort with a tailored edge. In other words, the garments should fit well across the shoulders, not be too roomy through the sleeve and underarm, and not be too tight across the waist region or lower half of the body. Avoid jackets that are short, ensuring a longer front balance. Again, its all about balance and drawing the eye away from the belly region.

Dressing For Body Shape FAQ

The post Dressing For Your Body Shape: A Gentleman’s Guide appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A gross video of Bondi Beach has shown why you should probably give the beach a miss after rain.

The video comes from Eastern suburbs photographer Bill Morris. Mr Morris is an award-winning, freelance surfing photographer born and bred in Bondi who has travelled the world working for various magazines such as Australian Surfing Life, Tracks, Stab, Surfing and even Surfing Life Japan.

Mr Morris this week posted clips of Bondi Beach to his Instagram story, giving followers a look at what the water looks like after rampant rain.

Mr Morris isn’t alone in providing sneak peeks of the conditions. Photographer, strategist and creator Dan Wilkinson has also been in amongst it, telling DMARGE: “Ha ha… it’s fine, but let’s just say I’m washing every orifice thoroughly and using nasal spray, aqua ear, betadine mouth wash and eye drops after every session just in case!”

He added: “It’s actually fine. I just take precautions when there’s heaps of rain so I don’t get sick.”

On that note, rumours have been bouncing around Facebook page Bondi Local Loop that the water is making people sick.

“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but if you or your kids were in the water at North Bondi on Friday watch out for vomiting and/or diarrhoea,” one woman wrote on the page (referring to last Friday).

A spokesperson for Waverley Council told Yahoo News Australia that Sydney Water have confirmed they had “no works or alerts of sewage problems in the North Bondi area over the weekend.”

“Beachwatch took a sample at Bondi Beach on February 18 and the quality of that water sample was very good [four stars]. There are also no alerts today for ocean beaches in Sydney, including Waverley’s three beaches.”

“As a general precaution, swimming at oceans beaches should be avoided for up to one day after heavy rainfall or for as long as stormwater is present.”

Sydney has received a month’s worth of rain in mere hours at certain points this week. Though the wild weather seems to be finally winding down, the La Nina climate conditions causing the wetness are set to persist for another month or two, so there are no guarantees the rain won’t come back.

• Psychologist Explains The Mindset Of Living In Bondi
• ‘Most Bondi Photo Ever’ Sums Up Australian Cafe Culture In 2021

The post Ewww: Pollution A Good Reason To Avoid Beach In Sydney & Brisbane Right Now appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Thanks to the rise of social media, celebrities can easily and directly communicate with their fans and the world. But when a tragic event such as a global pandemic or war arises, should celebrities, with their huge platforms, speak up or just stay quiet?

The majority of celebrities tend to speak up to spread awareness about various social issues but this can miserably backfire; for example, Gal Gadot’s infamous video that featured herself and multiple celebs – like Will Ferrell, Sia and James Marsden – singing John Lennon’s Imagine was incredibly insensitive.

While Gadot intended for the video to inspire struggling people during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was ridiculous for these rich celebrities to sing about imagining “no possessions” while they spent lockdowns in huge mansions and didn’t have to worry about financial issues.

Now, with the Russo-Ukrainian war escalating due to Putin’s recent decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it’s unsurprising that various celebrities are once again weighing in. Some are tastefully sending thoughts and prayers to the innocent victims of the war, like Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo.

However, others are getting creative. Actress AnnaLynne McCord, best known for her roles on 90210, Nip/Tuck and Dallas, tweeted a video of herself reading a poem she wrote that’s addressed to Putin. Lines of the poem include “I’m so sorry I was not your mother” and “whatever your story Mister President Putin, I can’t imagine how it feels in your heart.”

Some Twitter users are praising McCord’s poem but most are calling it ‘cringe’ and ‘tone-deaf’.

In another vein, Oscar-winner Sean Penn is in Ukraine right now filming a documentary about Russia’s invasion. According to Variety, the actor – of Mystic River, Milk and Dead Man Walking fame – actually attended a press briefing that took place in the Ukraine capital, Kyiv, and listened to government officials speak about the crisis.

Furthermore, according to Newsweek, Penn has also met and spoken with Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister, Iryna Vereshchuk and Ukrainian military members. The Ukrainian government actually released a statement that thanked Penn:

“[Penn] specially came to Kyiv to record all the events that are currently happening in Ukraine and to tell the world the truth about Russia’s invasion of our country. Sean Penn is among those who support Ukraine in Ukraine today. Our country is grateful to him for such a show of courage and honesty.”

While Penn should definitely be applauded for his actions, he’s in the minority when it comes to celebrities ‘getting involved’. For the most part, celebrities are out of touch with the common man and are usually not educated enough when it comes to grievous events or societal issues; which is why they should refrain from commenting on these matters.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule; if a celebrity is solely spreading awareness about an issue in a tasteful way (à la Ruffalo), linking to reliable information on the issue, sharing a reputable place to donate to (that they’ve donated to themselves), or is committed to actually going to the forefront and helping as much as they can (like Sean Penn), then that’s A-OK.

• This Documentary Explains Why Putin Is Invading Ukraine
• How Russia’s Ukraine Invasion Will Impact Australians’ European Holidays In 2022

The post Behold: Yet Another Example Of Why Celebrities Shouldn’t Comment On The Ukraine Invasion appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Russia has invaded Ukraine. This has prompted the likes of UK Minister James Heappey to say Europe is now closer to war than at any point in the last 70 years. While Putin earlier this week brought troops in under the guise of “peacekeeping,” Russian forces are now launching missiles at Kyiv, the city of Kharkiv and through central and eastern parts of the nation.

Russia has also captured Chernobyl – the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster – in what has been described as “one of the most serious threats in Europe today.”

Some experts fear Russia plans to overthrow the Ukrainian government and replace it with a puppet regime loyal to the Kremlin.

There is a lot more at stake here than Australians’ European holidays. In fact, that’s probably the last thing on the list of What Matters Here. If you want to read about geopolitics or the human element of the tragedy currently occurring, however, head over to Reuters or The New York Times.

If you’re feeling selfish, however (or if you simply want to educate yourself about how the situation might affect your travel plans for this year), here’s how Russia’s Ukraine invasion could impact Australians travelling to Europe in 2022.

Travel To Ukraine

Smartraveller, the official website which advises Australians on how to travel safely, currently advises Australians not to travel to Ukraine. It states: “Military action is underway in Ukraine. There have been reports of explosions in Kyiv and other parts of the country. There are reports of Russian troops entering Ukrainian territory including in Odessa. If you’re in Ukraine, shelter in place until you judge it’s safe to depart.”

“Seek shelter in a hardened structure away from windows. Review your personal security plans. Be alert and aware of your surroundings. Continue to monitor advice on Smartraveller and reputable local and international media. The security situation is volatile and deteriorating.”

“Where it is safe to do so, you should leave Ukraine.”

Smartraveller

Travel To Russia

Australians are being advised to reconsider their need to travel to Russia.

Travel To Countries Sharing A Border With Ukraine

Smartraveller advises a “high degree of caution” for travel to Moldova due to the impacts of COVID-19. It has also been updated to reflect the invasion of Ukraine.

Its advice for Moldova reads: “Military action is underway in Ukraine. There have been reports of explosions in Kyiv and other parts of the country. You should not attempt to cross into Ukraine from Moldova. You should follow the instructions of the local authorities at all times. If you have arrived in Moldova from Ukraine and are in need of assistance, contact the Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.”

Smartraveller also advises you do not travel to Transnistria (Transnistria, officially the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, is an unrecognised breakaway state located in the narrow strip of land between the river Dniester and the Moldovan–Ukrainian border that is internationally recognised as part of Moldova due to the fragile security situation).

Smartraveller recommends travellers exercise a “high degree of caution” for travel to Romania, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, warning travellers of the nearby conflict and COVID, and warning them not to cross the border into Ukraine.

Belarus, which is closer to the conflict, has a “do not travel” warning. Smartraveller reads: “Military action is underway in Ukraine. There have been reports of explosions in Kyiv and other parts of the country. You should not attempt to cross into Ukraine from Belarus. If you’re in need of assistance, contact the Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia.”

“We advise do not travel to Belarus due to the volatile security situation caused by the Russian military build up along Belarus’ border with Ukraine and risk of armed conflict. If you’re in Belarus, you should consider leaving by commercial or private means if it’s safe to do so.”

“We continue to advise you do not travel to the Belarus-Ukraine border due to the risk of armed conflict. Be aware that there are joint military exercises underway between Belarus and Russia on Belarus’ western and southern borders (see ‘Safety’). We continue to advise you do not travel to areas near borders with Latvia, Lithuania and Poland due to ongoing civil unrest” (Smartraveller).

What Does The Ukraine Invasion Mean For Travel To The Rest Of Europe?

At the time of writing, there is no Smartraveller “do not travel” warning for Australians thinking of travelling to most of the rest of Europe. Many countries have an “exercise a high degree of caution” warning, but this is due to COVID-19, not the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Spain, France, Greece, England, Italy, Germany, Croatia and Switzerland have “exercise a high degree of caution” warnings, due to “the impacts of COVID-19,” at the time of writing.

Serbia has a “reconsider your need to travel” warning due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Canstar reports that commercial flights have stopped flying over Ukraine: “While the situation is rapidly evolving, as of earlier this week, a number of commercial airlines had already cancelled flights to and from Ukraine.”

“Dutch carrier KLM was the first to suspend flights to and from Ukraine, and they have since been joined by airlines including Lufthansa, Air France and Scandinavian Airlines,” Canstar reports.

“Major insurance companies have indicated that they will not insure flights travelling in Ukrainian airspace. In response to this, Ukraine International Airlines said last week that it would continue flights with the help of a financial support package from the government, but at the time of writing, it is unclear if flights are continuing” (Canstar).

Could The Russia-Ukraine Conflict Spread To Other Countries?

Newsobserver.com reports: “Whether a larger war happens would depend partly on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions, partly on the West’s military response and partly on plain luck.” In other words: we don’t know.

Are Travellers Cancelling Their Trips To Europe?

Florida-based travel adviser Gwen Kozlowski told CNN Travel on February 24 via email that her agency has had questions from travelers with upcoming trips to Poland, but no cancellations so far: “We have guests traveling at the end of March and into April in Poland, but that’s over a month out. It’s impossible to say now how this will evolve. We’re basically in wait-and-see mode.”

What Might Happen Next (In Terms Of Travel To Europe)?

Kozlowski put it well: we’re in wait and see mode. More broadly, as The New York Times reports, “Europe faces a new refugee crisis, and harsh economic penalties to punish Russia are expected to reverberate worldwide.”

Will My Flight To Europe Travel Over Ukraine?

According to CNN Travel: “If you are flying on a route that would usually cross currently blocked-off airspace, the airline will reroute the flight.”

What Should I Do If I’m Planning A Trip To Europe?

Australians are currently advised not to travel to Ukraine or Belarus, and to reconsider their need to travel to Russia. As for the rest of Europe, we’ll just have to wait and see how the situation plays out.

How Will The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine Impact Travel Insurance Of Australians Travelling To Europe?

For nations with a Smartraveller “exercise a high degree of caution” warning, Australians are advised to research and take extra precautions before travelling.

You are also advised to check entry requirements for the countries you are visiting, and check the terms of any travel insurance policies and coverage you purchase, particularly regarding disruption to travel or a change in travel advice.

For nations with a “reconsider your need to travel’ warning, the Australian Government warns that there are potentially life-threatening risks, which can make the destination unsuitable for most travellers.

Anyone intending to travel to these regions is advised to check their travel insurance policies carefully because they might not cover travel to a “reconsider your need to travel” destination.

For nations with a “do not travel” advisory, the Smartraveller says that the safety of travellers is at extreme risk.

The Australian Government recommends Australians in these locations should consider leaving if it’s safe to do so.

Anyone who does need to travel to these “do not travel” places is told to get professional security advice and warned that travel insurance could easily be void for these destinations, and the Australian Government may not be able to provide support. Generally speaking, most travel insurance policies exclude claims as a result of war.

How Long Will Travel Be Affected For?

CNN Travel reports: “The situation in Ukraine is fast-moving. It is unclear how long airspace over Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus or Russia will be impacted. According to the UK government’s travel advisory, restrictions on domestic flights in Russia are currently set to be in place through March 2.”

• This Documentary Explains Why Putin Is Invading Ukraine
• Vladimir Putin’s $140 Million Superyacht Move Might Be Scarier Than The Russian Army

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