The world’s top watchmakers regularly make a point of supporting international charities and good causes by producing limited-edition timepieces. Indeed, one of the biggest and most anticipated events for any watch aficionado is Only Watch, a biennial auction of specially produced one-off timepieces to support research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

One watchmaker that does more than most is IWC Schaffhausen. Some of the good causes they support include the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation, the Inspiration4 space mission and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, both of which support youth education around the globe and have changed the lives of countless children.

It’s the latter foundation that’s inspired IWC’s latest limited edition model: the Pilot’s Watch Automatic Edition “Laureus Sport for Good” (ref. IW328101). The 15th Laureus special edition, this classic field watch comes with an exclusive first: in addition to the dial in the trademark Laureus blue, a blue ceramic case has been used for the first time. Not only does it look amazing, but that’s incredibly technically impressive.

Additionally, as is the long-standing tradition with the Laureus special editions, the titanium caseback of the watch features a special highlight: it’s engraved with the winning design from the drawing competition that IWC organises every year within all the programmes supported by Laureus Sport for Good. This year’s design, which features figures standing around a campfire, shoulder to shoulder, was created by 12-year-old Melissa Mejía Castilla from Colombia and is entitled “Vivir en Armonía” (Living in Peace).

It’s not just a worthy and aesthetically pleasing watch, it’s also a rather practical one. 41mm in diameter, a 120-hour power reserve, 100m of water resistance, a soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields, a tough rubber and textile strap… It’s a hardy timepiece that’s capable of withstanding the rigours of any sport.

RELATED: Blancpain Fund Ambitious Program To Protect Every Divers’ Nemesis

It seems somewhat gauche to be talking up the watch as opposed to the charitable venture it’s meant to support, but it’s a killer watch. Handsome and eminently wearable (unlike a lot of charity limited edition watches, which sometimes come off as kitschy or in bad taste), we reckon it’ll be a big sales winner – which is a good thing, as a portion of the sales will go to support Laureus. A win-win-win, we say.

Discover more about the good work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation as well as more information about this inspiring timepiece here.

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• Bulgari Has Us Dreaming Of World Travel With Its ‘Ultra-Modern’ New Watch

The post IWC Schaffhausen's Latest Limited Edition Watch Has Us Anything But Blue appeared first on DMARGE.

2021 has seen many aspects of travelling get more uncomfortable. Now, some airlines, arguably for good reason, are adding yet another rule into the mix.

Some airlines are getting stricter about the type of masks passengers wear in flight.

Among some carriers, strictness has already been increased, with fabric face masks being recently deemed Not Good Enough and with a preference for surgical-grade masks now being shown.

Finnair is one such airline, announcing an update to its mask policy on August the 13th, saying it would no longer be allowing cloth face masks onboard from the 16th of August.

“Starting 16 August, we will no longer accept fabric masks on our flights,” the airline wrote. “We accept surgical masks, FFP2 or FFP3 respirator masks without a valve or other valve free masks with the same standard (N95). Please remember you need to wear a mask throughout the entire journey.”

The mask needs to continuously cover your nose and mouth. You can only remove it for a limited time while you’re eating or drinking. Please make sure you always wear a mask when interacting with Finnair employees, whether it’s at the airport or onboard.

— Finnair (@Finnair) August 13, 2021

The airline said on its website that fabric masks “allow air to escape and do not provide comparable protection.”

Fox Business reports that other international airlines that have surgical mask policies include Air France, Swissair, Croatia Airlines, Germany’s Lufthansa and Chile’s LATAM Airlines.

“Airlines that have shown a preference for surgical-grade masks have cited research that states surgical masks filter small particles better than fabric-made masks,” Fox Business reports.

“In the U.S., however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that cloth and non-surgical-grade face masks are suitable options so long as it has multiple layers and is free of exhaust valves or vents,” (Fox Business).

“Additional mask features the health agency says Americans should keep an eye out for include an adjustable nose wire, correctly-sized or adjustable ear loops and be opaque when held up to a light source (to help determine whether it has enough layers).”

In the comments section of Australian news website news.com.au’s reporting of Finnair’s fabric mask ban, users shared their thoughts.

One user, JudyZ, said not all fabric masks are made equal, writing: “I can understand in some respects, because I’ve seen some people with masks that are only one piece of fabric. The ones I make are 2 layers of 1,000 count cotton, plus a third layer, & the elastic goes completely around the back of my head.”

Another user, ‘Bill,’ who apparently very much rejects the idea that something is better than nothing, wrote: “The ‘flying is safe’ fable continues. You must wear a mask and keep 1.5m apart in the airport but when on the plane, you are cheek by jowl with someone. You can also remove your mask to eat and drink and nothing will escape, trust us. It’s amazing how an industry, airlines, and those that want to use the service can convince themselves that all the covid taboos are not applicable to flying. The power of bullsh*t.”

RELATED: ‘Wouldn’t Work In The US’: New Airline Boarding System Outrages America

Another user, ‘Matt’ opined: “I feel that if it is mandatory to have two Covid-19 vaccines (either Pfizer, AZ, Moderna etc) to fly on planes, get inside the airports around the world, if this is the case I really don’t see the need to wear face masks on planes or inside airports. So basically there will not be a single person on any plane in many parts of the world, depending on where this rule gets enforced and sounds like its going to be mandatory in many parts of the world, no one will be unvaccinated. So everyone [sic] aught to feel safe flying on planes in the future.”

One Twitter user wrote: “Safety is in fashion.”

That’s a sentiment we, grudgingly, can get behind.

Though many aspects of life have become more irritating in the last year or two thanks to the global pandemic, as we discussed the other day, particularly here in Australia, we all need to do what we can and suck up the inconveniences, with the goal of getting to 80% fully vaccinated almost upon us.

Then we can start getting back to normal, travelling internationally and getting involved in airline mask debates (with it actually having some bearing on our life) like the rest of the world…

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The post Airlines Are Banning The Fabric Face Mask appeared first on DMARGE.

For avid Formula One fans, this weekend’s race – Friday, September 3rd to Sunday, September 5th – has much to get excited about, as it will see the return of the Dutch Grand Prix. The Netherlands hasn’t hosted a Grand Prix race since 1985, and it was due to return in 2020, but the global pandemic put a halt on proceedings. Finally, however, it’s back.

But while the revival of the Dutch Grand Prix will be like Christmas come early for Max Verstappen and his legion of fans, it also brings with it a tantalising prospect: banked corners.

A banked turn, or corner, refers to a corner that sees the cars racing around it going up on an incline. If you’ve ever seen a NASCAR race, you’ll understand what that means. Banked corners, however, have rarely ever featured in Formula One, often being seen as too dangerous due to the speeds the Formula One cars will be driving at when making the turns. The Circuit Zandvoort will feature two, at turns 3 and 14, both with a 19-degree incline. By comparison, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the Mecca of NASCAR – has two 9-degree corners.

It can sometimes be hard to distinguish just how steep a corner is when watching a race on a television, or even from a grandstand. Only the drivers will understand how steep it is, and the potential pressures it can put on the car. Fortunately, Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo has provided a handy ‘behind the scenes’ video revealing how steep one of the corners of the Dutch circuit is, using the popular Dutch snack, the stroopwafel.

Check out Daniel’s stroopwafel banked turn test in the video below. 

Claiming it to be the “world famous stroopwafel test, but not really”, Daniel – who abides by strict hygiene measures, claiming his hands have been sanitised – rolls the snack – made by sandwiching together two thin wafer waffles with a layer of caramel in the middle – from the highest part of the corner to the lowest. A colleague is on hand to catch it, and to eat it, so that “nothing goes to waste.”

The Dutch snack picks up speed quickly, indicating just how steep the banked turn actually is.

The reappearance of a banked turn on a Formula One circuit should certainly provide a spectacle for fans, if not a slight risk for drivers, with this Quora thread indicating that a banked turn that featured at the Italian Grand Prix in 1961 caused a car to crash, killing 15 spectators in the process.

Australian motoring publication Motorspot.com previously published an article claiming that DRS – the drag reduction system F1 cars use to provide a temporary boost in acceleration – won’t be able to be used when driving around the corner, despite computer simulations indicating it could be possible, but can be enabled along the following straight.

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A post shared by CM.com Circuit Zandvoort (@circuitzandvoort)

Speaking to the potential use of DRS, Craig Wilson, head of vehicle performance at F1 is quoted as saying, “We went through it, we used our simulation and then we came back and said ‘okay well you’d need at least this level of banking to be able to do it. I had assessed it with two different methods, in terms of car stability and the aerodynamic loss, and it looks like it can work.”

Formula One tyre manufacturer Pirelli has had to develop tyres especially for the Dutch race, according to ESPN, quoting Pirelli F1 chief Mario Isola as saying, “This prototype has been designed with a slightly different construction as we are still analysing data coming from Zandvoort.”

“We made some analysis on the banking and the plan is to use these tyres with a slightly higher pressure.”

However, he added that the normal tyres currently used throughout the rest of the racing calendar will likely be used, just with a higher compound.

Max Verstappen will no doubt be hoping for a win in front of his home crowd, and he goes into the race just three points behind current championship leader Lewis Hamilton, following a rather dismal outing in Belgium last weekend. Daniel Ricciardo is currently sitting eighth in the standings with 56 points.

Learn how to improve your reaction times with Daniel Ricciardo in the video below

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The post Daniel Ricciardo Uses Popular Dutch Snack To ‘Test The Banking’ At Circuit Zandvoort appeared first on DMARGE.

Talking about property is the unofficial Australian pastime, and most Aussies are acutely aware that property prices around the country are outrageously high. But sometimes it’s hard to cut through the hyperbole and statistics, and really put a finger on how bad the price problem really is.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Property Price Index, house prices have risen by 7.5% across Australia’s eight capital cities since March 2020, but that figure alone obscures the bigger picture, a realestate.com.au report suggests.

Their data shows that across the country, more than 250 suburbs have seen house prices increase by $200,000 or more over the past 12 months since May 2020. In 24 suburbs, prices have risen in excess of $50,000 each month (head to realestate.com.au for the full list). New South Wales accounted for 88% of these $50,000-plus monthly growth suburbs, with a majority of these suburbs located in Sydney’s north and east.

But the most dramatic change in median house price anywhere in Australia has been seen in Byron Bay: an eye-watering rise of $1,286,000 to a new high of $2,700,000. That’s an almost 210% increase in just 12 months… With this trend not showing any signs of slowing down.

What’s fuelling this insane growth – we thought we were in the middle of an economically devastating global pandemic! Well, DMARGE spoke exclusively with Edward Brown, Director at leading Australian real estate provider Belle Property, who relates that it’s entirely because of COVID-19 that the market’s stayed so hot:

“People have more money sitting here [in Australia]… They’re not travelling, and the wait time on luxury goods like cars and watches are ridiculous. You can’t even buy kitchenware.”

RELATED: Computer Chip Crisis Could Send Australian Car Prices Crazy

“People offloaded their assets during the start of COVID and now they want to buy. We’re also seeing that people who moved away from places like the North Shore and the Eastern Suburbs to be closer to the city now want to move back to where they grew up. They want a bit of land – who wants to be cooped up right now?”

He also attributes Byron’s popularity to what many are calling the “Hemsworth effect”: big-name celebrities like Chris Hemsworth (funny that) and other high-net-worth individuals moving to the once cosy coastal town has now turned it into a real lifestyle destination. He also points out that while it’s no longer as affordable as it once was, you can still get more land for your money somewhere like Byron or the Northern Beaches than you can in Sydney or elsewhere.

Is this continued growth sustainable? Brown’s not sure.

“At what point does affordability step in? The reality is that with interest rates continuing to stay low and Australia staying internationally isolated, people will continue spending money on property… Things will stay hot.”

The other big question is which suburbs are likely to see the biggest price increases come 2022. Brown’s prediction is simple: anything coastal. “Bondi, Coogee… Anywhere with a bit of water. People love the lifestyle.”

RELATED: ‘Then vs. Now’: What Bondi Looked Like 10 Years Ago Will Blow Your Mind

Better start filling up that piggy bank.

On that note, check out our expert guide on the best Australian and international shares to be buying right now – you’ll need some healthy dividends if you want to jump Australia’s wild property ride…

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The post These Popular Australian Suburbs Are Increasing In Value By $50,000 A Month appeared first on DMARGE.

They say fashion is circular. But what about coffee? Judging by the latest java trend in Australia, it looks like it is too.

Though it’s been percolating for a while (in hipster cafes and holes in the walls), mainstream Australia is now opening its eyes to an old school style of American coffee.

That coffee? Filter. Though in Australia, where we are notorious java snobs, filter coffee has long been associated with Bad American Diners (and, among many, still is), it’s actually, done right, delicious.

More and more people are realising this, and turning to filter coffee in lockdown out of boredom, and a desire to experiment.

Before we dive on in: let’s just take a moment to appreciate how bad American coffee’s reputation is in Australia though.

In response to a Reddit thread asking for “an average Australian’s take on coffee here in the US” two comments are illustrative.

“American coffee is famously terrible in Australia, it’s watery, boiling hot and the flavour is often burnt,” one user wrote. “To put it into perspective, McDonald’s invented McCafe for the Australian market because of how picky we are about coffee — and it has slowly spread out from there.”

Another said: “American coffee is indeed famously terrible. Probably because it’s rooted in diner culture, which is just not conducive to carefully made foodstuffs. Our coffee culture [in Australia] blossomed out of the huge wave of Italian and other European immigration that happened post WW2. It’s much more about the quality of the drink, rather than the convenience.”

Suffice to say – any kind of American coffee trend, whether it be pumpkin spiced Mochas or filter, is never going to gain momentum in Australia without having some serious substance behind it.

 

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A post shared by Brew Methods (@brewmethods)

2019 Australia Barista Champion Matthew Lewin reckons filter coffee might have what it takes (at the very least it is starting to make inroads). Matthew tells DMARGE: “A big trend is filter coffee, which a lot of people don’t talk about.”

“You don’t need an espresso machine to explore a whole world of filter coffees that have a relatively cheap set-up.”

“It’s something people don’t talk about enough in cafes and also at home.”

Matthew goes as far as to say “It’s kind of the go to. I think if you don’t have a filter coffee set up at home you’re missing out on a huge world of coffee.”

“It’s definitely on trend.”

There are various ways to do your filter coffee – whether you have a basic Aeropress set-up or a convoluted drip machine.

“Think American diners – that idea, that method, hot water poured over coffee that’s ground then it drips out,” Matthew explains.

“We’ve just modernised it through a current climate of amazing specialty coffee – great beans and great roasting and that all just makes that ‘diner coffee’ taste even better.”

“We use modern techniques with better equipment. It’s akin to wine, scotch or tea – the nuance of flavour [in more expensive variants] is… more of a journey.”

That said: it’s still by no means as popular as espresso coffee in Australia, even if it is picking up steam. And many Aussies are more than forthright in their views “Yank filter coffee” will never catch on – as one irate reader reminded us last week.

The reader emailed DMARGE to tell us US drip coffee is “always hot or just warm and burnt” and said “I’m not [a] coffee snob – I do have [a] commercial coffee machine at home cost fortune. But every day delivers my gratitude to original Italian inventors.”

“[I] Worked in US & their buy 1st then bottomless refills makes me want to bolt out the door. International hotels in us can produce decent product rest of place sucks.”

“US have notion low cost or free is attention getter. Why would you suggest a people [who] can’t make decent cars will be in the food & beverage race?”

It seems filter coffee, among some at least, will always be a curiosity, or something on the side (or worse), rather than a replacement for espresso.

And if we’re being honest – we much prefer espresso coffee, and doubt filter coffee will ever replace espresso as a daily staple in Australia. However, that’s not to say there isn’t a place for it. There’s an audience for everything and once people get over their preconceptions about filter coffee some people might turn to it for good.

For the rest of us, it will be a cool thing to have as variety – like iced long blacks in summer.

In any case, if you want to have a crack at this new school take on American diner ‘swill’ (and actually make it taste great) here’s how you do it.

It’s pretty simple. If you want to make a filter coffee you just grab some paper and stick some water on some ground coffee “and you get this nice big cup of coffee compared to a little espresso and you enjoy it over 5 or 10 minutes or whatever and it takes you on a bit of a coffee journey,” Matthew says.

“It’s bloody easy, really cheap, much more people should be drinking it. The attachment is it’s diner coffee and it can’t be strong, but that’s not true – it can be so much more.”

Matthew also told DMARGE the pandemic has changed the face of the Australian coffee retail scene. Sales in cafes have taken a big hit, but online retail is booming.

“Cafés have gone to takeaway, boosted their retail sales lockdown has been geared to the home consumer.”

“That means everyone at home has got to up their coffee game and learn how to make it better; get better kit.”

“You can still go out for one, but your favourite cafe might not be within your LGA. If you can replicate some of that good stuff at home you can have your cake and eat it too.”

 

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A post shared by AeroPress Coffee Maker (@aeropress)

Matthew tells DMARGE: “In our cafes, we were down about 25% and generally most cafes have seen a decline in coffee sales because people just aren’t around as much.”

Retail is up 300% however. Matthew tells us: “In the last week… we’ve done what we usually do in a week we’ve done over 10 times that much in retail sales in one week.”

“Our roastery can’t keep up.”

“That’s the result of everybody in pretty strict lockdown and it’s gone through the roof being at home.”

“Most of our business is in Canberra and Sydney so when those two powerhouses have been affected by Covid-19 our businesses are obviously affected – we need to find ways of keeping everyone busy and employed and make sure the revenue is there.”

What does the future of filter coffee in Australia hold? “Filter coffee for home, I think in some way, shape or form people need to discover it or get around it… it’s gangsta; it’s so good.”

We just need to get over the mental block of learning a new way to make coffee that doesn’t involve a French Press or Moka Pot.

To address this, Matthew says more needs to be more done in the space. He thinks the trend is just waiting for “the right person to have the right message for home” in the same way that Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsey did with food.

“You just need that right person to have that right message and you’ll open up, you’ve got the opportunity to open up a whole market.”

Interest piqued? If reading this article has got you raring for a coffee; read Matthew’s tips on brewing cafe-quality coffee at home.

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The post Australians Turn Their Backs On Espresso Coffee For American 'Diner Style' Alternative appeared first on DMARGE.

Many young talents who get their start with the Disney Channel have had a rocky transition into adulthood, to say the least – Mikey Cyrus, Orlando Brown, Shia LaBeouf… But the Jonas Brothers, are a notable exception to that rule.

While Nick, Joe and Kevin were inseparable as a boyband, they’ve since each focused more on their individual pursuits, only briefly reuniting in 2019. As adults, they’ve gone their different ways, but something they still have in common is an impeccable taste in watches, each boasting a rather impressive collection of their own.

But youngest brother Nick’s is easily the best – or, at the very least, the most lavish. The 28-year-old has a penchant for flashy, expensive numbers from brands like Bulgari, Chopard and Rolex, but his favourite piece is easily his rose gold Richard Mille RM11-01 Automatic Flyback Chronograph “Roberto Mancini”, which is worth a hefty AU$280,000.

When you consider that the average Aussie salary is about AU$60,000, that’s a lot of money. Must be nice to have something so expensive as your daily wearer.

The flexing doesn’t stop there, either: check out this photo he shared earlier this week of himself kicking back on his private jet, wearing a lime-coloured Carhartt jacket and pants, distressed Air Jordan 1s and rocking the expensive watch. Talk about having plenty of green…

Roberto Mancini is the current manager of the Italian national football team and a former football great – this is his signature model and one of the most popular watches in RM’s lineup, even among those who don’t really care about football or Mancini (which is arguably the greatest compliment Mancini could get about the thing).

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Appropriately, this watch is designed entirely around football. The watch’s unique flyback chronograph dial displays match time on the basis of two 45-minute halves, and up to 15 minutes of stoppage time. Pressing the pusher at 4 o’clock once actuates the flyback function and repositions the hand at 12 o’clock, ready to start the second half – if extra time is awarded, the flyback function can be reactivated so that the watch shows the 15 minutes of extra match time and up to 5 minutes of stoppage time.

Jonas’ model’s distinctive tonneau-shaped case features rose gold top and bottom ‘wings’ which sandwich a titanium centre flange. Like most RM watches, the watch is primary constructed out of titanium and features an eye-catching skeletonised movement. Despite its large 50mm case diameter and rose gold elements, it’s a light and comfortable thing to wear – perfect for a globe-trotting musician like Nick Jonas.

The Jonas Brothers are currently performing around the United States on their ‘Remember This’ tour, with their next show scheduled for later today in Nampa, Idaho. No doubt we’ll see a few more appearances of Nick’s RM – guess it’s his tour watch? Perhaps he’ll buy another watch with his cut of the ticket sales…

RELATED: Cody Simpson Shows Off His Tokyo 2020 OMEGA Silverware On The Gold Coast

Earlier this year, Nick also hosted the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, during which he also performed alongside his brothers as well as popular DJ Marshmello as the show’s closing act. Nick’s appearance at the awards show was not without controversy, however, as many fans claimed his sartorial stylings on the night were an attempt to copy Hary Styles. You can read all about that here.

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The post Nick Jonas’ Favourite Watch Costs Over Four Times Your Annual Salary appeared first on DMARGE.

Every man deserves the best suit in his closet and to do that you need the right names in the sartorial game.

As Sydney is growing up, we’ve pulled together some the best suit stores to suit (no pun intended) any budget and occasion.

Whether it’s for work, a wedding, or you just want to look damn stylish every other day, these are the best Sydney suit stores you need to hit up.

M.J. Bale

Shop 30, 455 George Street, Sydney CBD ($$-$$$)

M.J. Bale is one of Australia’s most innovative suit makers with a clear focus on construction, versatility and feel. The label boasts numerous stores across the city so finding one shouldn’t be too hard. More importantly, though, M.J. Bale offers some of the finest suits available on the market through its use of Australian merino wool which is sent to Italy for milling and Japan for final construction.

Suit types: Off the peg / Made-to-measure

Suitsupply Sydney

5 Martin Place, Shop T3, Sydney ($-$$$)

Sydney’s Martin Place recently welcomed a brand new international player to the local suiting scene. Suitsupply has long been Amsterdam’s answer for providing high-quality suiting at the most attractive prices imaginable.

It helps that the company is vertically integrated too so customers are guaranteed a nice balance of value and quality. The brand uses fabrics sourced from Italian mills such as Vitale Barberis Canonico and Reda before carrying out construction in China.

Suit types: Off the peg

The Bespoke Corner

223 Glenmore Road, Paddington, 2023 

Following strong success in Melbourne, The Bespoke Corner has recently popped up in Sydney. Designed and developed to be more than just a tailor, The Bespoke Corner promises all customers an experience unlike any other. Not only will you find an incredible selection of premium fabrics and some of the best tailors in the business across the two floors of the boutique, but members can also indulge themselves in an exclusive cigar bar and Italian-style lounge courtyard.

Suit types: Bespoke custom-made

Farage

Level 1, Shop 79, The Strand Arcade, Pitt Street Mall ($$)

Established in 1998, Farage was one of the first stores that really pushed the boundaries of sartorial style and craftsmanship in Australia. Their dedication to producing high quality menswear hasn’t waned since. Farage specialises in classic tailored suits and shirting so it’s a must for anyone looking for shirts that follow a more traditional style with a subtle modern twist.

Suit types: Off the peg / Made-to-measure

Brooks Brothers

Shop 2, 44 Martin Place Sydney ($$-$$$)

Brooks Brothers are one of the principal architects of preppy suit style. they’re also one of the few brands left that still offer an authentic oxford button-down that doesn’t come from a sweatshop. Their collection covers everything from classic suiting to more casual wear reflective of contemporary Americana. Made in America lives on at Brooks Brothers.

Suit types: Off the peg

Calibre

4024/188 Pitt St, Sydney, Westfield Sydney ($$)

Whilst menswear is their primary game, Australian label Calibre continues to dabble in suiting with some surprising results. Modern cuts, fresh detailing, seasonal looks and a very accessible price point has allowed Calibre to flourish in the home market. Their stores are also located across Sydney so finding one shouldn’t be an issue.

Suit types: Off the peg

Henry Bucks

23-25 O’Connell Street, Sydney CBD ($$$$)

Henry Bucks have been creating suits for Sydney’s distinguished gentlemen since 1999. Their CBD store is a one-stop shop for quality suiting, trousers, shirts, knitwear, jackets and more. Whilst we do endorse the ideal of owning a suit, Henry Bucks also has a suit hiring service alongside a host of other brands like Bogliolo, Canali, Richard James, Kent & Curwen, Isaia and Eton.

Suit types: Off the peg

Reiss

4057/8/500 Oxford St, Westfield Bondi Junction ($$)

David Reiss pioneered design-led menswear in 1971 and it has formed the backbone of the name today. Their pieces offer innovation, quality, detail and value whilst the brand is known for its modern takes on classic, casual & formal designs for men. If it’s any indication of their work, their pieces can often be found on celebrities and fashion influencers.

Suit types: Off the peg

Zara

Pitt St & Market Street, Westfield CBD ($)

Zara offers an affordable style of suiting for men in Sydney. It’s an off-the-rack affair here but a bit more grown-up with more mature tones and sleeker detailing without the big-ticket pricing. They also have various stores across Sydney to make shopping a breeze.

Suit types: Off the peg

Mr. A Taylor

Appointment only ($$)

Taylor by name, tailor by nature. And with that Sydney has access to one of the newest talents on the made-to-measure scene. Mr. A Taylor follows the ways of traditional Neapolitan suiting that’s designed in Australia and proudly handcrafted in Italy. The fabrics from Mr. A Taylor are sourced from mills in the U.K and Europe and include names Holland & Sherry, Dormeuil, Reda and Ermenegildo Zegna. Each fabric is then cut by hand, sewn by hand and fitted by hand. Mr. A Taylor is a mobile service based in Bondi but he also services Australia’s major cities.

Suit types: Made to measure

G A Zink & Sons

56 Oxford St, Darlinghurst ($$$$)

One of the earliest established tailors in Sydney, G A Zink & Sons are a made-to-measure shop producing high end suiting for the most discerning suit fiend. They’re located in Darlinghurst and specialise in creating the perfect suit for the man looking for the more dignified or muted suit. It’s not cheap, but well worth a visit to see what money can buy.

Suit types: Made to measure

Oscar Hunt

2/73 York St, Sydney CBD ($$$)

Located in Sydney’s CBD in a stunning showroom, Oscar Hunt is the perfect place to sort out your made-to-measure business needs with ease and convenience.

The friendly fitters here work with clients to understand their unique requirements before guiding them through various styles, design options and finishings details. All of this takes place in the comfort of the Oscar Hunt first fitting room over a couple of drinks from the bar.

Suit types: Made to measure

Crane Brothers

410/350 George St, Sydney CBD ($$$)

No visit to Sydney would be complete without dropping in to visit the New Zealand-born Crane Brothers. Founded by former Zambesi menswear designer Murray Crane, Crane Brothers offers a fine selection of handmade menswear with a strong focus on suiting, both ready-to-wear and made-to-measure. In addition to suits, you can find their high quality New Zealand-made shirts alongside impeccable service. You’ll find them on George Street but by appointment only.

Suit types: Made to measure

The Bespoke Corner

Shop 1, 55 Regent Street, Paddington ($$$-$$$$)

As their name suggests, The Bespoke Corner allows men to build a custom suit entirely from scratch. Headed by Miles Wharton and his business partner, the stylish duo pride themselves on offering the most comprehensive tailoring service in Australia so that the final result is more a statement piece than just another daily suit. Every booking appointment is free and your assigned tailor takes ample time to sit down, chat and understand your needs before delivering a suit with your name on it.

Suit types: Made to measure

Belance

Shop 1/3 Sussex Street, Barangaroo ($$)

Belance offers customers free reigning design when it comes to contemporary made-to-measure suiting. Of course that doesn’t mean you won’t get the help you need here. Their new store in Barangaroo can advise men on style and fit choices throughout the process whilst guiding them through their aesthetic preferences. The three-step process is also simple with consultation, measure-up and design, and fitting before the final product lands in your hands.

Suit types: Made to measure

P. Johnson Tailors

7 Walker Lane, Sydney CBD ($$$-$$$$)

The P. Johnson name is renowned across Australia’s suiting scene. As one of the first tailors to bring modern Italian style back into the fold, P. Johnson has been able to cultivate a bold new movement of dappered-up gentlemen who know a thing or two about sprezzatura styling. Their made to measure suits aren’t cheap but it is premium stuff from start to finish to ensure your finished suit is the only one in town.

Suit types: Made to measure

Suit Shop by PJT

412-414 George St, Sydney CBD ($$)

Suit Shop is the sister brand to P.Johnson. The idea behind it is to offer the same level of suit detailing and style without the big ticket price. As such, their suits are made in China but everything else from fabric selection to knowledge to service is pure P.Johnson.

Suit Shop’s made-to-measure suits go for less than $1,000 and there’s plenty of options to choose from with lapels, pocket styles and cloths.

Suit types: Made to measure

Jack London

680 George St, Sydney ($)

Modern British suiting style doesn’t need to break the bank. Australian label Jack London brings affordability to the off-the-rack suiting scene without the fuss. Think short suit jackets with narrow lapels and narrow trousers, anorak parkas and short collared shirts worn with slim ties for a 1960s mod rocker vibe. Whilst their store is in Sydney, the label also branches out with stores in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Suit types: Off the peg

Burberry

343 George St, Sydney ($$$$)

The pinnacle of British suiting can be experienced at Sydney’s Burberry flagship store. What men will find here are the latest looks direct from the runways alongside Burberry’s signature aesthetic, quality and premium pricing. The garments aren’t not cheap but you’re buying top tier stuff here that wouldn’t go past guys like David Beckham.

Suit types: Off the peg

Brent Wilson

Shop RG25, 500 George Street, The Galeries ($-$$)

Brent Wilson has been one of Sydney’s most prominent names in suiting. Having been one of the first made-to-order services to open in the Sydney CBD, Brent Wilson has been able to amass a wealth of experience and impeccable customer service for its dedicated customers. The well-groomed entrepreneur today boasts a talented team behind him and continues to dress some of Australia’s biggest celebrities.

Suit types: Made to measure / Off the peg

Sydney Suit Shops FAQ

The post Suits Sydney: 10 Sydney Suit Shops Will Ensure You Look Sharp On Any Budget appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Staying in a luxury resort is a bit like staying in a hospital: you’re there to be looked after… not to abuse the staff.You’re also there to be released with a new lease on life.As many, many Tripadvisor reviews show, however, not everyone leaves like this.Some leave furious and disappointed.And that’s to say nothing of the staff.Though, to a degree, you are being paid to be looked after, if you’d like to be a decent human while you’re at it, read on to learn some of the most common gripes hotel staff have with their guests.A trending HBO series, The White Lotus, has much of the Internet now discussing these ~cringe~ habits. Though The White Lotus was a satire, its caricatures were based on real things people do. Even those that consider themselves good humans. So listen up.

My favorite White Lotus character is the person watching at home who is literally a White Lotus character in their everyday life but doesn’t know it.

— Jared Freid (@jtrain56) August 29, 2021

Here are the most annoying things hotel guests do, courtesy of The White Lotus.First up: no one likes a whinger… even if you’re right. As the series showed, if something about the service you receive pisses you off, in the end, much as they have to throw up a veneer, the staff really don’t care. And obsessing over it is only going to make you feel worse – not them.

Every time I see his face in this show I want to punch the tv. #whitelotus pic.twitter.com/L0SCxnBP5R

— Josh Mc (@JoshMcVa) August 25, 2021

So rather than create a scene when, for instance, you get put in the wrong room, don’t spend your entire trip trying to ‘battle’ the resort manager. Just ask for a refund on the price difference, and complain on Tripadvisor. Unless you are in Thailand, in which case such an act could land you in jail (just kidding… sort of).RELATED: American Tourist Arrested For Negative TripAdvisor Review Of Thailand Hotel Also – go into any argument with management with your facts right (and proof), in order to avoid wasting both your and their time…And, of course (this one should go without saying), never bring your parents with you on your honeymoon…The next big lesson hotel staff want you to learn (it’s not just White Lotus that made this point, hotel staff all around the globe have complained about it, with their gripes ending up everywhere from Reddit to thetravel.com) is that the staff are not there to baby you.So it’s annoying when guests expect them to take on too much ’emotional labour.’

Finished #whitelotus. Was fabulous! Team Belinda! pic.twitter.com/R7bvVAFg87

— Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) August 24, 2021

On that note… don’t fill staff with false hope (like promising to fund their own wellness centre business) if you are liable to be distracted by the next shiny object that grabs your eye, just to ease your own sense of loneliness in a low moment…Oh, and if you do end up doing this, don’t assume throwing money at your guilt (or being ‘self-aware of it’) redeems it…

Watch a White Lotus character attempt to buy back her conscience in the video below…

On top of that: don’t assume hotel staff ‘need rescuing,’ or that your involvement in their lives will necessarily make things better… Even if you have good intentions, be wary of pushing anyone to see things through Your Scuba Goggles.

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A post shared by The White Lotus (@thewhitelotus)

Finally, don’t be such a disaster you inconvenience the staff.On that note: one Reddit user shared the following story in a thread entitled, “who was the most annoying guest you had to put up with?”“I was standing at the front desk when the ceiling started to downpour. It turns out [a guest] fell asleep with the faucet on and flooded his room, which was leaking into the lobby below.”Another pet peeve of staff is when you expect to be babied, sucked up to, or made to feel special. This crime is even worse when you expect it, without having ‘earnt it’ naturally by building rapport.One hotel worker on Reddit said, one of the things that gets under their skin the most is “regular guests that would interrupt you when dealing with other customers like they are more important.”

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A post shared by The White Lotus (@thewhitelotus)

Another said: “What got to me most was the number of times I was used as an example by parents when their kids were misbehaving. For example, if I was cleaning the windows and a child was being noisy nearby a parent might say ‘if you aren’t good and don’t listen you’ll end up cleaning windows for your whole life like this man’. Completely dehumanising, demoralising, and just a bit of a shitbag thing to do anyway. Happened so many times I lost count.”Also, just general gross behaviour is another thing staff hate.One recounted: “We had guests open the mini-bar fridge, drink the beer, piss in the empty bottle, screwed/put the cap back on and went on their merry ways.”

“Next client (old gentleman with his daughter) took a swill of piss that day. Thing is, we had no idea which previous clients did this, which sucked).”

Finally, another big sin when staying in hotels is arrogance. One hotel worker said the thing that annoyed them most was “any conversation that starts with a belligerent ‘I’m paying for the room.'”

“Yes, we know. The concept of the hotel is familiar to us.”

Read Next

• Luxury Hotel Workers Reveal The Wildest Things They’ve Seen Guests Do
• Hotel Staff Reveal The Wildest ‘Rich Person’ Requests They’ve Ever Recieved

The post Everything ‘The White Lotus’ Taught Us About Hotel Etiquette appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Unless you have some serious dedication, are a personal trainer, or are simply someone who thrives off of routine, you may occasionally find yourself struggling to work out at home. But with gyms still keeping their doors firmly closed around much of Australia, many of us have no other choice than to use our back yard or spare bedroom as a personal workout space.

Celebrity trainer Sam Wood recently told DMARGE that it’s important to have this space “where you can consistently lay out your mat and your bands or your dumbbells, and you actually put yourself in a better psychological situation where you say ‘I’m here to do my workout.'”

But what about the workouts themselves?

If you’re currently at a roadblock with regards to what workouts you can effectively complete at home, may we suggest some simple workouts posted to Instagram by fitness trainer Jeremy Scott – owner of Jeremy Scott Fitness – to your attention? And all you need is a pair of dumbbells.

Oh, and 30 minutes of time to spare for a mighty home dumbbell workout.

This 30-minute non-stop dumbbell workout at home is one that will seriously test your strength and stamina, but is also one that will help you work on your muscular size and strength. Classed as an AMRAP workout – As Many Rounds As Possible – Jeremy asks of us to see just how many rounds of his gruelling dumbbell workout at home we can complete in the 30-minute time frame.

Check out Jeremy Scott’s 30-minute home dumbbell AMRAP workout in the video below

The dumbbell exercises are as follows:

• 20 x dumbbell close curls: Kneel down and hold one end of a dumbbell with your palms facing up. With your torso upright and keeping your upper arms close to your body throughout the movement, curl the dumbbell up towards your chin, bending at the elbow.
• 15 x dumbbell reverse V push-ups: Putting yourself into a narrow push-up position, grasp a dumbbell in each hand and position them into a reverse V shape (flip the V upside down and you’ll get the idea). Perform push-ups as you normally would, slowly lowering your body down and pushing back up with power.
• 30 x DB reverse lunges (total): Lunges are a great movement to torch your legs and core. For these, rest a dumbbell on each shoulder and lightly hold in place. With your torso upright and starting in a regular standing position, move one leg back behind you and squat down so that the leading leg bends to a 90-degree angle. You want the knee of the trailing leg to get as close to the floor as possible, without touching it. You may find you need to adjust the length of your reverse stride, depending on your height.
• 20 x Alt. kneeling DB presses: Getting back into a kneeling position, hold a dumbbell in each hand and hold them with palms facing inwards above your shoulders. Alternating each arm, press each dumbbell straight up until your arm is straight. Return to the starting position before pressing the opposite arm.
• 30 x DB row pick-ups (total): This exercise requires just one dumbbell. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and place the dumbbell in the middle of your feet. Bend your upper body, using your hips to act as a sort of hinge, so that your torso is almost parallel to the floor. Grab the dumbbell with one hand and pull/row it upwards towards your hip. Once it reaches hip-height, return it the middle starting position and repeat with the opposite arm.

If that all seems a little too much for you, then Jeremy does have a secondary dumbbell workout  at home that might be more up your street, as it gives you more time to rest in-between exercises.

It’s another circuit, comprising four exercises, which you perform for 60-seconds each, with 30-seconds rest in between each exercise. The aim is to complete 5 rounds.

The home workout dumbbell exercises are as follows:

• DB floor press: Lie down with your back on the floor, knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral grip (palms facing inwards) and push up until your arms are straight. Lower them back down until your elbows touch the floor and repeat.
• DB alternate snatch: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and place a single dumbbell in the middle of your feet in front of you. Bend down, using your hip as a hinge and pick up the dumbbell with one hand. Launch it up above your head and return to the floor before repeating with the opposite hand.
• DB squats: Rest a pair of dumbbells on your shoulders and perform a squat movement. Ensure your knees push outwards as you squat down – imagine you’re sitting down on a chair – and try and get your bum to go below the point of your knees.
• DB supinated bent over rows: Hold a dumbbell in each hand with a supinated grip (palms facing upwards). Bend your knees slightly and bend your torso over, using your hip as a hinge, so your torso is almost parallel with the floor. Row both dumbbells at the same time up towards your hip. It can help to think more about pulling your elbows behind you.

Supersized arms and shoulders await.

Read Next

• ‘Mental Not Physical’: The Changing Role Of Australian Gyms In 2021
• German Bodybuilder Shows How Ripped You Could Be If You Actually Committed To The Gym

The post This 30-Minute Non-Stop Home Dumbbell Workout Will Shake You To Your Core appeared first on DMARGE Australia.