That Seventies suede has returned and it’s more rocked-out than ever. While the brown, textural suede does hark back to the tasselled, Wild West (and a certain chaps-toting Village People member), investing in something suede – come summer or winter – is an essential style move for men seeking an edgier look right now.

Here’s what you need to know about wearing suede before you go full cowboy.

How To Wear Suede

Light and dark browns, black and beige are big colour palettes for suede. As are dyed suede varieties, making bold statements in burgundy and blue.

Casual jackets (bombers and bikers) are big fans of suede in the new season, while boots look to the plush finish for more luxe versions of their former selves. Simpler still, suede acts as a contrast trim on leather goods.

Essentially, the textural capabilities of suede are available in large and smaller doses. Adding visual depth to flat, basic cotton shirts in summer and colourless, neutral woollen knits in winter.

So it’s up to you just how hard you’re gonna party with suede in the new season. Rock on.

Suede Bomber Jackets

An update on the retro jacket, a suede bomber in camel is a menswear staple – for both off-duty looks and work wear. Textural and neutral, the jacket – in a streamline fit – is a stylish alternative to a suit jacket or blazer over a well-executed shirt and tie combination for the office.

The key for work is to opt for luxury, something handcrafted and dyed in Italy per favore, giving back extreme softness. And then look close at design quality: ribbed cuffs giving the jacket a closer fit and metal button detailing, ensuring you avoid stuffy browns to avoid looking like an English professor.

Suede Biker Jackets

Although biker jackets are synonymous with leather, a rich black biker in suede will set style-fixed hearts racing this season. As does a sea-swell blue suede model in more motocross style, paired with a pastel, neutral roll neck and wider leg bottoms.

When switching to coloured suede, keep the rest original and cool: a Saint Laurent-sharp silhouette complete with gleaming silver hardware – zips, press studs and clasps, but nothing too gothic punk (pins, badges etc). Paired with light neutral – a grey t-shirt or sweater and white jeans over trainers – you’ve got a chic, street look for the weekend ahead.

Suede Chelsea Boots

Chelsea boots in leather are great for classic looks – suits, smart trousers and chinos. But when it comes to creating a rock edge – enter jeans in faded black and ripped a little at the knee – suede is the ultimate luxe touch to offset the chaos.

Channelling some of that I-do-what-I-please charm, look to camel or tan suede boots for a stylish day-to-night look. Black waxed coated denim and snug fit Breton shirt is a simple summer look or a basic t-shirt and duster coat is nice for Autumn’s cool, a silk scarf worn open around the neck draping a softness against the suede.

Be sure to waterproof the suede with a treatment before wearing your boots. And purchase a solid brush and cleaner – all good things require investing some time in maintenance.

Suede Shirt Jackets

A what? You heard us correctly – a shacket. Or shirt jacket, if you’re a D’Marge newcomer. Embracing the seventies trend this season, a button-front suede jacket – that looks like a shirt – is the perfect smart casual layering piece.

Rich in and light fabrication, the Americana-inspired shacket is masculine and perfect for summer. Opt for one with a more structured design (so it’s not so cowboy): darted front panels and dual front pockets meshed with western contrast stitching, giving some eye-catching detail as an over shirt. Pair with a black t-shirt, skinnys and sneakers or boots.

Suede Pouch & Clutches

Folio, man clutch, pouch – adding some suede to leather goods is a more subtle route to take. A combination of suede and leather is a nice touch, looking for a business size tan document holder or something with a sand coloured trunk with black calfskin trim.

Keeping the rest of your outfit monochrome – work suit and white shirt or crew neck sweater and chinos – let the suede accessory feature and adds a point of functional interest for an item that simply carries all your essential life things: keys, wallet, phone.

Suede Belts

Similarly subtle to the pouch, a suede belt is a blink-and-you’ll-miss outfit additive that only true style masters will see and appreciate.

The brown hue is the perfect companion to denim, looping a wider suede belt through your favourite jeans for a timeless look. The ruggedness of denim matches the texture of suede, making them a heritage match made in heaven.

Both soften with age and wear, making them an easy buffalo plaid and hiking boot outfit accompaniment. Or still, something smarter: paired with a neutral top, brogue tan boots and a long pea coat for winter, switching for navy chinos and a Chambray shirt in summer – the brown belt separating the blue, matched by a deconstructed linen blazer in camel. You’ll be looking lumbersexual in no time.

Suede Topcoats

The boldest suede statement of them all, topcoats in suede sing a rock tune for winter layers. A burned camel hue (super natural looking) is the perfect colour for a trench coat for work. Layered it over a very business navy suit with rich maroon trimmings: brown buttons, marsala tie and a reddish windowpane check over the blazer. Just add dark brown shoes.

For a giggin’ weekend, opt for an olive green dyed suede peacoat with look-at-me shearling, the black version of the typically creamy white fluff a far better option for collar and cuff trim. Tan suede Chelseas and black cut-off skinnys complete the sophisticated lead singer vibes.

Read Next

• How To Wear Linen Suits Like A Sartorial God
• How To Wear Bomber Jackets To Look Sophisticatedly Cool

The post How To Wear Suede & Not Look Like A Cowboy appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Consider salt. A recipe may be fine without it, but adding even a small pinch means a huge boost in flavour. And so it goes with sartorial details in your daily outfits.

You can do without them and still look good, but small touches can mean huge boosts in style. Learning how to roll sleeves and cuffs is a simple way to add flavour to an outfit, whether it’s in your trousers or your shirt.

Not only does it look casually cool, it can also serve the functional purposes of keeping fabric out of the way, keeping you cool in warm weather, and highlighting pieces of your wardrobe like a great watch or a killer pair of shoes.

The Correct Way To Roll Sleeves & Cuffs

Next time you feel inclined to say “This is how I roll,” make it all about your clothes. Here’s how to do it with each item of your wardrobe.

Pants & Trousers

Let’s say you like the look of the roll, but require a more neat and less bulky cuff. The answer is the pin roll, a casual and clean cuff option suited to straight or loose-fit leg pants. To get the look, start by pinching one pant leg in at the side seam, at the bottom of the hem. Aim for 1-2″ (2.5cm-5cm) of fabric. It should look like you’re pinning the leg into a slimmer fit. Then simply roll upwards while keeping the fabric pinched in. The result should be a tapered shape that’s smaller and more precise than if you were to roll it.

Shorts

We find shorts can be a little boring so a simple roll can breath some street life and detail into the look. If you’re wearing longer shorts, then we suggest a couple of rolls to get them sitting above the knee. Even shorter shorts can be rolled too. The trick here is to not go too short. One small roll will suffice.

T-Shirt

This look is James Dean-approved. When rolling a dress shirt, your sleeves are meant to look tidy. When rolling a t-shirt, they’re meant to look a little dishevelled and teenage angst-y. Don’t overthink it or re-roll too many times.

The trick to ensuring your sleeve stays properly rolled is an elastic band – wrap one around the base of an unrolled sleeve, and it will hold each roll in place while remaining invisible. Note: resist the urge to roll all the way to the shoulder. Two or three rolls is all you need.

Collared Shirt

You have a few options when it comes to rolling the sleeves on a dress shirt. On the most basic end of the spectrum, simply unbutton the cuff and any gauntlet buttons on the sleeve and, using the cuff as the measuring point, roll the sleeve over itself until it extends beyond the elbow.

The exact number of rolls will depend on the length of your arm. For a more advanced look, start again by undoing all buttons. Fold the cuff inside-out and keep tugging, without folding, until just a little less arm than you want in the finished style is exposed. Fold the bottom of the inside-out sleeve up so that it makes a band beneath the cuff – about halfway. Adjust as desired.

Blazer & Jacket

Think rolling your sleeves is only for the above? Think again. The French and Italians love a rolled sleeve on a blazer and jacket.

This solution is perfect for those warmer months or when you want to show off the detail of a shirt or jewellery. Ideally your blazer or jacket will have working button holes or a zips for easy release. Simply roll one or two folds (max) and away you go. Please just don’t try this on a business suit. It will look shit. The idea is casual cool with summer vibes.

RELATED: What Your Choice In Suits Really Says About You

The post How To Roll Your Cuffs & Sleeves appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Australian property prices are a global meme. Whether you’re in a Barcelona bar or an Alaskan Inuit village, tell them you live Down Under and the second the conversation turns to real estate, you will inevitably be confronted with the question: “Isn’t everything insanely expensive over there?”

Before getting defensive about your avocado addiction or your Aunt’s inheritance, or even before talking about how Sydneysiders actually have a lot in common with ancient Egyptian Pharaohs (when it comes to how they see property), one of the best strategies for avoiding this uncomfortable topic is by glossing over the details (i.e. instead of saying “I have a trust fund,” say, “I’m an entrepreneur,” or instead of saying “I’ve given up looking in Sydney” say: “I’ve actually found quite a nice place up the coast”).

Speaking of avoidance, there’s a sneaky house selling strategy being used by real estate agents in Australia that the sleuths over in Reddit’s r/ausfinance community reckon they’ve discovered; never mentioning the age of a house or the year built.

Taking to the forum, which consists of 170k users interested in such topics as ‘house porn‘ and ‘financial advice,’ user u/orangecopper recently asked: “Why [do] Real Estate sale ads almost never mention the age of the house or year built?”

“Even though it’s not an information to ignore, why isn’t the age of the house mentioned in the ad or neither we have a filter on domain or RE to sort by age of the house?” he continued. “Like for a model for when buying a car? Any reason this information isn’t publicised in the AD, is it just the normal way or any regulatory requirement of not doing so.. just curious, I maybe wrong. Keen to know your thoughts?”

DMARGE asked founder of The Rubinstein Group at Ray White, and one of the Eastern Suburbs’ top performing real estate agents, Gavin Rubinstein for his take. “Good question,” he told us. “It’s something I always ask my vendors before we put a property online, but we don’t necessarily advertise or highlight it.”

RELATED: ‘Neurotic’ Australian Real Estate Trend Proves We’ve Lost The Plot On Property

Properties are often renovated multiple times, to varying degrees, Rubinstein told us, so it’s not always as simple as saying, ‘this house is exactly this old.’

“It’s sometimes even hard to know. Of the owners of properties that I ask that question, I would say half know and half don’t.”

This contradicted some of the claims made in the top comments in the Reddit thread, and backed up others.

Some of the top comments included were:

“Because unless the build year is listed on Rpdata I can guarantee you the sales agent doesn’t know.”

“A lot of owners don’t even know if they didn’t build it.”

“They often don’t know, the seller doesn’t know either and through subdivisions etc it can sometimes be hard to tell. I’d been living in my place for 10 years before I managed to find out probably when it was built and even that took some doing.”

“It is actually really hard to get a definitive age. I had to do a decent amount of research for my house renovation. Definitely more work than an agent would put in.”

Another user in the Reddit thread, who claims to be a real estate agent, wrote: “I am a realestate agent and if the house is less than 10 years old then it often is listed in the ad. It will often say something like, ‘Built in 2016, this home….’ or ‘At just 4 years old…’. If the house is 10-30 years old than the age isn’t exactly a great selling point so wouldn’t be advertised. Beyond 30 years then it is too difficult to know the exact year it was built so would most likely just say the era e.g ‘pre-war.’”

Another user wrote: “I’m going to go out on a limb and say it is better for a real estate agent to not list information as the more that is out there, the more along that can be used for metrics when determining price. I have noticed lately the square meterage has been lacking and the floor plan often does not show the orientation. If they can get you in the door you are more likely to buy. I would put it down to sales tactics.”

RELATED: The ‘Tasty’ Sign An Australian Suburb Is Set To Boom

While this might sound intuitive, some users challenged this statement, claiming that age isn’t always an indicator of poorer quality: “Workmanship of tradies went to hell after the 90s. Anything before then is solid.”

Finally, one of the most popular pieces of advice to surface in the comments is the following: “Every house I look at gets the full Google Earth historical images checked. Looking for the dodgy shed in the back corner or tarps on the roof from some event. Anything of interest can be investigated further.”

When asked, “What’s the relevance of the ‘dodgy shed’?” this user replied: “2019 was looking at a place and barn showed up about 5 years ago. Seemed to be too close to boundaries, spoke to council and sure enough there was no permit.”

“This is a very good insight and something people don’t do as part of their due diligence. As soon as that’s your property, that’s your problem,” another user remarked.

Happy house hunting.

Read Next

• ‘Coogification Of Australia’: Nation’s Biggest Bridesmaid Suburbs Revealed
• Sydney Man’s ‘Unbearable’ Experience Reveals The Perils Of Moving Away From The City

The post The One Detail Australian Real Estate Advertisements Almost Never Mention appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Learning how to wear the casual blazer requires delving back into naval folklore. The story goes like this: in 1837, a young Queen Victoria paid a visit to a ship named the HMS Blazer, part of the Royal Navy. In preparation for the royal inspection, the ship’s captain ordered his crew to smarten up by wearing navy blue double-breasted jackets over their striped seamen’s sweaters.

The look (and the name) stuck. If it was good enough for Her Majesty, a blazer most certainly should be a part of your daily style arsenal. Despite its ubiquity, the tailored jacket offers a surprising amount of versatility too, louche and lax enough to be considered casual when it wants to be.

Taking the blazer beyond formal settings, we’ve assembled a complete guide on how to wear the casual blazer. Essentially, it’s about dressing things down for casual occasions, giving you a look that is still stately and clean, but has a more relaxed, fashionable feel. Still royal, never commoner.

The Rules Of Wearing A Blazer

There’s a lot of blazer misdemeanours kicking around men’s style cyberspace these day, so let’s go over the blazer basic rules. 

Don’t Make It Part Of Your Suit

This is one of those eye-for-detail moments. Even if looks like a perfectly ordinary jacket on the hanger, connoisseurs can always tell when a suit has been separated for its jacket. The jacket is too formal in finish and structure, obstructing the casual aesthetic you’re going for, throwing out the whole look.

Your Blazer Should Be Shorter In The Body

The traditional rule of thumb (literally) says that the hem of your jacket should hit around the thumb knuckle, the one between the end of your thumb and where the joint meets the palm. Your blazer should, like a good lawyer, cover your ass, but it shouldn’t be overly long either.

Your Blazer Fit Should Accommodate Additional Layers

A suit jacket is meant to fit just one (shirt) or two (shirt + waistcoat) layers underneath and is tailored accordingly. A blazer, on the other hand, should be fitted to allow for layering. When the cold weather hits, you’ll be thankful for the ability to layer multiple pieces, including knitwear, beneath your blazer.

Employ Different Colours, fabrics & Patterns

Don’t be afraid to get bold and creative, as that is often what marks the difference between good style and truly great style. Try out vibrant block colour blazers, classic prints and patterns like stripes and checks, and a range of different fabrics from linen to velvet. If you go this route, the blazer should be the statement, so make sure you exercise appropriate restraint elsewhere.

Have More Than One In The Wardrobe

This goes hand-in-hand with the previous rule. Your blazer collection is a chance to try out all kinds of different styles and brands. Fill your closet with a mix of inexpensive and pricier pieces, so you’re ready for anything. And don’t forget to shop well come sale time, as blazers are often the last items to go on sale.

Know Your Men’s Blazer Types

A blazer can be restrained and classy, a sharpener to any outfit. Otherwise, the blazer asserts your individual style and personal panache. Whatever you choose, knowledge is power. Here are the most common blazers for men on the market:

Cotton

Cotton blazers are the most common summer blazer. The lightweight and breezy fabric drapes over the shoulder and through the torso to the hips effortlessly, and it hold its shape well with shoulder pads or rounds nicely unstructured. Single or double breast, cotton feels cool in any colour really, but make sure cream or white and navy or charcoal get a mention in your blazer canon somewhere. Pairs with jeans or coloured chinos and sneakers like a glove.

Wool/Blend

Wool is a quality blazer fabric best suited to autumn and spring, when dressing for the inbetween seasons. A navy wool blazer is the ultimate classic, but it’s certainly not your only option. It’s neutral and dark colour makes it an instant symbolism of chic, while eschewing dandy-isms. Going along the spectrum, wool comes blended in both high-end (cashmere, silk) and low-end fabrics (polyester, cotton, elastane), meaning you have options pertaining to price and the feel and movement of your blazer. Rule of thumb: try before you buy.

Tweed

Tweed is a heavyweight fabric that is also best saved for cold weather. Tweed is practical, but still a stylish way to keep warm in the winter. Don’t be fooled by the old English chap character known to sport this jacket – the tweed blazer can be totally modern, especially for adding a little bit of texture to a flat or monochrome outfit.

Linen

The linen blazer is strictly summer and designed for a casual summer soiree where you’re likely to sweat in wool or cashmere. Easily crushed, which can be charmingly stylish if played out correctly (sleeve rolled and collar popped), linen fabric is incredibly lightweight and cool. Linen is ideally suited to casual unstructured blazers, paired with summer-white pants and an open-necked shirt, with sock-less loafers and a jaunty pocket square. Sail away, mate.

Colour Block

Summer is the time to get out the boldest, brightest colours in your arsenal. Work your way up the colour scale if you’re not ready to dive into the most daring tones. The safest bet is to anchor the look with neutral shades, but a patterned shirt is also a possibility if you really want to push the limits.

And, don’t forget to accessories: a beaded bracelet with a tone drawn for the colour if your jacket looks sharp, and a pocket square in a darker shade to your jacket gives the look some stability and cohesiveness.

Patterns & Checks

When it comes to patterns the possibilities are practically endless, which means there’s no shortage of opportunities to wear them. Regardless of the season, there’s a pattern that will look great. Stripes are a classic, preppy choice with heritage. Checks also make an outfit stand out. There’s no need to stick to restrained designs, so feel free to boldly go where ever your sense of style leads you.

Structured & Unstructured

This is an easy way to distinguish between relaxed and formal. A structured blazer is sharp, clean cut and straight-laced. An unstructured blazer, on the other hand, is softer, flexible and more relaxed. Your wardrobe should include both structured and unstructured blazers for maximum versatility.

What To Wear With A Blazer – Winning Combinations

Blazer, T-Shirt & Jeans

Dressing down the blazer? Evict the ever-present collared shirt and tie combo and move in a basic cotton t-shirt. But there are some rules: stick to plain (nothing patterned or printed), neutrals (white for day and black for nights) and make sure it’s a slim fit to avoid bulkiness. A round neck is a neater option, and stops the temptation of a plunging v-neck creeping under your coat. Finally, the t-shirt should end just past the waist, so nothing longline dangling past your jacket.

“The suggestion is ‘I’m comfortable’,” says Riley.

The t-shirt pairs better with unstructured blazers, as the structured type (canvas and lined) looks a little OTT with the laid back tee. As for your bottoms? Not trousers, but jeans, sticking with a dark wash in a slim (trouser-esque fit). Minimalist sneakers are a great street option or suede loafers for something a little smarter.

Blazer, Sweater, Shirt & Chinos

Perfect for casual Fridays or a smart Saturday lunch, this smarter blazer combination will vary slightly depend if it’s work or play that you’re about to embark on. Just be sensitive to dress codes, sticking to an unstructured blazer for this look, in a tasteful check (plaid, light windowpane or pinstripe) to stand out a little. Or forego patten and chose texture, says Riley: “Go for a more rustic surface, maybe a pure navy linen which has a lovely dishevelled nature.”

For weekends, lose the office-y tie and lighten the shade of your chinos: off-white or khaki are perfect off-duty shades. The blazer pairs well with a navy, brown or beige sweater (pastels can look too preppy) and a crisp Oxford shirt. Act up the sweater’s athletic vibe with sneakers, while in a workplace setting, opt for the classic approach – brogues or chunky sole derbies.

Blazer, Roll Neck & Wool Trousers

For winter, look no further than this season’s it knit, the roll neck. Like the aforementioned t-shirt, the roll neck does away with the need for a tie. But, it does need to be fine-gauge – nothing cable knit or chunky for layering purposes. Play around with intarsia geo-prints or jacquards for a statement knit or keep it neutral and let the texture do the talking. Texture creates visual interest in a tonal outfit, and pulls together opposing shades. This looks like a smooth finish navy blazer with a cream roll neck, and charcoal flannel or tweed trousers, opting for a darker shade for winter and formalities.

“I think the blazer can come as half of a navy suit if detailed and structured appropriately,” adds Riley. Again, shoes direct the outfit’s steps. Sneakers are Sunday friendly, while chocolate Derby boots or oxblood brogues create a look that is perfectly day-to-night.

Blazer, Suit Pants, Shirt & Tie, Dress Shoes

The formalities of the blazer mean its made for the office. But, nowadays stuffy corporate looks aren’t acceptable. “It depends on the character but a superfine merino with a soft structure can be very sleek and sharp yet has a generosity due to it’s softness,” adds Riley. While there is flexibility, stick to a charcoal or navy blazer and a crisp sky blue shirt (with a cutaway or straight point collar), opting for a subtle check in a dark colour if you prefer patterns.

The no-fuss blazer makes it a solid base (not the feature), introducing accessories gently. “Keep the tie relaxed in a textured fabric or go a funky knit tie, opting for a patterned shirt if you like,” says Bagnato.

Avoid fanciful accessories/ such as the boutonniere or flower pin for the office, it’s a bit too Pitti Uomo-dandy. “But, if you’re not wearing a tie, always wear a pocket hankie,” says Bagnato. Want to jazz up your lapel? A subtle, metal tone lapel pin (matching your watch), which is much better.

RELATED: The Best Blazers For Men

The post How To Wear A Blazer appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

For most people, 2008 isn’t a year to look back on fondly. The world was in the grips of the Global Financial Crisis, the Beijing Olympics courted controversy, Russia invaded most of Georgia…But there were also a few good things about 2008. For one, there was no COVID-19. Obama became President, Bitcoin went live… Oh, and it was significantly easier to get your hands on nice watches.Horological researcher & expert watch spotter Nick Gould (@niccoloy) recently unearthed a photo from November 2008 of Rolex’s Old Bond Street boutique in London, which showed a front window filled to the brim with desirable models – multiple Daytonas, Submariners and Yacht-Masters all proudly on display – despite the Christmas rush.It’s a slightly surreal photo for modern watch fans, who are used to having to spend years on waiting lists or navigating a world of smoke and mirrors if they want to get their hands on desirable watch models like Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks, Patek Philippe Nautiluses or a Richard Mille RM-11 model. Imagine just strolling into a boutique and walking out with a Submariner on the same day! The mind boggles.It speaks to a broader trend within the world of luxury and demonstrates just how much high-end retail has changed over the years.

These days, style and luxury are driven by ‘hype’. Hype culture, built around social media, streetwear, hip-hop and rabid consumerism, has seen the Jordans and BAPEs of the world enter the luxury pantheon alongside the old bastions of luxury and style – your Louis Vuittons, Cartiers and Guccis. Hype culture is amorphous and difficult to describe but there’s no doubt it’s what defines modern luxury.Rolex is part of that ‘hypebeast set’ too. The brand has always been popular but recent decades has seen it firmly become the final word in desirability. Rolex sits at a unique inflexion point: their watches are incredibly expensive by most people’s standards but actually sit somewhere in the lower to middle price bracket compared to other luxury watch brands, even with the exclusivity and price increases the brand has leaned on in recent years. They’re simultaneously accessible but incredibly inaccessible.RELATED: ‘Same Three Questions’: Perils Of Owning The Rolex Everyone WantsSupreme is another good example. The cult skateboarding brand has always cultivated an air of exclusivity but even in the early 2010s it was possible to walk into a Supreme store and pick up popular items without having to deal with ‘drop days’ or queues. These days, anything Supreme sells out near-instantly online and drops days are insane, with most customers forced to hit the aftermarket (and pay a substantial premium). Supreme at retail is hardly cheap and resellers really turn the screws but the brand remains at a similar level of inaccessible accessibility.Both brands enjoy a profile and popularity that goes far beyond their sticker prices. They’re pop culture phenomenons – and their ascendancy over the last decade has fundamentally changed how the average consumer engages with them. Au revoir, 2008.

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The post Unbelievable Rolex Boutique Photo Will Make You Wish It Was 2008 Again appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The year is already moving by at a lightning pace and with that notion comes the chance to wipe that style slate clean.

Before you fill your wish list with the same old stuff you wore this year, we humbly suggest going a different route. One that’s a little more rebellious. One that might earn you a spot on the naughty list, if Santa disapproved of fashion risk takers.

You know the saying – rules were meant to be broken – and it holds true where your wardrobe is concerned.

Start off the new year with a new-found boldness and tell all these rules to take a hike.

“You Shouldn’t Pair Black & Navy”

You’ve heard since you were a kid that black and navy don’t play well with one another. But you’ve grown up, they’ve grown up, and now everyone can coexist peacefully and sing Kumbaya together.

Runways have been filled with this look in the past, and you can make it just as cool by keeping only one thing in mind: don’t opt for a shade so dark it’s visually confusing next to the black.

As long as there’s a clear differentiation between the two colours, you’re good to go. You may also want to play with different textures to freshen the look and create depth.

“Wearing One Shade Head To Toe Is Wrong”

Is it the right look when you’re meeting your girlfriend’s ultra conservative parents for the first time? Maybe not.

But when you want to make a statement, there isn’t much that speaks louder than a bold head-to-toe hue. Black-on-black is the tried-and-true method of pulling off the monochromatic look, but today we’re interested in something more high-risk/high-reward.

Remember that when you’re dressing in one colour, fit matters even more than usual. Balance out tones, textures and proportions so the outfit looks like a thoughtful choice rather than a still-drunk-from-last-night accident.

“Sneakers Are Only For The Gym”

With the massive number of current trends surrounding kicks of all kinds, it would be a shame to limit your sneakers to the gym.

We wouldn’t advise wearing the same sneakers you just trained for a 10km run in, but you can rock a similar style. Some are even making sneaks look cool with suits, though that’s an advanced look you may not be ready for yet.

If you’re new to it all, stick to sneakers with more casual get-ups, like fitted denim or the slick sweats you’re about to see next. The key to pulling it off is to make sure your sneakers look fresh and are well taken care of. And if in doubt, go with white simple sneakers as they’re the easiest to pair. 

“Sweatpants Are For Sleeping & Lounging”

Update that to “sweatpants are also for around the house.” It’s about what you wear with them. If it’s ratty sneakers you’ve had since your school days and a t-shirt with holes in it, then yes – that outfit belongs under house arrest. If it’s cool kicks and a top from your favourite streetwear label, you’re free (and encouraged) to wear it outside your living room. More and more labels are jumping on the high-end sweatpants bandwagon, so you’ll have plenty to chose from when you’re ready to brave this style.

“Double Denim Is A Fashion Faux Pas”

Don’t go full Timberlake (unless Britney Spears is on your arm, in which case no one is looking at you anyway), but do toss out that silly old rule that double denim can’t be done. Denim is our most versatile textile for a reason. The easiest way to double down on denim is to choose pieces with drastically different washes. Contrast a lighter denim on top with darker denim on the bottom. If you’re feeling reckless and want to match tones, keep the denim dark. An all-light look belongs on the farm, and even then the pigs are probably judging you.

“Blue & Green Should Never Be Seen Unless There’s A Colour In Between”

You may have heard this cutesy rhyme when you were a budding man about town: blue and green should never be seen unless there’s a colour in between. Yawn. Colour theorists and fashion designers love to make the masses follow their arbitrary rules, don’t they? But no more.

Today we take back the perfectly-acceptable colour combo of blue and green. You can team them up all you want, as long as you get the tones right. Some greens are blue-based and others are yellow-based. Your best bet is to mix blue-based greens with like-toned blues.

“Mixing Patterns Is A Big No-No”

Not only is it acceptable to go pattern-on-pattern, it’s on-trend. You can go as big as you want with this one. If you feel like tossing all caution to the wind, invest in some serious statement patterns.

Animal, abstract, botanical, geometric – anything big and bold will do, and you won’t be in any danger of looking like your grandma’s wallpaper. If you want to keep things more subtle, mix and match classic patterns like plaids and pinstripes. Keep colour and scale in mind at all times: the former should coordinate while the latter should contrast.

“Socks Should Always Be Worn With Shoes”

Let your feet go free. There are a few different ways you can approach your footwear’s emancipation from socks. If the occasion is casual, wear canvas shoes that can easily be tossed in the washing machine when they need a freshening up.

If the occasion calls for something more formal, wear loafers or dress shoes without socks. Leather is better, as it resists odour. You may also want to invest in a foot powder or antiperspirant, and use cedar shoe trees in between wears to help your shoes properly dry out. Alternatively, opt for no-show socks which will keep your feet and shoes clean without hassle.

“Well Polished Shoes Are Always Best”

Wine gets better with age. You get better with age (we’re just guessing). And some of your shoes also get better with age. Note: there are caveats. We can’t get totally lawless here. If you’re in a tuxedo, clean and polished shoes are a must.

But if you’re going casual, a little wear and tear won’t hurt. In fact, it might even enhance. Johnny Depp has been wearing the same beat-up boots since he first became a star and they add to his eccentric charm. Next time, instead of throwing out your lived-in footwear, pair them with some denim and a leather jacket. Instant rockstar status.

The post Men's Style Rules That Were Meant To Be Broken appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A day at the polo is symbiotic with style. Along with the horses and game play, getting dressed up has become part of the polo’s appeal. And with a fresh new year, comes a fresh take on how to dress for the occasion.

Unlike the formalities of the Spring Races, Polo is both smart and casual. And the best way to approach your get up, is to think European; those adrift in a boat in Positano or sipping martinis in Capri – anything Italian-style, really.

Go For Bold

Bold looks like two things: statement tailoring or out-there accessories. It’s your decision. For suits, traditional patterns like windowpane checks and chalk stripes make a sure-fire statement; worn as a full, two-piece suit to pack a bigger punch. Just keep the suit colour relatively coy – cement grey or navy blue proving solid bets with neutral-coloured lines for the patterns.

Pop colour should be kept for the finer things: blue suede brogues or a vibrant blazer in red or yellow, made from grainy cotton for added texture. Try teaming the jacket with neutral trousers so not to look like a walking piece of fruit.

Overall, going bold means ‘light’ and ‘shade’. When you add colour or print to an item, take it away somewhere else to balance the brash act.

Take Comfort

While ‘dressy’ still applies at the Polo, comfort is key: open neck shirting, relax fit blazers and ankle-bearing trousers underpinned by tassel loafers are aplenty. Tailored shorts teamed with a contrast coloured blazer is a key look for the season. So jump on the co-ord train – if you’ve got the pins to work it.

The final comfort tweak is fabric. Lightweight materials like linen, cotton or a blend of the two are great for the January climate and are easy to wear comfortably (beware the crease factor). Want more weight? Cotton-wool blend styles are a more drap-able cloth suited for more structured tailoring. Avoid thick gauge wools at all costs – you’ll melt.

Let Details Dictate

Suits and ties can look dull. But tailoring is instantly stylish when the neckwear is knitted and rejected altogether and replaced by a tussled pocket square and lapel pin.

The panama hat in natural straw or white is this season’s biggest headwear trend. A gold or silver ring with minimal design adds some expense to the hand, alongside thin-beaded bracelets or leather wraps around the wrist tying in colours from your jacket.

Details are in the styling too: rolling the shirt cuffs and jacket sleeves to just below the elbow (never above) gives a laid back touch set against other sartorial pieces: waist coast and open collared shirt or simply a neutral tee.

Key Polo Styles 

Nice & Natural

Superb for reflecting the sun’s harsh rays, natural and light coloured suiting is perfect for the Polo. Opt for a linen taupe double-breasted jacket with strong peak lapels, the extra width adding some size to a square cut shoulder.

The Polo is outdoors so earthen hues such as brown tie in well with the surrounds and call for other natural colours to jump on board: navy shirting and chocolate Derbies in suede for extra texture.

Cream is another natural option for summer and is slightly more demure than white. Mix a cream pant with an olive green jacket as separates or a deep red pant and cream jacket. Both are natural and neutral hues winning it big this season.

Nautical Necessities

Blue suits will never get old. An azure double breasted jacket with gold buttons is Captain Class, teamed with white jeans or chinos. Stripes should feature on your shirt too or go tonal with a Chambray denim variety, open at the neck before adding texture with a neckerchief.

A brown leather watch is a stylish way to keep time as you sail from pavilion to trackside throughout the day. And swap your Derbies for leather boat shoes or a tassel loafer; the slip on functionality allows for the ankles to air a little – no socks. Finally, the fedora or boater hat is a necessary nautical touch. Bon voyage.

Delightfully Dandy

Summer suits should be fun, and the Polo makes way for men to let loose on colour. Big colour trends are green – from bottle, to forest to emerald – and purple, ranging from burgundy to lilac. For a more clean-cut approach select a jacket – sans print – with a slight fleck in the jacket fabric or a tonal windowpane check or stripe.

Stick to accessories with complimentary pattern colours, ensuring some of the colours are muted against hyper brights or pastels, the darker pieces anchoring the look. Suede shoes and contrast lace or soles are a nice Dandy touch. And if you’re opting for more feminine colours, keep the jewellery masculine, opting for a sturdy, metal wristwatch or metallic shades.

Monochrome Man

Bring out the best from a sometimes boring black suit – with separates, rocking a black or anthracite coloured jacket over white chinos. Eliminate any nautical referencing with a black button down or white t-shirt. Creeper sole black Derby shoes are the footwear choice for contemporary monochrome men and are as comfortable as sneakers.

For an urban monochrome, go for a soft-shouldered black two-piece with a crisp white t-shirt (minimal print if you wish) and wear the latter nonchalantly untucked. Play around with silver accessories – rings and watches and finally – eyewear, letting the colour seep from your retro neon-mirrored lenses onto the pitch.

Final Word

Just because the Polo requires some sort of social dress code among peers, doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself in the process. While you’ll earn style points for sartorial adventure, comfort and personal style reign supreme.

Personal touches can be as simple as a favourite timepiece placed purposefully on the wrist. Or a more modern trick like contrast laces or a hyper coloured sole to liven up a standard brogue. Above all, the Polo is still very much ‘smart casual’ – flip flops, cargoes and singlets are definitely not invited.

The post What To Wear To The Polo – A Men’s Guide appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Contiki, the tour company aimed at 18-35-year-olds, is known for many things: affordable access to some of the world’s top destinations, a chance to create lifelong friendships and a boatload of partying.

Founded in 1962 in New Zealand, Contiki has become a global institution. It’s also got a reputation for being a prominent supplier of summer flings, more so than being any sort of real-life Cupid. Contiki is for hookups, Eharmony is for serious relationships, goes the stereotype.

But judging by several comments on one of the company’s recent Instagram posts, love is found on Contiki more than you might think. It turns out Contiki tours have actually been the setting for romance to blossom for years, with couples meeting by chance, staying in touch when their respective tours are over and eventually getting engaged or married.

 

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Don’t believe in fate? Perhaps you will now. Here are some of the most unexpected love stories to form from Contiki tours. Before we get into the cringe-worthy anecdotes of The Loved Up though, cast your eyes over the most relatable of the lot: a story from one bravely honest woman who wears her heart on her sleeve and her soul on her (mobile) keyboard.

“Fell in love with a German boy on a dance floor in Berlin, on my birthday. We’re still friends but he has found his soulmate and I am all alone.”

If that’s not love, what is?

To take away from the sting of that particular tale, here is a smattering of stories – and insights – from the lucky few who met the person of their dreams on the famed tour group operator, and who posted about it underneath the above Contiki Instagram image.

Third-wheeling can be a good thing.

The idea of being a third-wheel with another couple can be enough to make you question your own existence and mortality, but for our first couple, it proved to be the best thing to ever happen to them.

“My husband and I were both a last-minute 3rd wheel to our friends Contiki trip back in 2013. We met on day 2 of the European explorer (?) trip and spent every day after that together. He lived in CA and I was from MA”, begins one user.

“Once we got back to our homes we decided I would fly to CA two weeks later to see him. After 4 months of long-distance, I quit my career, left my apartment and moved to CA.”

“We got married in 2016, have a 2-year-old daughter and one more on the way!”

Europe could be the place to find love.

“We met on the 21 day Contiki European tour in 1988. He was from California and I was from Ottawa, Canada. In Venice, we needed a sixth person for the gondola ride, and he offered to join our gondola. We hit it off and 31 years later, we are happily married with two wonderful kids. My daughter did the same tour 25 years later, but wasn’t as lucky as me”

Don’t stress if you don’t find love.

“Met my best mate on the big walkabout tour in Australia in 2019! Turns out we only lived an hour and a half away in England but took meeting on the otherside of the world to bring us together. One of the best person I’ve ever met and couldn’t have done it without Contiki!”

The world is an incredibly small place

This next story is a long read, but it proves you’re virtually guaranteed to meet someone you already know.

My fiancé and I met in August 2017 in Greece — he was on a 5 day Greece Contiki, and I was on a 5-week European explorer. Our tours happen to cross paths on the island cruise, but we met the night before in restaurant Plaka in Athens by chance.”

“After becoming friendly as we are both from New York (neighbors, actually!) We discovered he met my roommate in our local bar 6 months prior!”

“When we got back to the USA, I messaged him on my US cell number, and we had a text history!”

“My roommate at the time didn’t save his number and didn’t know who she was texting and asked me to text the number and see if I could get his name.”

“We stayed friends for a year, and then ended up taking another Contiki trip together in Argentina and Brazil and that’s where we decided to try out a relationship!”

“3 years after that we are engaged and planning a destination wedding!”

It’s also incredibly cliché

“My partner and I met on the European Magic tour a couple years ago – neither of us was actually supposed to be on that tour, we’d both had different tours in mind but our plans fell through.”

“But alas there we were, one thing lead to another and we had our first kiss under the Eiffel Tower (when in Paris).”

“After our tour we both went our separate ways to finish our holidays, assuming what we had was just a lil holiday fling, nothing serious. Until we realised that we were staying up to 3am every day to talk to each other on the phone whilst still holidaying around Europe.”

“We both ended up coming back to Australia and decided to meet up and see what happened. And we’ve been together ever since!”

Read Next

• Solo Travellers Reveal The Wildest Experiences They’ve Had On The Road
• ‘Rite Of Passage’ For Young Travellers Could Be Doomed

The post Woman's Brutal Story Shows The Risks Of Falling In Love While Travelling appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Yes – individuality is key, but there are some sartorial must-dos that cannot be ignored for the all-time stylish gent. Here are 8 rules of style you should always follow for turning a good outfit into a great one.

Rule #1 Mix Textures

By definition, texture is the distinctive physical composition or structure of something, especially with respect to the size, shape, and arrangement of its parts. In fashion, the easiest and most effective way to texturise a look is with different fabrics – layering heavier fabrics on and around lighter ones to make the bolder materials stand out. Texture also comes with layering colour, pattern, and shine with what you wear.

Smart Casual

Cable knit or loosely woven sweaters are a great way to add texture to an outfit.  Pair with raw denim jeans and derby shoes in suede (the most textural leather there is). Linen is one of the best and lightest ways to add texture. As a blazer, rock linen over an off-duty shirt and pant look for instant smart casual texture.

Formalwear

A pleated trouser is an easy way to add some texture to a boring suit. As a separate, pleated pants in wool blend go well with a grainy tweed wool blazer. Balance out the look with a crisp white shirt. Wear the neck open with a loose paisley neck tie or done up with a woven silk business tie. One of the best menswear brands for texture this season is L.B.M 1911. And this guide to suit fabrics is also your friend.

Casual

Leather jackets over tees adding density and shine to a casual look. Relaxed chinos in synthetic cotton blend give your bottoms a mid textural density and slight shine (the more synthetic the shinier it gets) and then calf skin leather Chelsea boots (with studs for extra bump) or tassel moccasins (material texture there) are superior footwear options for reworking the animal hide in unison with the jacket. David Beckham rocks leather texture the best.

Sportswear

Satiny nylon puffer jackets sit well over matte cotton jersey sweatshirts to balance out the shine. For the bottoms, gym shorts made from synthetic shine work off the jacket, or neoprene track pants (think wetsuit material) add architectural angles to typical loungewear. Tees and singlets should be kept flat and clean-lined. Check Moncler and H&M for some sports luxe inspiration.

Rule #2 Know Your Size

Style founds itself on correct fit and knowing how to dress for your body type. Suits and jeans are the two main culprits of ill-fit (as well as buying tees that are Euro-trash tight).

Suits

See a professional tailor who knows their trouser ‘breaks from suit ‘seats’, and the difference between peak and shawl lapels. Getting a customised suit alleviates all the stress. In short, suits must be flat and cut sharp on the shoulder and when buttoned it shouldn’t pull. Pants should sit on the hip bones naturally, without sagging at the rear, while the length of the trouser shouldn’t bunch at the ankle and keep the leg slim fit. Freshen up by reading our first suit buying guide.

Jeans

Besides skinny jeans, which should be bought quite slim to allow for the eventual stretch, all denim should be comfortable but snug on the waist. A thumb should be able to slip in the waist band without too much force. Here is a well-rounded guide to designer denim, to get you started.

Rule #3 Replenish White Basics Regularly

Basic whites replenishment, like the garments themselves, is simple. From underwear to socks, singlets to socks, go through your drawers each month and throw out any items that are unpresentable: grey, stained, ripped, unsightly. Get rid of them. Uncertain? Toss it anyway. Holes don’t provide extra ventilation; and stains are far from artistic or sentimental; they portray a lazy approach to style and signal poor hygiene for anyone who has to witness them. Even if you undergarments remain hole-free for several months, replenish every season regardless. Basic whites look better bright. Need fresh inspiration? Here’s our insider’s guide to men’s underwear.

Rule #4 Keep One Button Open

Buttons are made to be fastened, right? Not always. With the exception of shirts, the polo and of obviously pants, shorts and jeans, one button should be left undone at all times. This style rule relates to blazers and suit jackets, really. When seated, an open jacket stops bunching and allows free movement, and while standing at least the bottom button of jacket needs to be undone. For a two-button jacket, fasten the top button; while a three-button suit should be limited to either the middle or top two buttons. To avoid the garment looking stretched, only button the middle.

Rule #5 Know How To Wear & Tie A Tie

First of all, pick the right tie for the right shirt and the right occasion. Then learn how to tie it. (Check Youtube for tutorial videos depending on knot you’re after). Master mistakes include a tie tied to short or too long; a flimsy looking knot that does not fill the gap between the collar, or a knot that shows any part of the narrow end of the tie. Aim for the tip of the tie to skim your belt buckle and make sure the knot sits like a button against the collar. Avoid novelty ties and please, do not tuck the tie into your trousers.

Rule #6 One Statement-Accessory Per Outfit

Similar to the overt branding #3 rule, accessories should be complementary and not take control of the outfit. Mix and match subtle accessories throughout an outfit – such as a metallic watch, signet ring and silver lapel pin – but two of the three need to be minimal, and take a back seat to the shining glory of the third. We’re fans of a classic watch for any occasion to balance out the bling from other precious metals on your body. With materials, checkered pocket square and matching tie are perfectly suited, but keep the silk macro-printed scarf or jewel-encrusted tie pin when your playing plain-tie games.

Rule #7 Keep Footwear Occasion-Appropriate

Formal occasions will always require a well-polished dress shoe – either derby or oxford or brogue version of the two. In leather (calk skin is nice) and black is the safest bet, especially if wearing a tux. For suits, mix it up with dark browns or even tan and add texture with a smooth suede or patent leather.

Casual wear is just that – relaxed, but not ‘anything-goes’. While sneakers are king, go for a retro style to play things up and like dress shoes, muddy, tattered trainers with broken laces and holes, are a big ‘no’. Espadrilles in canvas or driver loafers are great weekend shoes, while thongs should stay at the beach. Sandals are the the next step up but them keep masculine (no gladiator impersonations, please).

Smart casual is all about the shoe. White sneakers pair will with blazers and jeans and even a casual suit. Leather moccasins are perfect and opt for no socks for a day event. Pop-coloured derbys or oxford styles brighten up a look and go for a chunky sole, from time-to-time.

The post Rules Of Everyday Men’s Fashion That Can Make Or Break Your Style appeared first on DMARGE Australia.