Brogues have stepped a long, long way from the Scottish hills in which they used to frolic. Perfectly perforated, the OG wet-weather farm shoes have evolved into something more. For starters, the punch-hole design is now worn for decorative purposes – not draining water away from the marshes as it once did. In fact, it is this patterned detailing that makes brogues what they are today. And it’s exactly why they’re loved by many a stylish shoe maven.

However, brogues are often overlooked by the modern gent: yes, they are more casual than formal dress shoes, and are a touch more show-y too. But, there are so many types of brogues on the market, from traditional shoemakers to luxury brands, that there’s definitely a brogue out there for you.

Making the brogue en vogue again, here’s why you should consider brogues as your next shoe purchase, how to wear them, and where to get the best ones. They aren’t all equal.

What Is A ‘Brogue’

Before we start talking the benefits of brogues or how to wear them, we tapped Nick Schaerf, co-founder of men’s luxury shoe store, Double Monk, to clear the sartorial air regarding the brogue.

“A brogue is distinguished by a pattern of holes punched in the leather uppers of the shoe,” says Schaerf. “Most of the punching – known as broguing – appears along the seams of the shoe, although some brogues also have a punched motif on the toe, known as a ‘medallion’.

Where To Wear Brogues

There’s no ‘strictly speaking’ when talking brogues and the shoe forms they take. Today, brogues come as Oxford or Derby shoes, boots, loafers and even monk shoes, both single or double strap.

“Generally, you will find that lace up shoes or boots are more commonly brogued than monks or loafers,” says Schaerf. “This is because broguing is traditionally a country thing – originally brogues were designed for walking through the wet Scottish countryside and the holes went right through the leather so that water could escape – so it is usually found on walking shoes.”

Lately too, brogues have even taken on sneaker soles for a take on comfort that is looks dressier.

How To Spot A Quality Brogue Shoe

Just like any other leather dress shoe, stick to full-grain leather. “This means that the full thickness of the leather has been used, and that the top surface of the leather is untouched,” says Shaerf. “You should be able to discern the fine grain of pores on the surface.”

Other construction must-haves pertain to the shoe lining and sole/heel. “You want the shoes to be lined with leather and have either a leather sole with a stacked leather heel, or a high quality rubber sole such as a Dainite or Ridgeway sole,” adds Shaerf.

Brogue Your Options

As mentioned earlier, not all brogues are the same. Mr Schaerf was kind enough to break down each type. Learn how to speak brogue, below.

Full Or Wingtip

Full or wingtipis the style with the most broguing. Every seam is brogued, including the characteristic ‘m’ shaped ‘wingtip’ seam at the vamp of the shoe. The wingtip brogue always has a punched toe medallion.

Semi-Brogue

The semi brogue usually has all of its seams brogued and also usually has a medallion on the toe. The main difference between the semi and full brogue is that the semi brogue has a straight toe cap line rather than a wingtip design.

Longwing

A longwing is a wingtip brogue where the wingtip continues right to the back of the shoe instead of angling down towards the sole. They have no toe cap patterning either, just edge perforations. It is a classic American style.

Quarter Brogue

On a quarter brogue only the toe cap seam is brogued. This is basically a straight cap oxford, so it is a pretty formal shoe, and is actually a favourite of many London bankers.

Spectator Brogue

The spectator is a two tone brogue, usually a wingtip with the toe, heel and lacing in a dark colour and the rest of the shoe in a contrasting lighter tone. This was a classic style in the 1930s and 40s, where it was considered debonair and rakish: you wouldn’t want your daughter going out with a fellow in spectators.

How To Wear & Style Brogues

Brogues & Jeans

Brogues with denim is one of our favourite combinations. Take a slim pair of blue or raw denim jeans, pair them with brown, black or blue brogues and you have a winner. You can wear them with or without socks. Roll the cuff to add some personal style to your look.

Brogues & A Suit

A very gentlemanly way of wearing brogues is to pair them with your suit. Brogue boots and shoes will both work nicely. Once again, socks or no socks is acceptable.

Brogues & Chinos/Pants

A smart casual essential is the brogue and chino combination. White, blue, khaki and even purple chinos will all work nicely with a pair of brown brogues.

Brogues & Shorts

Lastly a killer combo for the warmer months is brogues and shorts. Ditch the socks and go for shorts just above or below the knee. Pair the look with knitwear, shirts and even a blazer. This is a great look if you’re heading to the polo.

Helpful Brogue Tips & Tricks

While brogues will replace the common leather dress shoes in any given outfit, Shaerf says there are certain brogues that go better with specific dress codes, social settings and even certain trousers or pants.

Work Suit

For the work suit, look to either a quarter, half or full brogue. But that depends on the colour. “For example you could get away with a light-coloured quarter brogue, but not necessarily a wingtip brogue in the same colour. A monk is a classic style option that ticks the formal box too.”

Formal Suits

For a formal suit keep the shoe colour classic and brogueing minimal. “Look to black quarter brogues with a mirror shine on the toe and heel.”

Casual Suits

Settings where the casual suit shines, allow for the capabilities of the brogue to shine too. “Spectators are a great statement shoe, so they would look superb at events like the races or a summer wedding.”

Blazer With Jeans

Smart casual jaunts where a simple blazer and jeans combo is called for allows for more brogueing, and even some texture. “A semi brogue, and perhaps in suede. The advantage of the semi brogue is that it’s not too formal, but nor does it have the overtly country look of the wingtip.”

Brogues FAQ

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• The Best Walking Shoes For Men
• Best Affordable Dress Shoe Brands To Buy Right Now

The post Complete Guide To Wearing Brogues For Men appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Scandinavians are some of the most well-dressed people in the world with an innate ability to make an outfit look like ‘all this just happened without effort’.

From Norway to Finland, Denmark to Iceland, Scandinavia has some of the coldest, darkest winter days, but also the longest, summer ones too; meaning the men have really had to the master the art of dressing functionally, without shunning what it means to look good.

The Scandinavian is effortless; accentuated by his taste for simple, elegance – without sacrificing his luxury style. Winter is when the northern European gent shines, having learned the art of layering early on, as well as the importance of quality fabrics; be it mohair, wool, cashmere and fur, to keep warm.

Denim is everything to this gent. Purveyors of the raw, the jean is seen as an investment piece, underpinning both casual and smarter outfits with an air of cool always thrown in. Luxury sneakers help Scandinavians retain such street chic, as well as their mastery of minimalism – this region’s biggest contribution to fashion yet.

You may not be six foot tall, blond and chiselled, but let’s take a look at what it takes to feel quintessentially Scandinavian.

Be sure to click through the slideshow for key fashion brands that are native to this Nordic land.

Dark Overcoats With Denim Or Trousers

Making sleek work of Scandinavia’s infamous minimalist style, ‘sports chic’ is perfect for day-to-night occasions and looking killer on an off-duty day. Start with the palette – monochrome and dark.

Mixing navy, black and midnight blues adds definition to the otherwise streamline, wintry outfit. As does, the changing up of fabrics: leather, wool and neoprene (think wetsuit material) enhancing this melange of activewear and luxury – creating sports chic.

Symmetry is the third element. Jackets should be square, with clear, clean lines and the absence of utility details such as zips, pockets and cords. An absolute no-no is print and patterns, but for a touch of personality, play around with accessories –  beanies, scarves, gloves or leather bags – or the silhouette of pants, venturing into the depths of the drop-crotch trouser, if you’re confident enough to go that low.

Dark Suits With Leather Shoes 

Tailoring turns rather playful, in the physical and aesthetic sense. While the slim-fit, sharpness remains, the locals look to relaxed, cotton suiting for suits that move. Again, paring back the details is key; with men snubbing socks, belt and tie – letting the monochrome tones and cut of the suit be the feature.

Other times, mid-blue is a key suit fabric, laying down a palette for quirky accessories to pop; be it striped socks, polka dot ties, and camo pocket squares – in one outfit.

The common nuance is the updated leather shoe. From formal monks to Derby brogues, the play-it-up sartorialist is not complete without sneaker-hybrid lace-ups with comfortable, white soles for an active finish to tailoring.

Casual Wear With Sneakers

Rail, hail, sleet, snow or shine, a Scandinavian is never without his bike. And such transportation requires clothing that permits motion without looking like gym gear.

The foundation of this look is footwear, ranging from tennis shoes or chucks to more retro-inspired sneakers such as New Balance in vibrant reds, greens and blues. In winter, outerwear tends to be functional, like a hooded parka, with pockets to spare, carrying those essentials – phone, wallet and keys.

The lightness of a cardigan or an open shirt on a tee serves the summer biker well, but the essential cycling piece is the pant; ranging from relaxed denim (rolled cuffs taper the wider leg) to neutral-coloured cotton chinos – allowing much needed movement for pedalling. Ride on.

Knitwear & Layering

The close, wintry blows of the North Pole make Scandinavians masters of layering. And you won’t find shapeless puffer jackets or hideous thermal ski-pants on these streets. Instead, the men know how to mix formal and casual pieces, layering lustrous woollen topcoats over casual gear.

Texture can be reinforced with tweed coats, worn over sweaters, turtlenecks or a regular fit tee. Pants are relaxed sitting bunched over luxury kicks or leather boots for extra easiness.

Expert Opinion On Scandinavian Style

“Scandinavians find the elusive middle ground between looking refined and polished, and sporty and comfortable. Their tailored, more serious looks are always injected with a bit of character, whether its via the flash of a witty sock or stylish neckwear.” – Laura Wassermann, Trend Consultant.

Need More Inspiration?

RELATED: How To Dress Like A New Yorker
RELATED: How To Dress Like A Parisian
RELATED: How To Dress Like A Berliner

The post Secrets To Dressing Like A Scandinavian When You're Not One appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Aside from all the negativity caused by the global pandemic: a halt on international travel, tenants being kicked out of their homes and a colleague attempting to pull off Chelsea boots, we can actually have much to thank it for.It has given us a chance to reset, to reassess and reevaluate our lives and what we want from them, and that includes our relationships. Yes, 2020 made dating nigh-on impossible – the first few weeks of 2021 thus far haven’t been amazing, by any means – forcing many to turn to online dating apps or to come up with genius new ways of seducing a romantic interest.RELATED: ‘Thought Provoking’ Quote Could Change Your Perspective On 2020 ForeverIn relation to reevaluating our dating and relationship goals, it’s often been said that you need to be happy with yourself before you even think about getting into a committed relationship. But, while we may have always known or assumed what it actually meant to be happy with ourselves, one Reddit thread poses a whole new interpretation.Posted by user ScarySpot7, they say:“I never got why people keep saying why you should learn to be happy alone and being single before you get into a relationship with somebody else. But somebody finally explained it to me.”“It’s so if you get into a bad relationship then you won’t be like ‘Well, being single is worse so I should just stick it out’ and then you end up regretting much of your life before you wisen up.”

“[Instead] you’re just like ‘being single is better than being with this person’ and so you leave.”

One user adds how they – and we imagine, how many of us – used to interpret the same ideal.“I always thought it meant that if you’re happy, then people will find you more attractive, like, someone isn’t going to want to date you just to be the only good thing in your life.”Of course, the two can certainly be intertwined;“I would also add that as a male, functioning as a confident individual and having goals makes you more attractive to females. Therefore, learning to be happy on your own can actually cause more relationships to happen”, adds another user.However, on the topic of confidence and its effect on your dating life, unless you’ve got pockets as deep as Conor McGregor and have the time to meditate aboard your luxury yacht, you’re consistently vulnerable to attack from others, especially online.Adding weight to this argument is fresh data compiled by dating app Bumble, that found a staggeringly high proportion of survey respondents had been on the receiving end of derogatory comments.Announcing an update to its terms and conditions in response to the survey, Bumble will now ban any users who make “unsolicited and derogatory comments made about someone’s appearance, body shape, size or health. This includes language that can be deemed fat-phobic, ableist, racist, colourist, homophobic or transphobic.”In a survey of over 1,400 Australians carried out in January 2021, 45 per cent said: “someone they have dated had made an unsolicited comment about their body either in person or online.”64 per cent agreed that others are more likely to make these unsolicited comments online – presumably because they have a virtual ‘shield’ to hide behind – and a huge 82 per cent of the survey group believed they are “more likely to feel physically judged while dating compared to other areas in life.”To combat any unwanted comments within the app, Bumble has implemented technology that will automatically detect any comments or images that go against its guidelines, and if necessary, will be passed on to a human moderator.

Read Next

• Redditor’s 19th Century Dating Advice Could Be A Lifesaver For Modern Singles
• I Just Had My Biggest ‘WTF’ Dating Moment…Without Even Going On A Date

The post Reddit Thread Provides Refreshingly Honest Advice For Modern Singles appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Before there were hipsters with ironic moustaches and women’s jeans, there were the original beard-sporting, plaid-wearing men’s men.

Unlike the hipsters who expect mummy and daddy to buy them a new iPhone every time they drunkenly drop theirs in a toilet, the originals had to fend for themselves.

It was a simpler time. Hungry? Go kill something. Threatened? Go fight something. Need shelter? Go build something. The rugged man could bend nature to his will and did whatever it took to carve out his space in the world.

Was it subtle? No. Was it masculine? Sure. Is it something worth aspiring to today? Hell yes.

Today we take inspiration from our formidable forebears, throw in a few elements of modern elegance, and arrive at the ultimate stylish hybrid: the rugged gentleman.

Definition Of A Rugged Gentleman

Since presumably you have no need to kill food or fight off threats to your homestead or chop down trees with your bare hands, what exactly is a rugged gentleman these days?

He is an alpha male. He is physically masculine. He knows how to get things done. He takes no shit and no prisoners. He takes cues from the hards-as-nails men who came before him – the warriors, the adventurers, the blue collar workers, the mountain men – and adapts them to 21^st century life.

Where his wardrobe is concerned, versatility reigns supreme. There are no frills or embellishments, no materials that can’t take a beating, nothing so tight it’s restrictive and nothing so baggy it’s cumbersome.

A rugged man’s clothing never puts form before function – but a rugged gentleman manages to strike a sophisticated balance between both. He cuts an imposing figure — but he’s also up to date with the coolest hiking brands.

How To Look Rugged

Holding a shotgun may help, but it’s not mandatory. To master rugged gentleman style, look to purpose-built garments designed for other no-nonsense men.

Start with traditional workwear, like flannel shirts, leather boots, wool coats, tweed trousers and denim. Then look to the military for field jackets, trench coats, and other earth-toned pieces that are tough and functional.

From there you can move on to gear meant for outdoor activities and sporting pursuits. Traditional hunting patterns like buffalo plaids and gun-club checks have a strong visual link to the rugged man’s heritage.

Remember that it never needs to be perfect. Embrace the wrinkles, the frays, the holes, the wear and tear, the minor damage. These are work clothes. They have character. Add patches and repair when needed, rather than replacing the garment.

And please avoid the urge to grow a handlebar and borrow your girlfriend’s jeans.

Masculine Tops For Men

When it comes to your torso, some staple items are musts in a rugged gentleman’s wardrobe.

Rugged Outerwear

Think Barbour, Filson and Belstaff. Coats and jackets should be in neutral and earth-toned colours. They look like they’d be right at home roughing it off the grid, hunting in the countryside or fighting in the trenches. Useful features like storm cuffs, snug-fitting collars, waterproofing and flap pockets are encouraged. Durability and functionality are key.

Rugged Blazers

Blazers aren’t the first thing that come to mind when you hear “rugged,” but stick to the right brands and your blazers will fit right in. Try Gant Rugger and Ralph Lauren. Look for fabrics and materials that have strong heritage or sporting connotations (wool, suede, plaids, tweeds, etc) and you’ll be on the right track.

Rugged Shirts

Speaking of plaid…this is the perfect time to bust it out. If we had to pick one item to represent the rugged gentleman, it would probably be the plaid shirt. You’ll find one almost anywhere you look, but J.Crew and White Mountaineering make some of our favourites

Rugged Knitwear

All that time spent exposed to the elements means the rugged gentleman needs as many layers of protection as he can get. Knitwear from the likes of Woolrich and S.N.S. Herning is the order of the day. Look for high-quality, a minimal aesthetic, and heavy, chunkier knits that bump up the masculinity factor.

Masculine Denim & Trousers

Duh. Who doesn’t need denim? But for the working man, denim becomes especially important. Leave the fancypants jeans to the hipsters – what the rugged gentleman needs is something sturdy and straightforward that gives his ankles room to breathe. No trendy washes, dyes, fades or embellishments. Brands like Levi’s Vintage and Edwin are good bets.

Rugged & Masculine Shoes/Boots

Could you work your way up a mountain, through a field, or across a desert in your shoes? Good. A rugged gentleman’s footwear should look like it came straight from the outback, even if it’s never left the city. Leather boots are the essential piece. Try Wolverine or R.M. Williams.

The post How To Own The Rugged Gentleman Look appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When was the last time you actually felt stylish at the office? Some gents spend forty-plus hours a week wearing a suit that suppresses who they really are: a boxy business suit, cheap shoes and a novelty polyester tie-and-shirt combo that they got on sale three-years ago.

Considering dress-codes, we understand that some are bound to elements of the traditional business suit – day in, day out. But office wear can be fashionable, with some simple planning and preparation to iron the sartorial creases out.

Here are five office alternatives to the boring business suit – whether you’re the number crunching financial guy or the creative agency chap.

Know Your Appropriate Business Attire Colours – Navy, Grey & Brown Suits

The sharp and sleek caters to the sartorial confinements of inner city working. Staying in line with traditional business attire, tailoring is key. Swap a plastic-y poly suit for a two-piece wool or cotton/silk blend suit, offering a contemporary look for the office.

Play around with office-ready navy, grey or brown – instead of standard black – ensuring the fit of the neutral suit fits like a glove, with an inclination for tapered trousers and a pressed leg crease at the front of the pant.

RELATED: 50 Ways To Elevate Your Grey Suit Game

Crisp cotton shirting (in business blue or white) takes style cues from an incredible fit and a chic cutaway collar. Paired with a woven silk tie and matching pocket square, play around with texture and micro-patterns – if your dress code allows. Then, add this season’s shoe – the double-strap monk – as an alternative to the classic Derby.

Traditional Business Attire Suits

It’s never been cooler to dress like our style forefathers. Channelling the office class of Steve McQueen in the ‘Thomas Crown Affair’, a three-piece suit (minus the pocket watch and chain) is a dapper way to dress this season.

For a contemporary twist, look to mid-to-light grey if you’re more neutral-inclined or a fine square window-pane check (out-dated in recent decades the plaid experiencing a renaissance this season). And look to double-breast silhouettes for a stately jacket over tapered pants.

RELATED: The Style Secret To Wearing Double Breasted Suits

Going check? Keep the shirt plain and simple white streamline black tie and black brogues. Three-pieces should be experimented with a bit – a fine striped shirt and polka dot tie break away from the stuffiness.

Suit Separates For Business

As we move down the ranks, the office suit becomes less formal. This is where colour blocking separates, come into the workplace – a great look for casual Fridays or the not so serious firms.

A double-breasted jacket in an earthy tone sits well over a muted cotton trouser – teal, marsala and mustard big colours this season with the return of Seventies hues.

Shirts – again – drop their formalities – adopting coloured cottons with a straight point collar or this season’s club variety. An indigo, denim look shirt cool look under a light jacket underpinned by a navy woven tie and picnic check pocket – creeping slyly from the coat.

Creative Casual Business Attire

Jeans to work? Yes, though the blazer-denim combination leans toward the agency type – those working in media, the arts or Google-esque start-ups. Letting those creative juices flow, start with your blazer; selecting a weightier herringbone or textural tweed in winter and a cotton or linen blend in summer. Single-breast is best with denim – the double-breasted jacket looking a touch nautical over jeans for work.

The shirt deserves experimentation too. Go for wide check or vertical stripe for a classic print or an on trend retro design, keeping the repetitive motifs (sail boats, palm trees or hibiscus flowers) tasteful in size and colour.

The jeans should be slim, never skinny or boot cut – but trouser-shaped in fit and cloth weight. Finally, shoes look sharp in suede – as a loafer or brogue – but keep the socks on for the office.

RELATED: HOW TO WEAR A SPORTS JACKET WITH JEANS

Business Suits With Sneakers… If You Dare

Channelling the active wear influence on men’s fashion and tailoring, look to luxury sneakers for a sport-inspired business look.

Before you start throwing things, we understand that sneakers are totally uncouth at certain workplaces, so keep the kicks for casual Fridays or if you’re part of a more innovative workplace – in regards to dress-code.

The suit needs to be lightweight (think cotton/linen, summer wool or an active jersey fabric) with heavy tweeds and herringbones typically too formal and hefty with sneakers.

Socks add a smartness to the suit – especially with a tie, pocket square and waistcoat – or if you’re wanting more active accents, supplement the button down shirt for a tee – and loose the socks for urban freshness inspired by the weekend.

The sneakers must be minimal, slim in silhouette and kept clean – cared for meticulously just as you would a dress shoe.

Final Word On Business Attire

The key to stylish office dressing is balancing creativity with courtesy. Adhere to the rules of the workplace (your boss does determine the likelihood of a promotion) so don’t offend with eccentric suit colours, neon shirts, peacock pocket squares.

Business Attire FAQ

The post Business Attire For Men Done Right appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Investing in cars is like playing the stock market. It’s unpredictable and complicated but you stand the chance of making a tidy profit for yourself – or losing money hand over foot.Predicting what cars are likely to become ‘future classics’ or even just going to resist depreciation isn’t straight-forward. The car market, like fashion, is fickle and cyclical. One only has to look at the ‘bogan car renaissance‘ currently gripping Australia: cars that were once considered the height of uncool are now becoming incredibly desirable. On the flipside, even highly-acclaimed and popular modern cars like the Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ pair or the Nissan R35 GT-R have suffered from crippling depreciation.So what’s a fun, practical daily driver that’ll hold its value well into the future? Ask any motoring journalist worth their salt and there’s only one answer they’ll give you: the new Suzuki Jimny. The three-door, brightly-coloured, kei car-sized SUV might seem like an unlikely candidate but the bizarre little motor has quickly become one of the most desirable vehicles in the world since its introduction in 2018.Such is the hype surrounding the Jimny that waiting lists for the car rival those for European luxury and performance cars – and indeed the car’s so popular that many Aussies are trading in their Land Rovers and Mercs for the little beauty.Even notorious Australian motoring ‘journalist’ Supercar Blondie (real name Alex Hirschi) is a fan of the Jimny, buying one of the pint-sized SUVs for her husband for Christmas – an inspired choice considering the Hirschi’s millions and taste in supercars…

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The fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny was launched in 2018, replacing the venerable third-generation model which had enjoyed a 20-year-long production run. While the external design of the new Jimny was a radical departure from previous models – retro-styled and boxy, resembling a baby Jeep Wrangler – the car remained true to the Jimny formula underneath: simple, hardy, with serious off-road credentials to back up its ‘butch’ look.The Jimny has always been an outlier in a market that’s dominated by big, thirsty boy’s toys. It’s small, not very powerful, and quite spartan. But that’s also why it’s loved by serious 4×4 fans: it’s inexpensive yet highly capable straight out of the box; legendarily reliable and regularly shows up bigger machines when it comes to off-road performance. It’s also great around town because of its tiny size and fuel efficiency (unlike most 4x4s), meaning it’s a real car for all people.RELATED: ‘Lamborghini’s Huracán Evo Is The Most Impressive Car I’ve Driven In A Long Time’Perhaps that’s why the third and fourth-gen Jimnys have been dark horses in the depreciation stakes, too. Despite its aforementioned lengthy production run, third-gen Jimnys hold their value remarkably well. The cheapest third-gen Jimny on Carsales right now is listed for just under $5k, with good examples asking as much as $30k. Pretty impressive considering that they retailed for just over $20k only five years ago… And the new Jimny retails for $25,990 to $27,990.When it comes to fourth-gen Jimnys, it’s more about supply. Dealerships across the country (and internationally, too) can’t keep up with demand, so if you want to get your hands on a new Jimny, you need to hit the classifieds – and expect to pay a premium. The cheapest fourth-gen on Carsales is listed for $35k, and prices go as high as $50k – almost double the RRP!But think of it this way: a new G-Wagen would set you back more than five times that amount… All the while being less capable off-road and around town; being far more expensive to run and maintain, and with far less street cred. Hirschi’s gift to her husband is looking more and more like a smart move…

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A post shared by Suzuki Australia (@suzukiaustraliacars)

Recent reports that Suzuki is expanding Jimny production to India as well as introducing a five-door model might take some of the heat out of the fourth-gen market. Australian-spec Jimnys are likely to continue to be sourced from Japan, although the Indian production line could see reduced wait times as it shoulders some of the global demand from the stretched Japanese plant, WhichCar reports.But if the third-gen Jimny’s anything to go off, fourth-gens will likely remain solid little investments into the foreseeable future, especially considering it’s a much more liveable car: it’s got a modern infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; practical flat-folding rear seats and plenty of cabin storage; a whole suite of safety features including autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, electronic stability control, high beam assist and more… Plus it looks really cool (which is just as important).RELATED: LeBron James Shows Off Unexpectedly Eco Friendly 4×4 TruckIn short, it’s an underrated little car that has all the right ingredients to be a future classic; a decade-defining vehicle. That millionaires like the Hirschis would invest in one instead of something far more expensive or luxurious is telling.“He’s been saying for so long ‘I just want a car that I can grab the dogs out them in go to the park do my errands in’… basically he doesn’t want to rack up any miles on the Rolls-Royce or the McLaren,” Supercar Blondie explains. “He takes cabs everywhere, [so I was] like what are you doing – you need a runabout car, and he always talks about the Jimny, so there you go.”Must be nice.

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The post Cars Like Suzuki Jimny Is Winning The 4WD War appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Knowing what to wear on a first date can be a difficult task for guys. You want your date to leave the rendez-vous thinking they don’t need to change anything about you — clothes included. Until the third date, that is, when who really lies behind that perfect hair, well-groomed face and impeccable style will surely come out. And by then it’s, well, too late.

“When it comes to impressing someone on a first date, its a very hard to work out what to wear,” says Dalton Graham, fashion blogger and founder of The Tailored Man. “There are two possible mistakes you can make; one is not dressing up enough or the other is overdressing.”

The consensus? Keep it smart casual. “Then, add a splash of a not-too-over-powering cologne and you’re on your way,” quips Graham.

Backing you all the way, here are the key pieces and tips for what to wear on a first date. Get it wrong and you’ll be finding yourself as a sorry contender on the next season of The Bachelorette.

Never Suit-&-Tie It… Banker Wanker

Yes, men look sharp in suits. But, a suit and tie — especially if it’s an office shirt-and-tie combo – can feel stuffy and gives the impression you’ve just come from work (and you’re career obsessed?), instead of taking the time to dress how you like, as a reflection of your personal style.  Ultimately, the goal on date night is to be at leisure, or at least appear like you’re having fun, says Dalton Graham, fashion blogger and founder of The Tailored Man.

“Opt for clean and simple,” says Graham. “And, don’t make the mistake of overdressing.”

So, if the date is in a fancy restaurant or the theatre, look to separates — a sharp blazer and tailored trouser – releasing the tie for the night from its shirt duties until Monday morning. A date is a different kind of business.

Shirt Flirt

A man who can cut an impressive silhouette in a button down shirt — one the simplest, yet striking fashion items — is worthy of a second date. From chambray to paisley to plain white, you can certainly play around with colour, textures and prints. But, two things are essential: fit and fabrication.

Ensure it’s a slim (never skinny) shirt so to enhance your physique, sitting square on the shoulders and draping naturally down toward the hips (leaving enough room for that dadbod paunch you may have accrued in your staying single). Then, it has to be cotton: breathable so to limit nervous sweats.

The button down shirt also solves the dilemma of not dressing up enough, says Graham, tucking it in and eschewing the belt — clean and simple.  “A crisp, white shirt is a must. For something extra, add a sweater.” Or a bomber jacket, adjusting the colour palette accordingly. Light tones for day, dark shades for night dates.

RELATED: Best Short Sleeve Shirts For Men

Keep ‘Em Keen, Jeans

The next piece in the first date outfit puzzle? “A nice pair of jeans or chino pants,” says Graham. Or a combination of the two. Opt for a pair of denim jeans, but in a trouser fit. Look to a straight cut: roomy in the thigh like pants but with a tapered leg from the knee down. A cropped ankled is a contemporary look or simply roll the cuff, which gives a nice colour contrast in you’ve gone for a selvedge, dark denim with white interface.

A 10-12 oz. denim is the ideal fabric: weighty enough to drape light a trouser but not so heavy that it’s bulky and stiff. A light, vintage wash jean is a fresh shade for summer and daytime dates, pairing whatever denim colour you choose with a cotton shirt – tee or long sleeve. Then, roll the sleeves. Sprezzy, done right.

Seal The Deal

What you put on your feet has never been so important. “This, of course, depends on where the first date is,” says Graham. “Either a nice clean white sneaker or a boot classic like the R.M. Williams chelsea.”

Basically, your shoe has the power to give and take away from your outfit. A sneaker will dress down the formalities of separates or a shirt and trouser combination, while leather boots or a dress shoe — from monk to derby brogue — will lift the leisurely nature of a jean, t-shirt and sweater outfit.

When selecting shoes, adhere to dress codes first, which is linked to the venue of the date. Follow with overall aesthetic — matching your trousers to your shoes — and then go for comfort. Don’t break in new leather shoes of your first date. Limping, because of blisters, isn’t attractive.

RELATED: The Best Boots For Men Right Now

A Smackeral Of Cologne

You want to be remembered for the right reasons, right? Well don’t be the guy who bathes in Aqua Di Gio before his date and wonders why he never hears back from the date. Opts for a modern and suitably unique cologne that will create interest but not assault the nose.

First Date Outfit Ideas FAQ

The post What To Wear On A First Date For Men appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Justin Bieber is one of the most polarising celebrities of the 21st century.

While the Canadian pop star boasts legions of devoted 'Beliebers', even to this day, he's also a regular target of hatred and criticism. You love him or you hate him – although he's become a far less controversial figure in recent years after getting married, finding Jesus and settling down a bit.

Still, memories of Bieber's 'bad boy' years remain potent in many fan's minds – and Bieber's too, it seems. The now-26-year-old shared a heartfelt post on Instagram earlier this week: a mea culpa for his bad behaviour and a valuable lesson in how important it is to have a growth mindset.

"7 years ago today I was arrested," he explained, describing it as "not my finest hour...I was hurting, unhappy, confused, angry, mislead, misunderstood and angry at God."

"I also wore too much leather for someone in Miami," he jokes.

"All this to say God has brought me a long way... My encouragement to you is to let your past be a reminder of how far God has brought you. Don’t allow shame to ruin your 'today'."

 

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A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber)

Ignoring the Christian stuff for a moment, it's a worthy take and emblematic of how much Bieber has changed as he's grown into adulthood.

Many celebrities who were thrust into the spotlight at an early age have stumbled under the pressures of fame. Amanda Bynes, Macaulay Culkin, Miley Cyrus, Shia LaBeouf... Many child stars have in later life been able to reinvent themselves, with mixed results. Bieber stands out as a particularly rare success story.

RELATED: Football Legend’s ‘Cringy’ TikTok Yet Another Trend Grown Men Shouldn’t Adopt

That he has been able to conquer his demons and not only turn his musical oeuvre but his whole life around is remarkably impressive, regardless of what you think of the guy or his newfound faith. It's a lesson we can all learn from – self-improvement is a marathon, not a sprint, and you shouldn't let shame hold you back from making a change.

Oh, and that quip about too much leather for Miami is golden. Thankfully, 'the Biebs' dresses much better these days (although he's not without his moments)...

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The post Justin Bieber Shares Heartfelt Life (And Style) Lesson appeared first on DMARGE.

They say money can’t buy happiness. But, it can buy you anything you want or need, which can at least lead to a big smile on your face (which is essentially the same thing).And when you have seemingly infinite riches and you’ve already bought yourself a portfolio of mega-mansions, a convoy of supercars and the latest designer threads, what else is there? For some celebrities, the answer is a hair transplant. Or, in the case of Floyd Mayweather Jr., potentially a beard transplant.Arguably one of the greatest boxers to have stepped into the ring, Mayweather Jr. is never one to shy away from flashing the cash, regularly posting images of himself in exotic destinations, showing off his enviable watch collection and dressing in some questionable outfits. But one post on his Instagram account towards the end of 2020 caught our attention.

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A post shared by Floyd Mayweather (@floydmayweather)

This selfie of Floyd, sans caption and comments, is far removed from the usual flaunting of his lavish lifestyle. Instead, it’s a simple image of the man himself, but sporting more facial fuzz than we’re accustomed to. Go back a couple of months to this image and all we can see is Floyd’s trademark goatee, with no other beard hair or, indeed, hair on his head.It certainly is enough for us to question whether he has undergone a hair transplant or not. We’re not the only ones either, as users commenting on several of his follow-up photos showing off his new look have put forward the same argument.One user, in particular, seems confident Floyd has undergone an FUE hair transplant.“He got a hair transplant (which is 100% fine and nothing wrong) it’s called FUE. He got his hair and beard done.”Other comments include,“He never had a FUL beard, it was always patches, he most definitely got a transplant on his face.”and,“He went bald on top, then got a hair and beard graph transplant.”Follicular Unit Extraction is a highly-skilled form of hair transplant procedure that sees individual hair follicles removed from the skin and placing them in an area of the skin where there is thinning or where there is no hair.

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A post shared by Floyd Mayweather (@floydmayweather)

According to Healthline, FUE poses few, or very minor, side effects, but on the whole, it is a safe procedure that yields successful results. Healthline adds “hair transplanted into a new area of your body typically begins growing back in about 3 to 4 months”.It’s not cheap though, with sessions costing anywhere between US$4,000 – $15,000 depending on how much hair needs to be transplanted and the quality of the performing surgeon. As we know, money is no issue for Mayweather.Floyd isn’t the only high-profile celebrity to have seemingly undergone hair transplants procedures, with Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton boasting what could be regarded as one of the greatest hair transplants of all time, going from a receding hairline in his early McLaren days to a fully-fledged afro in recent months.However, hair transplants aren’t exactly a new phenomenon, but we haven’t seen too many examples of beard transplants up until now. To find out if they could become 2021’s new trend – besides bleaching your beard Ricky Martin style – DMARGE spoke to Jules Tognini, professional hair educator and Bulldog Skincare ambassador.Jules admits that beard transplants aren’t as new as we first presumed, but guys are just not going to be so forthcoming with any work they’ve had done.“There is a growing trend of guys investing in their appearance, including beard transplants. In Australia, guys are much more conservative about sharing their grooming routines, but like in the US and Europe, there are definitely guys doing plugs here.”But are beards the be-all and end-all? Sure, they can be an indication of masculinity, but if you’re not blessed with follicular prowess, why would you go out of your way to get one?“It is definitely becoming more common in Australia [getting a beard transplant] as guys realise there are viable options to enhance their appearance”, Jules relates.“Just like wearing a baggy shirt to cover your handles, a beard transplant can help fill out your scraggly beard.”

“If your hair has never grown through, it’s hard to get hair there, and that’s why beard transplants are increasing in popularity. I see a lot of guys in their 30s and 40s travelling overseas to Turkey to get transplants.”

“If I lacked hair I would 100% do it – they look so good now you can barely notice at all.”If you’ve been considering getting a transplant, you may have come across the terms beard plugs, as well as beard transplants, but what is the difference? Jules explains,

“Beard ‘plugs’ refer to tufts of 20+ hairs inserted into the beard, which can look pretty dodgy. A beard transplant is more evolved and involves inserting individual hairs, thereby looking a lot more realistic.”

“With technology evolving from plugs to transplants, the procedure is becoming a lot better and a fake beard is so much harder to spot.”“A beard transplant is living, breathing hair, so correct care of your beard is key. A lot of guys let their facial hair go wild in lockdown, but the novelty of iso-scruff is wearing off, and guys are paying more attention to their beards, keeping them shorter, cleaner and tidier.”With this in mind, Jules also revealed to DMARGE his top tips for looking after your beard, whether it be all-natural or the result of a transplant.

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• How To Grow A Beard That Jesus Himself Would Be Proud Of
• The Coolest Beard Styles That Will Turn You Into A Rugged Gentleman

The post Grooming Expert Weighs In On Floyd Mayweather’s Alleged Beard Transplant appeared first on DMARGE Australia.