Real estate agents calling properties ‘fixer-uppers’ or a ‘renovator’s delight’ is one of those classic tropes.The gamble is this: will you actually end up saving money buying a dilapidated property and doing it up yourself, or are you just better off forking out a little more coin for something liveable?For first home buyers, a fixer-upper is a particularly tantalising prospect… Or their only choice. Young people tend to be cash-poor but time-and-energy-rich, so doing a bit of DIY makes sense. Sometimes it’s a real palaver, but other times you can find a diamond in the rough – which is what this apartment in Brisbane’s trendy New Farm looks to be.9/368 Bowen Terrace, which is a mere 15 minutes from the Brisbane CBD and a stone’s throw from the River Torrens, isn’t the prettiest apartment in the city by a long shot. But while the photos look unappetising, to skip out on this inner-city terrace would be arguably the biggest missed opportunity in Australia right now.

Normally, properties go end up with the Public Trustee if they’ve been a mortgage repossession or if they’re part of a deceased estate. We’d wager the latter’s more likely, considering the state and age of the apartment’s amenities. The kitchen and bathroom are particularly dire, and the lockup laundry next to its car spot looks like it’s straight out of a horror movie.RELATED: ‘Dump Of A House’ Actually Australia’s Most Wanted Property Of 2020But you have to look at the positives. Sure, the lockup laundry is very Saw-esque, but the fact the apartment has a lockup laundry, as well as its own undercover parking, is a real boon, particularly in the inner city where it’s notoriously difficult to find on-street parking. The carpet might be absolutely shagged in the lounge room, but the fact the apartment has such a big lounge room is also a plus. It’s a veritable hipster’s dream home in the making.And you’ve got to remember the classic real estate adage: “location, location, location.”The Public Trustee emphasises that you’re perfectly placed to “take advantage of the huge array of cafes, bars, boutiques and restaurants along both Brunswick Street and James Street.”“Entertainment options abound… the Sydney Street Ferry Terminal is close by for a quick and easy CityCat ride or instead choose to stroll along the tranquil Riverwalk past Howard Smith Warf and into the city centre.”

“Whilst in need of some urgent love and attention, it is a perfect entry-level home for a young couple, city worker or a fantastic investment opportunity with strong rental demand in the area. There is work to be done before you move in, however, the pay-off will be there in the end… a newly refurbished apartment in the heart of one of Brisbane’s most popular suburbs!”

In short, if you’re willing to put in the work, this could be the cheap inner-city pad you’ve always dreamed of. If not, you could be missing out in a big way: Brisbane’s property market is showing signs of heating up like Sydney and Melbourne’s, and this kind of deal might not be seen for quite some time.The other missed opportunity here, of course, is that the previous owners weren’t able to restore the property to its former glory, or update it in keeping with today’s tastes… It’s a shame, really. But you know what they say: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.Check out 9/368 Bowen Terrace on realestate.com.au.

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The post ‘Shagged’ Brisbane Apartment Could Be Australia’s Biggest Missed Opportunity appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Australia’s COVID-19 quarantine measures are notoriously strict.New arrivals must complete a mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine in the city they arrive in. Last year we saw everyone from British strongman Ross Edgley to actor Daniel MacPherson doing their best to keep fit in quarantine.Now, with the Australian Open due to start on February the 8th, players from around the globe are getting a taste of isolation. Some are not happy, claiming they have been put in sub-par hotels and that they were not accurately informed about the quarantine rules.Enter: Yulia Putintseva, women’s world number 28, who made headlines over the weekend by posting a video of a mouse in her hotel room.Putintseva is among 47 players and their teams who have been told to isolate for two weeks in their hotel rooms after two positive COVID-19 cases were confirmed on a flight from Los Angeles, and another case was confirmed on a flight from Abu Dhabi.

Right,day 4…@marta_kostyuk you said you wanna be next #QuarantineLife pic.twitter.com/W6jSp6Vi4k

— Anastasia Potapova/Анастасия Потапова (@nastiaapotapova) January 18, 2021

Players on those flights are considered close contacts, and will be unable to leave their hotel rooms for two weeks, as part of a hard lockdown.“Putintseva was one of a number of players critical of the hard quarantine situation,” Sporting News reported, with world number 11 Belinda Bencic saying the rules around COVID-19 cases changed after she landed in Australia.

Actually, no we didn‘t. We made our decision to come here from rules that were sent to us. Then we arrived and received an information/rule book with more/new rules that we did not know about. https://t.co/WSnpmENk1r

— Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) January 16, 2021

“We made our decision to come here from rules that were sent to us,” she wrote on Twitter.

“Then we arrived and received an information/rule book with more/new rules that we did not know about.”

The upshot? Both Putintseva and Bencic can now be seen getting in a spot of grand slam training, playing tennis against the walls of their respective hotel rooms.

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A post shared by Yulia Putintseva (@yulia_putintseva)

Their posts sparked much debate online, not just about the Australian hotel quarantine experience, but also around the current, limited, arrival caps.“I’m glad all the pro tennis players on the positive Covid flight are in quarantine,” one Instagram user wrote underneath Putintseva’s video. “It doesn’t matter who you are, how much money you’re worth, you’re all treated the same. Thanks for keeping Australia as safe as we can from the pandemic that has rocked the world. You’ll all be out in no time. Good work Australia for using our island as our strength.”“The whiney voice of privilege….god it’s shrill,” wrote another.Further comments included:

“From a stranded Australian I say, this is the risk you took,. 37000 Aussies would give anything to be in your place. Go out their and do your best and be their voice after you leave. Good luck with your tournament. When you guys post be aware that you were put ahead of Australian citizens to be there. In a safe country to play your sport. And this happened because of the sacrifice if Melbournians who endured one of the harshest lockdown in the world.”“Shouldn’t be complaining that Australia wants to keep corona out of the community. All the tennis players are lucky to even be let in.. so many citizens still waiting to come home.”“You are a warrior! Stay strong. Not right to force everyone go on quarantine who has tested NEGATIVE. We will all fight for your basic human rights.”

“So you’re my neighbor,” world number 55, Shelby Rogers wrote.Bencic took things a step further, writing, “wrong surface but that doesn’t matter for us,” and posting a video in which she can be seen playing tennis against her window.

Wrong surface but that doesn‘t matter for us pic.twitter.com/R8FsdyGafy

— Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) January 17, 2021

Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman and Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas got in on the action too, as did Russia’s Anastasia Potapova, who took Belarus’ Sabalenka Aryna up on her #grandhyattchallenge.

Bring on the world hotel carpet tour for 2021?

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The post Tennis Stars Forced To Train For Australian Open Inside Cramped Hotel Rooms appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Things are looking up for Daniel Ricciardo.‘The Honey Badger’ wrapped up a solid 2020 – which saw him come fifth in the 2020 Formula One World Championship’s Driver Standings – by announcing he would be leaving his current team, Renault, for greener pastures over at McLaren. Ricciardo really struggled to find his footing with the French team, so the news of a move to McLaren has been exceptionally exciting for Australian F1 fans.While there’s no doubt that Ricciardo’s move to the Mercedes-powered British team was primarily motivated by a desire for more podiums, there’s another perk of the move he was eyeing off: “the company car,” as he told The Fast Lane podcast late last year.F1 drivers are usually contractually obligated to drive one of their manufacturers’ street-legal cars when they’re not on the track: in Ricciardo’s case, that meant tooling around in a Renault Megane RS Trophy. With the move to McLaren, he’s swapped the hot hatch for a supercar – the new McLaren 765LT.The 765LT, which was unveiled last year, is a track-focused variant of the already quick 720S. It features an updated body that produces more downforce than the 720S and a reworked engine which makes 563kW and does 0-100 in 2.8 secs. That’s 342 more kW and 2.9 secs faster than the Megane, for reference.Ricciardo’s been enjoying driving his new pride and joy around California in-between F1 seasons, joking that “the first date” with the car had him “nervous but excited” and that for their “second date” they “went for ice cream”. It’s all very cute, but also demonstrates a tough home truth about Britain vs. France.Namely, that Britain is better – when it comes to making cool cars, at least.

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A post shared by Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo)

Now, it’s not entirely fair to compare a hotted-up version of a passenger car to a hotted-up version of an already formidable sports car – especially when you consider that the McLaren costs almost ten times what the Renault does. It’s also worth pointing out that the French do a better job of making everyday motors than the Brits do. We’d rather a Citroën C4 or Peugeot 308 over a Vauxhall Astra any day of the week.But when it comes to performance vehicles; ‘bedroom poster’ material, the UK has France beat.Other than the aforementioned ‘hot’ versions of passenger cars like the Peugeot 308 GTI or the Renault Megane RS, France doesn’t have many credible performance marques these days. You have the recently-resurrected Alpine, whose A110 initially attracted good reviews but has failed to make a significant impact in the performance car world, or Bugatti – who make truly amazing performance cars but aren’t really that French – founded by an Italian, owned by Germans, Bugatti are as French as a sauerkraut pizza.We’d also argue that Bugatti is to cars what Jacob & Co. is to watches: impressive on paper, but garish, excessive and tasteless when push comes to shove.Compare that to the UK, which is home to a number of prestigious performance marques with wide critical acclaim: Ariel, Aston Martin, Caterham, Jaguar, Lister, Lotus, Noble, TVR, and of course, McLaren. That’s to say nothing of Britain’s other primo offerings like Bentley, Land Rover or Rolls-Royce.RELATED: I Was Chauffeured To Work In The Latest Rolls-Royce & It’s Ruined Me For LifeIt’s also worth pointing out that a majority of F1 teams are actually based in the UK, too. Seven of the ten constructors – including Alpine, which is what Renault has rebranded to in 2021 – are either entirely or partially based in the UK. The rest are based in Italy. (Italian vs. British cars is another debate entirely…) It’s further evidence that it’s Britain, not France, that’s top dog when it comes to all things four wheels.The reality is that French performance cars are just nowhere near as aspirational as British performance cars. People buy Bugattis because they’re status symbols, not because of some French flavour. Compare that to Aston Martin, MINI or Rolls-Royce, where that British character is essential to their appeal. French cars are just not as cool as British cars. Let’s put it this way: F1 drivers don’t angle for Renault because they want to drive a Renault as their company car.

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A post shared by Daniel Ricciardo (@danielricciardo)

Of course, we’re also talking about the state of play in 2021. You don’t have to look far back to see how far the tables have turned, with awesome cars like the Citroën DS or Matra Murena on one side and the dumpster fire that was British Leyland on the other. It’s all swings and roundabouts.It’s also worth pointing out that many British car brands are just as guilty of the things we’ve accused Bugatti of being. Volkswagen might own Bugatti but they also own Bentley. Lotus is owned by Geely and their cars use Toyota engines. BMW owns MINI, Tata owns Jaguar, Stellantis owns Vauxhall, and McLaren’s F1 engines are provided by Mercedes… Need we go on?Ricciardo for his part is pretty brand and nationality-agnostic when it comes to cars. His multiple continent-spanning car collection contains everything from an Aston Martin Valkyrie to a Ford F-150 Raptor and a Porsche 918 Spyder as well as his “company cars”. Of course, for a driver like him, nothing really compares to an F1 car.Ricciardo’s first outing for McLaren, alongside his talented young teammate Lando Norris, will be at the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix on the 28th of March, as the Australian Grand Prix has been pushed back tentatively to November due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Travel restrictions have also seen the Chinese Grand Prix indefinitely postponed, with Imola returning to the F1 calendar in its slot, formula1.com reports.

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The post Daniel Ricciardo's New Supercar Shows Britain Makes Cooler Motors Than France appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When Qantas announced a “swingers program” (no, not that kind) in December, enticing Velocity Frequent Flyers to switch to The Flying Roo, Virgin Australia was all ears.Barely a week after the news broke, Virgin Australia made a counteroffer which the airline claimed went “one-better” on Qantas’. Fast forward to today and Virgin Australia’s bid to retain Velocity Frequent Flyers continues: Virgin Australia this morning announced yet another play to focus the wandering eyes of any would-be swingers.“Every member is a winner at Velocity Frequent Flyer,” the airline claims, “with the loyalty program of Virgin Australia giving all members the opportunity to obtain a share in 20 million Velocity Points, from today.”“Sound too good to be true? Well, not at Velocity Frequent Flyer. Velocity is thanking its loyal members and with border restrictions tipped to ease over the coming weeks and months, it’ll give members even more opportunity to increase their Points balance now, to fly faster.”

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A post shared by Virgin Australia (@virginaustralia)

A Virgin Australia Group spokesman said Velocity Frequent Flyer members are the lifeblood of Virgin Australia: “We’re committed to our members and this is our way of thanking them for their loyalty, and in doing so, making it that bit easier to boost their Points balance in time for the easing of border restrictions.”

“Our members have been the anchor of Virgin Australia for 20 years and that’s why we’re continuing to look at ways to reward loyalty.”

“We’ve demonstrated that many times throughout the pandemic with bonus Points, and Points and status credit extensions, knowing that our members haven’t been able to fly as often over the past few months.”To gain a share in the 20 million Velocity Points currently on offer, Velocity members must download the Velocity app (or already have the app downloaded) by midnight AEST on Tuesday the 26th of January, and activate the offer on the home screen.May the odds be ever in your favour.

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The post Virgin Australia Makes Huge Play To Lock In Velocity Frequent Flyers' Loyalty appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Men are embracing colour again this season, and dress shoes are popping brighter than ever.

Once reserved for sneakers and driving loafers, statement colours, patterns and contrast soles are adding a touch of personality to dress shoes for men; be it the oxford, derby or brogue. Let’s take a look at the types of coloured dress shoes on offer, and how to work the bold-hued shoe into a formal, smart casual and more relaxed setting.

Breaking It Down

Historically, shoes for men have typically come in classic black, neutral brown or tan. But, as witnessed on the catwalks in seasons past, designers have been pushing for a hyper, brighter interpretation of the common dress shoe.

After looking at the bold colour trends for 2015 for a little inspiration, decide what hue best reflects your personal taste. Then decide just how far you want to go: all-over colour, just a splash on the sole or upper, or more of an eye-catching pattern or print.

Block-Coloured

The one-tone, block-coloured dress shoe is the easiest, most streamline look to master. The all-over colour sits well with every dress shoe type, especially those made from suede. Block-coloured dress shoes are the most formal of the coloured variety, and pair nicely with a suit or trouser and blazer but sit nicely with chino shorts for a relaxed summer look.

Check out the Maison Margiela 22 red iridescent leather oxford and Oliver Spencer candy-hued lace-ups.

Contrast Sole

A huge trend this season is the contrast coloured sole. In two variations, the first sees the dress shoe with a classic-coloured upper such as black, brown or tan. The sole, often chunky is then coloured, often in a sugary hue that works a severe contrast to the organic leather of the shoe upper, like the one pictured from Jil Sander.

The second style sees a pastel-coloured upper atop a white sole. It’s a summery dandy approach to dressing and requires a little confidence. Tod’s rubber-soled suede derby in powder blue and white is a great pastel option, while Ted Baker’s jupitta suede contrast sole brogue in burgundy is nice darker shoe over a light blue sole.

Bi-Coloured

The bi-coloured or two-toned variety is similar to the contrast sole in terms of colour. However, the upper colours get a work over here instead of the sole, with contrast panels on the shoe coming together like pieces on a jigsaw puzzle.

Common styles are wingtip brogues and monk shoes, where the leather is already broken into segments due to the construction of the shoe. A dashing pair of wingtips comes care of Barker in blues, greens and corals, while Alexander McQueens produces a classic pair of bi-coloured monk shoes in a red and brown.

Pattern & Print

From paisley to polka dot, zebra stripe to camouflage, patterns and prints are redefining the role of the dress shoe in men’s wear. As a suit shoe, spots on oxfords act as a pocket square for the foot, while army print derbies in patchwork panelling are a militant alternative to a bomber jacket.

Saint Laurent offers some rock-inspired, fur-lined monks with a creeper sole, while Mark McNairy offers a formal camouflage print with a wingtip design.

How To Wear It

Fantastically Formal

Derby shoes are more clean-looking coloured formal shoe than brogues. Offered in smooth leathers or texture-rich suedes, one way of wearing coloured shoes with formalwear is to let the footwear be the focal point. The most effective way is to offset the brightness with tailoring in black and neutral hues (navy, charcoal, beige).

Another, more formal way, is to opt for more sophisticated one-coloured hues for the shoes (think marsala, olive or navy) and then match the colour to your suit. Monochrome or tonal creates a dressier overall look for the workplace and fancy dinner, while for the super adventurous should opt for a tuxedo or two-piece suit with zebra or leopard print shoes.

Smart & Casual

Coloured dress shoes in any form (block, partial or print) go well with smart casual attire. To avoid looking like a rainbow, it’s important to wear something neutral on the top or bottom of your outfit, and then work your shoe colour off the one statement colour from your outfit. The guide to colour matching your outfit will help, allowing you prefer complementary colours or analogous colours, with your look.

For complementary colour, try a cobalt blazer over bone coloured chinos with burnt orange derbies or tan shoes with a yellow contrast sole. Analogous colouring could involve dark green blazer with a bluish-green brogue, or a Prince of Wales trouser.

Super Relaxed

Denim jeans are a great casual pant with coloured dress shoes, sticking to a slim silhouette that evokes the look of casual trouser. Raw denim is slightly dressier compared to a classic or vintage wash, and roll up the cuff to show-off the absence of socks or ones with striking colour.

Summer is a great excuse for shorts paired with dress shoes too. Coloured brogues or derbies in prints such as spots or camo are a playful way for making your dress shoes more relaxed. The key to making dress shoes more casual to skip the socks, and add with nice fitted shirt or tee tucked in with no belt.

Final Word

As more luxury brands venture into the coloured dress shoe arena, more men need to rocking statement footwear – even to work. Just remember to pick colours you feel compliment your personality and don’t sacrifice your masculinity. Then keep the rest of your outfit relatively parred down, incorporating textural wools, neutral heritage fabrics and denim with the coloured dress shoes, instead of an overload of more colour.

Coloured Dress Shoes FAQ

The post How To Wear Coloured Dress Shoes appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Comedians aren’t known for being paragons of style, but Kevin Hart is a notable exception.The 41-year-old Philadelphia native is not only one of the most successful funnymen on the planet, but he’s also one sharp dude. From his expansive watch collection to his on-trend taste in summer attire, the talented entertainer is a consistent source of style inspiration – especially for shorter men.Hart is famously a short dude and regularly jokes about his short man status in his films and comedy routines. It’s hard to figure out exactly how tall he really is (he’s given out a wide variety of figures over the years, everywhere from 5’2 to 5’5) and many different online outlets have had a go at measuring him up.His exact height isn’t what’s important though. What is crucial is how he doesn’t let his height hold him back from being one stylish gent – or rather, he knows how to dress to his height. That’s the big secret to his sartorial success.Case in point: these promotional shots he uploaded to Instagram last weekend, where Hart showed off his keen eye for suiting… While casually flexing a pair of Patek Philippe Grand Complication watches collectively worth around $300,000. No biggie.

Hart’s two watches are the ref. 5270J and the ref. 5270P – both part of the luxury Swiss watch brand’s top-tier Grand Complications collection and both around $150,000 a pop. The 5270J has a yellow gold case and a silvery opaline dial with gold applied hour markers, whereas the 5270P has a platinum case and a golden opaline dial with blackened gold applied numerals. They’re otherwise identical, featuring perpetual calendar and chronograph complications; day, month, leap year and day/night display in apertures; dedicated date and seconds sub-dials and both presented on an alligator leather strap.RELATED: ‘Pateks Not Portfolios’: Watch Expert Reveals Moves To Make In 2021What’s really important here is the clothes he’s wearing, however. Hart shows off two different formalwear looks, both of which look incredibly crisp and both do a fantastic job of distracting from his height. Something yours truly noticed (and wrote about) on Monday.DMARGE on Monday reported:

“The first look, a mahogany double-breasted suit over a white turtleneck, is incredibly dapper whilst not being overly formal. The turtleneck adds a bohemian touch, but also makes him look taller than he is. As a fairly broad, built guy, the double-breasted suit jacket is a savvy move – a skinnier man couldn’t pull it off. His gently bedraggled pocket square is another clever touch. All in all, he looks like a million bucks, or rather, 200 million bucks, which is what his net worth’s been calculated as.”

DMARGE also wrote:

“The second look is even more casual, while still remaining smart. His alabaster safari jacket is less structured but still well-tailored – a must if you’re a shorter dude looking to appear taller than you really are. Rolling back his cuffs and popping some buttons to expose his chest tattoos and a pair of silver chains, Hart looks like he’s ready to swap hemispheres; it’s a very summery fit.”

Just two days later, Hart took to Instagram with yet another suave outfit, this time throwing on a plain white tee, Dior x Nike Air Jordan 1s, grey pinstriped pants, a grey beanie and the following caption into the mix:

“Haters will say that I’m not tall…”

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A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real)

Coincidence? You be the judge. In any case, Hart is looking damn fine. If you want some more pointers on how to nail smart casual like him, check out our comprehensive guide.

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The post Kevin Hart Responds To 'Short Man' Criticism In Impeccable Fashion appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Want proof the “essential” supplement stack your local gym bros keep spruiking isn’t as crucial as they claim? Look no further than the following photo.Posted recently to Instagram by fitness coach James Kew, whose Instagram bio reads, “I help busy professionals get a lean athletic body without eliminating their favourite foods,” the image – he claims – offers proof your favourite post-workout shake isn’t as crucial as its vendors would have you believe.

 

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A post shared by James Kew (@jameskewfitness)

⁣”This is not to say all supplements are useless,” Kew writes, “but the few which do work are often overhyped, and as these pictures show, they are definitely not required for getting in amazing condition!⁣”The image features Polish wrestling champion Otto Arco, Prussian bodybuilder Eugen Sandow (who has been referred to as the ‘father of modern bodybuilding‘), and German gymnast Max Sick, from the years 1900, 1890 and 1910 respectively. The kicker? Each photo was taken before synthetic testosterone had ever been synthesized (and before the various supplement stacks you see today slurped down in gyms all over were even a glint in marketing gurus’ eyes).“It’s… worth noting that synthetic testosterone (what most people would call steroids) was first synthesized in 1935, years after these photos were taken so we can say unequivocally that these guys were natural lifters,” Kew writes in the caption of the post.“Anabolics did exist tho,” one commenter pointed out, to which Kew responded, “it was first synthesised in 1935 and not widely used until the late 1950s.”Another user said, in their opinion, supplements are more important now thanks to the GMO food revolution: “Before GMO foods… In our era foods are poor in micros… So I tend to be believe that micros supplements are of vital importance in our days.”Another simply wrote: “Um supplements aren’t bad. Some actually get you where u want to be a little faster.”Food for thought.

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The post 'Father Of Modern Bodybuilding' Proves You Don't Need Supplements To Get Ripped appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

What you wear on your feet can make or break your look, blah blah blah. You’ve heard it all before and you probably don’t want to hear it again, so we’ll fast-forward to the important part – a men’s dress shoes guide.

Dress shoes are not created equal. They cannot all be worn anywhere, with anything. Which means that, if you think you can drop serious cash on just one pair that will be a multi-purpose purchase, you’ve got an unwelcome surprise coming.

Depending on the occasion and the wardrobe you’re wearing them with, some dress shoes are more suitable than others. Read on to learn about common kinds, what to look for in men’s dress shoes, and how to select the right one for your next upscale affair, where sandals simply won’t cut it.

Men’s Dress Shoe Types

An educated and sartorially-inclined gentleman like yourself is well aware that he has many different types of dress shoes to choose from, but these are six of the most popular styles to suit up or go smart casual with.

Oxfords

Oxfords take the top spot at the most formal end of the dress shoes spectrum. Also known as Balmorals, Oxfords are (typically) leather shoes with a low instep and a thin, non-rubber sole. Their most distinguishing characteristic is closed lacing, which is what makes them your most elegant option. Cap-toes are a common embellishment for Oxfords, but keep in mind that the sleeker the shoe, the more formal it is.

READ NOW: Best Oxford Shoes For Men

Brogues Or Wingtips

Take a leather dress shoe, add decorative stitches, perforations and serration across the top, and you’ve got brogues. Brogues are most commonly found in one of four closure styles (Oxford, Derby, ghillie, and monk) and four toe cap styles (full or wingtip, semi-, quarter and longwing). Some might call it confusing; we prefer to think of it as versatile. If you’re abiding by tradition, the more broguing a shoe has, the less dressy it is.

Derby Shoes

The Derby is very similar to the Oxford, with one key difference: the lacing is sewn outside of the shoe. This method creates visible flaps, which are less formal than an Oxford’s closed lacing. Derby shoes (sometimes called Blüchers) can come in a variety of colours and materials, and a range of styles (brogue and non-brogue, wing-tipped, cap-toed, etc.). They’re less appropriate for wearing with your most refined tailoring, but perfect for smart-casual attire.

RELATED: Best Affordable Dress Shoe Brands To Buy Right Now

Loafers

Loafers can be either dressy or sporty, but all have one distinctive feature: a lack of laces or buckles. The classic loafer is a slip-on shoe, often with moc-toe construction, with a wide, fairly flat heel. Decorations can include tassels, metal “snaffles,” or the leather strap of penny loafers. As per usual, the sleeker and simpler designs are the most formal, as are darker colours. Make sure you wear socks with your loafers unless the occasion is very casual.

Monk Straps

Anything named after a religious ascetic doesn’t sound like much fun, but monks buck the trend. Like a loafer, monk strap shoes don’t have laces. Unlike a loafer, monk strap shoes aren’t just slip-ons – instead, they’re closed via a leather strap and metal buckle on the upper portion of the shoe. One, two, and even three-strapped versions are available. Monks are ideal for the man who wants to draw attention to his unique tastes.

Dress Boots

Put the hefty combat boots down. We love them too, but they’re not appropriate for a formal occasion. Opt for dress boots instead, which are slim, sleek and snug, often with a slight heel. Dress boots are typically ankle-length and come in many styles (the usual brogue, wingtip, cap-toe, etc.). The conventional rules apply: more details are less formal, fewer details are more formal. Wear them with dark denim, dress trousers or a casual suit.

Dress Shoe Leather Types

We’re open-minded here at DMARGE. We like to think that all constructions, colours and materials have their place, and we know that much of it comes down to personal taste. That being said, there are a few points of decorum one should keep in mind when choosing which shoes to don on a particular day.

Glossy leather is the most foolproof choice. It’s as elegant as it gets, and can be worn anywhere that requires a suit and proper comportment. Take the shine out of the leather and you have a less formal, but still dressy, shoe. Suede brings the formality down yet another notch, but still looks smart.

After that, the leathers get exotic and experimental. The sky is more or less the limit, but please don’t slaughter anything endangered in the name of fancy footwear. Unusual skins run the gamut from alligator to ostrich, with all manner of reptiles, mammals and birds in between.

How To Spot Quality

Listen up gents, because this is important. Your shoe collection should be about quality over quantity, unless you’ve just robbed a bank and are looking to blow all the cash before you’re caught. Cheap dress shoes are fine for short term wears but you’re far better off choosing a more expensive shoe that’s built to last than 10 shoes you fished out of the bottom of a bargain bin.

So how do you know what’s quality? It’s all in the construction. Look for:

• Leather. Real leather is a must. It breathes better, evolves to accommodate the shape of your foot, and can be refurbished a number of times.
• Well-made soles. The soles should also be leather, and should be stitched – rather than glued – to the bottom of the shoes.
• The lining. The lining of your shoes should be made of high-quality calfskin or natural leather, not synthetic materials. Wait, your shoes don’t even have a lining? Fill them with dirt and pop a bulb in them. They’re useless as dress shoes, but they’ll make great planter boxes.
• The stitching. It should be neat and barely noticeable. Anything else is not up to your exacting standards and unworthy of your good taste in suits.

RELATED: The Difference Between $1,000 & $100 Leather Shoes

Men’s Dress Shoe Brands To Know

Fear not. We won’t eject you into the world to blindly search for the aforementioned qualities. Instead, we’ll gently point you in the right direction and send you on your (well-educated) way. We highly recommend these three fail-safe men’s dress shoe brands:

John Lobb (High End)

John Lobb has been in business since 1849, and its shoes are still handmade the traditional way. 190 steps and several weeks go into the production of each pair, which have been cherished by kings, entertainers, politicians, business moguls and more. Today John Lobb proudly holds two Royal Warrants to His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.

Carmina

Originally known under the family name of Albaladejo, Carmina has been making exceptional shoes in Spain since the 19th century. All Carmina shoes are made by a team of skilled craftsman using the traditional Goodyear stitching technique, a process that takes 15-20 days. Now one of Spain’s largest shoemakers, Carmina has shops in Paris, Barcelona, Bilbao, Valladolid, Palma de Mallorca and Madrid, and can be found in various retailers around the world.

Grenson (More Affordable)

World-renowned English shoe manufacturer Grenson has been designing and manufacturing footwear since 1866. Founder William Grenson was the first producer in the world to use the Goodyear welting construction method, now a hallmark of all exceptional British dress shoes and still employed at Grenson today. From working out of a cottage and outfitting soldiers in both world wars, Grenson has come a long way to be consistently ranked as one of the top English shoe brands.

Read Next

• The Most Comfortable Dress Shoes For Men
• Best Chelsea Boots For Men

The post A Guide To Men’s Dress Shoes appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The classic men’s polo shirt is a timeless men’s top today. Ever since Rene Lacoste – the tennis pro and original polo engineer – decided the back-then 1920s tennis uniform wasn’t so trés bien after all, the player-turned-designer eschewed the frumpy uniform worn by contemporary athletes at the time, for something plus chic. Enter the polo shirt.

From a simple base layer to a dress shirt replacement, today we’re showcasing five distinct styling approaches, all of which exude a sense of timelessness for the polo. Then, once persuaded of the shirt’s importance in your summer wardrobe, click through the slideshow for the best polo brands for men and how to wear a polo shirt.

Know Your Polo Shirt Styles

The polo shirt is an icon of preppy style, but you’re missing out on a lot of sartorial opportunities if you think that’s all it is. The classic polo is actually incredibly versatile – it can be dressed up or dressed down to suit the occasion, as long as you steer clear of anything with a massive, garish logo or giant numbers on the back. Here are five ways on how to wear a polo shirt.

Classic Cotton Polo Shirts

If in doubt you stick with natural fibres of cotton. Perfect for summer days or night our with your lady friend. The light breathable polo shirt will stay crease free and can be found in almost every colour under the sun. Sunspel, Orlebar Brown and even Bonds polo shirt are your go to brands.

Knitted Polo Shirts

Channelling the greats – Steve McQueen, James Dean et al. – the knitted polo feels that little bit more luxe nowadays, made with a jacquard weave to give the shirt extra depth. The retro type, with a smaller, revere style collar, is worn slightly roomier, but kept in shape with ribbed sleeves and hem, giving back a nice fit, where it counts – on the arms and waist.

All-over neutrals suit the knitted polo well, the texture acting as a contrast with tonal navy looks, for example. Elsewhere, a leather jacket kicks the vintage biker into gear, the shiny animal skin a nice contrast over the plush, soft knit. Plus, it’s a great winter option, especially in long sleeve.

Linen Polo Shirts

If cotton is not your thing and you prefer a more relaxed look then opt for linen. Many brands are now choosing to make polo shirts from linen. Pair your linen polo shirt with linen trousers or just wear them with white chinos.

Long Sleeve Polo Shirts

Just don’t… please.

Polo Shirt & White Trousers / Jeans

The classic polo hails from Rene Lacoste-days and his namesake crocodile logo-ed label. Made from cotton piqué, this polo combines comfort and elegance and is a chic, timeless essential. Start here if you’re new to the polo game, teaming it with slim fit white chinos, matching shoes and cool shades from look that says ‘prep’ but in a new way, more Scandinavian-cool. Leave the polo untucked and keep accessories minimal – no belt or socks required.

Polo Shirt & Sweats

Sports-luxe is everywhere in menswear. And, the tennis-derived polo plays the active code well. Especially, when paired with jogger pants (tracksuit bottoms). For summer, try lightweight silky, linen harem pants with an open neck polo (rocking the half-tuck) and leather sandals, opting for comfort and a sense of vacay charm, even if you haven’t left your neighbourhood.

Polo Shirt & Shorts

Headed seaside? Pack one or two polos. In pure cotton pique jersey – softer than classic pique, the beach is where your pattern polo game amps up. Structurally, revere collars match those fedora-feels, with a split hem and again, keep it untucked. Go for melange stripes and brighter colours with navy, beige or white as an anchor somewhere in your outfit. Tailored shorts or swim shorts are your bottoms of choice, switching in espadrilles, boat shoes and even sandals, do away with rubber thongs altogether.

Polo Shirt & A Blazer

Cut slim and in typically in a luxury merino wool-cashmere fabric, the long sleeve polo is your go-to choice when addressing the casual summer top in a smart casual and even winter environment Soft, warm and still breathable, the knitted polo spruces up day-off looks. Wear it layered under a blazer or suede bomber, teamed with wide-leg trousers and cropped, based out with leather Derby shoots for the weekend. Or, play down a formal look for nights, teaming the polo shirt with a two-piece cotton suit, mixing colours to make a statement.

Final Polo Shirt Tips & Tricks

• Go for fitted, not tight. They should drape nicely over your body without showing off your arms like a poser.
• Avoid tucking a polo shirt into shorts. It’s a little too preppy looking. Go the the half tuck if you insist on some level of tucking.
• Avoid garish logos and designer name brands. It’s showy and tasteless.
• Avoid baggy or relaxed fit jeans with the polo, it screams nineties boy band.
• Inject a polo shirt into summer suiting. A night coloured single breasted linen suit is a great choice. As is a light neutral double breasted suit or blazer. Wear the polo open at the neck, with the collar flared for a retro look or standing crisp for a modern take.
• Keep patterns and colour blocking for day time dressing, sticking to neutrals and knitted polos for night time.
• White sneakers, loafers and sandals are the ultimate polo shirt shoe. Boots and leather dress shoes tend to kill the easy-summer vibe (unless you’re wearing a suit).
• Finally, don’t pop your collar. It’s not hot, ever.

How to Style Polo Shirts FAQ

The post Best Polo Shirts Are Not Just For Preppy Jerks; Here’s How Normal Folks Can Wear Them appeared first on DMARGE Australia.