The velvet blazer. A piece of formal menswear that many have attempted to pull off before, but not always to great effect, the textured jacket is something you need to know how to wear if you want to look good. Hailed as the only answer to texture, the plushy blazer is witnessing a renaissance, propelled in recent seasons by Dolce & Gabanna, Haider Ackermann and the bringing-sexy-back designer, Tom Ford.

Velvet has featured heavily on the red carpet too as Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper and Douglas Booth captain their fellow recruits into the vampy, velvet army. But before you sign up, let’s look at the prerequisites.

Breaking It Down

The velvet jacket is having a ‘moment’. But isn’t meant to be a sartorial staple in the men’s style canon. That’s great news, meaning you get to have fun with it; experimenting with a soft-touch fabric that doesn’t normally feature on your torso. But there are limitations. To help you adapt to velvet wisely, pick a jacket colour and style that goes well with your current wardrobe. And, of course, your personality.

Because velvet is a trend in itself, mixing the fabric with timeless black or navy is a foolproof option. But for the more avant-garde, why not try a Tom Ford-inspired velvet jacquard (a raised pattern that gives height to the fabric by the way it’s weaved) in a blood red or neon blue?

Or for the rocker and dandy among us, glaring pastels and deep purples are your go-to’s. Let’s learn properly the pleasures (and limitations) of the soft, luxurious cloth – before anyone dare leave the house.

Velvet Tuxedo Jacket 

The rules for velvet as a formal jacket are simple: keep it slim, trim and taut. Perfect as a dinner jacket, velvet adds a touch of plush to a standard tuxedo look but only if you let the fabric be the leading star. This means a sharp silhouette must come into line as the best supporting act.

Black velvet is the ultimate colour for super formal events, keeping the shirt, trousers and accessories relatively neutral and clean. Midnight blue, dark purple and then other earthy colours such as moss green, red and brown are safe hues, too.

Pair velvet blazers or peak lapel ones with a black bow tie (in velvet for extra some matchy-matchy) over a crisp white shirt, black slacks and patent leather Derbies. No luxuries spared.

Velvet Jacket & Roll Neck

The chicness of European style goes hand-in-posh-hand with velvet. Emphasising a less is more approach to the jacket, even the more dapper smoking coat looks easy to wear, when paired with a flat roll neck in black to make the coloured velvet pop.

Europeans like their sweaters, so go cashmere under the velvet jacket to give some more natural texture. Rich red or sapphire blue keeps the outfit elegant without appearing too nighttime like heavy black would. And accessories are everything, so go big and light with scarves and pop on some matte-black shades to cement the sleek attitude.

Velvet Jacket & Jeans

For those rock moments when you want a little edge that doesn’t scream punk or goth, velvet is here, offering a touch of glam to a jet black, skinny jean-ed, floppy-haired dude. A great alternative to a leather jacket, velvet blazers play a melodic rock ballad without all that metal and unnecessary zip detail.

Printed silk scarves work well with velvet; the flat sheen of the silk complementing the gloss of the velvet, without stealing the limelight. Then, add some leather Chelsea boots, a gold chain and belt to make up for the metal-less jacket.

Velvet Jacket & T-Shirt

Casual velvet? Yes, sir. And it’s easy to do, when you approach it effortlessly. There isn’t too much think-work involved, so place the jacket succinctly over a streamline, street look. Slim jeans and plain tees (always untucked and slightly oversize) is an easy outfit, made super sportsluxe with stark, white sneakers.

For winter, take a bigger fit velvet and layer it like a topcoat, working underneath tweedy waistcoats, cable knit sweaters or a washed-out denim jacket – always buttoned-up, creating a tonal look with the blue between the two pieces.

Velvet Jacket & Shirt 

Velvet is very workable in the office, provided you aren’t breaking a corporate dress code with the sheeny jacket. Those creative agency types have this look in the bag, pairing it with a crisp white shirt (no prints and patterns needed with velvet here) and a business tie in silk – woven, for extra texture.

The jacket needs to be ultra fitted, like any office piece would, matched with a pair of wool trousers or if you’re a little more corporately liberal, cotton chinos or the super radical – yes, corduroy.

Bright & Bold Velvet Jackets

Nothing inhibits or embarrasses the modern dandy. So don’t hold back. Go hell-for-velvet with vibrant lighter colours – be it rose, mint, or yellow – for a super dandy, star-of-the-show effect. Or, opt for an on trend jacquard brocade in stately black, letting the illustrious pattern and plush fabric peacock its way around the party.

Meanwhile, the plain velvet jacket is the perfect printed fashion companion. Opting for a rich blue or forest green, the absence of pattern leads the dandy to lash out on prints elsewhere: a neckerchief in paisley, a polka dot pocket square and a droplet-print button shirt – worn all at once.

Leather loafers and a contrast pop-coloured brogues in suede bounce off the velvet jacket and the elimination of socks gives back even more quirkiness. Now go find a fellow gent to discuss the life and works of Oscar Wilde.

Read Next

• Best Tuxedos Brands For Men
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The post How To Wear A Velvet Jackets & Blazers Like A Bon Vivant appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The aviation industry was devastated in 2020. That’s not going to be immediately rectified in 2021. Though there are positive signs a recovery is imminent, it will be a long, turbulent road until we once again reach the lofty heights (and huge passenger numbers) of pre-Covid 19 travel.Demonstrating this in startling fashion, is a recent photo taken by frequent flyer expert and Flight Hacks founder Immanuel Debeer. Posted to his Instagram account on Sunday, the image (along with a bunch more, which you have to click through to see) has evoked a great sense of loss in many of his followers, bringing home how hard aviation has been hit by Covid 19 in a way statistics fail to convey.

 

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A post shared by Immanuel Debeer (@flighthacks)

“If you wondered where airlines hide their aircraft during a global pandemic; I’ve found them! These jets are all wrapped up in the middle of the desert,” Debeer captioned the post.

“Why? Corrosion is an aircraft’s worst enemy so when they can’t fly, finding a dry environment is key to their preservation.”

“Wow, amazing but saf [sad as fuck],” another frequent flyer, James Asquith, commented.“Great shots of a sad sight,” wrote another.Other users asked Debeer how he took the pictures, with one suggesting it may have been via drone. “Haha no way you could fly a drone around the airport! I circled around in a chopper,” Debeer responded.

“No doors [in the chopper]… just me hanging in a seatbelt. Good thing it didn’t pop open or they would have had to scrape me off one of those A380 wings.”

Notable airlines spotted included the Singapore Airlines A380 first class suites, and the Cathay Pacific 777 fleet.“When you come in to land for the first time it will give you chills to see so many airplanes parked in the dirt,” Debeer told DMARGE. “It leaves an impression, and ASP isn’t even the biggest storage facility.”“Even if you’re no an #avgeek, airplanes are awe inspiring machines that demand respect no matter if you ‘like’ them or not. These machines are one of the most significant things that have impacted humanity in such a big way.”

“They provide a gateway to the world and whatever comes with that freedom. To see them parked up in the sand is pretty sobering and shows the vast destruction our governments around the world have caused the aviation and travel industry.”

This is not the first time the Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage facility in Alice Springs has been photographed. Plane spotter @aviation_tommy_ spoke to DMARGE last year after taking some mind blowing photos of his own.

“Many aircraft from different Asia[n] countries have been sent to Alice Springs; this is sad… to see to be honest, but it was a good experience to see these birds in the middle of Australia.”

 

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A post shared by Tommy NG (@aviation_tommy_)

Debeer’s photos come at a crucial moment for airlines. Though last year was brutal, this year could be even trickier.RELATED: Photographer Captures One Of The Saddest Moments In Aviation HistoryCNBC reports, “Passenger volume fell from over 2 million daily at the beginning of March to a bottom of about 90,000 in mid-April, according to TSA checkpoint statistics, as stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions hit.”

“While that number has since recovered, even the busy holiday season saw passenger volume at less than half what it was a year ago, with 1.2 million people traveling on Dec. 27, versus 2.6 million last year.”

Through initiatives like Antarctica Flights and Uluru sightseeing tours have helped bring Australian airlines like Qantas a little extra revenue, with international flight still very much up in the air, Australian airlines will remain budget-conscious this year, earning money largely via domestic flights and on-ground frequent flyer schemes.According to the ABC, Qantas reported a $1.96 billion loss in August 2020, down from 2019’s $840 million profit. Virgin Australia notably went into voluntary administration in early 2020 and will continue to rebuild itself as a “leaner, meaner” airline in 2021, with airline advisors telling DMARGE it will take between 2 and 5 years for the airline to become profitable again.

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The post Where Airlines Store Aircraft During A Pandemic appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

They say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” – particularly when it comes to the Australian used car market.In the same way that vintage comics regularly fetch higher prices than medieval textbooks and sun-damaged vintage Rolexes can be worth more than immaculate ones, grotty ‘bogan’ cars are becoming the hottest commodities for Australian car collectors. Forget European luxury or JDM tech wizardry – after years of being ignored, the next big thing in car investment is your suburban Aussie station wagons, fast sedan-based utes and bogan block beaters. A bogan car renaissance, if you will.This trend has only accelerated with the end of local vehicle manufacturing, and indeed the two iconic Australian marques – Ford and Holden – added their own fuel to that fire by releasing a slew of suped-up, ‘final edition’ vehicles that were some of the most refined, good-looking and powerful vehicles this country has ever produced.And if you think the average price of an 80s bogan beater has seen insane speculation, wait until you see the prices that these ‘final edition’ local legends are commanding.The Internet has been set aflame in recent weeks by a particular bogan beauty that just went under the hammer with Lloyds Auctions – a 2017 HSV GTSR W1 Maloo ute. With only 618km on the clock and in mint condition, a high price was always to be expected.The auction wrapped up this afternoon with the winning bid coming in at a whopping 1,050,000 AUD (~802,400 USD). Just let that sink in. A ridgy-didge Aussie ute, going for more than a new, top-of-the-line Rolls-Royce Ghost.

It’s a lot of money, considering that at the end of the day, it’s still just a ute: a tradie’s vehicle, not some piece of precision European wankery. But it’s not just any ute. It’s the ultimate ute, and arguably the ultimate Australian car. Let us explain.HSV, or Holden Special Vehicles, was the brand’s in-house performance division from 1987 to the end of local production in 2017. While they occasionally turned their attention to imported models – such as the Belgium-made fifth-gen Holden Astra or the second-gen Holden Jackaroo (really a Japanese Isuzu Trooper), HSV were best known for taking Commodores or Utes and turning them into fire-breathing monsters.HSV celebrated the end of the VF Commodore with the bonkers GTSR W1 model, which made 474kW thanks to its 6.2L LS9 supercharged V8, the same engine that went into the C6 Corvette ZR1. The GTSR W1 is the fastest and most powerful car Australia has ever produced (or will produce, seeing as local manufacturing is dead).RELATED: Expert’s Big Warning For Australians Buying ‘Orphan’ Second Hand Cars300 GTSR W1s were made, making them rare and desirable things, but HSV secretly made a handful of GTSR Maloo W1s as well, WhichCar relates – of which this ute under auction is an example:

“[HSV] wasn’t actively hiding the cars but simply chose not to publicise their existence… it’s understood the owners were required to sign contracts promising their silence before, during and after the build process.”

Essentially, this Maloo is the rarest version of the best and last car Australia ever made, with a smoke-and-daggers backstory and a functional ute tray to boot. Now that crazy final price makes a little more sense.

While this car will always be special as the last in a long line of suped-up factory hot-rod utes, it will be interesting to see if in a few decades’ time it will hold its value, or if ‘bogan mania’ will subside. Or maybe collectors will decide that another car is the ultimate bogan investment.If we had to make a prediction, we’d say the VG-generation HSV Maloo is ripe for future speculation: as the GTSR W1 Maloo was the very last ute HSV worked on, the VG-generation Maloo was the very first, so it’s got that historical significance factor. But that’s just us thinking out loud…RELATED: Secret To Finding ‘Diamond In The Rough’ Classic & Second Hand Cars In AustraliaThe Holden brand is being retired completely in 2021, with HSV transforming into General Motors Special Vehicles. GMSV will focus on importing and converting US-built cars like the Camaro, Corvette and Silverado truck, although it remains to be seen if they’ll do their own performance modifications, too.Holden’s great rival Ford isn’t going anywhere, but the grass isn’t exactly greener on the other side. The Blue Oval is discontinuing the sale of passenger cars in North America and culling most of their model range Down Under too, with only the Focus and Mustang standing out in a sea of SUVs (the Fiesta is still available, but only in ST guise).Thankfully for Ford, the Ranger ute is selling well – but it’s no Falcon XR6 Ute. And it’s certainly no GTSR W1 Maloo, like this million-dollar miracle. We just hope it’ll actually get driven every once in a while…

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• The Brutal Truth About Owning Australia’s ‘Coolest’ Car Colour

The post Million Dollar Ute Sale Suggests Bogan Car Mania Not Slowing Down Any Time Soon appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The modern bachelor, or the settled-down wolf, always has his basics covered.

From his sock choices to his taste in cologne, right down to his underwear, he knows the details matter. He knows to choose briefs over boxers, and he most certainly knows the pitfalls of being caught with his pants down (literally) wearing last-resort undies – good cheap underwear not included.

Then there’s the rest of you lads, the memorable betas and omegas, who prefer a more whimsical style – one that is invariably reflected in your underwear. Curious about what your underwear says about you? Let’s find out.

G-String

Since we’re all waiting for this one, let’s just kill the suspense and start with the good stuff. Now what can we say about the G-string wearer?

Pragmatically speaking, you’re likely a male gigolo with a techno addiction who spends way too much time doing squats and taking kissy-faced selfies. You might also be embracing your inner Magic Mike. But unless your career is actually based on semi violating drunk bachelorettes while retrieving ones with your butt crack, there are few other viable excuses for this underwear choice.

You either really, REALLY love showing off your bum or you’re just an all-out, Tinder-guzzling man ho (with a ceiling mirror). Or you’re Borat. No, the Zohan!

Briefs

Briefs say you’re a lady’s man, sensible and stylish. You’re an alpha in your own right, or at the very least, try to be, and have lots of quality bromances.

Just like your taste in flattering undergarments, you aim for excellence and prestige in many aspects of your life. You’ve got the best electronics, home decor and you meal-plan on Mondays and Wednesdays. You even portion those meals into little tupperware containers for the week.

Overall, you set high standards and expect the same in return (from your briefs).

The Calvin Klein Band Ambassador

You’re either a model or a wannabe model who dedicates all his spare moments on Instagram – plus all day at work.

You anxiously stalk your likes and track them more obsessively than a gamer trolling War Craft forums. If you were trapped on a deserted island, you’d choose a selfie stick over water. You keep bargaining with your phone company for better data plans, based on the claim that you’re an internet celebrity, 300 followers strong – 2 of those being your dogs who also have Instagram.

You force your girlfriend to take pictures of you in your Calvin Klein underwear. And although you’re posing casually as if it’s spontaneous, in reality, you’re berating her for failing to tilt her phone at the right angle. After your three-hour photo shoot, you post one picture with the caption, #bae #mademe.

You have probably even believed, at times, that you would make a great photographer…just not with Calvin Klein.

Boxers

There’s nothing super impressive about boxers. They’re low-maintenance and comfortable, like you. Because in your eyes, fashion is secondary – to pretty much everything else. Your buddies know you’re not the most well-dressed wolf in the pack, but nevertheless you’re still, for the most part, a pretty likeable guy.

Boxers give you that Dane Cook appeal, effortlessly charming but sometimes obnoxious. This less impressive side includes blatant sarcasm, unmaintained landscaping and the occasional temptation to talk trash to tweens on Grand Theft Auto.

Ultimately, you don’t mind that your boxers aren’t the sexiest choice in underwear because you know you’re awesome. However, you still consume Cheerios for breakfast and secretly like when your mom stocks your fridge with home cooked meals…“Ma, the meatloaf!”

The Commando Crew

Instead of going for simple, practical underwear, you have decided to go bare ass. Self-explanatory? Let’s amuse ourselves regardlessly.

Your reluctance to properly attire your naked behind suggests you despise shopping, and probably most humans. Got a sweaty crotch? No problem! A turnoff for the ladies? She’ll deal with it. There’s a misplaced sense of entitlement that figures the world will accept every oddball thing you do.

You also know way too much about UFOs and the Illuminati.

The Inside Out Guy

There are very few guys who don inside-out undies, mostly because it’s peculiar (looks-wise). And it’s tricky to tell whether you’re too lazy to do laundry or you’re just environmentally responsible.

Sometimes during hookups, you’ve had to justify your passion for minimizing your ecological footprint. Yup.

So you’re likely just a vegan hippie who composts and all that jazz. With the inside-out approach, not only do you need to buy less underwear, which is probably organic cotton, but you save on hydro because you believe excess living is for upper-class snobs.

Ironically, however, you were born to wealth and raised by your cleaning lady— which is the real reason you now refuse to do your own laundry.

Oh, and you have a blog— about endangered elephants in Nigeria. And you write it wearing your inside-out underwear.

The Built-in Padding Guy

Guys looking to flaunt a juicy butt are hungry for love – the kinky kind. And you secretly adore getting checked out from behind.

Sometimes you get a little lonely. To pass the time, you’re the proud owner of a premium Porn Hub subscription, which you watch among your Star Wars collectibles, and you’re learning to speak Dothraki, mostly because you’re already fluent in High Valyrian.

The only downside to your padded undies are the surprised reactions that may ensue after you’ve stripped down to a less grabbable booty size. Fortunately, that’s when you bring in reinforcements: amazing foreplay skills…and a vibrating light saber.

The Push-up Package Guy

If your junk doesn’t have enough stage presence, you give him more character. Think of it as an “all eyes on me” approach to seduction, one that focuses primarily on your crotch.

Since you feel best when looking beefy and well-endowed, you may very well be a meathead.

In this case, your life took on a newfound meaning when the Jersey Shore aired, teaching you to chase women whose names are as ambiguous as your penis size. You still do “gym, tan, laundry” in that order, but you don’t tell anyone because you know it’s lame.

Compression Gear Underwear Guy

For you, active living is not a hobby— it’s a lifestyle. By wearing compression shorts, you can go on your runs or bike rides without having to re-gear your undergarments. This way, instead of juggling different styles of underwear throughout the week, you keep it simple: compression shorts everyday and if you’re lucky, briefs on date night.

You know that compressions shorts are ideal for giving your muscles optimal recovery. In turn, regular underwear feels like a waste of your time and greatness.

You’ll also sooner skip sex than a workout day…usually.

The Vintage Holey Hoarder

Mommy dearest bought you a 10-pack of underwear from Costco a bizillion years ago and until you die, they’ll be the only ones you’ll ever have. Actually, not until you die; your will requests that you be buried with them, and after much deliberation, you figure a gravestone shoutout would be pushing it.

So naturally, over the years, these undies have seen a lot of action. We’re talking about the works: the cotton is barely attached to the waistband, the white fabric has faded to an unsavoury greyish-beige and there’s some mysterious stains that leave, even you, perplexed. All in all, these undies leave a primitive trail map of your life’s ups and downs— mostly downs.

But you won’t part with your underwear that is holey and old. Not because you’re sentimental, but because you couldn’t give two f***s about what underwear you’re wearing.

A Little Help For The Big Guy…

6 Hottest Underwear Trends For Men

The post What Your Choice In Underwear Actually Says About You appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When you’re the GOAT, you’ve got to have the garage to match.

Thankfully, LeBron James doesn’t disappoint in this department. The LA Lakers’ top gun and inarguably one of the greatest basketball players of all time also has one of the most impressive car collections the NBA has ever seen. Some highlights include a restored 1975 Chevrolet Impala convertible, a Bentley Continental GT, a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster as well as multiple Maybachs.

Most recently, he bought himself a $2.2 million Porsche 918 Spyder – the fastest Porsche ever made, and arguably the fastest car ever made. That Porsche also happens to be a hybrid, and it seems LeBron’s taken his love of electrification to a whole other level with his next vehicular exploit, which might just be the coolest car in his collection.

James casually took to Instagram to show off his latest whip: a 2021 GMC Hummer EV. Yes, you read that right. General Motors has revived their controversial Hummer brand as an electric-only endeavour, and enlisted LeBron to help promote it.

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A post shared by (@kingjames)

The biggest criticism of the civilian Hummer was that it had none of the off-road capability of the mil-spec Hummers it was trying to aesthetically imitate, while still having just as poor fuel economy. The Hummer EV, however, not only looks cool but has the off-road capability to back up its chunky looks – oh yeah, and doesn’t burn any fossil fuels while doing so.

Billed as “the world’s first zero-emissions, zero limits all-electric supertruck,” the new Hummer ain’t no gimmick. With a claimed 0-60 time of 3 seconds, four-wheel steering, up to 16 inches of ground clearance and even waterproof underbody cameras that can help you pick the best line when navigating a trail, the Hummer EV is sure to revolutionise off-roading.

The car is clever, no doubt, but it’s even smarter to get LeBron involved. For those of you who don’t remember, LeBron’s mum bought the then up-and-coming basketball phenom a Hummer H2 for his 18th birthday back in 2003, which the young LeBron got teased relentlessly for (not the mum buying it part, but the ‘driving a Hummer unironically’ part). The H2 was then a gas-guzzling monument to American excess.

As Inside Hook reports, “It’s good to remember that while the H2 is now remembered as something of an amusement-park caricature of its Humvee beginnings, the SUV was actually a status symbol at the time. Arnold Schwarzenegger of course owned one, as did David Beckham and Adrien Brody; before Sharon Waxman founded The Wrap, she wrote about the difference between celebrities who buy H2s and those who buy Priuses for The New York Times: ‘… it is the rappers who just made their first couple of million dollars who are buying the $50,000 Hummer.'”

RELATED: Australia’s Most Iconic Engine Is An Endangered Species

The modern Hummer EV is the opposite of that: innovative, eco-friendly and dare we say it, tasteful. The Hummer EV is a more grown-up car for more grown-up consumers; the ultimate ‘have your cake and eat it too’ car; a car you wouldn’t need to make excuses for.

That suits a grown-up LeBron to a T. ‘King James’ might have a taste for the finer things in life but he’s also a powerful advocate for social justice, donating millions of dollars to children’s charities as well as notably throwing his weight behind the Black Lives Matter movement last year.

An 18-year-old @KingJames riding around Akron in a Hummer blasting Jay-Z pic.twitter.com/LfrGigL7hd

— ESPN (@espn) April 8, 2020

The Hummer EV is so far only available in North America, and hasn’t really hit showroom floors yet even there. Reservations for the 112,595 USD (~146,000 AUD) Edition 1 variant filled up ages ago, with deliveries for that top-flight model scheduled for mid-2021. The base model Hummer EV², which has a 79,995 USD (~103,500 AUD) sticker price, won’t be available until 2024, GM relates.

Until then, all we can hope is that LeBron actually takes his early access model off-road, so we can get a proper look at how the market’s first serious electric 4×4 performs. Fingers crossed GM brings the Hummer EV to Australia, too.

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The post LeBron James’s Eco Friendly Hummer Truck appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

With profligate plagues, polarised politics, and a democracy under attack, you could be forgiven for thinking America is a pit of despair right now.However, there are still pockets of heartwarming news. Enter: the latest encounter between NBA players Anthony Davis and Rudy Gay, recently zeroed in on by Bleacher Report.

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Lakers player Anthony Davis can be seen driving towards the hoop, running into Spurs player Rudy Gay, who is defending, in the process. They both fall over. Davis lands on top of Gay. Gay then grabs Davis around the neck in what initially looks like a grappling move, but then – by the wry smiles seen on each players’ face as they get up – turns out to be friendly high jinx.A wholesome moment.Unfortunately, various Instagram commenters didn’t see it that way. Instead, they mocked the man on man action. Though some comments were made in good humour (see: “the only way to slow down AD”), others were homophobic.A smattering of the remarks, showcasing the range of immature innuendo, can be seen below:

“Breaking: Dwight Howard traded to Spurs.”“That’s how he got his last name.”“Ad looking like he like tht.”“Thats kinda sus.”

Our take? It’s beyond time America stopped automatically mocking ‘bromantic’ moments, and this incident highlights it.Why? First of all, unless you’re still living under the narrow-minded, discriminatory mindset of bygone eras, you shouldn’t see anything wrong with there being a romantic factor at play.Second of all: study after study tells us physical affection and bonding is a hugely positive part of platonic male interaction (to the point men are often happier with their bromance than their romance).At least one guy gets it; “Lil foreplay no biggie.”

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• Science Says Bromance Makes The World A Better Place
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The post Anthony Davis ‘Chokehold’ Incident Highlights Professional Sport’s Homophobia Problem appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

“Baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet” was one of the most famous ad campaigns of the 70s; its humble simplicity an ode to the joys of American life.A more accurate phrase to describe America these days might be “vaping, burgers, hard seltzer and Tom Brady“. The 43-year-old football legend, New England Patriots stalwart and now captain of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers isn’t just one of the most famous athletes in the United States, but it’s hard to think of another athlete who’s more quintessentially American. There are few celebrities bigger than him… Either when it comes to star power or fitness prowess.It’s also hard to think of a film that’s more American than Top Gun. The 1986 action film starring Tom Cruise, which boasts perhaps the best flight scenes (and soundtrack) of any film ever, has no doubt been a boon for the United States Navy’s recruitment numbers over the years – and has singlehandedly solidified the fighter jet as the apogee of cool.So maybe it’s not surprising that the most American athlete ever would wear the most American watch ever, which references the most American film ever. Ahead of Tampa Bay’s game against Washington yesterday, Brady took to Instagram to show off his IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition “SFTI” (ref. IW389104) worth around 15,000 USD.

One of 2020’s hottest watch releases, the ref. IW389104 pays homage to the US Navy’s Fighter Weapons School, which is better known as TOPGUN: the elite flight school that inspired the iconic 80s movie of the same name. Limited to 1,500 pieces, the ref. IW389104 is easily distinguishable from other IWC pilot’s watches thanks to its caseback engraved with the movie’s logo and its seconds hand, which features a little Navy jet. Cute.IWC might be a Swiss company, but it has a uniquely American history. The firm was founded in 1868 by an American engineer and watchmaker, Florentine Ariosto Jones, who wanted to combine the quality of Swiss craftsmanship with the engineering technology and innovative spirit of American watchmaking. Another core part of IWC’s identity has been their history of making pilot’s watches, their watches gracing the wrists of pilots from many different air forces in WWII including the British RAF.RELATED: ‘Sporty’ Watch Selling Trick Can Make You ThousandsBrady is one of IWC’s most prominent brand ambassadors, having signed a deal with the luxury watchmaker last year, joining a star-studded roster that includes names like Bradley Cooper, Rosamund Pike and Lewis Hamilton. The quarterback is rarely seen without an IWC watch of some sort, but it’s clear that their pilot’s watches are his favourites: check out this rare Big Pilot “Rodeo Drive” he was wearing last year.Brady’s Buccaneers handily defeated Washington 31-23 yesterday in Maryland in their wild card playoff. Next up for them will be a divisional playoff on either the 16th or 17th of January, with further details yet to be determined.

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The post Tom Brady’s Military IWC Is Ready For War appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The transitional season is about saying goodbye to winter heaviness and hello to cool, lighter pieces (or vice-versa). The weather is certainly warmer in the lead up to summer. Which means men need an eye-catching outfit but without the instant sophistication of a tailored top coat or styled layers.

The following six items are fashion must-haves to craft simple trans-seasonal outfits – sans fuss. With the easy things sorted, you (the maker) get to select specific colours, textures and brands – for a personalised approach to fashion this warm weather season.

#1 Invest In Quality Jeans

While winter is all about selvedge or raw jeans, spring denim should be turning lighter – in wash and fabric. Jeans are taking on personalisation again too, meaning individualised rips, tears and shreds are in again (just ensure the slits don’t go thigh-high above the knee – tastefully ripped denim is the attitude to adopt, not dragged-through-the-dirt).

RELATED: Best Jeans Brands To Buy Right Now

Dark denim still has its place too – think dark blue and black – particularly for nights, under a lightweight shirt-jacket or sports coat. Then choose your shoe-game – sockless Brogue or sneaker. Win, win.

#2 White Sneakers

Sneakers have officially stepped out of the gym and are a worthy footwear choice for spring fashion. The less-is-more approach should be taken when investing in a staple pair (you can buy more brash colours and patterns as the collection builds) so staying white, clean and fuss-free is the perfect sneaker choice.

In a nutshell, stick to earthy neutral colours (white, black or tan) and a low-cut leather silhouette. This way, your cool-dude sneaker attitude can slip into several ensembles – be it smart, casual and smart-casual looks. And going no socks will put some extra spring in your step. Better still, you don’t even have to spend a fortune nowadays to get yourself a premium pair, as plenty of affordable pairs more than fit the bill.

#3 The Classic Fitted T-Shirt

The t-shirt has been essential since McQueen and James Dean. But this spring, the cotton casual top gets reworked into looser tailored fits and luxury yarns – across an array of muted colours. Styling is easy (and is meant to be), chucking the tee on nonchalantly under an open indigo denim shirt or tucked into cotton suit pants with a light jacket slipped on over a fitted t-shirt.

With an array of models on offer (and some not so good), it’s worth checking out the best t-shirts for men and then stocking up from there.

#4 The Basic Sweatshirt

In the name of luxury sportswear, the daggy sweatshirt is now seen in a new light thanks to high fashion’s approval of relaxed clothing.

Contemporary street brands are crafting minimal versions of the top in monochrome hues (some with stylish branding); while more conservative labels are delving into a basics version of the sweatshirt – plain and neutral in colour made from light jersey cotton for spring nights over jeans and a white sneaker.

The springtime sweatshirt won’t fit or look like your current bed top or gym jumper, but it should feel just as comfortable.

#5 Commuter Backpack

Backpacks are spring’s bag of choice and pair well with any outfit – a casual tee and jean or a blazer and chino short combo.

RELATED: Best Backpacks For Men To Buy Right Now

But there are rules. Keep the bag luxe (not hiking style) – sticking to premium fabrics (think leather or neoprene), muted colours (black, brown and navy) and look to minimal design (think one pocket varieties) with subtle zip fastening.

#6 Baseball Cap

The major cap for the new season is the ‘snapback’ – a reimagined cap that features the classic plastic snaps fastening system known to baseball. No longer baggy jean-tied to the Nineties, the snapback plays its part in the activewear arena too, working particularly well with longline styles and slim jeans or cuffed trouser joggers.

Like the backpack, the cap comes in cool new fabrics – think leather and felt – in minimal shades, and cotton or synthetic materials – with subtle patterns and prints. And sneakers are a must – with both styles.

#7 Tailored Shorts For Summer

Tailored shorts are the kind that look like trousers – cut off just above the knee. They are far dressier than board shorts or elasticated jersey versions, with belt loops, a zip-and-button fasten – and even tab pulls in some cases.

RELATED: Best Belt Brands To Buy Right Now

Coming in an array of colours in the new season, darker hues create a smarter rendition, while beige (under a white linen shirt) is super summery. Otherwise, take a sharp jacket and crisp cotton shirt, and you’ve got an ideal alternative to formal trousers for attending garden parties and wedding receptions.

For these events, team tailored shorts with dress shoes, such as Brogues, Oxfords and Derbies or suede loafers, driving shoes and low cut, slim sneakers for something a touch modern.

#8 Indigo Denim Shirt

Cotton is such a versatile fabric for casual buttoned shirts, and comes in many weave strengths and dyes. Varied shades of indigo is the new season’s must-have, representing menswear’s current obsession with American works shop pieces and Japanese cotton.

From Chambrays to Western shirts to light and airy linens, eliminate any tacky add-ons – studs, logos, badges – from the shirt, and let the wash of the indigo play its part in making the shirt look – and feel – great.

Indigo aficionados should look to double-denim, placing an indigo shirt (loose and untucked) over faded black or raw denim jeans – ensuring the wash of top and bottom aren’t matching. Conservatives – stick to neutral-hued chinos or tailored shorts – rolling the ankle of the pant to match the roll-sleeved shirt.

#9 An Unstructured Blazer

The answer to tailored comfort, the unstructured blazer lives on in the new season – acting as the lightweight, smart alternative to a bomber jacket or sweatshirt.

Often made from a single-layer fabric – cotton, canvas, linen or lightweight wool – the separate is perfect for spring’s warmth, while the occasional casual details (think exposed seams and patch pockets) accentuate the jacket’s lack of structure – and coolness.

Try pairing a navy or burgundy blazer with clean t-shirt and slim-cut denim – in a dark or lighter wash – the latter being more day-time appropriate.

#10 Suede Brogue / Derby Shoes

Suede is a hefty winter fabric. But not when it’s on your feet. Keeping it chic (though we do love a good camel suede boot) leave the textured animal hide to the Brogue – the dress shoe recognised for its punch-hole details.

A Derby silhouette in chocolate or tan is perfection – sat under summery trousers or jeans (cuffs rolled and no socks) – for a European aesthetic.

RELATED: Best Sock Brands To Buy Right Now

Dressing it up, go wingtip in deepest brown or black, paired with a dinner jacket in midnight blue velvet and silk lapel, a black bow tie and crisp white shirt. Let the party begin.

#11 Nylon Bomber

Jackets carry winter connotations but not the flight bomber. Its shape takes on the legendary MA-1 fighter jacket, while its textile is more sports-inspired – a lighter nylon fabric which acts as a windbreaker and also breathes well when made from active fabrics.

Cut in a slim and cropped fit, the elastic waistband and cuffs keep the silhouette cinched where it counts. Play around with contrast shades (between the cuffs and jacket fabric) and in keeping with the style, buy a jacket with the flight bomber’s signature zipped sleeve pocket.

Seen mostly in navy, olive and black, this jacket is typically casual. But it does hot-up a basic white t-shirt and jean combination; while acting as a monochrome active outerwear option (in nylon) for a jogger pant and sneaker collaboration.

#12 Smart Knitwear

The sweater (despite its tendency to be labelled as winter wear) is the ideal top piece when the weather can’t decide what it’s doing. And the new season welcomes in smart sweater options too, meaning the suaveness of a jacket isn’t needed to balance out a slouchy sweatshirt.

Luxury fabrics (cashmere, organic cotton and Italian polyesters) are the key ingredients here, matched with tailored design in the shoulder – taking this once couch-bound jumper into the style arena.

RELATED: How To Wear Knitwear

Worn solo, play around with texture – looking to the fisherman’s cable knit if it’s chilly or a waffle knit for a finer gauge. Feeling spring-ish? The modern Breton stripe in a thin sweater weave is a cool transitional version of the French summer t-shirt – just with long-sleeves instead of short.

Final Word

Trans-seasonal periods can be a tricky time with the weather brazenly hot one minute – then, slightly coolish the next. So lightweight casual pieces – like the ones mentioned above – are your best bet.

Helping you out in the transitional season, most come in heat-reflecting colours and are made from natural fibres that insulate and breathe – all at the same time.

Then, style things simply but with attitude, throwing in some key men’s jewellery pieces to jazz up the easy-go outfit. Let the springtime fun begin.

Read Next

• The Best Walking Shoes For Men
• Best Men’s Rings To Buy Right Now
• Best Online Jewellery Stores

The post Men's Fashion Essentials For A Timeless & Stylish Wardrobe appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Finding a good pair of shoes is a perennial challenge. Balancing the perfect fit, colour and price has many men avoiding the shoe issue altogether, wearing out their creps like a bad joke – until it’s too late, snapping up a ‘looks-good-online’ pair of leather lace-ups for a ‘bargain’ price, and when they arrive in the mail, the look and plastic smell of the shoes is vile.

For others, horrible shoes have become their forte. Unashamedly rocking square-toed lace-ups to weddings and pleather loafers to summer parties, these men are the worst fashion offenders, often set their in ugly footwear ways. Until now, that is.

The following five men’s shoes need to be extinguished from the daily shoe collection. Identify as an offender? All judgment has been revoked. Just so long as you dispose of the evidence quickly, garbage bag or better yet – flame torch – at the ready. The latter being the best solution, ensuring no other poor fool picks them up, and starts wearing them.

#1 The ‘White Malaka Wedding Tapper’

Prolific in the Nineties, the ‘wedding tapper’ still shows its ugly head at today’s wedding celebrations and inner-city night clubs that are open mid-week. The white slip-on type tends to be the the footwear of choice for wannabe Italian style gents – though we don’t know remember seeing white shoes in Florence this spring at Pitti Uomo.

Sentence the ‘wedding tapper’ to death, along with the gel-spiked Beckham mohawk, and chalk-stripe pants – and that glaringly fake luxury belt buckle that is more bling than style.

The Alternative?

Fans of white coloured shoes should look to a tan leather Derby or a sandy-hued suede brogue instead – but with laces and a round toe. White isn’t always wrong, but it’s certainly the hardest dress shoe colour to pull off. So maybe look elsewhere, if you’re not new to having great shoe-game.

#2 The ‘Square-Toe Business’ Shoe

It’s laughable that the ‘square-toe business shoe’ even had a fashionable moment (well, come to think of it the year was 1995 and three-quarter pinstripe shorts and blue-flame wrap around sunnies were also trending). In terms of aesthetic, the square-toe shoe looks like a boat trawler – an oblong body with a blunted end. Even worse, is when ugly shoes are paired with a chic business suit.

While other retro trends – wide-legged pants, Birkenstocks and rollneck sweaters – have experienced their own Renaissances, the square-toe business shoe has yet to be resurrected. Unlike the other Renaissance items, there’s nothing retro-cool or vintage charm about square-toed anything.

The Alternative?

Opt for a double-strap monk or wingtip Derby, the width especially appropriate for the gent who likes a meatier shoe with his business suit.

#3 The ‘Fat Skater’

The ‘fat skater’ shoe should conjure up memories of angst, hating the world and awkward fashion moments when you had no idea how to dress your pubescent skinny frame. Yes, those teen years. Sneakers might be more prolific in fashion than ever before, but the ‘fat skater’ shoe kind. Leave these in the outlet store and go wear some real shoes, particularly if you don’t know your way around a skateboard.

The Alternative?

Look to lean and flat silhouettes instead of the ‘fat skater’ shoe, sticking to retro-inspired styles (well before the 90s) that come in neutral hues such as clean white sneakers, monochrome black or tan.

#4 The Casual Kung Fu Slipper

A relatively new shoe – when compared to the previous bevy of shoes which hail mostly from the 90s – the ‘canvas karate’ has fast become the casual shoe of choice for hipsters and hippies. And the odd karate kid.

Practically speaking, these samurai shoes fall apart after a week’s wear (so we’ve witnessed) and with all that canvas, no-sock nonsense, the smell (which we have actually experienced as bystanders) that the ‘canvas karate’ gives out is putrid. Don’t give yourself trench foot, champ.

The Alternative?

Want a summer kick? Stick to the classier, longer-lasting (and far more breathable) boat shoe or leather loafers. And wear a sockette, if you’re inclined to sweat. Please. Or, even better, check out the coolest men’s sandals on the market right now.

#5 The ‘Double Monk Loafer’

Speaking of loafers, this one’s a doozy. This is a shoe that should have never been invented. We assume some genius decided to make these and sell them via influencers on Instagram. Well guess what? They suck. Possibly the most pointless use of monk straps we’ve ever seen. Truly unholy.

The Alternative?

Look to the classic driving shoe or tassel loafer in soft calf leather and minimal stitching. Suede is a sophisticated summer option too, and then play around with colour; bright driving loafers are an easy way to add some spark to neutral-heavy outfit.

Final Word

Shoes are the first thing people notice at work, in the street and make (or break) your arrival on a dinner date. So choose, and invest, wisely. When making the transition from ugly to nice, buy a few affordable, foolproof dress shoes for men, trying out different silhouettes and shapes before you invest, in the best.

Then, play around with coloured dress shoes and luxury dress boots. The men’s shoe market has so much to offer this season, so there’s no reason to be repping the Nineties anymore. Square-toed, white slip-ons, be gone.

The post Worst Men’s Shoes You Need To Stop Buying Immediately appeared first on DMARGE Australia.