Stripes have been a menswear staple since the dawn of time, but not all stripes are created equal. Rocking a striped look is about choosing the right kind for your body type, matching your outfit accordingly and finding a balance between bold and conservative.

So, to save you from looking less like a fashion-crime committing burglar and more like a stereotypically stylish Frenchman, we’ve got the inside scoop on how to wear stripes, plus an inspiration gallery if you need a little extra encouragement.

How To Wear A Striped Suit

The easiest way to incorporate stripes into suiting is, of course, the pinstripe suit. The pinstripe suit is a corporate wardrobe staple, but these days it’s also making forays into out-of-the-office affairs. It’s no longer business as usual for the pinstripe suit – it’s now a savvy, sartorial look that can be surprisingly modern and adventurous. Here’s how to wear it:

• Go for a solid coloured shirt if you want something simple and chic. Match the colour of the shirt to the colour of the pinstripe to pull the look together. Top it all off with a mild-patterned tie.
• If you want to stand out, go bold with stripes-on-stripes. Yes, you can mix a striped shirt with a striped suit (but don’t go anywhere near a striped tie if you do), provided that you avoid combining stripes of the same width.
• If stripes is too over the top for your tastes but you’re still feeling a little frisky, try a gingham shirt with a solid tie instead.

How To Wear Stripes With Smart Casual

First you have to figure out what the hell smart casual is in the first place. In a nutshell, what you’re looking at are blazers, button-down shirts, tees, chinos, dark denim and tailored shorts. Smart casual footwear can be most anything from Oxfords to Converse, depending on the occasion, just steer clear of anything that looks like it belongs in the gym. There are several ways you can incorporate stripes into a smart casual look:

• When it comes to knits and t-shirts, go for horizontal stripes. The classic Breton stripe is perfect for a look that straddles the line between formal and relaxed. Keep in mind that you’ll want to dress for your body type. Horizontal stripes are best suited to men with tall, slender frames. Shorter and/or heavier bodies will be accentuated in all the wrong ways by horizontal stripes.
• With shirting, thin vertical stripes are the way to go. The wider the stripe, the less stylish it is. A shirt that mixes stripes of various weights and colours is a sophisticated option. Vertical stripes create the illusion of height and make the body look more streamlined or slimmer.
• More dandified men may want to experiment with striped trousers. It’s doable, provided you have the confidence to pull it off and carefully consider the rest of the outfit.

How To Wear Stripes To The Beach

Stripes were practically made for the beach. The nautical associations make them a perfect choice for a day of relaxing by or on the water. At this point, your look is so casual that you’re free to do most anything you want, but there’s still a couple of rules worth following:

• Blue and white stripes work best. It’s a classic look. You can’t go wrong.
• Choose striped shorts or a striped t-shirt, but not both. Just because you’re stretched out on the sand enjoying the sun and surf (or dressed to look like you could be), doesn’t mean you can discard all sense of decorum.

Read Next

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The post Get Inspired With These 50 Ways To Rock Stripes For Almost Any Occasion appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Peering into the lives of the rich and famous is something we don’t all readily admit to, but definitely something we all share a common interest in. The world’s elite can often get away with things us mere mortals could only dream of, so any window that offers a glimpse into their lives tends to be swamped by interest. Enter: The Savoy.No: it’s not a zoo for Rich People, but it’s not (that) far off either. London’s most iconic and luxurious hotel operates almost like a miniature Las Vegas, with the rumour going: if you can afford it, you can have it. Flinging open its doors to those who could afford to stay since 1889, The Savoy has since welcomed a plethora of famous faces alongside lesser-known, but no less wealthy, individuals and catered to their every whim.

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As reported by news.com.au back in October, a documentary released in the UK offered viewers an unprecedented look behind closed hotel doors, accompanied by stories of some of the hotel’s longest-serving staff. Head butler Mr Davoren, who oversees a staff of 10 responsible solely for servicing the hotel’s 37 private butlered suites is quoted as saying, “I will do anything for you – as long as it’s legal.”The most prominent high-profile scandalous story to come from the hotel relates to Irish poet Oscar Wilde. We won’t go into the details here, but one witness, chambermaid Margaret Cotta once made some horrifying claims, this 2001 article in The Guardian reveals.Moving on to stories of a less barbaric (but still outlandish) nature, Mr Davoren recalls how a guest once asked him to collect an item from a nearby jewellery shop.“When I brought back this small bag, I took it to the gentleman and put it on his desk. He said, ‘Sean, do you know what’s in the bag?’ and I said, ‘No, Sir, I don’t know’,”

“It was only a pink diamond ring worth over a million pounds. I nearly had a heart attack.”

“First of all, I wouldn’t have walked in the street. Secondly, I would have had security men with me going there.”The recipient of such an expensive piece of jewellery? “My mistress”, the guest quipped.However, that hasn’t stopped stories of what The Savoy’s most esteemed guests have demanded asked for during their stay. While it is certainly part of the package that a guest is given the absolute best in customer service, there was, at one stage in the hotel’s history, an entire room dedicated to keeping lists of the personal preferences of its regular guests.German-American actress Marlene Dietrich, for example, requested 12 pink roses as a chilled bottle of Dom Péringon to be awaiting her in her room for her arrival, while other guests recorded their preferences for mattress firmness and the temperature of their morning porridge.The Savoy is also where you will find The American Bar, one of the most famous bars in London, if not the world, and the birthplace of The Savoy Cocktail Book, a bible for bartenders around the world today, written by Harry Craddock, head bartender from 1925 to 1938.It was at this bar where Neil Armstrong would have his first drink upon returning to earth, a new cocktail invented by then-bartender Joe Gilmore, called “Moonwalk”, and where former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill would store his own personal bottles of whiskey.

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Today, The Savoy continues to attract the rich and famous, although perhaps unsurprisingly, with the rise of social media and peoples’ need to make themselves appear to be of a higher status than other, it is now just as much an Instagram Landmark (where you have to question whether people who pose for a picture outside the entrance actually go in after) as it is an essential piece of world history.

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The post Hotel Savoy London Staff Reveal Wildest Guest Requests appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

From, “Don’t expect women to come flocking towards you just because you haven’t jerked off in 2 days” to, “Isn’t it something to do with dopamine?” the feedback from the “no fap” movement has been both insightful and hilarious. The 90 day challenge, chronicled in a Reddit thread, “Get A New Grip On Life,” started as a few guys sharing how refraining from masturbation improved their lives, and—over the years—has grown into a full blown movement.Many participants credit abstaining from masturbation with enhancing their motivation, vitality and social skills—so much so that they continue the trend even after the 90 days (or whatever time frame they set themselves) is up. So, what’s it really like not to w*nk for two months? Read on to find out.

Why They Did Took On The No Fap Challenge

• Although some men took the challenge to address serious issues like porn addiction and anxiety, old mate Craig had an ulterior motive: “Think about all that precious life force ejaculated into Kleenex. Makes me sick just thinking about it.”
• Other reasons, from other ‘fapstronauts’ included, “I’ve heard when you don’t fap the nutrients from your semen seep back into your body and make you stronger,” (hectic as this sounds, unfortunately it has been myth busted).
• A 37 year old man called Rob revealed to Metro that he started the challenge when he realised, “Back in the old days working hard to become skilled as a hunter or a musician or a storyteller or whatever made you more likely to find a mate. By wanking, you do away with any motivation to actually get off your arse and do something.”
• Others had a more scientific take, likening their penchant for getting themselves off to being addicted to drugs (or social media, for that matter), “Whenever you jack off you release a load of dopamine, but over time you get less and less sensitive, so the dopamine basically does nothing.”
• Reddit user Kuhzzy agreed, saying, “I just realized how f*cked up porn is… It’s like doing drugs, you need a bigger and bigger hit to get the same feeling, then eventually its almost impossible to get the same good feeling… Man, I’m just done with this shit. I’m only 16 years old so it’s now or never to turn my life around. Day 1, Wish me luck.”
• Essentially though, the general sentiment was that masturbating tricks your body into thinking it has achieved its evolutionary aim (as far as your brain is concerned once you’ve w*nked – you’ve had a baby), which can lead to unwarranted laziness—which refraining from masturbation can help combat.

Short Term Effects Of The No Fap Project

• Indie guitarist 85 said, “I’m using my sexual energy to improve myself by going to the gym.”
• Sean found it harder, saying, “I became more aggressive with people, less patient. On a shorter fuse.”
• Many admitted that, “Not wanking makes it way more difficult to sleep.”
• Reddit user Haritmeangreen warned of the inevitable urges: “They were terrible in the first two weeks and I was going mad, I almost lost it. But I would just take a step back and look at what I’m trying to achieve here. Even after day 40, I got strong urges. You know, there’s this rage that just takes over your mind and makes you think about sex all the time… But I controlled it.”

Long Term Effects Of The No Fap Project

• Reddit user Haritmeangreen, once he overcame the first few weeks said that the “no-fap” challenge ended up improving his sleep pattern: “Before NoFap, my sleep cycle was erratic and I would sleep with my laptop on my stomach, at around 2 or 3 am but now I have structured sleep timings and it feels so good.
• Further effects were found on participants’ sex lives: “I was just having sex with random women, hooking up with them and not call them again. But… I’m patient now and I’m not letting sex drive my relationship.”
• Other users said that once they got through the first few weeks they gained enhanced powers of concentration.
• Others reported becoming more confident talking to girls. “Wanking, probably now more than ever thanks to free porn, is such a tempting reason to stay home. I still get horny, but now I need to actually get out there and do something about it” (Metro).
• However there are some downsides, with a few guys recounting how not masturbating (understandably) made them desperate for sex, leading to “trigger-happy” text messages to exes or colleagues after a couple of drinks: “In the past I’d have just got myself off and gone to sleep.”

Classic Responses

• “I’ve noticed that hardcore nofappers – those who say they haven’t wanked in over a year – come across like religious maniacs. Like, cutting down can help you focus or whatever, but they talk about ‘superpowers’ so much I don’t really want to be associated with them.”
• “I certainly never thought I could pull it off.”
• “I used to throw in ice cubes in my underwear on my worst days.”
• “GOING FOR A RUN IN THE RAIN TO CALM DOWN.”
• “Anime just made me relapse.”

How To Deal With Relapse

• “Each time I break, I feel shit for a few days after. I used to beat myself up for failing, for being weak and lacking discipline. It can take a few days for my mood to settle and then I start again,” (BBC).
• Take cold showers.
• “For anyone reading this who is struggling, KEEP STRUGGLING. I can’t count how many times I felt like giving up on myself, but I kept starting over. Again and again and again until my streak improved. And usually, everytime I’d add one day to my longest streak I’d relapse and hate myself. But then I told myself that I had made progress and kept going.”

RELATED: Addiction, Lies & Shame: How Porn Is Fucking With Australian Men

The post Men Share Their Hilarious "No Fap" Experiences On Reddit appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s hard not to get swept up in Converse Jack Purcell’s coming-together. Even years on. Reimagined with modern craftsmanship and superior comfort, these monochromatic kicks bounce the city streets – both day and night.

The best part? Converse Jack Purcell sneakers can be worn with a variety of looks: from suits to chinos to a vibrant pair of floral shorts.

Converse With A Suit

Nothing says ‘summer’ and ‘suave’ like beige cotton tailoring and white shoes. Converse Jack Purcell’s found a crisp cotton shirt with pocket square for a night-time edge. A suave M.J. Bale beige suit means a tie and socks aren’t mandatory. Pared back elegance at its best.

Converse With Double Denim

The soft black of the Nappa calls for a something ‘denim’. A Zara denim shirt, neatly untucked over Dolce and Gabbana chino, adds a smart aesthetic to the intelligent denim look.

Then, monochrome accessories: Illesteva shades, a leather bag from Opperman and a Thomas Sabo watch. And the contrast white outsole of the Nappa stands its ground, making the sneaker pop.

Converse With Chinos

Channelling the retro feels, collating an outfit of timeless prep is essential Converse Jack Purcell dressing. Looking to clean lines, a stripey blue button-down shirt plays senior to a pair of college-green chinos from Uniqlo.

Gucci’s nautical bomber creates a neutral palette for the white sneakers to star; as do the finer details of a brown Anderson’s belt, made more collegiate with dark shades and a B&M watch.

Converse With Shorts

Navy is the new black for seaside sneakers. The sombre blue is dark enough to go with most, carrying a nautical nonchalance that make it perfect for summer. Tailored shorts in strong vintage floral print care of Uniqlo are best and a navy polo ups the style game with Dior sunnies and Breitling watch.

Top it off with a panama hat; seamless with the Converse which are just so darn stylish.

Converse With Denim Jeans

Want street sans sloppiness? The minimal shell and maximum comfort sole offers a melange of ‘street’ and ‘chic’, just by way of design.

A white tee matches the neutral palette, worn slim and untucked over Claude Maus waxy denim – capped off with a bien stylé Merci Bien cap in black. The cut and khaki hue of the Burberry trench adds a trans-seasonal layer and depth in colour, matching the luxury in the sneaker.

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The post How To Wear Your Converse Sneakers For All Occasions appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

A luxury timepiece is a fine accompaniment to any man’s wardrobe, not only for their ability to dress up or dress down an outfit but the emotional connection a man creates. It’s something the gentlemen of Sydney know all too well and fortunately, there a number of bricks and mortar stores to buy luxury watches from. While it can be easy to head to any number of online watch stores to procure a watch, they can’t compete with going into a store to try on a number of time tellers to find the best model.Luckily, Sydney has plenty of watch stores to peruse, from big name brands with their own boutiques, stores that stock a complete and varied range of luxury brands or even independent stores selling vintage, pre-loved pieces. And, rather than you scour the city in search of the best watch stores, we’ve compiled this list of the ones you need to know about.

Swiss Concept

A self-proclaimed specialist in Swiss luxury timepieces, one shouldn’t overlook Sydney’s Swiss Concept store. It’s been around for over two decades, having been established in 1995, so the reputation for quality and customer service is definitely evident. The business continues to pitch itself on being family owned and providing a high service to match the premium and limited edition Swiss watches on hand. Many of its customers today are returning customers who entrust Swiss Concept with their most prized timepieces. Their large showroom resides in the heart of Sydney’s Pitt street for easy accessibility .Brands: Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Chopard, Omega, Zenith, Tag Heuer, Ulysse Nardin, Roger DubuisAddress: 90 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000Phone: (02) 9221 6288

Kennedy / Rolex Sydney

One of the country’s most enduring watch retailers founded by Louis and Martha Kennedy is Kennedy. The humble store began life back in 1976 and is today one of the most respected watch retailers in the country with 14 stores nationwide.Three of those boutique stores are in Sydney (two in The Star casino and one in Martin Place) with two being dedicated to all things Rolex. The third stocks watches from other brands including Cartier, Piaget, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Ulysse Nardin. However, Kennedy also deals with a number of other Swiss brands including Patek Philippe, OMEGA and Tudor. The extensive range to choose from alone should be enough to satisfy the most discerning horology punter looking for the world’s newest leading timepieces.Brands: Patek Philippe, Rolex, Cartier, IWC, TudorAddress: 38-456 Martin Place, Sydney, 2000 (Rolex boutique)Phone: 02 9236 0411

Vintage Watch Co.

Catering to those who are after something special that is no longer in production is Vintage Watch Co. The store is conveniently located in Sydney’s The Strand Arcade and serves both the customer and seller of fine luxury watches. Established in 1994, the store has built a solid reputation over the decades for stocking a wide selection of new, modern and vintage watches along with an assortment of watch accessories. So whether it’s a heirloom piece you’re after or a modern piece, Vintage Watch Co. can help with competitive pricing. For peace of mind purchasing they even offer a 12 month guarantee on all transactions.Brands: Rolex, OMEGA, IWC, Breitling, Patek Philippe, Panerai, Cartier, TAG Heuer, Longines, Tissot, RadoAddress: The Strand Arcade Shop 28/412-414 George Street, Sydney, 2000

Watches Of Switzerland Sydney

Another family-owned watch retailer steeped in extensive knowledge of luxury timepieces is Watches of Switzerland. The family owned business which began with Eric van der Griend in 1996 has today grown to incorporate the help of his children whilst boasting over twenty brands and 4,000 references of Swiss watches. Additionally, they are also the exclusive Australian retailer of A. Lange and Söhne timepieces. With no shortage of watches to choose from and the reputation as an official retailer across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, you can bet that the boutique will have exactly what you’re after.Brands: Rolex, A. Lange and Söhne, Jaeger–LeCoultre, IWC, Cartier, Panerai, Hublot, Piaget, BreitlingAddress: 199 George Street, Sydney, 2000Phone: 1300 808 135

IWC Sydney

IWC‘s dedicated boutique opened its doors towards the end of 2019, offering Sydneysiders an unrivalled selection of pieces encompassing all major families. Owned and managed by Kennedy, the store also presents a chance to soak up the history of the brand, with staff on hand to not only run you through what makes IWC watches special but to answer any other questions you may have.Brands: IWCAddress: Shop 2, 84 King Street, Sydney, 2000Phone: 02 9061 4522

Panerai Sydney

Situated literally next door to IWC is the Panerai boutique. Opened at roughly the same time as its neighbour and also managed by Kennedy, Panerai’s first Sydney boutique is decorated in a similar vein to its other global stores, with oak wood and brass being prominent features. As with its neighbours, the Panerai boutique provides customers with the best opportunity to understand the brand and to get hands-on with a range of different models before making a purchase.Brands: PaneraiAddress: Shop 3, 84 King Street, Sydney, 2000Phone: 02 9061 4521

Hublot Sydney

Since King Street is one of the main streets making up Sydney’s luxury shopping district, it’s no surprise to find Hublot taking up residence too. The Swiss watch brand can also be found on what is essentially a dedicated horological row of shops, and is the first Hublot boutique to open its doors in Australia. What this means, is that the shop will be on the receiving end of priority stock shipments of both regular and limited edition models, making it the number one go-to store for Hublot enthusiasts.Brands: HublotAddress: Shop 5, 84 King Street, Sydney, 2000Phone: 02 9221 0554

Jaeger-LeCoultre Sydney

Completing Kennedy’s opening of a trio of boutique stores at the end of 2019 is Jaeger-LeCoultre. The first JLC dedicated store in Australia, a visit will instantly transport customers in the luxurious world of the Swiss watch brand, which is approaching its 190th birthday in a few years time. Think a calming atmosphere and a devotion to intricate details that the watchmaker is renowned for, along with the best collection of JLC watches you’ll find in the city.Brands: Jaeger-LeCoultreAddress: Shop 4, 84 King Street, Sydney, 2000Phone: 02 9061 4520

Nicholas Hacko / Clockmaker

Nicholas Hacko is a Sydney-based watchmaker who offers an exacting service with a difference in the sea of reputable boutiques. As an independent watchmaker, Nicholas Hacko focuses on the repair and resale of pre-owned mechanical watches of demanding quality. That means a lot of them are Swiss and the range is a constant rotation of some of the most prized and out-of-production models one could get their hands on. The service is made easier by a subscription service which lets customers know when there are new arrivals before they sellout. Each watch also comes with a comprehensive ownership history and condition for peace of mind.Brands: Rolex, IWC, OMEGA, Breitling, JLC, ZenithAddress: Suite 403, Level 4/67 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, 2000Phone: 02 9232 0500

Gregory Jewellers Bondi

Another one of Australia’s oldest retailers is Gregory Jewellers, an institution of fine horology which has been stomping around since 1967. With a robust dedication to customer service alongside an offering of heritage craftsmanship, Gregory today boasts one of the city’s most extensive watch portfolios – shared across 14 boutiques – to inject both style and elegance into a customer’s needs.Brands: Baume & Mercier, Breitling, Bremont, Gucci, IWC, Oris, Rado, TAG Heuer, Tissot, Tudor, Raymond WeilAddress (Bondi Junction): Shop 3015/3017 Westfield Bondi Junction, 500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction, 2022Phone: 04 8884 2891

Zaeger Diamonds & Watches

Operating in the wholesale segment, Zaeger has been a specialist in the luxury watch market for 25 years. Their main drawcard is offering customers rock bottom wholesale prices direct to the public. Their Sydney showroom located on Castlereagh St allows customers to buy, sell and trade both new and pre-owned luxury timepieces across Australia. As such, the business pitches itself on providing the perfect combination of competitive pricing, honest and reliable customer service specialists.Brands: Baume & Mercier, Bell & Ross, Breguet, Breitling, Bvlgari, Cartier, Chopard, Hublot, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Longines, Maurice Lacroix, Montblanc, OMEGA,  Panerai, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Rolex, TAG Heuer, Tudor, Vacheron Constantin,  ZenithAddress: 101/185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, 2000Phone: 1300 923 437

The Hour Glass Sydney

Hailing from Asia as one of the most esteemed retailers of luxury watches, The Hour Glass sports over 40 boutiques across nine cities including Sydney. Leading the advocacy movement of not just fine watches but also horology, The Hour Glass is endeavouring to be the watch world’s leading cultural retail enterprise for both enthusiasts and collectors. They stock over 50 of the world’s best brands of Swiss made watches under the one roof.Brands: Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Hublot, IWC, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, Rolex, TAG HeuerAddress: 142 King Street, Sydney, 2000Phone: 02 9221 2288

J Farren Price

One of the oldest retailers of fine timepieces in Sydney is John Farren-Price. The store was established way back in 1942 with a focus on providing watch connoisseurs with the best selection of European watches in the world. More importantly, John was the first to introduce these coveted timepieces into Australia.That tradition and robust reputation continues today with the store bringing in some of the most exclusive quality watches, both in classic and modern guise.Brands: Rolex, Chopard, Hublot, IWC, Panerai, Patek Philippe, Tudor, Vacheron ConstantinAddress: 80 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, 2000Phone: 02 9231 3299

Watch Exchange

The Watch Exchange team boasts experienced buyers who strive to provide the highest quality of new and pre-owned watches. Customers are both local and international so the selling power is no doubt robust as are the highly sought after models that come through. Their goal in the watch retail space is to provide the best advice, product and service to their customers. They also have a store in Westfield Bondi Junction to make acquiring that perfect peace simple.Brands: Rolex, Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet, Panerai, Chanel, Hublot, Cartier, Breitling, Patek Philippe, Frank Muller, TAG HeuerAddress: 500 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction, 2022Phone: 0424 808 888

Time Keeper Boutique

New kids on the block is the Time Keeper Boutique in the Strand Arcade. Owner Ian is part of the Hour Glass family and the selection on offer will suit those wanting to spend about $20,000 on a pre-owned timepiece. On our most recent visit the boutique had a great selection of Rolex and Audemars Piguet, even some brand new HYT models on display too.Location: The Strand Arcade Shop 14, 412-414 George Street, Sydney, 2000Brands: Rolex, OMEGA, Richard Mille, TAG Heuer, PaneraiPhone: 02 9233 2740

Sydney Watches FAQ

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The post Where To Buy Watches In Sydney appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Porsche, one of the world’s most well-known performance car brands, has been an unlikely success story from day dot.

Its founder, Ferdinand Porsche, has had a huge impact on modern motoring. Not only did he create the world’s first hybrid car back in 1901, but he was responsible for designing the most successful car of all time: the original Volkswagen Beetle.

After WWII, Porsche’s firm sought to escape its Nazi past and instead turned to building sports cars. Their first production model, the sleek 356, was an immediate success, and their second production model, the legendary 911, has become one of the most famous car models of all time.

But the 911 is by no means the most successful model the brand has ever produced. That honour instead goes to the Cayenne, which as of 2020 has reached one million models produced – overtaking the 911 as the real gem in Porsche’s crown. It’s an interesting turn of events, to say the least.

The Cayenne, since its introduction in 2002, has been one of the most controversial vehicles Porsche has ever produced (and that’s saying something, considering ol’ Dr. Porsche designed tanks for Hitler). Yet the luxury SUV has been one of Porsche’s biggest sales successes, handily beating the 911 to the million-car mark: the 911 hit one million in 2017 after 54 years of production, whereas the Cayenne only took 12 years, according to the firm.

When the Cayenne was first unveiled at the 2002 Paris Motor Show, many commentators scoffed at the prospect of a Porsche SUV. It seemed incongruous, like the automotive equivalent of a McDonald’s salad or Gucci flip-flops: it didn’t make sense for such a performance-focused marque to be making Toorak tractors.

But it was actually a characteristically savvy move for the brand. Porsche saw which way the wind was blowing well before most other car brands in regards to SUVs, and got ahead of the curve. On top of that, the Cayenne was no slouch; the car far and beyond what else was on the market performance-wise. Not only was the first-gen Cayenne the first V8-engined vehicle built by Porsche since 1995 (when the Porsche 928 was discontinued) but benefitted from all-wheel drive: it weren’t no soft-roader.

It was an instant sales success, with the first-gen Cayenne clocking up over a quarter of a million sales alone. It couldn’t have come at a better time for Porsche, too. Since the late 80s, the company had been in dire economic straits, like many other sports car brands at the time. The Boxster, which hit dealerships in 1996, was by no means a flop, but Porsche knew that they’d need to do more than sell two-seaters in order to survive. Their gamble with the Cayenne paid off and saved the company.

RELATED: ‘Humbling’ 1951 Encounter That Changed The Course Of Porsche In Australia

Over a decade later, the Cayenne is now in its third generation and is faster (and more handsome) than ever before. These days most luxury marques have an SUV in their lineup, and have faced similar lines of criticism to what Porsche endured at the turn of the century: the Bentley Bentayga, the Jaguar F-Pace, the Lamborghini Urus…

Porsche haven’t sat on their laurels when it comes to the Cayenne, however, and have used the SUV as a testbed for some of their technical innovations. For example, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid was the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment, and the Macan – basically a smaller Cayenne – was one of the first luxury crossovers. The Macan too has gone on to be a huge sales success for the company, and Porsche is in a good place as we enter 2021.

What’s next from the Stuttgart brand? SUV sceptics will be glad to know that they’re not the only cars Porsche is busy making. Porsche have been spotted testing the yet-to-be-released 718 Cayman GT4 RS extensively in recent months, and the new “gloriously naturally aspirated” 992 911 GT3 is poised for a 2021 debut, Carfection reveals.

But don’t mind us: we’re still buzzing from our 992 Turbo S experience at Sydney Airport last October…

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The post Porsche Macan Becomes Most Popular Model Ever Sold appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Buying a Rolex isn’t as simple as just buying a Rolex. Not only do you need to be able to track down your ‘grail’ piece (far easier said than done due to limited supplies and high demand) but you need to ask yourself, and your respective watch dealer, a fair amount of questions before you part with several thousand dollars of cash. It’s going to be an investment piece after all, as many Rolex watch prices tend to appreciate over time, so keep your in good condition and you’ll be virtually guaranteed of a sizeable return if you ever decide to sell it.But what questions should you be asking exactly? That’s where we here at DMARGE come in. We know Rolex like the back of our hand (or wrist, as it were), and have delved through enough listings, spoken to dealers and representatives and engrossed ourselves in all things Rolex so much, that we reckon we could actually spot a fake model from a mile away* (*not verified).So, we thought it best to collate all the questions you could possibly ever need to ask when considering buying a Rolex and provide you with answers spelt out in plain English so that you leave this page feeling far more informed than before you clicked on it.

How Much Is A Rolex?

How long is a piece of string? is what you may as well be asking. The price you can expect to pay for a Rolex will, unsurprisingly, fluctuate depending on which model you want.Most prospective Rolex buyers, and those making their first foray into becoming a loyal fan of the luxury Swiss brand, will want to secure themselves a Submariner. It’s easily the most recognisable model and is the one responsible for spawning countless imitation models from other brands.Rolex released new iterations of the Submariner in 2020 – giving them a 41mm case for the first time – start at AU$11,400 and rise to AU$55,950 if bought directly from Rolex or an authorised retailer. You can expect these prices to increase on the resale market.If it’s the most affordable route into the world of Rolex you’re after, check out the Oyster Perpetual 41, sitting pretty at AU$8,300 (the Oyster Perpetual 36, 34 and 31 can be had for less, but these smaller sizes will only really be suitable for smaller wrists).

How To Tell If A Rolex Is Real?

This is a big one. The counterfeit watch market is rife with fake Rolex watches, many of which are so convincing in their design that you really do need to be an expert if you’re too spot a fake one from a real one.However, there are some key points to look out for to help determine if you’ve got your hands on a fake Rolex or a real one.

• Only buy your Rolex watch directly from a Rolex dealership or an authorised retailer. As soon as you venture online to well-known marketplaces, despite how good the listing might look, until you can inspect the watch up close, you’ve no way to be sure what you’re looking at is real or fake.
• Most fake Rolex watches will use quartz movements, as opposed to the high-quality self-winding automatic movements found in the real thing
• Real Rolex watches use premium precious metals. Fake Rolex watches won’t be able to use these, so will feel lighter to hold, or at least won’t feel as solid.
• All real Rolex watches are engraved with both a model and a serial number on the case at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock respectively, where the band meets the lug. You’ll need to take the band off to be able to view these.
• Real Rolex watches have a cyclops lens if they have a date function, which magnifies the date when you look at it. Fake Rolex watches can’t replicate this, so will just use a piece of regular glass.
• The overall finish of a real Rolex will exude premium. You should be able to notice a significant drop in quality of a fake, and it just won’t feel ‘special’.

Why Are Rolex Watches So Expensive?

Rolex can command high prices for its watches due to the incredibly high level of craftsmanship that goes into producing each and every one. Not only do they use precious metals, including its own proprietary Oystersteel which uses a higher quality stainless steel compared to the industry standard, but the movement that goes into each piece is assembled by hand in-house.The company, of course, also enjoys worldwide recognition. So, while you are indeed paying for meticulous quality and a watch that has been designed and assembled by the best in the business, you are also paying for the Rolex name.

Are Rolex Watches Waterproof?

Yes, all Rolex watches are waterproof. However, the level to which they will remain waterproof will vary depending on the model. Oyster Perpetual models are waterproof to 100 metres, models such as the Submariner are waterproof to 300 metres while the Sea-Dweller can be taken down to depths of up to 1,220 metres.Rolex recommends you rinse your watch under tap water after each time you take it into the sea.

How Do I Check A Rolex Serial Number?

All real Rolex watches will have a serial number engraved on them, but it is hidden away so at not to interfere with the overall aesthetic. To find the serial number of your Rolex watch, you will need to remove the band (if you’re not comfortable doing this yourself or you don’t have the tools, take it to an authorised service centre). You will then see the serial number on the case below 6 o’clock at the point where the band meets the lug.

How Do You Change The Time On A Rolex?

The whole point of wearing a watch is to view the time. But unless you have a GMT-Master II, you’re going to need to change the time each time you travel (or if you don’t wear it for an extended period of time and the power reserve runs out).Firstly, wind your Rolex watch to give it some power if it has fully depleted. To do so, unscrew the crown by turning it counter-clockwise until it pops out, then, turn it clockwise around 25-30 times to ‘recharge’ the power reserve.You will then need to pull out the crown to position 2 (as far as it will go). You will notice a ‘position 1’ if your Rolex model has a date function, but if it doesn’t, you just need to pull it all the way out.Turn the crown clockwise to set the correct time, push the crown back in and turn clockwise to screw down.

How Much Does It Cost To Clean A Rolex Watch?

If you do it yourself, absolutely nothing! Taking good care of your Rolex should be a no-brainer, especially if you want it to be worth more than what you paid in the future.To keep your Rolex looking its very best, you can wash it using soapy water and a soft brush to get into crevices. Only do this if your Rolex has a metal bracelet, however, as a brush can damage a leather bracelet. Before you wash it, ensure that the crown is fully screwed down to avoid any water from entering.While cleaning may be free, you will need to pay for routine servicing.

How To Open A Rolex Watch Case Back?

If you’re not a fully trained watch technician, then the simple answer to this question is, don’t. A Rolex watch is an incredibly intricate instrument and as such, should only be handled and serviced by a trained professional who has the right tools.Various models can have various case backs that are all removed in different ways, and to do so in the wrong way, could potentially cause irreversible damage in itself.

What Rolex Watches Will Go Up In Value?

One of the key questions any prospective Rolex buyer will ask themselves before they make their investment. Knowing which Rolex watches will go up in value can be hard to predict, although some previously released models can only expect their current valuation to increase in the years to come.These models include the GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’, GMT-Master II ‘Batman’ and the Submariner ‘Hulk’. We’ve taken a closer look at which Rolex models are particularly susceptible to valuation increases here. 

When Was Rolex Founded?

Rolex was originally founded in London, England in 1905 as Wilsdorf and Davis. The company registered the name Rolex, as the brand name for the watches it produced, before assuming the company name Rolex Watch Co. Ltd. in 1915.The company moved its base to Geneva, Switzerland following World War I, and eventually used the name Rolex SA shortly after 1920.

Are Rolex Watches Quartz?

No, all modern Rolex watches rely on automatic movements, most of which are self-winding, however some need to be manually wound. Rolex introduced the Oysterquartz in response to the arrival of Japanese quartz watches in the 1970s.Models that made up the Oysterquartz collection included Datejust and Day-Date models, but the production of these fully ceased in 2001.

What Year Was My Rolex Made?

The production date of your Rolex watch will play a significant role in determining its resale value and to work out when it needs servicing (by default, Rolex recommends you get your watch serviced every five years). If you bought your Rolex watch brand new and held onto the box and papers (something you should always do) these will let you know when it was made.Alternatively, to work out when your Rolex was made, you need to find the serial number. This is located on the case between the band and the lug at 6 o’clock for all watches produced up until 2008. From 2005, Rolex began engraving the serial number on the rehaut (the inner bezel) as well, but as of 2008, the serial number can only be found on the rehaut.However, Rolex watches produced after 2010 have a ‘random’ serial number, so tracking down its production date is pretty much impossible. The only way to find out the production date is to look at the warranty card that came with the watch at purchase.Rolex watches produced from 1926 until 2010 will have a number that can be found on a table to help you determine when it was produced.

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The post Frequently Asked Rolex Questions To Inform Any Prospective Buyer appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Aviator sunglasses are one of the most iconic sunglass styles for men. Made famous by Ray Ban, the Aviator silhouette is one that has been imitated by countless other brands. However, there is a knack to wearing them, and not all men possess the gift of being able to do it effectively.

When you buy a pair of Aviator sunglasses, you’re doing so to look like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. But, buy the wrong pair or team them with the wrong outfit, and you can end up looking like a washed up man attempting to cling to his youth.

So, how do you wear and style Aviator sunglasses? Allow us to explain all.

Mirrored Like Gentlemanly Maverick

Choose a pair of aviators with mirrored lenses for an extra dose of badassery in an already badass look. Something about those impenetrable reflective surfaces says “Don’t mess with me, pal – I can kick ass, take names, and do it all without putting a single wrinkle in my impeccable designer suit.”

Smaller… Like Scott Schuman

Aviator sunglasses are a strong look on their own, so you can get away with keeping the rest of your style simple. Take a cue from Scott Schuman, American blogger, fashion photographer, and founder of The Sartorialist. Go for a basic tee and simple trousers, and let the aviators speak for themselves.

Like A Russian Mobster

There are plenty of reasons not to mess with Russian mobsters, just one of which is their handle on the style game. The fur lining of this fine gentleman’s jacket is almost reminiscent of the classic pilot’s jacket, making it a perfect complement to his fighter pilot-inspired eyewear. Together they make a major statement.

With Your Best Suit

The classic style of a pair of aviators means you can wear them with just about everything, from your worn-in denim to your favourite suit. Some might call this a risk, but when your suit looks as good as this chap’s does, we say throw caution to the wind and don the sportier shades.

Like An Artistic Hipster

If we wrote a guide on how to be a modern day hipster, we’d have to include this look. Incorporating retro styles into your contemporary wardrobe is a huge part of mastering the hipster aesthetic (bonus points to this guy for also working in a bowtie and that sweater). Just please stop pretending you were wearing aviators before they were cool. We know it’s a lie.

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The post How To Rock Aviator Sunglasses & Look Like a Real Topgun appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Placing yourself somewhere outside your comfort zone is a hurdle many of us face. Whether it be for necessary reasons such as having to relocate for a new job or slightly unnecessary (but equally important) reasons such as throwing yourself off a high bridge attached to a bungee rope, summoning up the courage and mental strength is often easier said than done.Other than just psyching yourself up and seeing others complete a task to great success, one way you can help to alter your way of thinking lies with the way you breathe. The practice of breathwork is hardly new, and we’ve seen high-profile names such as Joe Rogan and Laird Hamilton singing its praises (it’s also earned Dutch athlete Wim Hof earn himself the nickname ‘The Iceman’).However, it could be argued that these people have the time to focus on such practices, what if you’re someone who is completely new to the topic but are curious about its benefits? DMARGE spoke to Dean Gladstone, one of Bondi Beach’s most famous lifeguards, qualified personal trainer and Wim Hof coach – he was also the man enlisted to help SAS: Australia star Shannan Ponton to overcome some major hurdles during the reality show – to dig a little deeper into breathwork and to find out how beginners can get started.Dean starts by pointing out that we could have all been practising breathwork to some degree, perhaps without even knowing it.“I count swimming as breathwork”, he begins, “and I have been swimming since I was 5, but I started yoga at 22 and about 12 years ago as a health coach, I was focusing on how breathing mechanics have an influence on the nervous system.”To this, Dean is referring the role the diaphragm has one our entire body. A 2018 article by Bordoni et al. says, “The functions of the diaphragm do not stop locally in its anatomy, but affect the whole body system.”“It can be called systemic breath.”The report goes into great detail (which may not make complete sense to those without biology majors) but it goes on to say that “reduction of oxygen caused by the diaphragmatic dysfunction affect the patient’s cognitive function”, ergo, healthy breathing can help improve the way our brain works.Back to Dean. He goes on to say that “there is always room for improvement” when it comes to breathwork and that nobody can ever truly master it and for anyone looking to try their hand at it, it can always be difficult to put a time scale on how long until you can be considered competent.“I work holistically with people, so it’s hard to say exactly how long things will take but I do see great improvements in 4-10 weeks with most people.”So what are the first steps we can take into improving our breathwork? It can be as simple as spending a few moments just focusing on how you’re breathing in your day to day life.“We breathe all day so improving this is functional breathing”, Dean relates, “it’s something I’m very passionate about within breathwork training, when we consciously breathe slowly, deeply and lightly, this influences how we breathe for the rest of the day.”

“Subtle exercises can be done hourly in some cases to improve breathing for dysfunctional breathers.”

“One of the great things about breathwork is that it can be done anytime, anywhere. You can do it when you are injured to improve recovery and if you do the right breathwork it can help maintain fitness.”Indeed, recovery breathing can have multiple benefits on the body, whether you’re recovering from an injury or just want to reduce the amount of time it takes to recover after an intense workout.Bill Hartman, owner of IFAST Physical Therapy says,“When it comes to optimising movement and recovery, the two most crucial pieces of the performance ‘puzzle’, nothing is more important than breathing mechanics.”

“Respiration is the most underutilized and overlooked aspect of movement and recovery because it is the foundation that allows all other subsystems to thrive.”

He cites Dr Karel Lewit as saying, “If breathing is not normalised, no other movement pattern can be.”We’ve already written about how Joe Rogan works to improve his breathing and how it allows him to rid himself of his “inner b**ch”, thus improving his mental strength.“Then when it starts to suck I take the AirPods out and I start breathing. 6 seconds in deep and 6 seconds out. I get my rhythm and I try to think of nothing but my breath.”If you want to engage in the practice of breathwork, Dean has created an online course which also helps to break down the various aspects of breathwork training, some of which may be more applicable to you than others.“In the course, we do yoga breathing, functional breathing, high CO2 work and intermittent hypoxic training and more.”“It all depends on what people want and need, for example, I work with athletes and I also work people that are suffering from stress disorders and the breathwork for each is extremely different.”

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The post Bondi Rescue’s, Shannan Ponton, Advice To Help Improve Mental Strength appeared first on DMARGE Australia.