Business-class passengers are not known for engendering public sympathy. But as Qantas announces a second “points plane” flight – this time with an awkward Pointy End predicament – it might be time for the Amazon to take a back seat.

But first: context. Back in May, Qantas coined the term “points plane,” announcing a trip from Melbourne to Tokyo, scheduled for October the 1st, 2019, which was available exclusively to Qantas frequent flyers.

This was so successful (first and business class sold out in less than 9 minutes) that a second “points plane”, from Sydney to Los Angeles, is now set to take off on the 13th of October, and is available to book – also with Qantas Points only – up until midnight September the 2nd (at which point all classes will be opened up to be bought normally).

The problem? The jet Qantas has chosen for this 14-hour-trip is the Boeing 747 “Lord Howe Island” VH-OJU (the famous Queen of the Skies model), which entered service in the year 2000 and is set to be retired immediately after landing in Los Angeles.

Although this jet is externally beautiful (and all-round iconic), the last time Qantas’ 747 fleet underwent refurbishments (to bring them in line with the A380 fleet) was around 2011, which makes this Queen’s business class seat configuration somewhat antiquated.

Consequently, unlike the Melbourne to Tokyo A380 “points plane”, in which business class passengers will sit in a 2-2-2 configuration, on the Sydney to Los Angeles 747 “points plane”, four of the 58 business class passengers will be stuck in a middle seat, thanks to the 2-3-2 configuration of the back four rows.

In other words: avoid seats 5E, 6E, 7E and 8E, if you would rather not have to clamber over your neighbour each time you’d like to relieve yourself (or practice a spot of aisle yoga) mid-flight.

Same goes for seats 36E, 36F, 37E, 37F, 38E, 37F, 39E and 39F in premium economy.

Another minor down-side is that this 747 features the same Skybed as Qantas’ A380s, as seen below.

While this is certainly a comfortable seat, it’s not quite as ~state of art~ as Qantas’ Dreamliner and A330 offerings.

That said, in terms of service, The Flying Kangaroo’s friendly, detail-oriented hospitality will likely make up for any tired (or middle) seat mishaps.

In any case, if you’re keen to help cap a career of over 80 million kilometres (the equivalent of almost 2,000 round-the-world trips), you’ll need 1,900 points (plus A$205) to fly economy, 72,000 points (plus A$405) to fly premium economy and 96,000 points (plus A$480) to fly business-class.

One last detail: there is no return “points plane” from Los Angeles to Sydney – you will have to book this journey separately.

Oh and – always choose your seat carefully.

Read Next

• Qantas Launches ‘Points Plane’ Exclusively For Frequent Flyers
• Qantas Trials ‘World First’ Research Flights From New York To Sydney

The post Qantas' Second 'Points Plane' Is Great, But It Has A Pointy End Predicament appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”231887″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.scarosso.com/en/men/shoes/chelsea-boots/”][vc_column_text]The Chelsea boot is one of the most underrated leather footwear options for men. Fundamentally they can be paired with anything from suits to jeans to chinos, making for a very versatile shoe that saves you money without compromising your style points.

There’s only one issue: they’re always so damn expensive.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”231889″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.scarosso.com/en/men/shoes/chelsea-boots/”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”231888″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://www.scarosso.com/en/men/shoes/chelsea-boots/”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Let Italian label Scarosso come to your rescue with their dark brown calf leather Enzo Ebano Chelsea Boots. As expected from a brand with a strong focus on affordable quality, the shoe is entirely handcrafted in Italy using artisanal techniques. The craftsmen at Scarosso even go as far as hand-stitching every shoe as opposed to machine stitching. This enables the classic silhouette to have a bit more tolerance and flex to different feet types when compared to machine stitching.

Durability is naturally built in thanks to high quality ebony calfskin stitched in using the blake rapid method and finished using a three-step colouring and waxing technique. There’s also a dark brown canvas loop on the back making them easy to put on.

So who are these maestros offering the classic Chelsea boot at such lofty quality without the price tag? Scarosso is the Italian label which carefully select the best Montegranaro shoemakers to craft their brogues and loafers — the same artisans who produce high-end designer shoes. But their ethical approach of cutting out the middleman means they can bring quality to every man, without the price tag.

In other words if you’re looking for a stylish, premium and highly versatile footwear bargain, you’ve found it right here.

Shop The Scarosso Chelsea Boots $330

Men’s Leather Shoes FAQ

Read Next

• 27 Chelsea Boots That Will Instantly Sharpen Your Look For Work Or Play
• Chelsea Boots Will Add A Masculine Edge To Any Look; Here’s How To Wear Them

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post This $330 Italian Made Leather Boot Is The Most Affordable Alternative To R.M. Williams appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

His reign as Spider Man in the MCU might be over but Tom Holland is making sure that he’s going out in style — even if it’s the laziest way to do it.

Standing alongside his MCU buddy Chris Pratt at Disney’s D23 Expo in California overnight, Holland took a break from his usual red carpet attire of immaculately tailored suits and fancy watches for a more casual look. That’s not to say it wasn’t sharp as hell though. Spidey’s secret?

A simple black t-shirt and black skinny jeans.

The little style hack is pretty easy for any guy to pull off mainly because it only involves changing up the jacket for a completely different look — perfect for guys who want to look good without spending heaps of time.

Holland’s look here is textbook but solid. A grey wool jacket with varsity detailing on the sleeves and pocket design is enough to break up the black top and bottom whilst adding a decent dose of style. Also note the leather shoulder detailing on the jacket for added points. Holland just threw this over the fitted tee alongside the skinny black jeans and polished black leather boots.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Back to work

A post shared by Tom Holland (@tomholland2013) on Aug 19, 2019 at 7:01am PDT

It was only a week ago that Holland pulled off this similar look by pairing the black-tee-black-jeans combo with a black leather motorcycle jacket. And all he did was change the jacket for a completely new look.

Spidey secret unlocked.

As Eddy Furlong in ‘Terminator 2’ once said, “Easy money”.

Read Next

• How To Style & Wear Black Jeans For Any Occasion
• Rocking A Black T-Shirt Is Slicker Than You Think; Here’s How To Do It

The post Tom Holland Shows You The Lazy Man's Secret To Looking Sharp appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Amongst the endless list of priorities for the modern male, ‘style’ is often a word left to  those with too much time and money. Celebrities. Influencer types. A minority who like to prioritise looks over substance. Style is not for the average man, so it’s often said.

Jeff Lack is the man who wants to prove you wrong. The Australian stylist who is one of the most influential experts in the local scene believes that a one’s personal style equates to success and ultimately his own self confidence, a skill which every man has the right to master as part of their journey towards greatness.

For one day only, Lack will be revealing decades of industry experience to show men the secrets of dressing to make a positive impression on anyone.

The style masterclass will show men exactly what they need to know when it comes to making the right first impression for any occasion, whether it’s that life-changing job interview, that punching-above-your-weight date or a fancy social event. There are no limits when it comes to mastering your personal style, just handy tips and tricks that revolve around the biggest menswear mysteries:

• Which colours suit my look and personality best?
• How to dress well and look sharp for my body shape?
• How to make the most of my personal style?
• How to invest in my wardrobe without wasting money?
• How to get multiple looks from a single outfit?
• How to decipher event dress codes?

Why do men need the answers to such questions? Because first impressions last a lifetime, so make it count.

Jeff Lack’s Men’s Style Masterclass will be held in Sydney on Saturday the 7th of September.

The post This Simple Investment In Your Personal Style Is The Secret To Making A Lasting Impression appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

To fast or not to fast? This question has plagued aspiring six-pack owners ever since 2015 (when a select group of fitness influencers decided the best way to lose weight was by skipping breakfast).

Since then intermittent fasting has exploded in popularity – with everyone from hipsters to rugby players to suburban parents jumping on the bandwagon.

The problem? Although fasting before your workout out may help you avoid getting a stitch, a new study has just shown that it may also be reducing your gains – especially in the short term.

While some people may be able to adjust and get their regular gains rate back to normal after switching to a routine where they fast before working out, researchers from the National Centre of Sport Exercise and Health Science at the United Kingdom’s Loughborough University recently published a study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research showing “breakfast omission reduces subsequent resistance exercise performance.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Brad Schoenfeld, PhD (@bradschoenfeldphd) on Aug 21, 2019 at 1:31pm PDT

How so? Essentially, the scientists watched volunteers squatting and bench pressing at 90% of 10RM, and observed that – particularly on the number of reps performed over five sets – there was a performance drop off among those who had skipped breakfast (as opposed to eating a carb-rich one).

That said, as fitness and sports nutrition expert Brad Schoenfeld pointed out on Instagram, “Although the findings indicate that eating prior to exercise enhances performance, it’s important to… [remember] that all subjects regularly consumed breakfast prior to the study and deviating from normal practice likely was a mitigating factor in the negative results.”

Translated to human speak: this means that – as the human body is made for adaption – chances are the volunteers only experienced detrimental effects because they were trying something new, and their performance would likely improve over time if they continued to train fasted.

However, as Schoenfeld also points out, this is not a given as “adaptations are highly specific to the individual, with some adapting better than others.”
⁣
“Bottom line: If you choose to start training fasted, chart your progress and see if it sufficiently improves over time. If so, then continue to train fasted if that’s your preference; if not, go back to eating prior to training (or accept the performance drop off if you just really like don’t want to eat before lifting).”

While many, including Pauline Nordin, another fitness fiend (and founder of the fighter diet), commented on Schoenfeld’s post saying that the study matched their own anecdotal evidence (“if one wants to build muscle it makes no sense going at it with [sic] intention to make it probably more challenging..it’s challenging as is”), others like nutrition coach Max Lugavere said the findings were far from conclusive.

⁣”In my own… experience I’m strongest in the morning while fasted and it’s also the part of the day when I’m least likely to feel postprandial fatigue for obvious reasons. Those catecholamines help too. Fasted lifting (with a little caffeine) FTW!”

The takeaway? Further studies are needed before you swear off intermittent fasting (before working out) for good. Until then, keep ignoring those bagels (if that’s what works for you) and allow your progress to be the judge.

Read Next

• Intermittent Fasting – Everything You Need To Know In 5 Minutes
• If You Want Bigger Muscles You’ll Need To Eat These Foods

The post New Study Reveals Dieting This Way Will Reduce Your Gym Gains appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Automatic for everyone. That's the motto behind American watchmaker Timex — and their latest effort is ticking proof of this. Applying a brand new movement to an old favourite, Timex have created a simple stunner in their Waterbury Classic Automatic 40mm watch. Just one glance will show y...

↬ Click here to view the full article/gallery on D'Marge

The post This $249 Automatic Watch Is A Timeless Classic That Will Sharpen Up Any Outfit appeared first on D'MARGE.

Forget the champagne headaches and strained smiling muscles; there’s a business class risk more humiliating than both.It’s not over-indulging in edamame eggplant relish when you should have been preparing for a meeting.Nor is it having your ‘charm radar’ ruined by the friendly flight attendants, realising kids cry in business class too, or HBO-cheating on your partner.No, the worst thing that can happen to you when flying business is arriving at the check-in desk, only to be told, “I’m sorry sir, but due to an unscheduled aircraft change, we have had to downgrade you to economy.”Because – let’s face it – despite the pretentious menus, heightened expectations and the passengers who turn the pages of The Financial Review as if each article had insulted them more personally than the last, business class still beats economy.However, as has been the topic of hushed discussion on frequent flyer forums, Tripadvisor and Reddit for some years now, business class downgrades are a real phenomenon which – due to their rarity – few travellers know how to deal with.“Why did I get downgraded to business class?” may be the most depressing thing you’ve asked Google since a Buzzfeed quiz told you to break up with your partner, but it may also save you a lot of money and heartache.Am I entitled to compensation? Why did it happen to me? How often does it happen? Where do I go from here? These are all valid questions that we are now going to answer.

Why business class downgrades happen

Generally speaking, airlines don’t overbook business or first class. So if you’ve been booted from business, your flight route has likely been reassigned a jet with a smaller Pointy End capacity (due to weather, or some other unplanned contingency).Because the secret to seamless air-control (or preventing meteorological interruptions) has yet to be discovered by any airline – high end or not – this means that no matter who you book with – Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Etihad or British Airways, to name a few – it’s always possible you could be downgraded.

How does the airline decide who to downgrade?

In this scenario, there are two “next steps” that might occur. Either economy will be full too, in which case your airline may ask you to travel on a later flight, with a cash incentive. Or, if there are still seats in cattle-class (in either economy or premium economy), as Traveller reports, “a manager decides who gets dumped, and most airlines apply a couple of crude measures.”What do these measures involve? According to industry experts, first candidates for a downgrade are those who paid for their seat using reward points (because the airline is legally obliged to give those who parted with cash.. cold hard cash).Next on the chopping block are those who paid with cash, but who aren’t high tier loyalty members, and so on and so forth until the right number of people is achieved.RELATED: How To Travel In Economy & Make It Feel Like First Class

What are my rights after a business class downgrade?

If you’re in the EU, where regulations protect passengers from downgrades and flight cancellations better than anywhere in the world, you are entitled to between 30 and 75 per cent of the ticket price depending on flight length.Unfortunately, in the rest of the world, this law does not exist, which means the quality of the airline you picked comes into play – most airlines will refund the difference between your business class ticket and the economy (or premium economy) class seat you ended up in (and the high-end ones might go further). But there are no guarantees.Oh and – as always – there’s a catch because, if you’re downgraded from business to economy the refund will likely be the difference between the business class fare and the fully flexible (i.e. the most expensive) economy fare.In other words: you go from lie-flat to livid.

Is it possible to avoid a business class downgrade?

In a word: no. However, loyalty to a particular airline will reduce your chances, if you are really worried about this distant possibility (not to mention all the other benefits that come with joining a frequent flyer program).

Read Next

• Qantas’ Frequent Flyer Overhaul Makes It Easier To Upgrade To Business Class… But There’s A Catch
• The Biggest Myth People Still Believe About Business Class

The post The Uncomfortable Truth About Business Class Downgrades appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Gym clothes – If you’re going to hit the gym, then you need to make sure you have a dedicated selection of gym clothes to help maximise your workouts. Just about every man and his dog head to their chosen place of iron-clad worship to lift an array of heavy objects in the name of aesthetics. And probably health and strength too. But admit it…it’s mainly aesthetics.

This brings us nicely to this carefully curated list of the world’s coolest gym clothing brands. Because, not only do you want to look a million dollars when in the gym, but you need your clothing to help you perform at your very best, whether it be in terms of durability for the sheer number of squats you perform, or breathability to keep you cool during intense HIIT workouts.

Short for time? Here are our top picks.

The post 40 Best Gym Clothing Brands For Smashing Workouts [2022] appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Ah Mr. Stark, we love the guy and retirement must be grand but for many years we’ve secretly pined for the day a tailor or stylist would help him out with his wardrobe. That day is not today.

Arriving at the Disney Legends awards during the D23 Expo in California over the weekend, Robert Downey Jr. rocked one of the loosest fitting suits we’ve seen on him yet.

We’re not sure if this big fit style is intentional but one can only imagine how much sharper the billionaire-playboy-philanthropist would look in a properly tailored suit. But we digress.

Downey Jr. opted for a very loose fitting possibly off-the-rack grey check suit which featured embroidered calligraphy all over the jacket from the lapel to the sleeves. It’s the first time we’ve seen this on a suit and we’ve seen quite a few unique suits in our time (Conor McGregor’s ‘f*ck you’ suit included). Nonetheless if there was any time to wear this very casual and colourful ensemble, it’d be to the Disney awards.

A closer look at the suit shows Downey Jr. ditching the tie and dress shirt in favour of a pastel floral print t-shirt complete with matching multi-colour pocket square. Draw your eyes to his feet and it’s just a mangled mess of fabric which flows onto chunky white sneakers. It’s the ultimate in dad-core style but we’re just glad the shoes were clean.

Take note gentlemen, this is what happens when you let your jacket and pants length go wild. Now, anyone have a tool that will allow us to click our fingers and make this daggy look go away?

Read Next

• The Best Suit Brands Dominating Today’s Sartorial Game
• Robert Downey Jr. Is Still Wearing Ridiculous Suits After Decade Of Being Iron Man

The post Robert Downey Jr. Shows You The Devastating Effects Of Having No Tailor appeared first on DMARGE Australia.