The sun’s always beaming somewhere so whether summer’s around the corner or you’re venturing to more tropical parts of the world alongside your Instagram girlfriend/boyfriend, you’ll need a good pair of swim shorts. And by good we don’t mean your XXL Von Zipper board shorts from the 90s.

You’re a grown man now and grown men need swim shorts that reflect good taste, good fit, superior functionality and at least a basic knowledge of the year’s trending surf brands.

So drop your pants and listen up as we run you through the different types of swim shorts that are at your disposal and how to wear them correctly.

Swim Short Length Matters

Unbeknownst to many men, today’s swim shorts can come in short length, mid-length and long length. The preferences for these are usually dictated by the activity you’re embarking on. For swimming purposes you’ll want short to mid-length items whereas if you’re doing more active sports like surfing or jet skiing, you should opt for wide leg, long length swim shorts. It’s simple enough a concept but it’s one that will determine how comfortable you are in and out of the water.

Swim Short Materials

Before we get into the types of swim shorts you need to know about the right materials. Modern quality swim shorts normally come in the form of polyester or a fancy variation of it like quick-drying polyamide. These waterproofed materials ensure that the wearer is never weighed down in the water whilst flexibility is maintained.

Short Swim Shorts

Cut in the shortest length available today, short length swim shorts are made for the brave with the right tan to boot. These shorts usually sit at the midway point of your thighs so be weary that they do look more fitted and usually contour around the crotch region. The short fit itself is designed to make the wearer appear visually longer. Side splits are also common on these shorts as a way to show off more leg action.

Again, if you’ve got the confidence and want to grab some attention, these are the shorts for you. Just be sure not to go full hot pants. If you’re going to pair short swim shorts with a top, go for something like a tee or polo shirt. Button shirts are fine but not recommended as the short length of the shorts and the shirt’s longer hemline can make you look like you’ve gone commando.

Above The Knee Swim Shorts

This is the optimum length for today’s swim shorts for men. Sitting at around 2 inches (5cm) above the knee, mid-length swim shorts are championed by countless designer labels from Orlebar Brown to Thom Browne to Gucci. Your choices are therefore extensive. Besides the length, you should also pay attention to the detailing of how the shorts are tightened. Some brands offer the classic draw string whilst others have intuitive side tab adjusters like formal trousers.

Like the others on this list, the fit is tailored but never tight. Mid-length shorts should look relaxed without looking daggy so always try them on first. If you squat in the gym, these will look tighter on you. Above knee swim shorts are best paired with anything from tees to polos to buttoned linen shirts. Its length makes it ideal for pairing with just about any summer top.

Below The Knee Swim Shorts

The longest swim short length available today isn’t the ‘long’ that the teenage version of you knew. Sitting around your knee caps or slightly below, the long length swim shorts usually come in a wider leg opening for active beach duties. Given that there’re more material to work with you can usually find more detailing like pockets and contrast stitching on these type of swim shorts.

Bear in mind though that the length won’t make you look taller so be weary if you’re a shorter guy. A regular cut tee, polo or button shirt can work well here so long as they’re relaxed fit. Having a fitted top and longer and looser swim shorts aren’t the most flattering look.

Plain Swim Shorts

Moving on to swim short designs, we need to talk about the tried and tested plain coloured variants. The safest options for plain shorts are usually ones that aren’t excessively bright. Think black, navy, grey and even darker tones of seersucker. Those who are keen to get a bit more attention can opt for brighter yellow, red, green or blue variants. Given the plain nature of the swim shorts, it’s important that you play up the patterns up top to give the look a bit more character. Think striped tees or polos that are not in the same colour as the shorts. You’re not auditioning for The Wiggles here.

Printed Swim Shorts

Printed swim shorts are considered today’s canvas for the beach. Coming in a plethora of colours, designs and patterns, printed swim shorts are the sure-fire way to add a bit of character to your washboard abs. There’s too many to mention but think anything from photo prints to silhouettes to motifs to geometric patterns – the right pair is the pair that is an extension of your own personality.

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The post How To Wear Boardshorts & Swim Shorts In Summer appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Whether you’re under the pump at work or you’re struggling to function after a big night out, sometimes it takes more than a lazy Sunday to kick your brain back into gear. And while a couple of Berocca tablets and a Long Black might help you out in the short term, wouldn’t it be better if you could naturally increase your powers of concentration?

Fortunately for ambitious workaholics and hungover interns alike, such a solution exists: the micro-break technique. A ‘mini’ skill that punches well above its weight, ‘micro-breaking’ is toted as one of the rare productivity ‘hacks’ that actually works, with studies showing it can improve your ability to concentrate, change the way you see your job, and even help you avoid common ‘desk-worker’ injuries.

According to the BBC, a micro-break is classified as a “brief activity that helps to break up the monotony of physically or mentally draining tasks… (which) can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes and involve anything from making a cup of tea to stretching or watching a music video.”

The term ‘micro-break’, the BBC tells us, “Was coined in the late 1980s by researchers from the (US) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health… (who) wanted to find out whether fleeting breaks could boost productivity or reduce stress.”

To do this, they invited 20 participants to “work” in an artificial office environment for two days, performing a “highly repetitive” data entry task—some with micro-breaks, some without.

Although they found no conclusive results on productivity (don’t worry, we’ve since had positive findings on this front), they discovered people who took microbreaks tended to have lower heart rates (i.e. were less stressed) and made fewer mistakes.

This inspired more research, which—over the last three decades—has unearthed “mountains of evidence” (BBC) to suggest that microbreaks reduce stress, keep workers engaged and make work more enjoyable.

So, how does one take the perfect micro-break? The short answer is: it’s up to you. As there’s no scientific consensus on the exact length of the ideal Instagram ‘zone out sesh’ (for example), Sooyeol Kim, a Phd student from the University of Illinois (and expert on micro-breaks) told the BBC, there are only two rules: “they should be short and voluntary.”

In other words: as long as it works for you (and doesn’t culminate in a two-hour Youtube wormhole), you can take any kind of micro-break you like. That is—with one final caveat. Don’t do something that will make you more fatigued.

“One key component of an effective break is psychological detachment, which refers to mentally disengaging from work thoughts,” (Psychology Today).

This is crucial to remember, as some of the most popular ‘breaks’ (like having a sugary snack, drinking caffeine, or venting about a problem) are actually associated with more fatigue.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t have a coffee break, just that you shouldn’t think about work during it. Capiche? Oh and, depending on your aims, you should try and take different types of micro-breaks.

For instance, if you are hoping to avoid neck and eye strain, it’s a better idea to go for a brisk walk than it is to scroll Facebook. Conversely, if you are the sort of person who can’t help but stress about work when you have no stimulation in front of you (like when walking around the block), then scrolling Facebook might actually be a good option for you, after all.

Further advice includes: give yourself a reason to take a micro break. One way to do this is to keep a large bottle of water by your desk (and drink it), which will force you to take regular trips to the bathroom.

Read Next

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• I Asked A Sleep Doctor What I’m Doing Wrong; Here’s What I Discovered 

The post Micro Breaks: Trick To Re-Booting Your Brain appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Okay let’s get this straight. They’re not your traditional ‘mac n cheese stained’ sweatpants from college days – they’re more of a hybrid between sweatpants and formal trousers which give off a very nice military vibe. That’s what British actor Idris Elba rocked to the red carpet of the National Film Awards in London overnight.

What’s interesting about the look is that it actually works thanks to the blacked-out ensemble from the coat to the shirt to the cuffed hybrid pants to the black Chucks. The only thing offsetting the tone is the white drawstrings and rather perplexing statement on Elba’s shirt. And probably his partner, too, who was dressed in a stark white dress.

The 46-year-old actor wasn’t the only one to take a slice of casual athleisurewear into the formal realm though. It was early last year when Michael B. Jordan stepped out to the Creed 2 cast dinner in Nike athleisure wear. His colour of choice? Black.

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The post Idris Elba Wore Sweatpants To A Formal Event & Still Looked Damn Cool appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If flirting is an art, most messages Instagram influencers receive on a daily basis are abstract monstrosities. However, if you are more interested in the comedic (and potentially financial) value of responding to a salacious direct message; don’t go anywhere. Why? Because if improvisation is an art, this cool exchange between Ash Williams and a ‘big’ fan is a masterpiece.

After having been on the other end of the process (teaching us how to get on the radar of a model with over 100k followers), Ash Williams recently found himself being wooed on the platform that may soon overtake Tinder in terms of ‘hookups facilitated’—Instagram. As you might expect, the Aussie comedian embraced this “heating up” of his DM’s, even considering the cheeky back n’ forth worthy of a standalone post.

“Did I mention you’re so much more attractive than a Hemsworth? Including Chris,” is the first message Ash receives (or at least the first one we see screenshotted).

“Thank you so much! Means a lot,” Ash replies.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

My Instagram DMs are heating up

A post shared by A S H W l L L I A M S (@ashwilliams1) on Mar 27, 2019 at 4:54pm PDT

The suiter then finds out Ash is single, presumably raising his pulse (and that of the 57k people reading along) to nerve-racking levels. The situation quickly deflates, however, when he realises Ash is straight.

“Damn it. Swear to god, my love life is a constant circle of pursuing straight men. I seriously need to change my type.”

To which Ash responds, in trademark style, “You got cash?”, prompting his followers to ask: “What’s the asking price going to be?”

Read Next

• Social Media Flirting Rules You’re Probably Getting Very Wrong
• Dating An Instagram Model – We Asked The Boyfriends What It’s Really Like 

The post How To Turn A DM Slide Into A Business Opportunity appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When putting together an outfit, or investing in new wardrobe pieces, one of the essential accessories that is often overlooked and forgotten, is the belt. More than just a device to hold up your pants or shorts, belts are an imperative accessory for any and every man. Belts for men are, in terms of both functionality and style, just as, if not more, important than ties, watches, and jewellery.

But it’s not uncommon for guys to get their belt wrong, although admittedly, it’s not completely their fault, as many cheap belt brands are just as much to blame for putting out belts for men that are just plain bad; poor quality, and tasteless in style.

That’s not to say you need to spend an absolute fortune on a belt, although as with most other pieces of clothing or accessories, the more you spend, the greater the quality you receive (if you want genuine leather, for example, expect to part with more cash than if you were to invest in a woven belt). There are however a number of brands that are putting out great quality belts for men that comfortably fall under the ‘affordable’ category, and it’s these brands you need to know about.

So, where do you start? Allow us to provide some help. We’ve rounded up some of the very best belt brands on the market today, that all produce belts for men that are affordable, yet well-made from high-quality materials and are sophisticated and stylish.

How To Buy Belts For Men Online

Let’s address the elephant in the room; how the hell do you buy a belt online? After all, you need to know where the holes sit to determine how tight you can make it. You don’t want to buy a belt and then once it’s delivered find that one hole is too loose but the next constricts you so much you feel like you can’t breathe.

A general rule of thumb is to buy a belt that is two inches longer than your waist size. So, if you’re a 32-inch waist, then you’ll want to buy yourself a 34-inch belt. Some manufacturers label their belts for men as S, M, L, or even in between sizes such as S/M and M/L. For those, you’ll want to pay close attention to each brand’s size guide for reference.

Alternatively, you can invest in a webbed or woven belt. Woven belts have the advantage of being able to do away with holes completely since the prong of the buckle can be passed through anywhere on the belt’s surface.

Best Belts For Men FAQs

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So, if you’re ready to elevate your outfits effortlessly with a new quality belt, take a look at the brands below that are currently creating the best belts for men.

The post 21 Best Men’s Belts To Keep Pants Up [2022] appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

They don’t come around often but when they do you can expect to find one popping up at a fancy Goodwood auction. Say hello to this pristine example of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ Coupe, number 49 of 1,400 worldwide.

The car which hails from 1954 is considered one of the early model prototypes which were used for building the remaining 1,350. This car’s history is also rather colourful, having first left the Unterturkheim factory as a special order that was finished in white with red leather interior trim. It was officially registered in late 1954 where it passed through various owners in Washington, Colorado, and California until it arrived at its most notable owner, Hiroaki ‘Rocky’ Aoki, founder of the Benihana restaurant chain, a car collector and the late father of DJ Steve Aoki.

Under the ownership of Aoki, the car received a four-wheel disc brake conversion and the installation of a stainless-steel fuel tank. In all other mechanical respects the car remains in factory-correct specification. The car was then purchase by the Key Collection in 2011 where they car was repainted and re-trimmed to the vehicle you see now. Around this time Kevin Kay Restorations also conducted a comprehensive mechanical re-commissioning which saw new Koni shock absorbers, a stainless-steel exhaust system, and a tuning of the fuel-injection system.

We’re not too sure if the fettling will affect the price but auction house Bonhams is expecting this one to see within the region of AU$1,500,000 and AU$1,900,000.

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The post Mercedes-Benz 300SL For Sale In Australia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Heughan. Sam Heughan. Speculations as to who will take over the iconic role from Daniel Craig after his final outing in Bond 25 have been rife recently, but this time it’s different.

According to an unnamed Daily Mail source (which we’re a bit weary of ourselves), the 38-year-old Scottish actor received a call from producers to audition for Barbara Brocoli as the film’s boss prepares to usher in a new era of the spy franchise. In the past the producers have declined from naming any names and Brocoli herself even said that she’s not thinking that far ahead, at least not until Bond 25 is released in April 2020.

If the reports of the audition are legitimate though, Heughan could be a serious rival to the other names in the Bond draw alongside The Bodyguard‘s Richard Madden and Tom Hiddleston. So who is Sam Heughan and why is he a hot contender in the 007 ranks?

Well for starters he’s Scottish and according to the source, “it has been 36 years since there was a Scottish Bond in Sean Connery and producers are looking for someone to emulate that success”.

“Sam is an experienced actor, he’s in great shape and he has a cheeky side which is appealing as the bosses want Bond to have more to him,” the source continues. This wouldn’t be the first time Heughan has brushed with the role of 007, too. Back in 2002 he was in the running to take over the role from Pierce Brosnan but was deemed too young – he eventually lost out to Craig. It’s also important to note that both Brosnan and Timothy Dalton were rejected from the role at one stage before they were eventually given a shot.

As an older and wiser actor who fits the bill, could this be Heughan’s turn? Only time will tell but based on his response from an interview last year on LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, he’s still keen to slip into the tailored tux.

“Have I thought about it? Yeah, I have a few times,” he said. “I did an audition for Bond a long time ago when they were redoing it with Daniel Craig when he was Bond 21. It was a good experience”.

Read Next

• Why A Female James Bond Will Burn The 007 Franchise To The Ground
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The post Sam Heughan: The Next James Bond appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

You go to the gym, you have a protein shake to help you build muscle. It’s a simple enough equation that’s been working for millions but MedicalNewToday wanted to go one further so they looked at a series of studies surrounding the consumption of protein in the health industry.

Whilst there are countless claims around protein for weight loss and muscle building, it’s difficult to determine a claim from a fact. Here’s what you need to know about two of the biggest topics surrounding protein: weight loss and building muscle.

Protein For Weight Loss

According to the study’s author Timothy Huzar, “there is some evidence that eating protein can help a person lose weight”.

This stems from the evidence of protein increasing the feeling of being full – also known as satiety. The investigation says that till this day, it’s still unknown as to the best time for consuming protein when pursuing weight loss. Various studies have looked at the topic but have come up with conflicting results.

One study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that a higher protein diet in general can improve a person’s body weight management. The study stipulates that ‘higher protein’ equated to 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Another recent study in the journal Advances in Nutrition appears to back this claim by suggesting that snacking on protein foods can reduce the number of calories consumed by a person in their next meal. This same study however adds that the data backing up this claim is scarce. The conclusion provided by the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics? More studies are required, but it does at least gives you a starting point to make your own call.

Protein For Muscle Building

This is the one you’ve probably been looking out for. Surprisingly there’s been countless studies on the best time to consume protein after exercise in order to build muscle. The investigation says that even this is unclear at the moment, irrespective of the claims out there.

The investigation cites two studies from the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism and the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition which highlights that there is no relationship between building muscle and the timing of protein consumption. In an older study from the Journal of Physiology, it was discovered that older adult males who took protein supplements after exercise would encounter skeletal muscle growth.

So whilst there’s no doubt that protein does help to build muscle, there is about the best time to consume it. Researchers from the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition concluded that there are no disadvantages to consuming protein before or after a workout. Regular gym goers should take away from this research that consuming enough protein to build muscle is more important than the timing of consuming it. That’s because a lot of the past and current studies are based off athletes who engage in long hours of intense exercise.

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• Dangerous Signs You’re Eating Too Much Protein & How To Fix It
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The post Best Protein For Weight Loss & Muscle Gain appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

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