Colour-wear, Panther

March 4, 2015, 1:38 am

There is absolutely nothing feminine about the colour pink, or, anything bad-luck'ish about the colour black — in itself.
- Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Colours can make or break an outfit. Your skin tone can turn one person's perfect colour into someone else's definite no. Here is the first of a series of blog posts on colour palettes that work for me. I hope these help inspire some who may be thinking of trying an "I don't know about that" colour.

This first post will be about the somewhat scary PINK.

Pink doesn't have to be a strong statement colour, but again, you have to find a shade that works for you. I tend to go for more a light musk pink because it suits my tones better. Pink is also a great colour to wear after a big night out or if you're feeling a little under the weather as it reflects warmth and gives pigment to pale skin. I like to mix this colour with browns, greys, navys and beige.

Shirt by Oscar Hunt Tailors

Shirt by Henry Bucks

Shirt by Trashness

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Colour me Arancione

March 9, 2015, 12:57 am

≫ Next: VAMFF - David Jones Runway

≪ Previous: Colour-wear, Panther

There is no blue without yellow and without orange
- Vincent Van Gogh

In part two of the colour series we jump from the "unmanly" colour of pink to one that is extremely overlooked. Orange stands out a lot and if you go too crazy with it you may get called Carrot Top, but if you find the right shade and tone to suit your complexion it makes a great accent colour for clothing and accessories.

Personally I like to incorporate darker shades into larger items of clothing (sports jackets and pants) and keep my accessories a little bit brighter (pocket squares, ties and socks). I would also suggest that people with red hair and pale skin don't overdose on the colour and instead use their own natural tones as a contrasting colour.

Below are some colours that work well with orange:

navy, olive, brown, burgundy, charcoal, musk and beige.

Sunglasses by Bailey Nelson

Shoes by New Balance

Pocket Square by Tombolini

Knitted Tie by Oscar Hunt Tailors

Scarf by Da Capo

Umbrella by Pasotti

Jacket by Oscar Hunt Tailors

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VAMFF - David Jones Runway

March 22, 2015, 5:03 am

≫ Next: VAMFF - GQ Runway

≪ Previous: Colour me Arancione

You don't learn style from watching people on a runway. Fashion happens every morning when you wake up.

- Shalom Harlow

Photo by The TrendSpotter

The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) rolled into town last week and I was invited along to see the opening parade, presented by David Jones.

Yes, it's still a majority female event but there were some great outfits regardless and menswear WAS still accounted for, albeit in dribs and drabs.

I really enjoyed going to the opening night of VAMFF, the atmosphere was electric and the show was of a really high quality. But honestly, how could I say no to a ticket when the David Jones ambassadors Jessica Gomes and Montana Cox were walking the runway?

Jessica Gomes

Montana Cox

Photo by Hyunwoo Rei Cho

Photo by Karen Woo

Photo by Jay Lim of Plan B

Outfit details:

Suit & Shirt by Oscar Hunt Tailors

Tie by Drakes

Sunglasses by Bailey Nelson

Shoes by Allen Edmonds

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VAMFF - GQ Runway

March 25, 2015, 4:35 am

≫ Next: What I wore - GQ Runway

≪ Previous: VAMFF - David Jones Runway

My style is nothing but the expression of myself; harmony between what I show and what I hide; it’s a mix of sounds, notes and colours of symphony

- Nicola Ricci

Last Friday night I attended the VAMFF Menswear parade, presented by GQ Magazine.

While Melbourne's Fashion Festival is comprised of around a fortnight's worth of parades and events, there isn't that much specifically targeted towards men and it was great to see a whole runway show devoted to the upcoming Autumn/Winter season.

The theme of the evening was David Bowie, with some of his most iconic tracks remixed to work as a soundtrack for the show - This year Bowie celebrates 50 years in the entertainment industry and, as one of the greatest influencers in rock, fashion, and style, his music was a great fit and really helped to set the mood.

The show was opened by MJ Bale, an Australian grown ready-to-wear suit company who do really great things. This collection had excellent use of colour and some nice layering, but like any fashion parade there were a few 'peacock' garments shown, which made me wonder whether an MJ Bale customer would actually wear them.

Another stand out for me was Vanishing Elephant - By the looks of things their latest collection is all about woollen hats, knitwear and jackets with a touch of denim. The styling for the show was a bit over the top but if you ignore that and focus on the clothes VE has a great workwear mix.

I don't want to bombard you with photos so watch out for a run down on what I wore to the parade coming soon.

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What I wore - GQ Runway

March 28, 2015, 9:22 pm

≫ Next: Future Casual

≪ Previous: VAMFF - GQ Runway

I never went to fashion school. I didn't know what a designer was. I knew I had something, but I didn't know what it was. And it could just have easily been nothing

- Ralph Lauren

Photo by Your Ensemble

My last update was all about what we saw on the runway during the VAMFF GQ Parade but I really wanted to continue with the theme and devote this post to my outfit for the evening - A new fashion label from Melbourne and a great Swedish shoe brand (of which I'll go into more detail on in the near future).

Hermen menswear is the offspring of recent brand split "Suit Your Style" and the newborn company has high self-esteem and no bad habits. The guys behind Hermen have achieved this by turning their backs on the more traditional made to measure styles of suiting; instead focusing on smart-casual pieces to accompany suits, sports jackets and winter coats.

I was lucky enough to be given a sample of their new knitwear and even though I'm not typically into roll-necks I really love wearing this. The fit is perfect and it's 100% merino wool. I've been told that the launch of this range of knitwear is coming soon so keep a look out for it on their website.

Photo by Hyunwoo Rei Cho

This is a double breasted jacket buttoned back onto itself. I love wearing DB's but sometimes I just want to let it hang loose like a single breasted jacket and by doing this I can have two jackets in one.

Photo by Karen Woo

Photo by Jang Yooon

Axel Arigato flannel camo loafers

This is a close up of the loafers I wore on the night. They're from a great brand called Axel Arigato who take classically designed sneakers, loafers and espadrilles and mix them with different materials. I'll be telling you guys more about this brand really soon.

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Future Casual

April 8, 2015, 3:12 am

≫ Next: Mr. Jackson

≪ Previous: What I wore - GQ Runway

Fashion is the armour to survive the reality of everyday life
- Bill Cunningham

Photo by Vincent Calderon (Your Ensemble)

There's a wild side to fashion week, when fashion students from around Australia get to let their creative hair down and show their graduating collections in front of Melbourne's style elite. While most of the clothes shown during the VAMFF graduate parade will never see the light of day on a general retail floor there's always the chance that a young designer may catch the eye of an editor or artist who will champion their designs.

Melbourne had turned up the heat on the day of the parade and being a Sunday (and straight after work) I wanted to keep things relaxed as much as I could. I ended up throwing on a pair of New Balance sneakers with my Fortis Green socks, slipped into a pair of made to measure chinos and finished off the look with a really casual jacket.Feeling quite tired from work I was glad to be able to hide my eyes behind a pair of sunglasses.

I was running slightly behind schedule but managed to get a few quick snaps taken as I made my way up the entrance ramp. Then it was time to grab a drink and watch the always inspiring student runway.

Jacket and L/S T-Shirt by Uniqlo
Chinos by Oscar Hunt Tailors
Socks by Fortis Green
Sneakers by New Balance

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Mr. Jackson

April 8, 2015, 4:52 pm

≫ Next: Brixton X City Hatters

≪ Previous: Future Casual

Peter Jacksonhas been a part of Melbourne's style heritage since 1948. The namesake company of this iconic menswear designer has become a stalwart of the city’s retail landscape, with a reputation for outfitting some of this city's most notable men for over half a century.

We all know that life as a fashion retailer is not an easy venture, and the company, now run by Paul Jackson, has not only survived, but thrived through several decades that we can all agree threw up some pretty dubious trends by sticking to their ethos of offering classic suiting at an exceptional price point. It's a similar ethos to the one that I hold here at A Poor Man's Millions and when the company approached me to road test their new collection I jumped at the opportunity to experience one of this country's most renowned menswear brands.

With locations across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, including an additional eight stores opening in 2015, Peter Jackson is now revisiting the basic traditions of menswear design with a strong focus on cut and fabrics for its new AW 2015 campaign.

The company sources fabrics from European mills as well as using super fine Australian Merino wools in their suiting. With 100% Egyptian/European cotton for shirting and Italian/German silk for ties, they have kept their quality high and prices affordable. With traits of tradition and innovation alike, the new collection offers a timeless and confident look.

* Sponsored by Peter Jackson

Sports Jacket - Merino Wool/Cotton Blend WT15-SP02 - $299

Windowpane Vest - 100% Merino Wool WT15-SV04 - $120
Tailored Trousers - 100% Merino Wool Black Label WT15-15250T - $150

Shirt - 2 Ply Egyptian Cotton WT15-A19 - $120

www.peterjacksons.com

Facebook

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Brixton X City Hatters

April 13, 2015, 2:54 am

≫ Next: I Need A Dollar

≪ Previous: Mr. Jackson

A person carries off the hat. Hats are about emotion. It is all about how it makes you feel.

- Philip Treacy

City Hatters on Flinders St, Melbourne Australia.

City Hatters have been trading for 105 years and they really are the ultimate one stop shop for fedoras and felt hats in Melbourne. To celebrate their landmark birthday, the Flinders Street store teamed up with American brand Brixton, who joined in on the anniversary fun by launching their new Autumn/Winter 2015 collection in store a couple of weeks ago.

All photos courtesy of Brixton.

Hands down City hatters stocks the best hat range in Australia - from Panamas to Whippets they really do have something for everyone and, if you can't get exactly what you're after, they promise that their resident milliner Tess will be able to deliver the goods.

The store is located under the historic clocks at Flinders Street station and has been in the same location since 1910, when the former station masters office was transformed into a hat shop stocking brands from around the globe to the stylish men and women of Melbourne.

Although they are fairly new to the hat game, Brixton also has a great story to go along with their brand; The company was established in 2004 by three friends who wanted to share their love for music, culture and the people that surrounded them.

A great cozy night was had by all with the smooth blues by Chris Wilson and the gents at the Barrow Boys Brewing Co kept everyone's vocal chords hydrated.

Brixton "Gain" Hats

Chats with Roman from Henry Bucks

Chris Wilson playing the blues.

City Hatters resident Milliner, Tess.

Ice cold Barrow Boys brew

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I Need A Dollar

April 16, 2015, 5:06 am

≫ Next: Back but never left.

≪ Previous: Brixton X City Hatters

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase

– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Let's just say that you have a business plan which you would like to put into action, but don't have the cash to get where you need to go, what can you do to solve the problem? Buskers have been successfully using crowd funding and people power for years, so how about taking a similar approach and using a kickstarter campaign for your small business?

In the past few years dozens of crowdsourcing websites have appeared all over the internet and it can be really hard to distinguish one from the other, however, I have it on good authority that two of the better sites for creative ideas are Indiegogo and Kickstarter.

I recently had the pleasure of helping out with the crowdfunding campaign for Fortis Green Apparel. It was an awesome (and successful) experience and through public donations one of my friends has been able to get his small sock manufacturing company off the ground.

Fortis Green on Kickstarter

Though being successful with your first crowdfunding attempts is a great achievement, how can a small start up company use that money to achieve their long term business goals? Regular readers will recognise the name Linjer as another small business which I've been supporting since their inception (via Indiegogo) a couple of years ago. I thought it would be interesting to ask Linjer's two owners Roman and Jenn about their fundraising:

"Before Linjer was founded, the idea was to create a high end, affordable leather bag. The manufactures we use usually do extremely large orders per month and with Linjer producing far less, the use of Indiegogo made it easier to barter with them without having to make a large financial investment. There was a good few months of planning and product management before going ahead. Apart from design and manufacturing, building hype with marketing (social media) was a must."

Roman & Jenn, - Linjer

While they set the goal for funding at a certain level, Roman and Jenn made the wise decision to put in 25% from their own money, which gave them a great headstart to reaching their desired goal. They recently launched their second Indiegogo campaign and the future is looking bright for this online store.

I can honestly say that crowdfunding is paving the way for lots of cool products and having access to niche brands is always a good thing - from socks to veg-tanned briefcases , perhaps it's time to start creating your own future through crowdfunding.

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Back but never left.

April 19, 2015, 1:38 am

≫ Next: Men's Biz

≪ Previous: I Need A Dollar

When it comes to menswear, never listen to others, just to yourself. Wear what makes you feel at ease, observe a lot and grab details around.

-Luca Rubinacci

In 2011 they said it was right on trend, a few years later they said it was gone for good - Now it looks like the double breasted jacket is back again, popping up in all of the new winter collections here in Australia. To be honest I love a tailored double-breasted jacket and the silhouette that it gives whilst done up, is very flattering. Not to mention the extra warmth and security a double breasted jacket brings in the colder months.

I know very well that a double breasted jacket isn't everyone's "cup of tea", but then what would personal style be if it appealed to every single person? And it's not just about the classic 6x2 buttoning, there are many variations: 6x1,6x3,4x2 (Known as "The Kent" after the Duke of Kent),4x1, even the very formal 2x1 button combination.

And DB style doesn't stop there - it can also be worn as a sports jacket or even a dinner suit. So what are your thoughts, Is it back or did it never go?
For me personally it has never gone out of style, nor will it. Classics never die.

Here I'm wearing a fine pinstripe from Melbourne brand Godwin Charli, other places to find the DB here in Australia are MJ Bale, Farage, Oscar Hunt, David Jones and Myer to name a few.

Roberto Mararo - DB Sports Jacket

Quilted DB

Tom Ford wearing a DB Dinner suit / Tuxedo

Suit, Pea-coat, Shirt & Tie by Godwin Charli

Pochette by Breuer

Gloves by Aaron Cheung

Shoes by Carmina

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Men's Biz

April 22, 2015, 1:37 am

≫ Next: The Militant Movement

≪ Previous: Back but never left.

I've had the same barber since I was about 14 years old.

- Victor Cruz

There is definitely an abundance of barber shops here in Melbourne and in an effort to stand out from the crowd, most of them will go the extra mile by offering good old fashioned personalised service and perhaps even a beverage on the house to accompany your new haircut.

Men's Biz started out life as an online store but opened up a bricks and mortar shopfront in Melbourne's CBD last year.

With a beautiful array of products ranging from toothpaste through to straight razors, Men's Biz came to the obvious conclusion that adding a barber to their list of services was the next step in growing their business. They decided to go the traditional route and hired a classically trained Italian barber who was skilled enough to give their clients the full treatment (Shave, Hair cut, Beard & Moustache trims and skincare).

Earlier this year I was honoured and lucky enough to be asked to star in a video showcasing what the store has to offer. Yes it was relaxing and yes I really did go through the process! The best news of all is that they're very well priced and have all of the right products on hand, making it a one-stop grooming shop.

At the grand opening of their first store in the Royal Arcade.

Services offered:
Hot Towel Shave, $35
Haircut, $35
Haircut & Shave Combo, $60
Hair Clipper Cut, $25
Hair Tidy Up, $15
Beard Trim without Shaved Neckline, $15
Beard Trim with Shaved Neckline, $25
Hot Towel Head Shave, $30
Moustache Trim, $5

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The Militant Movement

April 28, 2015, 9:19 pm

≫ Next: Layers & Patterns

≪ Previous: Men's Biz

The connection between dress and war is not far to seek; your finest clothes are those you wear as soldiers.

Virginia Woolf

War has been a huge part of world history; it has been going on for centuries and in some way, shape or form all of our lives have been affected by it.

Apart from changing landscapes and dividing nations, conflict has created some momentous shifts in our culture - from modes of transport to clothing staples - Every instrument, vehicle and uniform was created to serve a practical purpose for the soldier; whether it be camouflage or a pair of thermal long johns designed to protect from the elements.

Some of the most popular garments that were originally designed for the military but have managed to find a way into most of our wardrobes include chinos (cotton drill pants), felt hats, roll-neck jumpers, moleskin (among other fabrics) shirt jackets, safari style field jackets and of course (balmoral) boots.

I've decided to list some of the most notable pieces below:

Drill chinos/trousers:

Drill is stout durable cotton with a strong bias (diagonal) in the weave. A versatile fabric, the most common use of drill in uniforms and casual wear is in the form of khaki.

Felt hats:

One of the oldest materials known to man, felt is a fabric made from a process of interlocking fibers of wool or fur by using friction, heat and moisture. This process accounts for a finished product that is extremely smooth, highly resilient and more impervious to water.

Rollneck aka Polo Neck:

The roll neck was made to keep the ultra icy winds out whilst sailors were on the high seas and it was also utilized by pilots with open cockpits. A very comfy garment, the rollneck moves with the body - it can also accentuate the jawline and elongate the figure.

Moleskin jackets:

Moleskin is a heavy cotton fabric, woven and then sheared to create a short, soft pile on one side. The word is also used to describe clothing made from this fabric, as well as adhesive pads stuck to the skin to prevent blisters.
Clothing made from moleskin is noted for its softness and durability and in some cases can also be windproof.

Boots:

Boots were designed to be worn as a form of functional footwear -designed to protect the foot and/or leg from water, snow, mud and hazards, or to provide additional ankle support for strenuous activities; for example during war time. Some boots are even insulted with fur for extra warmth during snow seasons.

Field Jacket from Herringbone
Military Shirt Jacket from Ebay
Roll Neck from River Island
Drill Chinos by Hermen Menswear
Fedora by Christy's London (City Hatters)
Balmoral Boots from Meermin

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Layers & Patterns

May 4, 2015, 4:45 am

≫ Next: How to - Ebay

≪ Previous: The Militant Movement

Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way

- Edward de Bono

Layering goes hand in hand with the freezing weather conditions and unexpected rain showers of autumn and winter, but how does one layer successfully and what do you do when multiple patterns are involved? These are just a couple of the questions that I get asked quite regularly so I thought I'd devote this post to the fine art of winter layering.

In essence there are four main points to layering that can be used in all elements of your life (not just your wardrobe):

1) Scale
2) Colour
3) Shape
4)Texture

My first rule of thumb involves patterns of opposing size and scale. If a pattern is going to sit on top of another pattern then you should always try to mix large and small shapes, making it easier for people to focus on you and your outfit.

You can get some really effective layering happening by working with a single colour palette. For example, if you create a whole outfit around a particular shade of blue, you can break up the monotony by using different patterns to give your look character and depth.

Let's say that you've decided to wear a navy suit as your foundation colour - You could try pairing it back with a contrasting striped shirt (perhaps in brown) and a navy tie. Or you could step the contrast up again by using a green tie with a large motif pattern which would compliment the navy and brown.

Another option may be a grey vest or cardigan, which would pop against the navy suit. Use the white from your shirt as your neutral tone and incorporate that shade into a pocket square. It's tricky and a lot to remember but this can be done with as little as only two colours (in this case navy and brown) and one neutral (white).

For an experiment or a little homework, try laying your clothes out on the bed and use these methods to visualise a final outfit before wearing. You can even photograph it and email me for my opinion, I'm always happy to help.

All photos by Jarrod Hyde Photography

Jacket by Ralph Lauren (from ebay)

Shirt by Eredi Libero

Tie by Biagio Santo

Cardigan by Hermen Menswear

Gilet by River Island

Jeans by Denham

Watch by Nixon

Sunglasses by Bailey Nelson

Boots by Jeffrey West

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How to - Ebay

May 11, 2015, 2:04 am

≫ Next: What's the time, Mr Nixon?

≪ Previous: Layers & Patterns

I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living

- John D. Rockefeller

Gambling takes both luck and skill and my chosen form of gambling comes in the guise of buying clothing through eBayauctions.

The main question people ask when I say a piece from my wardrobe has been purchased through online bidding, is how do I know something will fit without trying it on? The answer is something I can't stress enough…

Learn your measurements:

Across the back of your shoulders
Chest circumference and half chest
Waist (stomach) circumference and half waist (for jackets, shirts and pants)
Sleeve length (Mainly what you desire)
Jacket length (Suit, Sports, Overcoat, Shirt)
Outer & Inner Leg lengths (pant and shorts
U-Rise (front center waistband, between the legs and to the back of the center waistband)
Thigh, Calf and Seat
Foot width and length (Longest point and widest width)

With all of these calculations we’re looking for desired finished measurements if possible, so collect together the clothes that fit you best and take measurements from them whilst they are laid flat. For trousers, make sure to take note of the u-rise, as this will determine where your new pants or shorts will sit on your waist/hips.

When it comes to shoes it can be a little more difficult as shoes will differ in padding, shape and toe box size. As our feet aren't perfect triangles, asking the eBay seller for an innersole measurement then taking at least 1.5 inches off will give you a more accurate idea of size. With the width, if your foot is 4 inches wide, then depending on if the shoes are new or old will determine what you should go for. If new then 4 inches inner width would suffice as more will stretch and if used push towards 4.25 inches, as they are less likely to stretch further.

In conclusion, everything that is learnt can be put to practice. I use everything I talk about on this blog everyday and save a lot of money in doing so. If not buying online then trying on in-store is the best practice in finding your fit for off the rack and ready to wear items. Once you know exactly what works for you, then shopping is easier and more affordable. If you're after something specific and can't find it, then don’t compromise - push it to the back of your mind because one day you’ll likely find it either online, on holiday or locally and you never know your luck - it may be on sale.

Alfred Sargent handmade shoes from Ebay

Vintage military moleskin jacket from Ebay

Jacket from Ebay (Vintage Military)

Shoes from Ebay (Alfred Sargents)

Shirt from Sartoria Rossi

Pants from Oscar Hunt Tailors

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What's the time, Mr Nixon?

May 14, 2015, 4:12 am

≫ Next: Receipe for Gluten-Free Menswear

≪ Previous: How to - Ebay

Whatever the right hand findeth to do, the left hand carries a watch on its wrist to show how long it takes to do it.

- Ralph W. Sockman

Photo by Tuyet Do

I am not lying when I say it took me around half of my life to even consider wearing a timepiece, and off the top of my head it's only been the past two or three years that I've been wearing one regularly. To be completeIy honest I don't know much about watches, apart from the odd mechanical movement and crown. For my birthday a few years back I scored a vintage watch that is older than me and still ticking strong, but that's about where my knowledge stops.

Photo by Nixon

I do, however, love being educated about different products and was really thrilled to be invited to the opening of the new Nixon store in Chadstone shopping centre a couple of weeks ago. I've known about Nixon for a while - they've got a reputation for keeping their products straightforward and word on the street is that they "make the little shit, better".

At the launch I was lucky enough to meet Willie Marshall aka Nixon's Senior Marketing Manager, who took me through the history of the brand. From their humble beginnings back in Southern California where the skate and surf culture is high, through to their alignment with all kinds of personalities; from athletes to rock-stars, retailers and loyalists, uniting them with affordable/quality watches. While they may not be the fully handcrafted timepieces that fetch 30k+, you can be guaranteed that a Nixon watch will look good and not fall apart.

Personally like the simplicity; not too many dials or gadgets, little to no numbers, a leather wristband that molds to my wrist, a dial no more than 38mm (I have small wrists) and preferably gold as it's more warmer than stainless steel or silver.

Photo by Tuyet Do

My pick of the new collection - the Sentry 38 Leather in rose gold (Brass), for all the tech-heads here are the details:

Movement:

Miyota Japanese quartz 3 hand movement.

Dial:

The dial features applied indices and custom molded hands.

Case:

38mm, 100 meter/10ATM custom solid stainless steel case, fixed stainless steel bezel, hardened mineral crystal, double gasket stainless steel crown, stainless steel screw down caseback and spring pin lugs.

Band:

21mm leather strap with stainless steel buckle.

To finish the evening off I was lucky enough to win the lucky door prize; a fully stocked whiskey barrel briefcase filled with treats from Bulliet Whiskey, Ran Ban, Bellroy and (of course) Nixon.

Photo by Tuyet Do

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Receipe for Gluten-Free Menswear

May 18, 2015, 4:56 am

≫ Next: Tweed & Mr Harris

≪ Previous: What's the time, Mr Nixon?

Gluten is a mix of two proteins found in wheat
- Live Science

While gluten isn't necessarily bad, lots of people have intolerances, causing their bodies to produce an abnormal immune response as the protein breaks down in their system.

But why am I talking about gluten intolerance and what has it got to do with menswear?

It's a perfect simile for how some people may react to man-made fibres - mainly the chemical ones, but some also made from plant cellulose (plant wall/algae) and wood pulp.

People have allergies to many different things. I'm allergic to mushrooms (all kinds). To give you a good example of my sensitivity; I recently tried some organic moisturiser which did nothing but burn my skin and leave a rash...But how could it? It was 100% organic.

Scanning through the ingredients I stumbled across "mushroom extract" and it all made perfect sense and with all of these plant based man-made fibres it's easy to see how they could cause a reaction.

It all comes down to the cellar level making up fabric of your garments. For example a polyester suit jacket won't breathe as well as natural fibre and when heat is applied it will melt and break down. There's no flexibility in the fabric and worst of all it's made from dihydric alcohol and terephthalic acid, which pretty much means that you're wearing plastic bottles.

Rayon is mainly wood pulp fibre, and although wood is natural, the techniques to turn it into rayon involve a concoction of caustic soda, ammonia, acetone and sulphuric acid. This means it can survive regular washing and wearing.

Another man-made fibre and one we all know is Nylon, derived straight from petroleum giving it a permanent chemical finish.

Now I'm not a doctor nor a scientist, but by putting two and two together you can see how easily these fibres can cause intolerances.

My thoughts on gluten free menswear?

Personally I try to steer away from them when it comes to choosing my clothing and shoes. Sometimes you can't help it (especially with footwear), but wearing socks will help put up a barrier. If anything is going close to my skin I try to consider its origins. Man has been using natural fibres like wool and cotton for thousands of years, so why stop now? If it aint broke, don't fix it.

Jacket by Stefano Veneziani
Denim Shirt by Trashness
Roll Neck by Hermen Menswear
Pants by Oscar Hunt Tailors
Sunglasses by Bailey Nelson
Boots by Meermin

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Tweed & Mr Harris

May 24, 2015, 2:39 am

≫ Next: New Profile from Articles Of Style

≪ Previous: Receipe for Gluten-Free Menswear

Confession is good for the soul only in the sense that a tweed coat is good for dandruff - it is a palliative rather than a remedy

– Peter De Vries

All photos by Jarrod Hyde

Tweed, originally called Tweel (Scottish for twill) is known for its rustic appeal and winter shielding. The name was misinterpreted by an English merchant, who thought it was trademarked "Tweed" after the River Tweed that flows through the Scottish borders.

This hardy fabric has been used in menswear to make suits, separates and overcoats for centuries and it all stems back to those roots in the Scottish Highlands. Probably the most famous of tweeds is the "Harris Tweed", a unique and protected (under the Harris Tweed act 1993) fabric, handwoven by the islanders of the Scottish Isles of Harris (Lewis, Uits & Barra) using a locally sourced wool and distinctive smelling vegetable dye.
To show the authenticity all Harris Tweed garments are stamped with an "Orb" logo.

The Harris Tweed "Orb"

In these pictures I'm wearing a Harris Tweed sports jacket that my grandfather left to me when he passed away. It was his favourite jacket and I have clear memories of him wearing it almost every day through the winter.

Surprising I haven't altered this jacket at all. I don't mind that it's a little bigger and the lapel a little smaller than what I'd usually wear - sometimes sentiment outweighs practicality.

Do you have any tweed garments that have been handed to you from others?

Herringbone weave.

Detail of the Harris Tweed hand-weave.

Jacket from my Grandfather

Scarf by John Smedley

Pants by Hermen Menswear

Gloves by Dents

Shoes by Loake Footwear

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New Profile from Articles Of Style

May 28, 2015, 5:01 am

≫ Next: How to, Corduroy

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The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention

- Oscar Wilde

I was recently approached by the gents at Articles of Style, who were interested in featuring me on the pages of their excellent website. Of course I jumped at the opportunity and I couldn't be happier with the way that the article turned out.

There's a great feeling of accomplishment when someone compliments the way that I dress and the hard work that goes into producing A Poor Man's Millions, and this story delves into a lot of detail. Here's the link if you want to check it out and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the piece.

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How to, Corduroy

May 31, 2015, 4:49 pm

≫ Next: The Barbour Cut, Quilted Jackets

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After all we did for Britain, selling that corduroy and making it swing, all we got was a bit of tin on a piece of leather
- George Harrison

The twisted fibres of corduroy are woven to lie parallel against each another, giving the fabric it's distinctive 'cord'. Known to be quite durable, corduroy is usually produced from cotton and in all essence it's really just a rigid form of velvet.

Amazingly the fabric dates back to 200 AD in Egypt and in the 20th century it became a popular choice for children's wear, then sports and military garb. In 1960-70s corduroy became a worldwide staple in the form of jeans and jackets - influenced greatly by The Beatles, who were known to sport corduroy suits, jackets, pants and even hats, spiking a surge in the fabric's popularity.

I'm starting to find a lot of inspiration in "Stockholm" style; where the art of layering and fabric blending seems like second nature. This cord field jacket was another recent Ebay purchase and fits perfectly into my winter wardrobe, mixing well with my suiting and smart-casual wear.

In these photos I have mixed my corduroy with denim, flannel, shantung and cotton.
I would definitely recommend giving fabric mixing a go, especially to add or take away warmth. As we speak I have a pair of vintage Ralph Lauren cord pants being altered to take me through the rest of the Australian winter. It looks to me like another "old man" classic can be easily brought into the modern day with a little tailoring.

Vintage Corduroy Jacket from Ebay

Denim Jacket from River Island

Shirt & Flannel Trousers from Oscar Hunt Tailors

Shantung Tie from Biagio Santo

Shoes from Santoni via Ebay

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The Barbour Cut, Quilted Jackets

June 3, 2015, 7:46 pm

≫ Next: Scarves & How To Wear Them!

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Wherever men need to be protected, Barbours will do it for you
- Dame Margaret Barbour

The Barbour jacket is as British as high tea, polo and the Queen (who has been known to sport the Barbour Beaufort). But what was once known as an upper class rural brand has caught on with fashion editors and celebrities alike, and is now successfully walking the tightrope between fashion and function.

I was always intrigued by the Barbour and for a long time the only thing that stopped me from buying one was working out which style would be the right fit for my frame. I loved the quilted jackets but had tried on a Chelsea, which was far too big for me and it seemed impossible to find an xs in Australia.

One evening I received a text from a friend sharing the news that he was going to buy himself a Barbour. He explained how the Liddesdale (part of the Barbour Heritage collection) was a tailored cut which would suit both of our builds.

An online search began immediately and we ended up finding a website called Country Attire, which has a handy sizing chart where you can input your measurements and be given a size and style range to choose from. It was an amazing service and made committing to the purchase 1000 x easier.

It was around two weeks later that the jackets arrived and mine was an almost perfect fit, bar some excess length on the sleeve. The Barbour quilted jacket was finally mine and quickly became a wardrobe staple on chilly evenings and in the winter.

Images courtesy of Long "Rocker" Nguyen

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