Weekend Reflections x Mocha Salt

An Aussie brand having a crack, I'm always about that. . Mocha Salt are based on Sydneys northern beaches and are giving the mens swim market a solid nudge. This label is making contemporary menswear for poolside and coastal living. A slick range of plain and printed swimming trunks and plain t-shirts mean they are sticking to what they know and not trying to be all things to all people, I like that. I love the beach to cafe to bar wardrobe concept,  which is essential on Australias east coast. The fact that you can turn swimming trunks into walk shorts is really cool. Add a long sleeved linen shirt and a pair of espardrills and you're all sorted for your post swim hangs...Anyways, here I am at home (in Bondi) pretending I am on the Amalfi coast cruising the shoreline in really comfy threads. If you like your poolside or coastal lifestyle, check out these guys..

shorts and t-shirt x mochasalt.com

hat x strandhatters.com.au

towel x communebondi.com

sunglasses x baileynelson.com.au

images x vassi.com.au

FASHION INDIE // G-STAR RAW

WORKWEAR AS FASHION HAS BEEN A BIG DEAL SINCE THE 50's. We live in a denim nation, everyone wears it in some way shape or form. Many of you know I grew up on a farm, so I have some heritage in these pieces. This look is very much a casual, fun, Indie ensemble. From the rock n' roll stage to your local pub, it's hard to go wrong with these hardwearing, workwear inspired outfits. Double denim is one of my favourite kits to put together, the secret to its success is to be sure the two denims don't match the same. Also consider putting a colour between them to break up the two denims like this example. If the weather is cooler, just add your favourite leather jacket to layer over the top to great effect.

This is G-Star raw denim jeans and Levis sleeveless trucker jacket. Underneath is Brooklyn denim henley shirt, covered up with Jack Smith flannel shirt and down below are Belstaff boots that have been all the way to Iceland and America already in their short life. Akubra 'Capello' hat and Pacifico Optical wire frames complete the outfit.

The lineup-

Akubra Capello from Strand Hatters // strandhatters.com.au

Pacifico Optical wire frames // pacificooptical.com

Levis trucker jacket // levis.com.au

Jack Smith flannel shirt // unavailable 

Brooklyn denim henley // brooklyndenimco.com

G-Star raw denim // g-star.com

Belstaff boots // belstaff.co.uk

Photography // Vassi Lena

THE MIDNIGHT SHIFT // WIL VALOR BESPOKE SUIT

TODAY I'M TAKING MONOCHROME TO DARK, DARK PLACES. Many of you know of of my love of the colour blue and monochromatic palettes, so I thought I'd show you one of my favourite cooler climate ensembles. I have paired my bespoke suit in midnight with a black window pane check with a midnight blue merino turtle neck. Accessories are a black silk pocket square gold frame aviators and blue velvet slippers. This is the kind of outfit I wear to cocktail events in Winter/ Spring.

In creating a look like this my process is three steps. Step #1 Comfort, check the weather as comfort is first and foremost. Step #2 Audience, is it an event, friends or clients that I will see today, and whats appropriate. Step #3 Feeling, my personal style is a representation of how I feel every time I step out the front door.

For this ensemble, I started with my bespoke navy and black window pane check suit and added the midnight merino wool turtleneck sweater. Accessories are a black silk pocket square, gold frame aviators and blue velvet slippers. Warm, comfy and event appropriate, see the line up of designer, bespoke and high street labels below.

The Lineup

Wil Valor bespoke suit // wilvalor.com

Uniqlo turtleneck sweater // uniqlo.com

Aquila pocket square // aquila.com.au

Vivienne Westwood slippers // viviennewestwood.com

Ray-Ban sunglasses // ray-ban.com

SPRING FLING // ACNE WHITE DENIM

I KNOW WHITE DENIM isn't everyone's cup of tea however, when Spring rolls around and the flowers are in bloom, fresh white denim gives every outfit a lift. White literally goes with everything. The trick with white denim is to get the fit right, too tight and the Australian Ballet will be calling, too loose and it's the Navy giving you a bell.

As it's still quite mild, I've paired together a light weight silver grey merino wool turtleneck and dark green deconstructed washable wool blazer for ease of movement and warmth. The accessories are casual but tie in with these Spring tones nicely. Brown suede double monk strap shoes (crazy comfy, even sans socks) is reaching the outer limits of darkness to pair with these Acne white denim jeans. Tan, grey or navy shoes would work just as well. The lapel detail is actually two silk knots (used as cufflinks) for a change. Sunglasses start to get a workout as the weather warms up and the light gets  brighter.

Try this ensemble for a weekend lunch date or casual Friday. If the green is pushing it, throw a navy blazer on instead.

The Lineup

Andrea Ventura shoes // www.andreaventurashoes.com

Hunting Hues pocket square // huntinghue.com

MJ Bale silk knots // www.mjbale.com/insta-shop.html

Pacifico optical // www.pacificooptical.com/a/shopinsta

Acne denim // www.acnestudios.com

MJ Bale blazer // www.mjbale.com/insta-shop.html

Uniqlo turtleneck // www.uniqlo.com/au

Photography by Vassi Lena // www.vassi.com.au

URBAN COWBOY // HERRINGBONE

YOU WANT TO GET DOWN and party amongst the rust and dust? Heavily influenced by one of my style icons Clint Eastwood and western films from my childhood, the urban cowboy brings the wild west to the city. There are so many heroes in this ensemble, that hat, those jeans and Gucci press stud western shirt all come together in this mash up of genres. Not to dismiss the suede boots, neck scarf and belt (vintage) and killer sunglasses from Pacifico however, this look takes many elements to perfect. I wore this outfit to see 'The Kills' live at the Enmore Theatre and felt right at home amongst all the rock n roll die hards. I really enjoy bringing an event specific look together and to feel completely connected to the environment I'm in without losing my personal sense of style. And no they are not leather jeans mum, cool your jets..

Herringbone are known for their luxury suiting and this velvet jacket is cut from the same heritage. So well cut and comfortable all at the same time. This blazer can be worn formal with a dinner shirt, black tuxedo trousers and bowtie or casual with a t-shirt and distressed denim. Versatility is the key to my wardrobe and the Herringbone dark chocolate velvet blazer fits in nicely.

The Lineup

Hudson suede boots // www.hudsonshoes.com

Balenciaga wax denim // www.balenciaga.com

Gucci shirt // www.gucci.com

Herringbone vevet blazer // www.herringbone.com

Akubra hat and lapel feather // www.strandhatters.com.au

Pacifico wire frames // www.pacificooptical.com