Australian Members - Page 1370

Michael Sy, I think you'll enjoy this from Ethan Newton:
What is luxury?
Relationships of substance and value with all the people in your world. The man who cuts your meat, grows your vegetables, fits your shoes, pulls your coffee.
Luxury is not being a slave to fashion, nor trend. Not shopping on sale, only to have more of what is not right. Luxury is having only in your life what is correct and right, and when the time is right.
Luxury is having an extra hour every day to read the paper, eat toast with your love before you leave the house, sit in a park at lunch and watch the grass grow. Even if it means you'll never drive an S-Class Mercedes or send your children to Knox.
What is value?
Value is paying 20 or 30 percent extra not to shop on sale. Value is the extra 50c it might cost to have a coffee that is truly superb, or the extra $30 a year you might tip your barista to remember that you like a single sugar and the milk extra hot.
Value isn't cheap. Value costs money, but it also costs time and consideration. Because if you value yourself, you don't skimp on what's important - time, quality, integrity.
It's one way of looking at things. It's the way Ethan looks at things, at least. Perhaps it's the right way, perhaps it's wrong. I don't know. Ethan's style of writing certainly romanticises it in such a way that it seems like the only conclusion. It's not. You have to decide what is/isn't fair
On the one occasion I wore the Metro cotton jacket, I wore a white t-shirt, the jacket (in blue) and jeans. But dress is as much about context as anything else. I work in an ad agency and have a very lax dress code. I don't even have to wear a collared shirt, unless I'm seeing a client, and even then it's not mandatory. Go figure. The more time I spend on StyleForum, the more I enjoy learning from those much more informed than I on the history of classic menswear (fxh, in particular, is very well informed and always helpful with offering constructive guidance). However, there's another side to the whole thing for me. I also think, 'fuck it' about "rules". I'm 25 years old. Sometimes, I wish I had known more about collar gap or shoulder divots at 19, but would it have added any real meaning to my life at that stage? Probably not. They're clothes and as much as we like them, they're just that. Clothes. Wear whatever you like, make "mistakes" and have fun.

TBMs post from ethan has always resounded well with me.
Luxury for me is having a day off when others are at work, pouring an exceptional coffee or spending time with my wife and kid.
Value i think is different from person to person because everyone has their own criteria and "values".
Re sportscoat if you want sub $400 you may need to stick to thrifting or mainstream brands like a sportscraft if you havent found what you are after at mjbale or the bone. Nothing wrong with these if it fits. You can work towards a mtm or bespoke piece later in life

Sportscraft have a couple of cotten linen half lined sports coats which appear versitile for both work and play. There is a linen/cotton navy which looks ok on.
http://www.sportscraft.com.au/jackets/wendell-hounds-tooth-jacket/w1/i15793482_1001508/
http://www.sportscraft.com.au/jackets/brixton-regular-fit-jacket/w1/i13767219_1001508/

Yes, this is def. what I will need to do until I can get back to exercise. A little boring and requires some self control (oh no!).
A little catch up on a few things discussed over last few days...
thebrownman - I lost a decent chuck of weight early last year (about 20kgs). Originally suffered through, then got a few decent things that could be altered altered, then sold or donated a lot of clothes and basically started again, which in a way was good as I could use the lessons learnt from making the mistakes over the years (your point about making mistakes and learning what works for you is so true). Slowly rebuilding a classic and versatile wardrobe, and once I got to a weight I was happy with I got myself as P Johnson number (MTM is good as apart from anything else having spent that much on a piece of clothing you are determined to stay in shape to wear it).
My advice for now, if you are still changing shape, is to get one suit altered as best as can be and just accept that it can will only serve you for a while and will prob. not be able to be sold on (thinking for your job and lifestyle you prob only need one good suit). Then once you are happy go for the P Johnson (or other MTM) number you really want. In the meantime if you need a little menswear purchase brighten up your week, shoes, pocket square, ties (though you prob have little use for them), socks or watches are the way to go. Good luck with it.
Mr Sy - in terms of sportscoats, I have said it before and I will say it again, if you can figure out your size, Boglioli is a good choice (if you do a search on this forum or my posts you should find place to get them within your price range and hear more on my views, I have 3 and am very happy with them). In the same vein re LBM 1911, Lardini and Piombo, but you may have to take the risk with sizing (though I believe places like Yoox and farfetch have good (and poss. free) returns policies).
PoP and fxh - great to read your views and discussions on monks, in particular black ones with double straps. I am still making up my mind and value your opinions. Realistically though most people will care less so I (obviously) need to please myself (and am having a bit of a relove of my black shoes at the moment) and hope that I do not end up in an important meeting with PoP/fhxh type chap judging me(!) if I get black double monk shoes. Really enjoy your in depth analysis. Am meeting Mr Nice Guy Nelson next week to look at a couple of his monks and get a better idea of what I want.
And to whoever asked where I box, I go to a place in Prahran, though only training, not fighting (however might consider that in the new year).
#apologies for fxh length post
#rambling in pink socks