Australian Members - Page 1469

Preferably in full morning dress, with seconds who are similarly attired, and the duel has to be with sabres.

Or perhaps, to reduce the risk of injury, it could be a shoe polishing duel - the person with the shiniest toecaps in the least time wins, and the loser forfeits their shoes to the winner.

Anyway, to change the topic back to something that is hopefully less inflammatory, I've previously mentioned that I've got some of MJ Bale's long-sleeved polo shirts from a year or two back, and they are excellent, with self-fabric, shirt-style cuffs and collars and smoked mother-of-pearl buttons. I think that they were made in Italy, but don't quote me on that as I haven't looked at the tags for a long while.

I was idly browsing the MJ Bale website a couple of days back when I noticed that they had a sale on polo shirts, amongst other things, and so I was able to snaffle three of them (green, blue and blue-and-white striped) for $51 or so each. As it was my first time ordering something from the website, I also got a $20 online voucher, which more than cover the shipping cost of $11-12 and brought the total cost down further. The shirts arrived yesterday, and they are great - slim, with the same longer placket and self-fabric, shirt-style collar that I liked on my previous shirts, and still with MoP buttons. Highly recommended.

Here's a photo:




There's also a local website called "themensshop.com.au" that sells some MJ Bale stuff and they seem to have a "$50 each when you buy two or more" sale on MJ Bale polo shirts, which sounds tempting - I might have to pick up another couple.

[/quote] Misinformation is unintentional, as opposed to disinformation and "Not bad" is synonymous with "good", unfortunately.
But come on, AM shoes are just pure phugly. If we can't agree on the idea that most people (particularly SF) hate that particular last/shape, then we will never reach common ground.Perhaps it is SF groupthink, and I'm sure many in the general public think AM shoes are the good stuff. Similarly, many Aussie guys think Aquilla shoes and elf shoes are the pinnacle of menswear. I beg to differ.
And if you can't admit that City II's are pretty sweet-as, then we will never agree. Don't hate on quar, just cuz he has some awesome shoes.
[/quote]

The question has never been about the looks, for that I can agree with you and have stated so previously. It's the same for Crocs, Prada's highboy shoes or any other fashion forward, but there's obviously a market for butcher's shoes and the whole 'drape' phenom.
I personally wouldn't but City IIs because they don't suit my age but I own JL and admitted they are good quality.

Regardless, it appears that nobody actually knows how AM makes his shoe, nor do we know what materials he uses. Even though they are modern clogs (for men?), we (SF) don't know how well/poor they are made... or do we? Which is what I've been asking for.

Journeyman - I have been thinking of picking up some MJ Bale polos in that sale too since the KW sizing didn't work out for me. Have you handled any Kent Wang polos? I loved the collar on those - stands up nicely - and would hope that the MJ Bale polos do the same. I haven't handled them in person.

In fairness to AM, I think he does a lot of work for performance costumes and theatre productions, rather than for iGents. Probably something to do with a preference for a certain type of clientele.

Hence, although I personally think the majority of his shoes are "ugly" and overpriced, I can see how there may be a market for them (it's just not on this forum).

Exactly, it is just getting a little boring to have two people or so bickering.

What? You own polo shirts? How dare you!

Right, that is it. Pistols at dawn tomorrow!

I will arrange for my man to PM you this threat!

Journeyman, thanks again for steering it back to style. Speaking of MJ Bale that Xavier jacket is still on my mind. Maybe with the Carmina Uetam Loafers (back off everyone else!). Trying to stop coveting these things....I have Christmas presents (for others) to buy.

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

 

Fair enough.

btw, it's pretty ironic that AM studied at Lobb, lol.

http://www.menstylepower.com/2012/06/bespoke-footwear-designer-andrew-mcdonald/

God, you couldn't make this up. Hilarity.

Fair enough, elvish.

 

btw, AM studied at Lobb. lol, the irony!

http://www.menstylepower.com/2012/06/bespoke-footwear-designer-andrew-mcdonald/

You see. My point is. You don't need to know how he makes them or what materials he uses. You just need to pick a pair up in your hands and look at the soles and look at the uppers. It doesn't take a genius to pick a Rendenbach sole from whatever he is using. It doesn't take a genius to see how average the welting is either, even if they are hand welted. You can see it in the pictures. I don't care where Gaziano & Girling get their leather from. I can tell it's good stuff by the way it feels and the way it ages. I don't think going to talk to or watch AM is going to give you much useful information. He is hardly going to say, "Oh yeah, I don't but my soles from Rendenbach because they are too expensive. You should buy Edward Green shoes if you want better materials."

Can people stop have arguements over the internet, please. It is so fucking childish. (Ear to fucking ear).

 

Lachyzee,

 

I am going to try a KW Polo and also a Vastrm Polo. I am giving MJ Bale a miss, because considering their shirts don't fit me, I assume the polos will be the same. Ralph Lauren is expensive and the quality/fit isn't there - I also like to steer away from big brands.

 

http://www.styleforum.net/t/323503/vastrm-fashion-official-affiliate-thread . Vastrm is new on the block and allows you to customise your polo and make adjustments to the shirting measurements. I am having a couple of different sizes sent out to me to really get the fit, material and collar correct. Jonathan is great at CS.

 

Will let you know how it goes. 

MS, is this a blanket policy you apply to all goods or just your recent interest in updating your wardrobe?

I have two KW's. The Navy and the White. Both are disappointing. The fabric wasn't very colourfast, and looked very average from Day 1. I hear the Gray is softer and more robust. I wouldn't buy any KW's again. They have a nicely made collar, but the fabrics are subpar.

Thanks for your opinion man.

Who owns any of the Land's End long sleeve polos?

IMO, long sleeve polos look best on someone in peak physical condition (if you're under 40) or if you've got a proud, big gut and you're an old man. There's something daggy about them on the average person.

Interesting. I liked them but, of course, never washed them since I returned them. I had heard nothing but good things.

It is a recently, blanketed interest, that developed whilst I was upgrading my wardrobe policy.

Cheers for your thoughts on the KW polos, Quar.