Australian Members

blahman said:

In all seriousness casual suits can be a little out of place in Australia since suits are seen to be for work and for toffs and casual means jeans and t-shirts. Casual suits make most people's head explode.
My mid blue Versace Collection cotton suit hasn't ever got to be used as a suit at all: I have always worn the jacket as SC with chinos/jeans and the trousers as loud fun pants. Just couldn't find occasion to wear it as a suit.

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Thats a shame Blahman, am all for well tailored, beautiful cotton suits. Was talking with Vic the other day at Harrolds - he hasnt seen a cotton suit in there for years. Am going to talk with Patrick J next month about a couple of cotton suits, Gieves and Hawkes style suits, ie slightly heavier polished cotton, beautifully tailored. See what he can come up with.

RemyMichel said:

To cover exorbitant rents? Melbourne has retail rents that make it into the top 5 cities in the world (and ave rents in sydney are higher). A joke if you compare the spending done in other cities in the world like NYC, London, Paris, Hong Kong and so on.

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Nailed in one. You are exactly correct RM.

The Ernesto said:

It's true rents are ridiculous, but Australian retail has been ripping people off for decades and now it's biting them on the arse.
Have a read of this...
http://www.smh.com.au/business/david-jones-forced-to-walk-a-new-path-20120323-1vp6l.html
In particular:
In international retailing circles, Australia is often referred to as ''Treasure Island'', where the prices at which we mug punters buy goods are far higher than those in most of the rest of the world. And this is why ''price harmonisation'' is the term our retailers hate to hear.
and
As one retail investor concisely summed it up: ''The insider trading on retail pricing is dead. Thanks to the internet, consumers have all the pricing information.'' The profit gross margin in Australia on discretionary goods now runs at between 15 and 50 per cent. Experts say this simply cannot last.

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Ernesto - thanks for posting this. It sums it up very succinctly. Was interesting to see Bernie Brookes (Myer CEO) on Lateline or something yesterday admitting to these messages. People are better informed, they are sick of being ripped off and "it will take Myer several years to recover customer confidence". The fact that I see some of my colleagues here still willing to part with their hard earned cash on RL at $1000 for a jacket is bemusing to me to say the least. You guys have got to get smarter with your parting of coin. For that coin, you could get two jackets in the States, one in each colour. I fail to understand why there is still support for these retailers who unashamedly continue to treat the customer base here in AU as mugs. Even at $500, ie assuming they are offering you a 50% discount (from how I read the previous posts) their products are over priced, they still making huge margins because its rubbish they are selling. Compare RL in the States and you dont see the same rubbish in their stores, you see far better quality, better fabrics etc and they are still cheaper than what we are paying here. RemyMichel may be able to better comment on the Ownership structure of RL/Oroton/Witchery/MJ Bale etc here in AU. I understand they all come under the same licensing company, content with high margins on rubbish. As has been alluded to here already, thier days are numbered....Bernie Brookes can see the writing on the wall very clearly, shame for the DJs shareholders that Paul Zahra is completely ignorant to it and seems to be continuing to push high end labels from the bottom end of the quality scales at premium costs, and expects we are all a bit dumb to it.

Anyone ever bought Sanders shoes from the UK? If so any views on them, a Fine Pair of Shoes are having a sale and there is a pair I want http://www.afinepairofshoes.co.uk/collections/sanders-price-asc the Jude brown but only in a F sizing. My hoofs being in some cases borderline F/G I wonder if I could get a away with the F? Next step find a ruler and pray.

I bought a pair of Sander's Judes from AFPOS a few months ago and I can't fault their service. Use the no VAT discount code that can be found on their website to save yourself a bit more. I can't comment on the width seeing as I have no problems there, but in terms of length they fit true.

To play devil's advocate on the economics-of-retail thing for a second: it is a little unfair to compare prices in Australia with those in the US unreservedly. If you're selling 10x larger volumes you can afford to make less margin on each item. This logic doesn't apply to a lot of stuff though (digital downloads to pick an obvious example).

tobiasj said:

To play devil's advocate on the economics-of-retail thing for a second: it is a little unfair to compare prices in Australia with those in the US unreservedly. If you're selling 10x larger volumes you can afford to make less margin on each item. This logic doesn't apply to a lot of stuff though (digital downloads to pick an obvious example).

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Yes, good point, volumes (economies of scale) have to have an impact, I agree. 280 million people vs 22 million (is that what we are here now??). Was interesting to see where the growth in jobs is heading and coming from. Alan Kohlers chart last evening - retail is slumping, healthcare rising dramatically, terrifying thought really.



Windowpane1967 said:

Yes, good point, volumes (economies of scale) have to have an impact, I agree. 280 million people vs 22 million (is that what we are here now??).  Was interesting to see where the growth in jobs is heading and coming from.  Alan Kohlers chart last evening - retail is slumping, healthcare rising dramatically, terrifying thought really.

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If you were to ask me to pick the next bubble I'd have a hard time choosing between education and healthcare...

Chaps, I know this gets asked and answered every other week, but I did a quick search and hundreds of results came up. Can you well informed Melbourne SFers give me a quick recommendation for a good quality (and reasonably priced if possibly)/recommended Melbourne based tailor, preferably conservative business dress or South East Inner City based but appreciate any advice.

Bought a Boglioli linen glen check unlined coat from ebay (like this http://www.styleforum.net/t/297107/unstructured-boglioli-linen-sportcoat-52it-42r-grey-glen-plaid) and despite it being the same size as the other Boglioli coat I have (which fits perfectly), I think it could do with a few small alterations (might post photograph for advice if I am feeling brave/stupid), possibly sleeves shorten (they are functional though), and waist tapered a little more. Fits pretty well but think it could be better and for an OTR ebay buy happy to spend a little on alterations (though would want them done before I leave for Scotland a week on Wednesday).

Any quick advice appreciated. Who do you chaps use/trust?

Gentleman,

I currently have a customer that wants to return a Filson NWT 70222-Tan Medium Duffle Bag to the US, and I though there might be someone in Australia that might be interested. The bag retails for $295USD and you wouldn’t have to pay any international shipping or customs fees. Please PM me if you are interested along with your best offer.

Cheers,
FilsonGuy

There is a SF'er who works in the QV building on Lonsdale street. Tweed jacket, white PS, some nice brown shoes. Who are you.



streetminimal said:

There is a SF'er who works in the QV building on Lonsdale street. Tweed jacket, white PS, some nice brown shoes. Who are you.

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Not everyone who dresses half decently learnt it from online forums.

And vice versa.

Not everyone who uses online forums dresses well.

Don't ask for examples.



fxh said:

Not everyone who dresses half decently learnt it from online forums.
And vice versa.
Not everyone who uses online forums dresses well.
Don't ask for examples.

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Think I might fall into both categories there.

If I see a well dressed chap under the age of 50 (no offence to our older wiser members) in Australia, I usually think they must have at least stumbled on Style Forum etc at some point.



fxh said:

Not everyone who dresses half decently learnt it from online forums.
And vice versa.
Not everyone who uses online forums dresses well.
Don't ask for examples.

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I dunno, what are the options:
1) Styleforum
2) Your dad
3) ...?

Guys I will be picking up the members ties from DHL after work. Pics to follow over the weekend.

All those that have paid, thanks very much. Those outstanding if I get the payment through by midday Sunday then it will be express posted off Monday.

Ta
Jason