Australian Members - Part II - if you read the first post, you'll get what this is all about.

[BananaKing]

Hey all... got a question about Kamakura shirts.

If I’m a 39/15.5 in your usual shirt sizing, and the neck size is fine, but the sleeve length is a tad bit long... what sizing would I be looking at with Kamakura? So many sizing options there it boggles the mind.

I know some of us have tried them out before, which is why I’m asking

I've got some limited experience. I've got a couple of shirts in NY Slim Fit (NYSF) 39-90. And also a couple of random shirts in 40-82 Tokyo regular fit (bought a "lucky dip" bag a few years ago).

I am a slim build, athletic shape, slim neck (182cm, 72.5kg, chest 103cm, waist 78cm, collar 37.5cm, arms 88cm)

NYSF I think matches "slim fit" similar to TM Lewin or MJ Bale - but not the extreme slim fit like super slim TM Lewin, or Samurai slim of MJ Bale.

In general the NY fits will have longer arm options for the same collar/chest size compared to the Tokyo fits. And the slim fits even more extreme in longer arms options to smaller collar/chest sizes.

So if you are generally on shorter sleeve size I would check out the size charts for the Tokyo fits. I found the size chart measurements are accurately reflected in the shirt. My OCBD material sleeves shrunk ~1cm, certainly <2cm. And the collar shrunk down 1cm.

 

[Heldan]

What for? Where are you? When do you need it? You won't get much useful help unless you add some detail.

I'm in Sydney. It's for a wedding in Melbourne if the borders open one day xD
So I'm not in rush. I would rather rent one from Sydney for a week end or even better in Melbourne
I'm looking for a blue 3 piece suit

 

[ryanohare]

This is what MJ Bale is built for. Widely available, fits your budget (and much less if discounted), and lasts about one weekend (that last bit is unfair but you get my point - don’t stress too much if it’s something you’ll wear infrequently).

And for that budget you should get 2 suits from them. And still have change for a decent shirt and tie.

 

[eightace]

I've posted this elsewhere, but I thought I'd share it here. I hope you find it worth the read.

Spoiler: --- Found & lost - one solemate ---

Not so long ago, I was swiping, swiping, swiping, but not getting any matches. You know how it is.

So there I was, becoming despondent, when suddenly, a flash of inspiration descended upon me!

I remembered my wife telling me once that the first thing she noticed about me was my shoes, and it was only later that she noticed my good looks, effusive charm, sophisticated sense of humour, and property portfolio.

It all began with my shoes!

If it worked once, it could work again!

I found a photo of me looking typically dashing, but taken from an angle that highlighted my shoes. I uploaded it to my profile, sat back, and waited.

And sure enough, it had an effect. From nothing at all, I went to about one match every couple of weeks. An improvement, sure, but not enough to guarantee.…...satisfaction. Maybe I shouldn’t have used a wedding photo.

Anyway, after a month or so, I had what can only be considered a stroke of genius – why not zoom in, so to speak. And I changed my profile pic once again, to this:

And at that point, 2020 didn’t seem so bad after all.

The matches came flooding in! One after another, day after day! There were so many, I didn’t have time to deal with them all.

But I have to tell you about this one:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mid-afternoon, a notification appeared on my phone. I opened the app, and checked the profile of my new…..friend.

Blonde. Buxom. Name of Scarlett. Seconds later…

“Nice boots,” she said.

“I was going to say more or less the same thing to you.”​

“Tell me about them.”

“Well, they’re hand-made-to-order,
with Horween shell cordovan uppers in colour 8 and Veneta calf shafts.
They’ve never been worn.”​

“They’re hot AF!”

“I was going to say more or less the same thing to you.”​

“I want you to wear them for me.
My number is 04******69.
We’re meeting ASAP! This week! Today!
In an hour, if we can! Just wear them!”

“Hold your horses! Unfortunately, I can’t wear them.
In fact, soon, they won’t be mine to wear.”​

“Why’s that?” she demanded to know. I could sense a certain…..frustration.

“Well, they’re just a shade too big for me.
They’ll be ideal for someone who is 8-8.5UK”​

“How so? You said you had them made-to-order.”

“That’s correct, I did. I chose everything. The last, the leathers, the design.”​

“So what happened?”

“When I was taking the measurements, I overcompensated.”​

At this point, there was a noticeable pause in our banter for some reason. Eventually, she continued:



“What are you going to do with them?”

“Well, they’ve just been sitting in their hand-made tartan bags,
next to their matching belt,
inside their heirloom-quality wooden storage box.
I take them out and admire them occasionally.
Once, I unselfishly took them outside to the Botanical Gardens
so that other people could marvel at them.
But I guess they’ll just stay under the bed,
appreciating in value.”​

“I’ve got an idea. There’s a group of sophisticated gents
whose common interest is fine menswear.
It’s called Style Forum or something.
Get in touch with them. There’s bound to be someone
with sufficient class and taste who’ll beg to take them off your hands.”

“Great idea! I’ll do just that.”​

“One more thing,” she went on.

“For you, Scarlett, anything.”​

“Let me know who gets them!”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And she’s ghosted me since.

So, gentlemen, if you’d like to know more about Scarlett (I think her surname’s Johns or Johannes or something like that), $1200 will guarantee you a match.

But if you found yourself even mildly appreciative of my tale, they’re yours for $1150.

Take off an extra $50 if you LOL’d.

OK, gotta go. I just got another match. I tell you these boots are amazing!

Get in touch. First with me. Then with your solemate.

 

[Scuppers]

I've posted this elsewhere, but I thought I'd share it here. I hope you find it worth the read.

Spoiler: --- Found & lost - one solemate ---

Not so long ago, I was swiping, swiping, swiping, but not getting any matches. You know how it is.

So there I was, becoming despondent, when suddenly, a flash of inspiration descended upon me!

I remembered my wife telling me once that the first thing she noticed about me was my shoes, and it was only later that she noticed my good looks, effusive charm, sophisticated sense of humour, and property portfolio.

It all began with my shoes!

If it worked once, it could work again!

I found a photo of me looking typically dashing, but taken from an angle that highlighted my shoes. I uploaded it to my profile, sat back, and waited.

And sure enough, it had an effect. From nothing at all, I went to about one match every couple of weeks. An improvement, sure, but not enough to guarantee.…...satisfaction. Maybe I shouldn’t have used a wedding photo.

Anyway, after a month or so, I had what can only be considered a stroke of genius – why not zoom in, so to speak. And I changed my profile pic once again, to this:

View attachment 1435733

And at that point, 2020 didn’t seem so bad after all.

The matches came flooding in! One after another, day after day! There were so many, I didn’t have time to deal with them all.

But I have to tell you about this one:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mid-afternoon, a notification appeared on my phone. I opened the app, and checked the profile of my new…..friend.

Blonde. Buxom. Name of Scarlett. Seconds later…

“Nice boots,” she said.

“I was going to say more or less the same thing to you.”​

“Tell me about them.”

“Well, they’re hand-made-to-order,
with Horween shell cordovan uppers in colour 8 and Veneta calf shafts.
They’ve never been worn.”​

“They’re hot AF!”

“I was going to say more or less the same thing to you.”​

“I want you to wear them for me.
My number is 04******69.
We’re meeting ASAP! This week! Today!
In an hour, if we can! Just wear them!”

“Hold your horses! Unfortunately, I can’t wear them.
In fact, soon, they won’t be mine to wear.”​

“Why’s that?” she demanded to know. I could sense a certain…..frustration.

“Well, they’re just a shade too big for me.
They’ll be ideal for someone who is 8-8.5UK”​

“How so? You said you had them made-to-order.”

“That’s correct, I did. I chose everything. The last, the leathers, the design.”​

“So what happened?”

“When I was taking the measurements, I overcompensated.”​

At this point, there was a noticeable pause in our banter for some reason. Eventually, she continued:



“What are you going to do with them?”

“Well, they’ve just been sitting in their hand-made tartan bags,
next to their matching belt,
inside their heirloom-quality wooden storage box.
I take them out and admire them occasionally.
Once, I unselfishly took them outside to the Botanical Gardens
so that other people could marvel at them.
But I guess they’ll just stay under the bed,
appreciating in value.”​

“I’ve got an idea. There’s a group of sophisticated gents
whose common interest is fine menswear.
It’s called Style Forum or something.
Get in touch with them. There’s bound to be someone
with sufficient class and taste who’ll beg to take them off your hands.”

“Great idea! I’ll do just that.”​

“One more thing,” she went on.

“For you, Scarlett, anything.”​

“Let me know who gets them!”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And she’s ghosted me since.

So, gentlemen, if you’d like to know more about Scarlett (I think her surname’s Johns or Johannes or something like that), $1200 will guarantee you a match.

But if you found yourself even mildly appreciative of my tale, they’re yours for $1150.

Take off an extra $50 if you LOL’d.

OK, gotta go. I just got another match. I tell you these boots are amazing!

Get in touch. First with me. Then with your solemate.

Now, i recognised boredom. (Reinforced misanthropy.)

 

[ColdEyedPugilist]

I'm in Sydney. It's for a wedding in Melbourne if the borders open one day xD
So I'm not in rush. I would rather rent one from Sydney for a week end or even better in Melbourne
I'm looking for a blue 3 piece suit

Go SuitSupply custom made... I have two three- piece suits, both done in VBC Birdseye wool, one navy and the other, dark gray. Both look the business. Either configure yourself online or do it in-store. Only takes about 3-4 weeks.

 

[Heldan]

sounds good ! There is one I really like. Blue 3 piece suits but It's with silk. I would like the same but Wool or Wool/Linen

 

[jameswang]

Does anyone know if Herman Bros & Co. in Sydney are still open?

Did you find any clues? I emailed Herman Bros & Co. in Sydney，but did not get a response.

 

[ColdEyedPugilist]

Hey guys... really tempted to get a pair of cordovan boots from Carmina. Do you know if customs will give me any crap re import taxes? Don’t mind paying extra fees, but don’t want my goods to be waiting in storage, while those rocket scientists mull over things ?

 

[chatelet]

Hey guys... really tempted to get a pair of cordovan boots from Carmina. Do you know if customs will give me any crap re import taxes? Don’t mind paying extra fees, but don’t want my goods to be waiting in storage, while those rocket scientists mull over things ?

I’ve bought from them 4 or 5 times and never been charged any taxes (or had them held in customs). Never bought anything as expensive as cordovan - always been sub $1,000 - so your experience may be different.

 

[eightace]

Hey guys... really tempted to get a pair of cordovan boots from Carmina. Do you know if customs will give me any crap re import taxes? Don’t mind paying extra fees, but don’t want my goods to be waiting in storage, while those rocket scientists mull over things ?

Cordovan boots, eh? Did you see my advert a little further up the page? I promise no import taxes, fees or storage if they happen to be what you're looking for

 

[ColdEyedPugilist]

Cordovan boots, eh? Did you see my advert a little further up the page? I promise no import taxes, fees or storage if they happen to be what you're looking for

I’m usually a 7.5 in C&J but 8 in Carmina... do you think it’ll fit?

 

[eightace]

I would say they might be a fraction too big, because I'm the same as you in C&J and Carmina.

But you're welcome to come and try them on if you're in Sydney.

 

[Geoffrey Firmin]

I’ve been wearing Globe sneakers for the past five years. The Gonzales model my son put me on to them. Solid construction and support, needed for medical reason excellent for dog walking. Had a couple of pairs at one time the dog walkers and socialisers in a tobacco suede.

Both gave up the ghost not long ago so i bought another pair, which seeing as the better living by design crowd got to them aren’t in the same league as the previous itteration.

So suggestions required. After a suede sneaker tobacco, tan or rust one that scrubs up well to socialise and can also keep pace with a 4 yo red nose pit bull on his morning constitutional.

 

[theowbert]

Hi all,

Any recommendations for a place in Sydney that offers invisible mending without costing an arm and a leg? Got a small cigarette burn hole on a coat that I want to get fixed.

Thanks in advance.