Life & Style Blog - Politix
22 February 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Image source: Watch from Fossil, Wallet from Myer, Shoes from Politix
Twain reckons clothes make the man, and some guy called William of Wykeham said manners maketh them, and while I'm loathe to disagree with a 1300s scholar or America's most beloved author, I've got to say that I believe accessories maketh men. Why? It's all in the details: a guy with great accessories is more likely to have a discerning eye - basically; it's a great taste indicator. Maybe it's more commentary on my upbringing, but a childhood surrounded by finicky dudes in Italian leather has always left me judging men by their shoes. And for guys, accessories are largely articles you can hold onto for years, so it's worth investing in something worthwhile.
Wallet
Hey Costanza, your wallet should not appear to be a pocket-sized tumour. Simplify, go for a leather bi-fold and don't carry everything you've ever owned in it unless you've got a girlfriend to carry it in her purse for you.
Watch
Every dude has heard about the importance of a nice watch or two – having written a fair bit about luxury watches in my time (heh), I can confirm that the industry is mind-boggling. Niche sports star endorsed, diamond encrusted bezels, sapphire glass faced – the choices are epic. But to boil it down, men should have at least two watches: one dress for fanciness, one casual for everyday wear. Depending on your penchant for Kanye-West style bling, a dress watch should be streamlined, slim and with an elegant, less complicated face. Your casual watch can be the crazy chunky one that tells you stuff you don't need to know, like how far you are above sealevel or whatever.
Shoes
Now, I know you've all got dress shoes – boring or not, they're probably OK. But are you still wearing trainers with your jeans? Unless you're Jerry Seinfeld, stop that! Get yourself a clean pair of canvas laceups, some boat shoes or a moccasin. Please do not wear socks with your moccasins.
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Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Fossil, Myer, Politix, Trends
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09 December 2011, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Whether it's a new, blossoming romance and you're eager to prove how deep and creative your love is, or it's a tale as old as time where you're just trying to avoid death stares, buying presents for your significant other can prove significantly difficult. Everything else aside, expressing some form of love via gift is pretty complex - and that's essentially what a Christmas gift is. My top tips for making your loved one feel it include keeping your ears to the ground –*listen* as they inevitably drop hints about what they'd like; don't buy them a gift similar to any you've bought them recently (especially if you're in a new relationship, that sort of thing just screams "unimaginative everywhere and I mean *everywhere*"); and NEVER give cash or gift cards. Ever. EVER.
Womenfolk
Image source:
Bendon Yvette bra, $39.95, from Myer,
Stella Mini stainless steel watch in rose, $159, from Fossil,
Prada sunglasses, $400 from Sunglass Hut
Lingerie might be a bit of a classic, but it is for a reason - it's that intimate lacy thing women rarely buy for themselves. Do not go into the store and try to estimate your girlfriend's size, check in her knicker drawer first. And always err on the small side for size - nobody likes to be told they have a big butt, not even at chistmas. If your lady is a fashion fiend, she'll love a rose gold man-style watch (hottest hue, hottest style – trust me) and it's a great jewellery alternative. Otherwise? Say it with Prada.
Male-types
Image source:
Alpha jacket, $299, from Politix,
Moshi Moshi Pop Retro Phone, $49.95, from Myer,
Alessi Proust Parrot Corkscrew, $99.00, from Myer
Does your guy fancy himself a snappy dresser? He'll go all Don Draper (hopefully without the misogyny) for this retro piped blazer. Otherwise, toys. For the tech-loving nostalgia fan, how about an outrageously oversized mobile phone handset? And wine connoisseurs should have beautiful barware (and it doesn't get much more beautiful than Alessi).
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Category: Featured
Tags: Fossil, Myer, Politix
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02 September 2011, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Dear dads,
Hello! Congratulations on surviving another year of fatherhood despite the screaming ankle/ knee/ chin/ scalp biters blaming you for their failures, dismissing your influence over any triumphs and always stealing $20 out of your wallet.
As a reward for your patience and readily available wad of cash, my gift to you is this priceless guide to being a cool dad.
That's right, gents! Throw those sock-sandal combos away, because I'm going to help you transform from Dr. Karl Kennedy to the handsomest dad on TV: Don Draper. But don't worry - this miracle transformation won't turn you in to a misogynist womaniser; we'll work to retain the stellar personality and unrealised rockstar dreams that make Dr. Karl one of Ramsay Street's most attractive residents (on the inside. If Don Draper moved into Ramsay Street, Susan would be ALL OVER that man-cake*).
NASH Blazer With Contrast Black Lapel, $449.00, available at Politix;Dean Chronograph Black Dial, $179.00 , available at Fossil;STOCKHOLM Black Strap Dress Boot, $299.00, available at Politix;
Step 1: Suit up
You'd never, ever catch Don Draper in a cuddly Coogee jumper. Thick knits suggest weakness and are for farmers or small-town doctors that seem to specialise in all areas of medicine. Regardless of your stance on farmers, every man should own a killer suit, and funnily enough, retro, Draper-style suits are in vogue at the moment. Skinny ties and narrow lapels are the order of the day - keep it crisp and buttoned all the way up. The neatness of a retro-style suit is all in the fit: make sure the shoulders sit on the very edge of your natural shoulder and don't pull across the upper arm. You'll want about 1cm of cuff to peek outside of the jacket, and for the trouser leg to finish at the middle of your laces.
Step 2: Watch out
Even if mobile phones existed in the 60s, you wouldn't catch Don shuffling in his pockets to find the time like some child-wimp. He tells the time from his wrist or asks his secretary shortly before seducing her. And every man should have a killer watch or two. I say two, because the dress watch and everyday watch are different, equally important things. Don't, for example, team your scrappy leather watch with a suit; that's a classic Karl Kennedy move. You want something elegant and steel faced peeking out of your shirt sleeve to show you mean business.
Step 3: Hot shoe it
Believe me when I say that SHOES are IMPORTANT. I'm not sure what happened to leave the psychotically-obsessed-with-shoes gene out of the male conscience but let me keep it short: your shoes should never be white, leather and lace up all at the same time. Runners are for running only. Do not team them with your work jeans. (Also, I don't know how I feel about work jeans but I'm sure Karl Kennedy has a wardrobe of them). Thongs are not shoes, they're rubber socks and should be treated as such. And it's OK to buy shoes more than once every two years. I won't tell anyone.
*Are Karl and Susan still alive and together? I stopped watching Neighbours about 10 years ago.
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Category: Featured
Tags: Dad, Fossil, Politix
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