MENSWEAR + LIFESTYLE MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA
Recent posts by menswear blogger, Gabriel Rafael, from Melbourne Australia. The Latest blog posts on menswear, men’s style, men’s grooming, lifestyle, technology & much more.
I'm a fan of a simple, refined & functional transitional jacket when the seasons are about to turn. I personally can't cope with the frequent changes in temperature, thats why I always make sure to have in my arsenal a jacket that can handle that awkward in-between stage of seasons.
Click to read more about how you can incorporate one of these 6 transitional jackets to your wardrobe, and why they’re perfect to inject some style and colour into your outfit!
Read moreSome trends come and go, but certain pieces stand the test of time, a good denim jacket is a perfect example of this. I feel a denim jacket is timeless and when styled correctly can make any guy look sharp. Whether you’ve never worn one, or simply want to freshen up your denim style, the following five style tips are easy to adapt and exude an effortless chic.
I find a lot of guys fear denim jackets because as a society we have shunned wearing denim on denim. A great way to ensure you don’t commit this cardinal style sin is to don a denim jacket in a non-traditional color. I personally recommend purchasing a quality white denim jacket because it can be worn with any kind of bottom, even with denim!
An easy way to rock a denim jacket is to accessorize it with a scarf that takes the focus off of the jacket. I think this a great look for the weekend or any relaxed situation you may find yourself dressing for. Opt for a slimmer denim jacket cut a bit short to avoid having your clothes drown you in fabric.
I particularly am fan of any look that mixes casual pieces with formal ones, that’s why I suggest replacing your blazer with a denim jacket. Whether you wear your denim jacket with a buttoned down vest (like the look pictured above) or simply with a loosely tied necktie with an oxford, a denim jacket is a nice alternative to a casual blazer that is sure to make your outfit turn heads in all the right ways.
This tip is for all my friends out there that live by wearing all black throughout the year. You can maintain your sartorial cool while breaking out of the norm by layering on a light wash denim jacket that doesn’t take away from your Parisian chic style.
An interesting take on the denim jacket I’ve been seeing more of these days is the biker style denim jacket. It has the edge of a leather jacket without the thickness & warmth of one. I rather enjoy how the biker denim jacket incorporates the zippers & flair of its edgier sibling. Also, unless you live in perpetual cool weather, you’ll be able to wear the biker denim jacket more days out of the year then you would a leather jacket.
P.S. at $61, this ASOS Skinny Biker Jacket is a steal that would be hard to pass up on!
I firmly believe that every guy should have pieces in their wardrobe that will stay in style from season to season. Not only does it save you money in the long run, but more often than not classic pieces are easy to mix and match with any style. I always gravitate to clothes that have a sense of longevity, for example a dark denim jacket like this one from J.Crew will work perfect for transitional seasons & is so classic that you won't have to worry about it being out of style by next year.
I like to get great quality coats for the transition in-between seasons because if you think about it, twice a year the weather shifts into that awkward time where you require something light that doesn't add bulk to your frame. I like to mix-and-match when it comes to my personal style, so a great coat to me is something that is minimal & easily dressed up or down. The coats I picked out for you guys today are ideal layering pieces, so tell me in the comments below how you personally like to style your coats as we ease into fall.
I really don't consider it being spring until after the Easter holiday. With Good Friday & Easter Sunday behind us, its time now to start looking forward to the warmer weather of spring & the promise of summer in the horizon.
Spring is truly an amazing season, the flowers begin to bloom again & we begin to shed the layers we have been hiding under for the last few months. One thing that I am not a fan of are the Spring showers. Because of this, I pulled together a selection of essential spring coats to cover you throughout the temperamental weather we all endure during spring.
It really is nothing groundbreaking, but bright colors & patterns are just meant to be worn during spring. If you are normally not the type to wear bright colors, injecting them into your wardrobe via a jacket is a great way to test out the waters as you can simply take it off & resume your regular look with a more subdued style underneath. At the moment, I'm really digging patterns, like the KENZO jacket below.
Which one is your favorite coat? Let me know in the comments below & happy spring!!
There is a certain kind of nostalgia that comes up when you see some traditional Americana Varsity inspired looks. From high school to college, we all have a space in our hearts for collegiate style. Just because it may have been a few years, or even decades since your graduation, it doesn't mean you can't rock an effortless and chic collegiate look.
You don't have to go digging for your varsity jacket, as some brands have reimagined the look into modern and updated pieces. The following head to toe look is simple, classic and updated but yet keeps a few throwback accents to make this a modern take on the college look. This look works perfect for these last few weeks of slightly chillier weather, for example this Wallace & Barnes Baseball Bomber Jacket from J. Crew will keep you warm but doesn't scream 'winter style' by any means.
Wallace & Barnes for J.Crew Baseball Bomber Jacket / Burkman Bros Reversible T-Shirt
Bonobos Stone Cutters Slim Tailored Chinos / Nike Vintage Waffle Racer Sneakers
It's hard to stay looking good underneath the many layers that are needed to keep us warm during the winter months. A friend once asked me "Gabe, how do you suggest one can stay looking stylish and good while wearing possibly every article of clothing I own in order not to freeze outside?" My answer, pick a great durable utility jacket that functions not only as a jacket to keep you warm but also a stylish piece that will look great no matter what the temperature reads outside.
My following three picks are a few of my favorite styles of winter jackets out right now. They're not your typical puffy down jacket that your mother used to send you out the door for school, they're stylish with unique details which set them apart from all the other jackets out there. With the use of many buttons and buckles these three jackets hit the mark on the military trend that has been big over the last few seasons. The trend is so big that Authentic Apparel Group created a US Army Apparel collection in collaboration with the US Army, their Airborne Army Coat pictured below is one of my favorites to grab out the door. Another brand I love right now is Woolrich John Rich & Bros. who created the Arctic Parka picked out here in this post. For a bit more of a polished and work friendly look, there is this Baracuta Blue Label Trench Coat from their Fall/Winter 2014 collection that made its debut at Milano Moda Uomo last week. Beat the cold and look great wearing any of these three picks.
Baracuta Blue Label Trench Coat
Authentic Apparel Airborne Army Coat
Woolrich John Rich & Bros Arctic Parka
