We have a conscious effort within the Barclays team to improve the footwear choices of Australian men. We have been noticing around Martin Place that men are making a more consistent effort with their formal shoes.
Casual Fridays bring out a whole list of characters that you wish were left at the back of the cupboard. Runners with Jeans...thongs from the convenience store...scuffed square-toed white snakeskin slip ons. We know that in summer men are looking for something that breathes and is versatile.
Perfect for wearing with shorts, casual fridays (the black lace or flat front) Swims (of Norway) are the must haves of this year. Already huge in the US and Europe (particularly the Nordic regions - where loafers actually originated); Swims of Norway specialise in rain ready footwear with a range from Galoshes (those things you wish you had when it starts raining and you are wearing your suede brogues - just slip them over your shoes and keep everything dry), to waterproof oxfords, and particularly loafers.
I saw them a year and a half ago at Project in Las Vegas and fell in love.
So, wasting no more of your time...get shopping...here @ barclays sydney
Summer is definitely on its way and it is gearing up to be a hot one! Saturday of last weekend (and the proposed 34 degrees for tomorrow) Sydney really put on a show with a warm temperature and beautiful blue skies.
Our lack of ozone, hot temps and love for everything outdoors in Australia has meant that protecting our skin is at the fore-front of social issues over the next couple of months. Obviously getting a good sun screen is essential.
For all you men out there who head down to the beach with mates, often the others do not want to "put the lotion on YOUR skin". Problem? Sun screen in an aerosol can...Solution! Just spray and lay.
And every year down at the beach at about this time one of the major news services heads down to Bondi and gets some footage of all of the young sun-bathers and puts it in the evening news along with content close to the tune of "doctors warn of the potential for skin cancer when getting a tan". Definitely the older you get, the more you realise that getting a tan is not the most important thing; but try explaining that to the younger generation who have been waiting all year to do so.
In many other countries getting a tan is actually avoided at all costs, as it suggests that these people are of a lower socio-economic stature and hence have to work menial tasks in the outdoors. A lot of reasoning Australians give for valuing a tan is that it shows that you spend time outdoors and hence are 'healthier'. Value systems and differences between cultures are sometimes dichotomies which offer an insight into lifestyle and day to day life.
All I can say is slip, slop, slap. Enjoying time in the sun and on the beach is important and will always be very much a part of Australia. But when you head down to the beach take sun screen. Get some summer attire; some loafers, nice board shorts and a long sleeves white linen button up to pair with it. This gives a really relaxed vibe but adds an air of style to your look, as everyone around you struts in their fluro and sequined singlets.
Also - sunglasses...and polarized at that. Protect your eyes as much as your skin Ray Ban do quite a few really nice ones http://www.ray-ban.com/australia
Top it off with a nice hat http://www.strandhatters.com.au/ have some really nice panama hats that are really on trend at the moment.
Born and bred in Sydney I have been to most places, even though some of them may have been years ago. But it never ceases to amaze me how Sydney can offer you the most amazing little spots that you never knew existed.
A shot from last Sunday
Especially around the harbour there are some particularly special spots. I went to a wedding on the weekend which was in Lavender bay. Sunday afternoon - the weather really turned it on! Not a cloud around, warm, no wind; absolutely fantastic. I havn't been to this particular part of the north side of the bridge (just over it), I think it was Clark Park...the view was spectacular and just gave the most sensational vibe, everyone there was have a fantastic time. We walked from there down an alley, underneath a distressed and no-longer in operation railway line, along the wharf-walkway to Luna Park for the party. It was a sensational afternoon/evening.
Well chosen for a wedding setting as the spot had the entire guest list in a fantastic mood. Everyone was taking photos of the aspect, and just enjoying being tourists in their own city! As I said, there are plenty of these spots around the harbour, from some of the national parks on the northern side of the harbour, to some of the secluded beaches. Observatory Hill is another spot that not many Sydney-siders have frequented. I went there the other day to style a photo shoot, and what a gem! Literally ON the bridge (the East-Western side) which is like the eye of the storm - with all of the cars rushing along the bridge, you have this serene park and aspect of the northern and western side of Sydney. Walking down the stairs you get to the end of Kent street, with quaint 'old-Sydney-town' residences, a salubrious almost vintage single tennis court as well as a superb looking restaurant I believe it is called Galileo (and is part of the Observatory Hotel). And if you walk down Kent street and turn right on Argyle you end up in Sydney's historic Rocks area!
So, I encourage Sydney-siders to get out and enjoy our city as much as they would when they are in a foreign place. Walk, take pictures and dine out!
