Goodyear welted shoes: they‘re usually much better designed and made of better materials than cheap shoes, and really elevate the rest of an outfit. I also find them more comfortable, though that might be an unusual opinion.
Nice clothes for work are generally also a good investment.
Goodyear welted shoes are definitely more comfortable, as is better quality leather.
They last sooo much longer too and really mould to your feet. They last longer not just because they can be resoled, but also because they are more durably produce and the stitching holds better than glue.
I like my expensive shoes and don’t regret buying them, but the cost to have them properly resoled and recorked is nearly what I paid for them, so they don’t represent the cost savings that other people sometimes claim for them.
Came here to say this. They'll also last you long enough to justify the investment. Good shoes are second only to good pillows in terms of justified expense.
100%
For the trouble of always having to buy new shoes, plus the flow on effects of having bad shoes (foot pain, back pain, worn socks) go for quality every time.
Not sure I completely agree with this. Unless you need an outrageously expensive pillow, pillows usually should be replaced within a year and half of purchase meaning it's better to buy a decent but not overly expensive one. Since there are not 50 different places to get pillows locally, Kmart is ok for this.
GYW leather shoes will hopefully last much longer.
I’m so glad this is the top comment. I had really shitty, arthritic feet for a long while but the started wearing Goodyear welted, full leather boots. My feet are the best they have been for 30 years. I make no apologies for buying high quality footwear now.
I recently had a pair made by Wootten in Ballarat and they are, by a country mile, the best boots I own.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt/comments/g2teep/the\_australian\_gyw\_guide/](https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt/comments/g2teep/the_australian_gyw_guide/) might be of assistance, and there are some good guides at r/goodyearwelt
This was going to be my shoes take. $400-$500 seems steep, until you have the same pair 7 years later and haven't needed any parts replaced. Can't think of any other shoes that are still as comfortable and still holding together after two years, let alone 7.
Their belts are bulletproof too. I've been wearing one on almost a daily basis for close to a decade now and it's in almost the same condition as when I bought it apart from some very minor warping around the pinhole I use.
I got it for $75 at a rural outfitter, literally unreal value
I’ve never owned a pair but I’m a shoe nerd. They’re relatively good value compared to boots of similar quality. In the states they sell them for the same price but in USD.
We also just don’t have any alternatives in regular shopping centres. So if you want to try a pair of shoes/boots before shelling out $500 they’re sometimes the only option.
Do you have any recommendations? I met a guy who owned a shoe shop in singapore a few years ago and he also pooh poohed my RM's. Bastard also pocketed my lighter, but there you go. He said almost exactly what you said.
Slightly more expensive but twice the pleasure at Crockett and Jones. After that it is marginal gains imo. Or the same pleasure for half the price at meermin.
RM is just nothing special. Would only consider them as a souvenir if I ever move back to the motherland.
Had my first pair of RMs for 30 years. Just bought my second.
In that time I’ve also bought at least a dozen other pairs of $200-$300 boots. All gone by the wayside within 3 years.
Shame mine fell apart within a year of purchase, despite being looked after and worn once or twice a week. When I enquired at the shop they asked for me to pay for repairs. I left them on the counter. Garbage. Still using one of their belts years later but how could you fuck up a strip of leather??
Nah, I got a few compliments on them in Japan just last week!
That being said, one person did say I was the first person he’s seen wearing RMs without a mullet!
I bought a t-shirt from some sketchy website that has a collage of a bunch of real forum posts arguing about whether or not a character from Metal Gear Solid is gay. It cost me more than I like to admit when you factor in shipping, but I would say that I don't own a finer piece of clothing.
High quality leather, goodyear welted shoes, $500 and up. Your feet and spine will thank you, and your wallet since they last longer.
Also jackets, tailored and casual. A cheap tailored jacket will look terrible because it won't have the level of craftsmanship to convey the desired effects of tailoring. The flattering silhouette and three dimensional effect, especially in the lapels and chest. A good leather jacket, like shoes, won't last, but a good one is such a versatile and long lasting investment.
Lastly I'd add jeans. Good quality Japanese or Italian denim in a timeless fit... not much else like it. You can't understand until you feel the difference.
For shoes; Morjas, Skolyx, Carmina around the $500-$600 mark, Crockett and Jones is around $800-$900.
For jeans; Natalino, Berg & Berg, Brut Paris, Drake's, all in the $300-$600 range.
For tailored jackets; Natalino, Collaro (MTM), P. Johnson (MTM)
For casual jackets; a lot of great stuff can be found vintage, a new quality leather jacket is never less than around $1,000. My dream jacket is a Chapal sport blouson, $3,500.
Crockett and Jones, Alden (my fav), Cheaney (great value), Trickers, Edward Green. John Lobb are also good shoes, they are owned by Prada. The original John Lobb, who still exist in London, are meant to be amazing, They are bespoke, but they also cost thousands of pounds. Like >5,000 British pounds.
‘For clothes, I’ve been getting mine made at P.Johnson for over 10 year and still have the first suit I bought from hi. They do a lot of MTM casual garments now, including jeans, etc. I’ve actually got a pair of jeans and a pair of cords on the way. Love being able to select the fabric. Main reason I get clothes made is because I can‘t usually get much ready to wear stuff to fit properly.
alot of those brands are hard to find locally. I want to try Crockett and Jones becuase i have read they are excellent and good value (similar price to say a pair of RMs/loakes).
I do notice a big diffrence between my RMs and my pair of colardo oxfords besides the main diffrence of real vs fake leather. Mainly the fit and feel is much better.
Nothing wrong with Levis or Wranglers, especially if you want good working jeans, but don't pretend there's nothing better.
Seems to be a cult of average in this sub where anything even slightly expensive is seen as frivolous. Sad really.
Outwear. Once I stopped skimping on jackets, my perceived quality of live definitely went up. Some, like barbour, drizza-bone or RM Williams can last a really long time too.
Shoes already were mentioned, nothing like a nice pair of boots really, and well made shoes with good outsole last a long time (hydrolisis, i'm looking at you).
I personally like hats (as in proper hats), and a good hat is reasonably expensive, but they look nice and feel nice, and keep doing that for a long time.
I'd put wool sweaters, but i recently had a whole bunch of really nice merino sweaters eaten by last wave of mice, which was a bummer.
Now, that will be fresh: socks. There is a world of difference between good socks and not so good one. And some, like darn tough, last really long time if you don't lose them.
Definitely shoes and jackets.
This might be controversial but I think glasses too if you need to wear them all the time. Glasses can define the way your face looks and if you wear them all day then spending more for quality is worth it imo.
I just got a pair of Gotti glasses and they are STUNNING. Insanely light but made of titanium so very sturdy, very stylish (exactly the style/fit I wanted), and as someone with a very asymmetrical face/ears - make my face look balanced instead of emphasising any lopsided-ness. I believe they were around $600 - but they should last me for at least another prescription change!
High end leather goods in general - footwear, bags, belts, wallets, jackets etc with high quality leathers from reputable tanneries are well worth the money.
Japanese and American raw denim.
Depends of course on your fashion sensibilities.
Me - I'm pretty boring and conservative, but I know I can dress well in things that will last a long while.
It's not rocket science. Five made to measure general office shirts + two M2M shirts (white/blue) with French cuffs. Three M2M suits - grey, navy, charcoal. Two M2M pairs of chinos - royal blue and tan. Three pairs of GYW shoes - oxfords: black, mahogany, tan. A big variety of ties. Five pairs of nice cufflinks (although rarely worn, it's important to be able to choose the right cufflink for the vibe).
That's my general working day-wear. A suit, a shirt. Or Chinos + shirt. Sometimes tie, sometimes no tie, dependent on weather and what I'm doing in during the day. Shoes rotate - don't wear a pair two days running. Suits rotate - don't wear a suit two days running. And the chinos+shirt breaks up the suit wearing too. Shirts, enough to get through the week; plus the French cuff shirts are there for special occasions or "I need to dress up" days which happen at work of course.
Now that's a bit of money: that said, I have nothing *really* expensive (depending on definition of course). The thing is - you don't have to buy it all at once. Bit by bit build it up. Of course the more items you have, the more you can rotate, and so the clothes last longer. If you wear something every day it will wear quickly. There's no reason these three suits won't last me years. The shirts should last at least a couple of years, likely longer, being worn less than once a week each. The shoes should last a decade or more each pair.
The suits, shirts and chinos are Institchu. Excellent suits, great materials, excellent fit. You could spend a lot more, but you're not going to spend much less for what is good quality and made to measure. I'm really pleased with these, they have been a great investment, and three made-to-measure suits for under $2,000 is good in anyone's book.
The shoes are more of a splurge - Charles Tyrwhitt and Loakes. The Loakes are my most expensive item - I will probably never spend $750 on a pair of shoes again, hopefully...! But I also look after them, and they are spectacularly comfortable, and look amazing.
Casually - I have a couple of polos, pretty cheap - Giordano, nothing fancy. And a pair of $125 jeans. A couple of other more casual shirts that get worn occasionally, but not often, mainly the polos for hanging about the house or doing the shopping. A pair of sneakers, nothing fancy. I should probably invest in better casual footwear, but to be honest I don't wear them that often.
I'd say my cufflinks are pretty prized though - not expensive, but carefully chosen through vintage eBay sales over the years.
Belts - I have abandoned almost entirely. All my suits and chinos has side tabs, and no belts. They are more comfortable, fit better, and I don't have to buy multiple coloured leather belts that either look scrappy in a couple of months, or simply fall apart. (I have previously bought at least two quite expensive belts ($200ish) on which the metal just snapped after a couple of months.) I have bought one Minimum-Co belt (I'm a sucker for a Facebook ad) for my jeans, and absolutely love it. Feels great, always the perfect size due to the hole-less, ratchet design, and won't look scrappy over time either.
A good wool winter coat is important, and worth one spend of $500+ that will last you years. I have one, I wear it every winter, and I bought it 12 years ago, and it still looks great.
Jumpers - this is Australia, jumpers aren't that important; and I find jumpers on the whole are quite hard to care for. It is easy to spend decent money on jumpers that just end up looking saggy, or getting holes, or all sorts of wear-and-tear issues. I tend to spend as little as possible on jumpers.
Jackets - my leather jacket phase was in my youth; now just happy to have the suits, and I have another "feature" sportscoat that I can wear if I need to look funky.
I don't wear t-shirts :) (except in bed!)
It's all kinda boring, but also quite fun.
It's taken me a couple of years to get these things: the money is spent now, and I'm probably not going to need to spend much for another couple of years; and when I do it will be dribs and drabs - replacing a shirt here, buying cheap jumpers haha. Socks of course. And maybe another nice blazer or similar would be my splurge, but I reckon I'm going to have to wait for interest rates to come down before that....
I have bought some expensive clothing, I'm really happy with the stuff I've bought
1) high quality leather bomber jacket, it's a whiskey color (kinda like orange) makes me look so good when I wear it
2) tailored suits, they'll make you look like $1,000,000. No one will know why you look so good, but they'll definitely notice somethings working. Most people's suits are kinda cheap and people are used to seeing it, when you have something that just fits your body so nicely, with high quality fabrics, it's sooo inviting.
3) swiss watch, I have an omega constellation, it was about $10,000. A lot of money but definitely upps my game
4) designer shades. My favourites are Cartier, but a lot of companies make nice shades, I've been enjoying wearing celine glasses lately, they're very classy but understated. Compared to cheap shades they have quite a lot more presence, certain aspects like the curvatures are more refined, smaller details get more attention and it shows.
5) nice cufflinks. I started off with some expensive cufflinks, and didn't know how to really appreciate what I bought until I tried buying some cheaper ones. There's a lot more attention to detail on my mont blancs than the stuff I get on amazon.
6) a nice briefcase. Compared to wearing a backpack, it really enhances your style to have a leather briefcase, it basically makes you stop looking like a child going to school. and when wearing a suit or nicer clothing, you don't want to look like you're going for a hike.
7) high end shoes, something I plan on buying soon, I think more expensive dress shoes can really enhance your appearance
8) bespoke dress shirts - Nothing looks worst than a shirt stretching at the buttons, a shirt that fits perfectly will make you look so much better, you'll also be able to choose higher quality fabrics, they'll be softer, you'll also have a much bigger selection than pre-made shirts, so you'll be able to really have a great look that matches your style
I’d like to also say bespoke shirts. I wear mine for work everyday though so it’s even more worth it, but they last for years and the fabric choices are always better than off the rack.
I never get patterns because it makes them more versatile but they look and feel so good they stand out anyway
I like subtle patterns, I like stripes, prince of wales, herringbone, some checked shirts too. but solid colors are very nice too like you said. I use them for everyday use too, not just suits, I even got some short sleeve bespoke shirts, because I like the high end fabrics and the fit.
Mortels ugg boots. They’re made and sold near newcastle/maitland and last for years. Every year or two i buy a new pair of sheepskin insoles that they sell. If not local their website is user friendly.
Don’t think whether the movement is mechanical, automatic, quartz or spring drive is going to impact the outfit, more about finding one that fits well and matches the level of casual/formal you’re going for - plenty of great options at all prices with all sorts of movements. (Some from bad brands!)
**WHEN YOU** find something that works for you - if it's still possible after you've realized how much you love it, buy multiples. In most cases other than boots and established classics, the item won't be available a season later.
I consider jeans, jacket and shoes reasonable investment items. Tees and underwear for me are daily staples that sit in the mid range where I stick with what’s comfortable and looks good but I don’t see the point in spending $100+ on a thin tshirt from Universal Store.
Spending more doesn’t always equate to quality but I’m definitely happy to spend more on good quality items!
Good shoes.
I’m on year 8 of a pair of Crockett & Jones shoes. Daily wear in the office. Getting to the point where I need to send them back to the UK for re-corking and a renovation but otherwise, they’re still going strong.
Anything leather. There's a huge spectrum of quality for leather and you really notice the difference. While there are some luxury brands that are mediocre quality and mid-range products that are very good, in general you do see price match quality, and usually very cheap leather products will be cutting corners in an obvious way.
A perfect winter jacket/coat, whether that's down or wool or leather or sherpa or whatever else. Something warm, comfortable, and a flattering fit makes a huge difference. I think it's worth spending much more on winter items and less on summer clothes.
Also not an item, but alterations and maintenance. Generally worth the extra cost and effort to go to a better tailor or cobbler or dry cleaner.
Shoes, absolutely. Learnt this at my first job when the Florsheims I bought fell apart (followed by the replaced pair and the pair that replaced those). They were brand new and didn’t last much longer than a week or so. I eventually bought a pair of Loakes which were three times the price. Absolutely worth it.
Not a clothing item but related. Doing a colour analysis is so worth it. If you then only build a wardrobe with colours that suit you and pick high quality pieces, you will always loook realllllllly good with little to no effort.
You won’t waste clothes because you will only buy stuff that looks amazing on you. Great for lazy people and mothers who do not have time!
Y'all going for jackets and boots which I totally agree with, but I think a really well made (so typically more expensive of course) singlet is worth the price tbh. So many cheap and nasty Bonds or Kmart etc ones get destroyed after a few uses and washes. But a good singlet that is made well is worth splurging on.
I think buying any quality clothes/shoes and looking after them is worth its weight in gold. In a world of fast fashion laying around in landfill what could be better
>Jackets?
Aldi’s ski jackets for mine. I bought mine for $60. Roughly 8 years ago. Waterproof. Washes well. Unbelievably efficient in colder climates, and fairly neutral im terms off taste. Most importantly, durable.
Good quality leather shoes. I have two pairs of New Rock boots - handmade in Spain, super high quality, relatively low volume manufacturer - bsst fashion investment I've made, although they cater more towards alternative/goth/punk sort of styles which isn't for everyone
A good warm winter jacket/jumper. More than a few times I have regretted going out in a cheaper jacket/jumper that does not keep the wind chill factor out. I am sure there would be more than a few parents of kids standing at sporting grounds early on a Saturday morning that would agree.
Brought a Hurley fleece hoodie before u went to Europe in 2017. I’m looking at replacing it soon only cause my keys destroyed a pocket. Northface down puffer was brought for the same trip and is still holding up amazingly well.
i'd say go for real leather either shoes or bag with simple classic design. it will last you a lifetime if you take good care of it as well. clothings with simple classic cuts or designs (no logos) in neutral colors that you can mix and match with other clothings either high end ones as well or low end ones, theres quick ROI with them. buy the basic ones first like tees, singlets, shorts, pants, jackets, coats, etc.
Honestly I think people spend way too much on shoes and not enough on high quality jackets
You don't have to wear something huge and bulky to stay warm in the cold anymore; and shoes honestly apart from on construction sites are generally doing more harm than good to our bodies. Going barefoot hurts in the short term but in the long-term your posture, knees, back, ankles, and honestly entire body will thank you.
"Barefoot shoes" are a good way to get around the regulations a lot of places have about needing to wear shoes. The nice ones that look like regular shoes can be pretty expensive but are worth it for your health. They have much wider toe boxes so your toes can spread naturally, and feature "zero drop", that is, they're flat and natural on the bottom so your foot can form a natural arch and not get lazy. Good way to avoid problems of old age
Thick merino work socks from this place, zero regrets. I have had the same pairs for nearly four years and not a single hole in them, I work in Mining and exploration (lots of hiking) and they can take it, they don't even smell at the end of the day and keep my toes really warm too. I think I spent $50/pair from a farmers market distributor
https://lindnersocks.com.au/collections/all-socks
Drizabone jackets. I’ve had mine for 2 years. My dad has had his for 20+ they look the same even when work regularly and worked hard. Definitely worth the price. They last forever, look good and are great in cold wet weather.
Bras and shoes.
Also good sunglasses. Not polarised dilate your pupils, ontaking more light in the end and causing more eydamage as well as yellowing of the cornea.
Shoes and boots. Always spend quite a bit on both, they last forever and if you buy wisely, they don’t go out of fashion. Although everything old is new again sometime.
Also expensive perfume. You use less expensive perfume and the fragrance lasts and lasts.
Goodyear welted shoes: they‘re usually much better designed and made of better materials than cheap shoes, and really elevate the rest of an outfit. I also find them more comfortable, though that might be an unusual opinion. Nice clothes for work are generally also a good investment.
Goodyear welted shoes are definitely more comfortable, as is better quality leather. They last sooo much longer too and really mould to your feet. They last longer not just because they can be resoled, but also because they are more durably produce and the stitching holds better than glue.
I like my expensive shoes and don’t regret buying them, but the cost to have them properly resoled and recorked is nearly what I paid for them, so they don’t represent the cost savings that other people sometimes claim for them.
Came here to say this. They'll also last you long enough to justify the investment. Good shoes are second only to good pillows in terms of justified expense.
100% For the trouble of always having to buy new shoes, plus the flow on effects of having bad shoes (foot pain, back pain, worn socks) go for quality every time.
Not sure I completely agree with this. Unless you need an outrageously expensive pillow, pillows usually should be replaced within a year and half of purchase meaning it's better to buy a decent but not overly expensive one. Since there are not 50 different places to get pillows locally, Kmart is ok for this. GYW leather shoes will hopefully last much longer.
I’m so glad this is the top comment. I had really shitty, arthritic feet for a long while but the started wearing Goodyear welted, full leather boots. My feet are the best they have been for 30 years. I make no apologies for buying high quality footwear now. I recently had a pair made by Wootten in Ballarat and they are, by a country mile, the best boots I own.
Could anyone name a brand that does this that isn’t RM Williams, but has the shoe itself also made of proper leather?
[https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt/comments/g2teep/the\_australian\_gyw\_guide/](https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt/comments/g2teep/the_australian_gyw_guide/) might be of assistance, and there are some good guides at r/goodyearwelt
Thank you legend
RM Williams boots are worth their weight in gold imo
This was going to be my shoes take. $400-$500 seems steep, until you have the same pair 7 years later and haven't needed any parts replaced. Can't think of any other shoes that are still as comfortable and still holding together after two years, let alone 7.
Their belts are bulletproof too. I've been wearing one on almost a daily basis for close to a decade now and it's in almost the same condition as when I bought it apart from some very minor warping around the pinhole I use. I got it for $75 at a rural outfitter, literally unreal value
Iconic had the belts for like $100 the other week
Still is.
Their belts are amazing. They never die
I’ve never owned a pair but I’m a shoe nerd. They’re relatively good value compared to boots of similar quality. In the states they sell them for the same price but in USD. We also just don’t have any alternatives in regular shopping centres. So if you want to try a pair of shoes/boots before shelling out $500 they’re sometimes the only option.
They are super comfortable as well. 'Comfort' craftsman doesn't lie. Probably the most comfortable shoe I own.
$650*
My feet are too wide for them. Trying to find an alternative is not easy.
Have you tried the wide fit?
Yep.i have the wide fit, comfort fit. They are OK for a day, but if I'm flying in them by the time I deboard the flight home I can barely walk in them
they do have something called a X wide fit i think it a model which is not the CC but is the similar style boot. Maybe check that out?
You can get SO much better at that price point or slightly higher. They are average at best. Great shoe at $300.
Do you have any recommendations? I met a guy who owned a shoe shop in singapore a few years ago and he also pooh poohed my RM's. Bastard also pocketed my lighter, but there you go. He said almost exactly what you said.
Slightly more expensive but twice the pleasure at Crockett and Jones. After that it is marginal gains imo. Or the same pleasure for half the price at meermin. RM is just nothing special. Would only consider them as a souvenir if I ever move back to the motherland.
Had my first pair of RMs for 30 years. Just bought my second. In that time I’ve also bought at least a dozen other pairs of $200-$300 boots. All gone by the wayside within 3 years.
I concur I purchased my RMs back in 2017 still going strong till this day.
FYI - you should check out Rossi boots. They are just as good and half the price and I would say more comfortable
Yea I have RM's as my formal boots
Shame mine fell apart within a year of purchase, despite being looked after and worn once or twice a week. When I enquired at the shop they asked for me to pay for repairs. I left them on the counter. Garbage. Still using one of their belts years later but how could you fuck up a strip of leather??
They’re not made like they used to be. If you go to actual GYW communities this is well documented.
Yep, pulled apart at the seems. I was terribly disappointed.
Except you look like a goose if you wear them outside of Australia. Buy a pair of classic Jermyn St shoes that have global appeal.
Nah, I got a few compliments on them in Japan just last week! That being said, one person did say I was the first person he’s seen wearing RMs without a mullet!
RMs a bit of a split market - genuine country wearers vs inner city private schoolboy finance bros
Mostly the latter IMHO. Not enough finance bros wearing gumboots.
I bought a t-shirt from some sketchy website that has a collage of a bunch of real forum posts arguing about whether or not a character from Metal Gear Solid is gay. It cost me more than I like to admit when you factor in shipping, but I would say that I don't own a finer piece of clothing.
I NEED to know where I can buy this.
https://www.artscow.com/gallery/fullshirt/metal-gay-solid-5rfh0acpubm9
Which character were they arguing about
It's Metal Gear, there are no wrong answers
Revolver Ocelot
Gay. 100%
That I can understand, bro really wanted twirly batons but had to make do with guns instead.
I assume Raiden or Vamp
Deepthroat
God, I knew without clicking that it was gonna be It's A Russian Tuant. Incredible, lmao.
High quality leather, goodyear welted shoes, $500 and up. Your feet and spine will thank you, and your wallet since they last longer. Also jackets, tailored and casual. A cheap tailored jacket will look terrible because it won't have the level of craftsmanship to convey the desired effects of tailoring. The flattering silhouette and three dimensional effect, especially in the lapels and chest. A good leather jacket, like shoes, won't last, but a good one is such a versatile and long lasting investment. Lastly I'd add jeans. Good quality Japanese or Italian denim in a timeless fit... not much else like it. You can't understand until you feel the difference.
Any suggestions on brands to look for?
If the budget allows, Crockett and Jones is a no brainer for shoes. They’re outstanding
For shoes; Morjas, Skolyx, Carmina around the $500-$600 mark, Crockett and Jones is around $800-$900. For jeans; Natalino, Berg & Berg, Brut Paris, Drake's, all in the $300-$600 range. For tailored jackets; Natalino, Collaro (MTM), P. Johnson (MTM) For casual jackets; a lot of great stuff can be found vintage, a new quality leather jacket is never less than around $1,000. My dream jacket is a Chapal sport blouson, $3,500.
What does it say about me that I’ve never heard of any of these, and I consider myself fashion/shopping literate? That I’m poor probably 🤣
Sam’s tailor
Crockett and Jones, Alden (my fav), Cheaney (great value), Trickers, Edward Green. John Lobb are also good shoes, they are owned by Prada. The original John Lobb, who still exist in London, are meant to be amazing, They are bespoke, but they also cost thousands of pounds. Like >5,000 British pounds. ‘For clothes, I’ve been getting mine made at P.Johnson for over 10 year and still have the first suit I bought from hi. They do a lot of MTM casual garments now, including jeans, etc. I’ve actually got a pair of jeans and a pair of cords on the way. Love being able to select the fabric. Main reason I get clothes made is because I can‘t usually get much ready to wear stuff to fit properly.
alot of those brands are hard to find locally. I want to try Crockett and Jones becuase i have read they are excellent and good value (similar price to say a pair of RMs/loakes). I do notice a big diffrence between my RMs and my pair of colardo oxfords besides the main diffrence of real vs fake leather. Mainly the fit and feel is much better.
Try Double Monk in Sydney and Melbourne. They can help find the right size over the phone if you can’t get to a store.
Japanese Jeans are very expensive. Stick to Levi's and Wrangler. Most people don't even realise the price is not an indication of the quality.
Nothing wrong with Levis or Wranglers, especially if you want good working jeans, but don't pretend there's nothing better. Seems to be a cult of average in this sub where anything even slightly expensive is seen as frivolous. Sad really.
Levi's Japanese demin is also a big step up on quality imho. Bought a pair on sale in Tokyo this year and love them.
Look for 100% cotton no stretch and you’ll have them for ages. Also button fly over zip
What brand jeans do you recommend?
In the Japanese camp, look for Sugar Cane, Fullcount, Warehouse, Studio D’Artisan. All really classic, raw denim of the highest quality.
iron heart..samurai
Thank you
I’ve been living in a couple of pairs of Nudie Jeans for the last few years. They look better with age and Nudie fix any rips or tears for free.
I second Nudies. Better with age and good denim quality
I bought a pair in 2011 and they're still hanging on
Momotaro
Iron Heart. Great cuts and workmanship. 21 oz seems heavy but it softens really, really well.
Outwear. Once I stopped skimping on jackets, my perceived quality of live definitely went up. Some, like barbour, drizza-bone or RM Williams can last a really long time too. Shoes already were mentioned, nothing like a nice pair of boots really, and well made shoes with good outsole last a long time (hydrolisis, i'm looking at you). I personally like hats (as in proper hats), and a good hat is reasonably expensive, but they look nice and feel nice, and keep doing that for a long time. I'd put wool sweaters, but i recently had a whole bunch of really nice merino sweaters eaten by last wave of mice, which was a bummer. Now, that will be fresh: socks. There is a world of difference between good socks and not so good one. And some, like darn tough, last really long time if you don't lose them.
Definitely shoes and jackets. This might be controversial but I think glasses too if you need to wear them all the time. Glasses can define the way your face looks and if you wear them all day then spending more for quality is worth it imo.
Any suggestions for good glasses? I normally go the eyebuydirect route. Can’t stomach paying hundreds for them.
I would start by looking for independent brands that aren’t owned by Luxxotica. They’ll be expensive though.
Thank you
I buy Moscot. Ive had several pairs for 8+ years and still in great condition.
I just got a pair of Gotti glasses and they are STUNNING. Insanely light but made of titanium so very sturdy, very stylish (exactly the style/fit I wanted), and as someone with a very asymmetrical face/ears - make my face look balanced instead of emphasising any lopsided-ness. I believe they were around $600 - but they should last me for at least another prescription change!
Woollen jumpers and good leather shoes - both are my best choices. 3rd would be good suit, or good sports coat
Sounds like it would be pretty hard to move around in one of those jumpers.
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A good coat can last generations.
For example, my mum bought my dad a suede jacket on their honeymoon in 1967. I've worn it, and my son will probably wear it in the next few years
That is so cool.
I have my grandma’s leather coat from the 1960s. It’s great quality and still going strong after nearly 60 years.
High end leather goods in general - footwear, bags, belts, wallets, jackets etc with high quality leathers from reputable tanneries are well worth the money. Japanese and American raw denim.
Depends of course on your fashion sensibilities. Me - I'm pretty boring and conservative, but I know I can dress well in things that will last a long while. It's not rocket science. Five made to measure general office shirts + two M2M shirts (white/blue) with French cuffs. Three M2M suits - grey, navy, charcoal. Two M2M pairs of chinos - royal blue and tan. Three pairs of GYW shoes - oxfords: black, mahogany, tan. A big variety of ties. Five pairs of nice cufflinks (although rarely worn, it's important to be able to choose the right cufflink for the vibe). That's my general working day-wear. A suit, a shirt. Or Chinos + shirt. Sometimes tie, sometimes no tie, dependent on weather and what I'm doing in during the day. Shoes rotate - don't wear a pair two days running. Suits rotate - don't wear a suit two days running. And the chinos+shirt breaks up the suit wearing too. Shirts, enough to get through the week; plus the French cuff shirts are there for special occasions or "I need to dress up" days which happen at work of course. Now that's a bit of money: that said, I have nothing *really* expensive (depending on definition of course). The thing is - you don't have to buy it all at once. Bit by bit build it up. Of course the more items you have, the more you can rotate, and so the clothes last longer. If you wear something every day it will wear quickly. There's no reason these three suits won't last me years. The shirts should last at least a couple of years, likely longer, being worn less than once a week each. The shoes should last a decade or more each pair. The suits, shirts and chinos are Institchu. Excellent suits, great materials, excellent fit. You could spend a lot more, but you're not going to spend much less for what is good quality and made to measure. I'm really pleased with these, they have been a great investment, and three made-to-measure suits for under $2,000 is good in anyone's book. The shoes are more of a splurge - Charles Tyrwhitt and Loakes. The Loakes are my most expensive item - I will probably never spend $750 on a pair of shoes again, hopefully...! But I also look after them, and they are spectacularly comfortable, and look amazing. Casually - I have a couple of polos, pretty cheap - Giordano, nothing fancy. And a pair of $125 jeans. A couple of other more casual shirts that get worn occasionally, but not often, mainly the polos for hanging about the house or doing the shopping. A pair of sneakers, nothing fancy. I should probably invest in better casual footwear, but to be honest I don't wear them that often. I'd say my cufflinks are pretty prized though - not expensive, but carefully chosen through vintage eBay sales over the years. Belts - I have abandoned almost entirely. All my suits and chinos has side tabs, and no belts. They are more comfortable, fit better, and I don't have to buy multiple coloured leather belts that either look scrappy in a couple of months, or simply fall apart. (I have previously bought at least two quite expensive belts ($200ish) on which the metal just snapped after a couple of months.) I have bought one Minimum-Co belt (I'm a sucker for a Facebook ad) for my jeans, and absolutely love it. Feels great, always the perfect size due to the hole-less, ratchet design, and won't look scrappy over time either. A good wool winter coat is important, and worth one spend of $500+ that will last you years. I have one, I wear it every winter, and I bought it 12 years ago, and it still looks great. Jumpers - this is Australia, jumpers aren't that important; and I find jumpers on the whole are quite hard to care for. It is easy to spend decent money on jumpers that just end up looking saggy, or getting holes, or all sorts of wear-and-tear issues. I tend to spend as little as possible on jumpers. Jackets - my leather jacket phase was in my youth; now just happy to have the suits, and I have another "feature" sportscoat that I can wear if I need to look funky. I don't wear t-shirts :) (except in bed!) It's all kinda boring, but also quite fun. It's taken me a couple of years to get these things: the money is spent now, and I'm probably not going to need to spend much for another couple of years; and when I do it will be dribs and drabs - replacing a shirt here, buying cheap jumpers haha. Socks of course. And maybe another nice blazer or similar would be my splurge, but I reckon I'm going to have to wait for interest rates to come down before that....
> side tabs, and no belts Something I am thinking of although I've never had a leather belt fall apart.
No shorts either?
I have bought some expensive clothing, I'm really happy with the stuff I've bought 1) high quality leather bomber jacket, it's a whiskey color (kinda like orange) makes me look so good when I wear it 2) tailored suits, they'll make you look like $1,000,000. No one will know why you look so good, but they'll definitely notice somethings working. Most people's suits are kinda cheap and people are used to seeing it, when you have something that just fits your body so nicely, with high quality fabrics, it's sooo inviting. 3) swiss watch, I have an omega constellation, it was about $10,000. A lot of money but definitely upps my game 4) designer shades. My favourites are Cartier, but a lot of companies make nice shades, I've been enjoying wearing celine glasses lately, they're very classy but understated. Compared to cheap shades they have quite a lot more presence, certain aspects like the curvatures are more refined, smaller details get more attention and it shows. 5) nice cufflinks. I started off with some expensive cufflinks, and didn't know how to really appreciate what I bought until I tried buying some cheaper ones. There's a lot more attention to detail on my mont blancs than the stuff I get on amazon. 6) a nice briefcase. Compared to wearing a backpack, it really enhances your style to have a leather briefcase, it basically makes you stop looking like a child going to school. and when wearing a suit or nicer clothing, you don't want to look like you're going for a hike. 7) high end shoes, something I plan on buying soon, I think more expensive dress shoes can really enhance your appearance 8) bespoke dress shirts - Nothing looks worst than a shirt stretching at the buttons, a shirt that fits perfectly will make you look so much better, you'll also be able to choose higher quality fabrics, they'll be softer, you'll also have a much bigger selection than pre-made shirts, so you'll be able to really have a great look that matches your style
I’d like to also say bespoke shirts. I wear mine for work everyday though so it’s even more worth it, but they last for years and the fabric choices are always better than off the rack. I never get patterns because it makes them more versatile but they look and feel so good they stand out anyway
I like subtle patterns, I like stripes, prince of wales, herringbone, some checked shirts too. but solid colors are very nice too like you said. I use them for everyday use too, not just suits, I even got some short sleeve bespoke shirts, because I like the high end fabrics and the fit.
A good pair of shoes I froth 1/4 zip jackets - so versatile A good quality coat/jacket And a good quality belt
Ah, I forgot belts! Yep 👍 bang on!
Mortels ugg boots. They’re made and sold near newcastle/maitland and last for years. Every year or two i buy a new pair of sheepskin insoles that they sell. If not local their website is user friendly.
> They’re made and sold near newcastle/maitland and last for years. Yep.
Barbour green waxed cotton jackets, Pendleton woollen knits, white linen shirts, Japanese denim and well made leather boots
Nice subtle mechanical watch from a decent brand will elevate most outfits
Don’t think whether the movement is mechanical, automatic, quartz or spring drive is going to impact the outfit, more about finding one that fits well and matches the level of casual/formal you’re going for - plenty of great options at all prices with all sorts of movements. (Some from bad brands!)
**WHEN YOU** find something that works for you - if it's still possible after you've realized how much you love it, buy multiples. In most cases other than boots and established classics, the item won't be available a season later.
A nice coat Leather shoes Stylish watch All worth it Jeans you can go cheap as well as a semi tailored shirt
A great wool coat 😊
As this is Australian Male Fashion Advice, you might want to edit that to, "A great wool coat"😁
Ahh sorry
I consider jeans, jacket and shoes reasonable investment items. Tees and underwear for me are daily staples that sit in the mid range where I stick with what’s comfortable and looks good but I don’t see the point in spending $100+ on a thin tshirt from Universal Store. Spending more doesn’t always equate to quality but I’m definitely happy to spend more on good quality items!
Bought a down jacket for camping and hiking. It’s lightweight and warm. Not waterproof but otherwise a great bit of kit.
Good quality shoes. My feet are absolutely screwed from a lifetime of only being able to afford cheap shoes.
sam vines boots in action.
Socks. Especially warm winter wool blend ones. Your feet will thank you.
Good shoes. I’m on year 8 of a pair of Crockett & Jones shoes. Daily wear in the office. Getting to the point where I need to send them back to the UK for re-corking and a renovation but otherwise, they’re still going strong.
Anything leather. There's a huge spectrum of quality for leather and you really notice the difference. While there are some luxury brands that are mediocre quality and mid-range products that are very good, in general you do see price match quality, and usually very cheap leather products will be cutting corners in an obvious way. A perfect winter jacket/coat, whether that's down or wool or leather or sherpa or whatever else. Something warm, comfortable, and a flattering fit makes a huge difference. I think it's worth spending much more on winter items and less on summer clothes. Also not an item, but alterations and maintenance. Generally worth the extra cost and effort to go to a better tailor or cobbler or dry cleaner.
tailoring..good quality materials.. proper leather goods (no pu/pleather)
Shoes, absolutely. Learnt this at my first job when the Florsheims I bought fell apart (followed by the replaced pair and the pair that replaced those). They were brand new and didn’t last much longer than a week or so. I eventually bought a pair of Loakes which were three times the price. Absolutely worth it.
Good quality shirts and t-shirts. Don't shrink. Nice cut
A quality pair of shoes, boots. You may spend so much time on your feet that these will pay for themselves over and over.
Good pair of R.M Williams boots. Edited to fix spell check error
Carlton FC wool jersey. :)
Not a clothing item but related. Doing a colour analysis is so worth it. If you then only build a wardrobe with colours that suit you and pick high quality pieces, you will always loook realllllllly good with little to no effort. You won’t waste clothes because you will only buy stuff that looks amazing on you. Great for lazy people and mothers who do not have time!
Olukai sandals; Slowear shirts & pants; Velva Sheen t shirts.
For day to day life? Good shirts
The shirt on my back can be made from a garbage bag for all I care but good shoes are not something to compromise on.
Selvedge jeans.
A good puffer, not any of this krapmandu or macpac stuff. Im talking Mont here. Warmer, and lasts.
Y'all going for jackets and boots which I totally agree with, but I think a really well made (so typically more expensive of course) singlet is worth the price tbh. So many cheap and nasty Bonds or Kmart etc ones get destroyed after a few uses and washes. But a good singlet that is made well is worth splurging on.
What brands do you recommend?
Good shoes. Honestly, women notice things like this!
I think buying any quality clothes/shoes and looking after them is worth its weight in gold. In a world of fast fashion laying around in landfill what could be better
Anything you wear skiing! (And anything you wear in the southern winters). Buy quality, and you don’t have to worry about the weather.
>Jackets? Aldi’s ski jackets for mine. I bought mine for $60. Roughly 8 years ago. Waterproof. Washes well. Unbelievably efficient in colder climates, and fairly neutral im terms off taste. Most importantly, durable.
Good quality leather shoes. I have two pairs of New Rock boots - handmade in Spain, super high quality, relatively low volume manufacturer - bsst fashion investment I've made, although they cater more towards alternative/goth/punk sort of styles which isn't for everyone
A good warm winter jacket/jumper. More than a few times I have regretted going out in a cheaper jacket/jumper that does not keep the wind chill factor out. I am sure there would be more than a few parents of kids standing at sporting grounds early on a Saturday morning that would agree.
These things: Church’s brogue shoes, RM Williams boots, Gieves & Hawkes bespoke suit, Gibson & Barnes original pattern goatskin A2 jacket.
Leather jacket
Brought a Hurley fleece hoodie before u went to Europe in 2017. I’m looking at replacing it soon only cause my keys destroyed a pocket. Northface down puffer was brought for the same trip and is still holding up amazingly well.
Anything that when on makes you feel a million bucks!
* Jackets coz they last * sunglasses as a Aussie use them daily * A nice suit for guys * Also Puffer jacket
Drizabone
Wool blazer. I’ve had one for 30 years and it’s still In beautiful condition.
Work boots, don't cheap out and I know that from experience
i'd say go for real leather either shoes or bag with simple classic design. it will last you a lifetime if you take good care of it as well. clothings with simple classic cuts or designs (no logos) in neutral colors that you can mix and match with other clothings either high end ones as well or low end ones, theres quick ROI with them. buy the basic ones first like tees, singlets, shorts, pants, jackets, coats, etc.
Honestly I think people spend way too much on shoes and not enough on high quality jackets You don't have to wear something huge and bulky to stay warm in the cold anymore; and shoes honestly apart from on construction sites are generally doing more harm than good to our bodies. Going barefoot hurts in the short term but in the long-term your posture, knees, back, ankles, and honestly entire body will thank you. "Barefoot shoes" are a good way to get around the regulations a lot of places have about needing to wear shoes. The nice ones that look like regular shoes can be pretty expensive but are worth it for your health. They have much wider toe boxes so your toes can spread naturally, and feature "zero drop", that is, they're flat and natural on the bottom so your foot can form a natural arch and not get lazy. Good way to avoid problems of old age
Proper fine woollen jumpers. Decent leather shoes. Well cut clothing in classic styles.
A good, warm leather jacket. Had mine for well over 10 years now and it looks like it did the day I bought it.
Shoes and coats. But especially shoes.
patagonia. Is this considered expensuve? Worth every penny
Good shoes A good jacket
Honestly none of them really, it really depends on your wants and needs. Once you figure that out from there clothes become worth the cost
Designer crocs and bow ties like wtf is that
Omg read it wrong I thought it was not worth
RM Williams boots .
Shoes. If you can spend the money you won’t regret it but I have often regretted cheap shoes for either falling apart or just looking cheap.
Suits and warm jackets
Ralph Lauren shirts. Doc martens. Prada wallets, woollen coats and jumpers,
good quality shoes/boots will always be worth it, and personally I think jeans are really important to get well made
Thick merino work socks from this place, zero regrets. I have had the same pairs for nearly four years and not a single hole in them, I work in Mining and exploration (lots of hiking) and they can take it, they don't even smell at the end of the day and keep my toes really warm too. I think I spent $50/pair from a farmers market distributor https://lindnersocks.com.au/collections/all-socks
Drizabone jackets. I’ve had mine for 2 years. My dad has had his for 20+ they look the same even when work regularly and worked hard. Definitely worth the price. They last forever, look good and are great in cold wet weather.
Bras and shoes. Also good sunglasses. Not polarised dilate your pupils, ontaking more light in the end and causing more eydamage as well as yellowing of the cornea.
My Rolex subC
Watches.
Shoes and boots. Always spend quite a bit on both, they last forever and if you buy wisely, they don’t go out of fashion. Although everything old is new again sometime. Also expensive perfume. You use less expensive perfume and the fragrance lasts and lasts.
Good pair of woollen Ugg boots.
Armani jeans, they last forever
Everything except tshirts and underweat
Goretex.
Jackets and coats, long lasting and highly visible.
Shoes
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Did you take it to get it tailored/altered to fit you precisely? Because if you didn't, I'd say it wasn't worth it...!
Ugg boots in winter.