- From the Sydney menswear brands to another celebrated AFW, Australian fashion is turning heads once again.
- Models, designers, and creators, Australia’s best-dressed men reveal the one fashion item they refuse to go without.
- Pleated trousers get a special mention, alongside hard-wearing leather bags, and travel-ready tailoring that works overtime.
In the wake of this year’s Australian Fashion Week, the country’s more curated clientele have been keeping a keen eye on each other’s fits, spending the week across from each other on opposite sides of the catwalk. Some are taking notes, some are wondering how they’d style that jacket. Most of them quietly add items to their cart before the show’s even wrapped.
And it’s not hard to see why. From the Sydney menswear brands quietly redefining what it means to dress well in this country, to the designers, models, and creators who rock the latest fits, Australian fashion is turning heads once again.
So we spoke to some of the country’s better-dressed blokes – designers, models, and Australia’s biggest fashion creators – to find out which single item is a non-negotiable. Which piece, whether an everyday menswear staple or a unique item for a touch of flair, earns its place in the regular rotation without question? The answers, as it turns out, are as individual as the men themselves.
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Steve Calder, Informale Owner and Designer
“As a business owner and dad, time is a precious commodity. Like many guys, I need to look sharp and presentable but still fit in casually with my peers. Loafers are quick to slip on and off, look far more stylish than the nicest leather sneakers, and way more interesting than a pair of plain old dress shoes.”
“Slipping into a well-made pair of loafers is my cheat code to dressing well.”
“My favourite brands are Alden and Baudoin & Lange. The pro move is finding a pair in a material called Cordovan: more durable, better looking with wear, and easier to care for than the usual calf leather.”
Jordan and Zac Stenmark, Fashion Models
“The one fashion item we’re loving at the moment is pleated wide-leg pants. No matter what you pair them with, they instantly elevate a look.”
“What we love most is their versatility. You can wear them casually with sneakers and a T-shirt, or dress them up with loafers, a polo, or a tailored jacket and shirt. They’ve become one of those go-to pieces that work for almost any occasion while still feeling effortless.”
Marty Thomas, Fashion Model
“I’m going to suggest that the last item I ‘put on’ before I leave the house is a scent. I confess I don’t feel fully dressed without a spray or two before I head out the door.”
“As a classic choice, I always return to ‘Halfeti’ by Penhaligon’s.”
“Whilst it is invisible, it nevertheless completes an outfit in my opinion and, if chosen well, can announce your arrival, add intrigue or substance to your overall presence, and leave a nuanced and lingering reminder of your visit. From the myriad of choices available to us nowadays, there will be one that strikes the right note, suits the outfit, and the wearer, to perfection.”
Onye Agbarakwe, Creator and Fashion Model
“I’m a run-and-gun camera guy, so I also like to have something on me that looks stylish but also holds everything I need within arm’s reach. Hence why I gravitate towards my Coach camera bag or belt bag. I want to still be ready for behind the camera, while effortlessly looking presentable in case I need to be in front of it.”
“I love that a great bag finishes off the detail for any of my outfits.”
“My favourite brands for bags right now are Coach and Burberry. A tip is to find a bag that’s durable, like leather. As you wear it, it wears on you, adding that little bit of character, just as you do on your outfits.”
Shaun Birley, Menswear and Fashion Creator
“A non-negotiable for me as someone who travels – usually for both business and pleasure – is a travel suit, predominantly made with 100% wool and a 4-ply weave.”
“One of the main reasons why I pack this whenever I travel is that it’s practical and durable – something that I can just stuff in my bag for a long-haul flight, or simply wear it if I’m going interstate. But it allows me to get off the plane without any creases, going from the airport and straight into meetings. If I’m getting to a new country, I can just pull it out, and it doesn’t really need a steam most of the time.”
“The jacket looks great with jeans or over a shirt. It’s also well-dressed if you’re going for a jacket, t-shirt, and chino combination, and of course, as the full suit combination. It takes something as simple, albeit equally staple, as a blue suit and takes it to the next level.”
