July 2021 ~ Men's Fashion

Saturday, 31 July 2021

How To Become An Olympian With As Little Effort As Possible

July 31, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Every four years – albeit five given the current global situation – millions of us gather around the TV to watch sporting's elite take part in the Olympic Games. A spectacle in the very sense of the word, it's a chance for us to see what the human body really is capable of, as a result of complete dedication to training.

It's certainly an inspiring event too, with many youngsters viewing their sporting heroes and deciding they too want to win medals for their country. But, since the Olympic Games represents the very best of the best, just how easy can it be to qualify for your chosen event? Each time the Olympics comes around, new sports are added, and for Tokyo 2020, there are 33 sporting events to enter – note that events such as athletics, swimming and cycling are listed as a single event, but there are several distances and disciplines within them – and the total number of medal events is a huge 339.

So, if you want to become an Olympian, you certainly have plenty of events to choose from, each of which will require a varying degree of talent and skill, and depending on the country you're representing, the path to the Olympics could be seen as easy or hard.

Which Olympic Sport Is Easiest To Qualify For?

Huge nations such as the USA, for example, will have a large pool of athletes all competing in qualifiers in the hope of making the final team. Smaller nations, such as third-world countries, may only have a few athletes to choose from and enter into the Olympics, and in many cases, their place is practically guaranteed.

FINA and IAAF, the International sporting government bodies for water sports and athletics, respectively, allow each nation two "universality places", one for male and one for female. This means that regardless of sporting prowess, every nation is allowed to enter at least two athletes to the Games. Choosing which sport to enter said athletes into needs to be taken into further consideration. Some events such as those on the track only allow a maximum of three athletes per country, per event, whilst for swimming it's two per event.

If it's an easy route to Olympic glory you're chasing then, it's perhaps best to avoid high-profile events such as the 100m sprint or the 50m freestyle swim. Instead, look into sports that you could have some hope in hell at becoming incredibly good at in the three or four years before the next Olympiad. Forbes has previously curated a list of some of the most popular sports, and suggesting how many years of training it would require to reach a competitive level.

Archery, for example, can be mastered in around four years, but you also have to take into consideration the cost of said training and the equipment required, but handball may only need around two years – plus, it's a team sport, so you may be able to just show up and not have to get too involved and let the rest of the team carry you.

Alternatively, as laid out by Forbes, the coxswain that competes with the larger rowing teams also receives a medal if his or her team finishes on the podium, and all they need to do is tell the crew how hard to stroke. Easiest way to get a medal? Perhaps.

Can I Change My Nationality To Compete At The Olympics?

The other route to sporting stardom could be to change the country for which you represent. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made it increasingly harder to divert your allegiance.

The current rules state "any competitor in the Olympic Games must be a national of the country of the NOC which is entering such competitor."

"A competitor who is a national of two or more countries at the same time may represent either one of them, as he may elect. However, after having represented one country in the Olympic Games, in continental or regional games or in world or regional championships recognised by the relevant IF, he may not represent another country unless he meets the conditions set forth in paragraph 2 that apply to personal who have changed their nationality or acquired a new nationality."

One of the conditions laid out in paragraph 2 indicates a period of "at least three years" has passed "since the competitor last represented his former country" in order for him to represent a new country.

Things can get a little more tricky when you take into account each individual country's laws for athletes wishing to compete. Deseret News recently published an article that speaks about a Mexican pole vaulter, Giovanni Lanaro, who was "born, raised and trained in Southern California, but competed for Mexico in the 2008 Olympics."

This was because "his mother was born in Mexico and the country only requires Mexican heritage to be on its teams."

One particularly noteworthy case of an Olympic athlete competing for a smaller nation is Eric Moussambani (pictured), nicknamed Eric the Eel. Eric competed at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where he won his heat for the 100m freestyle. However, he was pretty much guaranteed victory after the other two athletes in his heat were disqualified for false starts. His finishing time of 1:52.72 is the slowest recorded time for the 100m freestyle at any Olympics thus far. But his story highlights the fact anyone can make it to the Olympic stage.

So if you think the country you're from will pose too much of a competitive risk to be able to get into the team, you'll want to do your research into which countries make it easier to compete for them. Of course, having family members from other countries will make it considerably easier.

Ultimately, there is no 'easy' path to the Olympic Games, or at least, no easy path to getting yourself on the podium. Some athletes competing at Tokyo 2020 have the experience of several previous Games under their belt, and are only just winning their first medals. It's not just about your athletic ability, it's your mental stamina that is also challenged.

If you don't win a medal, or you don't post a new personal best time or score, it can knock you back severely. But if you can dust yourself off, accept it wasn't your day, but get straight back into training, there's no limit to the amount you can achieve.

Rare ‘Porsche Jeep’ You Never Knew Existed Is The Perfect Byron Bay Cruiser

July 31, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Some of the world's coolest car brands and models have a military origin.

There are some obvious examples: Jeep, Land Rover, Hummer... There are also some less obvious examples, such as the Toyota Mega Cruiser, Citroën Méhari or the Lamborghini LM002 – a.k.a. 'the Rambo Lambo'.

But one of the coolest ex-military vehicles is one that never made it to mass production, from a slightly more prestigious marque. Meet the Porsche 597 "Jagdwagen": perhaps the most obscure Porsche model ever made.

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Produced from 1955 to 1958, the Jagdwagen (German for 'hunting wagon') was originally developed as a tender to the German Army after World War II. However, it never reached mass production, losing out to Auto Union (i.e. Audi's) DKW Munga.

Powered by the same air-cooled flat-four from the Porsche 356, the vehicle only made around 37kW but could climb steep grades of up to 65%. Bizarrely, the car had no doors and high sills, which required passengers to climb over them to enter and exit the vehicle (probably why it lost out to the Munga); The upside of this basic design, however, meant that the body was buoyant and amphibious.

Dr. Ferdinand Porsche himself might have become famous for his sports cars, but he also designed/made many notable military vehicles, including the WWII-era Type 82 "Kübelwagen" (the Nazi equivalent to the Jeep), Tiger tank and Elefant tank destroyer.

Practicality aside, it looks cool as hell – and that big Porsche badge is a real selling point. Sadly, only 71 Porsche 597s were ever made, 49 of which were built for the civilian market, and none are known to be right-hand drive. Porsche have one on display in their museum in Stuttgart – which is about as close as you're ever going to get to see one in the wild.

[caption id="attachment_297573" align="alignnone" width="920"] Clockwise from top left: a Porsche 597 (a.k.a. "Jagdwagen"), Volkswagen Type 82 (a.k.a "Kübelwagen"), Volkswagen Type 181 (a.k.a. "Thing") and a Volkswagen Country Buggy.[/caption]

We reckon that if there were a few kicking around Down Under, however, they'd be hot property. We can't imagine anything cooler to drive around Byron or Bondi in. That said, you're not entirely without 597-esque options as an Australian motorist.

There are a few Volkswagen 181s (also called the Volkswagen Thing) knocking about, mostly imported from the UK. Volkswagen Australia also manufactured a vehicle called the Volkswagen Country Buggy, which resembles a Thing or Kübelwagen but with a much more basic design, and very obviously Beetle/Kombi headlights.

Or what about this oddball buggy that's the spitting image of a Humvee? The world's your oyster...

World Champion Snowboarder Scotty James Shares Brutal Core Workout

July 30, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Ever wondered how top tier snowboarders keep in shape? There's more to it than metal pins and ligament reconstructions – they work out like devil's possessed.

World Champion snowboarder Scotty James does, at least. And fortunately for anyone looking to mimic his workout, he recently shared a snippet of what he does to Instagram.

Along with the caption: "Sneak peek at the office work that allows me to do what I love," James posted a video of himself doing core rotations, knee tucks, and some intense interval work to finish.

Watch World Champion snowboarder Scotty James' brutal core workout

He then asked followers: "What’s your favourite core exercise?", to which fans responded with comments like: "core, I think none" and "Reaching for my wine."

"Resting core is my favourite."

One Instagram user took it seriously, writing: "23 minutes of planking."

James, who is an Olympic bronze medalist, 3x World Champion, 6x XGames medalist and US Open Champion, has recently also shown followers his deadlift skills, calisthenics work, squatting, hudle jumping and skipping...

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A post shared by Scotty James (@scottyjames31)

... as well as posting clips of reaction time work reminiscent of a Formula one driver (while on vacation, no less).

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Want to know how it compares to Australian Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo's workout? Watch the video below and decide for yourself.

Watch Daniel Ricciardo keep himself sharp with various strength building exercises

If that doesn't inspire you to go for your casual weekend jog, take a cold water plunge, or take up juggling, I don't know what will...

Gin & Tonic Drinkers Are Killing Australia’s Cocktail Culture

July 30, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Just as god-tier beers (think: VB; red label Peroni) should make you feel like a peasant in a field, the best spirits should make you feel like a Russian spy on a London rooftop.

Unfortunately, Australia's cocktail culture is being held back from these lofty heights by gin and tonic drinkers.

Don't get me wrong. I get it. I'm as guilty as anyone. I never had gin any other way until last year. Even then – I spent my first few (straight) gin tastings wincing and pretending to enjoy the 'complex flavours' while actually feeling like I was drinking lighter fluid.

Even now, I'm not a huge fan. Straight gin is not an easy drinker. But out of civic responsibility, I persevere. Someone has to drive culture forward. If the rest of you lot are going to stick to 'hard seltzers' and "just a G&T, thanks" then someone has to step up the game.

Where is the glamour, damn it?

Before you call me a snob – I'm not saying you shouldn't drink gin and tonics. But you should expand your horizons – just like someone who doesn't eat cheese or certain vegetables. Grow up. Try it straight. Make an awesome Negroni. The options are endless.

Otherwise, you're not a fully actualised drinker.

As Anthony Bourdain once said: "They say that Rasputin used to eat a little arsenic with breakfast every day, building up resistance for the day that an enemy might poison him, and that sounds like good sense to me.”

“Judging from accounts of his death, the Mad Monk wasn’t fazed at all by the stuff; it took repeated beatings, a couple of bullets and a long fall off a bridge into a frozen river to finish the job.”

“Perhaps we, as serious diners, should emulate his example. We are, after all, citizens of the world – a world filled with bacteria, some friendly, some not so friendly.”

“Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock cafes and McDonalds?”

“Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria’s mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head? I know what I want. I want it all. I want to try everything once.”

Inspired to order your next gin straight (we assume you already know how to make a Negroni)?

Here's how to drink gin straight and actually enjoy it.

The most important thing to remember when drinking gin straight is to keep it cool. The next most important thing to do is to garnish it with unique ingredients that are related to the gin itself.

Trish Brew, Fever-Tree Brand Ambassador (who was the Bar Manager at Gin Palace in Melbourne for eight years and the 2018 Time Out Melbourne Bartender of the Year) says: "If you are looking to try your gin on its own, I recommend keeping your gin in the freezer."

"If you keep your gin in the freezer, the texture of 'frozen' gin is silky smooth, the alcohol is dialled back, and the botanicals subdued."

Joseph Judd, Co-Founder and Head of Marketing at Peddlers Gin co. says: "Gin straight is essentially a classic James Bond martini, so you can't go too wrong."

"It also cuts out the sugar from the tonic. The colder the better – on the rocks, or ice cold, a splash of dry vermouth and an olive."

Ross Lusted, Owner and Head Chef of Crown Sydney’s Woodcut and Hickory Bar likewise relates: "Drinking gin straight is the best way to taste the full array of botanicals."

His best advice? "It’s best served on ice, with a garnish inspired by the botanicals itself – citrus is always a winner, but look for unique ingredients that might be included in the gin itself like herbs or spices."

He adds: "Ice is equally important in making a great drink – using filtered water is critical to the process, to eliminate adding any unwanted flavours that can change an exceptional drink."

"The size of the cube is also important – the smaller the cube, the quicker it melts, diluting the drink and changing the flavour," Ross tells us.

"At Woodcut we use ice cut into 40mm2 cubes and made with pristine Tasmanian water – the perfect ice for spirits."

There you have it: that's how to drink straight gin like you were dropped straight out of Downtown Abbey.

Put that in your glass and sip it.

Sydney Median House Price Hits Another Outlandish High

July 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Everyone knows that Sydney property prices are stupidly high.

You'd think that a global pandemic would take some of the heat out the Harbour City's blazingly hot market. Indeed, one of the biggest trends in Australian property has been city slickers trying to escape The Spicy Cough by moving to regional areas – if you're going to work from home, better to have a bigger house out in the sticks.

But property price rises in regional New South Wales and the rest of Australia haven't caused any relief of metropolitan Sydney property prices. Far from it, as recent data relates.

The median Sydney house price has jumped by 8.2% to $1,410,133 in the last quarter, the latest Domain House Price Report reveals. That's a rise of more than $1,200 a day.

Naturally, this depressing data has caught the ire of Redditors on /r/sydney, who are bemoaning the fact that Australia's biggest city is increasingly becoming impossible to own a home in.

"At what point do you turn your back on Sydney? The cost/benefit of living in Melbourne was no longer worth it for me, so I recently cashed in & moved to the sticks. Much happier," a Victorian commenter relates.

[caption id="attachment_297522" align="alignnone" width="920"] Darling Street, Balmain in Sydney's Inner West. Balmain, once a very working-class suburb, now has a median house price of $2,140,000 for houses to $1,137,500 for units (source: realestate.com.au).[/caption]

Two commenters' takes really stand out, and perfectly demonstrate the inanity of the Sydney property market in 2021:

"My dad keeps saying 'I only made 20k a year back then so you should have been able to buy something by now'. My mum keeps insisting that I buy near them so they can help out when I have kids. I told him to do the math..."

"The 2 bedroom apartment he bought was 120k in 1993, in Dee Why. He made 20k and my mum made 20k so really the apartment is 3x their annual salary. Today, that same old apartment is worth 850k. I make 55k, and guess what? it's 15x my salary. A new 2 bedroom apartment in Dee Why is 1.2m, 20x my salary. A house in Dee Why is around 2.5m... 45x my salary."

"They're gonna have to accept that they'll need to travel to Campbelltown to visit me because that's looking like my only option for a house..."

Makes me sick hearing real estate types talk on ABC Radio about how great house price rises of ≈ 20% are.

Image if the cost of food, water, electricity, education, petrol or insurance premiums (etc) had all gone up 20% over the past year? pic.twitter.com/Ugf4aBmyxC

— Ryan Sheales (@RyanSheales) July 27, 2021

Another Redditor really hits the nail on the head:

"If you going with the narrative from /r/ausfinance that this growth rate is 'logical', 'normal' and 'sustainable' then using a quick compound calculator at a modest rate of 15% per annum, the house price will be x6 in 10 years and x20 in 20 years."

"At that growth rate, unless you [have] already bought a home by now, there is no chance your children buying anything."

"And why invest in anything else? Why start your own business with so many associated risks when there is a 'fail-proof', 'safe' and 'sustainable' [option] like the property market here in Sydney," they sarcastically conclude.

[caption id="attachment_297523" align="alignnone" width="920"] Bidders compete for space at an auction in New Farm, Brisbane. Queensland's biggest city has avoided much of the property madness that's taken hold of Sydney and Melbourne, but that might be set to change. Image: Place Estate Agents[/caption]

That's not to say Sydney's the only city with property price woes. The same Domain report shows that the median Brisbane house price rose by 13% to $678,236, and the median Melbourne house price rose by a whopping 16.2% to $1,022,927.

Instead of buying property, maybe we should just spend our big bucks on a luxury SUV and live in that instead, like this enterprising American is doing with his Porsche...

64% Of Australians ‘More Likely To Fly Business Class’ Post Pandemic, Poll Finds

July 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

The pandemic has thrown a number of conventions out the window. No longer do you smile at your barista – you attempt to convey your appreciation with your eyes. No longer do you sit on a bus for an hour a day – you waste that time 'doom scrolling' on your phone. No longer do you book economy flights – now you just don't go anywhere...

Sound familiar? If you live in a locked-down part of Australia right now, much of that might ring a bell.

But what about when the pandemic ends?

A recent poll conducted by DMARGE on Instagram suggests that many Australians are now more likely to try to fly business class on their first post-COVID international flight.

[caption id="attachment_297497" align="alignnone" width="526"] Post-Pandemic Poll... Image credit: DMARGE.[/caption]

When asked "are you more likely to try to fly business class on your first post-COVID international flight?" 64% of respondents said "Yes."

This comes after many people have, over the last twelve months, shared their experiences flying business class for the first time during the pandemic.

Some did it to reduce their chances of getting COVID-19 on a flight. Others did it due to economy passengers sometimes being booted from flights, due to passenger caps, making business class a safer (if much more expensive) way of getting home.

Industry experts are still open-minded, however, as to whether the business class boom will continue when the pandemic subsides.

Karl Schubert, a spokesperson for Singapore Airlines, told DMARGE, "There is no denying there is pent up desire for travel, but one cannot be certain how this pent up desire will translate into actual ticket sales once borders open."

"There could be an initial rush for travel, which may subside and then build again as the market gradually returns to normality. Or it may be a case that while many have a strong desire to travel, it will take some time for customers to feel comfortable to book, as such it will be a slow burn."

"A strong determinant of demand will be where Australians are permitted to travel to freely and what other requirements may be put in place."

"Similarly, the impact the pandemic has on travel preferences, outside of a greater focus on health and safety, remains to be seen."

On the other hand, luxury travel hacker and Flight Hacks owner Immanuel Debeer told DMARGE he thinks there will be an increase in business class bookings – potentially making for more 'business class slammer' (a burgeoning business class champagne trend) recruits: "I think a lot of people will be seeking out the pointy end of the plane for a variety of reasons."

"However, let's be honest...most will do it just to have more personal space between them and that one potential covid zombie."

As for whether he will be more likely to fly business class post-pandemic, Immanuel told us it's a moot point, as he would typically fly at the pointy end anyway.

"The majority of my business and first-class tickets cost far less than what the person down the back... next to the toilet paid for their economy ticket. And the reality is that anyone with time to watch TV can educate themselves to do the same."

What will business class look like coming out of the pandemic? Schubert told DMARGE a number of small things will have changed for Singapore Airlines: "Over the past 18-months we have had a strong focus on re-designing the entire travel experience to ensure when customers do return to the air, they can do so with confidence."

"We have invested heavily in digital solutions that have seen inflight menus and magazines removed from the cabin and available on your own personal device."

He added: "The MyKrisWorld inflight entertainment system, can also be controlled using your personal device, removing the need for customers to touch the inflight entertainment screen or handset. We have introduced KrisShop to our inflight entertainment system, allowing customers to purchase their inflight duty free, prior to or during their flight from their own personal device."

"In addition to all this, we’ve continued to enhance our SingaporeAir app, allowing customers at select destinations to check-in online, receive a digital boarding pass and receive important updates regarding flight status and other travel information."

"We have also implemented enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures, both in-flight and post-flight, while changes have also been made to the inflight dining experience to ensure we adhere to COVID-safe restrictions and regulations. Despite these changes, the one thing we haven’t changed is our focus on exceptional customer service."

Qantas said it was too early to comment on what their business class might look like when international flights resume, but that there could be further news on this in August.

What we know will be different on Qantas, across all classes, is the introduction of a health pass for all passengers.

Immanuel said he imagines business class "will be much of the same when they eventually start the longer routes again, maybe even a cut back here and there for 'safety' reasons."

"On the West to East routes, I flew recently there was a lack of welcome drinks and blankets in the name of our health so let's see..."

Only time, health restrictions, and ticket sales will tell.

Travis Scott Sneaker Fiasco Shows How Pointless Sneaker Drops Have Become

July 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Sneaker collaborations are big business.

It's become an essential part of the modern sportswear brand business model: make a limited edition model in collaboration with a hot brand or celebrity, create artificial scarcity by deliberately keeping production numbers low, make them deliberately hard to purchase and bam! Watch them all sell out, at full price, in mere minutes – on top of the brand equity and free press you generate.

Some collaborations are hotter than others, however. A Kanye West, Virgil Abloh or Travis Scott co-sign is like a license to print money. Then, if you want to go really next-level, make it a three-way collaboration with a cult fashion brand.

That's exactly what Nike's done with the Travis Scott x Fragment x Nike Air Jordan 1 Highs. Both Scott and Fragment – the imprint of famed Japanese multidisciplinary artist and designer Hiroshi Fujiwara, who's collaborated with everyone from Maserati to Moncler – have already released collaborative AJ1s individually with Nike, which rank as some of the most hyped, popular models of all time. Bringing the two together on a single pair makes financial sense.

Naturally, sneaker fans were keenly awaiting 'drop day' – which was spoiled by a rather brazen pair of profiteers in a move that's emblematic of a growing problem not only within sneaker culture but in modern fashion more broadly.

[caption id="attachment_297491" align="alignnone" width="706"] Twitter user @7zarc shares screenshots showing they’d successfully entered the raffle 25,000 times, and then another of a handful of pending transactions suggesting they were able to purchase the sneakers. A similar, since-deleted tweet from user @aycdjake showed a screenshot of a bot that created 32,000 entries. Image: screenshot[/caption]

Apparently, two individuals used raffle 'bots' to generate around 55,000 successful raffle entries, which netted them over 100 pairs each. They even headed to Twitter to brag about it, sharing screenshots of the bot's interface and one even claiming they don't even listen to Scott's music.

If they truly did manage to secure 100 pairs each, they could be in for a serious payday. The sneakers retail for US$200 but are currently selling for at least US$2,800 on StockX. Even assuming a 12.5% StockX processing fee on each pair, they'd still be looking at a US$225,000 profit each. That's huge.

Now there's a good chance that they're trolling, just to mess with sneakerheads. Of course, even if they weren't, Travis Scott's e-commerce team knows all about it now, and could easily just cancel all the botted transactions – they've shot themselves in the feet here.

But the fact this is even a thing shows how anti-consumer sneaker drops are becoming. Or, at least, even more anti-consumer...

[caption id="attachment_297495" align="alignnone" width="920"] The unique shoebox of the Travis Scott x Fragment x Nike Air Jordan 1 Highs. Image: Hypebeast[/caption]

"This event once again highlights a giant problem within the community, where sneakers have become so unattainable from both limited supply from the brands, and extremely unrealistic chances of winning raffles due to automated activity," House of Heat relates.

"Should obtaining sneakers really require an exceptional knowledge of technology? Should brands and retailers do more to combat botting? Do they even care, considering that exclusivity and aftermarket demand continues to fuel the industry? The pressure is surely mounting – but when exactly that bubble will fully bust remains unseen."

The problem with botting is that it's not actually illegal – at least in the US, UK or Australia. While brands do try and combat the practice – Nike's SNKRS app and Supreme's habit of wildly changing their shopfront's URL structures ahead of release stand out as notable examples – there's an argument to be made that they don't really care who they're selling to, as long as they're selling out.

Sure, they might dilute some brand equity by frustrating consumers – but in many ways, the insane speculation on the grey or aftermarket actually benefits them as much as it benefits the profiteering botters.

The loser, of course, is the average consumer. The one who thinks they have a chance of winning a raffle or getting a pair. The one who can't afford or justify spending thousands of dollars on a pair of basketball shoes.

Watch the teaser video for Travis Scott & Hiroshi Fujiwara's sneaker collaboration

This sneaker fiasco speaks to a growing trend within fashion where exclusivity – more than authenticity, design or quality – is the driving force behind what's popular. Being fashionable is all about your ability to access (or afford) what's hyped, rather than being about one's ability to actually style ones' self.

It's not just sneakers. You can't just walk into a Rolex or Hermès boutique and walk out with a Submariner or a Birkin bag. Exclusivity is synonymous with luxury. Perhaps it just stings a little more with sneakers as sneakers are supposed to be an affordable, accessible good. Jordans aren't luxury sneakers; they're just increasingly priced like they are.

The profiteering that's associated with all of this further cheapens modern fashion as a whole, turning shoes and shirts into business opportunities rather than clothing.

Thankfully, there will always be a market and respect for a man in a simple, well-tailored suit. Some things withstand trends. But it's frustrating to see how the definition of fashion and luxury is being artificially manipulated by both bad actors – as well as the brands who often turn a blind eye to their antics.

This ‘Back to the Future’ Ute Is The Coolest Car On Sale In Australia Right Now

July 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Back to the Future is one of the most iconic 80s films ever, and arguably one of the most iconic car movies ever, too.

Of course, there's plenty of cool 50s cars on the streets of Hill Valley, California, but it's the DeLorean DMC-12 time machine – the core plot device – that the movie is so famous for. In the immortal words of Doc Brown, “If you’re gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?”

But there's another very cool car in the film that people forget about: Marty McFly's tricked out Toyota Hilux. When he arrives back in 1985 after returning from 1955, the protagonist finds that in this improved future, he owns the 4x4 he wistfully admired at the start of the film, with antagonist-turned-valet Biff having buffed it to a mirror shine to boot.

Thankfully, you don't need to go back in time and almost end up making out with your mum (it's a really weird film when you think about it) to get your hands on a cool Hilux. One absolute legend on the Gold Coast is selling a virtually perfect replica of the film star car – right down to that gleaming duco.

[caption id="attachment_297413" align="alignnone" width="920"] Down down to brown town. Image: Carsales[/caption]

The ute's a dead ringer for the one in the film: a US-spec smooth side tray; those famous yellow KC lights; a custom, hand made bull bar, roll bar and rear bar, and even the exact wheels and tires as the movie car.

The interior is a little different – a very 80s brown instead of the grey of Marty's car – and unlike Marty's, it features a rare factory sunroof. It also boasts a 112kW 3RZ-FE engine under the bonnet from a fifth/sixth generation Hilux instead of the 78kW 22R-E it would have originally come with. Interior mods include an aftermarket head unit and a UHF radio – can't have a Hilux without a UHF.

It's not the only Back to the Future Hilux replica in the country: there's another one kicking around Western Australia, but that one was imported from the US and is a left-hand drive. That might be more faithful to the film car, but less practical for Australian driving.

Speaking of replicas, Toyota USA even made their own homage to the BTFF Hilux back in 2016, using their Tacoma pickup as a base rather than a Hilux. We reckon the 80s Hilux is a much cooler car, however.

[caption id="attachment_297414" align="alignnone" width="920"] The Hilux being delivered to a Toyota dealership in the film, and the 2015 Toyota Tacoma Images: Universal Pictures / Toyota USA[/caption]

Even if you don't give a toss about the film connection, it's just an immaculate 80s Hilux with some tasteful mods. That's valuable in of itself. Of course, it's also the ultimate film buff car; much cooler than a Jurassic Park Jeep or a Love Bug Beetle.

We'd argue it might even be cooler than a DeLorean – it'll certainly be easier to live with... Hell, it might just be the coolest car in Australia. There, we said it.

They're asking $50,000 for it, which is a bit punchy, but there you have it. You can find it on Carsales. Just don't go racing any F-150s in it, okay?

Sorry, Spain: ‘Australian Tapas’ Puts Your Paella To Shame

July 29, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

Australia is often accused of having no national cuisine. A rude, though not baseless, charge.

But...though we might not have Paella, we do have sausage sandwiches – a criminally overlooked dish among foodies and Michelin Guide writers, but loved by the Aussie public.

Whether at Bunnings or your local sport's club, they are a Sunday morning institution, up there with France's "coffee and a cigarette" and Spain's "bottom of the pan Paella" (both in terms of culture and carcinogens).

Don't believe me? Check out the 1,507 Instagram posts containing the 'bunningssausage' hashtag, with heartfelt captions like, "Be still my heart" and "Welcome back, I’ve missed you" and "Nothing quite beats a @bunnings Sausage Sizzle!"

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A post shared by Dave Behrens - db3 (@davebehrens)

Not enough evidence for you? There are 3,737 more Instagram posts with the hashtag 'bunnings sausage sizzle.'

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A post shared by Stones Corner Kindergarten (@stonescornerkindy)

Oh, and who needs regaetton when you've got music videos filmed in a Bunnings carpark for sozzie sizzle Sunday?

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Much like Spaniards love to debate the merits of each region's dishes, and how best to cook things (should there be onion in your tortilla or is that treason? what about sitting down for lunch without bread?), we, too, have sophisticated debates over the best way to dress a Bunnings sausage.

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A post shared by Yan | BRUNCH & FOOD BLOG (@brunchisserved)

Where, exactly, the sausage should be placed in relation to the onion, regularly provides Australians with food for thought – as this Instagram post from 2018 attests.

"Serious news from back home – 🇦🇺 Controversy surrounding the classic Bunnings sausage sizzle – man slipped on a stray onion and now they must serve the sausage above the onion."

"Should onions be on top or bottom of the snag?"

In response to the post, one user wrote: "Onions on the bottom is criminal."

That's before we even get into the whole tomato vs. BBQ sauce debate.

Also, much as many of the dishes sought out by foodies overseas feature the less commonly consumed parts of animals, cheap snags aren't exactly known for being prime cuts of meat, either.

Before you go calling a Michelin star judging panel and directing them to your local Bunnings, just wait one second.

Andy Allen – chef, Masterchef judge and c-owner of Three Blue Ducks – tells DMARGE, calling a sausage sizzle 'Australian tapas' is a bit of a stretch.

"Haha. As much as I'm the biggest fan of a snag sauso, that's a pretty long bow. I think for me, tapas is a variety of small plates which to pick at and graze on."

Executive Sous Chef at Hearth, Danny Feng, however, tells DMARGE an Australian sausage sizzle could, one day, earn a Michelin star – much in the same way street food in places like Singapore have in recent years.

"I think that using fine native ingredients, incorporating unique flavour elements and cooking techniques could be the key to get there."

[caption id="attachment_297248" align="alignnone" width="920"] Image: @jess_jeanette[/caption]

Andy adds that 'Australian tapas' and Spanish tapas have another thing in common: "hunting down the goods with your nose."

"The first thing you notice with a Bunning's sausage sizzle is the smell of a mixture between heavily charred onions melting away on the hotplate and the waft of pork or beef snags, caramelising away. I'm all about it. The same can be said about wandering the streets of Spain, it's all about following your nose!"

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Andy also says that though Australia is not known for having one defined food culture – instead, being full of a rich variety of multicultural culinary offerings – we do actually have a national cuisine "in the form of our Australian Indigenous ingredients."

"Sure they may not be as popular worldwide as a bowl of spag bol in Italy or the sushi roll in Japan – but they're unique, delicious and native to our land and that should be celebrated."

As for his top tips for making a pro-level sausage sandwich? "Condiments, condiments, condiments and condiments!"

Put that fork on it and eat it, food snobs. Who needs San Sebastian or Valencia when you've got your local Bunnings?

$4.50 might be able to buy you a takeaway Paella from Carrefour, but it can't buy the priceless sensation of getting the skin of a cheap sausage, cooked by someone's friend's brother's aunt's dad, who probably scratched their arse about 40 times during their shift, stuck between your teeth.

I rest my case.

Qantas Confirms Rollout Of Long Awaited ‘Health Pass’

July 28, 2021DMARGE, fashion, mens fasionNo comments

The Qantas Group today confirmed it will introduce a digital health pass for its international flights (on both Qantas and Jetstar), when they resume.

More than just a vaccine passport, it shows airline staff and health officials both your vaccine status and your COVID-19 test results from certified testing labs.

Qantas says the IATA Travel Pass "offers a convenient and secure method for customers to verify COVID test results and vaccination information with border or health officials and airline staff."

How does it work? The app connects passengers to a certified testing lab. Results can be uploaded to the platform, and customers can show they have a vaccine certificate and/or proof of a negative COVID test result before their flight.

"Importantly, the IATA Travel Pass matches a customer’s health information against a specific flight, checks the entry requirements for the country they are travelling to and provides clearance to travel on that flight, to both the customer and airline," Qantas announced this morning.

The response on Twitter, so far, appears mostly positive (though some travellers still appear aggrieved over, so they claim, not managing to get onto a repatriation flight).

Shame I’m never flying Qantas again after they left me high and dry!

— A really pissed off pulpo 🐙 💉 (@chicharronatres) July 29, 2021

I am 100% pro vaccination passport - regardless of airline. Bring it on!

— Ihatenicknames (@ksyd2015) July 29, 2021

The decision follows trials of several digital solutions on Qantas’ international repatriation flights.

It also comes after the Federal Government’s release of its four-phase national COVID-19 response plan earlier this month, which includes validating the vaccination status of Australians returning from overseas.

Many countries Qantas flies to, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, have announced requirements of either a proof of vaccine or negative COVID test result to enter without quarantine.

Qantas Group Chief Customer Officer, Stephanie Tully, said of the initiative: “We want to get our international flights back in the air and our people back to work and a digital health pass will be a key part of that."

“Many Governments are already requiring proof of vaccine or a negative COVID test result for international travel. Even if it wasn’t a government requirement, Qantas has always been a leader in safety and we have a responsibility to our customers and crew."

“A digital health pass will connect customers with COVID testing facilities, health authorities and airlines, and ultimately enable the opening of more travel bubbles and borders."

“The IATA Travel Pass will allow travellers to have their COVID test results and vaccine information verified securely, which will be their green light to fly internationally with us.

“We’re working closely with IATA to develop their Travel Pass to make the process as seamless as possible for Qantas and Jetstar customers as international borders start to re-open.”

IATA Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, Nick Careen, said: “A digital solution to manage and verify health credentials is essential for travel while COVID-19 remains a risk."

"We are delighted that the Qantas Group has decided to progress plans to use IATA Travel Pass as a convenient and secure method for travellers to verify and share their COVID test results and vaccination information with border or health officials and airline staff."

“IATA Travel Pass delivers an advantage over other solutions in that the app enables travellers to create a digital ID derived from a government issued document such as a passport. This means that airlines and governments can have full confidence in the test/vaccine results both from a content and identity perspective."

"Being able to validate the vaccination status of Australians returning from overseas is critical to enable Australia’s four-phase national COVID response plan announced earlier this month.”

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