r/AustralianMFA

Hey guys,

I’m getting married at a winery in the Yarra Valley in late September and been dealt a rough situation with my suit.

A retired friend was originally making it for me, but unfortunately they’ve gone from chronically to critically unwell, so that’s no longer possible. I don’t have access to the unfinished garments we were going to use. I've tried everything, short of breaking in and it is a no go. I really just hope he pulls through.

So I’m now 21 days out and starting from scratch and panic posting at 3AM as I can't sleep with fear.

The wedding is evening at a Yarra Valley winery, and I’m thinking a light/medium blue or bluegrey suit with a white shirt and tie. I want it to feel relaxed and a little Italian/boutique, but still properly polished and appropriate for a groom.

I’ve got about $2k AUD to spend all-in, including alterations, shirt and tie. Happy with anything:

• Dusty blue/blue-grey
• Wool or a nice lightweight wool blend
• Single breasted, two piece
• Pairing with: White shirt, brown leather shoes

Given the timeframe, I’m realistically looking at off-the-rack + really good alterations as getting anything made from scratch is impossible.

I’m in Melbourne and happy to go anywhere for the right suit/tailor.

Where/what would you guys go? Particularly specific stores/brands that have a more boutique or premium feel, and any alterations tailors you really trust with compressed timelines.

Appreciate any help. I'm desperate, sad and I know 21 days is not a particularly long time to sort out a wedding suit

I'm 43 and put time and effort into how I dress but I'm finding it really hard to find clothing. Its not sizing that is the issue (I have very common sizing) it's the clothes available.

I don't work in a corporate environment and although I have to dress reasonably professionally I am largely free to express myself.

I just can not find brick and mortar stores that cater to me. Myer is now fast fashion mixed with generic corporate wear. Seriously what is with all the slim fit jeans and chinos?

David Jones seems on the verge of death and just lacks anything really.

I am not willing to spend thousands on luxury brands and its also just not really my style. Other stores are aggressively marketed towards a youth market and/or are fast fashion shite.

Uniqlo is alright I suppose but basics only get you so far.

So far I have been getting by on op shop finds, online vintage stores and work gear from stores like RSEA safety mixed with the basics and the occasional find from somewhere like Myer or Iconic.

To compound this I am in Perth which further limits the range, although from my experiences in Melbourne the difference is smaller than you might think.

Where are you all finding your clothes?

Edit: I dress a little on the grunge/skateboarder side of things although the age appropriate interpretation of these styles.

I’ve been looking for nice contemporary brands that also have extended sizing, it seems impossible! Body positivity has very much had an effect on womenswear but men’s stuff is lagging far behind.

By extended sizes I mean at least up to 3XL but preferably 4XL. And basically up to a 50in waist.

Some of the few that I’ve found actually do have some extended sizes:

Dickies (mostly their original pants but these are often out of stock)

ASOS (best selection I’ve found of actually well designed stuff)

Hallensteins (they’ve gotten worse recently but still has some good stuff in larger sizes)

Any other suggestions? Especially for things like button up shirts and trousers/jeans/pants.

Three years, one stylist, one tailor, and a governed wardrobe system — my transformation from corporate-bland to intentional.

Three years ago I was stuck. Corporate, bland, achromatic — navy, black, grey, the whole nowhere-man default. A stylist consultation and a chance recommendation to a Sydney tailor changed the trajectory entirely.

I've just finished posting a six-part series documenting the whole thing — the before, the two people who moved the needle, the wedding that sits right in the transition, and the first proper test of what I built. It's not a highlight reel. It's dated, sequenced, and fairly honest about how long real change actually takes.

Posted here in case it's useful to anyone else feeling stuck in the same default.

1. The Before https://www.instagram.com/p/Da1R8gkjwd1/
2. The Consultation https://www.instagram.com/p/DbHU8hGD3qO/
3. The Tailor https://www.instagram.com/p/DbZWjHHjzx9/
4. The Wedding https://www.instagram.com/p/DbrYGNxD0ju/
5. First Real Test https://www.instagram.com/p/Db9Zphvjz7K/
6. The System https://www.instagram.com/p/DcPbPAnCa_h/

Happy to answer questions about any of it — the palette logic, the acquisition/cull rules, the cost of doing this properly, all of it.

I've sifted through lots of posts on other brands but I've seen little to no posts on these stores, I bought some Neovision baggy denim jeans from them and the've lasted me two years with me wearing them at least 4x a week.

just wanted to know what you guys think of these two stores?

I've done research and found out that all the brands that they have in there (e.g Neovision, Common Need) are all in-house brands so im not sure if that makes their quality better or worse?

Is it just me, or has the quality of clothing completely fallen off a cliff? Every brand blames rising manufacturing costs, yet we’re paying more than ever. I keep buying t-shirts, wear them a handful of times, and they’re already losing shape, fading, or falling apart. Then it’s on to the next tee.

I’m honestly over fast fashion and would rather spend more on something that actually lasts. Can anyone recommend brands that make proper heavyweight cotton t-shirts with the quality we used to get years ago? I’d love to hear what you’ve had good experiences with.

I wanna get some nice raglan Tees or similar cut that make my arms and chest look good. I've got heaps of ads for Milkbar but after seeing some reviews I'm looking for an alternative. Anyone have some good recs?

I'm chasing some new work boots and I've hit a bit of a brick wall. I do upwards of 10k steps a day in my job so I need a decent pair of boots. I walk on many different types of terrain which consists of basically everything from office carpet to uneven rocky ground. The majority of my day is spent outside. The issue I'm running into is that the boots need to meet all of the following requirements:

• true 4E fit
• black
• soft toe (non safety)
• Waterproof
• Suitable for any/all ground types

Price isn't a concern as long as the boots meet all of these requirements and they are decent quality. I can probably get away with wearing sneaker type shoes but boots are much more suitable

Anyone know where I can some nice slim fit basic/graphic T-shirts, everywhere I look in every sydney store all the shirts kinda have this semi-boxy/baggy fit which isn't bad but I'm trying to find something more slimming cause i want to change it up.

(I do not want to have to buy this stuff from overseas).

Im looking for something with decent quality but doesn't break the bank (I've seen $300 T-shirts......Ew)

I ask because I have slowly amassed clothing that I don't wear, but that I would, if it was made-to-fit.

This ranges from trouser pants, Rugby shirts, polo shirts and so on. But I've never been to a tailor.

Do I just go in with all of my clothes, or do I need to be wearing the clothes?... If I need to be wearing the clothes does that mean I can only get one thing tailored at a time?...

I'm not a professional on terminology. But I'm learning I prefer a medium break in my pants. Do I need to know anything else?

Will tailors give me their input on what they think suits me? Because for me a lot of this is a learning process and I would appreciate their honest feedback during the tailoring.

Hi all,

I'm getting an early start on my partner's (29M) christmas gift and looking for watch model recommendations. Something in the $500-$800 range and can be bought from a physical retailer if resizing is needed.

I assume it will be more of a special occasions/nice dinner watch, as he currently wears a G-Shock digital to work as a tradie. As far as aesthetics and practicality, hes the usual camping and fishing fanatic who wears brown RM chelsea boots as his nice shoes, is about 5'8 and goes to the gym regularly (if that helps with gaguing what size would be suitable ?). Metal band, quartz and water resistance are features I'm looking for.

I've been looking at Tissot and Seiko as brands with a good name/reliability, but definitely open to suggestions!

Thank you in advance 😊

UPDATE: Thanks all for the suggestions, I've compiled a shortlist and we will pick it out together

Don't say Charlest Trywit lol (they're a good budget option). But not what I'm looking for right now.

Hi all, I wanted to ask for recommendations on where to get linen suits pressed in Melbourne (specifically sharpening the crease in the trousers). The suits are bespoke so I would prefer someone with high quality service and experience with linen. Thank you

Just entirely end of the week question - but how do you guys who have pristine white jeans keep them clean when in the City all day? Teflon? Glad wrap?

I’m not a slob, but I’m not brave enough to risk it.

Gents, need some help on this one.

Getting measured up for my first tux, made to measure. Truthfully, have no idea what I should be looking for, what questions I should be asking, how to not buy a shit tux.

Any thoughts, feelings, or general help would be much appreciated lads.

I’m after a few ribbed singlets to take on an upcoming trip. I’ve tried COS and Milkbar and they are good, however find them a little too long and hate the bunch up at the waist - ideally after something a little more cropped that finishes at the waistline. Any recommendations?

I am looking for a jacket that pairs well with chinos/boots/polo for work, but would also work well with jeans and sneakers.

I want it to be more casual looking, but not a typical puffy style jacket.

What do people typically wear these days? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hey everyone,

I want to update my wardrobe as I'm 33 and the last time I bought clothes was when I was in my mid twenties so the clothing purge and update is way overdue. Most of my current wardrobe is from Connor, Tarocash and Industrie because those were my options at my local shopping centre at the time.

Since then I've moved and was checking out my new local Westfield's. So far I like what I'm seeing at Uniqlo, just basics without any bells and whistles. Connor, Tarocash and YD still same as ever and no longer appeal to me. H and M feel like Connor and Kmart but with better branding, expected more from an overseas brand. Industrie no longer appeals to me sadly since I used to be a fan. Culture Kings never appealed to me in the first place. Then I got tired and overwhelmed and could not be bothered checking out the many other brands.

So everyone what is your one stop shop for keep it simple stupid basics ? Are there any brands and shops Im missing out on ?

Thanks everyone and have a good one.

Everything I am coming across is either slim fit , tapered or "tailored". Just give straight mid to high waist pants.

By reasonable price, I am talking under $200 and close to 100% wool.

If anyone has an idea where to find such pants or even nice looking cotton pants. Please let me know, I am trying to find some cotton pants that are a step up from jeans in the straight or wider fit.

I know finding something in wool is going to be hard... I know you can get something made for $350 at Oscar Hunt