Wish it was hot

A country drive

We had a couple of pals down to stay this weekend, so we took the old car out for a drive down to the Elkhorn Cafe in Wallington for brunch. It may be blustery and cold, but you can still enjoy a stylish Sunday if you're organised. Why not pick a spot on the map, deck yourself out with a pair of good chinos, driving mocs and leather driving gloves, tune the ipod onto a good driving album like Jon Swift, and get some fresh air. Nothing better.

Images: Vintage map - Flickr, Field image - pixiegenne, spacehaggis.com, The Elkhorn Roadhouse, 15 Signs - John Swift,  onlygloves.com, redbubble.com, raife.com.au, raife.com.au, Todds Driving mocs - ioffer.com

Style icon: Jon Hamm

Famous for playing the role of Donald Draper in Mad Men, Jon Hamm's cigarette totin', whisky swilling  bad guy charater, is one whom guys can all live vicariously through watching him charm his way through a litany of female beauties on the series, while delivering knock-out genius advertising spin in his advertising agency gig in up-state New York. What a role, what a star!

Jon Hamm is about to hit that tipping point of serious super star. This 38 year old man among boys, has that dual-gender appeal, as the guy the women love to look at and who men want to be. His natural good looks are just the beginning. The foppish hair, the five o'clock shadow and the devilishly handsome grin, all come together to make the man appear drop dead dapper in anything he wears. 

Drinks - Bourbon

Drives - Audi 5

Work out - Softball, basketball and golf

Style tip for his peers - Dress for your age and not like 'post-pubescent hipster'

Lady tip - Don't cheat

Smoke - Quit five years ago

Coffee or tea - Five coffees a day

Queens Birthday get-away

Hope you enjoyed a great Queens Birthday weekend. Whether with mates or that special someone, a long-weekend is always a great chance to escape the every day.

A winter escape

From left to right: Academee Smoker's Knit, RAIFE leather weekender bag, Academee Flannel shirt, Vintage LL Bean Duck boots, Baldwin Denim Jeans, Polaroid 2 Instant camera, 8 year old bourbon whisky, Wasabi peas, RAIFE felt Hat, Roxy Music - Country Life

The Queen's birthday long weekend falls smack bang in June, and right now the wind chill in Victoria is cold enough to freeze vodka. But do not despair, there are ways around this. It is all about embracing the cold, preparing for it, and actually - yes truly, enjoying it.

First, pick a destination where you can take her and she'll think you are a romantic (think antique stores, cosy wine bar, pubs with open fires) or go with the guys, where you can all let off a bit of steam (think golf course, bit of fishing, maybe a surf). Next sort out some accomodation....somewhere warm and accomodating. A house of your own for the weekend is always ideal. Make your own mess and noise and not have to worry about an over-bearing host. Then you'll need to pack. A flannel, jeans, good waterproof boots, a bottle of something to warm the cockles, a hat, a camera for the memories and some cheesy old tracks to dance to.

This my friends, is all you need to enjoy a cold, long weekend away this Queens Birthday weekend.

Enjoy.

Style icon: Crosby Stills and Nash

Crosby Stills and Nash vintage vinyl Etsy.com

Academee denim shirt available at  raife.com.au

This Autumn, take your cue from the easy listening style of  Crosby Stills and Nash, when double denim was the biz. There are no rules with the double denim look. Wear light with dark, or light with light. Tuck jeans into semi laced boots and layer a grey marle tee underneath. Total rock n roll.

A warm gentleman

 Dolce and Gabbana 2010/11 fall collection

 Bunelli Cucinelli  Fall 2010/11 esquire.co.uk

 Salvator Ferragamo esquire.co.uk

 Missoni Fall 2010/11

 Zara 2010/11

Silverdale Merino Knit, available at RAIFE $129.95 AUD

If you're a bloke who plans regular getaways over winter to keep the winter blues at bay, warmth should be a key consideration, and real wool rather than cotton knits, acrylic or worse - polyester, is essential.

But what about style? Gents it's time to let go of the Coogie knits from the eighties and save the out-of-shape wincheater for bed. Investing in a collection of excellent quality knits means being prepared to pay a bit, but also expecting that knit to last a long-time, so you won't need to buy them every season.

Look for pure fibres such as merino wool, cashmere, mohair and lambswool.

This season, the catwalks were filled with refreshing new looks, thankfully deviating from the navy blue/black and grey conventions. 

Mixing courduroy tailoring, egg-shell  and mushroom palettes, with colourful knits in plum, army green will always look amazing, and when the weather is cold and grey, great tailoring is an excellent pick me up.

Caring for your knit is important too. Moth holes can be the ruin of the best cashmere, so hang your knits on wooden hangers with a cedar hanging blocks, or fold and store in air-tight containers, with aromatic cedar blocks, also available at amazon.com. Dry clean or hand-wash knits, and dry in flat, cool place.