THE JOURNAL

Ask your average Aussie and Melbourne might as well be Antarctica. Especially when we’re heading into winter in that part of the world. Of course, the rest of us can probably take such a climatic assessment with a pinch of salt. Or at least enjoy the famed local baristas rather than barometric readings. Which is to say that attendees of the city’s ongoing Design Week have more to think about than the weather, which, if we’re honest, isn’t that different from that in MR PORTER’s hometown of London on the cusp of summer. It plays a part when getting dressed, for sure, and we saw some spot-on seasonal pieces when we rocked up. But more we were here to gauge the sartorial temperature. What are the hippest designers sporting in Victoria right now? Read on to find out.
01. The greatcoat and the good

Mr Tendai Jawa @tendaijawa
Hey, great coat. Or rather greatcoat, but this example – while ending down here – is up there. The beigy-brown, knee-length piece is the star of this sartorial package, and a solid item to build a winter wardrobe around. But wait, there’s more. Take a peek beneath for a neat buttoned-up cardigan over a blinding white T-shirt. Meanwhile, the jeans offer a slight flare for, well, slight flair. Also note the tasselled tote, tucked behind. Noice.
02. Fortune favours the bold

Mr Ewan McEoin @ewanmceoin
Colour isn’t for everyone, but a pop of it is something that anyone can have a pop at. Bold accessories, particularly, can really hold their own against a monochromatic backdrop. Take this guy – an all-black outfit might fall a bit flat, while anything else with the bright multicoloured scarf and sneakers would be a bit much. It helps that there’s a theme going on, with red, magenta and yellow accents mirrored above and below.
03. Why don’t you pick out something your own size?

Mr Andrew Kirk @MisterKirky
Sometimes, we all just need a hug. That should foremost come from a loved one or close friend, but failing that, an item of clothing will do. This all-encompassing coat in a micro-check pattern is about as classic as they come, but the epic proportions offer it a stylistic edge. It’s the sort of piece that means that you don’t really have to think about the rest of your outfit, although thankfully this man did. And while we appreciate the lilac tee, stonewash jeans and Nike Vomero 5 sneakers, the JG Melon cap is more than worthy of the NYC burger joint’s four-star Yelp rating.
04. Double up on denim

Mr Carlo Nepomuceno
Pulling off a double-denim look is a fraught task, but pulling off denim layers can be even trickier. So, how do you do it right? Remaining consistent with the colour palette is the first thing to consider, as this Melbourne Design Week attendee can attest. Then, the outermost layer should be darker than the one immediately beneath it, else, with deep navy tailored trousers, you’d risk a colour-coordination mishap. Fashion’s favourite shoes, black loafers, round off the fit elegantly.
05. Made to work

Mr John Paul Wilkinson
Although Australia is nearing the colder half the year, we’ll treat this unstructured khaki suit as the perfect example of summer tailoring. Nodding to classic workwear uniforms, it’s light – both in tone and construction – and practical, offering plenty of styling possibilities. The simple pop of colour and the smart footwear choice turn an effortlessly cool suit into an intentional outfit, and a well put-together one at that.
06. The new rules of tailoring

Mr Lui Burns @lentilson
The rules of tailoring in 2024? There are, simply, no rules. Wearing a double-breasted suit jacket over a T-shirt and casual trousers would have been considered a serious fashion faux pas a few decades back, but the same get-up wouldn’t turn heads now. Or better, it would, for the right reasons, if the components are scrupulously proportioned, thoughtfully colour-coordinated and paired with German military-inspired sneakers and 1970s aviator sunglasses.
07. The power of the vest

Mr Ben Mooney @mahousesupplystore
This stylish guy at Melbourne Design Week is here to remind us that the knitted vest is one of the most reliable trans-seasonal staples. It works well with more casual layers, such as T-shirts and jeans, but even better as a simple way to tone down slightly smarter pieces, such as a button-up and tailored trousers. We’ll give top marks to the cobalt blue shade, too, which adds a subtle yet effective touch of colour to an otherwise neutral outfit.