Guys, time to scrub the f*%k up!

I was delighted to be photographed in the street, a year or two ago, for a new blog entitled 'Scrub the f*%k up' that showcases smart and well-dressed men and encourages guys to make more of an effort in their appearance. Since then, they've changed its name - perhaps to get past those 'NSFW' problems, language restrictions, or just to scrub itself up - and can now be seen at www.facebook.com/stfumen  But they do have a point . . .
 
I don't hold myself up to be any paragon of style, but I do like to dress well and I do look around many of the men in Australian cities and think "Wow - we could do SO much better!". The usual uniform of badly-fitting dark suit, old greying shirt and mismatched, poorly-knotted tie sorely needs refreshing, and it's really NOT that hard. There are so many amazing designers, stores, tailors and retailers offering guys everything from quirky to quaint, sombre to splendid, and elegant to extravagant, and with so many up-and-coming designers around Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Brisbane alone there is great competition - which means prices aren't too steep.
 
Knowing my own limitations, I enlisted the help of my friend Howard Steeves - a man with a truly amazing eye. Former fashion stylist for Vanity Fair magazine in New York, as well as for TV, print media and designer collections here in Australia, Howard is now based in Sydney and works as a stylist and personal shopper for private clients as well as for Westfield. He showed me how to make better use of my shape (tall and lean), the better parts of my existing wardrobe (similar suits in wildly different colours), and the better examples of things in the shops that wouldn't break the bank but which would last well (Henry Bucks, Brooks Brothers and Brent Wilson). Howard can be found here, and there really is nothing better than an experienced, objective eye: www.workagency.com.au/agency
 
And I was delighted to read how the men in different cities have such different looks - the book 'Men in this town' was a present from my friend and writer Michael Wilton (www.teaorcopy.com). It takes a look at how the guys in London, Tokyo, Sydney, Milan and New York have their own styles, colours and looks - and it's good to recognise a few faces in there including Billy Wood (www.woodyroo.com - more on him later) and Patrick Johnson (www.pjohnson.com.au - more on him later as well). Read more in Giuseppe Santamaria's book and on his website: www.meninthistown.com