One man's trash, another man's treasure...

Recently, yours truly has been fully embracing the world of eBay. While previous attempts at dabbling in the activity of selling old clothes and making some money in return have barely made a dent in the bank balance of this shopaholic (Rebecca Bloomwood, you've got competition, gurl), a recent no nonsense approach to a wardrobe clearout has pretty much paid for a forthcoming trip to London. Whether or not said trip ends up costing even more due to your boy approaching shopping like it's an Olympic sport remains to be seen, but it's definitely interesting to think about how clothes we toss to the back of our wardrobes could easily become coveted items to others.

Far from being deluded enough to think that his impeccable taste and flawless wardrobe choices have made him a fashion messiah whose castoffs would be quickly snapped up by those wanting to emulate his style, your boy is fully aware that most of the people snapping up those size-too-big skinny jeans (hiya new gym habit already producing results after a few weeks) and All Saints t-shirts from when All Saints was still good are just out for a bargain and eager to take advantage of this ruthless wardrobe cleanse. But still, in a world where people are driving themselves deeper and deeper into debt to try and keep up with the latest throwaway fashions, why are more people not taking advantage of the money making opportunity that comes with putting those shoes you only wore once because they killed your feet, or that handbag your mum got you for Christmas that you just don't like, on eBay? What happiness are these items going to bring being stuffed at the back of a wardrobe, destined to be forgotten or chucked? Especially when they could be auctioned off, creating more space in your wardrobe and more money in your bank balance to fill that space with shiny new things.

And while we're at it, wouldn't it be great if there was an easier way to find those coveted items you want? That dress from Topshop that sold out before you got the chance to buy it? That leather jacket that went into sale in every size but yours? This is why eBay is often a much more rewarding shopping experience than the glitz and glamour of Buchanan St and Argyle St on a Saturday afternoon. And plus it never closes...ideal.

This isn't an advert for eBay, this is a call to all FashHoles out there, sell your old stuff...just because you don't want it, someone else most probably will. And at the end of the day, what would you rather have? A wardrobe full of clothes you don't actually want, or money for guilt-free shopping?

And let's not forget, it's recycling, so it's good for the environment as well.

xoA

Dress code double standards...

We live in a society where men and women are (allegedly) equal. Women have the same rights as men, can do the same jobs as men, and also can get away with a whole lot more than men when it comes to "appropriate" work attire.

Why is it that women can wear pretty much whatever they want and still manage to pass it off as "smart", while men are restricted to the rigid three piece suit, shirt and tie? In a world where it's not uncommon to see women wearing vest tops, cropped trousers and sandals to the office, why is it that anything other than a boring, buttoned up ensemble that hides every inch of a man's body minus his face and hands is frowned upon? Conservative is one thing, but is self expression banned when it comes to the sartorial options available to males?

Men are expected to live their lives in suits, and there's only so many guys who can style it up like Brad Goreski or Adam Lambert. For the rest, it's ill fitting, unflattering and just plain dull. God forbid a man wear black skinny trousers and military boots without being told he's dressed inappropriately...and facial hair? Well that, it appears, is just madness. Not to mention such offensive items as ear piercings and fashionable hairstyles that would be accepted on their female colleagues. It appears that as men become more open to experimentation when it comes to their wardrobes, higher forces become increasingly restrictive and keen to put a stop to such madness.

Why is society so threatened by the idea of a man expressing himself through fashion? Where is the need to force them to confine to what they consider "smart" and "conservative" to be taken seriously in the workplace? For every Scott Disick there's fifty David Brents out there. Is the idea of a man being able to go to work in something other than a plain, boring, dull...sorry, smart suit that horrendous? By no means is this an invitation for men around the world to don their tracksuits for business meetings, but can we not move towards getting rid of the boring dress code that stops men from being able to develop some sort of identity in the workplace?

xoA