Dakota

SHOP IN SHOP: NEUW & MR SIMPLE

If you're like me and prefer to do most of your shopping online these days, then put down the laptop because Dakota 501 is giving you two reasons to venture outside.

We bring you the "shop in shop" concept from Neuw and Mr. Simple. The Neuw shop concept has an oddly great combination of space-age mixed with your auntie's beach house in Lorne. While the Mr. Simple shop concept is a snapshot of a 1960's ranch from middle America.

These two "shop in shop" concepts literally stand out in the room, so take the time out to explore them and enjoying real-life shopping once again.

Keep your eyes peeled for the next concept shop coming in the next fortnight.

AUTONOMY AUTUMN WINTER 2012

The Autonomy Winter 12 collection, ‘A Day in time’ is a snap shot of the 1950’s. The range re-creates the uniform of the original rebel. A story of smart silhouettes and clever cuts include longer-line jackets, peg-leg pants, heavy melange knits and crisp shirts. Warm and deep classic menswear colours are highlighted with 50’s techno colour: shades include variations on denim in different washes from indigo to vintage, berry tones, navy, grey in its many guises and black.

In store at Dakota 501 very soon, and so is the Autonomy model who is our very own Sam Turrell.

TREND FORECAST: NEW BALANCE

I always try to make a conscious effort to check out blogs during New York and Paris Mens Fashion Weeks to keep on top of upcoming trends. Of course it's nothing like being at the actual shows, but viewing the collections from afar makes it easy to piece together the trends across the board.

During this year's shows so far, I've noticed a few stand out trends and the one that particularly jumped out at me was New Balance. It's interesting to see it's transition from being "street" to a more up-market style this time around and now seen as a decent substitute to your Converse All Star or the Vans Authentic.

Not only are New Balance now stylish, but they are also pretty comfortable too, being the first running shoe to be designed with a ripple sole. That technology is unchanged.

Dakota 501 currently stock the New Balance 574, in the colours black, navy blue, maroon and bottle green.

Wear them and feel the difference.

VALENTINES DAY LOVES KAREN WALKER

If you are like the rest of us, you are probably wondering what to buy your special someone for Valentine’s Day that isn’t a rose or a box of chocolates.

Well, luckily for us all, Valentine’s Day Loves Karen Walker.

With a wide selection of Karen Walker rings, necklaces and a new season sunglasses, you are bound to see a wide smile on the 14th of Feb.

Max

REQUIRED LISTENING

We like to think that shopping at Dakota 501 is not always 100percent about the clothing. Our staff members like to build an enjoyable environment that they themselves would like to shop in and just generally be a part of. A big part of this, we think, is the music.

On a regular basis a new artist enters our stratosphere, brightens our lives and has us all dancing to the beat of a new drum.

With that, we bring you our latest listening.

‘Long Distance’ – the 2010 album by the artist ‘Onra’, harks back to the good ol’ days of disco and dance-off’s. Mixing his beat-driven style with samples and sounds from a bygone era, this album with have you wishing you were roller-skating along a Miami Beach in an oversized Hawaiian Shirt. Don’t get the wrong impression though; Onra expertly brings it all together to (thankfully) provide us with this seriously classy and relevant record.

Happy listening.

Michael

SALTWATER SANDALS RESTOCKED!

Just in – Salt-water Sandals now available at Dakota 501 in Navy, Black, Red, Tan, Orange, Silver, Pink, Yellow, Gold and white.

A favourite in the children’s footwear category for a number of years, these sandals have burst back onto the scene with the introduction of Salt-Water Sandals for woman. The sandals are comprised of specially treated natural leathers, boast rustproof buckles, double stitching and also vulcanized leather.

Combine this laid-back and stylish summer look with the affordable price tag and Salt-water sandals are your summer all-rounders.

Olivia

CARHARTT FALL WINTER 2012

Dakota 501 are happy to announce that our new season stock from Carhartt has arrived in-store. The collection consists of a range of high-quality staple men’s fashion. Along with the quality basic knits and sweaters that are synonymous with the Carhartt brand, we have also added in a range of slick leather and woollen bomber jackets.

We are also excited to announce that the classic Sid Pant – a must for anyone in the market for Chinos – now comes in three new colours. The Sid Pant is renowned for its unique fit and offers a high-quality alternative to other Chinos which have recently flooded the market.

For that crisp Carhartt winter look we recommend a pair of Sid Pants matched with a Plaid Shirt. Add a Woollen Bomber Jacket to top it all off and you are all set for winter.

Michael