HOW TO SPOT A MAINLANDER

IT’S the time of year when our capital city is taken over by mainlanders here for Dark Mofo, and according to the experts you can pick them a mile off. Sydney muso Cec Condon was just one of those we spotted yesterday.

THEY may dress a little more snazzily than your average local, but interstate Dark Mofo-goers and fashionistas say Tassie’s cool climate is behind a lot of their clothing choices.

In keeping with the Dark Mofo theme, black and red were the standout colours of the festival for local and interstate punters the Mercury spoke to yesterday.

And while Hobartians were more practical in their trendy dress, mainlanders seemed to be more about hats, statement coats and unisex items.

Virginia Martin, 31, of Melbourne thought there was a difference in the way locals and interstate visitors dressed.

Her outfit yesterday included a red beret, checkered trench coat, and gloves, which she said was inspired by her need to keep warm.

“Everyone in black is probably from Melbourne, I think that’s pretty obvious,” she said.

“I think people that are locals are a little bit more relaxed in their dressing.”

Henry James Management owner Jade Taylor agreed, and said while Hobartians are more about style within comfort, the mainlanders who tend to be artsy in their nature bring elegance to the table.

“Tasmanians have a really intrinsic sense of our comfort. We tend to be stylish, but practical,” she said.

Those who have flown from the mainland for Dark Mofo however, are more about berets than beanies.

“They were wearing beautiful coats and berets, and lots of fur capes with brooches.

“I’m not sure exactly what it is [that sets mainlanders apart], but there’s definitely a sense.”

Cec Condon of Sydney who is performing with his garage psych-rock band Grinding Eyes at Dark Mofo, said he didn’t think there was a difference between local fashion and interstate “hipster” fashion.

He summarised his fashion style as “skinny stuff that fits me,” and, like Ms Martin, said his fashion was influenced by the weather.

“I’m just on my way back to get my big coat,” Mr Condon said.

Hobart entertainer John Xintavelonis said mainlanders could be spotted thanks to their superior personal grooming and aversion to the cold.

“They are the ones with two puffer jackets and a really expensive long-lens camera and they are constantly on Google Maps because they have got no idea where they are going.

“They are very well groomed – especially the Sydney people,” Xintavelonis said.

“Cold in Sydeny is 22C, whereas here that’s ‘let’s go to the beach’ weather.”

Hobart comedian Gavin Baskerville said while trendy, overly warm clothes were a giveaway, so was the fact that mainlanders travelled in groups and on foot.

“They’re actually walking, rather than driving and expecting a park right out the front,” he said.