BE a “good man” · Real Men Real Style Community

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BE a “good man”

“Dress up to be the gentleman you aspire to be”

https://youtu.be/W5-jYxSCP00?is=z3IouALVM2iQG4s5

I had to share Ash Jones’s video today. He was inspired by Saint Homobonus(Italian: Sant'Omobono, German: Sankt Gutmann, Lombard: San Mobon) day yesterday. Homobonus or the more recognizable perhaps Germanic version: Gut-man, is the patron saint of tailors, shoe makers, cloth makers and businessmen. His name simply means GOOD MAN. If you have read any of my posts you are “painfully” aware that I began this journey into classic timeless menswear 50 years ago as I became a clothier in three different fine menswear stores over 10 years. Up until the great wave of perpetual office-casual dress began around 2014, I had been practicing this art for a long time. It was only 2024 after joining the RMRS community that I began to realize the true purpose for re-kindling my love of quality clothing and its importance. I think many people joined RMRS because they were tired of blending into the flotsam of the raging river of apathy. Perhaps it’s less of a raging river than a storm sewer runoff where one simply doesn’t care. It’s a malaise not only about one’s appearances but an indifference or perhaps even callous concern for others that extends far beyond mere clothing.

Ironically when I began again to tailor my older clothing and started wearing my ties again, virtually everyone I know started asking me:

A) where was I going to be so dressed up (place)? and

B) why was I so “dressed up” (purpose)? Admittedly I was a bit self conscious about it at first. However my response became “out of respect for seeing you today” always followed by a grin. The more I said this line, the more it became real and I began to believe it. We as gentlemen might begin this journey with the attitude -hey look at me. And people will. But if we turn that to respect for others that is a sign of respect and kindness. Kindness has an aspect of gentleness. Consequently nothing whatsoever expresses the attitude of a GENTLEman more than the Golden Rule: DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE OTHERS DO UNTO YOU. In others words, as one is toeing their tie think about someone you might be able to assist as if you were in their shoes today. Today’s Chap Guide brilliantly expresses the irony that is imbedded into the centuries old art of dressing well. A hoodie and sweats and crocs may “seem” as though one is comfortable in their presentation. However if that is the case, then why would anyone even be able to recognize and comment on you when you are looking differently? Once I returned to the “norm” of dressing well almost every time I left the house, everything began to change for me. After nearly half a century that began as a kid mentoring others in this art of dressing, I knew that it would work. I knew its value- especially when it’s well fitting garment , made from quality natural fabrics. My confidence in knowing what I am doing translated to comfort. The Fit, (comfort), the Function (place), The Fabric (comfort and place) -together combine to instill the confidence to truly express my respect to those around me by first respecting myself enough to make the effort. This is the PURPOSE behind “Dressing up to be the gentleman you aspire to be”. When the “hey look at me” part inevitably kicks in - consider that as an after-effect bonus, not the start. In other words, if a guy is new or returning to this world, then to the best of one’s ability, practice dressing well with quality fit, and fabric worn to the appropriate function (simply be astute about where and when). The next step is to constantly be polite to others, by showing kindness and genuine interest in them irrespective of where they are in THEIR sartorial journey. This is how a society of ordinary gentlemen can thrive.

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BE a “good man”