I bought 4 dress shirts at the same time. Two of them are shown here, same brand/size - Proper Cloth / Christopher Lena. No alterations made. I didn't have many dress shirts before, so I wanted a selection to work with. I went to my Phoenix area tailor shop and clothing store. I tried on a couple sample shirts, seeing that a 15.5" neck was good. I put it on, they said it looked good as-is, I though Wow, how lucky, OK. They were saying "slim fit" as they looked through their stock, and I picked 4 colors, checked out and left. Once I tried them on later, I am thinking these are much puffier than I expected. So, I was disappointed that I allowed that to slip past me, but I am out of town for a few weeks in a row on work. Felt self-conscious wearing one to work wondering if people were laughing at how ill-fitting they are. So, I looked up a tailor in my work town, went there after work, put the white shirt on and said it looks a bit big, right. Tailor said, no it is just right. I said sleeved not too long. She said no, sometimes you bend your arms, and the sleeve shortens too much. I said it is a bit big on the sides? No, it is just fine as is, no changes needed. What world am I living in? What is the right follow-up action? I asked ChatGPT. It is a wordy thing, but these lines summarize well: Important mindset shift You’re not asking: “Does this fit correctly?” You’re asking: “Does this create the silhouette I want?” Those are not the same question—and most tailors default to the first. It wants me to try again but with more specific direction to the (next) tailor.

(This is part 3 of a series of posts discussing my thoughts on my current “glowing up while slimming down” journey.) I’m a man of few vices. That statement might come as a shock, but it’s true. It’s a blessing, but I simply do not possess what’s come to be known as an addictive personality. Alcohol? Never cared for it. Sure, I’ll quaff a glass or two at celebrations or on holidays, but that’s the lot. Tobacco? I’m an ex-smoker, but when it came to quitting it was cold turkey and surprisingly easy. Drugs? I don’t have the inclination, contacts or cash for anything harder than a menthol lozenge. Gambling is a penny-stake online poker game when I’m having a loo break. And as for sex addiction… let’s just say I’m not afflicted, but I’d give it a bloody good go if the opportunity arose. However, I’ve an Achilles Heel that makes mockery of the above, and that’s Food. No great shock, right? I was a certified chubby funster for fifty-odd years, and while that can be glandular there’s always a gourmand component to consider. For me, it’s the combo of enjoying a huge portion and being absolutely mesmerised by chocolate treats. Too much food at meal times, and too much sugar in between. Historically, my issue with dieting was twofold. First, the effort required for healthy improvement did not feel commensurate to the results. I’d starve myself all week (relatively), and only drop a pound. Or, worse, I’d maintain. Constant vigilance did not produce consistent loss. But the real killer to my resolve was the Food Noise. That voice in my head and its repeated mantra. “You need to eat. Eat something. Have a cake. You’re starving. Screw the diet. You need to eat. You NEED TO EAT.” Then, as part of my diabetes management, I was prescribed something new: an injection. Free of charge via the wonderful NHS, I now jab myself weekly with an inhibitor that both teaches me when I’m full and removes the devil on my shoulder. It’s an absolute game changer. “That’s all very well,” I hear you say, “but weight loss injections are cheating! Also, what does any of this have to do with being a stylish gentleman?”

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH STOP JUST STOP!!!!!!!!!

Brenner in strapped two toned loafers. McQueen in a short sleeved epaulet short sleeve and Bronson in a white Johnnie collar. On site for the Magnificent 7-Cool is cool

“Always dress one notch above the rest of the room, as if you’re going to a better party later.” — Jeff McBride, Las Vegas Headliner & World Champion Magician