Our founder @Antonio O. Centeno, many might say has a much different approachable persona than Sven Raphael Schneider, the founder of Gentleman’s Gazzette. The guys are friends and communicate frequently. Nevertheless this particular video over at GG had a great line (plus the graphics on this video are very interesting ). I believe firstly the idea is to learn all one can about “style” versus “fashion” -which includes the brilliance of what is described as the “golden age” as outlined in this video. For a guy who has skirted around Classic timeless men’s style for 50 plus years, to me the present era feels eerily like the end of the 1970’s. I am hopeful that we can circle back to proven elements as we did at the beginning of the 1980’s. In the 1970’s, there was a cataclysmic pushback from the excess of what was termed the “establishment”. Some of that societal upheaval was good -some of it was not good at all eg reasonable constraints on those in power was good (actions to curtail the CIA excesses for example), versus lack of constraints on societal norms was bad (NYC’s peep shows and sex clubs-NYC bankruptcy both fiscally and societally.). The dark ages of men’s Style began in the late 1960’s and proceeded through the 1970’s. Beginning in the 1980’s, thanks to a few purveyors of fine clothing and in a very large part to Ralph Lauren, Alan Flusser, and G Bruce Boyer there was a resurgence of these proven style elements. What’s different today is a lack of information by guys which is very ironic in an age of endless information. Sites like RMRS GG and others feel like an Oasis for many in a fashion wasteland desert. Today it feels like it’s become an endless menu of “fashion” options: hip hop, versus preppy; fringe versus old money etc. For me STYLE represents the proven elements that has at its foundation the structures established during this “golden age” that is very well described in the attached video. Unlike the era of the “golden age” guys can feel free to express themselves. This difference is similar to how jazz, and rock and roll opened up the constraints of previously more structured music genres. Nevertheless any trained musician can show how rock and roll’s one, four, five chord progression was evident in Bach’s music hundreds of years earlier. The skills taught by RMRS give practical application for implementing these proven elements established during the “golden era”. One doesn’t need to feel like they’re wearing a costume when doing so. I love Antonio’s advice about frequently wearing a particular garment around the house like a fedora so that it’s perfectly comfortable when you run out of the house. The line BE THE CHANGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE perfectly sums up the concept of being REAL MEN with REAL STYLE. This clearly doesn’t mean one has to be restricted to wearing a 1940’s suit. But if one doesn’t understand what made the elements work- then isn’t it like trying to sing in a choir in a different key to the tune being sung. Even the greatest Jazz musicians with all of their innovation were at least playing in the right key 😉😎

Every year I ask folks to name the most famous Christian Evangelist in the world. And while St Paul and Billy Graham among others certainly are significant- I argue it was St Patrick. Without St Patrick the tiny island of Ireland wouldn’t have been converted which led to St Columba coming to the minuscule island of Iona in Scotland and the spread of the faith through the British Commonwealth and the monastic communities might not have survived the ravages of the dark ages. Plus you get to drink green beer ☘️🇮🇪😎. Today’s OOTD was inspired by both a 29 degree start to the day playing on outside stages and an ode to the original colors of St Patrick and Ireland: blue (look it up). The closest things I have to saffron (another ancient Irish color) is the gold/‘mustard/ gold in my Bowler hat. To keep with the ancient color scheme I have my requisite green in an olive in the tie. Merino wool gold sweater, royal blue MTM blazer, CT striped shirt. Samuelson grey flannel pants Pantherella socks, shell cordovan brogues, Orvis watch and the McGuire county (Fermanagh) tartan scarf. The emblem of County Fermanagh is McGuire Castle. Thought this appropriate for today. Have a blessed fun day celebrating the world’s most famous Christian Evangelist.

Love that my work place is business casual. I still try to keep it elevated & strive for refined smart casual. Quince pima cotton olive tee Jos A Bank dress shirt JP Jones sweater blazer/cardigan Everlane Olive chinos Anson Ostrich embossed belt Thursday boot Chukka boots Timex Marlin Draper watch