Inspiration.

Please view the following photos as inspiration for the week:

Patterns done well: http://class-allday.blogspot.com/2011/05/patterns.html

Baron Wells Cuff Links

You're welcome.

~J

Topics of Conversation.

After letting the lady order and persuading the maître d to getting you the NY Slab (Pittsburgh style, of course) and Budweiser, allow her some time to choose a subject. Give her a minute, not much longer, to have the option of picking conversation, and then if silence remains, step in with topics of interests. Be specific, never general, the weather is left for meteorologist! That’s why they go to schools that meteorologist go to. Not so for you.


Give her an abstract of what your last seven days consisted -keeping it diplomatic if the type of work you do is need be bases only- and let her question as often as she likes, it builds character. While you give insight into what it’s like being you she'll have a better understanding and be more able to respond, to the benefit of the remainder of the evening. You will know once she has reached her comfort level, if needed, as she smiles, tosses her hair, and begins to lock eyes with you for considerable time. Chime in with insight or to further possible inquiry… She knows she's next!


The night should be beyond the Q&A phase at this point, perhaps martinis and a scotch on the terrace. Let the evening close as it may, when it shall.

-D.

Patterns.

This next topic is one that requires urgent attention: mixing patterns. Now, I’m all for taking chances when it comes to fashion, but some just do not have a clue. They get creative unintentionally, if you will. Men, do you want to look like an optical illusion? Stop wearing stripes on stripes! You are literally a walking headache.









Congratulations, you are one of those Magic Eye pictures I could never see in 4th grade. They are not looking at your shirt because they like it; they are trying to make out the sailboat behind it. If kaleidoscope was a color, you found it.



This is how it should be done:






~J

Texting.

Texting while in the company of another is loooow class. Nothing says “you could not matter any less to me right now” than pulling out your phone, checking it at the table, then LEAVING it on the table for the duration of the evening. You are not impressing her with how many friends you have. What you’re doing is slowly creeping into the dudebro category with every text sent. I don’t even need to see you to know who you are. Brown flip-flops with jeans, some Ed Hardy type a shirt (oh excuse me, a polo with a wrinkled collar for this special occasion), taking your girl out to dinner since you’re sick of hearing her complain that all you do is play video games. Well, the unfortunate reality is, you’ve forgotten how to be cordial and carry on a conversation with the lady in front of you. Thank goodness for your iPhone! When you run out of people to text, you can just pull up some lame game or YouTube clip and joke about that rather than have a real thought and discuss it with her.

Look. If you must take a call, excuse yourself from the table and take the call out of earshot…I get it, you’re a busy man!

**The following is an actual picture, taken at none other than Clarendon Grill...is it that serious?

~J

Chivalry

When we men think about ourselves, we like to think we are a man, a real man, according to our definition of what we learned a man should be. The subject matter coming to light is one that has been considered for quite some time, and will be taken further at a later date, but for now one will place emphasis on that which is most important; Chivalry.


Mass media has given praise to the sensitive-listener types who grace the magazine pages, television screens, and of course, all that is impacted by societal norms. This should not be! It should never have been! It has affected the social lives of many youth and is sending the wrong message. Reason: One should grow up knowing how to build from scratch, fix everything within a home, read books and newspapers, drink black coffee, write hand written notes and enjoy the occasional libation. He should not cry, listen to something one does not find interesting, order anything but black coffee or espresso, and most importantly, wear shorts, flip flops, or white socks with dress shoes.


You may ask, "Where has the John Wayne, Steve McQueen, Robert Redford-esque (sh!t even Kevin Costner) type disappeared to?"





We have been shunned because people watch television instead of going to a cafés and have conversations like the good ol' days. One continues to walk street side, open doors, and if she really deserves it, we take her for a steak and night out on the town in black suit, white dress shirt, and cuff links (bowtie/tie optional) while she is in her favorite dress (or that which she smiles most in). Several have decided to take the initiative in living this lifestyle - I'm sure you can think of one or two.

Make statements, don’t ask questions.



-D.

Traveling.

We need to discuss how to dress while traveling. Let’s just have a general rule of thumb: anything you would sleep in is inappropriate for the airport. Have some respect for traveling! Baggy does not mean comfortable, it means sloppy and definitely screams Coach. You think this guy needs to worry about baggage fees?


Please. He just bought your girl a drink askin her what her interests are, who she be with? You know the rest.

Leave the sweats, sneakers, athletic wear and oversized sunglasses at home. Keep it tasteful and know your audience.

~J

Dress for the Workplace

The late 1990s brought many terrible fashion trends along with it (i.e. JNCOs, Baggy Overalls, Track Suits…need I go on?). Most have, thankfully, died out but one trend continues to linger. I, naturally, am talking about “Casual Fridays.” This has been the demise of the workplace ever since. I bet you would be surprised at who was instrumental in starting this fad: Bill Gates. The Dot-com boom had men and women working from both the home and the office. People began to have a “whatever I can get away with” mentality when it came to their work attire. What happened to taking pride in what you do and how you come across to others? When did khakis and Polo's replace trousers with a pressed shirt and cuff links? Let us go back to classiness.

Bill Gates. Photo courtesy of Google.

vs.

Cary Grant. Photo courtesy of Google.

- J