My grandfather wore a Silverbelly Stratoliner Stetson business hat during the day. At 6'1" in 1950's New Orleans, he seemed so tall to me as a boy. I always admired how powerful and handsome he looked in his daily attire. My brother and I used to go with him to the French Market to buy wholesale produce for his business and have coffee together at the Morning Call, letting the tourists have the Cafe du Monde to themselves. The photo of Robert Mitchum and your article immediately illicited those memories of my childhood 55 years in the rearview mirror. For me, my older mentors were my Grandfather and Father, I feel very fortunate to have had such men in my life. I learned how to dress, be around other men, conduct myself in public and private, many many life lessons, and how to wear a hat. I am grateful to this day. Thank you David.
I needed this article this morning. Thank you! I won’t bore you with why, but just know your words helped clarify some internal thoughts and inspire someone today. Cheers!
One of the best articles yet! I really enjoyed it. After reading Art of Manliness and Men and Manners I decided to step my game up; I’m all the better for it. Thanks for the tips...and the challenges!
Delightful. I'm constantly amazed at how each of us has such a varied set of personal interests and passions - many seemingly at odds with each other. I was thinking only the other day how fiction often has difficulty or falls short of rendering this dichotomy in an individual fully. Yet here, what I like is that you express very clearly how each of us is a synthesis of all that varied experience and passion - and indeed that it is this which actually makes us our own man. Bravo!
"There’s no shortcut to anything worth doing." "When a world opens up—visiting Japan for the first time, discovering an author, admitting you’re obsessed with fly fishing—that’s part of a continuing education...Then you start discovering more of what’s out there. Then you start becoming more yourself." "Formality, at its best, conveys confidence and authority, a sense of graciousness and intent." Going to need another book: Proverbs, by David Coggins.
Very well said! I think the key ingredient for any man and dressing starts at inspiration and then it moves to curiosity. Sadly, I experience a lot of group think/trends and so the “inspiration” is really a disguised version of FOMO and then it moves straight to acquisition( sneakers, hoodies, etc) so that they aren’t left out of the culture club. It takes some courage to break out of the sameness
It was a hard moment for both my sports career and sartorial whims that I was, in fact, only making it to a stocky 5' 8". It was a good early lesson in knowing who you and are being honest with yourself. I knew certain clothes were just not going to work for me and that with out the genetic abilities of Muggsy Bogues I would never dunk a basketball on a regulation rim. Not too worry, life has worked out minus the Heidi Slimane. And I discovered the ability to cover long distances with a rapid pace.
Great article and perfect timing. I just bought a hat, my first “grown up” one - Stoffa brown rabbit fur trilby-type arrangement. Just need the balls to wear it in public. And in front of my wife. Any tips?
Great article but I have to hard disagree with you when it comes to jeans. Jeans are THE quintessential American clothing item. When I close my eyes and picture great American style, I think of someone in a killer pair of Levi’s. They can be hard or soft, light or dark, perfect or worn in. Look great w loafers, ocbd’s, and yes, even tee shirts.
One more point - “who I am” seems to have been captured 100% by Drakes. I could just shop there and nowhere else. However one runs the risk of looking like just copying the look because it’s “so hot right now” and having no imagination/personality.
David, have you written anywhere about three-piece suits? My brother-in-law wears one every day, and I think it looks like some kind of weird cosplay. I'm interested in a neutral third-party opinion, and I'm willing to re-evaluate if I'm off base here.
My grandfather wore a Silverbelly Stratoliner Stetson business hat during the day. At 6'1" in 1950's New Orleans, he seemed so tall to me as a boy. I always admired how powerful and handsome he looked in his daily attire. My brother and I used to go with him to the French Market to buy wholesale produce for his business and have coffee together at the Morning Call, letting the tourists have the Cafe du Monde to themselves. The photo of Robert Mitchum and your article immediately illicited those memories of my childhood 55 years in the rearview mirror. For me, my older mentors were my Grandfather and Father, I feel very fortunate to have had such men in my life. I learned how to dress, be around other men, conduct myself in public and private, many many life lessons, and how to wear a hat. I am grateful to this day. Thank you David.
I needed this article this morning. Thank you! I won’t bore you with why, but just know your words helped clarify some internal thoughts and inspire someone today. Cheers!
One of the best articles yet! I really enjoyed it. After reading Art of Manliness and Men and Manners I decided to step my game up; I’m all the better for it. Thanks for the tips...and the challenges!
Delightful. I'm constantly amazed at how each of us has such a varied set of personal interests and passions - many seemingly at odds with each other. I was thinking only the other day how fiction often has difficulty or falls short of rendering this dichotomy in an individual fully. Yet here, what I like is that you express very clearly how each of us is a synthesis of all that varied experience and passion - and indeed that it is this which actually makes us our own man. Bravo!
"There’s no shortcut to anything worth doing." "When a world opens up—visiting Japan for the first time, discovering an author, admitting you’re obsessed with fly fishing—that’s part of a continuing education...Then you start discovering more of what’s out there. Then you start becoming more yourself." "Formality, at its best, conveys confidence and authority, a sense of graciousness and intent." Going to need another book: Proverbs, by David Coggins.
Very well said! I think the key ingredient for any man and dressing starts at inspiration and then it moves to curiosity. Sadly, I experience a lot of group think/trends and so the “inspiration” is really a disguised version of FOMO and then it moves straight to acquisition( sneakers, hoodies, etc) so that they aren’t left out of the culture club. It takes some courage to break out of the sameness
I liked this. Reminds me of a great scene from Joe vs The Volcano https://youtu.be/FYZH4sI1p6o
It was a hard moment for both my sports career and sartorial whims that I was, in fact, only making it to a stocky 5' 8". It was a good early lesson in knowing who you and are being honest with yourself. I knew certain clothes were just not going to work for me and that with out the genetic abilities of Muggsy Bogues I would never dunk a basketball on a regulation rim. Not too worry, life has worked out minus the Heidi Slimane. And I discovered the ability to cover long distances with a rapid pace.
Great article and perfect timing. I just bought a hat, my first “grown up” one - Stoffa brown rabbit fur trilby-type arrangement. Just need the balls to wear it in public. And in front of my wife. Any tips?
Great article but I have to hard disagree with you when it comes to jeans. Jeans are THE quintessential American clothing item. When I close my eyes and picture great American style, I think of someone in a killer pair of Levi’s. They can be hard or soft, light or dark, perfect or worn in. Look great w loafers, ocbd’s, and yes, even tee shirts.
One more point - “who I am” seems to have been captured 100% by Drakes. I could just shop there and nowhere else. However one runs the risk of looking like just copying the look because it’s “so hot right now” and having no imagination/personality.
David, have you written anywhere about three-piece suits? My brother-in-law wears one every day, and I think it looks like some kind of weird cosplay. I'm interested in a neutral third-party opinion, and I'm willing to re-evaluate if I'm off base here.