Being 'Chap' is quite simply about being a stylish and effortlessly elegant gentleman - so join me on my lifelong journey to be more CHAP as I endeavour to get through my life with grace and dignity. It's not about fashion though, this channel is about looking and feeling good for men of all ages and how to get the most out of your budget. I'll be sharing some of the life-hacks I have accumulated along my own journey, as well as reviewing products and items that have eased the way for me. So, are you ready to be more Chap?
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If you have a question to pose The Chap's Guide, please send it to: ash@chapsguide.co.uk
I suffer from clinically diagnosed depression and anxiety, Ash, and the efforts I have made to dress like a chap in the last two years have made a remarkable difference in not only how I am perceived by others, but also in how I perceive myself. Many thanks for all your excellent advice, and for sharing your knowledge and insights.
I'm a big fan of the old fashioned/classic aftershaves and colognes. There's some crazy expensive fragrances out there and you can easily stand out just by wearing something cheap and classic. Also, the intro tune is the same as Dankpod's test tune.
Had an event some time ago and afterwards a few of us planned to meet up at a local dive bar. I decided not to look like a complete dick head so I ditched the jacket and tie. So now Im just wearing a contrast collar button-down with French cuffs which were rolled up, slacks and a shiny pair of Cheaneys. I stroll up to the bar door and as I’m about to open it and walk in a completely wasted and covered in something yellowish….gent goes to open it to leave. Well, I beat him to and hold the door open for him. He takes one up and down look at me and in his drunkest and most exuberant voice yells “wow you’re a real gentleman!” and shakes my hand and says thanks! The joy and respect I had and gave that guy was my greatest reward. He felt like he was ten feet tall just because some dude wearing his rent held the door open for him and gave him a honest smile and look of no judgment. The power we have as well dressed men to make someone feel better and possibly respected should not be underestimated. Use your powers for good gentlemen👊
Nice to see you keeping at the spit & polish, Ash. I've duplicated my dress shoes with a couple of pairs with rubber soles. Why? For when it's raining hard. Good video.
The US offers very few opportunities to wear black tie, but it has numerous places to dress up. You should always wear a suit to a wedding, funeral, or some religious rite that is important to someone in your family or friend. If you go to the opera or a theater play, then you should wear a suit. That includes memorial services or remembrances. For Sunday Mass or services, you should at least wear a sport jacket. If participating in the rite, that includes a tie. If you go to school to meet your child’s teacher, sport jacket and likely a tie. Dressing up is wearing one level above the norm. Black tie is too high a threshold and can be an excuse to do nothing. Instead, take the opportunity to dress up several times a week for events that occur in every day life.
Interesting! In sociology there’s a term very similar to “parvenu”, and that is “anomie”. Anomie is when there is a lack of social or moral standards, brought by economic change. An application of this is “anomic suicide”. For example, a man losing everything overnight gambling, and consequently committing suicide. It can also occur, more symbolically rather than physically, after a sudden accumulation of wealth as well. For example, winning the lottery and instead of investing in the future or in the community, you spend it on booze and designer clothes. More so affecting the soul.
I was on a cruise last week on Royal Caribbean and there were 2 "formal" nights and I did black tie on both occasions. OK, I was sat across the way from a chap with a baseball cap and a t-shirt with an American eagle on it, but I don't care, who am I to judge, it was a wonderful evening.
I appreciate the idea of free events, but I find that often people will decide not to show up if they haven’t paid. I wonder if an event could impose a $20 registration fee that is returned upon check-in as a way to maintain it being free for those who attend, but also provide motivation for registrants to actually show up. (It also gives the attendee cash for the bar if one is available)
Love the videos Ash. I must apologize for always commenting with a story😊. A childhood friend’s dad was a house painter by trade and worked very hard. He told me that 2-3 times a year he and his wife would get dressed up and go out to dinner at a high end restaurant. A place that required men to wear a jacket. He said that it was a nice reward for the hard days in the elements and created something to look forward to. He was a military veteran and was a successful business owner. He told us “learn to dress up…you won’t always be running around with a skateboard under arm.”
Dear Ash, I'm bit surprized by your outfit and you untraditional way to wear/complete it. 1) why would your (very unusual, but very nice) dinner jacket have two buttons instead of one? (OK, this is probably how you found it in the thrift store or wherever you found it, not your "fault" at all), BUT 2) why would you close the bottom button?!? 3) why would you wear a steel sporty watch on a steel bracelet with this outfit?!?
Do not get too drawn into the world of ‘shoulds’, ‘oughts’ and ‘musts’ when it comes to clothing. I will let you into a secret, I was not at an actual dinner party - I was just filming a video. Being overly prescriptive with clothing sucks away all the joy.
I have a nice collection of enlish shoes from Barker, Loake and william lennon but this video convinced me to save up a little extra and go for a pair of trickers for my next pair. While i like all of the other shoes i have trickers seems to be a step up in quality.
Great content, Ash. Thank you for sharing this with us. You actually gave us six reasons. If I might expand on No.5 (the subtle signal to others), making the effort to dress well for an event, even if it is just for an informal social gathering, is a mark of respect to the host(s) and fellow guests (who may equally be members of your social circle). It signifies that you value sharing their company and acknowledges the appreciation that they also value yours. If the event is at a theatre or concert, dressing well shows your respect for the performers and musicians.
Dear Ash, aquestion if I may. Given that you are a former serviceman, also with family members in the military- what do you think about the fact we take so many cues from a person with such sympathies for the Axis? I don't intend to set a cat amongst the pigeons, but this is an issue I've always pondered on and I would very much appreciate clearinghouses views on the topic. As ever, many thanks.
Blenheim Bouquet! My summer standard, I love it so much- and living so close to Marlborough, the origin of the scent- and Penhaligons as we know it- really speaks to my interest in heritage.
Nice one Ash ! Catching up with you last week's output as we await disembarkation from this cruise This was a very high opportunity situation to dress up .As a "traine to the well dressed world " I do believe I pulled it off rather well !Sadly many others didn't and I feel some feel out their depth !Hey semi rant over great work 100%with you on your sage advice reflections
Dressing up is great. But with todays lifestyle, it makes it impractical and not to mention expensive with the dry cleaning to follow. Ash, for those of us not in London, can you post videos of the Nirvana club talks on this channel.
I won't be attending your event in London. But just like the gentleman from Michigan I will join you in spirit, by "dressing up" for an evening at the theatre in Berlin. Let the "Nirwana Club Night" span around the globe! Greetings from Potsdam, Germany
Your video ❤ deserves a standing Applause 👏 the art of Simply Dressing Up is so Important - Kings Queens and People of All Ranks in the Services to their Countries - Men & Women - We Salute You for protecting & Standing Tall in Uniform! Ditto for Us All who take Time & Effort to Dress Well ❤️🩹 - every day 😊
Good video. A little experiment us men - us chaps - can play. Walk through, say, a crowded railway station, wearing casual clothing. Count the number of attractive women giving you the eye. Repeat in 'jacket & tie'. And again in a suit. The suit will win.
Thank you for the amazing videos you put together. The last point is one of the most important ones for me. Although I'm living the busiest time of my life, with a toddler and newborn baby and a job I feel passionate about, I've gotten more and more formal in my clothing. Basically the only social occasions I have are commuting to work, so I invest more in my office clothing. The less time I have for my hobbies and myself, clothes and dressing up has become my outlet for self-expression and creativity. It just that small boost to get connected with myself, and showing my personality to the world, all while staying professional. Instead of selecting clothes for the day feeling like a chore, it's become a source of energy. Just the ritual of a clean shave, pressing my trousers and ironing a shirt, and selecting a necktie give me the extra pep and confidence to get through the day. Never in a million years would have I thought of wearing a tie, but that's basically become a cheat code for putting together great outfit with little to no effort. You can even get away with wearing the same tailoring two days in a row, when you simply do not have the time or energy to think about outfits.
I've worked in charity shops in New Zealand. Outfitting gentleman young and old in formal dress is a satisfying part of the job. Telling us the story around the intended event or use will reward you with a discount. From school balls, weddings, stag nights, birthdays, work do's, nights in the town, charity motor bike rides.
My mom modeled for DIOR in Paris In the 1950's.... A Beautiful lady from florence, Italy......she used to say.... Class never goes out of style. I'm a Cardiologist and I dress in suits and bowties daily It is shocking how many women come up and talk to me here even on the streets of NYC. Its also odd that everyone calls me.... sir...even young girls...Im getting older but I take that as compliment...I never looked at myself as a "sir"
Wow, your mother sounds like a classy dame! I haven't been to the Big Apple since I was a child, but it holds a special place in my heart and I am very happy to hear you keep the place looking smart.
I’ve actually physically got it in my ‘to read’ pile beside my bed. I suspect I will get to it before the end of the year. I’ve heard it’s a great read.
Dressing up or just well for the day to day can definitely change your mood it helps me a bit when I'm feeling down to take that extra care. Good content as always Ash. Cheers.
Today I wore brown brogues, khaki chinos, a blue oxford shirt and navy blazer with a light blue patterned pocket square. What did I do? I got a hair cut and ran a couple of small errands. Nothing fancy, but everyone I met treated me like a VIP. It’s like magic.
Isn't it sad, in a way, that you already stand out so prominently just by wearing normal clothing, like a jacket and tie? I wish we would blend in a little more.
@@uglukthemedicineman5933 That's what I mean. But isn't that awful? I don't necessarily *want* to stand out, but I'm forced to, and I take the challenge. But deep down I want other people to dress normal too. Just look at old fotos: normal people, dressing nicely. I'm always happy when I meet a likeminded chap in the street. Suit, tie, hat, nice shoes. That's all it takes.
@@PotsdamSenior Indeed. But we live in an age of decadence. Society was more healthy and natural in the past so people dressed normal. Now society is dysfunctional and there is no community anymore, so people just wear what they find comfortable. I don't blame them but I wish they would dress up too.
