How to improve your Image: a good sartorial education can (really) change your life 

I like how these talks about style tend to branch out into more and more of a philosophy of life, revolving around classic virtues such as authenticity, courage, patience and appreciation for quality.

There is something I absolutely love about these conversations, and is the fact that Sonya can cut Hugo's "ramblings" to keep the conversation focused, the mutual understanding of those actions makes it feel really nice. At least that's the vibe I get from it.

I love this - "try to understand what you buy". Don't just buy something. Use patience to understand what you buy. I love it.

Happy Holidays Sonya and Hugo! Here is my two cents for what it’s worth. I believe one has to understand the culture of the of the organization they are working for. Just like one wouldn’t come to work in jeans and a t-shirt in a Banking culture it is also probably a “faux pas” to suit up in a typical IT culture. Being mindful of your environment is just as important as what you wear. I was a Civil Servant for the US Army working in IT here in Germany and the clothing ranged from sloppy to off-the-rack suits and then there was me. I came to work as Sonya called it “dressed” everyday except Fridays where I would forgo the tie. And I was constantly getting complements but what else was noticeable was the way I was treated. My peers and employees treated me as if I were higher up in the organization than I was. Even people I would just meet would just assume because I had a well-fitting suit on that I had an higher standing then they had and some where higher up than me but again the suit made all the difference based on how the masses dressed. I was taught you dress for the job you want not for the job you have. Inside the work culture of the organization you’re working for of course. But if I were in a pure IT company that has a lax dressing environment I would have to adapt my dressing habits based on their culture. There are plenty of options on dressing well without having to wear a suit. Even all my jeans are tailored. But in that situation I would see if I could get away with a pair of trousers with nice dress shoes/loafers and a nice dress shirt or a beautiful cashmere or merino wool pullover. And let’s not forget accessories like your watch and even your cologne. Great video and thank you again for what you do and your beautiful Shoes book.

"Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety You could end up as the only one Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society At night a candle's brighter than the sun... It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile Be yourself no matter what they say." -Sting

One never gets tired listening to this adorable couple 😊 Merry Christmas Hugo and Sonya 💙

I love that you say not dressing well has a 'numbing' effect. Like anaesthetic, as opposed to 'aesthetic' (concerned with the appreciation of beauty)? Very interesting thought.

Merry Christmas Hugo, Sonya and y'all!

I spent my formative years in the southeastern US where I learned to dress appropriately anytime i left the house. I moved to California and within years I had received so many of those one liners that I was wearing uggs like everyone else. 😅 It made me feel good the way I used to dress and you have inspired me to return. Sonya, I love your scarf/tie in this video!

I agree with you fully. Many years ago as an outsider trying to break-in, I would buy all my clothes at Brooks Brothers. I only wish you had been around at that time.

I was inspired to re-watch a few of your videos today after having occasion to don a suit for the first time in many months. I just wanted to express (again) my thanks for the resource you provide! Today was a strong reminder that the impression we present matters greatly to how we are received.

Just watching Hugo this year has changed my sartorial style. It started in the middle of the year when I had to travel to Chicago for my nephew’s wedding. I now have a made to measure suit, 6 made to measure shirts, quality dress shoes and other items. I feel so much better when I dress up knowing I look and feel my best. Thank you for educating people like myself.

Thank you, Hugo and Sonya- I received my numbered copy of Shoes, of the first printing in english. I will treasure it forever! There are shoes I've never seen featured inside, the most stylish catalogue of the shoes we love, and the capstone of the style section of my personal library. Please keep educating us in the wonderful way that you and Sonya do. Cheers to you in the New Year!

Hugo & Sonia are fantastic at teaching this world the Lost Art of Elegance.

Your talks are the closest expression of a favourite saying of mine from a frenchman: "Aesthetics produces ethics, ethics produces aesthetics" - Dominique Venner One documentary that you and most viewers of the channel I'm sure will love is "Why Beauty Matters" by Sir Roger Scruton ! Also, I absolutely love Chesterten as well. :)

Yes, yes, yes, YES!! Guys what an amazing job, this is the kind of video I like to watch and learn from. I don't think you guys recall but I am the guy who wrote to you in the comment section of one of your previous videos about living in the US, age 22 and have just started to recover from my depression and anxiety. This video has taught me a great deal. Your previous video on "What is style? How to find my own style?" also has had a similar impact on me as this video. I have always been too hard and judgmental of myself and it has taken a toll on my sense of style and my perception of the style as one of the dimensions of human existence. I am trying to recover myself of all the rubbish I told to myself over the years and only recently started to appreciate things about myself. I firmly believe that my own journey along with your guidance through videos like this one will take me on a path of self-discovery and hopefully self actualization. I am so optimistic because I can literally visualize all this happening in near future. But, as said in this video, I will have to be patient. Thanks and bless your hearts guys. (Belated) Merry Christmas!

Hugo your video today reminded me of a scripture 2 Tim 3:10 But you have closely followed my teaching, my course of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance

I feel blessed, I am the 1800th viewer and this Sartorial talks is so up lifting. Once again thanks for sharing. I love dressing up for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. I don't like feeling over dress, because others are not. But I feel so good about myself. I am learning to not care what other's think about me. Oh my favorite number 223. Likes

I really liked this podcast...and so much of advice rings true. I especially liked the discussion of how some people hesitate to "dress up" to avoid the ribbing from co-workers ("Are you going to a wedding", "Are you going to a job interview," etc). Unfortunately this is similar to my situation...but multiplied my many more factors of rudeness...you see my favorite thing to wear is a bow tie. Bow ties are very polarizing neckwear. I have had managers and other co-workers stop business meetings I am attending and make negative comments or sneer. I had one secretary that was so appalled she drew a characture of me on her office whiteboard...looking as geeky as possible of course...and pointed it out for everyone to see and try to get people to laugh at me. On the other hand, guess what is the most complimented item of my wardrobe from more refined professional women and older men...that's right...the bow tie. It's almost like a class thing. Middle and lower class men hate them, as do lower class women. Upper class men and middle and upper class women like them....it's weird. And yes, my bow ties are all self tie and are sized properly to my face.

I appreciate you often reiterate your work is about knowledge and guidance, never rules and laws. Seems obvious to reiterate, but as a function in discourse it reinforces that the center of these talks is about philosophies of style that we all share even if we take different paths to achieve our personal palettes of style.

All the best Hugo, Sonya and Greg in the new year of 2021. I hope for more videos and great articles. Keep safe

Hugo and Sonya, you both would make incredible trial lawyers, for what that is worth. Or consultants for lawyers and corporate presenters.

Discovering your channel has reignited my love and passion for fashion, style, and becoming the best image of myself. Thank you, Hugo and Sonya. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you both.

Absolutely agree, thank you for so eloquently delving into the intricacies of this subject.

I recently discovered your channel and I am fascinated with all the different topics and concepts of it. Also Hugo and Sonya are excellent hosts and the knowledge and experience that share with all of us is priceless. Thank you for your passion and kindness in sharing with us all your knowledge and stories. Please keep doing these education podcasts and videos, they create, in my case, a great source of self-confidence in the way I create my own style. Thank you guys and my God Bless you forever.

A good wardrobe is not spending. It's investing. Thanks for this.

Même si je ne comprends pas beaucoup de choses en Anglais 😓😓 ça reste toujours un plaisir de vous écouter

It is important to be well dressed, because it will reflect on your reputation and what people THINK who you are. However, it is much more important to be well dressed inside your heart, because that reflects on your character and DETERMINES who you are. Have blessed Christmas days. May God bless you and your family!

I know I’m a little biased here. Perhaps not even my place to say. But I’m just gonna go for it. I wonder why those who gave this video a thumbs down even listen to this. Just look at the title and the channel. It is clearly not for you just move on plenty of videos out there. This is something you would only understand if you have a taste and desire for it. And it’s totally OK if you don’t. But accept the fact that there are plenty of us out there who still care for this. Because it represents something we would all love to have in our daily lives. Love you Hugo Sonya. Happy new year more and more great videos for 2021. stay safe everybody

What a great Christmas Present for us viewers! Merry Christmas to you both, Sonya and Hugo!

I love listening to both of you...very inspirational

You are so right about the miserable conformity of American men’s clothing. I love wearing vintage jackets, jeans and chinos and my dad’s old ties. With a pair of well used boots, I feel totally comfortable and confident. Appreciate your attitude and enjoy listening to you. Thanks

Also love the music. Please play it all the time especially if it's original music.

You good pair teach style, I mean more than style. “Trees that grow slow bear the best fruits” is profound truth. I enjoy what you have to share. Frankly I am thankful I discovered you.

Love this talks and all invaluable information. Lots to learn. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

J'en profite pour vous dire sincèrement sans déconner que vous êtes des personnes délicieuses....et vous souhaiter une bonne année

Hugo, thank you for posting the related article on Parisian Gentleman. I'm one of those people who learns better by reading articles than watching videos (though I enjoy your videos very much).

Merry Christmas both. An insightful and beautiful conversation to listen to, as ever. I am in my mid-30s, a father to a gorgeous 5yesr old daughter. Over recent years I have stumbled across the epiphany that time is our greatest currency. Money is a man made construct that can rise and fall, be corrupted, wasted and diluted. Time is a constant. Have a beautiful new year, I look forward to your journey in 2021.

Amazing talk cheers from Portugal 🇵🇹

I agree men (most average men) do not dress bad, but they miss a few marks, and this is depressing when you know they didn't have sartorial direction, to help guide their effort. I've seen so many wedding photos with over sized unfitted black jackets. Oversized cuffs covering their hands, and pants that don't hang correct, either too long or too short (only an inch either way can break the formal look. I'm glad this channel is helping the average Joe not make the big mistakes and look terrific!

Thank you for pre-rescuing me from many expensive mistakes 😎

I struck up conversation on a flight back recently due to the boots I was wearing, the individual attempted to guess which brand they were and mentioned he always wanted a pair. Can't go into details but I made an acquaintance that may help an area of my business. People notice these things, so put your best foot forward!

Hugo and his - as always - inspiring speeches... thank you for that!

Wonderful talk! I like to dress up but where I live, people will mock you, sneer at you, and maybe even challenge you to fight. I need to start hanging out in better quality environments.

Really loved that guitar sequence that was played at the end by your son I guess. I hope there will an episode about instruments and music. Also sharing that magnificent sequence of yours !

Passionate and lovely talk as usual, very dear to my heart! I myself would translate the African saying as :' When patience is rewarded you arrive in heaven' ' JMHO. Joyeux Noel a vous deux, Michel.

Happy Christmas/joyeux Noel! I love listening to you both. A lot of wisdom, passion and humility coming from you both. Tony

I live in Shanghai and the de rigueur style is sporty not even casual (for men, women are a different species here sartorially), but you will see more UA, Adidas and Nike clothes than any other brand on guys. I started wearing tailored suits relatively recently and love the way it makes me feel. They are without a doubt the most comfortable clothes I’ve ever worn. I am about to order my third suit. I’m taking my time and learning each time I wear a new suit and make some changes before ordering the next suit. So yes I do stand out in the crowd but I have never gotten a negative comment from anybody and frequently get compliments. I’ve been told several times by women that I look handsome - total strangers on the street or in a coffee shop. And that has never happened before I wore suits. So for anyone hesitating about the what will happen if they start to care about style, do not worry, as long as you are being true to yourself you will have a vastly positive experience and it will improve your life. When I’m working (I’m a portrait photographer) I now get invited into the offices of CEOs for a chat and coffee - and even give a ride home in the executive car - which never happened before even though I have been to those same offices for photography in the past.

These guys are gorgeous and spot on, so refreshing and timeless.

Wonderful presentation....Sonya's hair colour so beautiful

I am a 64 year old man. I have always worn suits to work but it is becoming more and more difficult. My new boss is a 30-something young woman. One day, she asked to see me before a group meeting. She was wearing tight jeans and a low-cut blouse. I was dressed, as usual, in a made-to-measure suit and tie. She looked up and said, "WHY are you dressed like that?" Very awkward moment. I find as we move more towards individuality, it is becoming more and more difficult to be elegant by choice. Luckily, my age protects me. By the way I am enjoying your shoe book (#090).

Many professional people use to dress appropriately in bygone days. Men wore shirt and tie, women wore dresses. Nowadays dress standards have changed in this area to a more relaxed style. I had respect for my teachers when they dressed up when their standards changed I just saw them as Joe Blogs. How my teachers dressed is all a part of learning. 😁

The infatuation with technology has made it so difficult to learn how to think and appreciate and savor...in schools of all places. Students are not given the time to think because of all the noise, images, and other information they are seen fit to be bombarded with. We want them to think and then prevent them from doing so...I believe my time in the classroom is winding down. Rearguard actions fought in defense of a well-lived life are exhausting. Thanks to Hugo and Sonja for continuing to do so.

Just want to wish you both a very happy Christmas and New Year, let’s hope 2021 brings us all success

WOOOOW, what a great couple you are! 👏😊🌹

You two make a wonderful couple. Thank you for all you do.

As always, Hugo and Sonya are correct about everything. I hold by the adage "it is truly better to have traveled than to have arrived". Merry Christmas to all.

I would wear a tie gifted to me by my child ever so proudly than any other simply because family is more important than anything else in life, this cartoon tie is so precious it's a connection a belonging, it's love it's happiness, it's hope, what is more valuable than a gift from the person you care about the most!

, Excellent conversation! Just what we need! Thank you!

What a beautiful compatible couple in sync!!!

Sonya...You Are Wonderful!!!

Love how both of you are dressed. The comments you mention people say I guess many people receive at work or elsewhere. Some people are very aggressive like this.

Dressing well never goes out of style. People notice when you take the time and effort to present yourself.

The shirt Sonya is wearing is just stunning

This is great I like how you mention IT and the T-Shirt Im trying to shed that image and "dress up" a bit. I admit I went overboard so Im trying to refine my idea of my sartorial journey. I purchased 5 white shirts right away first I was off by one size so I had to return the shirts then I realized that I wanted more of a casual style. The shirts that I want are out of stock so I need to wait for them to be back in stock so I understand about taking your time.

Very unique opinions...they are spot on,tho. I'm going for it out the gate! U live ONE TIME! style keeps me on my toes,as well as everyone else!

Best Christmas wishes Hugo and Sonya!

I love these talks because of the small nuggets throughout. I mean you quoted GK Chesterton. I subbed four videos back but always good to be vindicated. Ha!

Merry Christmas both, I hope the Quarantine rolling across Europe hasn't dampened the spirits. I have found that I am constantly being judged for what I wear at work, with the famous lines of weddings or a job interview. I have been trying a cravat recently and I have been told I am being a bit pompous. But you also get the complements aswell. I have to keep reminding myself that I am doing this for me.

I agree many Americans put comfort over everything, this coming from an American living abroad

Great talk!

Easily my favorite channel

Good show, like always! Regards from Brasil 🇧🇷

Difference between cartoon charakter on tie and suspenders with mickey on or fancy socks: wearer decides on their general visibility. I once attended a presentation at academic level via overhead slides, where the presenter failed to correctly tuck in his shirt so his underwear was sticking out! Have a wonderful holiday and a happy New Year, Sonya and Hugo!

Merry Christmas. Love this topic. Oh how correct you are.

in restaurants, often time when on my way back to my table, strangers would stop me and asked "...what s your line-of-business ?", followed by hand shakes and even warm hugs. I loved dressing up, arousing positive curiosity and being asked where I got my suits, fedora or shoes is the ultimate acid test of BEING A COMFORT IN OTHERS' EYES. .....always double-breasted !!

Those are wonderful chairs!

Merry Christmas and happy New year , Hugo and Ms. Sonya ..... take care , be safe and stay blessed

You Folks are a great Comedy Team........Natural and flowing......Joseph

Sonia is so funny. Her comment on having piano background just shows how particular and selective she is on her choices in life. Btw I recently purchased Hugo’s book The Parisian Gentleman; may I say this book is so addictive and full of gems. Well worth it!

Great content as always! Merry Christmas, Hugo and Sonya!

Merry Christmas Hugo, Ms. Sonya, and all.

It’s a war and most fear suits because they never got past the first phase of having to wear cheap uncomfortable suits. Most are intimidated by the fact that there’s a massive learning of tradition and rather than going through this process to discover total luxury in finer quality mens wear theyd rather phase us out all together and put us on the shelf with costumes and relics. And then there’s a great many that suits cannot help their looks anyway or they just don’t know how to play with the geometry and color spectrum to manipulate image. It’s to much for them. And there are more of them than us. But no worries I am a trend setter and I am now fighting for the cause and we will prevail

11:57 an enjoyable example of nominative determinism. Best wishes for 2021.

to take time is very important!!!!I agree!!!!!

Merry Christmas to you both! Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Sonya is style goals!

Wonderful, I really get a lot of inspiration from this even though I have a small budget to work with, thank you both.

...I've had the 'have you been to a funeral' comment and even the 'You're wearing a suit? Why? are you about to go to court to see the judge'. I work in a school as a class teacher; nit many fellas there and those that are there, don't wear flannel trousers and a nicely fitting jacket! Most people do comment positively on my clothes, however. Tony

Wonderful Advice & Podcast! THANKS!

Thanks!

Encore une excellente vidéo et un contenu de qualité ! Mes meilleurs voeux pour 2021 Mr. Jacomet. ! Puisse cette nouvelle année nous apporter encore plus de vidéos ! Salutations de Belgique. Gilles

How come you guys are always amazing. This was a very special Christmas treat to all of us. Thank you so much for it. Love you guys merry Christmas and a much much better and happier new year. Oh I was kind a late today so my like was the 59 :)) ❤️🍀😂😂

Hugo and Sonya, I'd love to get your insight on how dressing up has become counter culture and actually quite rebellious these days. This actually works out for us who have the need to swim against the tide! Funny how a suit has become the symbol of nonconformity.

Thank you for this video. I have found thrift stores to be interesting places to find clothing. You never know what you might see there. I have bought items that looked brand new, even with original tags. I guess people brought them in because they did not like the colors or fit. It is also a great way to try a style or color that you may not have considered before. You might realize that a manufacturer is worth ordering from in the future.

Thank you. Just thank you.

I really enjoyed this video.

Hi, hello Hugo and Sonya. Hope you are all enjoying Christmas, i enjoy your books and Channel, many thanks for your inspiration. I am almost ashamed to ask, but would it be possible to talk laundry? Specifically shirts... I am single and doing my own washing and destroying too many shirts! Advice needed please.

Happy holidays to everyone!

Outstanding episode! Merry Christmas!