I actually have been criticized and (to a degree) put down and questioned by some of my friends for dressing well...I simply don't listen to them Period. A tee shirt and jeans simply is not me. It may be for them but not me. I'm not trying to "one up" anyone. This video and all of your videos gives me inspiration...thank you so very much!
My ex-boss said to me once, “what do you want to buy a suit for? Where would you go in it?” My reply to her: “ Anywhere I want to. That’s what guys with their own mind do, you know”. One day, the only difference I made to my usual appearance, was to wear a crisp white shirt. Her expression spoke volumes. What I call ‘the silent compliment’. Yesterday, I collected my new 3 piece light brown Glen check summer weight suit from the tailors where the sleeves were shortened a little to show the shirt cuffs. It looks fantastic and I can’t wait to wear it this summer. A couple of days ago, I ordered a blue with white spots Cravat. Something I’ve never worn before. I Googled images of famous people who wear them and a few young guys wear them too.
Very true, especially for blue collar workers like yours truly. Despite being italian, sometimes it seems like we are not allowed (or supposed) to dress well. I showed up at some informal meetings with colleagues wearing my "cold season uniform" consisting of a tweed sport coat with a light blue shirt, dark chinos and boots. They were dressed as if they just got out of the factory or sloppy and mocked me relentlessly, so much so that I felt the need to get out before losing my composure. Anyway, I kept my mind in check and soldiered on. In the end, they just stopped and... started calling me "the earl". Turned out kinda funny. Almost the same happened during a Christmas family gathering, wearing almost the same combination. They even asked me to go home and change my clothes since "this is not a wedding". Now I understand that we were among family members and almost 40% of them are streetwear aficionados, but come on. I soldiered on another but yeah, it was tough. In the end, why not dressing up for some events? It's always OK to try something a little bit out of the box and dial up the standards a notch, rather than lower them...
Another great video Ash. I’m a teacher and dress well everyday as it sets a tone for children parents and fellow teachers. It also makes me feel ready for anything.
Sometimes, Ash, life makes decisions for one. In a previous comment I had written how a nice suit helps hide my not so slim stomach area. Here, it would be appropriate to say how it helps me manage my work. I lead a team of people fairly older than me, and being dressed to the hilt as I like to call it, helps. They tend to give me respect more readily than some others. Some people here keep harping about competency and downplay the importance of good dressing sense. Of course, a suit on an incompetent man would be no different from an armour on a coward, but none but a foolish soldier would lead a charge without an armour. Good, some people don't understand this. That means, I get to stand out. I'm still quite young, far away from retirement, so I suppose this will only stand in good stead in the long run. Dressing up is no longer an option for me. It is a necessity of life, most basic. Top top: Wear a suit, speak with an RP accent and never swear. When in doubt, keep quiet, or ask - judiciously and politely.
100% true, in the last few month, I've been dressing well, as I live in a rual town, people have given me positive comments on the way I dress, poeple has been addressing me as _sir_, and I feel great inside. It is quite true, a well dress gentleman, door open (expect at the supermarket - automatic doors 😀), however, I've gained a lot of respect from many people, even at chrurch, they say _"Yout are well dress, they other men look like slobs!"_
Another good one, Ashe! A suit for most of us not in an office enviroment is, I feel overkill. I feel smart casual is the way to go. Focus on 'sharpness', well fitting clothes, good shoes. The well placed accessory. On another note, I was in an eastern european dinner when the girls literally 'dressed for dinner'. They came down looking like models, delightful eye candy! Shame it doesn't happen here!
I could not agree more sir. I also agree that being the best dressed man in the room will be different for everyone, given their own personal circumstances. I personally like the way a well-fitted suit makes me feel. But to be honest, I usually wear a blazer and slacks without a tie, as this is the most comfortable and still very smart.
I was a dedicated follower of fashion, until the Kinks set me thinking about having dress codes dictated by others. Although I didn't know it at the time, I am autistic, and gave up pretending to be normal because it took too much energy, and I started making the most of being different, I set my own fashion, and that often meant going against the standards of the day. Even when I worked in mines and quarries, I wore suit and tie every day, but kept a full set of protective clothing for when I needed it. I resisted the trend towards increasingly casual dress that probably started about 30 years ago. And even after retiring, I continue to dress smartly when I go out. I particularly enjoy wearing bow ties because I believe that tying them helps maintain manual dexterity, and they augment what probably passes for eccentricity.
I work at a Design Engineering company as we are an OEM. I’m a Field Engineer which mean I spend about half my time in the field. The other engineers flat out has no sense of dress style. I’m also the most stylish and best dressed guy in the building we occupy including being as well dressed or better than my boss. My boss does have a modest casual dress style. I’m not even wearing a Blazer. But If I was to put on and wear a Blazer, I think I’d literally break the entire dress code off the charts.
I live in Greater London and would like to wear a suit more often! The way i see it is as long as it’s not too unusual in colour I wouldn’t stand out against London’s sartorial weirdness and it would only be favourable. This was a good video with an inspiring message.
Thanks or the feedback I think London is one of the best-dressed cities in the world and has the great advantage of allowing the London-based chap to indulge himself in any style-genre that he fancies. I live in the South West of England and even the wearing of a humble cravat, instils looks of absolute derision around here - whereas in London, it would barely elicit a second glance.
I get what you mean regarding the black suit, but I often wear a black suit, the trick is to remove the emphasis from the black by adding in some colour. It's a balance. I've never had an issue wearing a suit to the office even though my industry is rather casual. The big challenge for me though, was when pandemic hit and I was working from home and doing the school run. I'm the only one there in a suit every day, but it seems folk have got used to it. I now get smiles and hellos, mostly from the mums 😁
You so eloquently expressed my own such sentiments. Thank you. Though I never thought of myself as a "chap" before, being an American, the expression is really quite growing on me. Again, very much enjoying your vids. Well done, sir.
Me too. All my working life I've never dressed well. That is because my vocation never required a suit & tie. In fact I just wore my company's polo shirt. Now, in my late 50s I've decided to upgrade my look. For the past few months I've focused on building a decent wardrobe and have enjoyed wearing jackets, slacks, ties & even vests. I even bought a fedora & truly like wearing a hat. I cut a different look at work now & it's been noticed. Now I endeavor to be a gentleman.
I bought a new 500$ suit for 20$. An amazing deal. With a good deal like that it's important to put money in tailoring. The suit wasn't a perfect fit, but with tailoring it is now.
I associate with people that generally dress well. However I am starting to dress better than many, perhaps most of them based on what I am learning from The Chap's Guide. I have to admit it makes me somewhat self conscious. I feel a bit like some of them are thinking who does he think he is? What is he trying to prove? This is based on some of the looks I get from certain ones. So I have to keep telling myself it is ok. It is good to dress well and look sharp. Keep doing it. This video gives me confidence to do that. :)
Your advises are so inspiring. I love dressing up but in these times it is a very rare habit for most men. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and live in the golden age of menswear 1930-1960’s. Thanks so much for this video. And greetings from the U.S.A!!
I think most men back then would view anyone who clung on to the top hat and frock coat in the same way that modern men view anyone dressed in classic style..But at least the men back then had a decenr standard of dress to begin with
The best thing to do is dress smartly often or better still, every day. By so doing, you re-establish something that was once (and should still be) the norm.
Well said Ash. As long as there are likeminded people who believe in self respect and standards in all things not just our appearance, there will be elegance and style. Personally I wear a uniform for work so i must make the effort in social situations if i want to be stylish and well turned out for myself and as a good role model to my sons, both Royal Navy btw. keep up the good work...subscribed !
I have worn uniforms all my adult life in one form or another (military, law enforcement) and have always enjoyed the conformity that they bring, but perhaps this also propels my joy in wearing smart attire in my private life.
I live on Vancouver Island, on the west coast of British Columbia and have, within the last 3 weeks, discovered your channel. Your content is spot on, no matter where one lives. Absolutely love your videos; keep up the good work!!
I fully agree. There is tendency to dress down due to the influence of Californian technology tycoons. The business community is in a silly imitation game that makes no sense to me. Great video.
I am that person you speak of. I love being the best dressed person in a room. I choose not to be the example, but to set the example. I just love your video's and the way you think. Keep the great video's coming.
Just found this video of yours and it’s absolutely charming. The other day, a man I had neither met nor spoken to asked me why I was wearing a waistcoat. I told him it was Tuesday, and that Tuesday was waistcoat day. Sadly, he didn’t take the joke and was more than a touch rude, but everyone else had a laugh. Hope I don’t meet him again (I was away from home, so unlikely). 😏
A heritage company in the states that has a long history as the oldest clothing manufacturer and also an interesting history of clients is Brooks Brothers. I assume you are familiar with the company, but I haven’t heard them mentioned in any of the videos I have viewed to date so thought I would share: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooks_Brothers
Many thanks for bring BB up, I have been to a few branches over the years on my visits to thew USA, but as they have no outlets in the UK I don't really have much of a view on their products, as I have never owned anything from their range. That said, they enjoy a solid reputation and, from what I have witnessed, make a good selection of classical gents attire - if somewhat strongly priced as I recall from my last visit to the Newport branch in Rhode Island. They have a solid history and have undoubtedly enhanced mens style in the USA significantly during their period of operation. I was saddened to read that they may be in danger of going bust - I sincerely hope they weather the storm. Ash
Donald Trump looks terrible in his ill fitting suits - nothing weaponized - except for people who don’t know what suits should look like. It’s a shame because his wife has style.
I think he chooses a larger suit to try and distract from his somewhat obvious obesity, but I think it simply makes him look poorly dressed. I think he needs a new tailor.
