Definition: Madras is a lightweight cotton fabric, usually manufactured with a vibrant plaid design, and used primarily for summer clothing such as pants, shorts, dresses, and jackets, or as the picture shown above – pocket squares. The fabric takes its name from the former name of the city of Chennai, India. For the sharply dressed gentleman, assembling a well-rounded wardrobe requires the procurement of stylish, season specific accoutrements. And given the fact that summer is in full operation, perhaps the procurement of something madras could be a worthwhile endeavor. Nothing big. A cool pocket square is a nice start. Light and airy, madras is not as rigid or stiff as your typical cotton square. Colors are usually vivid, and the plaid pattern is typically pronounced. Great for a casual khaki suit or sport coat. However, if you are really bold, you can stuff one inside your business suit for a delicious dichotomy of serious and playful. No matter the preference, a madras pocket square certainly deserves a spot adjacent to your collection of wool, cotton, and silk pocket accessories.
Author Archives: Glen Antoine Palmer
Brotherly Love – Kamau Hosten – Proper As Hell
Black Thought
“Let us realize too that even we disenfranchised have our duties.”
-W.E.B. Du Bois
Responsibility. Every gentleman owns a select portion of this in his community. Regardless of his limiting socioeconomic circumstances, a gentleman must deliver the very best of his talents for the improvement of his neighborhood. I definitely understand that this may be difficult for some gentlemen. One may feel that their status in society does not meet acceptable or suitable standards. However, I say to those individuals who may feel as if life has dealt a cruel poker hand; you still have much to offer. Do not sit idle and allow your gifts to waste and rot. Your community patiently awaits your arrival. Waiting for the “right” time when everything is correct in the world is not an option. What if the “right” time never arrives? The only right time is right now. Do not hesitate. Do not second guess. You are stronger, more intelligent, and more talented than you might realize; it is your duty to improve the environment around you. You possess the necessary tools to make a difference. Act now!
Brotherly Love – Terry Corbett – Park en Madison
The Standard #3
The knowledgeable gentleman comprehends that his image does not begin with how society views him. Rather, the gentleman’s image begins with how he sees himself. He alone determines and dictates the manner in which he is presented to the world. When he gazes into the mirror, the reflection of greatness should readily greet him. It does not begin with the clothing he chooses to attire himself in, nor the vehicle he selects to navigate city streets. Not the place of employment where he makes a living. Not the amount of money presently residing in his bank account. Why? Well, because character starts with his self-worth. His esteem is not erected upon a mountain of biodegradable materialism – subject to decay and waste. No, the gentleman’s image is based on gentlemanly fundamentals that are concrete and certain. Virtue. Honor. Principle. Forthrightness. The Gentlemen’s Standard.
The Re-Birth of a Nation
Sometimes perception, no matter how ignorantly misguided or foolishly erroneous, can be tragically dangerous. And as an African-American male, I fully comprehend the concept of perception, especially when viewed through the myopic lens that is the American eye. Seriously, don’t fool yourselves. Since the birth of this nation, the identity of the black male has been deftly manufactured and slyly constructed by a white power system that, by any means necessary, hungers to retain power. We are a stereotype that has been permanently branded into the psychology of this nation, leaving behind a charred residue of racial prejudice and bigotry that many people pretend doesn’t exist. And before you claim that I am overreacting, forget that you know Glen Antoine Palmer, the affable gentleman that writes this blog. I am a 6 foot 1, 240 pound black male with a bald head and thick beard. I rarely smile, not because I am in a foul mood, but because I really don’t like my smile all that much. No matter – I have a perpetually angry look all the time. Add in what someone has seen in a few rap videos, the more than occasional homicide in inner city Detroit, and the overall history of the black male being a hyper-sexual, violent savage – and voila – you have your stereotype.
Doesn’t matter that Glen is a devoted husband, a loving son, a mentor, a hard worker, a godfather, a friend, and an overall gentleman (with a nice suit & necktie game); I can be a threat or danger to anyone at any time, if they deem it within their minds. I will never forget, back when I was in college, a woman who lived upstairs in my apartment thought I could be a potential rapist. How did I know? Well, ironically she mentioned the big bald black guy who lived downstairs to my girlfriend, and future wife – Stephanie, who was in her study group. When Stephanie realized what apartment she stayed in, and the only big bald black guy around was me, she calmly explained to her that I wasn’t that sort of man. Going forward, the lady upstairs was perfectly fine, well, since Stephanie vouched for me. Fact is, I was a stereotype. And it’s frustrating to be a stereotype, especially when you aren’t a stereotype. I don’t think I should be a tragedy waiting to happen based on another person’s misguided prejudice. But that is the sad reality; a reality that has existed since the birth of this nation. And unfortunately, it is a reality I have to live with everyday.
Standard Recommendations – Colored Shoelaces
Gentlemen, it is officially summer, and the time has arrived to lace up with some colored shoe laces. And by colored – we mean brightly colored. Beyond the rudimentary selections that you are accustomed to – you know – the unenthusiastic shades of black and brown, there exists a bright brave world of sprightly shoestrings ready to secure your kicks to your feet. The vibrant colors can add a bit of playful charm to a gentleman’s presentation. Totally unexpected, but undoubtedly stylish. This endorsement is not surprising, as I have championed the utilization of jazzy hued laces before. So, to further drive the point home, I decided to photograph a pack of 1901 shoelaces that I purchased from Nordstrom. This 7 pack of organic waxed cotton laces is not only great for summer play, but I can see these making a surprise cameo in the fall. However, let’s not rush autumn in prematurely. We still have plenty of summer days to enjoy.
The Standard #18
Firmly standing upright under an unrelenting, blistering storm of vitriolic contempt and caustic distrust, the successful gentleman remains undeterred in his journey towards triumph. Triumph – born of an unwavering resolve and complete assurance in his abilities; this gentleman cannot be denied what he has tirelessly striven for. And despite ardent attempts to trivialize his work, undermine his legitimacy, or boldly question his intellect; ignorance and hatred will be trumped every time. Believe it. No amount of mockery can shake his confidence. He is resolute. He is intelligent. He is courageous. More importantly, he recognizes that there exists individuals consumed with hubris and guided by conceit, which ultimately hastens their downfall. So, he stays in his lane and does what he does best – win. Are you a winner?
Sounds of Blackness – The Whispers – In The Mood
I am not exactly sure of the precise moment; that moment when popular mainstream rhythm and blues became crude and crass. Lyrics that once championed affection, devotion, and good old-fashioned intimacy have been supplanted by sexual vulgarity masquerading as love. And I cannot, at least totally, berate the youth today for their selection of music. Not when they are presented with images of rap & blues crooner Drake on the cover of Gentleman’s Quarterly, and with the media constantly anointing dubious celebrity figures as role models. Seems like today, one has to exhibit an offensive, coarse attitude and demeanor to be a contemporary gentleman. Seriously, men, do you really want another man referring to a female family member as a bitch/hoe and holding aspirations of “beating that up”? That being said, please disabuse yourself from the sad reality that is the current state of rhythm and blues. A gentleman can still be rakishly charming, unabashedly sexy, and effortlessly smooth – without calling a woman out of her name in the process. Fact: Being a gentleman is not mutually exclusive with being boring. And so, I remind the audience today, with the help of The Whispers, that there are gentlemen still in existence that believe in proper manners, treating a lady respectfully, and loving her as she deserves. Trust me, every lady wants that.
Standard Recommendations – The Gentleman’s Umbrella
During those dreary days of rainy, inclement weather; it is not unusual to find me carrying a trusty umbrella on my way to the office. My umbrella – a perpetual target of soft ridicule and surprising bewilderment. Bewilderment because no one really carries an umbrella as large as mine nowadays, and ridicule because, well, no one carries an umbrella as large as mine nowadays. But please forgive me, I am a gentleman with a moderate amount of girth on his frame, a dainty and frail umbrella just won’t cut it. I require more than adequate coverage when the day threatens to unleash a torrential downpour. And besides, on more than one occasion, I have found a companion, male or female, ducking under my umbrella because it was more than sufficient at handling the job. And they probably left their umbrella in the car. The benefit of owning a sturdy, hefty umbrella? First, the pros: maximum coverage, resists hurricane (not quite) winds, almost impossible to misplace, and you’ll look damn gentlemanly providing shelter for some umbrella-less soul in danger of being drenched. The cons, well, there aren’t any. Invest in quality one and stay dry.
Gent Hints
- The canopy – the part that provides coverage – should fall somewhere between 40 and 50 inches in diameter. Any bigger and you are entering golf umbrella territory.
- For your umbrella’s material, the canopy should be taut and made of nylon.
- Durability is vital, therefore, we prefer a frame composed of steel. However, fiberglass and aluminum are also options that a gentleman can consider.
- The shaft can also be made of the aforementioned materials, or a gentleman could select a wooden shaft for a touch of elegance and class.
- The shaft should complement your height. In the interest of providing a reference point, I am approximately 6 feet tall, and end-to-end, my umbrella hits me right at the hip. It provides comfortable clearance for my head.
- The handle should be ergonomic for easy handling. I prefer a textured rubber hand for secure gripping.
Standard Recommendations – The Duffel Bag
Suit Supply Duffel Bag
Sure, my leather portfolio bag provides adequate transportation for my laptop, but sometimes I feel as if I require a bag that is more robust in nature. During my commute to the office, I may pick up a bottle of 32 ounce Gatorade. Or, I could be carrying a 64 ounce water bottle. If the weather is dreary with the threat of a thunderstorm, a hefty umbrella may be a side companion. For late evening trips to Fitness 19, workout attire would either be stashed in the car trunk in a separate bag, or tossed on the backseat until it was time to change. All that being said, I am steadily leaning towards investing in a large, sturdy duffel bag to house all of my belongings. Especially in the winter when boots are a must, dress shoes can be neatly tucked away, shielded from the salt and muck that accumulates on the sidewalks and streets. Preferably, a combination of leather and canvas duffel would be ideal. Both canvas and leather are hard-wearing, with the leather adding a touch of tough elegance to the overall aesthetic. If you are a gentleman that requires a bag with a spacious interior, whether it be for trips to the office or a weekend trip away from home, investing in an appropriately sized duffel bag could prove to be a wise decision. If you are sure that it will sustain a moderate to substantial beating, ensure that you select a bag comprised of tough material, be it canvas or leather, that will withstand the punishment. In my case, I desire the best of both worlds. And so, the hunt commences.
Brotherly Love – Barney Bishop – Fragrant Moments
Meet Barney Bishop – aficionado of aromatic accoutrements for a gentleman’s arsenal. Yes, indeed.
Gentlemen’s Review – Zirh International – Protect Daily Conditioner
Continuing with a review of grooming products offered by Zirh International, today I will share my experience with their Protect – Daily Facial Conditioner, or in other words…their facial moisturizer. I cannot make any spectacular claims that this moisturizer has dramatically reversed the aging process or miraculously knocked 15 years off my face. I would have to check back with the audience in 2-3 years to make that claim. What I can say is this: The Protect Daily Facial Conditioner felt very pleasant when applied on my face. The scent was very fresh, not excessively oily, and hydrated my skin very well. All in all – a pretty good product. Check out further observations below.
Observations
- Following in the footsteps of the Zirh Clean Face Wash, the facial moisturizer also retains a light, subtle citrus fragrance.
- Given the presence of a citrus scent, it is not as strong as the Zirh Clean Face Wash; which is good since a double dose could be a little overpowering.
- The consistency is moderate; being not too creamy and not too watery.
- There is a slight greasy feel to the moisturizer, but it fades away after application.
- I didn’t have any problems with skin irritation or break-outs.
- For usage, expect to use two dime size quantities, roughly the size of a fingertip, to sufficiently cover the entire face.
- Keeping with this quantity, one should be able to extract more than a few months of usage out of this product.
- Although menthol is not an active ingredient, there is a cooling sensation felt when applied to the skin. Perhaps it is the chamomile agent working on the skin. Whatever it may be, it feels nice.
- Retails for approximately $32.50 for a tube of 3.3 fluid ounces. This may send many gentlemen running for the hills. However, if healthy skin is a priority, the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant qualities could be very appealing for that discerning gentleman.
Product Specifications
Environmental defense moisturizer
Daily skin conditioner for oily to normal skin types. Fights the negative effects of free radicals from environmental pollution and sun damage. Helps to slow the appearance of aging and improves skin’s texture and elasticity.
Key Ingredients
Vitamin E: an anti-oxidant from soybean oil soothes and helps rejuvenate the skin
Avocado Oil: a moisturizer that infuses the skin with protein without leaving an oil film
Chamomile Extract: an anti-inflammatory that calms the skin
Pycnogenol: a powerful anti-oxidant extracted from pine bark helps improve skin smoothness and elasticity
For more information about Zirh products, please visit Zirh HERE for more details.
Gentlemen’s Standard Approved
Disclosure: TGS was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes only. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
Style & Substance – Rock The Boat…Shoe
I will admit, it took quite some time for me to get accustomed to wearing boat shoes. Residing in Detroit, boat shoes were definitely not a familiar sight on the feet of local residents. However, as my style steadily evolved, and I increased my sartorial acumen, I realized that a well-rounded wardrobe encompassed many items that were not in my closet. Trust me, as summer commences, boat shoes become an indispensable companion when the temperatures start their progressive climb. Whether paired with shorts, linen pants, or your favorite khakis; boat shoes are a slight notch above sneakers, but not so formal as dress shoes. And lucky for you, they can purchased on deep discount at TJ Maxx or even Marshalls. Online stores such as Endless & Zappos are also great sources at your disposal. Traditionally, a gentleman employs the services of the boat shoe absent the aid of socks. Nevertheless, if nude feet is not your preference, a pair of colorful socks remain a viable option. If you are looking for a particular brand, one cannot go wrong with perennial classics Sperry Top-Sider or Sebago. However, almost every shoe company you can imagine carries boat shoes in some form or another. So, the options are plentiful. Don’t miss the boat, grab some!
My Nigrum
In matters of recognizing and appreciating the greatness of history, the specter of time hovers, always threatening to diminish the importance and seriousness of days forever removed. To be sure, history is a great educator; but if we allow the steady progression of time to dull its lessons, we will simply become students of profound ignorance. Given that, let’s talk about the term nigger. No, not the n-word, because nigger doesn’t deserve politically correct sanitation. Nigger deserves to be bathed in the unabashed, murderously bloody history for which it is identified. Please stop trying to redefine its meaning. Nigger is a pejorative corruption of Negro which is derived from the word Nigrum or Niger, which means black in Latin. To simply redefine nigger as a lazy ignorant person is to be lazy and ignorant of history itself.
Now, if you have chosen to simply alter the pronunciation, and the result is nigga, then you have willfully chosen to subconsciously alter history and forget where nigger originated. Slave ships. Plantations. Whippings. Lynchings. Rape. Castration. However, the passage of time has diminished historical sensitivity. Memories are becoming shorter and shorter. And what painfully hurt 100 years ago is now deeply embedded in a hypocritical culture. You see, nigger really isn’t nigger until someone who isn’t a nigger utters the word nigger. Got it? Confusing…I know. Nigger is a strange fruit that black folks love, a delicacy for our mouths only, no matter how nauseatingly disgusting or bitter; we have developed a palate that savors every harsh bite.
For some history on the picture above, please visit:
The Gentlemen's Standard 