Granted, spring may have officially arrived yesterday, but the temperatures have retained a wintry feel that echoes early January. Nonetheless, the season has technically shifted, and the gentleman would be wise to prepare his spring attire for the upcoming heat wave. Okay, perhaps that is a stretch, but it would be intelligent to get the proper gear ready. Now, despite the warm weather that will soon be arriving (we hope), it might be a little premature to emancipate the shorts and tee shirts from the closet. That being said, plenty of gentlemen will still hold fast to their suit attire. However, the dreary days of winter will soon be forgotten, and a lighter touch will be required when we decide to get suited and booted. And usually that lighter touch arrives in the form of playful, whimsical accessories that temper the seriousness of your standard business suit. That being said, I came across this fun Ted Baker necktie being offered online by Von Maur. Yes, polka dots are still popular; and the boldness of those dots, along with the vibrant colors, are just enough to loosen up a stiff suit – if just a little bit. Bonus: Currently it’s on sale for $39.00, which is reasonable given the brand and design. So, check it out. Von Maur offers free shipping with a no hassle return if it doesn’t tickle your fancy. For more purchasing details, visit Von Maur HERE for more information.
Author Archives: Glen Antoine Palmer
Brotherly Love – Bill Cosby
People have the tendency to forget – Bill Cosby was one cool cat back in the day.
The Standard #24
The intellectual gentleman recognizes the power of education, and he champions its virtue. He fully understands that knowledge is the beginning of intellectual growth & prosperity. He understands that the proper use of his knowledge can transform distant aspirations into touchable reality. His success hinges on steadfast labor and the unequivocal dedication to achieving educational excellence. Each gentleman has this ability – the ability to set meaningful goals and accomplish an array of tasks that he has undertaken. A gentleman’s potential is but a ready seed, thirsting for the water produced from sweat, and sometimes – salty tears. What, you thought it would be easy? Nothing worth the labor expended ever is.
Seriously, educating oneself is paramount, it is key. And through education, one begins to realize that no goal is too precipitous to climb and conquer. And understand, goals do not plateau, for learning does not cease once adulthood is reached. Learning does not abruptly halt once the classroom is a faint memory or college professors stop instructing. Grow your knowledge because knowledge is strength for the body, mind, and spirit. Read a book. Watch a documentary. Seek out educational courses offered at a local community college or center. Make every attempt to continuously exercise your mind. So gentlemen, grow your minds, pursue your dreams, make them a reality, and once you are there – don’t stop growing.
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.
Just In Time – 3 Simple, Elegant, and Stylish Men’s Luxury Watches
Finding the perfect watch for you is something largely akin to finding the Holy Grail – it’s a long journey, but one that is certainly worth taking because there are few luxury accessories that provide more of a window into a man’s sense of style than his choice of timepiece. Needless to say, owning a luxury watch is a symbol of status, but this doesn’t mean that it has to be an in-your-face type of accessory; one that everybody has to notice so you feel justified in shelling out a large sum of money on it. In my opinion, some of the finest men’s luxury watches on the market are of the understated variety – the ones which let their quality speak for themselves.
Let’s take a look at three of the best:
Black Thought
“Anytime you see somebody more successful than you are, they are doing something you aren’t.”
– Malcolm X
The haunting fear of failure can certainly impede any aspiring gentleman from realizing his dreams & goals. Well, success does not arrive without crooks in the road or cracks in the pavement. However, the gentleman should never let such things deter him from accomplishing any rewarding or desired objective. Anyone who has tasted any form of success understands this completely. The successful gentleman welcomes and embodies the meaning of sacrifice. He stretches himself to enormous lengths, such lengths that maybe the next man is not willing to endure. Endless days. Weary eyes. Growing frustration. Certain disappointment. Perseverance and diligence is instrumental. Locate and recognize success. Appreciate it. Study it. Learn from it. Emulate it. Mold your path to success and allow nothing to block your progress.
Style & Substance – The Eldredge Knot
Behold, in all of its complex pageantry – The Eldredge Knot. This peculiar knot has leisurely traveled the Internet circuit over the last few months – perhaps even longer; impressing a great deal of forward-thinking gentlemen and equally confounding a multitude of others. The opinion: a dazzling exhibition of creative artistry; or an undesirable, trendy display that is unequivocally hideous. Whatever side you fall on, the Eldredge knot is certainly a conversation starter. So, what are my personal thoughts on this seemingly complex knot? Well…
- The Eldredge knot is unnecessarily complicated. Sure, I’ve read that once you learn the knotting process that it is simple. But the diagram I viewed revealed at least 15 steps to achieve the desired result. I can knot a Four-In-Hand or Half-Windsor in far less. And while I am not standing before a mirror for an exorbitant amount of time, knotting my neckties the old-fashioned way does require a meticulous hand to achieve a nice dimple and correct length. So, why would I want to tack on an extra 10 minutes to my routine?
- The knotting process itself can be brutal on a necktie. Sure, your necktie could be comprised of the finest material that can withstand the beating. But why would I want to subject one of my finest neckties to a sadistic ritual of continuous twists and wraps?
- Simply stated: The necktie looks like it has been knotted backwards.
- And I am not sure how this knot performs if the necktie is patterned. The presentation just doesn’t look clean.
- However, I can see how this can work in the trendy world. Alas, that is not a world I live in. This knot is simply not functional for my lifestyle, which compared to some, could be considered boring.
- Besides, I am far from a flashy gentleman. And this knot screams look-at-me. Remember: Beware the peacock. If I want to stand out, I will do so through a deft execution of color, pattern, and fabric coordination. This just seems like a gimmick.
However, to each his own. If this looks like a fun knot to you, and you want a challenge, then go right ahead my friend and tie one one. I just won’t be in that collective rocking it with you. So, what say the gentlemen, thumbs up or thumbs down?
Wrist Managament – Colorful Watches For Less Than $75
Without a doubt, there arrives a time when a gentleman just wants to kick back. No big meetings that beg your attendance. No dinner galas that require your presence. The only thing that beckons your audience is lazy relaxation. Maybe a few cookouts. Perhaps an excursion to a beach, a park, or wherever the day takes you – you could venture no farther than your couch. And that is okay. Nevertheless, whatever you decide, you still need to track time. Last week, one of my contacts reached out and sent me an array of jazzy, colorful timepieces just in time for spring, all courtesy of Timex. Now, my experience with Timex has been pleasant. They are a trusty and reliable source of time tracking. So, I wanted to share a few pictures from their new spring collection. All the watches pictured here clock in (pun intended) at less than $75.00, and in some cases, less than $50.00. And as a bonus, the Weekender editions have straps that can be interchanged with other bright straps that fancy your mood – watch out now (corny pun intended again)! For more purchasing information, please visit Timex for details.
Please click gallery for navigation.
Brotherly Love
Thus far, in this year of 2013, beards rule. However, as it should be apparent, I do hold a certain bias towards the subject.
AT&T 28 Days – A Few Pictures
Elle Varner – Glen Palmer
Jeff Johnson – Glen Palmer
Elle Varner
Rickey Smiley
Jeff Johnson
Style & Substance – Brown Checked Blazer & Green Knit Necktie
Simply stated – this works. And it works extremely well. I love when gentlemen venture outside the safe confines of the proverbial paint-by-the-numbers, sartorial box. However, please note, such experimentation should be executed in a sophisticated and classy manner. When creative, stylish thought is tempered by intelligent practicality; the reward can be a gorgeous portrait of stunning elegance – as evidenced by the deft coordination above. The slightly aggressive powdery brown check. The mildly coarse mossy green hue. All brought together on a calming canvas of white. Note: If your jacket bears an assertive pattern like this bullish check, a solid necktie (with slight hint of texture) is probably the best partner to introduce into the equation. However, a necktie with a discreet pattern could work as well. So, take a studied look, draw the necessary inspiration, and dress accordingly gentlemen.
Standard Recommendations – The Linen Pocket Square
Alfred Dunhill
This endorsement is going to be brief: Every gentleman should own at least one linen pocket square. Okay, that is all, may the remainder of your day be wonderful and productive. Not good enough? Of course, you are correct, I should at least provide some rationale behind my hasty recommendation. Well, believe it or not, spring will soon be upon us. And although linen pocket squares or handkerchiefs can be worn year-round, the changing of the seasons from winter to spring usually mark the reintroduction of lighter, less weighted fabrics. Not that cotton or silk are particularly heavy, but linen provides a nice airy, feathery touch to any gentleman’s suit jacket. Much like a wool pocket, the subtle texture of linen provides a much desired hint of elegance to your presentation. They are very easy to fold, and they remain upright while tucked inside your breast pocket throughout the day. Because linen’s demeanor is so effortlessly easy, so impossibly cool, we humbly suggest an easy fold; a simple square or irregularly squared fold will suffice. And so, there you have it, a few reasons why you should own a linen pocket square. Now, the one presented above is pretty hefty – in price that is – so we also suggesting visiting The Tie Bar and perusing their very affordable selection of squares. Unless, however, you don’t mind dropping $75.00 on a square. In that case, head over to Mr Porter and snatch up the beauty pictured above. The choice is yours. Now – may the remainder of your day be wonderful and productive.
Style & Substance – Beware The Peacock
Trust me, I fully appreciate the forward attention that has been afforded to the newly styled, contemporary gentleman – we deserve it. After a decade or so of being woefully neglected and blatantly ignored; the industry has decided to offer a myriad of natty and stylish options for our disposal. And for the most part, gentlemen everywhere have readily seized upon the opportunities. However, some have enthusiastically dove overboard. Delicately dancing on the margins of runway fashion, a new breed of extreme dandy has emerged, peacocking and primming for all to see. Gentlemen – and I say this with love – please cease and desist with the wild, gaudy pageantry that desperately screams for attention. Look, I get it, style is certainly in the eye of the beholder, but when I saw GQ endorsing a puffer vest being worn over a suit, I thought to myself that enough is enough. I even spotted a gentleman rocking high heels with a suit. What is that all about?
It just seems that men are throwing a wild variety of sartorial elements together and hoping to become that next Internet style sensation. Sometimes, it works. However, sometimes, it just looks silly. Listen, broadening your color palette is happily encouraged. Experimenting with varying fabrics is resolutely endorsed. Coordinating different patterns is roundly supported. Nevertheless, wearing an orange parka over a black tuxedo jacket with gray pinstripe trousers – all in the name style – is just lunacy. I’m not trying to be judgmental, and exhibiting pompous conceit is certainly not my intention. My only motive: preventing some wayward soul, thumbing through various magazines or scouring the Internet in search of sartorial inspiration, from looking like an utter fool. Throwing together a hodgepodge of expensive items doesn’t make you stylish, and raiding the neighborhood thrift store doesn’t automatically make you creative. Dressing should be organic, never forced. Remember that next time when you rock those wingtips with your overalls and fedora.
AT&T 28 Days – The Aftermath
And so, last Wednesday, AT&T concluded its 28 Days Black History Month campaign at the Millennium Centre in Southfield, Michigan. During the entire month of February, AT&T sponsors a campaign that aims to motivate consumers to take a forward look at Black History Month as they create history of their own. Hosted by comedian and radio personality Rickey Smiley, the AT&T 28 Days campaign celebrated its fifth anniversary as it commenced its schedule in Washington D.C. with acclaimed speaker and writer, Kevin Powell, delivering the keynote address. From there, the campaign visited Raleigh-Durham, Atlanta, and lastly Southfield. Other speakers included social media expert Corvida Raven and hip hop artist MC Lyte.
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Style & Substance – Camouflaged Gear III
Alas, my foolishly misguided crusade against the imminent reign of camouflage has been suppressed, well, at least for the time being. For it seems that every time I open a monthly publication dedicated to style, or arrive upon a manufacturer’s fresh inventory of spring merchandise by way of the Internet, I am greeted by unapologetic visuals of camouflage. And this is quite peculiar, given that a distinct characteristic of camouflage is stealth and disguise. Needless to say, the push for this trend is growing in strength as designers and advertisers are flooding the shelves with this sartorially pert pattern. So, let us assume that you have relented and allowed the passage of camouflage into your closet. Well, if you are seeking to make a statement, Suit Supply has been kind enough to supply you with the proper accoutrement to accomplish that objective – the camouflage monk strap. You cannot get anymore brazen than this. The rakish charm of the monk, combined with its unmistakable skin makes for one bold set of kicks. Again, not my preference, but for a gentleman that wants to add a kick to his khaki suit or cotton trousers, this pair of monks could be for you. Just no complaints when its popularity wanes – hey, we’re trying to warn you here. Shop responsibly friend.
The Gentlemen's Standard 