A successful gentleman is also a determined and dedicated gentleman. Sure, there are a myriad of factors that will give rise to varying amounts of success. However, determination and dedication are two character traits that should not be ignored, nor should it be taken for granted. I am going to reveal something today that very few people know about The Gentlemen’s Standard. In the four years that I have been blogging and writing, I did so without the assistance of a laptop. That is correct. Only recently I was blessed with a laptop as a gift from my lovely wife. Now, this may not seem like a humongous deal to some, but blogging without the assistance of a laptop is, well, very difficult. Especially when attempting to sustain a pace that drives traffic and attracts a faithful audience.

So, how did I write all this time without one? I guess the old-fashioned way. I guess I am just an old-fashioned guy. I would write notes to myself pertaining to potential topics. I would memorize potential sentences in my head. I would e-mail myself material to use for future posts. I would then race home to my old desktop (roughly 15 years old) and stay up late cranking out material-sometimes to the chagrin of my wife.

So, it was only until last year that I secured a laptop to make my writing easier. Nevertheless, I am definitely proud of my achievements over the past few years, all without the benefits of a mobile computer. All I possessed was my determination and dedication, along with an old trusty desktop (did I mention slow) to help me along the way. Whatever a gentleman dreams he can do, he must summon the strength and will to bring it to fruition. You can do it. Have faith in God and have faith in yourself; you will be just fine. Determination. Dedication. Master both. I have no doubt you will.

They are effortlessly cool, impossibly stylish, and unabashedly masculine. Of course, we are talking about leather bomber jackets. Every gentleman deserves to have one in his closet, and we are going to tell you why. But first, a small slice of history: Flight jackets were initially worn by pilots to keep them warm because the cockpits of their planes were not enclosed. And even when cockpits became enclosed; traveling at higher, colder altitudes still necessitated the usage of heavy-duty leather jackets. Now, unless you are a part of the United States Air Force, you probably won’t be embarking on any aerial missions anytime soon. Nevertheless, we’re going to show you how to look fly — even when you’re grounded.

It’s that time again – another one of my UPTOWN selections. This offering focuses on the classic bomber. This is a man’s jacket; it’s as simple as that. So, check out the piece and enjoy. Oh yes, it can be found right over HERE.

“A little less complaint and whining, and a little more dogged work and manly striving, would do us more credit than a thousand civil rights bills.”

-W.E.B. Du Bois

So, granted, we are probably done with all the civil rights bills for our generation – pertaining to race equality that is. Nevertheless, the above quote can still be aptly applied to the current state of the African-American community. To be frank, some individuals need to stop talking about it and simply be about it. And to borrow another cliché: definitive action certainly speaks louder than mere words. So, if you have any specific issues that have been troubling your mind as of late, maybe it is time to bring an end to the lip service and commence a constructive plan of action. Because, believe it or not, government cannot remedy every problem that ails our neighborhoods. Which is why I admire a lot of things about the original Black Panther. They pinpointed the needs of the community and then they actively implemented community based programs to put forth solutions. Seriously, it is time that our generation does the same. Now more than ever, we have the power, the capacity to bring about positive change. We just have to get going and do it!

Ritual: a detailed method of established procedure that is faithfully or regularly followed.

Now, with respect to a gentleman’s wardrobe, maintaining a set of rituals can be greatly beneficial, especially with regards to preventative maintenance. Nothing can subtract years off the life expectancy of a particular item in your closet more than neglect and ambivalence. A gentleman must adhere to a rigid, set rule of practices that ensure proper upkeep and preservation, or he may witness a wardrobe that prematurely succumbs to irreversible disrepair. Today, we are focusing on the necktie. In the following paragraph, you will find a tried and true method that will definitely extend your necktie’s longevity. Every evening after work, I follow the same ritual as I remove my necktie. Trust, it works.

Now, neckties are delicate creatures to begin with, and the continual knotting process can administer a brutal toll on its fabric. Therefore, it is paramount that a gentleman develops the habit of rolling his necktie after he has finished wearing it. First, it is wise to loosen your necktie and carefully reverse the knotting to return it to its untied form. Next, and this is the important part, start at the narrow end and tightly roll along its length. Given that I have enough neckties to endure until the following week, I usually leave my neckties coiled until I unroll them, smooth out the remaining wrinkles, and either hang or place in my dresser drawer. The timetable is up to you. Nevertheless, the key is rolling your necktie nice and tight to hammer out those wrinkles. And never, and we mean never, leave your necktie knotted when you’re not wearing it. You’ve been warned.

My first four pairs of Allen Edmonds were purchased directly from the store. And then I heard some chatter over the Internet about something called a “factory second”. Not quite up to par to release at full retail, these shoes were sold at select outlets for a discounted price. And so I took a chance. I anxiously ordered a pair over the phone. When my purchase arrived, I placed them side by side with one of my regular pairs. I could not discern any egregious cosmetic differences between the two. Shortly thereafter, my next five pairs were factory seconds, but only when the discounted pricing was compounded with an additional sale. Like the one being offered now. Now, my wife tells me I should not tell people my A & E shoes are factory seconds. Perhaps. But, there is no shame to my sartorial game, and I am always willing to share a sale with a fellow gentleman. So, from now until November 21st, a gentleman can take advantage of this latest sale and snag 2 pairs for basically the price of one. I already gave them a ring and the following inventory is available, but you should check for sizing availability. You should also visit their WEBSITE to see what the models look like.

Available Models: Neumok (all colors), Mayfair, Tampa, Links, Walden, Park Avenue *RS, Fifth Avenue *RS, Strand *RS, MacNeil *RS, Mcallister *RS, Westchester *RS

*RS = rubber sole for models that regularly have leather soles

And the most important information you need – the phone number. Well, my friend, it is 262-284-7158 – that’s the shoe bank. They are open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Standard Time. And if you place an order, don’t forget to have them add you to their mailing list. You’ll get special offers like these delivered right to your inbox. Happy hunting.

Seriously, this is one of those time to take advantage of a fabulous bargain. There are a multitude of great finds that a gentleman can discover; my favorite being those Brooks Brothers v neck sweaters. And at 70 percent off retail, a gentleman simply cannot fail. So, what are you waiting for, head over the right now and snag a deal!

Brooks Brothers Veterans Day Online Clearance Event

Yes, you read the title correctly – 9 loafers clocking in just shy of $200.00. Now, the key to selecting the right kind of loafer, especially for the office; it has to look like it belongs. And by that we mean it should exude a level of professionalism that works for Monday when you punch in and Friday when you punch out. And if you’re salary, well, congratulations they will work just as well for you too. Nothing obnoxiously ornate; just clean and simple designs with the occasional flourish of a tassel or metal bit. You can even add a bit of color as the week comes to a close. Every distinguished gentleman should have, at a bare minimum, two pairs of stylish loafers at his disposal. At these price points, you really don’t have a reason not to.

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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?

And so, it all comes down to this. President Barack Obama. Mitt Romney. Two gentlemen enter and only one leaves with the crown. My guess is we won’t know the eventual winner until the late p.m.; perhaps around 11 o’clock. Watch closely for results from Ohio and Florida. If Romney wins Florida, it could be a long night. If Obama takes Ohio, Romney will most likely have to run the table of swing states (Wisconsin, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, etc.) to block the president from 270 electoral votes. Should be interesting. Stay tuned. And more importantly – VOTE!!

The Tie Bar

Gentlemen – rejoice! Currently, we are enthusiastically enjoying a sartorial renaissance of sorts. Pleasantly inundated with a bevy of stylish options, a gentleman can attire himself in a handsome array of clothing, and he doesn’t have to break the bank in doing so. Sure, dressing great can become expensive if a gentleman allows it. And true, there are some items a gentleman cannot maneuver around without dropping some heavy coin. Nevertheless, there exists pathway to smart elegance that doesn’t include high price-tags. Deft utilization of sharp accessories can make an outfit look right-on-the-money without spending a tremendous amount of it. Here, you will find a collection upstart companies that offer insanely inexpensive, superbly stylish accouterments that can definitely elevate a gentleman’s fashion quotient without stressing your pocketbook. Continue reading →

And we’re open for business. Welcome to the brand new, streamlined Gentlemen’s Standard. The move was tough, but necessary. I had outgrown Blogger and needed a change. Thus, I decided to make the move to WordPress. It has been a long time coming. Trying to keep up with regular blogging, working my regular job, and working this site was very time-consuming. But, I am pleased with the work. There is so much more to come, as I still have tons of content to add. I just ask for your patience, and I hope you are happy with the new site as well. Check out the new sections, as I have attempted to streamline some of the more popular content from my old site. So, tell a friend, we’re back to blogging – and we’re new and improved!