Tag Archives: Details

Gent Hints – The Loafer, The Suit

June 25, 2013 By in Gent Hints Tags: , , Leave a comment

To be sure, pertaining to matters of a gentleman’s suit, its style, more specifically how it is worn, has slowly transformed over the decades. What was generally unacceptable decades past is now being passionately embraced by a younger demographic; and they have vigorously applied their own spin on the gentleman’s standard uniform. Take for instance the gentleman’s dress shoe and how it is married to the aforementioned suit. The dress oxford, be it a cap toe or wingtip option, has long been the widely accepted choice for proper footing. No more. Over the years, the loafer has been welcomed as a viable selection. Initially frowned upon by the establishment, the loafer is now being actively recruited to fill the shoes of, well, your regular dress shoes. And the look works – extraordinarily well in fact. Tassels, metal bit, or maybe just a plain vamp; rocking a pair of clean, chiseled loafers with a suit just isn’t right – it’s right now. However, here at The Gentlemen’s Standard, we endorse wearing some socks to complete the look. But hey, we’re based in Michigan, so the weather doesn’t grant many days of sockless aplomb. So, go ahead, rock your loafers with confidence gents. Boom!

Gent Hints

  • By default, the black loafer is the quintessential favorite for occasions that demand more business, formal attire.
  • However, brown is perfectly fine, especially if they arrive in the darker variety with a mirror-like gloss.
  • High vamp = formal look.
  • Short  vamp = casual look. Wear these with a sports coat.
  • No socks, no problem. Dust the insole with some trusty Gold Bond powder to absorb moisture and funk.
  • Alternatively, if dusty white feet isn’t your preference, a stick of antiperspirant works great too.
  • Plain vamps are welcome to all ages.
  • Tassels are a little more mature. Kiltie loafers are really, really mature.
  • Metal bits are welcome to all age groups as well, and they exhibit a little more charm.
  • Business meeting? Walk carefully. Loafers may or may not be appropriate. Use your best judgment.

Style & Substance – Get “A-round” – Stylish Pocket Rounds At Any Price

June 22, 2013 By in Style & Substance Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment

Alexander Olch Collage

Sure, we totally understand that the current sartorial climate favors the conservative aesthetics of the conventional pocket square, and the conservative practice of the square fold – even if the folds are slightly irregular. Alternatively, the pocket volcano, also known as the inverted puff fold, is frowned upon in some fashion circles. However, and forgive me for my apparent partiality, but here at The Gentlemen’s Standard, current trends should not preclude a gentleman from variety. And if you have been following men’s style over the past few years, you can appreciate the much-needed injection of variety in men’s style. So in the spirit of variety, today we celebrate the pocket round. Because, in light of recent trends that dictate otherwise, a gentleman should not deprive himself of a little variety. With its crumpled edges and circular shape, a gentleman is afforded no choice but to pinch the “round” in the middle and stuff it in his jacket pocket with the tips exploding upwards. Tired of regular square folds? Give your suit jacket or sports coat a roundhouse kick and punch it up with a pocket round. Check out the following selections and extract the necessary inspiration.

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Gentlemen’s Review – Zirh International – Alpha Hydroxy Acid Face Wash

June 17, 2013 By in Uncategorized Tags: , , , 3 Comments

Zirh Face Wash

Well, it is that time once again for a grooming review. Today, we are looking at a face wash offered by Zirh International, appropriately named Zirh Clean Face Wash. Offered in a metallic bottle holding approximately 8.4 fluid ounces of product; Clean promises to invigorate your skin by gently eliminating dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells. So, what was my experience? Well, read on.

Observations

  • Face wash has a thick, gelatinous consistency that is unlike any other face wash you might have used before.
  • The good: A little dab covering the surface of a finger is sufficient enough to produce a rich and robust lather.
  • The bad: Extracting the face wash from the metallic bottle can prove a little challenging for some gentlemen due to its gel-like form.
  • The solution: Keep it in the shower so the face wash doesn’t congeal too much, which might happen if housed in a medicine cabinet.
  • It has a light citrus, lemon scent that is really pleasant, but not overpowering.
  • The presence of menthol provides a nice cooling sensation, especially if you are in a steamy shower. It really opens up the pores.
  • As stated before, the lather is really rich. With that stated, sometimes the wash got in my mouth. And along it smells like lemons, it surely doesn’t taste like it! So don’t go overboard with pouring it out. If you pour too much, again with its gel form, scooping it back into the bottle shouldn’t be a problem.
  • It washes away cleanly with no residue. It didn’t dry out my skin, and it didn’t irritate me.
  • Retails for approximately $20.00, which may scare some gentlemen away, but a gentleman should be able to extract a long life from this product, especially if he is using bar soap to wash your face and body.

Product Specifications

Alpha Hydroxy Acid Face Wash
Invigorating Alpha-Hydroxy face wash removes dirt and excess oil for fresher looking skin. With Alpha-Hydroxy acid, CLEAN works to remove dirt, excess oil and surface dead skin cells, uncovering newer, fresher looking skin. Fresh, light lemon scent.

Key Ingredients
Triple Alpha Hydroxy Acids: Helps remove surface dead skin cells unveiling healthier looking skin
Menthol: Cools and invigorates the skin
Salicylic Acid: Reduces irritation and redness while removing excess oil

For more information about Zirh product, 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 – Richard James Pocket Square – Swan Motif

June 16, 2013 By in Style & Substance Tags: , , , Leave a comment

IMG_0982It was not long ago that my dresser drawer was absolutely barren, completely devoid of any stylish pocket squares of any kind. However, fast-forward to the present day, and my collection is quite extensive. The meticulous procurement of varying silk, cotton, wool, and linen pocket squares has become somewhat of a hobby. My latest acquisition, the Richard James offering above, was purchased recently with a little bit of luck playing a key role. As noted from a few posts ago, Mr Porter is conducting their annual spring sale. I had been stalking  watching this particular pocket square for quite some time, and I was hoping it would be one of few that received a reduction. Alas, by the time I checked the website, it was on sale, but it was sold out. Nevertheless, on few occasions, inventory is replenished and items are available for purchase once again. And it just so happened one morning that I was clicking through the Mr Porter website when I discovered my swan pocket square was back in stock. One hundred percent turquoise cotton edged with a lime green border and sporadically dotted with little white swans. It was a beautiful square with the precise amount leisurely panache that is perfect for this time of year. So, with nimble fingers I hurriedly placed my order, as the website indicated that there was only 1 remaining in stock – yikes. Well, my mission was completed and my new square arrived a few days later. The complete opposite of my skull & crossbones pocket square, the swan detail is lighthearted and carefree. Nothing wrong with a little variety in one’s life.

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Standard Recommendations – The Floral Necktie

June 8, 2013 By in Recommendations Tags: , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Floral Necktie1Trust, a well-dressed gentleman appreciates the beauty of seasonal changes, and he appropriately adjusts his wardrobe selection to coincide with the subtle nuances that a new season may bring. As you might have noticed, well, depending upon what part of the globe you reside, flowers have fully blossomed and anything that should be green is of course – green. Again, this is all contingent upon where in the world you happen to call home. Well, my home is Michigan, and given the state of the weather today, I decided to head out to the backyard and snap a few shots of today’s endorsement – the floral necktie. Sure, stripes and solids are perennial classics. Checks and a few paisley prints may creep into the mix every now and again. But it seems as if floral neckties never procure the same level of consideration, and that is regretful. Woven and even printed floral neckties are whimsically stylish without being silly and buffoonish. The right selection can lend a light touch to a stern suit and soften a decidedly masculine presentation, absent the fear of emasculation. Trust me, you’ll be fine.

Neckties, in order of appearance: J.Z. Richards, Ted Baker, Peter Millar, XMI, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Ermenegildo Zegna

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Style & Substance – That ’70s Necktie

May 31, 2013 By in Style & Substance Tags: 1 Comment

Wide Width NecktieDelicately marinated in a bath of unabashed smoothness; this outfit emerges with a distinct ’70s flavor that only a connoisseur of cool could comprehend. Boasting a necktie width that would make Ron Burgundy burn with envy, this chosen piece of neck wear is a far departure from the emaciated slivers of silk that dangle helplessly around the throats of aspiring fashion-forward gentlemen. Sure, this striped beauty is a touch wide…okay…it’s pretty humongous. But, to that I declare: Whatever man. In a day and age where peacocks frolic to and fro with constricted trousers, Picasso print tops, and height challenged hems; I hereby endorse that ’70s necktie. I understand I may reside in the minority, and I may not be able to locate a necktie that matches the width of a lobster bib, but I am definitely incorporating neckties with broader proportions into my collection. Now the challenge: finding some good stock.