The Gentlemen's Standard

Sometimes a gentleman will unexpectedly discover himself in an unfamiliar, perhaps unwelcoming environment. It is easier said than done, but do not burden yourself with debilitating worry. Undoubtedly, the immediate surroundings and circumstances present new challenges. Moreover, a gentleman’s growth and development may be temporarily stunted; you may have even regressed to some degree.…

To be absolutely certain, with the steady passage of time, a gentleman will experience quiet periods of emotional and mental fatigue. His spirit will be disquieted. His mood will be wrought with irregular swings of melancholy and anxiety. Desperately he attempts to summon the requisite energy necessary for addressing the everyday grind of life. And to be sure, without a doubt, life will present…

There are some fragrances on the market that, when smartly paired with proper gentlemanly attire, the gentleman fully understands he is going to be a problem – in a spicy sort of way. Now, let us assume you are that rakish gentleman, and your presentation is sartorially immaculate. Well, Guerlain L’Homme Ideal Parfum wholly understands the assignment. This is a fine fragrance formulated…

Photography Credit – Brooks Brothers Apologies. It took me a while to muster the strength to write this post. Nonetheless, I want to congratulate NBA champion and Finals Most Valuable Player Jalen Brunson for winning his first championship. Flowers are indeed deserved – salute. And even though my hometown team – Detroit Pistons – was bounced in the second round this season, surely both teams…

A few years ago, my family and I traveled to Northern Michigan for a quick weekend getaway. A college friend owns a quaint cabin on a lake that she rents during the spring and summer. And so, we booked some time for the great escape. It was timely, as our metropolitan area was hit by heavy thunderstorms. Subsequently, we lost power at home through that weekend (a lot of discarded food upon our…

A wise gentleman fully understands that success is not precipitated by large, unrealistic swings at achieving desired goals. In reality, rather, the process can be an unexciting and laborious journey. He will face a myriad of challenges and failures that will steel his resolve. Therefore, an intelligent gentleman understands that success owes a portion of its existence to winning on the margins.…

Cliche, yes, but Christmas gifts for fathers generally arrive with an array of curiously patterned neckties, the manliest of power tools, and an adorable assortment of socks. Well, this past Christmas, my children broke from that time-honored tradition and decided upon the gift of grooming. And what hid beneath colored tissue paper in my holiday gift bag was a jar of Every Man Jack Vanilla +…

Well, it would appear that Old Man Winter has relinquished his seemingly perpetual, frosty grip on the temperatures outside – at least here in Michigan. Sure, every few days, he will stage a futile resurgence with a couple of nippy days thrown into the mix, but the picture is crystal clear; spring is an inevitability. And so, on those warm days that call for appreciation of nature, the seasonal…

Unsurprisingly, I am wholly confident that my current challenges of rearing a young boy is not exclusive to my parental timeline. If you are an involved father, and your rambunctious offspring is prone to boneheaded, impulsive behavior – well – you understand the struggle is agonizingly real. Trust, the anxiety induced when one receives an e-mail or phone call from the school is steeped with…

“Real education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to live with life as they find it and make it better.” – Carter G. Woodson To be absolutely sure, a gentleman’s life earns new significance when he not only identifies his purpose, but he also cultivates that purpose into something tangible that benefits other individuals. It is tragically irresponsible when an accomplished…

As time passes, it is difficult to reconcile how long I have been writing here at The Gentleman’s Standard. The loafers pictured above were purchased around the year 2009, and my style evolution was still in its early phase. I was branching out beyond my sartorial comfort zone, as I experimented with color, fabric, and new fashionable additions to my wardrobe. For example, my shoe game ranged…