It hasn’t been all coffee, croissants, cognac, and chocolates here in The City of Light. A little bit of work has transpired.
In the coming weeks, the latest installment of the Old Money series will be available online and in bookstores: Old Money Style: Secrets To Dressing Well For Less – The Gentleman’s Edition.
The challenge of dressing well in this age of Instagram trendiness is obvious: young men are exposed to so many images, advertisements, influencers, and icons–all sporting an oh-so-clever look or the latest designer fashions. It’s inevitable that clothing choices go off the rails, or go nowhere at all, with T-shirts, hoodies, jeans, and sneakers being the go-to, fall-back ensemble for many.
I’m not sure if today’s poorly dressed public is a result of apathy, a lack of awareness, or simply a lack of information. Or a combination of all three. In any case, this latest book has been written to address these issues and more, as well as offer some straightforward, simple solutions that won’t break the bank.
So what’s in Old Money Style? As it turns out, a lot. (I thought it would be almost a pocket guide or pamphlet when I started writing it.)
First, I address some history. I explain the philosophy behind Old Money Style: why OMGs dress the way the do, and where the style originated. I also explain the purpose of men’s clothes, which I doubt few men ever take the time to think about.
I address the psychological impact of a man’s wardrobe on others, and how that can help or hinder personal or professional objectives. I lay out easy mix-and-match ensembles that can carry almost any man through the week in a casual, business casual, or more formal office environment.
I provide an Inventory of garments, shoes, and accessories for a man to assemble over time, as well as providing vendor information, complete with detailed descriptions, color photos, advice on when & where & how to wear, and how to care for each inventory item.
Perhaps most importantly, I lay out what I call the Starting Five: the five essential garments that every man needs in order to be able to dress well for almost any occasion.
Who is this book for? Obviously, the high school or college graduate who has to assemble an interview outfit, round out his overall look, up his confidence, and mind the bottom line on the budget. For the more established gent, Old Money Style offers some keen insights on how to easily upgrade to look better at work and at play. For everybody, it’ll offer a simple program to follow so you can think less about your clothes and enjoy life more.
True to form, I do slip in some Food for Thought between the lines. As we all know, it ain’t just about the clothes.
At present, the manuscript is going through its final revisions. As a publication date comes more into focus, I’ll let you know.
Thanks.
- BGT
Thank you Byron. Would you do the book for ladies as well? I know you have covered it in your last book, however a thorough elaboration will be much appreciated.
Hi Anna, I’m considering it. Thank you for the suggestion. – BGT
Very good luck to you on its completion!
Thank you, Theodore. – BGT
This will make a fantastic Christmas gift for the younger men in the family! Do you have future plans for a Ladies edition?
Thanks, Jane. I’m hoping revisions will be done in time. Fingers crossed. – BGT
Alan Flusser offers phenomenal advice in Dressing the Man and Clothes and the Man. I look forward to your treatise on the subject!
Jon
He did a great job with that book, Jon. Mine won’t be nearly that broad. – BGT
Great news! We need extra copies in MN, where the standard male uniform seems to be sports jerseys and backwards baseball caps. I’m reasonably sure that the fellows wearing the jerseys don’t actually play for any of the teams represented on them.
I’ll do my best, Katie! Please put the word out! – BGT
Looking forward to it Byron. Send extra copies to Southern California wher men believe that boardshorts and flip-flops are acceptable dinner attire. [insert eyeroll here]
Thanks, Ed. How many copies would we need…??? – BGT
The slovenly look of so many guys is accentuated by the fact that their female companions are often dressed nicely, having put actual effort into putting together a chic ensemble, applying makeup and accessories. The contrast is strange. I always wonder why this put-together woman is with the man who looks like he just rolled off the couch and was pushed unwillingly into the world. Also, what happened to outerwear? In Chicago today it is a cold 12 degrees F. Wearing two hoody sweatshirt layers and a nordic hat with goofy strings is not going to cut it! And I so often want to ask how much Team X is paying an individual for their promotion.
True, Elle. Making an effort. Says a lot. – BGT
Looking forward to it, Byron.
Reading the comments, it’s quite puzzling why people bother so much about how strangers dress.
If a person walks down the street, dressed differently than one would, doesn’t it mean that one lives in a tolerant place where people can be themselves?
The mentality to expect everyone to dress and think as one would, isn’t foreign to the somniferous middle-class.
The King of my country once received a guest who was barefoot (but had something worthy to discuss). And they both looked at ease and amused on the photo.
JL, I see what you are saying, except I do not want everyone to look the same. In fact, those who are trying to look like they aren’t trying end up looking like they do have a uniform- of sweats or leggings, hoodies, sneakers. It is funny how trends cycle between “trying to deviate from” and then “trying to fit in”
Sure, others are not dressing for my benefit, (although I do appreciate beautiful things) but I absolutely have an initial reaction to someone’s choice of attire and general presentation. I think of it as having respect for others to respect myself and take care with my appearance, especially as it relates to the time and place. I prefer to see a well-maintained farm, business, school, home, car, website, because they provide information about what I can expect.
There are many ways to present yourself, and reasons why. The first blog i ever followed was the Sartorialist, and there are featured beautiful variations on clothing choices from all over the world. What the people have in common is that they have put in effort and thought.
Thank you for your comment.
“I absolutely have an initial reaction to someone’s choice of attire and general presentation.”
Then, wouldn’t you have made an unfair judgment, if the Dalai Lama entered a restaurant wearing sandals, and you didn’t know him? Or wouldn’t you have thought the cluttered desk of Albert Einstein belonged to a poorly educated person?
JL — presumably, we read blogs like Byron’s in order to learn. If you listen carefully, you might learn from the comments that you implicitly disparage.
Many people — my guess would be most people — base their initial impression of you at least in part on your clothing, and treat you accordingly. If you look like a clown, you will likely be treated as though you are a clown; if you look homeless, you will likely be treated as though you are homeless; and if you look like a slob, you will likely be treated as though you are a slob. This is simply a fact.
You may believe, sincerely from your own notion of morality, that this is wrongful behavior. Perhaps you would be right, perhaps not. But the point is: real life is as I (and others) have described here, like it or not. I am, of course, not the first person to make these observations, and I will likely not be the last.
I think that the two icons that you mention — the Dali and Einstein — are quite poor examples in this context. Someone who reaches their level of accomplishment may well flout the “rules,” in the sense that they have “earned” their status as exceptions. Conversely, just because you flout the rules does not indicate that you and they are kin in any way.
This is a blog about old money. Yes, you will occasionally see an old-money slob in a good restaurant. In the vast majority of instances, however, you will see the old money guy well dressed for the occasion, although not ostentatiously. There are at least two reason for this: (1) the old money guy likely does not want to draw undue attention to himself, and (2) anyone with a good upbringing doesn’t want to visually pollute the environment for other people.
Good point, JL. Ideas are what you bring to the table. Being well dressed is a gift you give to the world. – BGT
Looking forward to the book!
A Chinese student of mine mentioned during a chat after class yesterday just how sloppy Americans look in general. Regardless of income bracket, people send all kinds of messages via their appearance that, in the long run, don’t help them in the quest to improve their lives. Is it any wonder that so many have difficulty getting ahead when they cannot be bother to put even a little effort into their attire? Or a modicum of effort into much else if we are really honest about it. Self-defeating habits and a pervasive complacent mindset are the biggest stumbling blocks people face when it comes to making their lives better. Not something most want to hear or acknowledge. The tired refrain seems to be what OTHERS can and should do for me, me, ME. I shouldn’t have to change anything about myself. Assuming a disaffected stance is certainly far easier than getting with the program, getting one’s act together, and joining society. Like it, or not, how a person presents him or herself to the rest of the world is a part of that.
Best Regards,
Heinz-Ulrich
Thanks, Heinz. It’s always interesting to hear what you learn from your students. – BGT
Please consider Personal Finance as the next installment.
Yes I would be interested in this topic also
Thanks, EMJ. So many people do investments and finance so well, I’m reluctant to get into that subject very deeply. I did, however, cover some issues in Old Money, New Woman. – BGT
This book will be very well received. I hope you advise your readers to ensure they know where their clothes and shoes were made and by whom. If you are buying off the peg (most people do) is important to ensure the person who made your shirts and your shoes was paid a fair wage. There was a high-profile case recently where a well-known designer’s clothes were found to be made in a European factory where staff were badly paid. The clothes concerned are not cheap to buy.
Know
Thank you, Noelle. Well said. – BGT
Having worked with teens for the past 25 years, and lived with one for 18 years, I can tell you that the answers are none of the above. The two most frequent reasons is a. If others can do it, why can’t I? and b. It’s the latest style and I have to look like the rest of my friends, aka peer pressure. A third possible reason that I have heard is the ‘hey, I’m so cool I don’t care what anyone else thinks’ attitude. In other words. I don’t give a darn what others think. And you can see it in the difference between students that attend schools that have dress codes and ones that don’t.
Thank you for sharing that, Kellie. Lot of insight. – BGT
I’m so looking forward to the book and know it will be a best seller for sure.
K. Lee
Thank you, K. Lee. Much appreciated. – BGT