TGIF and Good Friday. I normally wear boots but I'll start off today with the socks given to me by @Jeffrey Plotka a few months back. Mandarin green ribbed socks. Thanks again Jeffrey! Green Department polo over rust 5.11 Apex pants. Brown Anson belt with silver buckle and brown Thursday President boots! Vincero green dial watch and Scent Reserve inspired by Spice Bomb.

WHO what where when how why I thought I might share my influences of how my affinity for American Classic Timeless Menswear has developed over the past 50 plus years if anyone is interested😴. In this first of a series of posts I thought I might start with WHO as in who have been my influencers. Naturally the many bosses and mentors at the three clothing firms (Bob Hunts, McCalls And Harold’s ) shaped my views more than anyone, but in order to make this post relatable I thought I would point out a few icons that virtually everyone should know. Let’s start with the more recent and work backwards. G. Bruce Boyer-this author of multiple style books and former writer for Town and Country has become the consummate expert on what denotes classic timeless menswear. He is featured on sites such as Ben Silver, J. Press, and The UK’s Permanent Style to name a few. Whenever I see a picture of Boyer I think three things, • I would wear exactly what he has on, • he exudes that fantastic Americana Sprezzatura look of comfort in a tailored outfit, and • he ain’t a movie star-so maybe just maybe I could look that cool myself. I love his subtle style tweakes like buttoning a cardigan with only two buttons , or leaving a waist coat’s top and bottom button undone, or his use of boldly colored socks in an otherwise mundane outfit, or his use of tattersalls and a complete nonchalant view of tucking his smaller tie blade into the tie keeper or not. His art is in the minutiae. He has exactly the style of dress we at Harold’s would have identified as a Harold’s man: Confident, comfortable, well put together. Here is an example of the brilliance of his writing: https://pin.it/1XOJcW62R Ralph Lauren- the Man who saved Menswear. My first experience with RL clothing was at Harold’s. At a former store we sold Izods (or Lacrosse) polos. Back then there were several knock-offs but no one had the fit and beefy placket that Izod had. That is until RL came on the scene with his interlock weave. RL fabrics were clearly superior. Upon buying my first one, I delved into the magic of RL. He scoured thrift stores in London and reverse engineered and contracted with old-line suit firms to private label his clothing. His plaid shirts had many more thread counts and thus more colors than anyone else. This added depth and softness to the shirts. This was all before the department stores were allowed to sell Ralph Lauren and the (gag) preppy worship of the high holy horse started. Simply put, Ralph virtually single handedly recaptured the allure and grandeur of the 1920’s through 1950’s golden era of menswear precisely when America needed it most, immediately following an apocalyptic disaster known as the 1970’s. I could write all day about RL, But suffice to say-he made an impact. He was a visionary rebel who relentlessly worked toward his dream and we caught his vision. Hear him in his own words:

"Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up on your right to be wrong because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life." Dr. David M. Burns Have a great day brothers.

"You need to be aware of what others are doing , applaud thier successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, we all win." Jim Stoval Have a wonderful day brothers.

The man you could’ve been is waiting on the other side of one moment: The moment you get fucking pissed. Not at them. Not at life. At you. Stop lying to yourself. You’re not confused. You’re just not offended enough by your own bullshit. You made peace with “good enough”… And this is what it got you. Look around. Is this it? Is this what you’re willing to accept? Is this really going to be your life story? Everything changes the moment you snap. The moment you look around and get disgusted enough to burn it all down… …and build what you actually want. That’s when it shifts. Not before. The comeback starts when the lies stop. ~ Andy Frisella