Today is a Wednesday in the office, followed by a trip into the city this afternoon for a business meeting and a seminar with my son. It is also a warm August day, but I still chose to dress this way very intentionally. For me, getting dressed well is never just about clothes. It is about setting a standard for myself and then doing my best to live up to it. A dark suit, light blue shirt, tie, black shoes, and of course a hat to finish things off. Every piece was chosen on purpose because I believe how I present myself affects how I carry myself. The truth is, if I don’t take myself seriously, how can I expect others to? That doesn’t mean being stiff or self-important. It simply means respecting the moment, respecting the people I’m meeting with, and respecting myself enough to show up prepared in every sense of the word. That is part of intentionality for me. And it is also part of optimism. I get dressed this way because I believe the day matters. I believe the meeting matters. I believe the opportunity to keep learning matters. And I believe how we show up in life matters. What makes today even more meaningful is that I’ll be spending part of it with my son. One of the things I have always believed is that more is caught than taught. He has seen this his whole life — that taking care with how I dress, how I conduct myself, and how I approach my responsibilities is simply part of who I am. And now, seeing him naturally carry himself in a similar way is a reminder that example is a powerful teacher. That encourages me. Because in the end, being intentional is not about perfection. It is about consistency. It is about standards. And it is about showing up — day after day — as the man I want to be. Wishing you all a Wonderful Wednesday!!

Thursday is the days I drop my daughter off to school, it is also the day I go into the office. I forgot to bring my gimbal stand to work today, this meant I was restricted in getting my outfit photos today. So by sitting my phone in a lower sport at the base of the stairs I grabbed a few outfit shots, plus a sneaky shot in the boardroom. I am again trying some different ideas and colour palettes, today with a Grey Suit and then some Reds and Whites, plus a little colour play of Purple and Burgundy which is a play on those reds. Todays outfit consists of; M.J. Bale Ashford Suit, crafted from 100% pure Australian Merino wool in a Melange Grey Charles Tyrwhitt Cutaway Collar Stretch Kensington Weave Shirt in Lilac Purple M.J. Bale Faded Red and White Rep Stripe Tie OTAA Silver Bond Tie Clip OTAA Ruby Eye Cufflinks OTAA White Pocket Square with Red Edge Anson Ox Blood Strap With a Traditional Buckle in Gunmetal M.J. Bale Agyle Socks in Grey/Black with pink Stripes Ivassi 1973 Bespoke Semi Brogue Monkstrap In Burgundy SOTD - JPG LeMale Elixir WOTD - Invicta Grand Diver - Aka Big Red Missing from photo’s is my M.J. Bale DB Herringbone coat that I was wearing yesterday

This is the first time I've ever had seasonal allergies and the daily onslaught has built up to fatigue. I hate taking unnecessary time off but spent the morning resting up a bit and trying some seasonal allergy meds for the first time. Will restart the day with a client video call and some internal meetings to finish it with progression on our current big project. At the least, the outfit is ready for the day! Navy tailoring with an oxblood-and-brown accessory story for a client video-conference day • Suit — SJ-014, SL-023 (Enzo Tovare): A navy two-button suit in lightweight Super 150s wool, pairing a 42R jacket with size-36 trousers. The slight sheen, roped shoulders, and breathable worsted cloth create a polished business-formal presence without looking heavy on camera. • Shirt — DS-010 (Charles Tyrwhitt): A white non-iron cotton shirt with subtle bird’s-eye twill, a 5.5-inch spread collar, and French cuffs. The crisp white ground provides contrast against the navy suit; it takes 2.25-inch collar stays. • Undershirt — US-002 (Ralph Lauren Polo): A simple white cotton crew-neck undershirt in size XL. It remains discreet beneath the white twill shirt while providing a comfortable base layer. • Tie — NT-040 (Nordstrom): The Walden Geo Jacquard is a low-sheen silk tie in taupe, dark brown, and cream with a small repeating geometric motif. Its warm neutrals connect the navy suit to the oxblood leather accessories without competing with the shirt’s subtle texture. • Pocket Square — PS-005 (Fort Belvedere): A white linen pocket square distinguished by its “U” monogram (funny backstory despite not have a U anywhere in my name). A crisp three-peaks fold preserves the client-ready formality while keeping the suit-and-tie combination visually controlled. • Belt — B-017 (Nordstrom): A flat oxblood genuine-leather belt with silver buckle hardware, tagged size 32. Its color closely coordinates with the shoes and business card case, creating a deliberate leather story throughout the outfit.

I don't know about you guys, but Fall is by far my favorite season here in the Chicagoland area. You get to wear great shirts, boots, jackets and coats. I'm breaking into my Fall stuff a little early. Today I'm wearing my Timberland Pro pants, Smith Mills flannel, Hamilton Khaki King watch, and one of my pair of Asolo hiking boots. If you do any resl hiking or orienteering like I do, you owe it to yourself to try a pair of Asolo boots. They are true hikers, not your typical Merrell, Keen, or Salomon (although some of the Salomon boots are actually quite capable hikers, just not quite as hard core as the Asolo's) Wednesday is typically my last day of the week in the office as I'm generally remote on Thursday and Friday. I'll get back to my Wednesday suit days soon, too. Warner

Why Men Must Take Care of Themselves, Even After Marriage Looking sharp is not superficial. For men, it can change how people treat you, how your kids see you, and how confidently you move through the world. Anthony Buntyn sits down with Chad Smith, newly appointed Director of International Affairs with the Society of Ordinary Gentlemen, for a conversation about style, fatherhood, military discipline, and what it really means to lead a family well. Anthony and Chad break down why presentation still matters, even when you are married, busy, and juggling work, kids, and responsibilities. Chad shares how he balances civilian contract work after 26 years in the Australian Navy, an active role in his daughters' lives, and a marriage built on teamwork while his wife serves in the Australian Air Force. You'll discover: - Why your appearance creates instant assumptions, for better or worse - How Chad uses daily routines like school drop-offs, coffee runs, and outfit prep to stay connected with his daughters - The difference between being the "man of the house" and building a shared household - Why fatherhood is about modeling standards, not just providing - How military training, preparation, and discipline carry into civilian life - Why having an outlet with other men matters for mental health, perspective, and growth Anthony also explores the deeper stakes behind the conversation - from how children learn what healthy masculinity looks like to why too many men and fathers stay disconnected until a crisis forces them to pay attention. This episode is perfect for men navigating marriage, parenting, military transition, or simply trying to become more intentional about how they show up every day. If you want practical wisdom on being a better husband, father, and gentleman, this is a conversation you will want to hear.