Have any of you guys tried using AI to see how clothing looks on you, before you buy something? Its great. You plug in a Pic of yourself, a Pic of the clothes you want to try on, and you can see it on you before you buy it. Or, if you have a closet full of clothes you can make a weekly wardrobe selection I used my vacation pic, and generated a whole spring/summer and fall/winter wardrobe.

I got these dark chili Allen Edmond monkstraps a while back. They are the shoes that I bought because I like the esthetic, but never really knew how to wear them except with chinos and polo. As I'm getting ready to polish them, the thought came to mind that I should be getting more use out of these. Any suggestions? PS. They look the way they do because I just cleaned all the old wax off the toes with saddle soap and they are still drying.

Since my last visits here, I've gotten a TON of new stuff from estate sales, mostly art but some clothes and shoes as well. These two pair are from this weekend's haul. A pair of Florsheim loafers and a pair of Bruno Magli wingtips, with seude and leather. I polished both of these since buying. The Florsheim's were pretty much like new, but the Bruno's were pretty beat. They still have some character marks, but they are certainly wearable still. Pretty unique too. ($15 for both pair)

Traveling today to watch one of my younger sons 2 best friends graduate today. He is now officially 1 of 50 in our State Police “SORT”! He’s also one of the youngest to have ever reached this level if not the youngest. He has eaten at my dinner table on average 3 nights a week since middle school and this was always his dream!! I couldn’t be any prouder!! So happy to see him fulfill a life long dream!!

When looking for something sartorial to buy from Rome, I opted for something new (vs. going vintage in Athens with a second-hand tie). When looking for great local artisans for neckties, my AI bot shared that pocket squares from Rome are maybe even more interesting and precious. It found me a store that makes both of these with their designs via local artisans: Cruciani & Bella. They are in the sartorial district near the Spanish Steps, but are not a fashion merchant. Co—Pilot nailed this selection. Given the heat and being shortly after siesta, I was the only customer. Once I asked about shantung and noted my salesman’s tie was grenadine, both staff were very engaging. The only limit is that they are just about to shut down for summer break and will receive their autumn collection upon their return. Their current coffers were limited for more interesting designs, including their typical extensive collection of madder silk. They even walked me through their bespoke tie process, but this was about something custom to Rome and Italy for me. About half way into my visit, I realized that the two staff were actually Cruciani and Bella! They started the store 30 years ago and still run it. They were endlessly patient, proud of their work, and are sending me one of their autumnal madder ties, which I was able to try, once they get their delivery. Photos of the store and the two items I took away are below. The tie, go figure, is a Glenn check, but in a fresco wool weave. The pocket square is madder silk and two sided.