For the past few months I've been homeless and living in the shelter system. Please don't ask what happened, I'm not going to go into that, nor am I looking for sympathy. I'm sharing this because one thing that doesn't get as much discussion when talking about style, but is very important when you're homeless, is the base of the style pyramid, function. The picture with the sweater and tie is how I would normally dress for work, and the other picture is clothing that has been my uniform in the shelter. In my uniform I'm wearing a long sleeve cotton t-shirt as a base layer. A navy polar fleece replaces a wool sweater as an insulating layer under my winter parka (not shown). The flat cap I got at Marshall's for $8 on sale (I have a black touque for the cold days). The pants are heavy weight cargos (one to two sizes too large), and themal underwear underneath. Finally I have a pair of the standard white cotton socks and a pair of wool socks I can double up over the cotton ones when going outside. I also have a pair of $10 aviators I got from Amazon. How these fit my functional requirements: 1. You don't stand out in the shelter, you don't want to be a target for theft or appear too much as an authority figure (a lot of the guys have problems with authority). 2. The outfit still has good color style and still looks well put together, particularly with the flat cap. This is important so you don't look homeless when out shopping, dining, or other daily life tasks. When people think you're homeless, they treat you differently. With this look, I could just be any guy who works in construction or a warehouse who didn't have time to change. 3. The clothes are durable. They can be worn 24/7 for days at a time between washing, can handle winter snow, wetness, and salt, and don't snag or rip easily. 4. Don't show dirt easily and can handle punishing laundry systems. 5. The bagginess is actually a bonus. You can layer up easily and trap warm air between layers. It also allows for more comfort while sleeping in the same clothes as you wear during the day. 6. Cargos are considered by many something to be avoided nowadays, but when you're homeless, the pockets help.

The human tongue weighs very little, but few people can hold it. Before you respond to words or feel the need to voice your opinion about something that was unsolicited or maybe Feel the need to react to what someone says, think about this. If someone says something and you immediately comeback, that is a reaction not a response. But if you wait a few seconds, think about what was said and what you want to say then that is a response.

I not very hopeful about this, but I thought I'd ask anyhow. Is anyone familiar with a brand that makes fashionable (looks good with chinos, shirt, tie, and overcoat) winter footwear that could meet the following functional criteria: - Warm for up to an hour at -40C / 40 below F - Water resistant - Salt resistant - Can handle trudging through 16 inches of snow - Extra wide widths - Budget Friendly ~ $100 US / $150 CAD Like I said, I'm not very hopeful. I usually carry my good shoes to work in a bag but, because I take the bus, I'm frequently doing things like shopping, going out to dinner with friends, etc on my way home, so I'm not going to be swapping out of and carrying my outer footwear around in those situations.

Thanks to Martin for inspiring me to pose this question. The question of whether to wear a hat indoors is a common etiquette query that touches on both tradition and modern sensibilities. Traditionally, it is considered proper for men to remove their hats when they go inside. For women, the historical etiquette has been more lenient, as their hats were often seen as part of their attire. However, this typically applies to fashion hats. But, since this RMRS, not RWRS, we'll stick to men. Many people today view hat etiquette as an outdated tradition and believe individuals should have the freedom to wear what they want. However, many others still see it as a sign of respect. Ultimately, deciding whether to follow these customs is a personal choice, but being aware of them can help you navigate different social situations with greater confidence. What say you?

Remember boys, life is short. Let those you love know it and spend time with people that really give a shit about you!