I've previously been a big fan of Clarks shoes. I know they are a lower end brand but they provided comfortable shoes which I was less afraid to wear in mud etc. In 2019, I brought a pair of Clarks boots which lasted until end of winter 22/23. I wore them maybe 30 days a year when the weather was really bad. In August 2023, I brought another pair (pictured) which lasted maybe maximum 30 wears. I paid £45 and £55 (about $65) but the boots retail for £120 ($140) and the best current outlet price is £84 ($106). Similarly, I've had a pair of Clarks brouge shoes I brought this October which are already on their last legs, even though I only wear them once per week when I go to the office! I've decided to completely replace all Clarks products in my wardrobe. I've replaced the boots with Goodyear welted Loake Aquarius (seconds due to a slight mark which doesn't bother me on a military style boot) for £110 ($140) and Samuel Windsor Goodyear Welted Chelsea boots for £50 ($60). I've already replaced the Clarks brogues with the GYW Barker Brogues I posted previously!

Having spent 26 year in the Australian Navy wearing ill fitting and non supportive boots I have stayed away from boots until today. For my 49th birthday I got. 20% off everything voucher from “The Iconic”. It’s an Australian store that has brands from all over the place and sells a lot of awesome clothing. So I went looking around to see if there was anything I liked and found 2 pairs of shoes (One from Dune London, the other from Brando) and these boots. So I decided on these Florshiem Teak leather boots. They should do great with plenty of my suits and even look the business with my sand coloured Linen Safari suit.

1. Antonio Centeno (RMRS) Favourite things: depth of knowledge in mens style, long back catalogue of videos, works harder than any other youtuber I've seen. He's also a US military veteran and supports freedom for Ukraine which (without getting political) I personally think is a good cause. Less favourite thing: Antonio has a very American sense of style (which isn't surprising or bad as he's a proud American), but some of his advice might differ from what we'd in in Europe or the UK! 2. Sven from the Gentleman's Gazette Favourite things: Sven has immense knowledge of classic menswear, especially luxury brands, and vintage, I also get the impression he also knows a bit more about European brands than Antonio might. He also features a lot of his team members on his channel who bring different perspectives, like Preston and Jack who are from the Midwestern USA and UK respectively. Sven also tries really hard to feature some videos about buying on a budget. I haven't purchased any personally as I have plenty already but his Fort Belvedere brand ties look sharp. Less favourite things: Sven's videos can feature some very high end brands which are unattainable for most gents, some of his vintage looks can get a bit costumey/dandyish for my tastes and can sometimes look a bit more dated than classic in my opinion. 3. Aaron Marino (Alpha M) Favourite things: I think Aaron Marino is really good for younger men, when I was a late teenager/earlier in my 20s I watched his videos a fair bit more than I do now. I also think his views on fitness are really valuable and he has the correct values in that area, any gent can dress well, but of course younger guys will be served well by staying in good shape! Less favourite things: Aaron likes clickbait, I don't think he'd argue with that, the "why (budget watch brand) is better than Rolex" video was a bit cringeworthy in my opinion. Also maybe some of his personal lifestyle videos can be a bit much! Your views gents (please keep it constructive, I don't want anyone flaming Antonio/Sven/Aaron on here!)

Last night in my first ever OOTD post, I mentioned that the wife and I were headed out for a nice dinner at a place we enjoy. I’m not sure what made me decide to post my outfit. I think (other than keeping busy as I waited for my lovely wife to get ready) I was actually feeling a little self conscious about how I was dressed. That I was a little too everyday casual for the venue. I had intended to wear my Navy Blue Blazer, over the outfit but upon pulling it from the closet I saw some smudges where it had brushed up against something and so into the dry cleaning bag it went. To help paint the picture, the place we had reservations for is a fine dining establishment, on a coastal community estate, with that old country club feel, complete with valet parking, pianist playing on the grand piano in the piano bar while you dine, professional well dressed staff, and excellent chef. The type of place where before the pandemic, to dine gentlemen were “strongly encouraged” to wear a jacket. The staff opened the car door for my wife, greeted us by name, I handed my keys to the valet, and they took us to our requested table all set for us. As we walked through the piano bar to the dining room, knowing glances and nods from some of the regulars and a smile and welcome from the pianist. Then a scan through the room showed a drastic contrast. The over forty set and the under forty set. With a few notable exceptions the over forty set were dressed well, ladies well put together in nice dresses or pant suits, men dress shirts or oxfords, sweaters and or jackets. The under forty set. - again with a few very noticeable exceptions (and here in lies my point) blue jeans, sweatshirts, athletic pants, yoga pants, running shoes, etc. One young couple the young man was I ripped jeans and a bright red tattered zipper front hoodie emblazoned with his favorite sport team’s logo on it. What amazed me the most wasn’t the dress itself, but the fact that they were completely oblivious to the incongruence of it all. They were just as comfortable in this setting dressed as they were as if they were grabbing a burger at the local McDonalds. They seemed to look at all of us “old farts” like we were the odd ones.

For a long time I would pretty much use any deodorant/anti perspirant not thinking too deeply into it, however lately I’ve become slightly more conscious about the ingredients involved. I’ve been religiously using Native brand now. Aluminum and paraben free.